Utility
Hazard Setter
305Low
40Very Slow
BTier

Shellder is technically a pre-evolution of Cloyster, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Only weak to Electric and Grass. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets. Been around since Gen 1.

Shellder's spread isn't flashy. Defense leads, Sp. Def trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 1 Defense EV, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.

Base Stats
305Avg
HP30
F
Attack65
C
Defense100
B
Sp. Atk45
D
Sp. Def25
F
Speed40
D
Total305
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Shellder yields +1 Def
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Details
Catch190Easy•Slow1.25M XP•0.3m / 1'00"•4kg / 8.8 lbs•61Base XP
Pokedex Entries

The shell can withstand any attack. However, when it is open, the tender body is exposed.

Lets Go Pikachu / Lets Go Eevee

Shellder Weakness

Good

Type-wise, Shellder takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Shellder's physical bulk (base 100 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
ElectricGrass
½xResisti
FireWaterIceSteel
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
STAB (3)i
FireGroundRock
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Scorei0
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
Shell ArmorProtects against critical hits.
Skill LinkExtends two-to-five-hit moves and triple kick to their full length every time.
OvercoatHAProtects against damage from weather.

Evolving Shellder into Cloyster takes an evolution item. It's not a simple level-up, so check the chain details below. Evolving adds up to 220 stat points total.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Shellder
#090Shellder
Water Stone
Cloyster
#091Cloyster
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Shellder
Water
Cloyster
WaterIce
HP
30
50+20
ATK
65
95+30
DEF
100
180+80
SP.ATK
45
85+40
SP.DEF
25
45+20
SPE
40
70+30
BST
305B-Tier
525B-Tier+220
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Physical
Mixed
Breeding
Very Easy

Breed Shellder easily from the Water3 egg group.

Egg Groups
Water3
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Best Build

Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.

Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.

Shellder develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Ice Beam and Hydro Pump show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Tackle
4010035Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 4
Withdraw
——40Water
Lv 9
Leer
—10030Normal
Lv 13
Ice Shard+1
4010030Ice
Lv 18
Supersonic
—5520Normal
Lv 22
Clamp
358515Water
Lv 27
Aurora Beam
6510020Ice
Lv 31
Protect+4
——10Normal
Lv 36
Ice Beam
9010010Ice
Lv 40
Shell Smash
——15Normal
Lv 45
Hydro Pump
110805Water

TM Moves

Src
TM51
Blizzard
110705Ice
TM12
Facade
7010020Normal
TM01
Headbutt
7010015Normal
TM55
Ice Beam
9010010Ice
TM07
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM09
Reflect
——20Psychic
TM05
Rest
——10Psychic
TM42
Self-Destruct
2001005Normal
TM08
Substitute
——10Normal
TM47
Surf
9010015Water
TM04
Teleport-6
——20Psychic
TM27
Toxic
—9010Poison
TM28
Tri Attack
8010010Normal

Egg Moves

Shellder doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Shellder can't learn any Tutor moves

Shellder starts showing up in late-game water routes at high spawn rates across 4 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.

Best Locations

Before you go hunting for Shellder, check which of the 4 spots belong to your version. Let's Go Eevee and Let's Go Pikachu each have different surfing encounters at Lv. 39-44.

Seafoam Islands - Area 2
Let's Go EeveeSurfing on waterLv.39-4430%LateWater
EASY
Seafoam Islands - Area 2
Let's Go PikachuSurfing on waterLv.39-4430%LateWater
EASY
Seafoam Islands - Area 3
Let's Go EeveeSurfing on waterLv.39-4430%LateWater
EASY
Seafoam Islands - Area 3
Let's Go PikachuSurfing on waterLv.39-4430%LateWater
EASY

  • Shellder isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Cloyster to unlock its full potential. At 305 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.

  • Shellder's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric) and Exeggutor (Grass), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. At base 40 Speed, Shellder won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.

  • Shellder evolves into Cloyster using a Water Stone. Shellder is the base form of this evolutionary line.

  • Shell Armor is the go-to ability for Shellder. It protects against critical hits. Its hidden ability Overcoat can work in specific setups. Skill Link is the other option — pick based on what your team needs.

  • Shellder fills the hazard setter role. It's leaning toward the physical side (base 65 Attack). Base 40 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's fragile — can't afford to take many hits.

  • Shellder appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.

Shellder has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 9 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.