The Bivalve Pokemon. Import Shellder into Emerald for the S-Tier Cloyster payoff. Shell Armor prevents crits, and Spikes on Cloyster justify the effort.
Ability 1Shell ArmorAbility 1Protects against critical hits.
305HP30Attack65Defense100Speed40Sp.Def25Sp.Atk45
Shellder
Cloyster
Weak to
Special
Balanced
40Speed · Very Slow

Is Shellder Good in Emerald Playthrough?

Shellder evolves into Cloyster with a Water Stone. AbilityShell Armor blocks critical hits. Trade import from FRLG. Cloyster adds Ice typing for massive Defense and Drake coverage. One of the highest physical Defense stats in the game paired with the Ice type the endgame needs.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTEBTTEETTETTTRoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7JuanGym 8ShellderTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Tough

Roxanne's typing presses Shellder's defenses.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
BlockHardenTackleRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Even

Shellder trades roughly evenly with Brawly's team.

Even
Machop
Lv 16
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopLow KickSeismic TossBulk Up
Risky
Meditite
Lv 16
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Focus PunchLight ScreenReflectBulk Up
Even
Makuhita
Lv 19
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustVital ThrowReversalBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Bad

Wattson's Pokemon outpace and outclass Shellder here.

Risky
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSparkSelf DestructShock Wave
Risky
Electrike
Lv 20
Electric
Static
Shock WaveLeerQuick AttackHowl
Avoid
Magneton
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicShock WaveThunder WaveSonic Boom
Avoid
Manectric
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveShock WaveHowl
Flannery
Gym 4
Tough

Flannery's typing presses Shellder's defenses.

Even
Numel
Lv 24
FireGround
Oblivious
OverheatTake DownMagnitudeSunny Day
Even
Slugma
Lv 24
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
Risky
Camerupt
Lv 26
FireGround
Magma Armor
OverheatTackleSunny DayAttract
Risky
Torkoal
Lv 29
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatSunny DayBody SlamAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Tough

Norman's typing presses Shellder's defenses.

Risky
Spinda
Lv 27
Normal
Own Tempo
Teeter DancePsybeamFacadeEncore
Risky
Vigoroth
Lv 27
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFacadeEncoreFeint Attack
Risky
Linoone
Lv 29
Normal
Pickup
SlashBelly DrumFacadeHeadbutt
Avoid
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
CounterYawnFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Shellder trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

You Win
Swablu
Lv 29
NormalFlying
Natural Cure
Perish SongMirror MoveSafeguardAerial Ace
Risky
Tropius
Lv 29
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayAerial AceSolar BeamSynthesis
Risky
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Even
Skarmory
Lv 31
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Risky
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Even

Shellder trades roughly evenly with Tate & Liza's team.

Even
Claydol
Lv 41
GroundPsychic
Levitate
EarthquakeAncient PowerPsychicLight Screen
Risky
Xatu
Lv 41
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
PsychicSunny DayConfuse RayCalm Mind
Even
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Even
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Juan
Gym 8
Tough

Juan's typing presses Shellder's defenses.

Even
Luvdisc
Lv 41
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Even
Whiscash
Lv 41
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
Risky
Sealeo
Lv 43
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Risky
Crawdaunt
Lv 43
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
Water PulseCrabhammerTauntLeer
Avoid
Kingdra
Lv 46
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
Water PulseDouble TeamIce BeamRest
Sidney
Elite Four
Tough

Sidney's team hits Shellder's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarDouble EdgeSand AttackCrunch
Risky
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
TormentDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
Risky
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Risky
Crawdaunt
Lv 48
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
SurfSwords DanceStrengthFacade
Even
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceRock SlideSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Shellder trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

Even
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseProtect
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallGrudgeWill O WispFeint Attack
Risky
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallDouble TeamNight ShadeFeint Attack
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicThunderboltFacade
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamRock SlideEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Tough

Glacia's typing presses Shellder's defenses.

Even
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamHailIce Ball
Risky
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchIcy WindIce Beam
Risky
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDouble EdgeHailBlizzard
Risky
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallExplosionHailIce Beam
Avoid
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamIce BeamSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Tough

Drake's typing presses Shellder's defenses.

Risky
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectDouble Edge
Risky
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Double EdgeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Avoid
Kingdra
Lv 53
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenDragon DanceSurfBody Slam
You Win
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathEarthquake
Risky
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawRock SlideCrunch
Wallace
Champion
Tough

Wallace's team hits Shellder's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Wailord
Lv 57
Water
Water Veil
Rain DanceWater SpoutDouble EdgeBlizzard
Risky
Tentacruel
Lv 55
WaterPoison
Clear Body
ToxicHydro PumpSludge BombIce Beam
Avoid
Ludicolo
Lv 56
WaterGrass
Swift Swim
Giga DrainSurfLeech SeedDouble Team
Even
Whiscash
Lv 56
WaterGround
Oblivious
EarthquakeSurfAmnesiaHyper Beam
Avoid
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon DanceEarthquakeHyper BeamSurf
Avoid
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverSurfIce BeamToxic

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
Water
Tier
F

Shellder cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.

View Shellder locations

How to Get Shellder in Emerald

There is no wild clam on the local beaches or sea routes, so Shellder has to be traded in to begin the line.

How to Obtain Shellder in E

  1. Shellder
    Step 1Shellder ✓
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Red & Blue via Super rod · Route 11. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Yellow
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Yellow via Super rod · Route 18. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Gold & Silver via Super rod · Route 26. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Cloyster
    Step 2Evolve into Cloyster

How to Get Shiny Shellder in Emerald

Shellder clams up outside Emerald, so trade one from FireRed alone, where a Super Rod cast off Cinnabar Island or inside Icefall Cave can turn one up; reel the shining bivalve there first, then bring it over. See every game where Shiny Shellder can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Shellder in EmeraldNormal
Shiny Shellder in Emerald Shiny
Color ShiftPurpletoRed
Shiny TierA Tier Shiny

Shiny Shellder Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Shellder Weakness

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.

Shellder Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Shellder Weak Against

Good
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Shellder Strong Against

3Strong
3Resisted
0Immune
Score0
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Shellder

Ludicolo
Ludicolo
WaterGrass
C
Cacturne
Cacturne
GrassDark
B
B
Vileplume
Vileplume
GrassPoison
C
C

Shellder Evolutions

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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
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
305F-Tier
525S-Tier+220
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Physical
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Shellder easily with 19 breeding partners from the Water 3 egg group. Pass egg moves like Barrier, Bubble Beam, Icicle Spear and 3 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Water 3
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
crawdauntcorsolacorphishomastarkabutopsomanytekabutotentacruelcloysterstarmiekinglerstaryu

E Shellder Best Moveset

Water pre-evolution with AbilityShell Armor blocking critical hits. 100 Defense is notable but 30 HP negates it entirely. Competitive moveset value begins at Cloyster.

Best Build

Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Shell Armor
Item
Sitrus BerryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Shellder
Bold+DEF

Shellder best EVs are HP and Defense

EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • ExplosionCoverage
  • SurfSTAB
  • Rapid Spin
  • Icy Wind

Recommended Teammates

Moves List

The egg pool carries weight here. Barrier and Bubble Beam aren't available any other way for Shellder, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Surf and Dive for solid options.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 1
Withdraw
———40Water
Lv 9
Supersonic
——5520Normal
Lv 17
Aurora Beam
—6510020Ice
Lv 25
Protect+4
C——10Normal
Lv 33
Leer
D—10030Normal
Lv 41
Clamp
—528510Water
Lv 49
Ice Beam
D9510010Ice

TM Moves

All 17 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14D120705Ice
HM08C9010010Water
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42D7010020Normal
TM21
FrustrationPacifidlog Townbadge 5
D—10020Normal
TM07
HailShoal Cavebadge 6
———10Ice
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510010Ice
TM17C——10Normal
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulsePrize for defeating Juannot until badge 8
D9010020Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Barrier
D——30Psychic
Egg
Bubble Beam
D9710020Water
Egg
Icicle Spear
—2510030Ice
Egg
Rapid Spin
B5010040Normal
Egg
Screech
D—8540Normal
Egg
Take Down
D908520Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Tutor
Explosion
B2501005Normal
Tutor
Icy Wind
B559515Ice
Tutor
Mimic
D——10Normal
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D——10Normal
Tutor
Snore
—4010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C——10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D—9015Normal
Tutor
Swift
—60—20Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP30
F
Attack65
C
Defense100
B
Sp. Atk45
D
Sp. Def25
F
Speed40
D
Total305
Details
Catch Rate
Easy190 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height0.3 m
Weight4.0 kg
Base XP61
Abilities
Shell Armor
Protects against critical hits.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

At night, it burrows a hole in the seafloor with its broad tongue to make a place to sleep. While asleep, it closes its shell, but leaves its tongue hanging out.

Pokemon Emerald

Shellder Emerald Guide

  • No. Shellder isn't catchable in Emerald. Catch one in FireRed, then trade it over.

  • In Emerald, Shellder has 305 BST and evolves into Cloyster. Compare the two forms before you give either one a team slot.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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