Special
Balanced
40Speed · Very Slow

Is Shellder Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

Critical hits never land against Shellder. AbilityShell Armor blocks them entirely. Cloyster at Water Stone has the highest Defense in FRLG's story roster. Water coverage handles Blaine and Giovanni. The Ice typing after evolving gives Dragon coverage for Lance.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSTTTGEGSTGEGEBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4ShellderCatchableCloysterEvolveKogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Strong

Shellder resists most of Brock's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Tough

Misty's typing presses Shellder's defenses.

Risky
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
Avoid
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Tough

Lt. Surge's team hits Shellder's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
Risky
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Risky
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Tough

Erika's team hits Shellder's weaknesses hard.

Avoid
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
Risky
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
Avoid
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Good

Cloyster has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Even
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Cloyster trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
Even
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
Even
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Good

Cloyster has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.

You Win
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
You Win
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Even
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Strong

Cloyster resists most of Giovanni's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Easy KO
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
Easy KO
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Easy KO
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Tough

Lorelei's typing presses Cloyster's defenses.

Even
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
Risky
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
Even
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
Risky
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
Risky
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water AbsorbImmune to Water attacks
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Cloyster has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
Even
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Even

Cloyster trades roughly evenly with Agatha's team.

Even
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
You Win
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
Even
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
Even
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
Even
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Good

Cloyster has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
Even
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Even

Cloyster trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.

Even
Heracross
Lv 72
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornEarthquakeCounterRock Tomb
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 73
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCalm MindReflect
You Win
Tyranitar
Lv 72
RockDark
Sand Stream
CrunchEarthquakeThunderboltAerial Ace
Even
Gyarados
Lv 73
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hydro PumpDragon DanceEarthquakeHyper Beam
Even
Arcanine
Lv 73
Fire
Intimidate
Extreme SpeedOverheatAerial AceIron Tail
Even
Venusaur
Lv 75
GrassPoison
Overgrow
Solar BeamSludge BombEarthquakeSunny Day
Catchable
Available after Badge 4
Type
Water
Tier
F

Catch Shellder on Pallet Town (Super Rod fishing, Lv 15-25, common).

View Shellder locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Misty
    • TM03WaterWater Pulse90100%20
  • After Erika
    • TM14IceBlizzard11070%5
    • TM43NormalSecret Power70100%20
  • After Koga
    • HM03WaterSurf135100%15
  • After Blaine
    • TUTORNormalExplosion250100%5
    • LV 50IceIce Beam90100%10
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • Post-Game
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20
Evolve Shellder to Cloyster
Use Water Stone
Type
WaterIce
Tier
S

You can buy the Water Stone at the Celadon Department Store on the 4th floor (₽2,100). 1 other location is also available.

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 29)
    • LV 29IceAurora Beam98100%20
  • After Misty
    • TM03WaterWater Pulse90100%20
  • After Erika
    • TM14IceBlizzard16570%5
    • TM13IceIce Beam135100%10
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
  • After Koga
    • HM03WaterSurf135100%15
  • After Blaine
    • TUTORNormalExplosion250100%5
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • Post-Game
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20

How to Get Shellder in FireRed & LeafGreen

FireRed exclusive, Super Rod only. Shellder has seven fishing encounters at common rates spread across six water spots on the map.

FireRed Exclusive — Trade with LeafGreen for Staryu

Wild Shellder may be holding when caught:

Pearl (50% chance) A relatively small pearl that sparkles in a pretty silver color. It can be sold cheaply.
Big Pearl (5% chance) A quite-large pearl that sparkles in a pretty silver color. It can be sold at a high price.

6 locations to catch Shellder

Encountered via fishing with a Rod

Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8
Post-Game

Where To Catch Shellder in FRLG

Shellder is your first catch on the way to Shellder. You'll find fishing encounters from Lv. 15-25 across 7 total spots in the chain.

  1. Cloyster
    Step 2Evolve into Cloyster
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Four Island Pokemon Day Care to receive a Cloyster egg. Requires the Rainbow Pass to access Four Island.

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

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
305D-Tier
525B-Tier+220
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Physical
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Shellder easily with 19 breeding partners from the Water3 egg group. Pass egg moves like Barrier, Bubble Beam, Icicle Spear and 3 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
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

FRLG Shellder Best Moveset

100 Defense impressive but 30 HP negates it. AbilityShell Armor blocks critical hits. Cloyster's dominant MoveSpikes and MoveExplosion role is one evolution away.

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 8
Icicle Spear
2510030Ice
Lv 15
Supersonic
5520Normal
Lv 22
Aurora Beam
6510020Ice
Lv 29
Protect+4
C10Normal
Lv 36
Leer
D10030Normal
Lv 43
Clamp
528510Water
Lv 50
Ice Beam
D9510010Ice

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
D120705Ice
TM
Dive
C9010010Water
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM07
Hail
10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
D9510010Ice
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
HM03
Surf
B14210015Water
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
D9010020Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Barrier
D30Psychic
Egg
Bubble Beam
D9710020Water
Egg
Icicle Spear
2510030Ice
Egg
Rapid Spin
B5010040Normal
Egg
Screech
D8540Normal
Egg
Take Down
D908520Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Explosion
B2501005Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C10Normal

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.
Skill Link
Extends two-to-five-hit moves and triple kick to their full length every time.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

It is encased in a shell that is harder than diamond. Inside, however, it is surprisingly tender.

Its hard shell repels any kind of attack. It is vulnerable only when its shell is open.

Shellder FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • How do I evolve Shellder into Cloyster in FireRed & LeafGreen?

    Buy a Water Stone to evolve Shellder into Cloyster.

    Water Stone

    Evolves Shellder into Cloyster

    Celadon Department Store 4F₽2,100

  • Is Shellder exclusive to FireRed or LeafGreen?

    Shellder is exclusive to Pokemon FireRed. LeafGreen players have to trade for one.

    Pokemon FireRed cover art

    FireRed exclusive

    Trade with a player who has Pokemon FireRed to obtain Shellder.

    See the Locations section above for where to find Shellder in FireRed.

    How to trade in FireRed and LeafGreen

    GBA cartridges: You need a Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable and both players' FireRed/LeafGreen cartridges. Trade at the Cable Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, which opens up shortly after Oak gives you the Pokedex.
    Nintendo Switch (2026 release): Trading uses local wireless only. There is no online play, and no Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required. Both players head to the Pokemon Wireless Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, then step into a Union Room. Up to four other players can join. Available once you have the Pokedex from Professor Oak.

Game Availability

Shellder has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.

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