Transfer-only in Ruby & Sapphire. Shell Armor prevents crits, and S-Tier Cloyster with Spikes makes importing Shellder worth 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 Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

Not native to Hoenn. Trade from FireRed or LeafGreen. Cloyster gains AbilityShell Armor in Gen 3, blocking critical hits. The massive Defense and Ice attacks are still there. Trade-only but Cloyster is one of the stronger Ice options if imported for Drake.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTEBETEETTTTEERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8ShellderTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Tough

Roxanne's typing presses Shellder's defenses.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
TackleHardenRock ThrowRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Even

Shellder trades roughly evenly with Brawly's team.

Even
Machop
Lv 17
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopSeismic TossBulk Up
Even
Makuhita
Lv 18
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustKnock OffSand AttackBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Bad

Wattson's Pokemon outpace and outclass Shellder here.

Avoid
Magnemite
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomThunder ShockThunder Wave
Risky
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSelf DestructSparkSonic Boom
Avoid
Magneton
Lv 23
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomShock WaveThunder Wave
Flannery
Gym 4
Even

Shellder trades roughly evenly with Flannery's team.

Even
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
FlamethrowerRock SlideLight ScreenSunny Day
Risky
Torkoal
Lv 28
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatBody SlamFlailAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Tough

Norman's typing presses Shellder's defenses.

Risky
Slaking
Lv 28
Normal
Truant
EncoreFacadeYawnFeint Attack
Risky
Vigoroth
Lv 30
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFeint AttackFacadeEncore
Avoid
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
Focus PunchSlack OffFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Shellder trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

Even
Swellow
Lv 31
NormalFlying
Guts
Quick AttackAerial AceDouble TeamEndeavor
Risky
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Even
Skarmory
Lv 32
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
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Even
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Wallace
Gym 8
Tough

Wallace's typing presses Shellder's defenses.

Risky
Luvdisc
Lv 40
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Even
Whiscash
Lv 42
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
Risky
Sealeo
Lv 40
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Risky
Seaking
Lv 42
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseRain DanceFury AttackHorn Drill
Avoid
Milotic
Lv 43
Water
Marvel Scale
Water PulseTwisterRecoverIce Beam
Sidney
Elite Four
Tough

Sidney's team hits Shellder's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarTake DownSand AttackCrunch
Avoid
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
Fake OutDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
Risky
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Avoid
Sharpedo
Lv 48
WaterDark
Rough Skin
CrunchSwaggerSurfSlash
Even
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceSnatchSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Tough

Phoebe's typing presses Shellder's defenses.

Even
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseFuture Sight
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallSpiteWill O WispFeint Attack
Risky
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallPsychicAttractFeint Attack
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicToxicSkill Swap
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamConfuse RayEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Tough

Glacia's typing presses Shellder's defenses.

Risky
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchHailIce Beam
Risky
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamHailIce Ball
Risky
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDiveHailBlizzard
Risky
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallCrunchHailIce Beam
Avoid
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamBlizzardSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Even

Shellder trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.

Risky
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectCrunch
Risky
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Take DownDragon BreathDragon DanceRefresh
You Win
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
You Win
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
Risky
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Steven
Champion
Even

Shellder trades roughly evenly with Steven's team.

Even
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
You Win
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
Levitate
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
Even
Aggron
Lv 56
SteelRock
Sturdy
ThunderEarthquakeSolar BeamDragon Claw
Even
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
You Win
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Risky
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam

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 Ruby & Sapphire

Clamperl and others take the shelled-water niche in Hoenn, leaving Shellder off the map. You will need to trade one in for the Cloyster line.

How to Obtain Shellder in RS

  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 Ruby & Sapphire

Shellder never washes up in Hoenn, so fish a shiny off Pallet Town's shore in FireRed and trade it home. See every game where Shiny Shellder can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Shellder in Ruby & SapphireNormal
Shiny Shellder in Ruby & Sapphire 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
Roselia
Roselia
GrassPoison
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

RS Shellder Best Moveset

Pre-evolution heading toward Cloyster's MoveSpikes and MoveExplosion role. AbilityShell Armor prevents critical hits, a modest defensive perk. No competitive value at this stage.

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
HM08
DiveMossdeep Citybadge 6
C9010010Water
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42D7010020Normal
TM07
HailShoal Cavebadge 6
———10Ice
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamAbandoned Shipbadge 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
HM03
SurfPetalburg Citybadge 5
B14210015Water
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulsePrize for defeating Wallacenot 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

Shellder can't learn any Tutor moves

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, this POKéMON uses its broad tongue to burrow a hole in the seafloor sand and then sleep in it. While it is sleeping, SHELLDER closes its shell, but leaves its tongue hanging out.

Pokemon Ruby / Pokemon Sapphire

Shellder Ruby & Sapphire Guide

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

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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