Shelmet Best Moveset
Bug pre-evo with 85 Defense but 40 in both offenses and 25 Speed making the moveset entirely non-functional. AbilityOvercoat from the hidden slot blocks weather damage and powder moves. Evolve into Accelgor for 145 Speed, the fastest non-legendary available.
Shelmet was a niche pick at best in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2), rarely seen in standard play. This was Shelmet's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Shellarmor with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Shelmet best EVs are Defense and HP
Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Spikes
- Recover
- Final Gambit
Recommended Teammates
Shelmet was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. Shelmet maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Overcoat with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Infestation
- Spikes
- Recover
Recommended Teammates
Shelmet was a niche pick at best in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM), rarely seen in standard play. Shelmet maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Overcoat with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Recover
- Spikes
- Toxic Spikes
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Shelmet was a niche pick at best in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP), rarely seen in standard play. Shelmet maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Shellarmor with Eviolite, favoring a Impish nature.
Wall Moveset
- Curse
- Baton Pass
- Recover
- Skitter Smack
Recommended Teammates
Shelmet Weakness
Shelmet is weak to Fire, Flying, and Rock. Standard number of weaknesses for the Bug typing.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Flying, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting, Ground |
What is Shelmet Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Shelmet
Arcanine can KO Shelmet with Flare Blitz (167-197%). Staraptor threatens a KO with Double-Edge (88-104%). Rhyperior's Stone Edge also KOs at 181-213%.
 Arcanine Fire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Shelmet View Arcanine builds →Extreme Speed37-44% Flare Blitz 2x167-197%KO | ||
 Staraptor Normal | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityReckless ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Shelmet View Staraptor builds →Close Combat29-34% U Turn34-41% Double Edge88-104%KO | ||
 Rhyperior GroundRock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolidrock ItemAssault Vest NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Shelmet View Rhyperior builds →Earthquake45-53% Stone Edge 2x181-213%KO | ||
Evolution
Shelmet doesn't evolve by leveling. You'll need a trade to push it forward to Accelgor. Evolving adds up to 190 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Shelmet easily with 91 breeding partners from the Bug egg group.
How to Get Shelmet
A trade step sits in Shelmet's 2-stage line from Shelmet. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Shelmet shows up in the wild, so the starting catch is the easy part.
Where To Catch Shelmet in SwSh
The path to Shelmet starts with Shelmet at Lv. 13-65 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Shelmet ✓Soothing WetlandsLv.13-18GrassRate 30%Intense SunSoothing WetlandsLv.13-18GrassRate 30%SnowstormSoothing WetlandsLv.13-18GrassRate 30%Heavy FogSoothing WetlandsLv.13-18GrassRate 30%SnowingSoothing WetlandsLv.13-18GrassRate 30%OvercastSoothing WetlandsLv.13-18GrassRate 30%SandstormSoothing WetlandsLv.13-18GrassRate 30%ThunderstormSoothing WetlandsLv.13-18GrassRate 30%Normal WeatherSoothing WetlandsLv.13-18GrassRate 30%RainingMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28GrassShieldRate 35%RainingHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassShieldRate 30%RainingRoute 7Lv.28-40GrassShieldRate 20%SnowstormHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassShieldRate 15%ThunderstormBridge FieldLv.26-28GrassRate 10%OvercastMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28GrassSwordRate 10%RainingGiant's CapLv.27-29GrassShieldRate 10%OvercastHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassSwordRate 5%RainingRoute 7Lv.28-40GrassSwordRate 5%SnowstormRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassShieldRate 25%Normal WeatherRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassShieldRate 20%Heavy FogRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassShieldRate 20%SnowingRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassShieldRate 20%OvercastRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassShieldRate 20%SandstormRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassShieldRate 20%ThunderstormRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassShieldRate 20%RainingRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassShieldRate 20%Intense SunRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassSwordRate 5%Heavy FogRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassSwordRate 5%SnowingRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassSwordRate 5%OvercastRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassSwordRate 5%SandstormRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassSwordRate 5%ThunderstormRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassSwordRate 5%Normal WeatherRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassSwordRate 5%RainingRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassSwordRate 5%Intense SunGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%SnowstormGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%Heavy FogGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%OvercastGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%SnowingGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%Normal WeatherGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%RainingGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 16%Intense SunGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 16%Thunderstorm
Step 2Evolve into AccelgorBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Accelgor egg.
Shelmet isn't available in the wild in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Start by transferring Shelmet from Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, or Sword & Shield. The evolution path from Shelmet to Shelmet is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Shelmet in USUM
- Step 1Shelmet ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Walking · Icirrus City. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black 2 & White 2Not TradeableAppears in Black 2 & White 2 via Walking · Route 11. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom X & YNot TradeableAppears in X & Y via Walking · Route 14. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Sword & ShieldNot TradeableAppears in Sword & Shield via Walking · Soothing Wetlands · Overcast. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Accelgor
Shelmet can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Shelmet from Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, or Sword & Shield and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Shelmet in SM
- Step 1Shelmet ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave Accelgor with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Shelmet egg.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Walking · Icirrus City. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black 2 & White 2Not TradeableAppears in Black 2 & White 2 via Walking · Route 11. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom X & YNot TradeableAppears in X & Y via Walking · Route 14. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Sword & ShieldNot TradeableAppears in Sword & Shield via Walking · Soothing Wetlands · Snowing. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Evolve into Accelgor
Shelmet can't be caught in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire. Transfer Shelmet from Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, or Sword & Shield and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Shelmet in ORAS
Step 1Shelmet ✓CARTRIDGE TRADEfrom X & YAvailableCatch in X & Y via Walking · Route 14, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Walking · Icirrus City. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black 2 & White 2Not TradeableAppears in Black 2 & White 2 via Walking · Route 11. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Sword & ShieldNot TradeableAppears in Sword & Shield via Walking · Soothing Wetlands · Overcast. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Accelgor
Base Stats
Defense and Sp. Def carry most of Shelmet's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Easy to catch and yields 1 Defense EV. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It has a strange physiology that responds to electricity. When together with Karrablast, Shelmet evolves for some reason.
Shelmet Guide
Shelmet evolves into Accelgor via trade. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Shelmet to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required.
You can run Shelmet through the first few routes without issues. 305 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Accelgor as fast as you can.
Game Availability
Shelmet joined the series in Black & White and has been available in 7 titles so far. With 6 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves