Utility
Balanced
305Low
25Very Slow
DTier

Shelmet is technically a pre-evolution of Accelgor, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Only weak to Fire, Flying, and Rock. Introduced in Gen 5. Known as the Snail Pokemon.

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.

Base Stats
305Avg
HP50
D
Attack40
D
Defense85
C
Sp. Atk40
D
Sp. Def65
C
Speed25
F
Total305
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Shelmet yields +1 Def
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Details
Catch200EasyMedium Fast1M XP0.4m / 1'04"7.7kg / 17 lbs61Base XP
Pokedex Entries

When it and Karrablast are together, and both receive electrical stimulation, they both evolve.

Black 2 / White 2

Shelmet Weakness

Avg

Shelmet is weak to Fire, Flying, and Rock-type moves. Standard number of weaknesses for the Bug typing.

Gen V Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCriticali
None
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
3Weak
3Resist
0Immune
Scorei-3
Stealth Rock25% on switch
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
HydrationCures any major status ailment after each turn during rain.
Shell ArmorProtects against critical hits.
OvercoatHAProtects against damage from weather.

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.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Shelmet
Bug
HP
50
80+30
ATK
40
70+30
DEF
85
40-45
SP.ATK
40
100+60
SP.DEF
65
60-5
SPE
25
145+120
BST
305D-Tier
495C-Tier+190
ROLE
Balanced
Sweeper
TYPE
Utility
Special
Breeding
Very Easy

Breed Shelmet easily from the Bug egg group. Pass egg moves like Baton Pass, Double-Edge, Encore and 7 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Bug
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
15 cycles·3,855 steps
Quick~4 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
10moves

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 5.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Breeding opens up real options for Shelmet. Baton Pass and Double-Edge come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Bug Buzz and Leech Life and Poison and Normal coverage and more.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leech Life
2010010Bug
Lv 4
Acid
4010030Poison
Lv 8
Bide+1
10Normal
Lv 13
Curse
10Ghost
Lv 16
Struggle Bug
3010020Bug
Lv 20
Mega Drain
4010015Grass
Lv 25
Yawn
10Normal
Lv 28
Protect+4
10Normal
Lv 32
Acid Armor
40Poison
Lv 37
Giga Drain
7510010Grass
Lv 40
Body Slam
8510015Normal
Lv 44
Bug Buzz
9010010Bug
Lv 49
Recover
10Normal
Lv 52
Guard Swap
10Psychic
Lv 56
Final Gambit
1005Fighting

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM53
Energy Ball
8010010Grass
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM17
Protect+4
10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
5Water
TM44
Rest
10Psychic
TM27
Return
10020Normal
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM36
Sludge Bomb
9010010Poison
TM76
Struggle Bug
3010020Bug
TM90
Substitute
10Normal
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM06
Toxic
9010Poison
TM09
Venoshock
6510010Poison

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Baton Pass
40Normal
Egg
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Egg
Encore
1005Normal
Egg
Endure+4
10Normal
Egg
Feint+2
3010010Normal
Egg
Guard Split
10Psychic
Egg
Mind Reader
5Normal
Egg
Mud-Slap
2010010Ground
Egg
Pursuit
4010020Dark
Egg
Spikes
20Ground

Tutor Moves

Src
Tutor
Bug Bite
6010020Bug
Tutor
Gastro Acid
10010Poison
Tutor
Giga Drain
7510010Grass
Tutor
Signal Beam
7510015Bug
Tutor
Sleep Talk
10Normal
Tutor
Snore
4010015Normal

14 encounter spots for Shelmet at high spawn rates starting from mid-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.

Best Locations

Before you go hunting for Shelmet, check which of the 14 spots belong to your version. Black 2 and White 2 each have different walking encounters at Lv. 23-57.

Route 6
Black 2GrassLv.23-26CommonMidRouteAny
EFFORTLESS
Route 6
Black 2GrassLv.26-29CommonMidRouteAnyDouble grass
EFFORTLESS
Route 6
White 2GrassLv.23RareMidRouteAny
CHALLENGING
Route 6
White 2GrassLv.26RareMidRouteAnyDouble grass
CHALLENGING
Route 11
Black 2GrassLv.36-39CommonLateRouteAny
EFFORTLESS
Route 11
Black 2GrassLv.40-43CommonLateRouteAnyDouble grass
EFFORTLESS
Route 11
White 2GrassLv.36RareLateRouteAny
CHALLENGING
Route 11
White 2GrassLv.40RareLateRouteAnyDouble grass
CHALLENGING
Icirrus City
Black 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostCitySpring/summer/autumn
EASY
Moor of Icirrus
Black 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostSwampAny
EASY
Route 8
Black 2GrassLv.54UncommonPostRouteSpring/summer/autumn
EASY
Icirrus City
White 2GrassLv.57RarePostCitySpring/summer/autumn
CHALLENGING
Moor of Icirrus
White 2GrassLv.57RarePostSwampAny
CHALLENGING
Route 8
White 2GrassLv.57RarePostRouteSpring/summer/autumn
CHALLENGING
  • Shelmet is meant to evolve into Accelgor. At 305 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.

  • Shelmet's biggest threats include Arcanine (Fire), Salamence (Flying), and Rhyperior (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. At base 25 Speed, Shelmet won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.

  • Shelmet evolves into Accelgor by trading. Shelmet is the base form of this evolutionary line.

  • Hydration is the go-to ability for Shelmet. It cures any major status ailment after each turn during rain. Its hidden ability Overcoat can work in specific setups. Shell Armor is the other option — pick based on what your team needs.

  • Base 25 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Shelmet is leaning toward the physical side (base 40 Attack). Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.

  • Shelmet appears in 7 games, including Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, and X & Y.

Shelmet joined the series in Black & White and has been available in 7 titles so far. With 5 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.