Shieldon is revived from a fossil in Pewter City in HeartGold and SoulSilver. Sturdy blocks OHKO moves, and Bastiodon at C-Tier is the 168-Defense wall with 4x Ground and Fighting weaknesses.
Ability 1SturdyAbility 1Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
350HP30Attack42Defense118Speed30Sp.Def88Sp.Atk42
Shieldon
Bastiodon
Weak to
Mixed
Balanced
30Speed · Very Slow

Is Shieldon Good in HeartGold & SoulSilver Playthrough?

Fossil revival. Rock/Steel with AbilitySturdy. Bastiodon at level 30 has enormous Defense. The defensive counterpart to Rampardos. Fossil timing limits story contribution.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadESGEBEEEETEEGEGEGGTEGFalknerGym 1BugsyGym 2WhitneyGym 3MortyGym 4ChuckGym 5JasmineGym 6PryceGym 7ClairGym 8BrockGym 9MistyGym 10SurgeGym 11ErikaGym 12JanineGym 13SabrinaGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16ShieldonFossilBastiodonEvolveWillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4LanceChamp*
Falkner
Gym 1
Even

Shieldon trades roughly evenly with Falkner's team.

Even
Pidgey
Lv 9
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleSand Attack
Even
Pidgeotto
Lv 13
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleRoostGust
Bugsy
Gym 2
Strong

Shieldon resists most of Bugsy's coverage and hits back hard.

You Win
Scyther
Lv 17
BugFlying
Technician
Quick AttackLeerU TurnFocus Energy
Easy KO
Kakuna
Lv 15
BugPoison
Shed Skin
Poison Sting
Easy KO
Metapod
Lv 15
Bug
Shed Skin
Tackle
Whitney
Gym 3
Good

Shieldon has the type edge here and should clean up Whitney's team.

You Win
Clefairy
Lv 17
Normal
Cute Charm
Double SlapMimicEncoreMetronome
Even
Miltank
Lv 19
Normal
Scrappy
RolloutAttractStompMilk Drink
Morty
Gym 4
Even

Shieldon trades roughly evenly with Morty's team.

Even
Gastly
Lv 21
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
LickSpiteMean LookCurse
Even
Haunter
Lv 21
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
HypnosisDream EaterCurseNightmare
Risky
Gengar
Lv 25
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
HypnosisShadow BallMean LookSucker Punch
Even
Haunter
Lv 23
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
CurseMean LookSucker PunchNight Shade
Chuck
Gym 5
Bad

Chuck's Pokemon outpace and outclass Shieldon here.

Avoid
Primeape
Lv 29
Fighting
Vital Spirit
LeerDouble TeamFocus PunchRock Slide
Avoid
Poliwrath
Lv 31
WaterFighting
Water Absorb
HypnosisSurfFocus PunchBody Slam
Jasmine
Gym 6
Even

Shieldon trades roughly evenly with Jasmine's team.

Even
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Even
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Sturdy
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Risky
Steelix
Lv 35
SteelGround
Sturdy
ScreechSandstormRock ThrowIron Tail
Pryce
Gym 7
Even

Shieldon trades roughly evenly with Pryce's team.

Even
Seel
Lv 30
Water
Thick Fat
SnoreHailIcy WindRest
You Win
Dewgong
Lv 32
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Sleep TalkIce ShardAurora BeamRest
Even
Piloswine
Lv 34
IceGround
Snow Cloak
HailIce FangMud BombBlizzard
Clair
Gym 8
Even

Shieldon trades roughly evenly with Clair's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 38
WaterFlying
Intimidate
TwisterDragon RageBiteDragon Pulse
Even
Dragonair
Lv 38
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveFire BlastSlamDragon Pulse
Even
Dragonair
Lv 38
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveAqua TailSlamDragon Pulse
Avoid
Kingdra
Lv 41
WaterDragon
Sniper
SmokescreenHydro PumpHyper BeamDragon Pulse
Brock
Gym 9
Even

Shieldon trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.

Even
Graveler
Lv 51
RockGround
Sturdy
Defense CurlRock SlideRolloutEarthquake
Even
Rhyhorn
Lv 51
GroundRock
Rock Head
SandstormScary FaceEarthquakeHorn Drill
Even
Omastar
Lv 53
RockWater
Shell Armor
Ancient PowerBrineProtectSpike Cannon
Even
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Sturdy
Iron TailRock SlideScreechSandstorm
Even
Kabutops
Lv 52
RockWater
Battle Armor
Rock SlideAqua JetEndureGiga Drain
Misty
Gym 10
Tough

Misty's team hits Shieldon's weaknesses hard.

Even
Golduck
Lv 49
Water
Damp
Water PulseDisablePsych UpPsychic
Avoid
Quagsire
Lv 49
WaterGround
Water Absorb
Water PulseAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance
Even
Lapras
Lv 52
WaterIce
Shell Armor
Water PulseSingIce BeamBody Slam
Risky
Starmie
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Natural Cure
Water PulseConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam
Lt. Surge
Gym 11
Even

Shieldon trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Raichu
Lv 51
Electric
Static
Thunder WaveQuick AttackShock WaveDouble Team
Even
Electrode
Lv 47
Electric
Static
Thunder WaveDouble TeamShock WaveLight Screen
Even
Magneton
Lv 47
ElectricSteel
Sturdy
SupersonicDouble TeamShock WaveMirror Shot
Even
Electrode
Lv 47
Electric
Static
ScreechDouble TeamSelf DestructCharge Beam
Even
Electabuzz
Lv 53
Electric
Static
Quick AttackShock WaveLight ScreenLow Kick
Erika
Gym 12
Even

Shieldon trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.

Easy KO
Jumpluff
Lv 51
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
U TurnLeech SeedSunny DayGiga Drain
You Win
Tangela
Lv 52
Grass
Chlorophyll
Ancient PowerWring OutGiga DrainSleep Powder
Even
Victreebel
Lv 56
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisGrass KnotLeaf Storm
Even
Bellossom
Lv 56
Grass
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisGiga DrainSolar Beam
Janine
Gym 13
Good

Shieldon has the type edge here and should clean up Janine's team.

You Win
Crobat
Lv 47
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
ScreechSupersonicConfuse RayWing Attack
Even
Weezing
Lv 44
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Double HitSludge BombToxicExplosion
You Win
Ariados
Lv 47
BugPoison
Insomnia
Scary FacePoison JabPin MissilePsychic
You Win
Ariados
Lv 47
BugPoison
Insomnia
Pin MissilePoison JabSwaggerNight Shade
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 50
BugPoison
Tinted Lens
Sludge BombDouble TeamSignal BeamPsychic
Sabrina
Gym 14
Even

Bastiodon trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Espeon
Lv 53
Psychic
Synchronize
Shadow BallSkill SwapCalm MindPsychic
Even
Mr Mime
Lv 53
Psychic
Filter
MimicLight ScreenSkill SwapPsychic
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 55
Psychic
Inner Focus
Skill SwapPsychicEnergy BallReflect
Blaine
Gym 15
Good

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

Easy KO
Magcargo
Lv 54
FireRock
Flame Body
Sunny DaySmogOverheatRock Slide
Even
Magmar
Lv 54
Fire
Flame Body
Thunder PunchOverheatSunny DayConfuse Ray
Even
Rapidash
Lv 59
Fire
Flash FireImmune to Fire attacks
Quick AttackFlare BlitzBounceOverheat
Blue
Gym 16
Even

Bastiodon trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

Even
Exeggutor
Lv 55
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Leaf StormPsychicHypnosisTrick Room
Even
Arcanine
Lv 58
Fire
Intimidate
RoarDragon PulseFlare BlitzExtreme Speed
Risky
Rhydon
Lv 58
GroundRock
Rock Head
MegahornStone EdgeThunder FangEarthquake
You Win
Gyarados
Lv 52
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Ice FangWaterfallDragon DanceReturn
Risky
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
No Guard
Dynamic PunchEarthquakeStone EdgeThunder Punch
You Win
Pidgeot
Lv 60
NormalFlying
Tangled Feet
ReturnWhirlwindAir SlashMirror Move
Will
Elite Four
Good

Bastiodon has the type edge here and should clean up Will's team.

You Win
Xatu
Lv 40
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
U TurnMe FirstConfuse RayPsychic
You Win
Jynx
Lv 41
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapLovely KissIce PunchPsychic
You Win
Exeggutor
Lv 41
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
ReflectHypnosisEgg BombPsychic
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 41
WaterPsychic
Own Tempo
CurseAmnesiaWater PulsePsychic
You Win
Xatu
Lv 42
PsychicFlying
Early Bird
Aerial AceOminous WindConfuse RayPsychic
Koga
Elite Four
Good

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

Easy KO
Ariados
Lv 40
BugPoison
Insomnia
Poison JabSpider WebBaton PassGiga Drain
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 41
BugPoison
Tinted Lens
SupersonicGustPsychicToxic
Easy KO
Forretress
Lv 43
BugSteel
Sturdy
ProtectSwiftExplosionToxic Spikes
You Win
Muk
Lv 42
Poison
Sticky Hold
MinimizeScreechGunk ShotToxic
You Win
Crobat
Lv 44
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Double TeamQuick AttackWing AttackPoison Fang
Bruno
Elite Four
Tough

Bruno's team hits Bastiodon's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Hitmontop
Lv 42
Fighting
Technician
CounterQuick AttackDigTriple Kick
Risky
Hitmonlee
Lv 42
Fighting
Reckless
SwaggerFocus EnergyHigh Jump KickBlaze Kick
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 42
Fighting
Iron Fist
Thunder PunchIce PunchFire PunchBullet Punch
Even
Onix
Lv 43
RockGround
Sturdy
Dragon BreathEarthquakeSandstormRock Slide
Risky
Machamp
Lv 46
Fighting
No Guard
Rock SlideForesightRevengeCross Chop
Karen
Elite Four
Even

Bastiodon trades roughly evenly with Karen's team.

You Win
Umbreon
Lv 42
Dark
Synchronize
Double TeamConfuse RayFeint AttackPayback
You Win
Vileplume
Lv 42
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidMoonlightPetal Dance
Risky
Gengar
Lv 45
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
LickSpiteFocus BlastDestiny Bond
Easy KO
Murkrow
Lv 44
DarkFlying
Super Luck
PluckWhirlwindSucker PunchFeint Attack
Even
Houndoom
Lv 47
DarkFire
Flash FireImmune to Fire attacks
Nasty PlotDark PulseFlamethrowerCrunch
Lance
Champion
Good

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

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 46
WaterFlying
Intimidate
FlailDragon PulseWaterfallIce Fang
Easy KO
Dragonite
Lv 49
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveDragon RushThunderHyper Beam
Easy KO
Dragonite
Lv 49
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveDragon RushBlizzardHyper Beam
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 48
RockFlying
Pressure
Aerial AceCrunchRock SlideThunder Fang
You Win
Charizard
Lv 48
FireFlying
Blaze
Shadow ClawAir SlashDragon ClawFire Fang
You Win
Dragonite
Lv 50
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Fire BlastSafeguardOutrageHyper Beam

Fossil

Post-game only
Type
RockSteel
Tier
E

Shieldon can be revived from a fossil obtained in Pewter City. Revive Armor Fossil. Revive an Armor Fossil at the Pewter Museum of Science.

View Shieldon locations

Evolve Shieldon to Bastiodon

Level 30
Type
RockSteel
Tier
C

Shieldon evolves into Bastiodon at Level 30. Your Shieldon should hit Level 30 before you reach Sabrina, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Shieldon in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Shieldon is handed to you at Pewter City. No encounter rates or random spawns involved, so there's nothing to grind. Check the location details below for the exact conditions to trigger it.

1 location to catch Shieldon

Badge 8
Post-Game

How to Obtain Shieldon in HGSS

  1. Bastiodon
    Step 2Evolve into Bastiodon

How to Get Shiny Shieldon in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Shieldon restores from the Armor Fossil in Pewter City, but breeding it Masuda-style is the quicker route to a shiny. Compare Shiny Shieldon odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Shieldon in HeartGold & SoulSilverNormal
Shiny Shieldon in HeartGold & SoulSilver Shiny
Color ShiftGraytoBrown
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Shieldon Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

HeartGold & SoulSilver Shiny Shieldon Calculator

2 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is Masuda Method, about 1 in 1,639 on each try.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.

Soft Reset: Save in front of a static, gift, or legendary encounter, then reset until it sparkles.

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 1,639Masuda Method
Chance By Now50.0%at 1,136 eggs hatchedAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few173----
25%one in four472----
50%coin flip1,136----
90%very likely3,773----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Curious how fast a hunt could go? Work out your HeartGold & SoulSilver shiny odds for Shieldon.

Shieldon Weakness

Type-wise, Shieldon takes extra damage from Fighting, Ground, and Water. Watch out for Fighting and Ground attacks, those deal 4x damage. Poison moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. It resists 9 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. Shieldon's physical bulk (base 118 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Shieldon Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Fighting, Ground
2x (Weak)Water
0.5x (Resist)Ice, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Ghost, Dragon, Dark
0.25x (Resist)Normal, Flying
0x (Immune)Poison
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Shieldon Weak Against

Good
3Weak
9Resist
1Immune
Score+4

What is Shieldon Strong Against

5Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+4
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Shieldon

Breloom
Breloom
GrassFighting
A
Hariyama
Hariyama
Fighting
B
Gallade
Gallade
PsychicFighting
B
Blaziken
Blaziken
FireFighting
C
Hitmonlee
Hitmonlee
Fighting
C

Shieldon Evolutions

Shieldon is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Bastiodon. Check the evolution method below. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are slow to hatch. Evolving adds up to 145 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Shieldon
RockSteel
Bastiodon
RockSteel
HP
30
60+30
ATK
42
52+10
DEF
118
168+50
SP.ATK
42
47+5
SP.DEF
88
138+50
SPE
30
30
BST
350E-Tier
495C-Tier+145
ROLE
Balanced
Support
TYPE
Utility
Utility

Breeding

Moderate

Breed Shieldon with 63 breeding partners from the Monster egg group. Pass egg moves like Body Slam, Counter, Curse and 7 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Monster
Gender
♂87.5%♀12.5%
Hatch Time
30 cycles·7,710 steps
Moderate~8 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
10moves
Breed With (best first)
venusaurcharizardblastoisenidokingmeganiumferaligatrampharossceptileswampertslowbrorhydonslowking

HGSS Shieldon Best Moveset

Rock/Steel at 118 Defense with AbilitySturdy guaranteeing one hit survived from full HP. 4x weaknesses to Fighting and Ground hit from the two most common physical coverage types. Evolve to Bastiodon.

Best Build

Experimental
Wall
Ability
Sturdy
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Shieldon
SeriousNEUTRAL

Shieldon best EVs are HP and Sp. Def

EVs

Wall Moveset

  • Stealth RockSTAB
  • Iron HeadSTAB
  • ToxicUtility
  • CurseSetup

Moves List

The egg pool carries weight here. Body Slam and Counter aren't available any other way for Shieldon, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Iron Tail and Iron Head for solid options.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Protect+4
C——10Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 6
Taunt
C—10020Dark
Lv 10
Metal Sound
——8540Steel
Lv 15
Take Down
D908520Normal
Lv 19
Iron Defense
C——15Steel
Lv 24
Swagger
——9015Normal
Lv 28
Ancient Power
D901005Rock
Lv 33
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Lv 37
Metal Burst
D—10010Steel
Lv 43
Iron Head
B12010015Steel

TM Moves

All 28 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45——10015Normal
TM14D120705Ice
TM28
DigNational Parkbadge 2
D8010010Ground
TM26
EarthquakeVictory Roadnot until badge 8
A10010010Ground
TM38D120855Fire
TM35
FlamethrowerGoldenrod Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510015Fire
TM21
FrustrationCeladon Department Storebadge 2
D—10020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerLake of Ragebadge 6
D6010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamGoldenrod Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510010Ice
TM23D1507515Steel
TM83
Natural GiftGoldenrod Department Storebadge 2
D—10015Normal
TM17C——10Normal
TM44
RestRoute 31badge 2
C——10Psychic
TM05
Roar-6Route 32badge 2
C——20Normal
HM06D4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock TombUnion Cavebadge 1
D909510Rock
TM43
Secret PowerLake of Ragebadge 6
—7010020Normal
HM04D8010015Normal
TM90
SubstituteGoldenrod Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM87
SwaggerOlivine Lighthousebadge 4
——9015Normal
TM12C—10020Dark
TM25D1207010Electric
TM24
ThunderboltGoldenrod Game Cornerbadge 2
A9510015Electric

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
Egg
Counter-5
D—10020Fighting
Egg
Curse
A——10Ghost
Egg
Double-Edge
D12010015Normal
Egg
Fissure
——305Ground
Egg
Focus Energy
———30Normal
Egg
Headbutt
D7010015Normal
Egg
Rock Blast
D379010Rock
Egg
Scary Face
D—9010Normal
Egg
Screech
——8540Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Ancient Power
D901005Rock
Tutor
Earth Power
D9010010Ground
Tutor
Headbutt
D7010015Normal
Tutor
Iron Defense
C——15Steel
Tutor
Iron Head
B12010015Steel
Tutor
Magnet Rise
D——10Electric
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP30
F
Attack42
D
Defense118
B
Sp. Atk42
D
Sp. Def88
C
Speed30
F
Total350
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Erratic600,000 XP
Height0.5 m
Weight57.0 kg
Base XP70
Abilities
Sturdy
Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

It was generated from a fossil dug out of a layer of clay that was older than anyone knows. It has a sturdy face.

Pokemon HeartGold / Pokemon SoulSilver

Shieldon HeartGold & SoulSilver Guide

  • Revive an Armor Fossil at the Pewter Museum of Science. Shieldon is revived at level 5. Give it Rare Candies or experience-share if you want it ready for the late-game.

  • Yes. Shieldon is not available during the main story. It can only be obtained after entering the Hall of Fame. Shieldon becomes available after the main story is complete in HeartGold & SoulSilver.

  • In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Shieldon has 350 BST and evolves into Bastiodon. Compare the two forms before you give either one a team slot.

  • In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Shieldon plays as a balanced. It's slow, so Trick Room or priority moves are key. so pick your spots carefully. Set up with Curse when you get a free turn.

  • In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Serious is the go-to nature for Shieldon. Pair it with 252 HP / 252 SpD EVs. Fits the balanced role.

Game Availability

Debuting in Diamond & Pearl, Shieldon appears in 12 games across 6 generations. A reliable presence in a solid number of games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.

Explore

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