Shuckle Best Moveset
230 in both defenses makes Shuckle the most physically and specially durable Pokemon by raw stat. But 20 HP, 10 Attack, and 5 Speed mean the moveset absorbs hits forever without ever threatening back. Hidden AbilityContrary reverses stat changes. E-tier because defense without offense lets opponents set up freely.
230 Defense and 230 Sp. Def were the highest in Gen II (Gold & Silver). But 10 in HP, Attack, and Sp. Atk meant Shuckle couldn't do anything with all that bulk.
Support Moveset
- Toxic
- Rest
- Defense Curl
- Encore
Recommended Teammates
Same absurd defenses, same useless offenses in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Wrap plus Toxic was the only win condition, and it took forever.
Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Encore
- Protect
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Stealth Rock setting was useful in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl) but other Pokemon did it without wasting a team slot on 10 base Attack.
Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Knock Off
- Encore
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Nothing new in Gen V (Black & White). Still the same absurd defenses that couldn't translate into actual wins because 10 Attack meant zero damage output.
Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Knock Off
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Sticky Web arrived in Gen VI (X & Y) and finally gave Shuckle a real job. Slow the entire opposing team. Sturdy guaranteed at least one turn to set it up.
Best Moves
Best Build
Shuckle best EVs are HP and Defense
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Sticky Web
- Stealth Rock
- Infestation
- Encore
Recommended Teammates
Sticky Web niche faded in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Other Pokemon could set it with less team cost, and Defog wiped it away easily.
Wall Moveset
- Sticky Web
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Encore
Recommended Teammates
Same decline in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Shuckle's one trick was too easy to counter and too passive to justify the slot.
Wall Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Sticky Web
- Toxic
- Encore
Recommended Teammates
Shuckle Weakness
Water, Rock, and Steel moves hit Shuckle for super-effective damage. Shuckle's overall bulk (20/230/230) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Rock, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Poison |
What is Shuckle Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Shuckle
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Shuckle View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn 2x14-16% Scald 2x9-12% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Shuckle View Cyclizar builds →Rapid Spin5-5% U Turn12-15% Knock Off12-14% Draco Meteor12-14% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityShielddust ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Shuckle View Ribombee builds →Moonblast14-16% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityZerotohero ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Shuckle View Palafin builds →Flip Turn 2x26-31% Flip Turn 2x26-31% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityCompoundeyes ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Shuckle View Galvantula builds →Thunder16-19% | ||
Evolution
Breeding is the whole story for Shuckle. Plenty of partners through one egg group, eggs are average hatch time, and you won't need to evolve anything. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Shuckle easily with 91 breeding partners from the Bug egg group.
Shuckle Locations
moderate rates for Shuckle across 12 locations in endgame routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Best Locations to Catch Shuckle in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
6 walking spots from Lv. 58-63 for Shuckle. Sorted by game progression with rates on each row, so you can compare without scrolling through everything.
Easy grab on Shuckle with decent spawn rates across 30 locations in mid-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Best Locations to Catch Shuckle in Sword & Shield
Before you go hunting for Shuckle, check which of the 20 spots belong to your version. Sword and Shield each have different walking encounters at Lv. 20-65.
No wild encounters for Shuckle in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. It's available in Gold & Silver, Crystal, or Sword & Shield and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Shuckle is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also Obtainable In:
Pokemon transfers only go forward through generations, never backward. Direct cross-gen trades aren't supported.
Shuckle doesn't appear in Sun & Moon. Transfer it from Gold & Silver, Crystal, or Sword & Shield to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Shuckle is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also Obtainable In:
Pokemon transfers only go forward through generations, never backward. Direct cross-gen trades aren't supported.
Base Stats
Shuckle's all-in on Defense at the expense of Speed. The mixed lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 2 Defense and Sp. Def EVs and follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It stores berries inside its shell. To avoid attacks, it hides beneath rocks and remains completely still.
Shuckle Guide
Don't let Shuckle's 505 base stat total fool you. Contrary is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it B-Tier.
Watch for Starmie (Water), Aerodactyl (Rock), and Steelix (Steel) when using Shuckle. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. At base 5 Speed, Shuckle won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Run Contrary on Shuckle. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Shuckle also gets Sturdy and Gluttony, but they don't compare.
Shuckle fills the balanced role. It's a special attacker with base 10 Sp. Atk. Base 5 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's tanky enough to absorb a few hits.
Run Sticky Web, Stealth Rock, Toxic, and Encore on Shuckle. Sticky Web is the most common pick at 0% usage. This set covers the balanced role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Shuckle first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 16 games across 9 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
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 5BW
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