The highest Defense and Sp.Def in the game but literally unable to attack, Shuckle is C-Tier in Gold & Silver. Walls everything, kills nothing.
505HP20Attack10Defense230Speed5Sp.Def230Sp.Atk10
Weak to
Physical
Support
5Speed · Very Slow

Is Shuckle Good in Gold & Silver Playthrough?

Cianwood City gift. Shuckle has the highest Defense and Special Defense in the game, paired with the lowest HP, Attack, and Speed. It literally cannot deal damage. A novelty for collecting, not for battling.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTTTEBTETEEEGEEGEEGTGGFalknerGym 1BugsyGym 2WhitneyGym 3MortyGym 4ShuckleCatchChuckGym 5ShuckleGiftJasmineGym 6PryceGym 7ClairGym 8SurgeGym 9SabrinaGym 10ErikaGym 11JanineGym 12MistyGym 13BrockGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16WillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4LanceChamp*
Falkner
Gym 1
Tough

Falkner's typing presses Shuckle's defenses.

Risky
Pidgey
Lv 7
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud Slap
Risky
Pidgeotto
Lv 9
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud SlapGust
Bugsy
Gym 2
Tough

Bugsy's typing presses Shuckle's defenses.

Risky
Metapod
Lv 14
Bug
Shed Skin
TackleString ShotHarden
Risky
Kakuna
Lv 14
BugPoison
Shed Skin
Poison StingString ShotHarden
Risky
Scyther
Lv 16
BugFlying
Swarm
Quick AttackLeerFury Cutter
Whitney
Gym 3
Tough

Whitney's team hits Shuckle's weaknesses hard.

Even
Clefairy
Lv 18
Normal
Cute Charm
Double SlapMimicEncoreMetronome
Risky
Miltank
Lv 20
Normal
Thick Fat
RolloutAttractStompMilk Drink
Morty
Gym 4
Even

Shuckle trades roughly evenly with Morty's team.

Even
Gastly
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
LickSpiteMean LookCurse
Even
Haunter
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisMimicCurseNight Shade
Even
Gengar
Lv 25
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
HypnosisShadow BallMean LookDream Eater
Even
Haunter
Lv 23
GhostPoison
Levitate
SpiteMean LookMimicNight Shade
Chuck
Gym 5
Bad

Chuck's Pokemon outpace and outclass Shuckle here.

Risky
Primeape
Lv 27
Fighting
Vital Spirit
LeerRageKarate ChopFury Swipes
Avoid
Poliwrath
Lv 30
WaterFighting
Water Absorb
HypnosisMind ReaderSurfDynamic Punch
Jasmine
Gym 6
Tough

Jasmine's team hits Shuckle's weaknesses hard.

Even
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Even
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Risky
Steelix
Lv 35
SteelGround
Rock Head
ScreechSunny DayRock ThrowIron Tail
Pryce
Gym 7
Even

Shuckle trades roughly evenly with Pryce's team.

Even
Seel
Lv 27
Water
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
You Win
Dewgong
Lv 29
WaterIce
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
Even
Piloswine
Lv 31
IceGround
Oblivious
Icy WindFury AttackMistBlizzard
Clair
Gym 8
Tough

Clair's team hits Shuckle's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveSurfSlamDragon Breath
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveThunderboltSlamDragon Breath
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveIce BeamSlamDragon Breath
Risky
Kingdra
Lv 40
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenSurfHyper BeamDragon Breath
Lt. Surge
Gym 9
Even

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

Even
Raichu
Lv 44
Electric
Static
Thunder WaveQuick AttackThunderboltThunder
You Win
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
Even
Magneton
Lv 40
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Lock OnDouble TeamSwiftZap Cannon
You Win
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
Even
Electabuzz
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder PunchLight ScreenThunder
Sabrina
Gym 10
Even

Shuckle trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Espeon
Lv 46
Psychic
Synchronize
Sand AttackQuick AttackSwiftPsychic
Even
Mr Mime
Lv 46
Psychic
Soundproof
BarrierReflectBaton PassPsychic
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 48
Psychic
Synchronize
RecoverFuture SightPsychicReflect
Erika
Gym 11
Even

Shuckle trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.

Even
Tangela
Lv 42
Grass
Chlorophyll
Vine WhipBindGiga DrainSleep Powder
You Win
Jumpluff
Lv 41
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Mega DrainLeech SeedCotton SporeGiga Drain
Even
Victreebel
Lv 46
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisAcidRazor Leaf
Even
Bellossom
Lv 46
Grass
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisPetal DanceSolar Beam
Janine
Gym 12
Good

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

You Win
Crobat
Lv 36
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
ScreechSupersonicConfuse RayWing Attack
Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
You Win
Ariados
Lv 33
BugPoison
Swarm
Scary FaceGiga DrainString ShotNight Shade
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 39
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ForesightDouble TeamGustPsychic
Misty
Gym 13
Even

Shuckle trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.

Even
Golduck
Lv 42
Water
Damp
SurfDisablePsych UpPsychic
Risky
Quagsire
Lv 42
WaterGround
Damp
SurfAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance
You Win
Lapras
Lv 44
WaterIce
Water Absorb
SurfPerish SongBlizzardRain Dance
Risky
Starmie
Lv 47
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SurfConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam
Brock
Gym 14
Even

Shuckle trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.

Risky
Graveler
Lv 41
RockGround
Rock Head
Defense CurlRock SlideRolloutEarthquake
Risky
Rhyhorn
Lv 41
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackScary FaceEarthquakeHorn Drill
Even
Omastar
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
BiteSurfProtectSpike Cannon
Risky
Onix
Lv 44
RockGround
Rock Head
BindRock SlideBideSandstorm
Even
Kabutops
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
SlashSurfEndureGiga Drain
Blaine
Gym 15
Good

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

Easy KO
Magcargo
Lv 45
FireRock
Magma Armor
CurseSmogFlamethrowerRock Slide
You Win
Magmar
Lv 45
Fire
Flame Body
Thunder PunchFire PunchSunny DayConfuse Ray
Even
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
Quick AttackFire SpinFury AttackFire Blast
Blue
Gym 16
Even

Shuckle trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

You Win
Pidgeot
Lv 56
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
Quick AttackWhirlwindWing AttackMirror Move
Even
Alakazam
Lv 54
Psychic
Synchronize
DisableRecoverPsychicReflect
Risky
Rhydon
Lv 56
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackSandstormRock SlideEarthquake
Even
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
TwisterHydro PumpRain DanceHyper Beam
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 58
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayLeech SeedEgg BombSolar Beam
Even
Arcanine
Lv 58
Fire
Intimidate
RoarSwiftFlamethrowerExtreme Speed
Will
Elite Four
Even

Shuckle trades roughly evenly with Will's team.

You Win
Xatu
Lv 40
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
You Win
Jynx
Lv 41
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapLovely KissIce PunchPsychic
You Win
Exeggutor
Lv 41
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
ReflectLeech SeedEgg BombPsychic
Even
Slowbro
Lv 41
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
CurseAmnesiaBody SlamPsychic
You Win
Xatu
Lv 42
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
Koga
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Ariados
Lv 40
BugPoison
Swarm
Double TeamSpider WebBaton PassGiga Drain
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 41
BugPoison
Shield Dust
SupersonicGustPsychicToxic
Even
Forretress
Lv 43
BugSteel
Sturdy
ProtectSwiftExplosionSpikes
You Win
Muk
Lv 42
Poison
Stench
MinimizeAcid ArmorSludge BombToxic
You Win
Crobat
Lv 44
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Double TeamQuick AttackWing AttackToxic
Bruno
Elite Four
Tough

Bruno's team hits Shuckle's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Hitmontop
Lv 42
Fighting
Intimidate
PursuitQuick AttackDigDetect
Risky
Hitmonlee
Lv 42
Fighting
Limber
SwaggerDouble KickHigh Jump KickForesight
Risky
Hitmonchan
Lv 42
Fighting
Keen Eye
Thunder PunchIce PunchFire PunchMach Punch
Risky
Onix
Lv 43
RockGround
Rock Head
BindEarthquakeSandstormRock Slide
Risky
Machamp
Lv 46
Fighting
Guts
Rock SlideForesightVital ThrowCross Chop
Karen
Elite Four
Good

Shuckle has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.

Even
Umbreon
Lv 42
Dark
Synchronize
Sand AttackConfuse RayFeint AttackMean Look
Even
Vileplume
Lv 42
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidMoonlightPetal Dance
You Win
Gengar
Lv 45
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
LickSpiteCurseDestiny Bond
You Win
Murkrow
Lv 44
DarkFlying
Insomnia
Quick AttackWhirlwindPursuitFeint Attack
You Win
Houndoom
Lv 47
DarkFire
Early Bird
RoarPursuitFlamethrowerCrunch
Lance
Champion
Good

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

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 44
WaterFlying
Intimidate
FlailRain DanceSurfHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonite
Lv 47
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveTwisterThunderHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonite
Lv 47
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveTwisterBlizzardHyper Beam
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 46
RockFlying
Rock Head
Wing AttackAncient PowerRock SlideHyper Beam
You Win
Charizard
Lv 46
FireFlying
Blaze
FlamethrowerWing AttackSlashHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonite
Lv 50
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Fire BlastSafeguardOutrageHyper Beam

Gift

Available after Badge 5
Type
BugRock
Tier
C

Shuckle is given to you as a gift in Cianwood City at Lv 15. Lent by Mania in Cianwood City after a long-haired boy scared him: Shuckie, a Lv 15 Shuckle holding a Berry, which he may later ask for back.

View Shuckle locations

Catch Shuckle

Available after Badge 4
Type
BugRock
Tier
C

Catch Shuckle on Route 40 (Rock Smash, Lv 15, uncommon).

View Shuckle locations

Recommended Moves

Gold & Silver Shuckle Locations

A man in Cianwood City simply gives you a Shuckle, which is the easy route. The harder one is smashing rocks for a wild encounter, but with a free gift on offer, most trainers just take the handout.

Wild Shuckle may be holding when caught:

Berry (25% chance) A self-restore item. (10HP, HOLD)

3 locations to catch Shuckle

Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7

Best Locations to Catch Shuckle in Gold & Silver

4 rock smash and gift spots from Lv. 15 for Shuckle. Sorted by game progression with rates on each row, so you can compare without scrolling through everything.

How to Get Shiny Shuckle in Gold & Silver

Shuckle's gift in Cianwood City is a one-time deal, so skip it and run the real hunt through Rock Smash, breaking rocks in Dark Cave and along Route 40 and checking each one that crawls out. Compare Shiny Shuckle odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Shuckle in Gold & SilverNormal
Shiny Shuckle in Gold & Silver Shiny
Color ShiftYellowtoBlue
Shiny TierA Tier Shiny

Shiny Shuckle Evolution

Does Not Evolve
Shuckle does not evolve
Single-stage PokemonView Full Evolution Chart

Gold & Silver Shiny Shuckle Calculator

3 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is Breed w/ Shiny Parent, about 1 in 64 on each try.

Step 1 · Encounter Method3 in Gold & Silver

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Breed w/ Shiny Parent: Eggs inherit stats from a shiny parent, so about 1 in 64 hatch shiny. A shiny Ditto helps every egg, and any other shiny parent (the red Gyarados works) helps only eggs of the opposite gender.

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 / 64Breed w/ Shiny Parent
Chance By Now50.8%at 45 eggs hatchedAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few7----
25%one in four19----
50%coin flip45----
90%very likely147----
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

Planning a longer hunt? Set up Shuckle in the Gold & Silver Shiny Odds Calculator to compare every method side by side.

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.

Shuckle Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Rock, Steel
0.5x (Resist)Normal, Poison
Gen II Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
  • Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def

What is Shuckle Weak Against

Vulnerable
3Weak
2Resist
0Immune
Score-4
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Shuckle Strong Against

7Strong
2Resisted
0Immune
Score+5
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Shuckle

C
Lapras
Lapras
WaterIce
C
C
Quagsire
Quagsire
WaterGround
B
C

Shuckle Evolutions

Breeding is the whole story for Shuckle. A decent partner pool through one egg group, eggs take an average time to hatch, and you won't need to evolve anything. It's got 1 egg moves worth looking into. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Shuckle
#213Shuckle
Does not evolve

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Shuckle easily with 23 breeding partners from the Bug egg group. Pass egg moves like Sweet Scent to offspring.

Egg Groups
Bug
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
1moves
Breed With (best first)
parasectparasforretressvenomothgligarariadosbutterfreebeedrillledianyanmavenonatscyther

GS Shuckle Best Moveset

230 Defense and 230 Sp. Def are the highest defensive stats in the game, period. MoveEncore locks opponents into bad moves, and MoveRest recovers HP fully. 10 HP, 10 Attack, and 10 Sp. Atk mean zero offensive presence. Blocks everything and threatens nothing. Held ItemLeftovers sustains the fortress.

Best Build

Experimental
Support
Ability
Unknown
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Shuckle
HardyNEUTRAL

Support Moveset

  • ToxicUtility
  • RestRecovery
  • Defense Curl
  • EncoreUtility

Moves List

Without TMs, Shuckle's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Normal and Ground coverage and more on top of Rollout for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Constrict
—1010035Normal
Lv 1
Withdraw
———40Water
Lv 9
Wrap
—158520Normal
Lv 14
Encore
B—1005Normal
Lv 23
Safeguard
D——25Normal
Lv 28
Bide+1
———10Normal
Lv 37
Rest
B——10Psychic

TM Moves

21 of 25 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45D—10015Normal
TM40
Defense CurlMt. Mortarnot until badge 8
B——40Normal
TM28
DigNational Parkbadge 2
D6010010Ground
TM32———15Normal
TM26
EarthquakeVictory Roadnot until badge 8
D10010010Ground
TM20
Endure+4Burned Towerbadge 4
D——10Normal
HM05D—7020Normal
TM02D7010015Normal
TM10D6010015Normal
TM31D2010010Ground
TM17C——10Normal
TM44
RestIce Pathnot until badge 7
B——10Psychic
TM08
Rock SmashRoute 36badge 3
D2010015Fighting
TM04
RolloutRoute 35badge 2
A459020Rock
TM37
SandstormRoute 27not until badge 8
A——10Rock
TM35
Sleep TalkItem ball in the Goldenrod Underground Warehouse, the storage area linked to the Dept Store basementnot until badge 7
C——10Normal
TM36D9010010Poison
TM13
SnoreMoomoo Farmbadge 3
—4010015Normal
HM04
StrengthOlivine Citybadge 4
D8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny DayGift on Radio Tower 3F after Team Rocket is cleared outnot until badge 7
C——5Fire
TM34
SwaggerOlivine Lighthousebadge 4
C—8515Normal
TM06B—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Sweet Scent
——10020Normal

Tutor Moves

Shuckle can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
High
HP20
F
Attack10
F
Defense230
S
Sp. Atk10
F
Sp. Def230
S
Speed5
F
Total505
Details
Catch Rate
Easy190 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height0.6 m
Weight20.5 kg
Base XP177
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpD+1Spe
Defense training target
Pokedex Entry

The BERRIES it stores in its vase-like shell decompose and become a gooey liquid.

It stores BERRIES inside its shell. To avoid attacks, it hides beneath rocks and remains completely still.

Shuckle Gold & Silver Guide

  • Yes. Wild Shuckle in Gold & Silver can hold Berry (25%). Use Thief (TM46) or Covet to swipe the held item without affecting your catch chance. Quickest way to farm rare items like Berry.

  • In Gold & Silver, use Shuckle as a support. Physical side carries the damage. It's slow, so Trick Room or priority moves are key.

Game Availability

Shuckle first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 16 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.

Explore

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