Physical
Balanced
98Speed · Above Avg

Stats & Training

The stat budget goes to damage. Speed and Attack carry the offense, Sp. Def doesn't even come close. A Hostile Pokemon on a medium-fast 1M XP curve, worth 2 Speed EVs per KO.

Base Stats
Above
HP70
C
Attack92
B
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk80
C
Sp. Def55
D
Speed98
B
Total460
Details
Catch Rate
Difficult25 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.0 m
Weight18.0 kg
Base XP161
Abilities
Reckless
Strengthens recoil moves to 1.2× their power.
AdaptabilityTop Pick
Increases the same-type attack bonus from 1.5× to 2×.
Mold BreakerHA
Bypasses targets' abilities if they could hinder or prevent a move.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Speed training target
Pokedex Entries

Red and blue Basculin get along so poorly, they’ll start fighting instantly. These Pokémon are very hostile.

Basculin Weakness

Type-wise, Basculin takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Basculin leans offensive (base 92 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.

Basculin Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Type ChartGood
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
Gen V Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None
How to Beat Basculin in Black & White (Best Counters)
Virizion
Virizion
GrassFighting
C
Obtain MethodPinwheel Forest Interact Encounter
Available Moves
Moves
  • Solar BeamTM22
  • Giga DrainLv. 37
  • Magical LeafLv. 13
Damage vs Basculin
Solar Beam 2x
137-162%KO
Giga Drain 2x
87-102%KO
Magical Leaf 2x
71-83%
View Virizion builds →

Black & White Evolution

Basculin doesn't evolve by leveling. You'll need a unique condition to push it forward to Basculegion. Evolving adds up to 70 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Basculin
#550Basculin
Does not evolve

Breeding

Moderate

Breed Basculin with 21 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group. Pass egg moves like Agility, Brine, Bubble Beam and 6 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Water2
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
40 cycles·10,280 steps
Slow~10 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
9moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosoctillerymagikarpremoraidwailordrelicanthalomomolawailmerlanturnsharpedowhiscashlumineon

Black & White Basculin Best Moveset

Basculin's locked into one move per switch-in with Choice Band, trading flexibility for raw power at the cost of move flexibility. Aqua Jet is the go-to spam option, with Water, Dark, and Normal coverage keeping switch-ins honest.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Adaptability
Item
Choice BandPOWER
Best Nature for Basculin
Jolly+SPE

Basculin best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • Aqua JetSTAB
  • WaterfallCoverage
  • BiteCoverage
  • HeadbuttCoverage

Moves

Breeding's the move. Agility and Brine give Basculin options it can't learn any other way, and Normal and Dark coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Aqua Tail and Surf. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Tackle
D5010035Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 4
Uproar
9010010Normal
Lv 7
Headbutt
S7010015Normal
Lv 10
Bite
S6010025Dark
Lv 13
Aqua Jet+1
S4010020Water
Lv 16
Chip Away
7010020Normal
Lv 20
Take Down
908520Normal
Lv 24
Crunch
C8010015Dark
Lv 28
Aqua Tail
C909010Water
Lv 32
Soak
10020Water
Lv 36
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Lv 41
Scary Face
10010Normal
Lv 46
Flail
10015Normal
Lv 51
Final Gambit
D1005Fighting
Lv 56
Thrash
C12010010Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
C10015Normal
HM01
Cut
509530Normal
HM06
Dive
C8010010Water
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
10020Normal
TM07
Hail
10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
C9510010Ice
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM55
Scald
C8010015Water
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
HM03
Surf
C9510015Water
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM12
Taunt
C10020Dark
TM06
Toxic
C9010Poison
HM05
Waterfall
S8010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Agility
C30Psychic
Egg
Brine
C6510010Water
Egg
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Egg
Mud Shot
D559515Ground
Egg
Muddy Water
958510Water
Egg
Rage
2010020Normal
Egg
Revenge-4
6010010Fighting
Egg
Swift
6020Normal
Egg
Whirlpool
D358515Water

Tutor Moves

Basculin can't learn any Tutor moves

Black & White Basculin Locations

Basculin is available from early-game water routes onward at high spawn rates. 146 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.

Best Locations to Catch Basculin in Black & White

Basculin's encounter pool splits between Black and White. You've got 146 surfing, fishing, and more spots at Lv. 5-70 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.

Lostlorn Forest
BlackSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Forest
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Lostlorn Forest
BlackSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Forest
CommonEarly
Any
Lostlorn Forest
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Forest
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Lostlorn Forest
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Forest
CommonEarly
Any
Pinwheel Forest - inside
BlackSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Forest
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Pinwheel Forest - inside
BlackSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Forest
CommonEarly
Any
Pinwheel Forest - inside
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Forest
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Pinwheel Forest - inside
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Forest
CommonEarly
Any
Route 1
BlackSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Route
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Route 1
BlackSurfing on water Lv.5-15 Route
CommonEarly
Any
Route 1
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Route
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Route 1
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.5-15 Route
CommonEarly
Any
Route 3
BlackSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Route
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Route 3
BlackSurfing on water Lv.5-15 Route
CommonEarly
Any
Route 3
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Route
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Route 3
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.5-15 Route
CommonEarly
Any
Striaton City
BlackSurfing on water Lv.5-20 City
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Striaton City
BlackSurfing on water Lv.5-15 City
CommonEarly
Any
Striaton City
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.5-20 City
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Striaton City
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.5-15 City
CommonEarly
Any
Wellspring Cave - 1F
BlackSurfing on water Lv.5-15 Cave
CommonEarly
Any
Wellspring Cave - 1F
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Cave
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Wellspring Cave - 1F
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.5-15 Cave
CommonEarly
Any
Wellspring Cave - 1F
BlackSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Cave
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Wellspring Cave - B1F
BlackSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Cave
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Wellspring Cave - B1F
BlackSurfing on water Lv.5-15 Cave
CommonEarly
Any
Wellspring Cave - B1F
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.5-20 Cave
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Wellspring Cave - B1F
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.5-15 Cave
CommonEarly
Any
Route 6
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
CommonEarly
Any
Route 6
BlackSurfing on water Lv.10-30 Route
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Route 6
BlackSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route
CommonEarly
Any
Route 6
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.10-30 Route
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
BlackSurfing on water Lv.15-40 Building
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
BlackSurfing on water Lv.15-35 Building
CommonEarly
Any
Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.15-40 Building
CommonEarly
AnyShaking spot
Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.15-35 Building
CommonEarly
Any
Victory Road - 1F
BlackSurfing on water Lv.20-50 Cave
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Victory Road - 1F
BlackSurfing on water Lv.20-45 Cave
CommonMid
Any
Victory Road - 1F
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.20-50 Cave
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Victory Road - 1F
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.20-45 Cave
CommonMid
Any
Victory Road - 3F
BlackSurfing on water Lv.20-50 Cave
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Victory Road - 3F
BlackSurfing on water Lv.20-45 Cave
CommonMid
Any
Victory Road - 3F
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.20-50 Cave
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Victory Road - 3F
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.20-45 Cave
CommonMid
Any
Abundant Shrine
BlackSurfing on water Lv.25-60 Ruins
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Abundant Shrine
BlackSurfing on water Lv.25-55 Ruins
CommonMid
Any
Abundant Shrine
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.25-60 Ruins
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Abundant Shrine
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.25-55 Ruins
CommonMid
Any
Challenger's Cave - B2F
BlackSurfing on water Lv.25-70 Cave
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Challenger's Cave - B2F
BlackSurfing on water Lv.25-55 Cave
CommonMid
Any
Challenger's Cave - B2F
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.25-70 Cave
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Challenger's Cave - B2F
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.25-55 Cave
CommonMid
Any
Giant Chasm - Cave
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.25-55 Ice
CommonMid
Any
Giant Chasm - Cave
BlackSurfing on water Lv.25-60 Ice
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Giant Chasm - Cave
BlackSurfing on water Lv.25-55 Ice
CommonMid
Any
Giant Chasm - Cave
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.25-60 Ice
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
BlackSurfing on water Lv.25-60 Ice
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
BlackSurfing on water Lv.25-55 Ice
CommonMid
Any
Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.25-60 Ice
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.25-55 Ice
CommonMid
Any
Route 11
BlackSurfing on water Lv.25-55 Route
CommonMid
Any
Route 11
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.25-60 Route
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Route 11
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.25-55 Route
CommonMid
Any
Route 11
BlackSurfing on water Lv.25-60 Route
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Route 14
BlackSurfing on water Lv.25-60 Route
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Route 14
BlackSurfing on water Lv.25-55 Route
CommonMid
Any
Route 14
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.25-60 Route
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Route 14
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.25-55 Route
CommonMid
Any
Village Bridge
BlackSurfing on water Lv.25-70
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Village Bridge
BlackSurfing on water Lv.25-55
CommonMid
Any
Village Bridge
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.25-70
CommonMid
AnyShaking spot
Village Bridge
WhiteSurfing on water Lv.25-55
CommonMid
Any
Driftveil City
WhiteIn-game trade Lv.25 City
LimitedMid
AnyTrade for (give Minccino)
Driftveil City
BlackIn-game trade Lv.25 City
LimitedMid
AnyTrade for (give Minccino)
Abundant Shrine
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Ruins
CommonLate
Any
Abundant Shrine
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Ruins
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Abundant Shrine
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Ruins
CommonLate
Any
Abundant Shrine
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Ruins
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Challenger's Cave - B2F
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Cave
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Challenger's Cave - B2F
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Any
Challenger's Cave - B2F
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Cave
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Challenger's Cave - B2F
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Any
Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Building
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Building
CommonLate
Any
Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Building
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Building
CommonLate
Any
Giant Chasm - Cave
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Ice
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Giant Chasm - Cave
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Ice
CommonLate
Any
Giant Chasm - Cave
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Ice
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Giant Chasm - Cave
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Ice
CommonLate
Any
Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Ice
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Ice
CommonLate
Any
Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Ice
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Giant Chasm - Inner Cave
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Ice
CommonLate
Any
Lostlorn Forest
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Forest
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Lostlorn Forest
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Forest
CommonLate
Any
Lostlorn Forest
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Forest
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Lostlorn Forest
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Forest
CommonLate
Any
Pinwheel Forest - inside
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Forest
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Pinwheel Forest - inside
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Forest
CommonLate
Any
Pinwheel Forest - inside
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Forest
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Pinwheel Forest - inside
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Forest
CommonLate
Any
Route 1
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-70 Route
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Route 1
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Route
CommonLate
Any
Route 1
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-70 Route
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Route 1
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Route
CommonLate
Any
Route 11
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Route
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Route 11
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Route
CommonLate
Any
Route 11
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Route
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Route 11
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Route
CommonLate
Any
Route 14
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Route
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Route 14
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Route
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Route 14
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Route
CommonLate
Any
Route 3
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Route
CommonLate
Any
Route 3
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Route
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Route 3
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Route
CommonLate
Any
Route 3
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Route
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Route 6
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Route
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Route 6
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Route
CommonLate
Any
Route 6
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Route
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Route 6
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Route
CommonLate
Any
Striaton City
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 City
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Striaton City
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 City
CommonLate
Any
Striaton City
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 City
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Striaton City
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 City
CommonLate
Any
Victory Road - 1F
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Cave
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Victory Road - 1F
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Any
Victory Road - 1F
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Cave
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Victory Road - 1F
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Any
Victory Road - 3F
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Cave
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Victory Road - 3F
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Any
Victory Road - 3F
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Cave
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Victory Road - 3F
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Any
Village Bridge
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Village Bridge
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55
CommonLate
Any
Village Bridge
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Village Bridge
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60
CommonLate
Any
Wellspring Cave - 1F
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Cave
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Wellspring Cave - 1F
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Any
Wellspring Cave - 1F
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Cave
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Wellspring Cave - 1F
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Any
Wellspring Cave - B1F
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Cave
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Wellspring Cave - B1F
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Any
Wellspring Cave - B1F
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Cave
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Wellspring Cave - B1F
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Cave
CommonLate
Any
Route 14
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Route
RareLate
Any

Basculin Guide

  • Basculin is meant to evolve into Basculegion. At 460 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.

  • In Black & White, Basculin's biggest threats include Manectric (Electric) and Roserade (Grass), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Adaptability is what you want on Basculin. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Reckless, Mold Breaker) work on paper but Adaptability is what makes Basculin worth using.

  • In Black & White, Mold Breaker is the hidden ability. It bypasses targets' abilities if they could hinder or prevent a move. Worth hunting for if you want Basculin to compete at a higher level.

  • Base 98 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Basculin is a physical attacker with base 92 Attack.

Game Availability

Basculin joined the series in Black & White and has been available in 9 titles so far. With 6 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.

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