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.

What is Basculin weak to?

In Scarlet & Violet, 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.

What is the best ability for Basculin?

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.

What role does Basculin play in battle?

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

Basculin - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Balanced

BTier

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

Attack92

Defense65

Sp. Atk80

Sp. Def55

Speed98

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

These Pokémon form schools with others of the same color. The greatest foe of a school of blue Basculin is a school of red Basculin.

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
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)	Fire, Water, Ice, Steel

Type ChartGood

2Weak

4Resist

0Immune

Score0

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Grass

½xResist

Fire Water Ice Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

None

STAB (3)

Fire Ground Rock

How to Beat Basculin in Scarlet & Violet (Best Counters)

Wo-Chien DarkGrass	B
Obtain MethodSouth Province Area One Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Power WhipLv. 60 Giga DrainLv. 45 Mega DrainLv. 20 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Basculin Power Whip 2x 117-139%KO Giga Drain 2x 91-108%KO Mega Drain 2x 49-58% Absorb 2x 26-31% View Wo-Chien builds →
Meowscarada GrassDark	B
Obtain MethodEvolve Sprigatito (Cabo Poco Gift) Available Moves Moves Leaf StormLv. 64 Energy BallLv. 42 Seed BombLv. 20 Magical LeafLv. 13 Damage vs Basculin Leaf Storm 2x 139-163%KO Energy Ball 2x 97-114%KO Seed Bomb 2x 97-114%KO Magical Leaf 2x 65-77% View Meowscarada builds →
Leafeon Grass	B
Available Moves Moves Leaf BladeLv. 50 Giga DrainLv. 40 Magical LeafLv. 25 Damage vs Basculin Leaf Blade 2x 109-128%KO Giga Drain 2x 65-77% Magical Leaf 2x 52-62% View Leafeon builds →
Toedscruel GroundGrass	B
Available Moves Moves Power WhipLv. 58 Seed BombLv. 34 Giga DrainLv. 48 Mega DrainLv. 16 Damage vs Basculin Power Whip 2x 100-118%KO Seed Bomb 2x 68-81% Giga Drain 2x 81-95% Mega Drain 2x 43-52% View Toedscruel builds →
Arboliva GrassNormal	B
Available Moves Moves Petal DanceLv. 58 Energy BallLv. 34 Petal BlizzardLv. 52 Seed BombLv. 29 Damage vs Basculin Petal Dance 2x 183-215%KO Energy Ball 2x 137-161%KO Petal Blizzard 2x 75-89% Seed Bomb 2x 66-79% View Arboliva builds →

Scarlet & Violet 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

2 Forms

#550Basculin

Female Only

#902Basculegion

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Basculin

Water

Basculegion

WaterGhost

120+50

ATK

112+20

DEF

SP.ATK

SP.DEF

75+20

SPE

78-20

BST

460B-Tier

530A-Tier+70

ROLE

Balanced

Tank

TYPE

Mixed

Physical

Breeding

Moderate

Breed Basculin with 24 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group. Pass egg moves like Bubble Beam, Endeavor 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

2moves

Breed With (best first)

Scarlet & Violet Basculin Best Moveset

Basculin's locked into one move per switch-in with Choice Scarf, trading flexibility for speed patching through item lock. Flip Turn is the go-to spam option, with the remaining moves keeping switch-ins honest.

Best Build

Solid pick

Ability

Adaptability

Item

Choice ScarfSPEED

Best Nature for Basculin

Jolly+SPE

Basculin best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Atk

SpD

Spe

Physical Revenge Killer Moveset

Flip TurnSTAB
Wave CrashSTAB
Aqua JetSTAB
Psychic Fangs

Recommended Teammates

MespritDecent

JolteonDecent

Moves

TMs carry this one. Basculin learns Wave Crash and Hydro Pump naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Dark and beyond give it real matchup play.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Tail Whip

D—10030Normal

Lv 1

Water Gun

D4010025Water

Lv 4

Tackle

D4010035Normal

Lv 8

Flail

D—10015Normal

Lv 12

Aqua Jet+1

S4010020Water

Lv 16

Bite

D6010025Dark

Lv 20

Scary Face

C—10010Normal

Lv 24

Headbutt

C7010015Normal

Lv 28

Soak

C—10020Water

Lv 32

Crunch

B8010015Dark

Lv 36

Take Down

C908520Normal

Lv 40

Final Gambit

A—1005Fighting

Lv 44

Wave Crash

S12010010Water

Lv 48

Thrash

C12010010Normal

Lv 52

Double-Edge

A12010015Normal

Lv 56

Head Smash

A150805Rock

TM Moves

TM04

Agility

B——30Psychic

TM143

Blizzard

C110705Ice

TM22

Chilling Water

C5010020Water

TM108

Crunch

B8010015Dark

TM204

Double-Edge

A12010015Normal

TM205

Endeavor

A—1005Normal

TM47

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM25

Facade

C7010020Normal

TM196

Flip Turn

S6010020Water

TM152

Giga Impact

B150905Normal

TM142

Hydro Pump

C110805Water

TM163

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TM135

Ice Beam

C9010010Ice

TM10

Ice Fang

A659515Ice

TM34

Icy Wind

D559515Ice

TM110

Liquidation

S8510010Water

TM35

Mud Shot

D559515Ground

TM209

Muddy Water

C908510Water

TM07

Protect+4

A——10Normal

TM63

Psychic Fangs

A8510010Psychic

TM50

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM85

Rest

C——5Psychic

TM134

Reversal

D—10015Fighting

TM200

Scale Shot

B259020Dragon

TM06

Scary Face

C—10010Normal

TM70

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM52

Snowscape

C——10Ice

TM103

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM123

Surf

C9010015Water

TM32

Swift

D60—20Normal

TM01

Take Down

C908520Normal

TM87

Taunt

C—10020Dark

TM171

Tera Blast

A8010010Normal

TM11

Water Pulse

C6010020Water

TM77

Waterfall

A8010015Water

TM208

Whirlpool

D358515Water

TM59

Zen Headbutt

B809015Psychic

Egg Moves

Egg

Bubble Beam

C6510020Water

Egg

Endeavor

A—1005Normal

Tutor Moves

Basculin can't learn any Tutor moves

Scarlet & Violet Basculin Locations

Basculin's scattered across 120 spots in early-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.

Best Locations to Catch Basculin in Scarlet & Violet

Basculin appears in 120 walking locations at Lv. 15-40 across Scarlet and Violet. Not all encounters show up in every version, so check which ones match your game.

Asado Desert - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Desert

36%Early

Asado Desert - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Desert

36%Early

Asado Desert - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Desert

36%Early

Asado Desert - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Desert

36%Early

Casseroya Lake - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water

36%Early

Casseroya Lake - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water

36%Early

Casseroya Lake - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water

36%Early

Casseroya Lake - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water

36%Early

Casseroya Lake - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water

36%Early

Casseroya Lake - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water

36%Early

Casseroya Lake - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water

36%Early

Casseroya Lake - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water

36%Early

East Province (Area One) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

East Province (Area One) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

East Province (Area One) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

East Province (Area One) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

East Province (Area Three) - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

East Province (Area Three) - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

East Province (Area Three) - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

East Province (Area Three) - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

East Province (Area Three) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

East Province (Area Three) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

East Province (Area Three) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

East Province (Area Three) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

East Province (Area Two) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

East Province (Area Two) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

East Province (Area Two) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

East Province (Area Two) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

Glaseado Mountain

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Cave

36%Early

Glaseado Mountain

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Cave

36%Early

Glaseado Mountain

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Cave

36%Early

Glaseado Mountain

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Cave

36%Early

Glaseado Mountain

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Cave

36%Early

Glaseado Mountain

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Cave

36%Early

Glaseado Mountain

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Cave

36%Early

Glaseado Mountain

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Cave

36%Early

Glaseado Mountain

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Cave

36%Early

Glaseado Mountain

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Cave

36%Early

Glaseado Mountain

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Cave

36%Early

Glaseado Mountain

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Cave

36%Early

North Province (Area One) - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

North Province (Area One) - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

North Province (Area One) - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

North Province (Area One) - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

North Province (Area One) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

North Province (Area One) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

North Province (Area One) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

North Province (Area One) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

North Province (Area Three) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

North Province (Area Three) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

North Province (Area Three) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

North Province (Area Three) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

North Province (Area Two) - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

North Province (Area Two) - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

North Province (Area Two) - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

North Province (Area Two) - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Paldean Sea - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water

36%Early

South Paldean Sea - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water

36%Early

South Paldean Sea - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water

36%Early

South Paldean Sea - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water

36%Early

South Province (Area Five) - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Five) - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Five) - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Five) - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Five) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Five) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Five) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Five) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Four) - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Four) - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Four) - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Four) - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Four) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Four) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Four) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Four) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area One) - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area One) - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area One) - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area One) - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area One) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area One) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area One) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area One) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Six) - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Six) - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Six) - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Six) - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Six) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Six) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Six) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Six) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Two) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Two) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Two) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

South Province (Area Two) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

Tagtree Thicket - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Forest

36%Early

Tagtree Thicket - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Forest

36%Early

Tagtree Thicket - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Forest

36%Early

Tagtree Thicket - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Forest

36%Early

Tagtree Thicket - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Forest

36%Early

Tagtree Thicket - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Forest

36%Early

Tagtree Thicket - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Forest

36%Early

Tagtree Thicket - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Forest

36%Early

West Province (Area One) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

West Province (Area One) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

West Province (Area One) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

West Province (Area One) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

West Province (Area Three) - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

West Province (Area Three) - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

West Province (Area Three) - Lake

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

West Province (Area Three) - Lake

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

West Province (Area Three) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

West Province (Area Three) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

West Province (Area Three) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

West Province (Area Three) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

West Province (Area Two) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

West Province (Area Two) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

West Province (Area Two) - River

ScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

West Province (Area Two) - River

VioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route

36%Early

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 Scarlet & Violet, 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 Scarlet & Violet, 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.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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MespritThreatens with Grass Knot Psychic	S
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemRocky Helmet NatureRelaxed Moves U Turn Stealth Rock Psychic Noise Knock Off Damage vs Basculin U Turn 27-32% Knock Off 25-29% View Mesprit builds →
SandslashWalls physical sets Ground	A
Recommended Build AbilitySandrush ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves Rapid Spin EarthquakeSTAB Knock Off Stealth Rock Damage vs Basculin Rapid Spin 18-22% Earthquake 55-64% Knock Off 24-28% View Sandslash builds →
HitmontopDrops Attack via Intimidate, walls special sets Fighting	A
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves Rapid Spin Triple Axel Close Combat Mach Punch Damage vs Basculin Rapid Spin 23-28% Close Combat 84-99% Mach Punch 28-33% View Hitmontop builds →
JolteonThreatens with Thunderbolt, outspeeds Electric	A
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves ThunderboltSTAB Volt Switch Alluring Voice Shadow Ball Damage vs Basculin Thunderbolt 2x 224-264%KO Volt Switch 2x 175-206%KO Shadow Ball 67-78% View Jolteon builds →
CharizardOutspeeds FireFlying	B
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves Scorching Sands FlamethrowerSTAB HurricaneSTAB Air Slash Damage vs Basculin Scorching Sands 38-46% Flamethrower 37-44% Hurricane 91-107%KO Air Slash 62-73% View Charizard builds →