Mixed
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.
Adaptability
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

Blue-striped Basculin used to be a common food source. They apparently have an inoffensive, light flavor.

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
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None
How to Beat Basculin in Sword & Shield (Best Counters)
Ferrothorn
Ferrothorn
GrassSteel
A
Available Moves
Moves
  • Power WhipLv. 1
  • Solar BeamTM11
Damage vs Basculin
Power Whip 2x
125-148%KO
Solar Beam 2x
93-109%KO
View Ferrothorn builds →

Sword & Shield 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 22 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)
gyaradosoctillerymalamarmagikarpremoraidinkaywailordrelicanthwailmerbarraskewdalanturnsharpedo

Sword & Shield Basculin Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Moves

TMs carry this one. Basculin learns Hydro Pump and Aqua Tail 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
10030Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 4
Tackle
D4010035Normal
Lv 8
Flail
D10015Normal
Lv 12
Aqua Jet+1
D4010020Water
Lv 16
Bite
D6010025Dark
Lv 20
Scary Face
10010Normal
Lv 24
Headbutt
C7010015Normal
Lv 28
Soak
D10020Water
Lv 32
Crunch
C8010015Dark
Lv 36
Take Down
C908520Normal
Lv 40
Final Gambit
D1005Fighting
Lv 44
Aqua Tail
C909010Water
Lv 48
Thrash
C12010010Normal
Lv 52
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Lv 56
Head Smash
C150805Rock

TM Moves

TM
TR12
Agility
C30Psychic
TM58
Assurance
6010010Dark
TM31
Attract
C10015Normal
TM52
Bounce
C85855Flying
TM55
Brine
C6510010Water
TR32
Crunch
C8010015Dark
TM45
Dive
C8010010Water
TR26
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM39
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM35
Hail
C10Ice
TR03
Hydro Pump
C110805Water
TR05
Ice Beam
C9010010Ice
TM67
Ice Fang
D659515Ice
TM27
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
TR98
Liquidation
C8510010Water
TM53
Mud Shot
D559515Ground
TR45
Muddy Water
C908510Water
TM25
Protect+4
C10Normal
TR97
Psychic Fangs
C8510010Psychic
TM33
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM21
Rest
C10Psychic
TM42
Revenge-4
D6010010Fighting
TR21
Reversal
D10015Fighting
TM76
Round
D6010015Normal
TR84
Scald
C8010015Water
TM26
Scary Face
10010Normal
TR27
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM24
Snore
5010015Normal
TR20
Substitute
C10Normal
TR39
Superpower
C1201005Fighting
TR04
Surf
C9010015Water
TM40
Swift
D6020Normal
TR37
Taunt
C10020Dark
TR35
Uproar
C9010010Normal
TR16
Waterfall
C8010015Water
TM36
Whirlpool
D358515Water
TR69
Zen Headbutt
C809015Psychic

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Bubble Beam
C6510020Water
Egg
Endeavor
D1005Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Flip Turn
C6010020Water
Tutor
Scale Shot
D259020Dragon

Sword & Shield Basculin Locations

Basculin is available from early-game water routes onward at high spawn rates. 64 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 Sword & Shield

64 surfing and fishing encounters at Lv. 14-65 for Basculin across Sword and Shield. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.

North Lake Miloch
SwordSuper Rod Lv.14-16 Water
2%Early
North Lake Miloch
ShieldSuper Rod Lv.14-16 Water
2%Early
Motostoke Riverbank
SwordSuper Rod Lv.26-28
35%Mid
Motostoke Riverbank
ShieldSuper Rod Lv.26-28
35%Mid
Hulbury
SwordSuper Rod Lv.20-24
10%Mid
Hulbury
ShieldSuper Rod Lv.20-24
10%Mid
Motostoke Riverbank
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
70%Late
Intense Sun
Motostoke Riverbank
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
70%Late
Intense Sun
Motostoke Riverbank
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
65%Late
Normal Weather
Motostoke Riverbank
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
65%Late
Normal Weather
Motostoke Riverbank
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
55%Late
Raining
Motostoke Riverbank
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
55%Late
Raining
Motostoke Riverbank
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
50%Late
Heavy Fog
Motostoke Riverbank
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
50%Late
Heavy Fog
Motostoke Riverbank
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
50%Late
Overcast
Motostoke Riverbank
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
50%Late
Overcast
Motostoke Riverbank
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
35%Late
Sandstorm
Motostoke Riverbank
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
35%Late
Sandstorm
Motostoke Riverbank
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
30%Late
Thunderstorm
Motostoke Riverbank
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
30%Late
Thunderstorm
Motostoke Riverbank
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
30%Late
Snowing
Motostoke Riverbank
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
30%Late
Snowing
Motostoke Riverbank
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
10%Late
Snowstorm
Motostoke Riverbank
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
10%Late
Snowstorm
Ballimere Lake
SwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water
100%Post
Snowstorm
Ballimere Lake
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water
100%Post
Snowstorm
Ballimere Lake
SwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water
100%Post
Sandstorm
Ballimere Lake
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water
100%Post
Sandstorm
Snowslide Slope
SwordSuper Rod Lv.60-65 Ice
40%Post
Snowslide Slope
ShieldSuper Rod Lv.60-65 Ice
40%Post
Frigid Sea
SwordSuper Rod Lv.60-65 Water
30%Post
Frigid Sea
ShieldSuper Rod Lv.60-65 Water
30%Post
Ballimere Lake
SwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water
26%Post
Normal Weather
Ballimere Lake
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water
26%Post
Normal Weather
Ballimere Lake
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water
26%Post
Thunderstorm
Ballimere Lake
SwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water
26%Post
Thunderstorm
Ballimere Lake
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water
26%Post
Intense Sun
Ballimere Lake
SwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water
26%Post
Intense Sun
Ballimere Lake
SwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water
26%Post
Raining
Ballimere Lake
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water
26%Post
Raining
Ballimere Lake
SwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water
26%Post
Overcast
Ballimere Lake
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water
26%Post
Overcast
Roaring-Sea Caves
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave
25%Post
Thunderstorm
Roaring-Sea Caves
SwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave
25%Post
Thunderstorm
Roaring-Sea Caves
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave
25%Post
Intense Sun
Roaring-Sea Caves
SwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave
25%Post
Intense Sun
Roaring-Sea Caves
SwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave
25%Post
Raining
Roaring-Sea Caves
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave
25%Post
Raining
Roaring-Sea Caves
SwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave
25%Post
Heavy Fog
Roaring-Sea Caves
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave
25%Post
Heavy Fog
Roaring-Sea Caves
SwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave
25%Post
Overcast
Roaring-Sea Caves
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave
25%Post
Overcast
Roaring-Sea Caves
SwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave
25%Post
Normal Weather
Roaring-Sea Caves
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave
25%Post
Normal Weather
Ballimere Lake
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water
20%Post
Snowing
Ballimere Lake
SwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water
20%Post
Snowing
Giant's Bed
SwordSuper Rod Lv.60-65
20%Post
Giant's Bed
ShieldSuper Rod Lv.60-65
20%Post
Giant's Foot
SwordSuper Rod Lv.60-65
20%Post
Giant's Foot
ShieldSuper Rod Lv.60-65
20%Post
Roaring-Sea Caves
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave
20%Post
Snowing
Roaring-Sea Caves
SwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave
20%Post
Snowing
Roaring-Sea Caves
SwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave
20%Post
Snowstorm
Roaring-Sea Caves
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Cave
20%Post
Snowstorm

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 Sword & Shield, 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 Sword & Shield, 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 mixed attacker with base 92 Attack and 80 Sp. Atk.

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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