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.
Blue-striped Basculin used to be a common food source. They apparently have an inoffensive, light flavor.
Known for their violence, these Pokémon have the most fights with schools of red-striped 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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x134-159%KO Giga Drain 2x88-103%KO Mega Drain 2x47-56% Absorb 2x27-33% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x155-183%KO Magical Leaf 2x80-94% Mega Drain 2x55-66% Absorb 2x31-38% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 2x106-127%KO Mega Drain 2x39-47% Absorb 2x23-28% | ||
Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 2x106-127%KO Razor Leaf 2x52-61% Mega Drain 2x39-47% Absorb 2x23-28% | ||
Pumpkaboo GhostGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Pumpkaboo builds →Solar Beam 2x88-103%KO Razor Leaf 2x52-61% Bullet Seed 2x27-33% | ||
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x128-152%KO Giga Drain 2x84-100%KO Mega Drain 2x47-56% Absorb 2x27-32% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x145-172%KO Magical Leaf 2x75-88% Mega Drain 2x51-60% Absorb 2x27-32% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 2x101-120%KO Mega Drain 2x37-44% Absorb 2x20-24% | ||
Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 2x101-120%KO Razor Leaf 2x47-56% Mega Drain 2x37-44% Absorb 2x20-24% | ||
Pumpkaboo GhostGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Pumpkaboo builds →Solar Beam 2x81-96% Razor Leaf 2x47-56% Bullet Seed 2x23-28% | ||
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x125-148%KO Giga Drain 2x80-94% Mega Drain 2x46-54% Absorb 2x24-29% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x141-166%KO Magical Leaf 2x73-87% Mega Drain 2x48-58% Absorb 2x27-33% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 2x98-116%KO Mega Drain 2x36-43% Absorb 2x20-25% | ||
Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 2x98-116%KO Razor Leaf 2x48-58% Mega Drain 2x36-43% Absorb 2x20-25% | ||
Pumpkaboo GhostGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Pumpkaboo builds →Solar Beam 2x80-94% Razor Leaf 2x46-54% Bullet Seed 2x24-29% | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 2x157-185%KO Petal Blizzard 2x90-107%KO Giga Drain 2x100-118%KO Mega Drain 2x54-64% | ||
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Eldegoss builds →Solar Beam 2x123-146%KO Leaf Tornado 2x68-81% Magical Leaf 2x64-76% Razor Leaf 2x37-45% | ||
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x131-154%KO Giga Drain 2x83-98% Mega Drain 2x45-53% Absorb 2x23-28% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x150-177%KO Giga Drain 2x95-112%KO Magical Leaf 2x76-90% Mega Drain 2x52-62% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 2x102-121%KO Giga Drain 2x64-76% Mega Drain 2x36-42% Absorb 2x19-22% | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 2x159-188%KO Petal Blizzard 2x91-107%KO Giga Drain 2x100-118%KO Mega Drain 2x54-64% | ||
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Eldegoss builds →Solar Beam 2x127-150%KO Leaf Tornado 2x71-83% Magical Leaf 2x65-78% Razor Leaf 2x38-46% | ||
Shiinotic GrassFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Shiinotic builds →Solar Beam 2x138-163%KO Giga Drain 2x88-104%KO Mega Drain 2x47-56% Absorb 2x25-29% | ||
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x131-155%KO Giga Drain 2x84-99% Mega Drain 2x46-54% Absorb 2x25-29% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x150-177%KO Giga Drain 2x96-113%KO Magical Leaf 2x77-91% Mega Drain 2x52-62% | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 2x153-180%KO Petal Blizzard 2x87-102%KO Giga Drain 2x97-115%KO Mega Drain 2x54-63% | ||
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Eldegoss builds →Solar Beam 2x122-144%KO Leaf Tornado 2x68-80% Magical Leaf 2x62-73% Razor Leaf 2x37-44% | ||
Shiinotic GrassFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Shiinotic builds →Solar Beam 2x133-156%KO Giga Drain 2x85-100%KO Mega Drain 2x46-54% Absorb 2x24-29% | ||
Gloom GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Gloom builds →Solar Beam 2x128-151%KO Giga Drain 2x80-95% Mega Drain 2x46-54% Absorb 2x24-29% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x145-171%KO Giga Drain 2x93-110%KO Magical Leaf 2x74-88% Mega Drain 2x50-59% | ||
Dhelmise GhostGrass | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Dhelmise builds →Solar Beam 2x128-151%KO Giga Drain 2x81-95% Mega Drain 2x45-53% Absorb 2x23-28% | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 2x152-179%KO Petal Blizzard 2x87-102%KO Giga Drain 2x96-114%KO Mega Drain 2x53-63% | ||
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Eldegoss builds →Solar Beam 2x122-144%KO Leaf Tornado 2x67-79% Magical Leaf 2x63-74% Razor Leaf 2x37-44% | ||
Shiinotic GrassFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Shiinotic builds →Solar Beam 2x134-158%KO Giga Drain 2x84-100%KO Mega Drain 2x47-56% Absorb 2x26-30% | ||
Roselia GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x146-172%KO Giga Drain 2x92-109%KO Magical Leaf 2x74-88% Mega Drain 2x51-60% | ||
Ferrothorn GrassSteel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Ferrothorn builds →Power Whip 2x125-148%KO Solar Beam 2x93-109%KO | ||
Dhelmise GhostGrass | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Dhelmise builds →Solar Beam 2x133-156%KO Giga Drain 2x84-99% Mega Drain 2x45-54% Absorb 2x24-28% | ||
Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Abomasnow builds →Wood Hammer 2x124-146%KO Solar Beam 2x140-165%KO Magical Leaf 2x71-84% Razor Leaf 2x58-69% | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 2x156-184%KO Petal Blizzard 2x89-105%KO Giga Drain 2x98-116%KO Mega Drain 2x54-64% | ||
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Eldegoss builds →Leaf Storm 2x134-159%KO Solar Beam 2x125-148%KO Leaf Tornado 2x69-81% Magical Leaf 2x64-75% | ||
In Sword & Shield, Zarude's Close Combat hits Basculin for 62-74%. Regieleki threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (141-167%). Kartana deals 46-54% with Knock Off.
Zarude DarkGrass | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLeafguard ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Zarude builds →U Turn37-43% Close Combat62-74% | ||
Regieleki Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTransistor ItemMagnet NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Regieleki builds →Volt Switch 2x111-130%KO Electroweb 2x87-102%KO Thunderbolt 2x141-167%KO | ||
Kartana GrassSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Kartana builds →Knock Off46-54% | ||
Rotom ElectricGhost | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemAssault Vest NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Basculin View Rotom builds →Dark Pulse41-48% Discharge 2x122-144%KO Hex50-59% | ||
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
Breeding
Breed Basculin with 22 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group. Pass egg moves like Bubble Beam, Endeavor to offspring.
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
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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.
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.
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.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB

Red & Blue - Gen 2GS

Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS

Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG

FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS

HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP

Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BWDebut

Black & White - Gen 5B2W2

Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY

X & Y - Gen 6ORAS

Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM

Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM

Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE

Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh

Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV

Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW

Winds & Waves
