Stats & Training
Defense leads and Speed gets almost nothing. That's Carracosta's stat line in a nutshell. 3 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Tough to catch and yields 2 Defense EVs.
Carracosta completely devours its prey—bones, shells, and all. Because of this, Carracosta’s own shell grows thick and sturdy.
This Pokémon emerges from the water in search of prey despite the fact that it moves more slowly on land.
Carracosta Weakness
Grass, Electric, Fighting, and Ground moves hit Carracosta for super-effective damage. Grass hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Solid Rock reduces SE moves damage, further improving the defensive spread. Carracosta's physical bulk (base 133 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Grass |
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Fighting, Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Ice, Poison, Flying |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Fire |
In Sword & Shield, Excadrill can KO Carracosta with Earthquake (92-108%). Rillaboom threatens a KO with Wood Hammer (227-268%). Cobalion deals 84-99% with Close Combat.
 Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMold Breaker ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Carracosta View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x92-108%KO Rapid Spin8-9% | ||
 Rillaboom Grass | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemAssault Vest NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Carracosta View Rillaboom builds →U Turn22-26% Wood Hammer 4x227-268%KO | ||
 Cobalion SteelFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Carracosta View Cobalion builds →Close Combat 2x84-99% | ||
 Zeraora Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemAir Balloon NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Carracosta View Zeraora builds →Drain Punch 2x40-48% | ||
Sword & Shield Evolution
Evolved from Tirtouga. Carracosta is the final form in this two-stage line. Plenty of partners for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are slow to hatch. Attack grew the most through evolution (+30 over Tirtouga), and Carracosta peaks at 495 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Carracosta to get Tirtouga eggs using 81 partners from the Water1 and Water3 egg groups.
Sword & Shield Carracosta Best Moveset
Carracosta leads with Focus Sash insurance. Even if it can't take a hit naturally, it'll survive long enough to deal early damage. Max Attack and Speed EVs go all-in on offense since bulk doesn't matter here.
Best Build
Carracosta best EVs are Attack and Speed
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Shell Smash
- Rock Slide
- Aqua Jet
- Waterfall
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Aqua Jet
- Stone Edge
- Shell Smash
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Carracosta. TMs unlock coverage across 7 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Meteor Beam and Hydro Pump into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Carracosta in Sword & Shield
Can't catch Carracosta directly. Start with Tirtouga at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 37. The 2-stage line from Tirtouga to Carracosta is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Carracosta in Sword & Shield
The path to Carracosta starts with Tirtouga at Lv. 60-65 via surfing and walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch TirtougaFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostNormal WeatherFrigid SeaSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Water10%PostNormal WeatherFrigid SeaShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Water10%PostRainingFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostSnowstormFrigid SeaSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Water10%PostSnowstormFrigid SeaShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Water10%PostHeavy FogFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostThunderstormFrigid SeaShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Water10%PostOvercastFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostSnowingFrigid SeaShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Water10%PostNormal WeatherFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostRainingFrigid SeaShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Water10%PostSnowstormFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostHeavy FogFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostThunderstormFrigid SeaSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Water10%PostThunderstormFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostOvercastFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostSnowingFrigid SeaSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Water10%PostSnowingFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostNormal WeatherFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostRainingFrigid SeaSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Water10%PostRainingFrigid SeaSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostSnowstormFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostHeavy FogFrigid SeaSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Water10%PostHeavy FogFrigid SeaShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Water10%PostThunderstormFrigid SeaShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water10%PostOvercastFrigid SeaSwordOverworld Lv.60-65 Water10%PostOvercastFrigid SeaShieldOverworld Lv.60-65 Water10%PostSnowing
Step 2Carracosta ✓
Carracosta Guide
In Sword & Shield, Swift Swim changes the entire equation for Carracosta. The 495 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a trick room. Shellsmash with Focus Sash is the standard set.
In Sword & Shield, watch for Exeggutor (Grass), Raikou (Electric), and Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Carracosta. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Exeggutor is the most dangerous since Grass moves deal 4x damage. Ground-type attackers are also a problem. At base 32 Speed, Carracosta won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Swift Swim is what you want on Carracosta. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Solid Rock, Sturdy) work on paper but Swift Swim is what makes Carracosta worth using.
Base 32 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Carracosta is a physical attacker with base 108 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a trick room.
In Sword & Shield, run Shellsmash, Rock Slide, Aqua Jet, and Waterfall on Carracosta. Shellsmash is the most common pick at 25% usage. Waterfall provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
Carracosta joined the series in Black & White and has been available in 7 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