Stats & Training
Gastrodon's spread is anchored by HP, with balanced defenses backing it up. Speed is the clear weak point. Worth 2 HP EVs per KO, and the medium-fast 1M XP curve keeps leveling painless.
When its natural enemy attacks, it oozes purple fluid and escapes.
It apparently had a huge shell for protection in ancient times. It lives in shallow tidal pools.
Gastrodon Weakness
Gastrodon's Water/Ground typing leaves it vulnerable to Grass. Grass hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Electric-type attacks completely. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Storm Drain grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. With 111 HP and balanced defenses, Gastrodon can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Poison, Rock, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
In X & Y, Excadrill's Earthquake hits Gastrodon for 44-52%.
 | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityMold Breaker ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Gastrodon View Excadrill builds →Earthquake44-52% Rapid Spin15-18% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityStatic ItemSitrus Berry NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Gastrodon View Zapdos builds →Heat Wave11-13% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Gastrodon View Starmie builds →Rapid Spin7-8% Scald29-34% Ice Beam22-26% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Gastrodon View Slowbro builds →Scald23-27% Ice Beam17-20% | ||
X & Y Evolution
Gastrodon is the evolved form of Shellos. Breeding produces Shellos eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Shellos gave Gastrodon the biggest boost in HP (+35), bringing the total to 475 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Gastrodon to get Shellos eggs easily using 49 partners from the Indeterminate and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Acid Armor, Amnesia, Brine and 13 more.
X & Y Gastrodon Best Moveset
Quiet nature gives Gastrodon the slow special lean it needs to trade hits effectively. Leftovers adds passive recovery each turn, spread EVs split the difference, and the remaining moves punishes anything trying to wall it. Recover keeps it topped off between trades.
Best Build
Gastrodon best EVs are HP and Defense
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Earth Power
- Scald
- Recover
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Scald
- Recover
- Earthquake
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Moves
The natural movepool does the job, but Acid Armor and Amnesia from the egg pool give Gastrodon something extra. Pair those with Earthquake and Muddy Water for STAB and coverage across 7 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Gastrodon in X & Y
Gastrodon can't be caught in X & Y. Transfer Shellos from Diamond, Platinum, or Sword and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Gastrodon Guide
In X & Y, Don't let Gastrodon's 475 base stat total fool you. Storm Drain is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it B-Tier as a trick room. Earthpower with Leftovers is the standard set.
In X & Y, watch for Roserade (Grass) when using Gastrodon. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Roserade is the most dangerous since Grass moves deal 4x damage. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. At base 39 Speed, Gastrodon won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
In X & Y, Run Storm Drain on Gastrodon. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Gastrodon also gets Sticky Hold and Sand Force, but they don't compare.
In X & Y, Gastrodon fills the trick room role. It's a mixed attacker with base 83 Attack and 92 Sp. Atk. Base 39 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
In X & Y, run Earthpower, Scald, Recover, and Protect on Gastrodon. Earthpower is the most common pick at 20% usage. Scald provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
Gastrodon first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 13 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
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 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
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