Stats & Training
Relicanth's all-in on Defense at the expense of Sp. Atk. The physical lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 2 HP and Defense EVs and follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
Rock-hard scales and oil-filled swim bladders allow this Pokémon to survive the intense water pressure of the deep sea.
This Pokémon was discovered during deep-sea exploration. Its appearance hasn’t changed in 100,000,000 years, so it’s called a living fossil.
Relicanth Weakness
Grass, Electric, Fighting, and Ground moves hit Relicanth for super-effective damage. Grass hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It resists 5 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Relicanth's physical bulk (base 130 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 |
 Ferroseed GrassSteel | C | |
 Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 4x161-189%KO Mega Drain 4x59-71% Absorb 4x33-39% | ||
 Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 4x161-189%KO Razor Leaf 4x53-63% Mega Drain 4x59-71% Absorb 4x33-39% | ||
 Pumpkaboo GhostGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Pumpkaboo builds →Solar Beam 4x134-158%KO Razor Leaf 4x53-63% Bullet Seed 4x26-32% | ||
 Snover GrassIce | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Snover builds →Solar Beam 4x167-197%KO Magical Leaf 4x87-103%KO Razor Leaf 4x53-63% Leafage 4x39-47% | ||
Ferroseed GrassSteel | C | |
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 4x154-182%KO Mud Shot 2x25-29% Mega Drain 4x57-67% Absorb 4x34-40% | ||
Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 4x154-182%KO Razor Leaf 4x51-61% Mega Drain 4x57-67% Absorb 4x34-40% | ||
Pumpkaboo GhostGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Pumpkaboo builds →Solar Beam 4x126-148%KO Razor Leaf 4x51-61% Bullet Seed 4x28-34% | ||
Snover GrassIce | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Snover builds →Solar Beam 4x154-182%KO Magical Leaf 4x80-94% Razor Leaf 4x45-54% Leafage 4x34-40% | ||
Ferroseed GrassSteel | C | |
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 4x148-176%KO Mud Shot 2x23-28% Mega Drain 4x57-67% Absorb 4x30-36% | ||
Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 4x148-176%KO Razor Leaf 4x52-61% Mega Drain 4x57-67% Absorb 4x30-36% | ||
Pumpkaboo GhostGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Pumpkaboo builds →Solar Beam 4x123-145%KO Razor Leaf 4x45-55% Bullet Seed 4x25-30% | ||
Snover GrassIce | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Snover builds →Solar Beam 4x148-176%KO Magical Leaf 4x77-91% Razor Leaf 4x45-55% Leafage 4x35-42% | ||
Ferroseed GrassSteel | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Ferroseed builds →Solar Beam 4x87-102%KO Revenge 2x14-17% | ||
 Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 4x229-270%KO Petal Blizzard 4x87-102%KO Giga Drain 4x146-172%KO Mega Drain 4x79-93% | ||
 Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Eldegoss builds →Solar Beam 4x185-219%KO Leaf Tornado 4x102-121%KO Magical Leaf 4x95-112%KO Razor Leaf 4x40-47% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 4x150-177%KO Giga Drain 4x95-112%KO Mud Shot 2x23-28% Mega Drain 4x55-65% | ||
Nuzleaf GrassDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Nuzleaf builds →Solar Beam 4x150-177%KO Dig 2x22-26% Low Sweep 2x18-22% Razor Leaf 4x47-56% | ||
Ferroseed GrassSteel | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Ferroseed builds →Solar Beam 4x87-102%KO Revenge 2x13-16% | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 4x230-271%KO Petal Blizzard 4x87-102%KO Giga Drain 4x147-173%KO Mega Drain 4x79-93% | ||
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Eldegoss builds →Solar Beam 4x184-218%KO Leaf Tornado 4x101-120%KO Magical Leaf 4x94-111%KO Razor Leaf 4x38-44% | ||
 Shiinotic GrassFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Shiinotic builds →Solar Beam 4x204-240%KO Giga Drain 4x128-151%KO Mega Drain 4x71-84% Absorb 4x38-44% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 4x151-178%KO Giga Drain 4x94-111%KO Mud Shot 2x24-28% Mega Drain 4x53-62% | ||
Ferroseed GrassSteel | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Ferroseed builds →Solar Beam 4x82-97% Revenge 2x13-16% | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 4x226-266%KO Petal Blizzard 4x82-97% Giga Drain 4x144-169%KO Mega Drain 4x79-93% | ||
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Eldegoss builds →Solar Beam 4x181-213%KO Leaf Tornado 4x99-117%KO Magical Leaf 4x92-109%KO Razor Leaf 4x38-44% | ||
Shiinotic GrassFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Shiinotic builds →Solar Beam 4x195-230%KO Giga Drain 4x123-145%KO Mega Drain 4x68-81% Absorb 4x38-44% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Lombre builds →Solar Beam 4x144-169%KO Giga Drain 4x92-109%KO Brick Break 2x15-19% Mud Shot 2x23-27% | ||
 Dhelmise GhostGrass | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Dhelmise builds →Solar Beam 4x194-228%KO Giga Drain 4x121-143%KO Brick Break 2x33-39% Bulldoze 2x26-31% | ||
Ferroseed GrassSteel | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Ferroseed builds →Solar Beam 4x82-97% Revenge 2x13-15% | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 4x226-267%KO Petal Blizzard 4x85-101%KO Giga Drain 4x145-170%KO Mega Drain 4x79-93% | ||
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Eldegoss builds →Solar Beam 4x184-217%KO Leaf Tornado 4x102-120%KO Magical Leaf 4x95-112%KO Razor Leaf 4x36-43% | ||
Shiinotic GrassFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Shiinotic builds →Solar Beam 4x197-232%KO Giga Drain 4x125-147%KO Mega Drain 4x69-81% Absorb 4x36-43% | ||
 Ferrothorn GrassSteel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Ferrothorn builds →Power Whip 4x121-143%KO Solar Beam 4x136-161%KO Revenge 2x21-25% Bulldoze 2x21-25% | ||
Dhelmise GhostGrass | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Dhelmise builds →Solar Beam 4x194-229%KO Giga Drain 4x124-146%KO Brick Break 2x33-39% Bulldoze 2x27-32% | ||
 Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Abomasnow builds →Wood Hammer 4x118-139%KO Solar Beam 4x206-243%KO Stomping Tantrum 2x25-30% Brick Break 2x25-30% | ||
Maractus Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Maractus builds →Solar Beam 4x230-271%KO Petal Blizzard 4x85-100%KO Giga Drain 4x145-171%KO Mega Drain 4x79-93% | ||
Eldegoss Grass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Eldegoss builds →Leaf Storm 4x197-232%KO Solar Beam 4x185-218%KO Leaf Tornado 4x100-118%KO Magical Leaf 4x94-111%KO | ||
In Sword & Shield, Excadrill's Earthquake hits Relicanth for 67-79%. Rillaboom threatens a KO with Wood Hammer (167-196%). Cobalion deals 61-72% with Close Combat.
 Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMold Breaker ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x67-79% Rapid Spin5-7% | ||
 Rillaboom Grass | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemAssault Vest NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Rillaboom builds →U Turn16-19% Wood Hammer 4x167-196%KO | ||
 Cobalion SteelFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Cobalion builds →Close Combat 2x61-72% | ||
 Zeraora Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemAir Balloon NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Relicanth View Zeraora builds →Drain Punch 2x29-35% | ||
Sword & Shield Evolution
What you see is what you get. Relicanth sits outside any evolution chain, so focus on the egg moves and plenty of partners from two egg groups. Eggs are takes forever to hatch. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Relicanth with 81 breeding partners from the Water1 and Water2 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Mud-Slap, Skull Bash to offspring.
Sword & Shield Relicanth Best Moveset
The recommended build leans into Relicanth's strengths as a hazard lead. Zoom Lens provides extra utility, and max HP and Attack EVs back that up. Rockhead rounds out the package.
Best Build
Relicanth best EVs are HP and Defense
Bulky Support Moveset
- Head Smash
- Earthquake
- Liquidation
- Zen Headbutt
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Earthquake
- Body Press
- Liquidation
- Head Smash
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Without TMs, Relicanth's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 7 types on top of Head Smash and Meteor Beam for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Sword & Shield Relicanth Locations
moderate rates is the best you'll get on Relicanth in endgame water routes. Use the sort toggle below. Best shows where the odds peak, Earliest shows where you can access it soonest in your playthrough.
Best Locations to Catch Relicanth in Sword & Shield
Before you go hunting for Relicanth, check which of the 12 spots belong to your version. Shield and Sword each have different surfing encounters at Lv. 60-65.
Relicanth Guide
In Sword & Shield, Don't let Relicanth's 485 base stat total fool you. Swift Swim is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier. Head Smash with Zoom Lens is the standard set.
In Sword & Shield, Run Swift Swim on Relicanth. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Relicanth also gets Rock Head and Sturdy, but they don't compare.
In Sword & Shield, Relicanth fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 90 Attack. At base 55 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's tanky enough to absorb a few hits.
In Sword & Shield, run Head Smash, Liquidation, Stealth Rock, and Stompingtantrum on Relicanth. Head Smash is the most common pick at 25% usage. Liquidation provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
Relicanth first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 14 games across 8 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 3RSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
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