Stats & Training
Shellder's spread isn't flashy. Defense leads, Sp. Def trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 1 Defense EV, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.
It is encased in a shell that is harder than diamond. Inside, however, it is surprisingly tender.
Clamping on to an opponent reveals its vulnerable parts, so it uses this move only as a last resort.
Shellder Weakness
Type-wise, Shellder takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Shellder's physical bulk (base 100 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
 Wo-Chien DarkGrass | B | |
Obtain MethodSouth Province Area One Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Shellder View Wo-Chien builds →Power Whip 2x116-137%KO Giga Drain 2x209-246%KO Mega Drain 2x111-131%KO Absorb 2x58-69% | ||
 Meowscarada GrassDark | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Sprigatito (Cabo Poco Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Shellder View Meowscarada builds →Leaf Storm 2x315-371%KO Energy Ball 2x218-257%KO Seed Bomb 2x97-114%KO Magical Leaf 2x148-174%KO | ||
 Leafeon Grass | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Shellder View Leafeon builds →Leaf Blade 2x107-126%KO Giga Drain 2x146-171%KO Magical Leaf 2x116-137%KO | ||
 Toedscruel GroundGrass | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Shellder View Toedscruel builds →Power Whip 2x99-117%KO Seed Bomb 2x68-80% Giga Drain 2x182-214%KO Mega Drain 2x99-117%KO | ||
 Arboliva GrassNormal | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Shellder View Arboliva builds →Petal Dance 2x417-491%KO Energy Ball 2x312-369%KO Petal Blizzard 2x75-89% Seed Bomb 2x68-80% | ||
In Scarlet & Violet, Glimmet threatens a KO with Sludge Bomb (95-112%). Mudbray deals 40-48% with Earthquake.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityWeakarmor ItemEviolite NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Shellder View Vullaby builds →Knock Off19-23% Heat Wave14-17% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityToxicdebris ItemEviolite NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Shellder View Glimmet builds →Power Gem85-100%KO Sludge Bomb95-112%KO | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityStamina ItemEviolite NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Shellder View Mudbray builds →Earthquake40-48% Stone Edge27-32% Close Combat32-38% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemEviolite NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Shellder View Mienfoo builds →Knock Off13-15% U Turn14-17% High Jump Kick38-45% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVitalspirit ItemEviolite NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Shellder View Elekid builds →Psychic54-63% Volt Switch 2x126-149%KO Thunderbolt 2x161-190%KO Knock Off10-11% | ||
Scarlet & Violet Evolution
Evolving Shellder into Cloyster takes an evolution item. It's not a simple level-up, so check the chain details below. Evolving adds up to 220 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Shellder easily with 13 breeding partners from the Water3 egg group. Pass egg moves like Aqua Ring, Bubble Beam, Life Dew and 1 more to offspring.
Scarlet & Violet Shellder Best Moveset
Still unevolved, still relevant. Shellder's Eviolite bulk with spread EVs creates a defensive profile that punches above its stage. Skilllink adds passive value. Liquidation gives it offensive presence.
Best Build
Shellder best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Shell Smash
- Rock Blast
- Icicle Spear
- Liquidation
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Toxic Spikes
- Spikes
- Aqua Ring
- Life Dew
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Icicle Spear
- Shell Smash
- Ice Shard
- Rock Blast
Recommended Teammates
Moves
The egg pool carries weight here. Aqua Ring and Bubble Beam aren't available any other way for Shellder, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Hydro Pump and Surf for solid options.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Scarlet & Violet Shellder Locations
Shellder's scattered across 54 spots in early-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Best Locations to Catch Shellder in Scarlet & Violet
walking encounters for Shellder across 54 spots at Lv. 15-40. The catch is that Scarlet and Violet don't share every location, so compare what's available in your version.
Shellder Guide
Shellder evolves into Cloyster using a Water Stone. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 305 BST.
In Scarlet & Violet, Shellder does the job early-game if you need a Water type on your team. Evolve it into Cloyster before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Shellder is catchable in Scarlet & Violet. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 19 other games across the series.
Shellder is available in Scarlet & Violet. Across the full series, it appears in 20 games total.
Game Availability
Shellder has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
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 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