Physical
Balanced
98Speed · Above Avg

Is Basculin Good in Legends: Arceus Playthrough?

White-Striped Basculin is unique to Hisui. Evolves into Basculegion after taking 294+ recoil damage total from specific moves. The evolution method is unusual, but the payoff is one of the best Water-types in the game.

How to Get Basculin in Legends: Arceus

decent spawn rates for Basculin across 5 locations in late-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.

Where To Catch Basculin in PLA

The path to Basculin starts with Basculin at Lv. 31-56 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Basculin
    Step 1Basculin
    Tranquility Cove
    Lv.31-34Grass
    Rate 15%
    Heart's Crag
    Lv.40-48Grass
    Rate 15%
    Islespy Shore
    Lv.40-47Grass
    Rate 15%
    Fabled Spring
    Lv.43-46Grass
    Rate 15%
    Lake Acuity
    Lv.53-56Grass
    Rate 15%
  2. Basculegion
    Step 2Evolve into Basculegion

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.

Basculin Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel

What is Basculin Weak Against

Good
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Basculin Strong Against

3Strong
3Resisted
0Immune
Score0
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Basculin

Basculin Evolutions

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

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Basculin
Water
Basculegion
WaterGhost
HP
70
120+50
ATK
92
112+20
DEF
65
65
SP.ATK
80
80
SP.DEF
55
75+20
SPE
98
78-20
BST
460C-Tier
530C-Tier+70
ROLE
Balanced
Tank
TYPE
Mixed
Physical
Breeding is not available in this game

PLA Basculin Best Moveset

White-Striped form unique to this game at 92 Attack and 98 Speed on Water. The moveset runs fast physical Water TermStab. Evolves into Basculegion (Water/Ghost) after taking enough recoil damage in battle, one of the most unusual evolution methods in the series.

Best Build

Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.

Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.

Moves List

Not a lot to pick from. Basculin gets Wave Crash and Aqua Tail for same-type damage, and Normal and Dark coverage and more rounds things out. You're building around what's available rather than choosing from a deep bench.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Tackle
D4010035Normal
Lv 6
Aqua Jet+1
S6010020Water
Lv 11
Bite
D6010025Dark
Lv 18
Zen Headbutt
C809015Psychic
Lv 25
Crunch
C8010015Dark
Lv 34
Wave Crash
11210010Water
Lv 43
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal

TM Moves

Basculin can't learn any TM moves

Egg Moves

Basculin doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Aqua Tail
C1359010Water
Tutor
Ice Beam
C9010010Ice
Tutor
Ice Fang
B659515Ice
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Rest
C10Psychic
Tutor
Swift
D6020Normal
Tutor
Zen Headbutt
C809015Psychic

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP70
C
Attack92
B
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk80
C
Sp. Def55
D
Speed98
B
Total460
Details
Catch Rate
Difficult25 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.0 m
Weight18.0 kg
Base XP161
Abilities
Reckless
Strengthens recoil moves to 1.2× their power.
Adaptability
Increases the same-type attack bonus from 1.5× to 2×.
Mold BreakerHidden Ability
Bypasses targets' abilities if they could hinder or prevent a move.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Speed training target
Pokedex Entry

Though it differs from other Basculin in several respects, including demeanor—this one is gentle—I have categorized it as a regional form given the vast array of shared qualities.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Basculin Legends: Arceus 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.

  • In Legends: Arceus, Basculin's biggest threats include Manectric (Electric) and Roserade (Grass), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • 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 Legends: Arceus, 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 physical attacker with base 92 Attack.

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.

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