Physical
Balanced
55Speed · Slow

Is Relicanth Good in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Playthrough?

Underground Water/Rock with AbilityRock Head. Physical attacker with Head Smash (no recoil). Handles Flint and contributes against Candice. A niche pickup for players who like high-risk attackers.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSGGGGGGGGGGEERoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2MayleneGym 3Crasher WakeGym 4FantinaGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8RelicanthCatchableAaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4CynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Strong

Relicanth resists most of Roark's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockDefense CurlRolloutLeer
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Sturdy
Stealth RockRock ThrowBindHeadbutt
Easy KO
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
BulldozeLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Good

Relicanth has the type edge here and should clean up Gardenia's team.

You Win
Cherubi
Lv 19
Grass
Chlorophyll
Grass KnotGrowthDazzling GleamSafeguard
You Win
Turtwig
Lv 19
Grass
Shell Armor
Grass KnotRazor LeafReflectWork Up
Even
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Technician
Grass KnotPetal BlizzardPoison StingStun Spore
Maylene
Gym 3
Good

Relicanth has the type edge here and should clean up Maylene's team.

You Win
Meditite
Lv 27
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchLight ScreenFlashBulk Up
You Win
Machoke
Lv 27
Fighting
Guts
Low SweepKnock OffRock TombBulldoze
You Win
Lucario
Lv 30
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchScreechMetal ClawBulk Up
Crasher Wake
Gym 4
Good

Relicanth has the type edge here and should clean up Crasher Wake's team.

Easy KO
Gyarados
Lv 27
WaterFlying
Intimidate
BrineIce FangCrunchFlail
Even
Quagsire
Lv 27
WaterGround
Damp
Rain DanceHazeMud ShotScald
You Win
Floatzel
Lv 30
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangBiteAqua Jet
Fantina
Gym 5
Good

Relicanth has the type edge here and should clean up Fantina's team.

Easy KO
Drifblim
Lv 32
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Strength SapHexFlyWill O Wisp
You Win
Gengar
Lv 34
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Shadow ClawConfuse RaySludge BombDazzling Gleam
Even
Mismagius
Lv 36
Ghost
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Confuse RayPhantom ForceMagical LeafDazzling Gleam
Byron
Gym 6
Good

Relicanth has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.

You Win
Bronzor
Lv 36
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Confuse RaySandstormTrick RoomFlash Cannon
You Win
Steelix
Lv 36
SteelGround
Sturdy
Thunder FangEarthquakeSandstormGyro Ball
You Win
Bastiodon
Lv 39
RockSteel
Sturdy
Iron DefenseThunderboltStone EdgeFlash Cannon
Candice
Gym 7
Good

Relicanth has the type edge here and should clean up Candice's team.

Easy KO
Snover
Lv 38
GrassIce
Snow Warning
MistRazor LeafWater PulseAvalanche
Easy KO
Sneasel
Lv 38
DarkIce
Pickpocket
Metal ClawHone ClawsDigAvalanche
Even
Medicham
Lv 40
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Ice PunchBulk UpBrick BreakRock Slide
Even
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
Aurora VeilGiga DrainEarthquakeBlizzard
Volkner
Gym 8
Good

Relicanth has the type edge here and should clean up Volkner's team.

You Win
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
NuzzleVolt SwitchSurfCharge Beam
Even
Ambipom
Lv 47
Normal
Technician
Fake OutThunderboltDouble HitLast Resort
Even
Octillery
Lv 47
Water
Sniper
OctazookaFocus EnergyAurora BeamCharge Beam
You Win
Luxray
Lv 49
Electric
Intimidate
Thunder FangIce FangCrunchIron Tail
Aaron
Elite Four
Good

Relicanth has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.

Easy KO
Dustox
Lv 53
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ToxicBug BuzzMoonlightLight Screen
Easy KO
Beautifly
Lv 53
BugFlying
Swarm
Bug BuzzShadow BallPsychicQuiver Dance
Easy KO
Vespiquen
Lv 54
BugFlying
Unnerve
AcrobaticsAttack OrderAerial AceDefend Order
You Win
Heracross
Lv 54
BugFighting
Guts
EarthquakeRock SlideFacadeBrick Break
Even
Drapion
Lv 57
PoisonDark
Sniper
Cross PoisonNight SlashEarthquakeX Scissor
Bertha
Elite Four
Good

Relicanth has the type edge here and should clean up Bertha's team.

Risky
Quagsire
Lv 55
WaterGround
Water AbsorbImmune to Water attacks
RecoverToxicEarthquakeSurf
Easy KO
Sudowoodo
Lv 56
Rock
Rock Head
Double EdgeHead SmashSucker PunchLow Kick
You Win
Golem
Lv 56
RockGround
Sturdy
Rock PolishHeavy SlamEarthquakeStone Edge
Even
Whiscash
Lv 55
WaterGround
Hydration
BulldozeIce BeamHydro Pump
Even
Hippowdon
Lv 59
Ground
Sand Stream
Ice FangEarthquakeCrunchRest
Flint
Elite Four
Good

Relicanth has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.

Easy KO
Rapidash
Lv 58
Fire
Flame Body
Flame ChargeIron TailPoison JabHypnosis
You Win
Steelix
Lv 57
SteelGround
Sheer Force
Thunder FangFire FangIron TailCrunch
Easy KO
Drifblim
Lv 58
GhostFlying
Unburden
Strength SapMinimizeBaton PassWill O Wisp
Even
Lopunny
Lv 57
Normal
Cute Charm
Mirror CoatHigh Jump KickQuick AttackFire Punch
You Win
Infernape
Lv 61
FireFighting
Iron Fist
Fire PunchThunder PunchClose CombatMach Punch
Lucian
Elite Four
Even

Relicanth trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.

Even
Girafarig
Lv 59
NormalPsychic
Sap Sipper
Light ScreenReflectPsychicDazzling Gleam
Risky
Medicham
Lv 59
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Light ScreenPsychicThunderboltTrick Room
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 60
Psychic
Magic Guard
Zen HeadbuttHigh Jump KickThunder PunchIce Punch
Risky
Bronzong
Lv 60
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Nasty PlotPsychicFuture SightShock Wave
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Relicanth trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

You Win
Spiritomb
Lv 61
GhostDark
Pressure
Shadow BallDark PulsePsychicSucker Punch
Risky
Roserade
Lv 60
GrassPoison
Poison Point
Dazzling GleamShadow BallSludge BombEnergy Ball
Even
Gastrodon
Lv 60
WaterGround
Storm DrainImmune to Water attacks
ScaldEarthquakeSludge BombRock Tomb
Even
Lucario
Lv 63
FightingSteel
Inner Focus
Aura SphereDragon PulseFlash CannonNasty Plot
Even
Milotic
Lv 63
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverMirror CoatIce BeamScald
Even
Garchomp
Lv 66
DragonGround
Rough Skin
Dragon ClawEarthquakeSwords DancePoison Jab
Catchable
Post-game only
Type
WaterRock

Catch Relicanth on Route 226 (Super Rod fishing, Lv 40-50, uncommon).

View Relicanth locations

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Relicanth Locations

Relicanth sits at moderate rates across 2 spots in late-game fishing spots. Pick one from the sorted list and commit to it. Jumping between areas wastes more time than waiting in the right location.

Best Locations to Catch Relicanth in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

Route 226
Lv.40-50Super Rod
Rate 5%

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.

Relicanth Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Grass
2x (Weak)Electric, Fighting, Ground
0.5x (Resist)Normal, Ice, Poison, Flying
0.25x (Resist)Fire

What is Relicanth Weak Against

Vulnerable
4Weak
5Resist
0Immune
Score-4
4xCritical
¼xResist
0xImmune
None

What is Relicanth Strong Against

6Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+6
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Relicanth

Relicanth Evolutions

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

No Evolution
Relicanth
#369Relicanth
Does not evolve

Breeding

Moderate

Breed Relicanth with 69 breeding partners from the Water1 and Water2 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Amnesia, Aqua Tail, Mud Shot and 5 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Gender
87.5%12.5%
Hatch Time
40 cycles·10,280 steps
Slow~10 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
8moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosazumarillblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraswampertslowbroslowkingoctilleryludicolodewgong

BDSP Relicanth Best Moveset

100 HP and 130 Defense with AbilityRock Head removing recoil from physical moves. Water/Rock TermStab at 90 Attack gives the moveset some physical output. Hidden AbilitySturdy guarantees one hit survived. Fell from C-tier because 45 Sp. Atk, 65 Sp. Def, and 55 Speed leave too many gaps.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Tank
Ability
Rock Head
Item
Life OrbPOWER
Best Nature for Relicanth

Relicanth best EVs are Attack and Defense

EVs

Physical Tank Moveset

  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • Body Press
  • LiquidationSTAB
  • Head SmashSTAB

Moves List

Don't skip the egg moves. Relicanth picks up Amnesia and Aqua Tail only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Head Smash and Hydro Pump while Normal and Ice coverage and more adds range.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Harden
D30Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D4010035Normal
Lv 5
Water Gun
D6010025Water
Lv 10
Ancient Power
D901005Rock
Lv 15
Yawn
C10Normal
Lv 20
Dive
C12010010Water
Lv 25
Take Down
C908520Normal
Lv 30
Aqua Tail
C1359010Water
Lv 35
Rest
C10Psychic
Lv 40
Flail
D10015Normal
Lv 45
Hydro Pump
D165805Water
Lv 50
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Lv 55
Head Smash
S225805Rock

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
C10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
D110705Ice
TM55
Brine
D9710010Water
TM83
Bulldoze
6010020Ground
TM04
Calm Mind
C20Psychic
TM32
Double Team
D15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
S10010010Ground
TM58
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
B150905Normal
TM07
Hail
C10Ice
TM15
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
D9010010Ice
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM77
Psych Up
10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM69
Rock Polish
C20Rock
TM80
Rock Slide
C1129010Rock
TM98
Rock Smash
D4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
C909515Rock
TM20
Safeguard
D25Normal
TM37
Sandstorm
C10Rock
TM49
Scald
D12010015Water
TM82
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM76
Stealth Rock
C20Rock
TM71
Stone Edge
C150805Rock
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
TM95
Surf
C13510015Water
TM87
Swagger
D8515Normal
TM03
Water Pulse
D9010020Water
TM99
Waterfall
C12010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Amnesia
D20Psychic
Egg
Aqua Tail
C1359010Water
Egg
Mud Shot
D559515Ground
Egg
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Egg
Muddy Water
D1358510Water
Egg
Skull Bash
13010010Normal
Egg
Snore
D5010015Normal
Egg
Zen Headbutt
C809015Psychic

Tutor Moves

Relicanth can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP100
B
Attack90
B
Defense130
A
Sp. Atk45
D
Sp. Def65
C
Speed55
D
Total485
Details
Catch Rate
Difficult25 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.0 m
Weight23.4 kg
Base XP170
Abilities
Swift Swim
Doubles Speed during rain.
Rock Head
Protects against recoil damage.
SturdyHidden Ability
Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
EV Yield
HP+1AtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
HP training target
Pokedex Entry

This rare Pokémon was discovered during a deep-sea exploration. It has not changed in over 100 million years.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond / Pokemon Shining Pearl

Relicanth Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Guide

  • In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, 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. Earthquake with Life Orb is the standard set.

  • In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, watch for Venusaur (Grass), Jolteon (Electric), and Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Relicanth. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Venusaur is the most dangerous since Grass moves deal 4x damage. Ground-type attackers are also a problem.

  • In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, 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 Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, 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 Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, run Earthquake, Bodypress, Liquidation, and Head Smash on Relicanth. Earthquake is the most common pick at 0% 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.

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