Utility
Balanced
30Speed · Very Slow

Is Shieldon Good in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Playthrough?

Shining Pearl fossil. Rock/Steel with AbilitySturdy and massive Defense in Bastiodon. Defensive specialist that absorbs physical hits. Quad Fighting and Ground weaknesses are major problems.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTEBTEBEEETTTTShieldonFossilRoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2MayleneGym 3Crasher WakeGym 4BastiodonEvolveFantinaGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4CynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Tough

Roark's team hits Shieldon's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockDefense CurlRolloutLeer
Avoid
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Sturdy
Stealth RockRock ThrowBindHeadbutt
Risky
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
BulldozeLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Even

Shieldon trades roughly evenly with Gardenia's team.

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

Maylene's Pokemon outpace and outclass Shieldon here.

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

Crasher Wake's team hits Shieldon's weaknesses hard.

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

Bastiodon trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.

You Win
Drifblim
Lv 32
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Strength SapHexFlyWill O Wisp
Even
Gengar
Lv 34
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Shadow ClawConfuse RaySludge BombDazzling Gleam
Risky
Mismagius
Lv 36
Ghost
Levitate
Confuse RayPhantom ForceMagical LeafDazzling Gleam
Byron
Gym 6
Bad

Byron's Pokemon outpace and outclass Bastiodon here.

Risky
Bronzor
Lv 36
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Confuse RaySandstormTrick RoomFlash Cannon
Avoid
Steelix
Lv 36
SteelGround
Sturdy
Thunder FangEarthquakeSandstormGyro Ball
Avoid
Bastiodon
Lv 39
RockSteel
Sturdy
Iron DefenseThunderboltStone EdgeFlash Cannon
Candice
Gym 7
Even

Bastiodon trades roughly evenly with Candice's team.

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

Bastiodon trades roughly evenly with Volkner's team.

Risky
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
Even
Luxray
Lv 49
Electric
Intimidate
Thunder FangIce FangCrunchIron Tail
Aaron
Elite Four
Even

Bastiodon trades roughly evenly with Aaron's team.

You Win
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
Risky
Heracross
Lv 54
BugFighting
Guts
EarthquakeRock SlideFacadeBrick Break
Risky
Drapion
Lv 57
PoisonDark
Sniper
Cross PoisonNight SlashEarthquakeX Scissor
Bertha
Elite Four
Tough

Bertha's team hits Bastiodon's weaknesses hard.

Avoid
Quagsire
Lv 55
WaterGround
Water Absorb
RecoverToxicEarthquakeSurf
You Win
Sudowoodo
Lv 56
Rock
Rock Head
Double EdgeHead SmashSucker PunchLow Kick
Risky
Golem
Lv 56
RockGround
Sturdy
Rock PolishHeavy SlamEarthquakeStone Edge
Risky
Whiscash
Lv 55
WaterGround
Hydration
BulldozeIce BeamHydro Pump
Avoid
Hippowdon
Lv 59
Ground
Sand Stream
Ice FangEarthquakeCrunchRest
Flint
Elite Four
Tough

Flint's team hits Bastiodon's weaknesses hard.

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

Lucian's team hits Bastiodon's weaknesses hard.

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

Cynthia's team hits Bastiodon's weaknesses hard.

Even
Spiritomb
Lv 61
GhostDark
Pressure
Shadow BallDark PulsePsychicSucker Punch
Even
Roserade
Lv 60
GrassPoison
Poison Point
Dazzling GleamShadow BallSludge BombEnergy Ball
Risky
Gastrodon
Lv 60
WaterGround
Storm Drain
ScaldEarthquakeSludge BombRock Tomb
Avoid
Lucario
Lv 63
FightingSteel
Inner Focus
Aura SphereDragon PulseFlash CannonNasty Plot
Risky
Milotic
Lv 63
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverMirror CoatIce BeamScald
Avoid
Garchomp
Lv 66
DragonGround
Rough Skin
Dragon ClawEarthquakeSwords DancePoison Jab
Fossil
Available before Badge 1
Type
RockSteel

Shieldon can be revived from a fossil obtained on Oreburgh City. Revive Armor Fossil at Oreburgh Mining Museum

View Shieldon locations

Evolve Shieldon to Bastiodon
Level 30
Type
RockSteel

Your Shieldon should hit Level 30 before you reach Fantina, at typical leveling pace.

How to Get Shieldon in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

No wild encounters for Shieldon in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Bring Shieldon over from Diamond & Pearl, Platinum, or Scarlet & Violet, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.

Shining Pearl Exclusive — Trade with Brilliant Diamond for Cranidos

How to Obtain Shieldon in BDSP

  1. Shieldon
    Step 1Shieldon
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    Available
    Catch in Legends: Arceus via Walking · Space-Time Distortion, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Diamond & Pearl via Gift · Oreburgh City · Revive Armor Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Platinum via Gift · Oreburgh City · Revive Armor Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Gift · Pewter City · Revive Armor Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Black & White via Gift · Nacrene City · Revive Armor Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Black 2 & White 2 via Gift · Nacrene City · Revive Armor Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from X & Y
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in X & Y via Gift · Ambrette Town · Revive Armor Fossil. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Bastiodon
    Step 2Evolve into Bastiodon

Shieldon Weakness

Type-wise, Shieldon takes extra damage from Fighting, Ground, and Water. Watch out for Fighting and Ground attacks, those deal 4x damage. Poison moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. It resists 8 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. Shieldon's physical bulk (base 118 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Shieldon Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Fighting, Ground
2x (Weak)Water
0.5x (Resist)Ice, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Dragon, Fairy
0.25x (Resist)Normal, Flying
0x (Immune)Poison

What is Shieldon Weak Against

Good
3Weak
8Resist
1Immune
Score+3

What is Shieldon Strong Against

6Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+5
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Shieldon

Shieldon Evolutions

Shieldon is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Bastiodon. Check the evolution method below. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are slow to hatch. Evolving adds up to 145 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Shieldon
RockSteel
Bastiodon
RockSteel
HP
30
60+30
ATK
42
52+10
DEF
118
168+50
SP.ATK
42
47+5
SP.DEF
88
138+50
SPE
30
30
BST
350C-Tier
495C-Tier+145
ROLE
Balanced
Support
TYPE
Utility
Utility

Breeding

Moderate

Breed Shieldon with 63 breeding partners from the Monster egg group. Pass egg moves like Body Slam, Counter, Curse and 9 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Gender
87.5%12.5%
Hatch Time
30 cycles·7,710 steps
Moderate~8 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
12moves
Breed With (best first)
venusaurcharizardblastoisenidokingmeganiumferaligatrampharossceptileswampertslowbrorhydonslowking

BDSP Shieldon Best Moveset

118 Defense on a Rock/Steel pre-evo with AbilitySturdy guaranteeing one turn alive. 42/42 offenses at 30 Speed give the moveset zero offensive output. One evolution from Bastiodon where 168/138 defensive stats anchor a wall.

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Moves List

The egg pool carries weight here. Body Slam and Counter aren't available any other way for Shieldon, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Iron Tail and Stone Edge for solid options.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Protect+4
C10Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D4010035Normal
Lv 6
Taunt
C10020Dark
Lv 10
Metal Sound
D8540Steel
Lv 15
Take Down
D908520Normal
Lv 19
Iron Defense
C15Steel
Lv 24
Swagger
D8515Normal
Lv 28
Ancient Power
D901005Rock
Lv 33
Endure+4
C10Normal
Lv 37
Metal Burst
D10010Steel
Lv 42
Iron Head
D12010015Steel
Lv 46
Heavy Slam
D10010Steel

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
C10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
D110705Ice
TM83
Bulldoze
6010020Ground
TM28
Dig
D8010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
D15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
D10010010Ground
TM58
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM38
Fire Blast
D110855Fire
TM35
Flamethrower
D9010015Fire
TM91
Flash Cannon
D12010010Steel
TM13
Ice Beam
D9010010Ice
TM23
Iron Tail
D1507515Steel
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM05
Roar-6
C20Normal
TM69
Rock Polish
C20Rock
TM80
Rock Slide
D1129010Rock
TM98
Rock Smash
D4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
D909515Rock
TM37
Sandstorm
C10Rock
TM34
Shock Wave
D6020Electric
TM82
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM76
Stealth Rock
C20Rock
TM71
Stone Edge
D150805Rock
TM96
Strength
8010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM87
Swagger
D8515Normal
TM12
Taunt
C10020Dark
TM25
Thunder
D1107010Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
D9010015Electric
TM41
Torment
10015Dark

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
Egg
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Egg
Curse
C10Ghost
Egg
Double-Edge
D12010015Normal
Egg
Fissure
D305Ground
Egg
Focus Energy
C30Normal
Egg
Guard Split
10Psychic
Egg
Headbutt
D7010015Normal
Egg
Rock Blast
D379010Rock
Egg
Scary Face
D10010Normal
Egg
Screech
D8540Normal
Egg
Wide Guard+3
D10Rock

Tutor Moves

Shieldon can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP30
F
Attack42
D
Defense118
B
Sp. Atk42
D
Sp. Def88
C
Speed30
F
Total350
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Erratic600,000 XP
Height0.5 m
Weight57.0 kg
Base XP70
Abilities
Sturdy
Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
SoundproofHidden Ability
Protects against sound-based moves.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

A Pokémon that lived in jungles around 100 million years ago. Its facial hide is extremely hard.

It habitually polishes its face by rubbing it against tree trunks. It is weak to attacks from behind.

Shieldon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Guide

  • At 350 BST, Shieldon is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Bastiodon before bringing it to any serious fight.

  • In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Shieldon's biggest threats include Blaziken (Fighting) and Swampert (Ground), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Blaziken is the most dangerous since Fighting moves deal 4x damage. Water-type attackers are also a problem. At base 30 Speed, Shieldon won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.

  • Sturdy is the go-to ability for Shieldon. It prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Its hidden ability Soundproof can work in specific setups.

  • Shieldon is leaning toward the physical side (base 42 Attack). Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 30 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go.

  • In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, For a casual playthrough, Shieldon works as a placeholder. Rock/Steel coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Bastiodon. That's where the stats start mattering.

Game Availability

Debuting in Diamond & Pearl, Shieldon appears in 12 games across 7 generations. A reliable presence in a solid number of games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.

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