Special
Support
5Speed · Very Slow

Is Shuckle Good in X & Y Playthrough?

Bug/Rock with AbilitySturdy. Wild in Kalos. Highest Defense and Sp. Def in the game, but Attack and Sp. Atk are almost nonexistent. A defensive novelty. Not a realistic team member for the story.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGGTGEEGGETEEEViolaGym 1GrantGym 2KorrinaGym 3RamosGym 4ClemontGym 5ValerieGym 6ShuckleCatchableOlympiaGym 7WulfricGym 8MalvaE4WikstromE4DrasnaE4SieboldE4DianthaChamp*
Viola
Gym 1
Good

Shuckle has the type edge here and should clean up Viola's team.

You Win
Surskit
Lv 10
BugWater
Swift Swim
BubbleWater SportQuick Attack
You Win
Vivillon
Lv 12
BugFlying
Shield Dust
HardenTackleInfestation
Grant
Gym 2
Good

Shuckle has the type edge here and should clean up Grant's team.

Even
Tyrunt
Lv 25
RockDragon
Strong Jaw
BiteRock TombStomp
You Win
Amaura
Lv 25
RockIce
Refrigerate
Thunder WaveRock TombAurora Beam
Korrina
Gym 3
Tough

Korrina's team hits Shuckle's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Mienfoo
Lv 29
Fighting
Regenerator
Fake OutDouble SlapPower Up Punch
Risky
Machoke
Lv 28
Fighting
Guts
Rock TombPower Up PunchLeer
Even
Hawlucha
Lv 32
FightingFlying
Unburden
Hone ClawsFlying PressPower Up Punch
Ramos
Gym 4
Good

Shuckle has the type edge here and should clean up Ramos's team.

You Win
Jumpluff
Lv 30
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Bullet SeedAcrobaticsLeech Seed
Even
Weepinbell
Lv 31
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Grass KnotPoison PowderAcid
You Win
Gogoat
Lv 34
Grass
Sap Sipper
BulldozeGrass KnotTake Down
Clemont
Gym 5
Even

Shuckle trades roughly evenly with Clemont's team.

You Win
Emolga
Lv 35
ElectricFlying
Static
Volt SwitchQuick AttackAerial Ace
Even
Magneton
Lv 35
ElectricSteel
Sturdy
ThunderboltElectric TerrainMirror Shot
Even
Heliolisk
Lv 37
ElectricNormal
Dry Skin
ThunderboltQuick AttackGrass Knot
Valerie
Gym 6
Even

Shuckle trades roughly evenly with Valerie's team.

Even
Mawile
Lv 38
SteelFairy
Hyper Cutter
Feint AttackCrunchIron Defense
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 39
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
Light ScreenReflectPsychic
Even
Sylveon
Lv 42
Fairy
Cute Charm
Dazzling GleamQuick AttackSwift
Olympia
Gym 7
Good

Shuckle has the type edge here and should clean up Olympia's team.

You Win
Sigilyph
Lv 44
PsychicFlying
Magic Guard
PsychicAir SlashLight Screen
You Win
Slowking
Lv 45
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
PsychicCalm MindPower Gem
You Win
Meowstic
Lv 48
Psychic
Infiltrator
PsychicCalm MindFake Out
Wulfric
Gym 8
Good

Shuckle has the type edge here and should clean up Wulfric's team.

You Win
Abomasnow
Lv 56
GrassIce
Snow Warning
Ice BeamIce ShardEnergy Ball
You Win
Cryogonal
Lv 55
Ice
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Ice BeamConfuse RayFlash CannonHail
You Win
Avalugg
Lv 59
Ice
Ice Body
AvalancheCrunchCurseGyro Ball
Malva
Elite Four
Even

Shuckle trades roughly evenly with Malva's team.

Even
Pyroar
Lv 63
FireNormal
Rivalry
Hyper VoiceNoble RoarFlamethrowerWild Charge
Even
Torkoal
Lv 63
Fire
White Smoke
CurseFlame WheelStone EdgeEarthquake
Even
Chandelure
Lv 63
GhostFire
Flame Body
FlamethrowerConfuse RayConfideShadow Ball
You Win
Talonflame
Lv 65
FireFlying
Flame Body
Quick AttackBrave BirdFlare BlitzFlail
Wikstrom
Elite Four
Tough

Wikstrom's team hits Shuckle's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Klefki
Lv 63
SteelFairy
Prankster
SpikesTormentDazzling GleamFlash Cannon
Risky
Probopass
Lv 63
RockSteel
Sturdy
Power GemEarth PowerFlash CannonDischarge
Risky
Scizor
Lv 63
BugSteel
Technician
X ScissorIron HeadBullet PunchNight Slash
Risky
Aegislash
Lv 65
SteelGhost
Stance Change
Sacred SwordIron HeadKings ShieldShadow Claw
Drasna
Elite Four
Even

Shuckle trades roughly evenly with Drasna's team.

Even
Dragalge
Lv 63
PoisonDragon
Poison Point
Sludge BombSurfThunderboltDragon Pulse
Even
Altaria
Lv 63
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Dragon PulseMoonblastSingCotton Guard
Even
Druddigon
Lv 63
Dragon
Rough Skin
Dragon TailRevengeRetaliateChip Away
Even
Noivern
Lv 65
FlyingDragon
Frisk
FlamethrowerBoomburstAir SlashDragon Pulse
Siebold
Elite Four
Even

Shuckle trades roughly evenly with Siebold's team.

Risky
Clawitzer
Lv 63
Water
Mega Launcher
Dragon PulseWater PulseAura SphereDark Pulse
You Win
Starmie
Lv 63
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
PsychicLight ScreenSurfDazzling Gleam
Even
Gyarados
Lv 63
WaterFlying
Intimidate
WaterfallIce FangDragon DanceEarthquake
Even
Barbaracle
Lv 65
RockWater
Tough Claws
Stone EdgeRazor ShellCross ChopX Scissor
Diantha
Champion
Even

Shuckle trades roughly evenly with Diantha's team.

Risky
Hawlucha
Lv 64
FightingFlying
Limber
Poison JabFlying PressSwords DanceX Scissor
Even
Tyrantrum
Lv 65
RockDragon
Strong Jaw
Head SmashDragon ClawEarthquakeCrunch
You Win
Aurorus
Lv 65
RockIce
Refrigerate
ThunderBlizzardReflectLight Screen
Even
Gourgeist
Lv 65
GhostGrass
Pickup
Trick Or TreatPhantom ForceSeed BombShadow Sneak
Risky
Goodra
Lv 66
Dragon
Sap Sipper
Focus BlastDragon PulseFire BlastMuddy Water
Even
Gardevoir
Lv 68
PsychicFairy
Synchronize
ThunderboltMoonblastPsychicShadow Ball
Catchable
Available after Badge 6
Type
BugRock
Tier
B

Catch Shuckle on Route 18 (Rock Smash, Lv 44-46, uncommon).

View Shuckle locations

X & Y Shuckle Locations

moderate rates across 12 locations for Shuckle in late-game areas. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.

Best Locations to Catch Shuckle in X & Y

6 rock smash spots from Lv. 44-59 for Shuckle. Sorted by game progression with rates on each row, so you can compare without scrolling through everything.

Route 18
Lv.44-46Smashing rocks
Rate 5%
Terminus Cave - 1F
Lv.44-46Smashing rocks
Rate 5%
Terminus Cave - B1F
Lv.44-46Smashing rocks
Rate 5%
Terminus Cave - B2F
Lv.44-46Smashing rocks
Rate 5%
Victory Road - Cave 1
Lv.57-59Smashing rocks
Rate 10%
Victory Road - Cave 2
Lv.57-59Smashing rocks
Rate 10%

Shuckle Weakness

Water, Rock, and Steel moves hit Shuckle for super-effective damage. Shuckle's overall bulk (20/230/230) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.

Shuckle Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Rock, Steel
0.5x (Resist)Normal, Poison

What is Shuckle Weak Against

Vulnerable
3Weak
2Resist
0Immune
Score-4
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Shuckle Strong Against

7Strong
2Resisted
0Immune
Score+5
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Shuckle

Shuckle Evolutions

Breeding is the whole story for Shuckle. Plenty of partners through one egg group, eggs are average hatch time, and you won't need to evolve anything. It's got 9 egg moves worth looking into. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Shuckle
#213Shuckle
Does not evolve

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Shuckle easily with 68 breeding partners from the Bug egg group. Pass egg moves like Acid, Acupressure, Final Gambit and 6 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
9moves
Breed With (best first)
flygondrapionmasquerainvolbeatillumiseparasectvibravaskorupiparastrapinchsurskityanmega

XY Shuckle Best Moveset

230/230 defenses at 20 HP. AbilityContrary turns MoveShell Smash drops into boosts. Steel losing Dark/Ghost resistance slightly changed the defensive landscape, but Shuckle's role stayed the same: outlast through pure defense or gamble on Contrary setups. The moveset neither gained nor lost from the generation shift.

Best Build

Experimental
Hazard Setter
Ability
Sturdy
Item
Mental Herb
Best Nature for Shuckle
Bold+DEF

Shuckle best EVs are HP and Defense

EVs

Hazard Setter Moveset

  • Sticky WebSTAB
  • Stealth RockSTAB
  • InfestationSTAB
  • EncoreUtility

Recommended Teammates

Moves List

Without breeding, Shuckle misses out on Acid and Acupressure. That's 9 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Stone Edge and Rock Slide, with Normal and Ground coverage and more rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bide+1
10Normal
Lv 1
Constrict
1010035Normal
Lv 1
Rollout
D459020Rock
Lv 1
Sticky Web
B20Bug
Lv 1
Withdraw
40Water
Lv 5
Encore
B1005Normal
Lv 9
Wrap
159020Normal
Lv 12
Struggle Bug
D7510020Bug
Lv 16
Safeguard
D25Normal
Lv 20
Rest
A10Psychic
Lv 23
Rock Throw
D759015Rock
Lv 27
Gastro Acid
10010Poison
Lv 31
Power Trick
10Psychic
Lv 34
Shell Smash
A15Normal
Lv 38
Rock Slide
D1129010Rock
Lv 42
Bug Bite
D9010020Bug
Lv 45
Guard Split
D10Psychic
Lv 45
Power Split
10Psychic
Lv 49
Stone Edge
D150805Rock
Lv 53
Sticky Web
B20Bug

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
C10015Normal
TM78
Bulldoze
D6010020Ground
TM100
Confide
20Normal
TM28
Dig
D8010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
D10010010Ground
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM70
Flash
D10020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM74
Gyro Ball
D1005Steel
TM10
Hidden Power
D6010015Normal
TM83
Infestation
B3010020Bug
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM44
Rest
A10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM69
Rock Polish
C20Rock
TM80
Rock Slide
D1129010Rock
TM94
Rock Smash
D4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
D909515Rock
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM20
Safeguard
D25Normal
TM37
Sandstorm
D10Rock
TM88
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM36
Sludge Bomb
D9010010Poison
TM34
Sludge Wave
D9510010Poison
TM23
Smack Down
D7510015Rock
TM71
Stone Edge
D150805Rock
HM04
Strength
D8010015Normal
TM76
Struggle Bug
D7510020Bug
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM06
Toxic
B9010Poison
TM09
Venoshock
D6510010Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Acid
D4010030Poison
Egg
Acupressure
30Normal
Egg
Final Gambit
D1005Fighting
Egg
Helping Hand+5
D20Normal
Egg
Knock Off
D6510020Dark
Egg
Mud-Slap
2010010Ground
Egg
Rock Blast
D379010Rock
Egg
Sand Tomb
D358515Ground
Egg
Sweet Scent
10020Normal

Tutor Moves

Shuckle can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
High
HP20
F
Attack10
F
Defense230
S
Sp. Atk10
F
Sp. Def230
S
Speed5
F
Total505
Details
Catch Rate
Easy190 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height0.6 m
Weight20.5 kg
Base XP177
Abilities
Sturdy
Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
Gluttony
Makes the Pokémon eat any held Berry triggered by low HP below 1/2 its max HP.
ContraryHidden Ability
Inverts stat changes.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpD+1Spe
Defense training target
Pokedex Entry

The berries stored in its jar-like shell eventually become a thick, pulpy juice.

It stores berries inside its shell. To avoid attacks, it hides beneath rocks and remains completely still.

Shuckle X & Y Guide

  • In X & Y, Don't let Shuckle's 505 base stat total fool you. Contrary is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it B-Tier as a support. Sticky Web with Mental Herb is the standard set.

  • In X & Y, watch for Starmie (Water), Aerodactyl (Rock), and Steelix (Steel) when using Shuckle. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. At base 5 Speed, Shuckle won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.

  • In X & Y, Run Contrary on Shuckle. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Shuckle also gets Sturdy and Gluttony, but they don't compare.

  • In X & Y, Shuckle fills the support role. It's a special attacker with base 10 Sp. Atk. Base 5 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's tanky enough to absorb a few hits.

  • In X & Y, run Sticky Web, Stealth Rock, Infestation, and Encore on Shuckle. Sticky Web is the most common pick at 0% usage. Infestation provides reliable STAB damage.

Game Availability

Shuckle first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 16 games across 9 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.

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