Mixed
Balanced
25Speed · Very Slow

Is Spheal Good in Sword & Shield Playthrough?

Spheal shows up on Route 10 in cold weather. Ice/Water evolving through Sealeo into Walrein at level 44. AbilityThick Fat halves Fire and Ice damage. The long evolution chain limits how early Walrein contributes, but it's a solid tank once fully evolved.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGEGEEGEGEEMiloGym 1NessaGym 2KabuGym 3BeaGym 4OpalGym 5GordieGym 6PiersGym 7RaihanGym 8BedeGym 9SphealCatchableWalreinEvolveLeonChamp*
Milo
Gym 1
Good

Spheal has the type edge here and should clean up Milo's team.

Easy KO
Gossifleur
Lv 19
Grass
Regenerator
Magical LeafRoundRapid Spin
You Win
Eldegoss
Lv 20
Grass
Regenerator
Magical LeafLeafageRound
Nessa
Gym 2
Even

Spheal trades roughly evenly with Nessa's team.

Risky
Goldeen
Lv 22
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseWhirlpoolHorn AttackAgility
Risky
Arrokuda
Lv 23
Water
Swift Swim
Aqua JetBiteWhirlpoolFury Attack
Even
Drednaw
Lv 24
WaterRock
Swift Swim
Razor ShellWater GunBiteHeadbutt
Kabu
Gym 3
Good

Spheal has the type edge here and should clean up Kabu's team.

You Win
Ninetales
Lv 25
Fire
Flash Fire
Will O WispFire SpinQuick AttackEmber
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 25
Fire
Intimidate
Will O WispFlame WheelBiteAgility
You Win
Centiskorch
Lv 27
FireBug
Flash Fire
Flame WheelCoilBug BiteSmokescreen
Bea
Gym 4
Even

Spheal trades roughly evenly with Bea's team.

Risky
Hitmontop
Lv 34
Fighting
Technician
Triple KickQuick AttackCounterRevenge
Even
Pangoro
Lv 34
FightingDark
Mold Breaker
Bullet PunchCircle ThrowNight SlashWork Up
Even
Sirfetchd
Lv 35
Fighting
Steadfast
DetectSwords DanceBrutal SwingRevenge
Even
Machamp
Lv 36
Fighting
Guts
Scary FaceRevengeKnock OffStrength
Opal
Gym 5
Even

Spheal trades roughly evenly with Opal's team.

Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SludgeFairy WindTackle
Even
Mawile
Lv 36
SteelFairy
Intimidate
Draining KissCrunchIron DefenseAstonish
You Win
Togekiss
Lv 37
FairyFlying
Hustle
Air SlashDraining KissAncient Power
Even
Alcremie
Lv 38
Fairy
Sweet Veil
Draining KissAcid ArmorSweet Kiss
Gordie
Gym 6
Good

Spheal has the type edge here and should clean up Gordie's team.

Risky
Barbaracle
Lv 40
RockWater
Tough Claws
Shell SmashRock TombRazor Shell
Easy KO
Shuckle
Lv 40
BugRock
Contrary
Power SplitStone EdgeStruggle BugRock Tomb
Easy KO
Stonjourner
Lv 41
Rock
Power Spot
Stealth RockRock TombBody SlamWonder Room
Easy KO
Coalossal
Lv 42
RockFire
Steam Engine
Tar ShotStealth RockHeat CrashRock Tomb
Piers
Gym 7
Even

Spheal trades roughly evenly with Piers's team.

Risky
Scrafty
Lv 44
DarkFighting
Intimidate
Fake OutSand AttackBrick BreakPayback
Even
Malamar
Lv 45
DarkPsychic
Contrary
Night SlashFoul PlayPsycho CutPayback
Even
Skuntank
Lv 45
PoisonDark
Aftermath
Sucker PunchScreechToxicSnarl
Even
Obstagoon
Lv 46
DarkNormal
Reckless
ObstructThroat ChopCounterShadow Claw
Raihan
Gym 8
Good

Spheal has the type edge here and should clean up Raihan's team.

You Win
Gigalith
Lv 46
Rock
Sand Stream
Stealth RockSand TombRock BlastBody Press
You Win
Flygon
Lv 47
GroundDragon
Levitate
Thunder PunchBreaking SwipeCrunchSteel Wing
You Win
Sandaconda
Lv 46
Ground
Sand Spit
ProtectGlareFire FangEarth Power
Risky
Duraludon
Lv 48
SteelDragon
Heavy Metal
Breaking SwipeBody PressStone EdgeIron Head
Bede
Gym 9
Even

Spheal trades roughly evenly with Bede's team.

Even
Mawile
Lv 51
SteelFairy
Intimidate
Play RoughIron HeadCrunch
Even
Gardevoir
Lv 51
PsychicFairy
Synchronize
Dazzling GleamPsychicCalm MindWish
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 52
Fire
Pastel Veil
Psycho CutTake DownDazzling GleamQuick Attack
Even
Hatterene
Lv 53
PsychicFairy
Anticipation
PsychicDazzling GleamCalm MindMystical Fire
Leon
Champion
Even

Walrein trades roughly evenly with Leon's team.

Even
Aegislash
Lv 62
SteelGhost
Stance Change
Kings ShieldShadow BallSacred SwordFlash Cannon
Even
Dragapult
Lv 62
DragonGhost
Clear Body
Shadow BallFlamethrowerThunderboltDragon Breath
Even
Haxorus
Lv 63
Dragon
Mold Breaker
Poison JabIron TailOutrageEarthquake
Even
Mr Rime
Lv 64
IcePsychic
Tangled Feet
Teeter DancePsychicFreeze DryThunderbolt
Risky
Inteleon
Lv 64
Water
Torrent
Snipe ShotDark PulseMud ShotTearful Look
Even
Charizard
Lv 65
FireFlying
Blaze
Fire BlastAir SlashSolar BeamAncient Power
Catchable
Post-game only
Type
IceWater
Tier
E

Catch Spheal on Frigid Sea (walking, Lv 60-65). Snowstorm.

View Spheal locations

Evolve Spheal to Walrein
Level 44
Type
IceWater
Tier
D

Your Spheal should hit Level 44 before you reach Leon, at typical leveling pace.

How to Get Spheal in Sword & Shield

high spawn rates for Spheal across 32 locations in endgame routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.

Where To Catch Spheal in SwSh

The path to Spheal starts with Spheal at Lv. 60-65 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Spheal
    Step 1Spheal
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    Rate 100%
    Sandstorm
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    Rate 100%
    Intense Sun
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    SwordRate 45%
    Normal Weather
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    ShieldRate 37%
    Normal Weather
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Grass
    Rate 33%
    Overcast
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Grass
    Rate 33%
    Normal Weather
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    SwordRate 32%
    Heavy Fog
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    SwordRate 30%
    Snowing
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    SwordRate 30%
    Overcast
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    SwordRate 30%
    Raining
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    SwordRate 27%
    Snowstorm
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Grass
    Rate 25%
    Snowstorm
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Grass
    Rate 25%
    Heavy Fog
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    SwordRate 25%
    Thunderstorm
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Grass
    Rate 25%
    Snowing
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Grass
    Rate 25%
    Raining
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    ShieldRate 25%
    Heavy Fog
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    ShieldRate 22%
    Snowing
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    ShieldRate 22%
    Overcast
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    ShieldRate 22%
    Raining
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Grass
    Rate 20%
    Thunderstorm
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    ShieldRate 20%
    Snowstorm
    Frigid Sea
    Lv.60-65Overworld
    ShieldRate 17%
    Thunderstorm
  2. Sealeo
    Step 2Evolve into Sealeo
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave Walrein with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Sealeo egg.
  3. Walrein
    Step 3Evolve into Walrein

Spheal Weakness

Spheal's Ice/Water typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric, Grass, Fighting, and Rock. Thick Fat reduces Fire/Ice damage, further improving the defensive spread.

Spheal Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass, Fighting, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Water
0.25x (Resist)Ice

What is Spheal Weak Against

Vulnerable
4Weak
2Resist
0Immune
Score-5
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
0xImmune
None

What is Spheal Strong Against

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

Best Pokemon Against Spheal

Spheal Evolutions

Spheal is the start of a three-stage chain. It evolves into Sealeo first, then eventually reaches Walrein. For breeding, average hatch time with a massive partner pool via two egg groups. The evolved forms gain up to 240 total stats over Spheal. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Spheal
IceWater
Sealeo
IceWater
Walrein
IceWater
HP
70
90+20
110+20
ATK
40
60+20
80+20
DEF
50
70+20
90+20
SP.ATK
55
75+20
95+20
SP.DEF
50
70+20
90+20
SPE
25
45+20
65+20
BST
290D-Tier
410C-Tier+120
530C-Tier+120
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Special
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Spheal easily with 152 breeding partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Aqua Ring, Belly Drum, Curse 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)
raichuazumarillpikachunidokinggolduckblastoisekingdraswampertmiloticwalreinrhydonshiftry

SwSh Spheal Best Moveset

Ice/Water pre-evo with AbilityThick Fat halving Fire and Ice damage. 70 HP provides some bulk but 40/50/50 defenses and 25 Speed make the moveset entirely non-functional. Two evolutions from Walrein, where the same typing and ability get real numbers behind them.

Best Build

Experimental
Wall
Ability
Thick Fat
Item
EvioliteBULK
Best Nature for Spheal
Calm+SPD

Spheal best EVs are HP and Sp. Def

EVs

Wall Moveset

  • Sheer ColdSTAB
  • Ice BeamSTAB
  • SurfSTAB
  • ToxicUtility

Recommended Teammates

Moves List

You'll want to breed for Aqua Ring and Belly Drum on Spheal. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Blizzard and Surf, they expand what Spheal can actually threaten in practice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Defense Curl
D40Normal
Lv 1
Rollout
D309020Rock
Lv 4
Growl
10040Normal
Lv 8
Water Gun
D6010025Water
Lv 12
Powder Snow
6010025Ice
Lv 16
Rest
C10Psychic
Lv 20
Snore
D5010015Normal
Lv 24
Brine
D9710010Water
Lv 28
Aurora Beam
9710020Ice
Lv 33
Encore
C1005Normal
Lv 36
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
Lv 40
Surf
B13510015Water
Lv 44
Blizzard
C165705Ice
Lv 48
Hail
C10Ice
Lv 52
Sheer Cold
B305Ice

TM Moves

TM
TM31
Attract
C10015Normal
TR06
Blizzard
C165705Ice
TR01
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
TM55
Brine
D9710010Water
TM81
Bulldoze
6010020Ground
TM45
Dive
D12010010Water
TR10
Earthquake
D10010010Ground
TR30
Encore
C1005Normal
TR26
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM39
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM35
Hail
C10Ice
TR05
Ice Beam
B13510010Ice
TM27
Icy Wind
D829515Ice
TR31
Iron Tail
D1007515Steel
TM25
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM33
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM21
Rest
C10Psychic
TM22
Rock Slide
D759010Rock
TM48
Rock Tomb
D609515Rock
TM76
Round
D6010015Normal
TR27
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM24
Snore
D5010015Normal
TR20
Substitute
C10Normal
TR04
Surf
B13510015Water
TR16
Waterfall
D12010015Water
TM36
Whirlpool
D528515Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Aqua Ring
D20Water
Egg
Belly Drum
C10Normal
Egg
Curse
C10Ghost
Egg
Fissure
A305Ground
Egg
Spit Up
D10010Normal
Egg
Stockpile
D20Normal
Egg
Swallow
D10Normal
Egg
Water Pulse
D9010020Water
Egg
Yawn
C10Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Steel Roller
D1301005Steel

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP70
C
Attack40
D
Defense50
D
Sp. Atk55
D
Sp. Def50
D
Speed25
F
Total290
Details
Catch Rate
Guaranteed255 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height0.8 m
Weight39.5 kg
Base XP58
Abilities
Thick Fat
Halves damage from fire and ice moves.
Ice Body
Heals for 1/16 max HP after each turn during hail. Protects against hail damage.
ObliviousHidden Ability
Prevents infatuation and protects against captivate.
Thick Fat reduces Fire/Ice to ½x
EV Yield
HP+1AtkDefSpASpDSpe
HP training source
Pokedex Entry

This Pokémon’s body is covered in blubber and impressively round. It’s faster for Spheal to roll around than walk.

As it drifts among the waves, Spheal probes the sea. As soon as it spots prey, it informs the Walrein in its herd.

Spheal Sword & Shield Guide

  • In Sword & Shield, Spheal does the job early-game if you need a Ice/Water type on your team. Evolve it into Sealeo before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.

Game Availability

Spheal first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 15 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.

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