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Shellder(JP) is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a Water-type Pokémon that made its first appearance in the first generation games Red and Green. It evolves into Cloyster when exposed to a Water Stone.

Physiology and Behavior[]

Shellder is a bivalve mollusk Pokémon encased within a spiky, blue-violet bivalve shell. It has two round white eyes with tiny black pupils. Its enormously long red tongue is used to burrow itself into the sand to sleep overnight and also to lure and capture prey. The tongue protrudes even when its shell is closed and tugging it will cause the shell to pop open. Its soft and tender body is well-protected by its extremely durable shell, which is purported to be harder than diamonds and has historically been used by people to make shields. It can make pearls from accumulated sand, though it discards them as they are typically in its way.

Shellder has an unusually strong appetite for the tail of a Slowpoke and can develop a symbiotic relationship with the Dopey Pokémon. After attaching itself to the Slowpoke's tail, the two undergo a metamorphosis and evolve into Slowbro together. Alternatively, if it attaches to the head of a Slowpoke in possession of a King's Rock, the two will instead evolve into Slowking. These relationships allow it to travel onto land and begin a new stage in its life cycle. In Galar, Shellder attaches to the forearms and heads of Galarian Slowpoke wearing Galarica Cuffs or Galarica Wreaths, causing the evolution into Galarian Slowbro and Galarian Slowking, respectively.

Regardless of which form the two Pokémon evolve into, Shellder's shell transforms into a spiny, spiraled cone with several tiers. Sharp teeth develop around the rim of the shell to anchor it securely to the evolved Slowpoke, and its eyes now peek out from the bottom rim of the shell. In its crown form, Shellder will have a red jewel on its underside and a large horn on either side of its shell.

While in its crown form, Shellder will periodically release its venom into Slowking's brain. This is actually beneficial to Slowking, as it causes the Regal Pokémon's intelligence to increase. Higher quantities of venom intensify this effect, and Shellder is easily provoked into releasing more whenever Slowking yawns. However, Shellder's poison makes Slowbro more sluggish as it continues to drain nutrients from its host's body.

Despite its hard shell, clamping on to an opponent will reveal its vulnerable parts. Because of this, it will only clamp itself to a foe as a last resort. It swims around its seafloor home by rapidly opening and closing its shell while facing backward. Despite its appearance, Shellder is surprisingly fast. Prehistoric Shellder were apparently preyed upon by Omastar, whose powerful bites were capable of breaking through its shell. Shellder and its evolved form, Cloyster, are related to Shellos and Gastrodon. Kingler, Rufflet, and Bruxish are modern predators of Shellder.

Appearances[]

Main Pokémon games[]

Other Pokémon games[]

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Trophy descriptions[]

In the anime[]

Origin and inspiration[]

In-game information[]

Pokédex entries[]

Title Entry
First Pokémon generation
Pokémon Red and Blue Its hard shell repels any kind of attack. It is vulnerable only when its shell is open.
Pokémon Yellow The shell can withstand any attack. However, when it is open, the tender body is exposed.
Pokémon Stadium Its shell is harder than diamond. It hides in sand on the sea floor and catches prey with its soft tongue.
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold It swims facing backward by opening and closing its two-piece shell. It is surprisingly fast.
Pokémon Silver Grains of sand trapped in its shells mix with its body fluids to form beautiful pearls.
Pokémon Crystal Clamping on to an opponent reveals its vulnerable parts, so it uses this move only as a last resort.
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby At night, this Pokémon uses its broad tongue to burrow a hole in the seafloor sand and then sleep in it. While it is sleeping, Shellder closes its shell, but leaves its tongue hanging out.
Pokémon Sapphire At night, this Pokémon uses its broad tongue to burrow a hole in the seafloor sand and then sleep in it. While it is sleeping, Shellder closes its shell, but leaves its tongue hanging out.
Pokémon Emerald At night, it burrows a hole in the seafloor with its broad tongue to make a place to sleep. While asleep, it closes its shell, but leaves its tongue hanging out.
Pokémon FireRed It is encased in a shell that is harder than diamond. Inside, however, it is surprisingly tender.
Pokémon LeafGreen It is encased in a shell that is harder than diamond. Inside, however, it is surprisingly tender.
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond It swims backward by opening and closing its two shells. Its large tongue is always kept hanging out.
Pokémon Pearl It swims backward by opening and closing its two shells. Its large tongue is always kept hanging out.
Pokémon Platinum It swims backward by opening and closing its two shells. Its large tongue is always kept hanging out.
Pokémon HeartGold It swims facing backward by opening and closing its two-piece shell. It is surprisingly fast.
Pokémon SoulSilver Grains of sand trapped in its shells mix with its body fluids to form beautiful pearls.
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black It swims backward by opening and closing its two shells. Its large tongue is always kept hanging out.
Pokémon White It swims backward by opening and closing its two shells. Its large tongue is always kept hanging out.
Pokémon Black 2 It swims backward by opening and closing its two shells. Its large tongue is always kept hanging out.
Pokémon White 2 It swims backward by opening and closing its two shells. Its large tongue is always kept hanging out.
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X Its hard shell repels any kind of attack. It is vulnerable only when its shell is open.
Pokémon Y Clamping on to an opponent reveals its vulnerable parts, so it uses this move only as a last resort.
Pokémon Omega Ruby At night, this Pokémon uses its broad tongue to burrow a hole in the seafloor sand and then sleep in it. While it is sleeping, Shellder closes its shell, but leaves its tongue hanging out.
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire At night, this Pokémon uses its broad tongue to burrow a hole in the seafloor sand and then sleep in it. While it is sleeping, Shellder closes its shell, but leaves its tongue hanging out.
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun The hardness of its shell surpasses the hardness of a diamond. In days gone by, people used the shells to make shields.
Pokémon Moon This Pokémon's tongue is always hanging out. It uses its tongue with great dexterity to dig up sand from the seabed in its search for food.


Game locations[]

Title Location(s)
First Pokémon generation
Pokémon Red and Blue
Seafoam Islands
Routes 6, 11, 19, 20, and 21, Vermilion City, Vermilion Harbor, Seafoam Islands, and Cinnabar Island (Super Rod)
Pokémon Yellow
Routes 17 and 18, Vermilion Harbor
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold
Routes 20, 21, 26, 27 and 41, New Bark Town, Olivine City Harbor, Vermilion City, Pallet Town, and Cinnabar Island (Good/Super Rod)
Pokémon Silver
Routes 20, 21, 26, 27 and 41, New Bark Town, Olivine City Harbor, Vermilion City, Pallet Town, and Cinnabar Island (Good/Super Rod)
Pokémon Crystal
Routes 20, 21, 26, 27 and 41, New Bark Town, Olivine City Harbor, Vermilion City, Pallet Town, and Cinnabar Island (Good/Super Rod)
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby
Trade
Pokémon FireRed
Pallet Town, Cinnabar Island, Vermilion City, One Island, Five Island, Icefall Cave (Super Rod)
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond
Route 205, Valley Windworks, Fuego Ironworks (Super Rod)
Pokémon Pearl
Route 205, Valley Windworks, Fuego Ironworks (Super Rod)
Pokémon Platinum
Route 205, Valley Windworks, Fuego Ironworks (Super Rod)
Pokémon HeartGold
Routes 20, 21, 26, 27 , 41, and 47, New Bark Town, Vermilion City, Pallet Town, and Cinnabar Island (Good/Super Rod)
Pokémon SoulSilver
Routes 20, 21, 26, 27 , 41, and 47, New Bark Town, Vermilion City, Pallet Town, and Cinnabar Island (Good/Super Rod)
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black
Route 13, Undella Town, Undella Bay (Fishing)
Pokémon White
Route 13, Undella Town, Undella Bay (Fishing)
Pokémon Black 2
Route 13, Undella Town, Seaside Cave, Humilau City (Fishing)
Pokémon White 2
Route 13, Undella Town, Seaside Cave, Humilau City (Fishing)
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X
Breed Cloyster
Pokémon Y
Route 8 (Good Rod)
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun
Kala'e Bay (fishing)
Pokémon Moon
Kala'e Bay (fishing)


Evolution[]

Shellder
Use Water Stone.
Cloyster
PKMNSV090 PKMNSV091

Base Stats[]

Base Stats
HP 30
Attack 65
Defense 100
Sp. Attack 45
Sp. Defense 25
Speed 40
Total 305

Moveset[]

Main article: Shellder/moveset

Gallery[]

Sprites[]

Sprites
Red Green
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Red Blue
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Yellow
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Gold
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Silver
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Crystal
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Ruby Sapphire
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Emerald
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Fire Leaf
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Diamond Pearl
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Platinum
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Heart Soul
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Black White
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Black 2 White 2
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X Y
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Pikachu Eevee
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Sword Shield
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Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
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Scarlet Violet
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