Shellder (Pokémon)

← #089: Muk

Pokémon

#091: Cloyster →

Shellder シェルダー Shellder #090
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Water ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Bivalve Pokémon
Abilities Shell Armor or Skill Link Skill Link Blue-Striped ----- Overcoat Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 1,250,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #090 Johto #171 Hoenn #260 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 1'00" Imperial 0.3 m Metric 1'00"/0.3 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 8.8 lbs. Imperial 4.0 kg Metric 8.8 lbs./4.0 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Purple	Catch rate 190 (24.8%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Water 3 group 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 1 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 97 Battle Exp.: 971*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Shellder (Japanese: シェルダー Shellder) is a Template:Type2 Pokémon.

It evolves into Cloyster when exposed to a Water Stone.

Biology

Physiology

Shellder have a two-piece purplish-blue shell, with two spikes on the top and two on the underside. They use their shell for propulsion by opening and closing the two parts rapidly. Shellder have a large, red tongue that serves as a means for burrowing. Judging by its Pokémon Black and White sprite animation, they have a round black body. Their body is known to be tender.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Shellder's shell is harder than a diamond and can withstand powerful attacks. When sand combines with the body fluids inside of Shellder, beautiful pearls are formed. As clamping on to an opponent reveal their vulnerable parts, they use the move only as a last resort. When a Shellder latches onto the tail of a fishing Slowpoke, the two Pokémon undergo a molecular transformation as a Slowbro is created and the Shellder changes in appearance. Likewise, if a Shellder bites a Slowpoke on the head due to the attraction of a King's Rock or some other reason, that Slowpoke will instead become a Slowking, the poison from the Shellder making it extremely intelligent.

Behavior

Its tongue is always hanging out, as it sits on the sea floor. Shellder swims facing backward by opening and closing its two-piece shell. When Shellder sleeps it uses its broad tongue to burrow a hole in the sand and then sleeps in it. While Shellder is sleeping, it closes its shell, but leaves its tongue hanging out. Shellder are apparently attracted to the King's Rock since it is this item that makes the Shellder bite Slowpoke on the head and transform it into a Slowking.

Habitat

File:Sea.gif

Sea Pokémon

Shellder lives on the sea floor. Their native range includes Kanto and Johto, but it can be fished up in Sinnoh and Unova as well.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

When Shellder's mouth is clamped on Slowbro's tail, it will feed on the leftovers of food eaten by the host Slowbro. When it's on its own, Shellder is most likely a filter feeder. The Pokédex entry in Pokémon Stadium states that it hides in sand on the seafloor and catches prey with its soft tongue.

In the anime

For a list of Shellder's appearances in the anime as part of Slowbro or Slowking, see the anime sections of Slowbro and Slowking.

Shellder in the anime

Spiral Shellder in the anime

Crown Shellder in the anime

Major appearances

Jessie captured a Shellder in The Evolution Solution. Later in the episode, it bit on a Slowpoke's tail, making it evolve into a Slowbro and leaving Team Rocket.

Minor appearances

Shellder's first appearance was as part of a Slowbro in Island of the Giant Pokémon.

The first time an unevolved Shellder was seen was in The Bridge Bike Gang. It was sick and Nurse Joy sent Ash, Misty, and Brock over to Sunny Town (where Shellder was) to deliver some medicine.

A Shellder living in the ocean surrounding Shamouti Island appeared in Slowking's Day.

Many were seen in A Crowning Achievement, evolving many Slowpoke into Slowbro, as well as a Slowking under Alice's former ownership.

A Shellder appeared in the contest in Old Rivals, New Tricks.

A Shellder also appeared in Battling a Cute Drama! under the ownership of Marilyn.

Pokédex entries

For Shellder's Pokédex entries as part of Slowbro or Slowking, see the Pokédex entries sections of Slowbro and Slowking.

In the manga

File:Lorelei Multiple Shellder Adventures.png

Lorelei's Shellder, as seen in Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Adventures

In Pokémon Adventures, Lorelei owns several Shellder. These Shellder were sent to attack Kanto alongside several other Elite Four Pokémon.

For Shellder's appearances in the manga as part of Slowbro or Slowking, see the manga sections of Slowbro and Slowking.

In the TCG

Main article: Shellder (TCG)

For Shellder's appearances in the TCG as part of Slowbro or Slowking, see Slowbro (TCG) and Slowking (TCG).

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Pinball: Three Shellder appear on the Red Table and give the player points when hit. When Catch'em Mode is activated, they also reveal the silhouette of the Pokémon attempting to be captured upon being hit.

Pokédex entries

For Shellder's Pokédex entries as part of Slowbro or Slowking, see the Pokédex entries sections of Slowbro and Slowking.

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Its hard shell repels any kind of attack. It is vulnerable only when its shell is open. Blue Yellow The shell can withstand any attack. However, when it is open, the tender body is exposed. Stadium Its shell is harder than diamond. It hides in sand on the sea floor and catches prey with its soft tongue.
Generation II Gold It swims facing backward by opening and closing its two-piece shell. It is surprisingly fast. Silver Grains of sand trapped in its shells mix with its body fluids to form beautiful pearls. Crystal Clamping on to an opponent reveals its vulnerable parts, so it uses this move only as a last resort. Stadium 2 It swims facing backward by opening and closing its two-piece shell. It is surprisingly fast.
Generation III 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. Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}} 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. FireRed It is encased in a shell that is harder than diamond. Inside, however, it is surprisingly tender. LeafGreen Its hard shell repels any kind of attack. It is vulnerable only when its shell is open.
Generation IV Diamond It swims backward by opening and closing its two shells. Its large tongue is always kept hanging out. Pearl {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold It swims facing backward by opening and closing its two-piece shell. It is surprisingly fast. SoulSilver Grains of sand trapped in its shells mix with its body fluids to form beautiful pearls.
Generation V Black It swims backward by opening and closing its two shells. Its large tongue is always kept hanging out. White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue Common Seafoam Islands and Routes 6, 11, 19, 20, and 21, Vermilion City, Vermilion Harbor, Seafoam Islands, and Cinnabar Island with Super Rod Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow Common Vermilion Harbor and Routes 17 and 18 with Super Rod
Generation II Gold Silver Common Routes 20, 21, 26, 27, and 41, Olivine City, Vermilion City, Cinnabar Island, Pallet Town, and New Bark Town (Fish with Good Rod or Super Rod) Crystal Common Routes 20, 21, 26, 27, and 41, Olivine City, Vermilion City, Cinnabar Island, Pallet Town, and New Bark Town (Fish with Good Rod or Super Rod)
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen Common Pallet Town, Vermilion City, One Island, Five Island, Icefall Cave (FireRed only) Colosseum None Trade XD One Cipher Key Lair (Shadow)
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Rare Route 205 (Floaroma Town side), Valley Windworks, Fuego Ironworks (Fish with Super Rod) Platinum Rare Route 205 (Floaroma Town side), Valley Windworks, Fuego Ironworks (Fish with Super Rod) HeartGold SoulSilver Rare Routes 20, 21, 26, 27, 41, and 47, Vermilion City, Cinnabar Island, Pallet Town, and New Bark Town (Fish with Good Rod or Super Rod) Pal Park Sea Pokéwalker Blue Lake and Stormy Beach
Generation V Black White Uncommon (Super Rod) Common (Rippling Water) Route 13, Undella Town, Undella Bay Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World Sparkling Sea
Generation VI X Y None Trade

Side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Snap	River
Pokémon Channel	Secret Cove
Pokémon Pinball	Vermilion City Seaside Vermilion City Streets Seafoam Islands
Pokémon Trozei!	SOL Laboratory 3 Secret Storage 14 Endless Level 33 Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Stormy Sea (1F-8F) Silver Trench (1F-8F) Far-off Sea (1F-8F) Marvelous Sea (B1-B5) Fantasy Strait (B1-B5)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Beach Cave (B1-B4) Surrounded Sea (1F-20F)
Pokémon Rumble	Bright Beach
Pokémon Rumble Blast	Beach: Challenger's Ground

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	Berry (100%)
Yellow*
Gold	Silver	Pearl (25%)	Big Pearl (8%)
Crystal
FireRed	LeafGreen	Pearl (50%)	Big Pearl (5%)
Diamond	Pearl	Pearl (50%)	Big Pearl (5%)
Platinum
HeartGold	SoulSilver	Pearl (50%)	Big Pearl (5%)
Black	White	Pearl (50%)	Big Pearl (5%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 30		90 - 137	170 - 264
Attack: 65		63 - 128	121 - 251
Defense: 100		94 - 167	184 - 328
Sp. Atk: 45		45 - 106	85 - 207
Sp. Def: 25		27 - 84	49 - 163
Speed: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Total: 305	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature. This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 45.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 2/3 ★★☆	Power 3/3 ★★★
Skill 2/2 ★★	Stamina 3/4 ★★★☆
Jump 2/2 ★★	Total 12/14 ★★

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  00Start Tackle Normal Physical 05050 100100% 35 044 Withdraw Water Status 0000— ——% 40 088 Supersonic Normal Status 0000— 05555% 20 1313 Icicle Spear Ice Physical 02525 100100% 30 1616 Protect Normal Status 0000— ——% 10 2020 Leer Normal Status 0000— 100100% 30 2525 Clamp Water Physical 03535 08585% 15 2828 Ice Shard Ice Physical 04040 100100% 30 3232 Razor Shell Water Physical 07575 09595% 10 3737 Aurora Beam Ice Special 06565 100100% 20 4040 Whirlpool Water Special 03535 08585% 15 4444 Brine Water Special 06565 100100% 10 4949 Iron Defense Steel Status 0000— ——% 15 5252 Ice Beam Ice Special 09595 100100% 10 5656 Shell Smash Normal Status 0000— ——% 15 6161 Hydro Pump Water Special 120120 08080% 5

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Shellder Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Shellder Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	0000—	090}}90%	10
	TM07	Hail	Ice	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM13	Ice Beam	Ice	Special	09595	100}}100%	10
	TM14	Blizzard	Ice	Special	120120	070}}70%	5
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM18	Rain Dance	Water	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM45	Attract	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM48	Round	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM64	Explosion	Normal	Physical	250250	100}}100%	5
	TM66	Payback	Dark	Physical	05050	100}}100%	10
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	HM03	Surf	Water	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
	HM06	Dive	Water	Physical	08080	100}}100%	10
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Shellder Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Shellder Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Father	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	Aqua Ring	Water	Status	—	—%	20
	Avalanche‡	Ice	Physical	60	100%	10
	Barrier	Psychic	Status	—	—%	30
	BubbleBeam	Water	Special	65	100%	20
	Icicle Spear	Ice	Physical	25	100%	30
	Mud Shot	Ground	Special	55	95%	15
	Rapid Spin*	Normal	Physical	20	100%	40
	Rock Blast	Rock	Physical	25	90%	10
	Screech	Normal	Status	—	85%	40
	Take Down‡	Normal	Physical	90	85%	20
	Twineedle*	Bug	Physical	25	100%	20
	Water Pulse	Water	Special	60	100%	20
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Shellder in Generation V Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Shellder in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Shellder Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Shellder Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Game				Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.
A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Shellder can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Shellder cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Shellder Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Shellder Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

Dream World-only moves

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Event	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
Dream World	Barrier	Psychic	Status	—	—%	30
Dream World	Icy Wind	Ice	Special	55	95%	15
A superscript level indicates that Shellder can learn this move normally in Generation V at that level Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Shellder Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Shellder Click on the generation numbers at the top to see event moves from other generations

Special moves

Shadow moves	<span style="color:#{{{2}}};">Level 29+	Purified moves
Shadow Blitz	File:Box xd 090.png	Refresh	Normal
Shadow Shed		Take Down	Normal
--		Surf	Water
--		Aurora Beam	Ice

TCG-only moves

Move	Card
Lick	Shellder (Expedition 129)
Minimize	Shellder (EX FireRed & LeafGreen 79)

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball     Acquisition: Catch		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team File:MDP RT 090.png Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 12.2% Friend Area: Bountiful Sea Phrases 51%-100% HP My shell is harder than any diamond! 26%-50% HP My HP is down to half... 1%-25% HP No more... I feel faint... Help... Level up Awesome! I leveled up! I need to work that much harder! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up Awesome! I leveled up! I need to work that much harder!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 6.4% IQ group: E
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble Attack ●● Defense ●● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●● Defense ●● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Unevolved Shellder  Water

Water Stone →

First Evolution Cloyster  Water  Ice

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Shellder images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Shellder forms

For the remainder of Shellder's sprites as part of Slowbro or Slowking, see the sprite sections of Slowbro and Slowking.

Slowbro form	Slowking form	Slowbro back sprites	Slowking back sprites

Trivia

File:Evolution anime.png

Shellder and Slowpoke evolving into Slowking in A Crowning Achievement

• In the anime, Shellder is required to evolve Slowpoke into Slowbro or Slowking. Shellder clamps onto a Slowpoke's tail to evolve into Slowbro, or onto its head while wearing the King's Rock to evolve into a Slowking. Even though Shellder changes form drastically when it bonds with Slowpoke to evolve (see above), it is not considered an evolution in and of itself.
• Some of Slowbro's Pokédex entries states that if the Shellder becomes detached, it will devolve back into a Slowpoke, one of the very few references to devolution.
• Though Slowbro and Slowking's Silver Pokédex enties mentions that Shellder secretes venom, it cannot learn any Poison-type attacks by leveling up. However, it is still able to learn Toxic via TM.
• Shellder and Cloyster share the same species name with Clamperl. They are all known as the Bivalve Pokémon.
• Shellder are one of the few Pokémon to show their entire body in a backsprite before Generation V, which it does in Generation II.
• Shellder and its evolution were shown to be capable of floating through the air in Pokémon Snap, a trait that has been seen in no other media.
• In the episode The Evolution Solution, it's revealed that Shellder is still capable of speech as the shell of a Slowbro.
• Shellder is the only Pokémon able to learn Twinneedle that is not Bug/Poison.

Origin

Shellder is similar to bivalves, more specifically the clam, with its tongue representing a clam's "foot".

Name origin

Shellder's name seems to be a corruption of shell. It also sounds like shelter, perhaps referring to the fact that it lives in a shell.

In other languages

Language Name Name Origin German Muschas From Muschel. French Kokiyas From coquille. Korean 셀러 Selleo Chinese (Mandarin) 大舌貝 / 大舌贝 Dàshébèi Literally "Big-tongued shell". Chinese (Cantonese) 貝殼怪 Buihokgwaai Means "Shell freak".

Notes

← #089: Muk

Pokémon

#091: Cloyster →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.