Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Basculin
Say it: BA-scu-li-n
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Basculin is the Hostile Pokémon — a Water type with Red-, Blue-, and White-Stripe forms in the story. In Pokémon GO it is a budget Water attacker and can evolve into Basculegion (Hisui path) when that form is available. Water helps against Fire, Ground, and Rock; Grass and Electric hit Water hard. Catch Basculin from the wild, eggs, or events.
Say it: BA-scu-li-n
Basculin (#550) is a Water Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Trainers use it as a budget Water attacker (Water Gun + Aqua Tail / Aqua Jet) or as candy toward Basculegion when that evolution is live. Against Basculin, lead with Grass or Electric. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Basculin is a Water-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0550. Use the Water type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Water Gun + Aqua Tail is the usual Water kit; Muddy Water and Aqua Jet are alternates. Shadow Basculin is the DPS lean — remove Frustration before investing. No Community Day exclusive is required.
Type matchups
- Water moves hit Fire, Ground, and Rock hard.
When Basculin is your opponent, Electric, Grass hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 189
- Defense
- 129
- Stamina
- 172
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Zekrom · beats Electric
Charge Beam + Fusion Bolt
- 2. Shadow Zekrom · beats Electric
Charge Beam + Fusion Bolt
- 3. Shadow Raikou · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 4. Xurkitree · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Discharge
- 5. Therian Thundurus · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Thunderbolt
- 6. Mega Manectric · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 7. Raikou · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 8. Electivire · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 9. Shadow Electabuzz · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Thunder Punch
- 10. Zapdos · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Thunderbolt
- 11. Magnezone · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
- 12. Luxray · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Electivire · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 2. Luxray · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
- 3. Manectric · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 4. Jolteon · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Thunderbolt
- 5. Ampharos · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Zap Cannon
- 6. Zebstrika · beats Electric
Spark + Wild Charge
- 7. Galvantula · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Discharge
- 8. Eelektross · beats Electric
Spark + Thunderbolt
- 9. Heliolisk · beats Electric
Volt Switch + Thunderbolt
- 10. Stunfisk · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Discharge
- 11. Raichu · beats Electric
Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
- 12. Magneton · beats Electric
Spark + Discharge
Recommended moves
Game Master “moves in GO” lists Basculin’s always-available TM pool. Stripe forms are cosmetic for most GO battles — confirm Basculegion evolution rules when that form is featured.
Fast
- Water Gun · Standard
Water STAB / default
- Tackle · Standard
Normal filler
Charged
- Aqua Tail · Standard
Best Water nuke
- Aqua Jet · Standard
Water alternate
- Muddy Water · Standard
Water coverage
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- tackle
- water gun
Charged
- aqua jet
- aqua tail
- muddy water
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #802 of 954 · CP 1493
Tackle + Aqua Jet
- Ultra League · rank #603 of 747 · CP 2363
Tackle + Aqua Jet
- Master League · rank #750 of 1023 · CP 2363
Tackle + Aqua Jet
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.