Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Shellder
Say it: SHE-lld-er
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Shellder is the Bivalve Pokémon — Water before Cloyster. In Pokémon GO it is usually candy on the way to Cloyster — not a finished raid attacker. Water helps against Fire, Ground, and Rock; Grass and Electric hit Water hard. Avalanche from Shellder Community Day belongs on Cloyster. Catch Shellder from the wild, eggs, or events, then evolve.
Say it: SHE-lld-er
Shellder (#090) is a Water Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the baby stage of Cloyster. Trainers almost never power Shellder for raids; the value is candy and IVs for Cloyster (and Avalanche). Against Shellder, 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
Shellder is a Water-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0090. 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: Do not sink Stardust into Shellder. Keep high-IV copies for Cloyster. Shadow Shellder is the same — evolve toward Shadow Cloyster after Frustration removal.
Type matchups
- Water moves hit Fire, Ground, and Rock hard.
When Shellder 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
- 116
- Defense
- 134
- Stamina
- 102
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
Shellder’s Game Master pool is temporary. Real investment is Cloyster — evolve before serious TMs and power-ups. Avalanche is a Shellder Community Day exclusive on Cloyster.
Fast
- Ice Shard · Standard
Ice energy
- Tackle · Standard
Normal filler
Charged
- Razor Shell · Standard
Water nuke
- Water Pulse · Standard
Water alternate
- Bubble Beam · Standard
Water / bait
- Icy Wind · Standard
Ice / debuff
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
- ice shard
- tackle
Charged
- bubble beam
- water pulse
- icy wind
- razor shell
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #835 of 954 · CP 1221
Ice Shard + Water Pulse
- Master League · rank #897 of 1023 · CP 1221
Ice Shard + Water Pulse
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.