Shellder in Pokemon GO – Stats, Moves, PvP Tips & More

Shellder is a popular Water-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 1,080, Shellder is a viable option for Great League PvP battles where its unique typing and moveset can shine.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Shellder in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.

📊 Shellder Base Stats & Overview

Shellder (#090) is a Water-type Pokemon from Generation 1.

Base Stats
Attack	116
Defense	134
Stamina	102
Total Stats	352
Max CP	1,080
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 116 Attack, 134 Defense, and 102 Stamina, Shellder has a total stat product of 352. While not the highest in any single stat, Shellder’s balanced stats make it versatile in various battle situations.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Shellder

Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Shellder’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Shellder for raids, gym battles, or PvP.

Best Raid & Gym Moveset

For PvE content like raids and gym battles, you want moves that maximize DPS (Damage Per Second). The best Water-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.

Best PvP Moveset

In PvP battles, energy generation and coverage moves become more important. You’ll want a fast move that charges energy quickly and charged moves that provide good type coverage.

🎯 Shellder Type Effectiveness

Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Shellder effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Water-type Pokemon, Shellder has specific strengths and weaknesses.

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

Shellder is weak to: Electric, Grass-type moves. When battling against Shellder, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.

• Electric – Deals increased damage
• Grass – Deals increased damage

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

Shellder resists: Fire, Water, Ice, Steel-type moves. This means Shellder takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.

• Fire – Reduced damage
• Water – Reduced damage
• Ice – Reduced damage
• Steel – Reduced damage

🏆 Shellder PvP Analysis

Shellder can be used in Pokemon GO’s GO Battle League PvP battles. Here’s how it performs in each league:

Great League (1500 CP Limit)

Shellder can reach its full potential in Great League since its max CP (1,080) is at or below the 1500 CP limit. This makes it a viable option if its typing and moveset align with the current meta.

Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)

With a max CP of 1,080, Shellder may struggle in Ultra League against bulkier opponents with higher stat products.

Master League (No CP Limit)

Shellder is generally not recommended for Master League due to its lower max CP (1,080). Focus on other leagues instead.

⚔️ Shellder Raid Guide

Shellder is primarily used as a raid attacker rather than a raid boss. Here’s how to use it effectively in raids:

Using Shellder in Raids

When using Shellder as a raid attacker:

• Best against raid bosses weak to Water-type moves
• Power up to at least level 30-35 for decent performance
• Ensure you have the optimal moveset for maximum DPS

🎯 Best Counters for Shellder

Whether you’re battling Shellder in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Shellder:

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Shellder’s weaknesses to Electric, Grass-type moves:

Pokemon	Type	Why It Works
Zekrom	Dragon/Electric	Top Electric DPS in the game
Electivire	Electric	Thunder Shock + Wild Charge deals high damage
Raikou	Electric	Consistent Electric damage dealer
Kartana	Grass/Steel	Highest Grass DPS available
Roserade	Grass/Poison	Razor Leaf + Grass Knot hits hard
Venusaur	Grass/Poison	Vine Whip + Frenzy Plant (Community Day)

Counter Strategy Tips

1. Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Shellder
2. Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
3. Watch for Coverage Moves: Shellder may have moves that counter its own counters
4. Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks

📍 How to Get Shellder in Pokemon GO

There are several ways to obtain Shellder in Pokemon GO:

• Wild Encounters: Shellder can spawn in the wild, especially in areas matching its type
• Eggs: May hatch from 3km eggs
• Evolution: Evolve from its pre-evolution using Candy
• Raids: Occasionally appears in raid battles
• Research Tasks: Complete field research for a chance to encounter
• Trading: Trade with friends

Shiny Shellder

Yes, Shiny Shellder is available in Pokemon GO! The shiny variant has a different coloration and is highly sought after by collectors. The shiny rate for wild encounters is approximately 1 in 500, though this can be boosted during special events like Community Days or Spotlight Hours.

Shellder Evolution

Check the Pokédex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Shellder

Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Shellder’s potential in Pokemon GO:

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Shellder with high Attack IVs (15 Attack is ideal). The Attack stat contributes most to damage output in PvE content.

For PvP battles, the ideal IVs depend on the league:

• Great League: Look for low Attack, high Defense and HP (0/15/15 is often ideal)
• Ultra League: Similar to Great League, optimize for stat product under 2500 CP
• Master League: Perfect 15/15/15 IVs are best since there’s no CP cap

2. Power Up Priority

Before investing Stardust and Candy into Shellder, consider:

• Do you have enough resources? (Powering to level 50 costs 296,000 Stardust and 296 Candy)
• Will this Pokemon fill a gap in your battle team?
• Are there better alternatives for the same role?
• Do you have the optimal moveset or need Elite TMs?

3. Team Composition

Shellder works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Water type weak to Electric, Grass, consider adding team members that resist these types.

4. Weather Considerations

Take advantage of weather boosts:

• When catching: Weather-boosted Shellder spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
• When battling: Weather that boosts Water moves increases your damage output
• When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather

📚 Shellder in the Pokemon Franchise

Shellder first appeared in Generation 1 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Shellder’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.

In Pokemon GO, Shellder was introduced as part of the Generation 1 Pokemon rollout. Being a Generation 1 Pokemon, Shellder has been available since the game’s launch in July 2016.

📊 How Shellder Compares

Let’s see how Shellder stacks up against other Water-type Pokemon:

Stat	Shellder	Type Average	Rating
Attack	116	~180	⭐
Defense	134	~160	⭐
Stamina	102	~170	⭐
Max CP	1,080	~2,500	⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Shellder is a versatile Water-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 1,080 and solid base stats (116/134/102), it can shine in Great League PvP where its unique typing and moveset options provide interesting strategic possibilities.

Remember to:

• Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
• Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
• Build a team that covers Shellder’s weaknesses
• Take advantage of weather boosts when possible

For more Pokemon guides and the complete Pokedex, visit our Pokemon GO Database. Check out our PvP Rankings for the current meta and Raid Guides for battle strategies.

Last updated: January 2026. Information based on the latest Pokemon GO game data.

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