Competitive Information for Shuckle [X/Y]
Bug / Rock
Abilities:
If this Pokemon has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead, and vice versa.
This Pokemon eats Berries at 1/2 max HP or less instead of their usual 1/4 max HP.
If this Pokemon is at full HP, it survives one hit with at least 1 HP. Immune to OHKO.

Disclaimer: All videos and opinions are owned by their respective creators and may not reflect our views.
Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Shuckle? These builds are optimized for X/Y Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the X/Y metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Deoxys-DefenseArceus-PoisonShedinjaSalamence-MegaGroudon-Primal
Meet Shuckle, an awesome Pokémon ready to dominate with its Bug and Rock typing! Shuckle is a common Pokémon to see in the XY metagame. It is weak to Rock, Steel, and Water-typed attacks. Uncover the best movesets for Shuckle below and optimize your gameplay!
Item: Shell Bell / Life Orb
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Moveset:
- Double-Edge / Return
- Rock Slide / Rock Tomb
- Earthquake / Bulldoze
- Knock Off
Shuckle is a decent Physical Sweeper to use for single battles. It was designed to crush rivals using forceful physical attacks. Life Orb boosts the power of Shuckle's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. The Shell Bell item option is to help Shuckle recover from the recoil damage it may take from Double-Edge. With Contrary, if Shuckle has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead and vice versa.
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Rock Slide is a physical STAB-boosted 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Rock Tomb is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Rock-type move (100% chance to lower the target's speed by 1 stage).
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
◆ Bulldoze is a physical 60-base power Ground-type move (100% chance lower adjacent Pokemon speed by 1 stage).
◆ Knock Off is a physical 65-base power Dark-type move (1.5x damage if foe holds an item; Note: This will also remove that item).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/iaad5
Item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Sludge Wave / Sludge Bomb
- Ancient Power
- Earth Power / Mud-Slap
- Struggle Bug / Infestation
Shuckle excels as a brilliant Special Sweeper during single battles. It was designed to crush rivals using formidable special attacks. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Shuckle's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Shuckle's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Contrary, if Shuckle has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead and vice versa.
◆ Sludge Bomb is a special 90-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Ancient Power is a special STAB-boosted 60-base power Rock-type move (10% chance to raise all stats by 1 stage (not acc/eva)).
◆ Earth Power is a special 90-base power Ground-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Mud-Slap is a special 20-base power Ground-type move (100% chance to lower the target's accuracy by 1 stage).
◆ Struggle Bug is a special STAB-boosted 50-base power Bug-type move (100% chance to lower the foes special attack by 1 stage).
◆ Infestation is a special STAB-boosted 20-base power Bug-type move (traps and damages the target for 4-5 turns).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/ibad5
Item: Mental Herb
Ability: Sturdy
Nature: Impish (+Def, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Moveset:
- Guard Split
- Helping Hand
- Protect
- Toxic
Shuckle proves to be a remarkable Double Wall for single battles. The main aim of this moveset is to provide strong resistance against both physical and special moves. With Sturdy, if Shuckle is at full hp it survives one hit with at least 1 hp. Immune to ohko. With a Mental Herb equipped to it, cures Shuckle of attract, disable, encore, heal block, taunt, torment then the Mental Herb gets consumed.
◆ Helping Hand is a status move (one adjacent ally's move power is 1.5x this turn).
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Shuckle this turn).
◆ Toxic is a status move (badly poisons the target; Note: Poison types can't miss with Toxic).
Note: This moveset is vulnerable to Taunt. Ensure you include at least one damage-dealing move to avoid this risk.
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/icad5
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Relaxed (+Def, -Spe)
EVs: 252 Hp / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Moveset:
- Infestation
- Shell Smash
- Sleep Talk
- Rest
Shuckle shows a decent Special Wall prowess in single battles. This moveset was constructed to handle special hits and respond with decent damage. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Shuckle last longer regaining it's HP every turn. With Contrary, if Shuckle has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead and vice versa. Infestation does about 1/8th damage per turn. Also, Shell Smash with Contrary is hilarious.
◆ Shell Smash is a status move (increases def, spd by 1 stage; decreases atk, spa, spe by 2 stages).
◆ Sleep Talk is a status move (Shuckle must be asleep. Uses another known move).
◆ Rest is a status move (Shuckle sleeps 2 turns and restores hp and status).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/idad5
Item: Macho Brace
Ability: Sturdy
Nature: Brave (+Atk, -Spe)
EVs: 16 Hp / 252 Atk / 240 SpA
Moveset:
- Infestation / Bug Bite
- Stone Edge / Sludge Bomb
- Gyro Ball
- Earthquake
For single battles, Shuckle is a pretty decent Mixed Sweeper. With Sturdy, if Shuckle is at full hp it survives one hit with at least 1 hp. Immune to ohko. Use Gyroshuck when Trick Room is in effect. With a Macho Brace equipped to it, Shuckle's speed is halved. The klutz ability does not ignore this effect.
◆ Bug Bite is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Bug-type move (Shuckle steals and eats the target's berry).
◆ Stone Edge is a physical STAB-boosted 100-base power Rock-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Sludge Bomb is a special 90-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Gyro Ball is a physical 0-base power Steel-type move (more power the slower your Shuckle than the target).
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/iead5
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Shuckle? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive X/Y Double Battles. The VGC is the ultimate test of strategy and skill, and these movesets and EVs are designed to excel against multiple opponents at once while providing essential support to your team. Dominate the X/Y metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Deoxys-DefenseArceus-PoisonShedinjaSalamence-MegaGroudon-Primal
Item: Shell Bell / Life Orb
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Moveset:
- Rock Slide / Rock Tomb
- Earthquake / Bulldoze
- Double-Edge / Return
- Knock Off
Shuckle excels as a terrific Physical Sweeper during double battles. It was designed to overwhelm foes with forceful physical attacks. Life Orb boosts the power of Shuckle's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. The Shell Bell item option is to help Shuckle recover from the recoil damage it may take from Double-Edge. With Contrary, if Shuckle has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead and vice versa.
◆ Rock Tomb is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Rock-type move (100% chance to lower the target's speed by 1 stage).
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
◆ Bulldoze is a physical 60-base power Ground-type move (100% chance lower adjacent Pokemon speed by 1 stage).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Knock Off is a physical 65-base power Dark-type move (1.5x damage if foe holds an item; Note: This will also remove that item).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/jaad5
Item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Struggle Bug / Infestation
- Sludge Wave / Sludge Bomb
- Ancient Power
- Earth Power / Mud-Slap
Dominating double battles, Shuckle is a renowned Special Sweeper. It's goal is to take down the opponent's team with powerful special attacks. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Shuckle's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Shuckle's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Contrary, if Shuckle has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead and vice versa.
◆ Infestation is a special STAB-boosted 20-base power Bug-type move (traps and damages the target for 4-5 turns).
◆ Sludge Wave is a special 95-base power Poison-type move (10% chance to poison adjacent pokemon).
◆ Sludge Bomb is a special 90-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Ancient Power is a special STAB-boosted 60-base power Rock-type move (10% chance to raise all stats by 1 stage (not acc/eva)).
◆ Earth Power is a special 90-base power Ground-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Mud-Slap is a special 20-base power Ground-type move (100% chance to lower the target's accuracy by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/jbad5
Movepool
Want to know what moves Shuckle can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon X/Y generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by type, category, accuracy, and power. Moves in bold get the same-type attack bonus (STAB) when used by Shuckle.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Shuckle can perform in X/Y. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive XY Move and Ability Combos for Shuckle
- Moves: Defense curl + Rollout
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Bide, Endure, Helping Hand, Protect
- Moves that inflict status: Toxic
Moves that boost Shuckle's stats
- Acupressure
- Ancient Power
- Defense Curl
- Rock Polish
- Shell Smash
- Withdraw
Most notable and possible best moves for Shuckle
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Protect
- Rest
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Shuckle in X and Y
- Adamant Nature ( 0/252/0/0/0/252 )
- Modest Nature ( 0/0/0/252/0/252 )
- Jolly Nature ( 0/252/0/0/0/252 )
- Timid Nature ( 0/0/0/252/0/252 )
- Bold Nature ( 252/0/252/0/0/4 )
- Calm Nature ( 252/0/0/0/252/4 )
- Relaxed Nature ( 252/0/88/0/168/0 )
- Sassy Nature ( 252/0/4/0/252/0 )
- Optimize Shuckle's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon X and Y
Usage Data
Explore the latest analytical usage data for this Pokémon from various VGC and online competitions. We use this data to develop our strategies and movesets. The data is categorized by competition and skill level: top-ranking trainers, mid-level players, and entry-level players.

THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Some builds on this page have been hidden, click here to display them
Here are the best movesets for Shuckle. Top rated Shuckle X/Y movesets. You can find Shuckle builds X/Y. Shuckle movesets X/Y are listed here. VGC Shuckle Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Shuckle in X/Y along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution