Basculin (Pokémon)

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Lilligant #549: Lilligant
Pokémon
#551: Sandile Sandile
Basculin
バスラオ Bassrao
#550
File:550Basculin alternate.png
Art of Blue-Striped Basculin by Ken Sugimori from Black and White
Type
Water Unknown
Category
Hostile Pokémon
Abilities
Reckless or Adaptability
Red-Striped
Rock Head or Adaptability
Blue-Striped
Mold Breaker
Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100
1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers
Unova
#056 #104
Regional Browser numbers
Height
3'03"
Imperial
1.0 m
Metric
Weight
39.7 lbs.
Imperial
18.0 kg
Metric
Dex color
Green
Catch rate
25 (3.3%)
Body style
Body03.png BodyUnknown.png
Blue-Striped
Footprint
 F550.png   F487O.png
Blue-Striped
Gender ratio
50% male, 50% female
Breeding
Water 2 group 41 cycles
(10455 minimum steps)
EV yield
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
2
Base Exp.: 161 Battle Exp.: 1611*

Basculin (Japanese: バスラオ Bassrao) is a Water-type Pokémon.

While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, it does have two different appearances: Red-Striped, one has a red stripe and irises, with a round eye and spiky fins; Blue-Striped, the other has a blue stripe and irises, with a slit eye and smooth fins.

Biology

Physiology

Basculin has the look of a typical fish, with its bottom part being green and its top part being black, the two parts being separated by a bright red or blue stripe, the rarity of each depending on which game it is encountered in. Red-Striped Basculin has a round eye and spiky fins, while Blue-Striped Basculin has a thin eye and smooth fins. They both have a spiky dorsal fin and a big jaw.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Behavior

Basculin are violent in nature, and they have a particular dislike for differently colored Basculin. They often form schools of the same color. Red and blue Basculin tend to fight each other immediately upon meeting. Occasionally, opposite colors of these Pokémon will get mixed into the other's school.

Habitat

Basculin live primarily in fresh water throughout the Unova region.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

A Blue-Striped Basculin in the anime

Major appearances

Both forms of Basculin appeared in A Fishing Connoisseur in a Fishy Competition!. Cilan managed to capture a Blue-Striped one; however, a wild Frillish released it.

Minor appearances

A few other Basculin appeared during A Fishing Connoisseur in a Fishy Competition!. A Red-Striped and a Blue-Striped one were seen being reeled in by two unnamed Trainers. Iris managed to fish another Blue-Striped one with her bare hands but was penalized for it.

A photo of multiple Basculin appeared in The Four Seasons of Sawsbuck!.

Multiple Basculin made an appearance in Stopping the Rage of Legends! Part 1 and Stopping the Rage of Legends! Part 2.

Multiple Blue-Striped Basculin appeared in Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice.

Multiple Red-Striped Basculin appeared in The Mystery of the Missing Cubchoo!.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry
BW037 Basculin Ash's Pokédex Basculin, the Hostile Pokémon. Basculin can be very violent and red and blue Basculin do not get along well, frequently resulting in battles.

In the manga

Basculin in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Master Black & White manga

In PBW02, Cheren uses a Basculin against Monta in a Triple Battle.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

A member of the Shadow Triad used a Basculin to attack Lenora at Nacrene City.

In the TCG

Main article: Basculin (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation V.
Generation I
Red {{{redbluedex}}}
Blue
Yellow {{{yellowdex}}}
Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II
Gold {{{golddex}}}
Silver {{{silverdex}}}
Crystal {{{crystaldex}}}
Stadium 2 Unknown
Generation III
Ruby {{{rubydex}}}
Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}}
Emerald {{{emeralddex}}}
FireRed {{{firereddex}}}
LeafGreen {{{leafgreendex}}}
Generation IV
Diamond {{{diamonddex}}}
Pearl {{{pearldex}}}
Platinum {{{platinumdex}}}
HeartGold {{{heartgolddex}}}
SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V
Black Red and blue Basculin get along so poorly, they'll start fighting instantly. These Pokémon are very hostile.
White Red and blue Basculin usually do not get along, but sometimes members of one school mingle with the other's school.
Black 2 Red- and blue-striped Basculin are very violent and always fighting. They are also remarkably tasty.
White 2
Generation VI
X Unknown
Y Unknown


Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation V.
Generation I
Red Blue
None Trade
Blue (Japan)
None Trade
Yellow
None Trade
Generation II
Gold Silver
None Trade
Crystal
None Trade
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire
None Trade
Emerald
None Trade
FireRed LeafGreen
None Trade
Colosseum
None Trade
XD
None Trade
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl
None Trade
Platinum
None Trade
HeartGold SoulSilver
None Trade
Pal Park
None
Pokéwalker
None
Generation V
Black White
Common Routes 1, 3, 6, 11, and 14, Striaton City, Wellspring Cave, Pinwheel Forest, Dragonspiral Tower, Challenger's Cave, Victory Road, Village Bridge, Giant Chasm, Abundant Shrine, and Lostlorn Forest by surfing or fishing.
Blue-Striped Basculin are only found in rippling water in Black, and vice versa in White.
Black 2 White 2
Common Routes 1, 3, 6, 11, 13, 14, 19, 20, 22, and 23, Aspertia City, Floccesy Ranch, Relic Passage, Clay Tunnel, Dragonspiral Tower, Striaton City, Wellspring Cave, Pinwheel Forest, Undella Town, Humilau City, Victory Road, Village Bridge, Giant Chasm, Abundant Shrine, Nature Preserve, and Lostlorn Forest by surfing or fishing.
Blue-Striped Basculin are only found in rippling water in Black 2, and vice versa in White 2.
Dream World
Sparkling Sea*
Generation VI
X Y
None Trade



In side games

Game Location
Pokémon Rumble Blast Lake: Soothing Shore (Blue-Striped)
Lake: Shimmering Lake (Red-Striped)

Held items

Game Held Item(s)
Black White DeepSeaTooth DeepSeaTooth (5%) DeepSeaScale DeepSeaScale (5%)
Black 2 White 2 DeepSeaTooth DeepSeaTooth (5%) DeepSeaScale DeepSeaScale (5%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
70
130 - 177 250 - 344
92
87 - 158 170 - 311
65
63 - 128 121 - 251
80
76 - 145 148 - 284
55
54 - 117 103 - 229
98
92 - 165 180 - 324
Total:
460
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.

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel ½×
Fire ½×
Water ½×
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice ½×
Dragon
Dark
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel ½×
Fire ½×
Water ½×
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice ½×
Dragon
Dark
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel ½×
Fire ½×
Water ½×
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice ½×
Dragon
Dark
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel ½×
Fire ½×
Water ½×
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice ½×
Dragon
Dark
None

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V
Other generations:
VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
00Start Tackle Normal Physical 05050 100100% 35
00Start Water Gun Water Special 04040 100100% 25
044 Uproar Normal Special 09090 100100% 10
077 Headbutt Normal Physical 07070 100100% 15
1010 Bite Dark Physical 06060 100100% 25
1313 Aqua Jet Water Physical 04040 100100% 20
1616 Chip Away Normal Physical 07070 100100% 20
2020 Take Down Normal Physical 09090 08585% 20
2424 Crunch Dark Physical 08080 100100% 15
2828 Aqua Tail Water Physical 09090 09090% 10
3232 Soak Water Status 0000 100100% 20
3636 Double-Edge Normal Physical 120120 100100% 15
4141 Scary Face Normal Status 0000 100100% 10
4646 Flail Normal Physical 0000 100100% 15
5151 Final Gambit Fighting Special 0000 100100% 5
5656 Thrash Normal Physical 120120 100100% 10
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Basculin
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Basculin
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V
Other generations:
VI - VII - VIII - IX
 TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
Bag TM Poison Sprite.png TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000 090}}90% 10
Bag TM Ice Sprite.png TM07 Hail Ice Status 0000 —}}—% 10
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 0000 100}}100% 15
Bag TM Dark Sprite.png TM12 Taunt Dark Status 0000 100}}100% 20
Bag TM Ice Sprite.png TM13 Ice Beam Ice Special 09595 100}}100% 10
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
Bag TM Water Sprite.png TM18 Rain Dance Water Status 0000 —}}—% 5
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 15
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
Bag TM Psychic Sprite.png TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000 —}}—% 10
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM45 Attract Normal Status 0000 100}}100% 15
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15
Bag TM Water Sprite.png TM55 Scald Water Special 08080 100}}100% 15
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000 090}}90% 15
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
Bag HM Normal Sprite.png HM01 Cut Normal Physical 05050 095}}95% 30
Bag HM Water Sprite.png HM03 Surf Water Special 09595 100}}100% 15
Bag HM Water Sprite.png HM05 Waterfall Water Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
Bag HM Water Sprite.png HM06 Dive Water Physical 08080 100}}100% 10
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Basculin
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Basculin

By breeding

Generation V
Other generations:
VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Father   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
GoldeenSeakingCarvanhaSharpedoLuvdisc
Agility Psychic Status —% 30
ChinchouLanturnRemoraidOctillery
BubbleBeam Water Special 65 100% 20
QwilfishWailmerWailordAlomomola
Brine Water Special 65 100% 10
BarboachWhiscashRelicanth
Muddy Water* Water Special 95 85% 10
GoldeenSeakingRemoraidOctilleryBarboachWhiscash
Relicanth
Mud Shot* Ground Special 55 95% 15
CarvanhaSharpedo
Rage Normal Physical 20 100% 20
Qwilfish
Revenge Fighting Physical 60 100% 10
RemoraidOctilleryCarvanhaSharpedo
Swift* Normal Special 60 —% 20
WailmerWailordFinneonLumineon
Whirlpool Water Special 35 85% 15
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Basculin 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 Basculin in that game.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Basculin
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Basculin

By tutoring

Generation V
Other generations:
VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
B W B2 W2 Aqua Tail Water Physical 90 90% 10
B W B2 W2 Bounce Flying Physical 85 85% 5
B W B2 W2 Endeavor Normal Physical 100% 5
B W B2 W2 Icy Wind Ice Special 55 95% 15
B W B2 W2 Sleep Talk Normal Status —% 10
B W B2 W2 Snore Normal Special 40 100% 15
B W B2 W2 Superpower Fighting Physical 120 100% 5
B W B2 W2 Uproar Normal Special 90 100% 10
B W B2 W2 Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical 80 90% 15
  • A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Basculin can be tutored the move in that game
  • A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Basculin cannot be tutored the move in that game
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Basculin
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Basculin

Dream World moves

Generation V
Other generations:
VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Event   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
Sparkling Sea Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical 80 90% 15
Sparkling Sea Agility Psychic Status —% 30
  • A superscript level indicates that Basculin can learn this move normally in Generation V at that level
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Basculin
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Basculin

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball
 N/A 
Not available
Pokémon Pinball RS
 N/A 
Not available
Pokémon Trozei!
 N/A 
Not available
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
Body size: 1
Recruit rate: 0%
Friend Area: Beau Plains
Phrases
51%-100% HP My HP is between 51% and 100%.
26%-50% HP My HP is between 26% and 50%.
1%-25% HP My HP is between 1% and 25%.
Level up I leveled up.
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 I leveled up.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Sky
Body size: 1
Recruit rate: 0%
IQ group: A
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
Electric Assist.png
( Normal )
None Past
Electrify 1 field move.png
(Electrify ×1)
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack ●●●
Defense ●●
Speed ●●●
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
None.png PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
PP2550.png Strong: Weak:
PokéPark Pad entry:
He likes the water where he lives, but he sometimes swims to another Area for fun.
None.png HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}}
Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}}
Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}}
Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}}
Does not evolve.
Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Red-Striped
Basculin
Does not evolve
Basculin
 Water 

Blue-Striped

Blue-Striped
Basculin
Does not evolve
Basculin
 Water 

Sprites

Gen Game
I Red Blue Yellow Red (Ja) Green Back
This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II Gold Silver Crystal   Back
This Pokémon did not appear during Generation II.
III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Back
This Pokémon did not appear during Generation III.
IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Back
This Pokémon did not appear during Generation IV.
V Black White Black 2 White 2 Back
Spr 5b 550.png Spr 5b2 550.png Spr b 5b 550.png
Spr 5b 550B.png Spr 5b2 550B.png Spr b 5b 550B.png
Spr 5b 550 s.png Spr 5b2 550 s.png Spr b 5b 550 s.png
Spr 5b 550B s.png Spr 5b2 550B s.png Spr b 5b 550B s.png
BasculinBasculin For other sprites and images, please see Basculin images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

  • While many Pokémon are able to have up to three different Abilities legitimately, with two primary Abilities and a Hidden Ability, Blue-Striped Basculin is the only Pokémon capable of legitimately having four different abilities, with Rock Head being the Ability of an NPC-traded Blue-Striped Basculin from Driftveil City in Pokémon White.
  • Basculin shares its species name with Zweilous. They are both known as Hostile Pokémon.
  • Basculin's Pokédex entry in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 describe the species as being very tasty, one of the rare instances that hint at Pokémon being used for food.

Origin

Basculin were most likely inspired by betta fish. Both sexes of betta display horizontal bars of color either when frightened or setting up a pecking order. They are very violent and can even fight to the death. Its appearance may have been based on a bass or piranha, the latter of which has historically been viewed as violent.

According to interviews with Ken Sugimori in Nintendo Dream, Basculin was created late in development when they realized there were few new 'standard' fish-like Pokémon in Unova, the only others being Alomomola, Stunfisk, Frillish and Jellicent. It was given two forms to make up for the small amount of fish in the region, and based on a bass since there are wild bass in New York state.

Name origin

Basculin is a combination of bass and masculine.

Bassrao may be a combination of bass and 丈夫 masurao (warrior, referring to its bold, violent nature) or バカラオ bakarao (bacalhau).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning
Japan Flag.png Japanese バスラオ Bassrao From bass and 丈夫 masurao or バカラオ bakarao
France Flag.png French Bargantua From bar and Gargantua, a powerful giant in French literature
Spain Flag.png Spanish Basculin Same as English name
Germany Flag.png German Barschuft From Barsch and Schuft
Italy Flag.png Italian Basculin Same as English name
South Korea Flag.png Korean 배쓰나이 Bae'sseuna'i From bass and 사나이 sana'i; may also be based on 사나이다움 sana'ida'um or 사나이다운 sana'ida'un.
China and Taiwan Flags.png Mandarin Chinese 勇士鱸魚 / 勇士鲈鱼 Yǒngshìlúyú Literally "Warrior bass".
Hong Kong Flag.png Cantonese Chinese


External links


Lilligant #549: Lilligant
Pokémon
#551: Sandile Sandile


Project Pokédex logo.png This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.