Defense Curl (move)

Defense Curl まるくなる Curl Up

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Battles Type  Normal Category  Status PP  40 (max. 64) Power  — Accuracy  —% Priority  {{{priority}}} Does not make contact Not affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Affected by Snatch Not affected by King's Rock

Target Foe Foe Foe Self Ally Ally Affects the user

Availability Introduced  Generation I TM40 in Generation II Move Tutor in Pokémon Emerald

Contests Category  Cute Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jam  0   Can avoid being startled by others once.

Super Contests Category  Cute Appeal  2 ♥♥ Prevents the Voltage from going up in the same turn.

Defense Curl on Legendary Pokémon MoveDex Defense Curl on Eevee's Movedex

Defense Curl (Japanese: まるくなる Curl Up) is a non-damaging Normal-type move introduced in Generation I. It was TM40 in Generation II.

Effect

Generation I

Defense Curl increases the user's Defense by 1 stage.

Generation II

In addition to the previous generation, the power of the move Rollout will be doubled for the user as long as it remains in battle. This effect cannot be Baton Passed.

Generation III and on

In addition to the previous generation, the power of the move Ice Ball will be doubled for the user as long as it remains in battle.

Description

Games Description StadStad2 Raises the user's Defense. Can normally be used up to six times in a row. GSC Heightens the user's Defense. RSEColo.XD Curls up to conceal weak spots and raise Defense. FRLG The user curls up to conceal weak spots and raise its Defense stat. DPPtHGSSBWB2W2 The user curls up to conceal weak spots and raise its Defense stat.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Type		Level
					I		II		III		IV		V
027		Sandshrew	Ground		Ground	no			6			6			3				3	--
028		Sandslash	Ground		Ground	no			--, 6			--, 6			--, 3				--, 3	--
035		Clefairy	Normal		Normal	39			26			25			13				13
039		Jigglypuff	Normal		Normal	19			4			4			5				5
040		Wigglytuff	Normal		Normal	--			--			--			--				--
074		Geodude	Rock	Ground	11			6			--			--				--
075		Graveler	Rock	Ground	--, 11			--, 6			--			--				--
076		Golem	Rock	Ground	--, 11			--, 6			--			--				--
108		Lickitung	Normal		Normal	23			13			12			9				9
113		Chansey	Normal		Normal	44			41			41			31				--
143		Snorlax	Normal		Normal	no			15			10	9	4				4
155		Cyndaquil	Fire		Fire	no			no			no			22				22
156		Quilava	Fire		Fire	no			no			no			24				24
157		Typhlosion	Fire		Fire	no			no			no			24				24
161		Sentret	Normal		Normal	no			5			4			4				4
162		Furret	Normal		Normal	no			--, 5			--, 4			--, 4				--, 4
174		Igglybuff	Normal		Normal	no			4			4			5				5
183		Marill	Water		Water	no			3			3			2				2	10
184		Azumarill	Water		Water	no			--, 3			--, 3			--, 2				--, 2	10
206		Dunsparce	Normal		Normal	no			5			4			5				4	--
231		Phanpy	Ground		Ground	no			9			9			--				--
232		Donphan	Ground		Ground	no			9			9			--				--
233		Porygon2	Normal		Normal	no			24			24			--				--
241		Miltank	Normal		Normal	no			8			8			5				5
242		Blissey	Normal		Normal	no			33			33			31				31
363		Spheal	Ice	Water	no			no				--	--				--
364		Sealeo	Ice	Water	no			no				--	no				no
365		Walrein	Ice	Water	no			no				--	no				no
399		Bidoof	Normal		Normal	no			no			no			9				9
400		Bibarel	Normal	Water	no			no			no			9				9
427		Buneary	Normal		Normal	no			no			no			--				--
428		Lopunny	Normal		Normal	no			no			no			--				--
446		Munchlax	Normal		Normal	no			no			no			4				4
463		Lickilicky	Normal		Normal	no			no			no			9				9
492		Shaymin	Grass		Grass	no			no			no			--			no
498		Tepig	Fire		Fire	no			no			no			no				13
499		Pignite	Fire	Fighting	no			no			no			no				13
500		Emboar	Fire	Fighting	no			no			no			no				13
517		Munna	Psychic		Psychic	no			no			no			no				--
518		Musharna	Psychic		Psychic	no			no			no			no				--
543		Venipede	Bug	Poison	no			no			no			no				--
544		Whirlipede	Bug	Poison	no			no			no			no				--
545		Scolipede	Bug	Poison	no			no			no			no				--
622		Golett	Ground	Ghost	no			no			no			no				--
623		Golurk	Ground	Ghost	no			no			no			no				--
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

By breeding

#	Pokémon		Type		Father
					I		II		III		IV		V
095		Onix	Rock	Ground	no
185		Sudowoodo	Rock		Rock	no
320		Wailmer	Water		Water	no
322		Numel	Fire	Ground
371		Bagon*	Dragon		Dragon	no				no
399		Bidoof	Normal		Normal	no
417		Pachirisu	Electric		Electric	no
420		Cherubi	Grass		Grass	no				no
438		Bonsly	Rock		Rock	no
590		Foongus*	Grass		Grass	no				no
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

By TM

#	Pokémon		Type		Machine
					I --		II TM40		III --		IV --		V --
001		Bulbasaur	Grass	Poison	✔												✔
002		Ivysaur	Grass	Poison	✔												✔
003		Venusaur	Grass	Poison	✔												✔
004		Charmander	Fire		Fire	✔												✔
005		Charmeleon	Fire		Fire	✔												✔
006		Charizard	Fire	Flying	✔												✔
007		Squirtle	Water		Water	✔												✔
008		Wartortle	Water		Water	✔												✔
009		Blastoise	Water		Water	✔												✔
019		Rattata	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
020		Raticate	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
025		Pikachu	Electric		Electric	✔												✔
026		Raichu	Electric		Electric	✔												✔
027		Sandshrew	Ground		Ground	✔												✔
028		Sandslash	Ground		Ground	✔												✔
029		Nidoran♀	Poison		Poison	✔												✔
030		Nidorina	Poison		Poison	✔												✔
031		Nidoqueen	Poison	Ground	✔												✔
032		Nidoran♂	Poison		Poison	✔												✔
033		Nidorino	Poison		Poison	✔												✔
034		Nidoking	Poison	Ground	✔												✔
035		Clefairy	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
036		Clefable	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
039		Jigglypuff	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
040		Wigglytuff	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
052		Meowth	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
053		Persian	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
056		Mankey	Fighting		Fighting	✔												✔
057		Primeape	Fighting		Fighting	✔												✔
060		Poliwag	Water		Water	✔												✔
061		Poliwhirl	Water		Water	✔												✔
062		Poliwrath	Water	Fighting	✔												✔
074		Geodude	Rock	Ground	✔												✔
075		Graveler	Rock	Ground	✔												✔
076		Golem	Rock	Ground	✔												✔
108		Lickitung	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
113		Chansey	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
143		Snorlax	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
151		Mew	Psychic		Psychic	✔												✔
155		Cyndaquil	Fire		Fire	✔												✔
156		Quilava	Fire		Fire	✔												✔
157		Typhlosion	Fire		Fire	✔												✔
161		Sentret	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
162		Furret	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
172		Pichu	Electric		Electric	✔												✔
173		Cleffa	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
174		Igglybuff	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
175		Togepi	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
176		Togetic	Normal	Flying	✔												✔
179		Mareep	Electric		Electric	✔												✔
180		Flaaffy	Electric		Electric	✔												✔
181		Ampharos	Electric		Electric	✔												✔
183		Marill	Water		Water	✔												✔
184		Azumarill	Water		Water	✔												✔
185		Sudowoodo	Rock		Rock	✔												✔
186		Politoed	Water		Water	✔												✔
187		Hoppip	Grass	Flying	✔												✔
188		Skiploom	Grass	Flying	✔												✔
189		Jumpluff	Grass	Flying	✔												✔
190		Aipom	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
194		Wooper	Water	Ground	✔												✔
195		Quagsire	Water	Ground	✔												✔
200		Misdreavus	Ghost		Ghost	✔												✔
204		Pineco	Bug		Bug	✔												✔
205		Forretress	Bug		Steel	✔												✔
206		Dunsparce	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
208		Steelix	Steel	Ground	✔												✔
209		Snubbull	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
210		Granbull	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
211		Qwilfish	Water	Poison	✔												✔
213		Shuckle	Bug	Rock	✔												✔
215		Sneasel	Dark	Ice	✔												✔
216		Teddiursa	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
217		Ursaring	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
218		Slugma	Fire		Fire	✔												✔
219		Magcargo	Fire	Rock	✔												✔
220		Swinub	Ice	Ground	✔												✔
221		Piloswine	Ice	Ground	✔												✔
222		Corsola	Water	Rock	✔												✔
223		Remoraid	Water		Water	✔												✔
224		Octillery	Water		Water	✔												✔
231		Phanpy	Ground		Ground	✔												✔
232		Donphan	Ground		Ground	✔												✔
233		Porygon2	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
241		Miltank	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
242		Blissey	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
251		Celebi	Psychic	Grass	✔												✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

By Move Tutor

#	Pokémon		Type		Game
					FRLG	E	XD
001		Bulbasaur	Grass	Poison					✔
002		Ivysaur	Grass	Poison					✔
003		Venusaur	Grass	Poison					✔
004		Charmander	Fire		Fire					✔
005		Charmeleon	Fire		Fire					✔
006		Charizard	Fire	Flying					✔
007		Squirtle	Water		Water					✔
008		Wartortle	Water		Water					✔
009		Blastoise	Water		Water					✔
019		Rattata	Normal		Normal					✔
020		Raticate	Normal		Normal					✔
025		Pikachu	Electric		Electric					✔
026		Raichu	Electric		Electric					✔
027		Sandshrew	Ground		Ground					✔
028		Sandslash	Ground		Ground					✔
029		Nidoran♀	Poison		Poison					✔
030		Nidorina	Poison		Poison					✔
031		Nidoqueen	Poison	Ground					✔
032		Nidoran♂	Poison		Poison					✔
033		Nidorino	Poison		Poison					✔
034		Nidoking	Poison	Ground					✔
035		Clefairy	Normal		Normal					✔
036		Clefable	Normal		Normal					✔
039		Jigglypuff	Normal		Normal					✔
040		Wigglytuff	Normal		Normal					✔
052		Meowth	Normal		Normal					✔
053		Persian	Normal		Normal					✔
056		Mankey	Fighting		Fighting					✔
057		Primeape	Fighting		Fighting					✔
060		Poliwag	Water		Water					✔
061		Poliwhirl	Water		Water					✔
062		Poliwrath	Water	Fighting					✔
074		Geodude	Rock	Ground					✔
075		Graveler	Rock	Ground					✔
076		Golem	Rock	Ground					✔
108		Lickitung	Normal		Normal					✔
113		Chansey	Normal		Normal					✔
143		Snorlax	Normal		Normal					✔
151		Mew	Psychic		Psychic					✔
155		Cyndaquil	Fire		Fire					✔
156		Quilava	Fire		Fire					✔
157		Typhlosion	Fire		Fire					✔
161		Sentret	Normal		Normal					✔
162		Furret	Normal		Normal					✔
172		Pichu	Electric		Electric					✔
173		Cleffa	Normal		Normal					✔
174		Igglybuff	Normal		Normal					✔
175		Togepi	Normal		Normal					✔
176		Togetic	Normal	Flying					✔
179		Mareep	Electric		Electric					✔
180		Flaaffy	Electric		Electric					✔
181		Ampharos	Electric		Electric					✔
183		Marill	Water		Water					✔
184		Azumarill	Water		Water					✔
185		Sudowoodo	Rock		Rock					✔
186		Politoed	Water		Water					✔
187		Hoppip	Grass	Flying					✔
188		Skiploom	Grass	Flying					✔
189		Jumpluff	Grass	Flying					✔
190		Aipom	Normal		Normal					✔
194		Wooper	Water	Ground					✔
195		Quagsire	Water	Ground					✔
200		Misdreavus	Ghost		Ghost					✔
204		Pineco	Bug		Bug					✔
205		Forretress	Bug	Steel					✔
206		Dunsparce	Normal		Normal					✔
208		Steelix	Steel	Ground					✔
209		Snubbull	Normal		Normal					✔
210		Granbull	Normal		Normal					✔
211		Qwilfish	Water	Poison					✔
213		Shuckle	Bug	Rock					✔
215		Sneasel	Dark	Ice					✔
216		Teddiursa	Normal		Normal					✔
217		Ursaring	Normal		Normal					✔
218		Slugma	Fire		Fire					✔
219		Magcargo	Fire	Rock					✔
220		Swinub	Ice	Ground					✔
221		Piloswine	Ice	Ground					✔
222		Corsola	Water	Rock					✔
223		Remoraid	Water		Water					✔
224		Octillery	Water		Water					✔
231		Phanpy	Ground		Ground					✔
232		Donphan	Ground		Ground					✔
233		Porygon2	Normal		Normal					✔
241		Miltank	Normal		Normal					✔
242		Blissey	Normal		Normal					✔
251		Celebi	Psychic	Grass					✔
258		Mudkip	Water		Water					✔
259		Marshtomp	Water	Ground					✔
260		Swampert	Water	Ground					✔
263		Zigzagoon	Normal		Normal					✔
264		Linoone	Normal		Normal					✔
273		Seedot	Grass		Grass					✔
274		Nuzleaf	Grass	Dark					✔
275		Shiftry	Grass	Dark					✔
280		Ralts	Psychic		Psychic					✔
281		Kirlia	Psychic		Psychic					✔
282		Gardevoir	Psychic		Psychic					✔
293		Whismur	Normal		Normal					✔
294		Loudred	Normal		Normal					✔
295		Exploud	Normal		Normal					✔
298		Azurill	Normal		Normal					✔
299		Nosepass	Rock		Rock					✔
300		Skitty	Normal		Normal					✔
301		Delcatty	Normal		Normal					✔
304		Aron	Steel	Rock					✔
305		Lairon	Steel	Rock					✔
306		Aggron	Steel	Rock					✔
311		Plusle	Electric		Electric					✔
312		Minun	Electric		Electric					✔
316		Gulpin	Poison		Poison					✔
317		Swalot	Poison		Poison					✔
320		Wailmer	Water		Water					✔
321		Wailord	Water		Water					✔
322		Numel	Fire	Ground					✔
323		Camerupt	Fire	Ground					✔
327		Spinda	Normal		Normal					✔
335		Zangoose	Normal		Normal					✔
337		Lunatone	Rock	Psychic					✔
338		Solrock	Rock	Psychic					✔
351		Castform	Normal		Normal					✔
352		Kecleon	Normal		Normal					✔
358		Chimecho	Psychic		Psychic					✔
362		Glalie	Ice		Ice					✔
363		Spheal	Ice	Water					✔
364		Sealeo	Ice	Water					✔
365		Walrein	Ice	Water					✔
372		Shelgon	Dragon		Dragon					✔
373		Salamence	Dragon	Flying					✔
375		Metang	Steel	Psychic					✔
376		Metagross	Steel	Psychic					✔
377		Regirock	Rock		Rock					✔
378		Regice	Ice		Ice					✔
379		Registeel	Steel		Steel					✔
382		Kyogre	Water		Water					✔
383		Groudon	Ground		Ground					✔
385		Jirachi	Steel	Psychic					✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

In the anime

Sentret	Phanpy	Golem	Donphan
The user curls up to conceal weak spots.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
Sandshrew	Sandshrew curls itself into a ball.
A.J.'s Sandshrew	Path to the Pokémon League		Debut Sandshrew could not legally learn Defense Curl at the time
Golem	Golem pulls its arms and legs into its shell, and hides its head, making itself a ball.
Chopper's Golem	The Bridge Bike Gang		None
A wild Golem	Hour of the Houndour		None
Sentret	Sentret rolls itself up in a ball.
A wild Sentret	Tanks a Lot!		None
Graveler	Graveler pulls its arms and legs in and curls itself into a ball.
Rory's Graveler	Spring Fever		None
Phanpy	Phanpy curls itself into a ball and becomes outlined in yellow, protecting it from attacks.
Ash's Phanpy	Entei at Your Own Risk		None
Poliwag	Poliwag pulls in its legs and wraps its tail around itself to make itself a ball.
A Poliwag Max borrowed from the Pokémon Trainer's School	Gonna Rule the School!		None
Donphan	Donphan curls itself into ball, protecting itself from attacks.
Ash's Donphan	Queen of the Serpentine!		None

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

	Golem
The user curls its body into a ball-like shape to heighten defense.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
Golem	Golem pulls its arms and legs into its shell, protecting it from attacks.
Yellow's Gravvy	The Legend		Debut

In the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure! manga

	Munchlax
The user curls its body to strength its defense.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
Munchlax	Munchlax rolls around.
A wild Munchlax	Find Munchlax!!		Debut

In other generations

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	FRLG	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battle Revolution (alternative animation)	Battrio	Mystery Dungeon	PMD: Red and Blue	PMD: Time, Darkness, Sky	Rumble	Rumble Blast

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	FRLG	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battle Revolution (alternative animation)	Battrio	Mystery Dungeon	PMD: Red and Blue	PMD: Time, Darkness, Sky	Rumble	Rumble Blast

In other languages

Language Title Mandarin Chinese 防衛卷 Fángwèijuǎn Dutch Verdedigingsrol Finnish Puolustuskihara (AG140) French Boul'Armure German Einigler Greek Αμυντική Περιέλιξη Hindi बचाओ पैतरा "Bachao paintra" Italian Ricciolscudo Korean 웅크리기 Ungkeurigi Brazilian Portuguese Rolo de Defesa Serbian Sklupčavanje Spanish Rizo Defensa

Variations of the move Defense Curl
Defense Curl • Howl • Meditate • Withdraw

This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.