Basculin (Pokémon): Difference between revisions

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
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Basculin Hostile Pokémon Mellow Pokémon バスラオ Bassrao #550 Red-Striped Form Blue-Striped Form White-Striped Form Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Water Unknown Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Form Unknown Unknown White-Striped Form Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Reckless or Adaptability Red-Striped Form Rock Head or Adaptability Blue-Striped Form Rattled or Adaptability White-Striped Form Mold Breaker Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Blue-Striped Form Cacophony White-Striped Form
Gender ratio Unknown 50% male, 50% female	Catch rate 25 (7.7%)
Breeding Egg Group Water 2 Hatch time 40 cycles
Height 3'03" 1.0 m Red-Striped Form 0'0" 0 m Blue-Striped Form 0'0" 0 m White-Striped Form 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 39.7 lbs. 18.0 kg Red-Striped Form 0 lbs. 0 kg Blue-Striped Form 0 lbs. 0 kg White-Striped Form 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield Unknown Gen. IV Unknown IV 161	Leveling rate Medium Fast
EV yield Total: 2 Red-Striped Form 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 2 Speed Blue-Striped Form 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed White-Striped Form 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint Blue-Striped Form
Pokédex color   Green	Base friendship 70
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

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

Basculin has three different appearances: Red-Striped Form; Blue-Striped Form; and, in the Hisui region, White-Striped Form.

Red- and Blue-Striped Basculin are not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

In Hisui, Basculin has a Water-type regional form. White-Striped Basculin evolves into Basculegion after losing at least 294 HP from recoil damage, not counting damage that results in it fainting.

Biology

Basculin is a green aquatic Pokémon that comes in three forms. The bodies of both the Red- and Blue-Striped Forms are the same. They have a green, ovoid body, tapering off in the rear to a trapezoidal tail fin. A thick black stripe covers the top of their body from mouth to tail and a white, dorsal fin with four protrusions resembling spikes. Their lower jaw juts ahead of their upper jaw, with a small indent near the edges of their mouth. Both forms have three black dots on both sides of their body, behind their pectoral fins.

The main difference between the three forms of Basculin is the color of the stripe that separates the black and green on their body. All forms of Basculin have fins in the same places, with one on top of their body ahead of the tail fin, one below the body ahead of the tail fin, and two side fins. The Red-Striped Form has jagged fins that resemble tridents, whereas the Blue-Striped Form has smooth fins all around. The Red-Striped Form have circular, red eyes, while the Blue-Striped Form have narrower, blue eyes.

Red- and Blue-Striped Basculin are extremely hostile, especially towards their opposite form. They generally start fighting each other on sight for territory. However, on rare occasions, one form may swim with the other's school. When a school of Basculin appears in a lake, Pokémon other than Corphish and Crawdaunt flee. Basculin has often been referred to as "the thug of the lake". Basculin uses its jaws to devour everything in its way. However, despite their fierce reputation, they become prey to stronger organisms. Basculin are also consumed by humans and considered very delicious. The Blue-Striped Form is a common food source with an inoffensive, light flavor. The Red-Striped Form was often placed on dinner plates in the past, and it is more popular with the youth. The meat of the Red-Striped Form is said to be fatty. Basculin is a popular Pokémon that anglers enjoy fighting while fishing, and they often release it back into the lake illegally due to how abundant the Basculin are. It competes with Carvanha for food.

In Hisui, White-Striped Basculin has a similar appearance to the other two forms of Basculin. Despite its descriptor, the stripes above its eyes are actually a very pale shade of light blue, as are its irises. Its pectoral fins are smooth like Blue-Striped Basculin, but larger. Its dorsal fins are spiky and it has wide eyes, like Red-Striped Basculin. Its lower jaw is smaller than the jaws of either Red- or Blue-Striped Basculin, and both its lower and upper jaws have beak-like protrusions at the front. White-Striped Basculin is considered a regional form by technicality due to similarities on what classifies as one.

Unlike the other two forms, White-Striped Basculin are known to be gentle. The journey upstream is often perilous for the species, and many of them don't survive. As a result, the deceased souls of White-Striped Basculin who died are often left behind in the waters of Hisui. However, when an injured White-Striped Basculin survives, it can unite with the souls in order to achieve the unique evolution into Basculegion.

In the anime

Main series

A Blue-Striped Basculin in the anime

A Red-Striped Basculin in the anime

Major appearances

Two forms of Basculin debuted in A Fishing Connoisseur in a Fishy Competition!. Cilan managed to capture a Blue-Striped one during a fishing competition, but a wild Frillish released it. A Red-Striped and a Blue-Striped one were seen being reeled in by two Trainers. Iris managed to fish another Blue-Striped one with her bare hands but was penalized for it.

A Red-Striped Basculin appeared in PK22, where it played a major role.

Minor appearances

Two forms of Basculin appeared in White—Victini and Zekrom and Black—Victini and Reshiram: the Blue-Striped form was exclusive to the former movie, and the Red-Striped form was exclusive to the latter.

Multiple Basculin appeared in Stopping the Rage of Legends! Part 1 and 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!.

In Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice, a Blue-Striped Basculin was living at Pokémon Hills. It tried to attack Ash and Pikachu while they were riding the Douse Drive Genesect over a pond.

In Going for the Gold!, multiple Red-Striped Basculin and one Blue-Striped Basculin were seen in the Ambrette Aquarium.

Pokédex entries

Pokémon: Twilight Wings

In Early-Evening Waves, multiple Red-Striped and Blue-Striped Basculin were living in a lake where Nessa was doing a photoshoot.

In the manga

Red-striped Basculin in Be the Best! Pokémon B+W

Be the Best! Pokémon B+W

In The Key to Triple Battles, Cheren uses a Red-Striped Basculin against Monta in a Triple Battle.

Pocket Monsters BW: Good Partners

Two Basculin, each of a different form, appeared in BWGP04.

Pokémon Adventures

Red-Striped Basculin in Pokémon Adventures

Blue-Striped Basculin in Pokémon Adventures

A Red-Striped Basculin was first seen in Underground Showdown at Route 6, jumping out of the water as Black and Clay traveled to Chargestone Cave.

A Red-Striped Basculin appeared in Dream a Little Dream.

A Blue-Striped Basculin is owned by one of the Shadow Triad. It was used to attack Lenora at Nacrene City. It first appeared in The Battle Within.

Two Basculin, each of a different form, appeared in Pink Slip.

In the TCG

Main article: Basculin (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In side games

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Black	White	DeepSeaTooth (5%)*	DeepSeaScale (5%)*
Black 2	White 2	DeepSeaTooth (5%)*	DeepSeaScale (5%)*
X	Y	Deep Sea Tooth (5%)*	Deep Sea Scale (5%)*
Ultra Sun	Ultra Moon	Deep Sea Tooth (5%)
Ultra Sun	Ultra Moon	Deep Sea Scale (5%)

In-game trades

Game		Held Item(s)
Black	White	Sitrus Berry (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Type effectiveness

Learnset

Both Red-Striped and Blue-Striped Basculin are available in Sword and Shield, while White-Striped Basculin is available in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

By leveling up

Red-Striped/Blue-Striped Basculin

SwSh

White-Striped Basculin

LA Template:Learnlist/levelh/PLA Template:Learnlist/levelPLA Template:Learnlist/levelPLA Template:Learnlist/levelPLA Template:Learnlist/levelPLA Template:Learnlist/levelPLA Template:Learnlist/levelPLA Template:Learnlist/levelPLA

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• 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/TR

Generation VIII Other generations: V - VI - VII - IX

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM21 TM21 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM24 TM24 Snore Normal Special 05050 100}}100% 15 TM25 TM25 Protect Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM26 TM26 Scary Face Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM27 TM27 Icy Wind Ice Special 05555 095}}95% 15 TM31 TM31 Attract Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM33 TM33 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM35 TM35 Hail Ice Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM36 TM36 Whirlpool Water Special 03535 085}}85% 15 TM39 TM39 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM40 TM40 Swift Normal Special 06060 00—}}—% 20 TM42 TM42 Revenge Fighting Physical 06060 100}}100% 10 TM45 TM45 Dive Water Physical 08080 100}}100% 10 TM52 TM52 Bounce Flying Physical 08585 085}}85% 5 TM53 TM53 Mud Shot Ground Special 05555 095}}95% 15 TM55 TM55 Brine Water Special 06565 100}}100% 10 TM58 TM58 Assurance Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 10 TM67 TM67 Ice Fang Ice Physical 06565 095}}95% 15 TM76 TM76 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TR03 TR03 Hydro Pump Water Special 110110 080}}80% 5 TR04 TR04 Surf Water Special 09090 100}}100% 15 TR05 TR05 Ice Beam Ice Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TR12 TR12 Agility Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 30 TR16 TR16 Waterfall Water Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TR20 TR20 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR21 TR21 Reversal Fighting Physical 0000— 100}}100% 15 TR26 TR26 Endure Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR27 TR27 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR32 TR32 Crunch Dark Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TR35 TR35 Uproar Normal Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TR37 TR37 Taunt Dark Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 TR39 TR39 Superpower Fighting Physical 120120 100}}100% 5 TR45 TR45 Muddy Water Water Special 09090 085}}85% 10 TR69 TR69 Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical 08080 090}}90% 15 TR84 TR84 Scald Water Special 08080 100}}100% 15 TR97 TR97 Psychic Fangs Psychic Physical 08585 100}}100% 10 TR98 TR98 Liquidation Water Physical 08585 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 Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Red-Striped/Blue-Striped Basculin

Generation VIII Other generations: V - VI - VII - IX

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  Bubble Beam Water Special 65 100% 20 Endeavor Normal Physical — 100% 5

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Basculin in Generation VIII 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 Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Red-Striped/Blue-Striped Basculin

SwSh

White-Striped Basculin

LA

By transfer from another generation

Side game data

Red-Striped Form

Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●●● Defense ●● Speed ●●●

Pokémon Rumble Rush Walking Speed: 2.33 seconds Base HP: 53 Base Attack: 77 Base Defense: 51 Base Speed: 60

PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond PokéPark Pad entry: He likes the water where he lives, but he sometimes swims to another Area for fun.

Pokémon Battle Trozei Water Attack Power: ★★★★★

Pokémon Shuffle Water Attack Power: 60 - 125 15 #756 Hitting Streak+ Increases damage when it is triggered in a row.

Pokémon GO Base HP: 172 Base Attack: 189 Base Defense: 129 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 1 km Evolution Requirement: N/A Fast Attacks: Tackle, Water Gun Charged Attacks: Aqua Jet, Aqua Tail, Muddy Water

Blue-Striped Form

Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●●● Defense ●● Speed ●●●

Pokémon Rumble Rush Walking Speed: 2.33 seconds Base HP: 53 Base Attack: 77 Base Defense: 51 Base Speed: 60

Pokémon Battle Trozei Water Attack Power: ★★★★★

Pokémon Shuffle Water Attack Power: 60 - 125 15 #756 Hitting Streak+ Increases damage when it is triggered in a row.

Pokémon GO Base HP: 172 Base Attack: 189 Base Defense: 129 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 1 km Evolution Requirement: N/A Fast Attacks: Tackle, Water Gun Charged Attacks: Aqua Jet, Aqua Tail, Muddy Water

Evolution

Red-Striped

Red-Striped Does not evolve Basculin  Water

Blue-Striped

Blue-Striped Does not evolve Basculin  Water

White-Striped

Unevolved Basculin White-Striped  Water	Lose at least 294 HP from recoil (male) →	First evolution Basculegion Male  Water  Ghost
	Lose at least 294 HP from recoil (female) →	First evolution Basculegion Female  Water  Ghost

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation V.
Generation V Black White Black 2 White 2 Front Back Front Back
Generation VI X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Front Back Front Back
Generation VII Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Front Back Front Back
Generation VIII Sword Shield File:Spr 8s 550W.png File:Spr 8s 550W s.png

For other sprites and images, please see Basculin images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• In Pokémon Black and White, Blue-Striped Basculin have the same two standard possible Abilities as Red-Striped Basculin—Reckless and Adaptability (and is listed as such in Pokédex 3D); however, the Blue-Striped Basculin that can be obtained via in-game trade in White has the Ability Rock Head. In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, wild Blue-Striped Basculin's two standard possible Abilities are Rock Head and Adaptability, while Red-Striped Basculin's stay the same (and are listed as such in Pokédex 3D Pro). However, Blue-Striped Basculin bred in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 have Reckless and Adaptability as their two standard Abilities. When a Blue-Striped Basculin with Reckless is transferred from Generation V to Generation VI, its Ability is changed to Rock Head.
• Red- and Blue-Striped Basculin share their category with Zweilous. They are both known as the Hostile Pokémon.
• Basculin's Pokédex entries in Pokémon Black 2, White 2, X, Omega Ruby, Sword, and Shield describe the way they taste, one of the rare instances that hint at Pokémon being used for food by humans.
• Despite the form being called a White-Striped Basculin, its Pokédex entry written by Professor Laventon, along with Pokémon HOME, classify it as a Hisuian form.
  • In the TCG, Basculin cards featuring the White-Striped Form are called Hisuian Basculin.
  • White-Striped Basculin is the only regional form whose type is exactly the same as its original form.

Origin

Basculin is based on a bass,^[1] most likely the largemouth bass due to its greenish color, pattern of horizontal splotches, and vigorous resistance when being fished. It is likely also inspired by the piranha, which has historically been viewed as violent. Its red and blue variations that are hostile to each other is similar to Siamese fighting fish, which come in a variety of colors (including red and blue), and are extremely aggressive and territorial to others. It could also be compared to street gangs, where groups of affiliated people often fight rival groups over their own territory.

According to interviews with Ken Sugimori in Nintendo Dream Vol. 205, Basculin was created late in development when they realized there were few new "standard" fishlike 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 it was also based on a bass since there are wild bass in New York.^[1]

While Basculin's White-Striped Form may likewise be inspired by a bass, its design is also reminiscent of the salmon or the related itou (Sakhalin taimen), due to its behavior and the shape of its mouth resembling the kypes that develop in male salmon.

The selection of colored forms being red, white, and blue may reference the national flag of the USA, where Unova, the region Basculin was first introduced, is based.

Name origin

Basculin may be 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 Japanese バスラオ Bassrao From bass and 丈夫 masurao or bacalhau French Bargantua From bar and Gargantua, a powerful giant in French literature Spanish Basculin Same as English name German Barschuft From Barsch and Schuft Italian Basculin Same as English name Korean 배쓰나이 Bessnai From bass and 사나이 sana-i Mandarin Chinese 野蠻鱸魚 / 野蛮鲈鱼 Yěmánlúyú* 勇士鱸魚 / 勇士鲈鱼 Yǒngshìlúyú* From 野蠻 yěmán and 鱸魚 lúyú From 勇士 yǒngshì and 鱸魚 lúyú Cantonese Chinese 野蠻鱸魚 Yéhmàahnlòuhyùh* 勇士鱸魚 Yúhngsihlòuhyùh* From 野蠻 yéhmàahn and 鱸魚 lòuhyùh From 勇士 yúhngsih and 鱸魚 lòuhyùh

More languages Russian Баскулин Baskulin Transcription of English name Thai บาสราโอ Basrao Transcription of Japanese name

Red-Striped Form Language Title Japanese あかすじのすがた Akasuji no Sugata Chinese Cantonese 紅條紋的樣子 Hùhngtìuhmàhn-dīk Yeuhngjí Mandarin 紅條紋的樣子 / 红条纹的样子 Hóngtiáowén-de Yàngzi * 紅線 Hóngxiàn * French Motif Rouge German Rotlinige Form Indonesian Bentuk Bergaris Merah Italian Forma Linearossa Korean 적색근의 모습 Jeoksaekgeun-ui Moseup Malaysian Bentuk Belang Merah Polish Forma Czerwono Paskowana Spanish Forma Raya Roja Thai ร่างแถบสีแดง Rang Thaep Sidaeng

Blue-Striped Form Language Title Japanese あおすじのすがた Aosuji no Sugata Chinese Cantonese 藍條紋的樣子 Làahmtìuhmàhn-dīk Yeuhngjí Mandarin 藍條紋的樣子 / 蓝条纹的样子 Lántiáowén-de Yàngzi * 藍線 Lánxiàn * French Motif Bleu German Blaulinige Form Indonesian Bentuk Bergaris Biru Italian Forma Lineablu Korean 청색근의 모습 Cheongsaekgeun-ui Moseup Malaysian Bentuk Belang Biru Polish Forma Niebiesko Paskowana Spanish Forma Raya Azul Thai ร่างแถบสีฟ้า Rang Thaep Sifa

White-Striped Form Language Title Japanese しろすじのすがた Shirosuji no Sugata Chinese Cantonese 白条纹的樣子 Baahktìuhmàhn-dīk Yeuhngjí Mandarin 白条纹的樣子 / 白条纹的样子 Báitiáowén-de Yàngzi French Motif Blanc German Weißlinige Form Italian Forma Lineabianca Korean 백색근의 모습 Baeksaekgun-ui Moseup Spanish Forma Raya Blanca

Related articles

• List of Pokémon with form differences

Notes

External links

← #549: Lilligant

Pokémon

#551: Sandile →

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