Basculin (Pokémon)

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 #0550 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 (which is considered a regional form).

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

White-Striped Basculin evolves into Basculegion after losing at least 294 HP from recoil damage without 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. Basculin is full of vitality and reproduces quickly. When a school of Basculin appears in a lake, Pokémon other than Corphish and Crawdaunt flee. It competes with Carvanha for food.

Basculin has often been referred to as "the thug of the lake" or "Thug of the River", and uses its jaws, which are strong enough to leave bite marks in iron sheets, to devour everything in its way. However, despite their fierce reputation, Basculin become prey to stronger organisms, such as Bombirdier and Dondozo. Basculin were once also consumed by humans, and were considered very delicious. The meat of Blue-Striped Basculin has an inoffensive, light flavor, while the meat of Red-Striped Basculin is fattier, and was more popular with the youth. Basculin is a popular Pokémon with anglers due to its resistance. Many people release Basculin into lakes illegally, causing its population to grow abundant.

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. They are known to travel upstream; the journey is often perilous for the species, and many of them don't survive. As a result, the souls of the deceased White-Striped Basculin 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

By leveling up

Red-Striped/Blue-Striped Basculin

White-Striped Basculin

By TM

Red-Striped/Blue-Striped Basculin

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

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM001 TM001 Take Down Normal Physical 09090 085}}85% 20 TM004 TM004 Agility Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 30 TM006 TM006 Scary Face Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM007 TM007 Protect Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM010 TM010 Ice Fang Ice Physical 06565 095}}95% 15 TM011 TM011 Water Pulse Water Special 06060 100}}100% 20 TM022 TM022 Chilling Water Water Special 05050 100}}100% 20 TM025 TM025 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM032 TM032 Swift Normal Special 06060 00—}}—% 20 TM034 TM034 Icy Wind Ice Special 05555 095}}95% 15 TM035 TM035 Mud Shot Ground Special 05555 095}}95% 15 TM047 TM047 Endure Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM050 TM050 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM052 TM052 Snowscape Ice Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM059 TM059 Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical 08080 090}}90% 15 TM063 TM063 Psychic Fangs Psychic Physical 08585 100}}100% 10 TM070 TM070 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM077 TM077 Waterfall Water Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TM085 TM085 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM087 TM087 Taunt Dark Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM103 TM103 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM108 TM108 Crunch Dark Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TM110 TM110 Liquidation Water Physical 08585 100}}100% 10 TM123 TM123 Surf Water Special 09090 100}}100% 15 TM134 TM134 Reversal Fighting Physical 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM135 TM135 Ice Beam Ice Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TM142 TM142 Hydro Pump Water Special 110110 080}}80% 5 TM143 TM143 Blizzard Ice Special 110110 070}}70% 5 TM152 TM152 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5 TM163 TM163 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5 TM171 TM171 Tera Blast Normal Special 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 or an alternate form of Basculin Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

White-Striped Basculin

Generation IX Other generations: VIII

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM001 TM001 Take Down Normal Physical 09090 085}}85% 20 TM004 TM004 Agility Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 30 TM006 TM006 Scary Face Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM007 TM007 Protect Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM010 TM010 Ice Fang Ice Physical 06565 095}}95% 15 TM011 TM011 Water Pulse Water Special 06060 100}}100% 20 TM022 TM022 Chilling Water Water Special 05050 100}}100% 20 TM025 TM025 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM032 TM032 Swift Normal Special 06060 00—}}—% 20 TM034 TM034 Icy Wind Ice Special 05555 095}}95% 15 TM035 TM035 Mud Shot Ground Special 05555 095}}95% 15 TM047 TM047 Endure Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM050 TM050 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM052 TM052 Snowscape Ice Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM059 TM059 Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical 08080 090}}90% 15 TM063 TM063 Psychic Fangs Psychic Physical 08585 100}}100% 10 TM070 TM070 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM077 TM077 Waterfall Water Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TM085 TM085 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM103 TM103 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM108 TM108 Crunch Dark Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TM110 TM110 Liquidation Water Physical 08585 100}}100% 10 TM123 TM123 Surf Water Special 09090 100}}100% 15 TM135 TM135 Ice Beam Ice Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TM142 TM142 Hydro Pump Water Special 110110 080}}80% 5 TM143 TM143 Blizzard Ice Special 110110 070}}70% 5 TM171 TM171 Tera Blast Normal Special 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 or an alternate form of Basculin

By breeding

Red-Striped/Blue-Striped Basculin

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

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 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

White-Striped Basculin

Generation IX Other generations: VIII

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  * Endeavor Normal Physical — 100% 5 * Last Respects Ghost Physical 50 100% 10

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Basculin 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

Red-Striped Basculin

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 Basculin

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

White-Striped Basculin

Pokémon GO File:GO550W.png Base HP: 172 Base Attack: 208 Base Defense: 159 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 1 km Evolution Requirement: Fast Attacks: Charged Attacks:

Evolution

Red-Striped

Unevolved Basculin Red-Striped  Water

Blue-Striped

Unevolved Basculin Blue-Striped  Water

White-Striped

Unevolved Basculin White-Striped  Water	+ Lose at least 294 HP from recoil without fainting (male) →	First evolution Basculegion Male  Water  Ghost
	+ Lose at least 294 HP from recoil without fainting (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 Legends: Arceus

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-Striped and Blue-Striped variations that are hostile to each other are 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 number 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 Wujud Bergaris Merah* 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 Wujud Bergaris Biru* 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 白條紋的樣子 Baahktìuhmàhn-dīk Yeuhngjí Mandarin 白條紋的樣子 / 白条纹的样子 Báitiáowén-de Yàngzi French Motif Blanc German Weißlinige Form Indonesian Wujud Bergaris Putih Italian Forma Lineabianca Korean 백색근의 모습 Baeksaekgun-ui Moseup Malaysian Bentuk Jalur Putih Spanish Forma Raya Blanca Thai ร่างแถบสีขาว Rang Thaep Sikhao ร่างแถบขาว Rang Thaep Khao*

Related articles

• List of Pokémon with form differences

References

External links

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Pokémon

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