I. Introduction
Welcome to our guide on evolving Basculin in the Pokemon games! For those unfamiliar with this particular Pokemon, Basculin is a Water-type fish Pokemon that originated from the Unova region. It has two different forms – the blue-striped form and the red-striped form – which is unique among Pokemon species.
While Basculin may not be the most popular Pokemon, its evolution is crucial for trainers who want to add a powerful Water-type to their team. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about evolving Basculin and turning it into a formidable Pokemon.
1. Types
As mentioned earlier, Basculin is a Water-type Pokemon. This means that it is strong against Fire, Ground, and Rock-type Pokemon, while being weak against Electric and Grass-type Pokemon. Its typing also makes it immune to moves like Thunder Wave and Sand Attack.
2. Importance of Evolution
While Basculin may not be the most impressive Pokemon on its own, its evolution – into either Red-Striped Basculin or Blue-Striped Basculin – brings significant improvements to its stats and moveset. For instance, Red-Striped Basculin gets a boost to its Attack and Special Attack stats, while Blue-Striped Basculin gets a boost to Defense and Special Defense.
Moreover, the evolved forms of Basculin learn a wider variety of moves that can be used to great effect in battle. This makes evolving Basculin a smart choice for trainers looking to strengthen their team.
B. Purpose of the Article
In this article, we’ll explore the different ways in which Basculin can be evolved. We’ll cover the evolution process through leveling up and the use of Water Stones, as well as tips for strengthening Basculin through its moveset.
We’ll also offer advice on catching and building a balanced team with Basculin, and provide tips for success in both casual play and competitive battles. By the end of this guide, you’ll have all the information you need to turn your Basculin into a powerhouse.
II. The Evolution Process
A. Leveling Up
The most common way to evolve Basculin is through leveling up. As with most Pokemon, Basculin evolves once it reaches a certain level. In the case of Basculin, it evolves at level 31.
1. Stages of Leveling Up
As you battle with Basculin and it gains experience points, it will gradually level up. Each time it levels up, its stats will improve slightly. Once it reaches level 31, it will evolve into either Red-Striped Basculin or Blue-Striped Basculin, depending on its specific form.
2. Benefits of Leveling Up
The main benefit of evolving Basculin through leveling up is that it doesn’t require any special items or conditions. As long as you keep fighting with Basculin, it will level up naturally and eventually evolve into a stronger form.
Additionally, when you evolve through leveling up, you have more control over the moves your Pokemon learns. You can choose which moves to teach Basculin as it levels up, ensuring that it has a moveset that complements your team.
B. Using a Water Stone
If you want to evolve Basculin more quickly or if you don’t want to wait until it reaches level 31, you can use a Water Stone. A Water Stone is a special item that can be found or purchased in various locations throughout the game.
1. Explanation of Water Stones
Water Stones are evolution stones that can be used to evolve certain Water-type Pokemon. In addition to Basculin, Water Stones can be used to evolve Pokemon like Eevee, Shellder, and Lombre, among others.
2. Step-by-Step Guide
To use a Water Stone to evolve Basculin, you’ll first need to acquire one. Water Stones can be found in various locations throughout the game, such as PokeMarts, hidden items in the overworld, and through various NPCs as rewards. Once you have a Water Stone, follow these steps:
- Make sure Basculin is in your party.
- Open your inventory and select the Water Stone.
- Choose “Use” from the menu and select Basculin as the Pokemon to use it on.
- Confirm your choice, and Basculin will automatically evolve into its next form.
After using the Water Stone, Basculin will evolve into either Red-Striped Basculin or Blue-Striped Basculin, depending on its original form.
III. Strengthening Through Moves
A. Overview of Moves Available to Basculin
Basculin has access to a variety of moves, both physical and special. Some of its most powerful moves include Aqua Tail, which is a strong physical Water-type move, and Crunch, a physical Dark-type move that can lower the opponent’s Defense stat. Basculin also learns a variety of support moves, such as Aqua Jet and Endure, which can come in handy in certain situations.
It’s worth noting that Basculin’s moveset can vary slightly depending on its form. Red-Striped Basculin generally has a more offensive moveset, while Blue-Striped Basculin leans more towards defense and support moves.
B. Guide to Move Sets that May Work Best for Basculin
When it comes to building Basculin’s moveset, there are a few strategies you can take. Here are two possible move sets that may work well depending on your play style.
1. Physical Attacks
If you prefer a more offensive playstyle, prioritizing physical attacks may be the way to go. This moveset focuses on dealing as much damage as possible while taking advantage of Basculin’s high Attack stat.
- Aqua Tail – a strong Water-type move with 90 base power.
- Crunch – a Dark-type move that lowers the target’s Defense stat and deal damage.
- Return – a Normal-type move that deals more damage the higher Basculin’s happiness level.
- Superpower – a Fighting-type move that lowers Basculin’s Attack and Defense stats but deals high damage to opponents.
2. Special Attacks
For a more balanced approach, consider teaching Basculin a mix of physical and special moves. This moveset takes advantage of Basculin’s decent Special Attack stat while still packing a punch with strong physical moves.
- Surf – a Water-type move that hits all adjacent Pokemon and deals damage.
- Ice Beam – an Ice-type special move with high base power that has a chance of freezing the opponent.
- Aqua Tail – a strong physical Water-type move with 90 base power.
- Crunch – a Dark-type move that lowers the target’s Defense stat and deal damage.
IV. Navigating the Unova Region
A. Tips on Where to Find Basculin
Basculin can be found in a variety of locations throughout the Unova region. Here are a few tips that may help you locate and catch Basculin.
1. Location
Basculin can be found in many bodies of water throughout the Unova region. It’s most common in places like Route 1, Route 3, and Route 6, but it can also be found in Fishing Spots and certain caves. Pay attention to the bodies of water you pass by as you explore – you may spot a Basculin swimming around.
2. Seasonal Changes
In some locations, Basculin’s appearance will change based on the season. For example, on Route 5, you’ll find Blue-Striped Basculin in the spring and summer, and Red-Striped Basculin in the autumn and winter. Similarly, in Undella Bay, you’ll find Blue-Striped Basculin during the spring and summer months, and Red-Striped Basculin in the autumn and winter months.
B. How to Best Catch Basculin
Now that you know where to find Basculin, it’s time to catch one. Here are a few tips that may help you catch Basculin more easily.
1. Strategies for Success
- Use a Pokemon with a sleep or paralysis move to make Basculin easier to catch.
- Wear the Catcher Trainer class outfit to increase your chance of catching Pokemon.
- Use Poke Balls with a higher catch rate, such as Ultra Balls.
2. Recommended Poke Balls
When it comes to catching Basculin, there are a few Poke Balls that may work better than others. Here are a few options you might want to consider:
- Ultra Ball – This Poke Ball has a high catch rate and can increase your chances of catching Basculin.
- Dive Ball – If you plan on catching Basculin in the water, the Dive Ball has a catch rate that’s four times higher than usual.
- Net Ball – Since Basculin is a Water-type Pokemon, the Net Ball has an increased catch rate when used against it.
V. Building a Balanced Team
A. Explanation of What a Balanced Team Is
A balanced Pokemon team is one that includes a variety of Pokemon with different types and movesets. A balanced team is essential for winning battles and allows you to easily switch out Pokemon to take advantage of different matchups.
B. Strategies for Including Basculin
When it comes to building a balanced team that includes Basculin, there are a few strategies you can use.
1. Pairing with Complementary Pokemon
One effective strategy is to pair Basculin with other Pokemon that complement its strengths and weaknesses. For example, you might pair Basculin with a Grass-type Pokemon like Serperior, which can cover Basculin’s Electric-type weakness.
2. Addressing Weaknesses and Strengths of Team
Another way to build a balanced team is to make sure each Pokemon can counter the weaknesses of the other team members. For instance, if you have a team with many Water-type Pokemon, you may want to include a Pokemon with a strong Electric-type move to cover your team’s weakness to that type.
VI. Battle Tips
A. Common Battle Scenarios
Whether you’re battling Gym leaders or the Elite Four, your Basculin can be a valuable asset in many different scenarios. Here are a few tips for success in common battle situations.
1. Gym Battles
In Gym battles, it’s important to know the weaknesses of the Gym Leader’s Pokemon. For example, if you’re facing a Gym Leader with a Grass-type Pokemon, you’ll want to use a Pokemon with a Fire-type move to deal extra damage.
2. Elite Four Battles
The Elite Four battles are a series of tough battles that require a well-balanced team. In these battles, you’ll want to take advantage of Basculin’s strengths and use its moveset to the best of your ability. You may also want to use items like healing potions and status condition-curing items to keep your team in top shape.
B. Tips for Success
1. Maximize Basculin’s Strengths
- Take advantage of Basculin’s high Attack or Special Attack stat depending on your moveset.
- Use Basculin’s Water-type moves to deal extra damage to Fire, Ground, and Rock-type Pokemon.
- Use Basculin’s Aqua Jet move to move first in battle and potentially KO an opponent before they can attack.
2. Minimize Weaknesses
- Watch out for Electric and Grass-type moves, which are super effective against Basculin.
- Avoid using Basculin against opponents with high Speed stats, as Basculin has below-average Speed.
- Make sure to switch out Basculin if it is weak against the opponent’s moves to avoid fainting.
VII. Competitive Play
A. Explanation of Competitive Play
Competitive play refers to battles between two trainers who have prepared specifically for battle. In competitive play, there are often strict sets of rules and restrictions on which Pokemon can be used and what moves they can have.
B. Tips for Using Basculin
If you plan on using Basculin in competitive play, here are a few tips that may help:
1. Building a Unique Moveset
In competitive play, many trainers may be using the same Pokemon and movesets. To stand out, consider teaching Basculin moves that might be unexpected. For example, you might teach it the move Soak, which turns the target into a Water-type and makes Electric-type attacks no longer super effective.
