Weak to (2x damage):
Resistant to (½x damage):
Generation VI · #0688 — Two-Handed Pokémon
Binacle, the Two-Handed Pokémon, is a Rock/Water-type species introduced in Generation VI that represents one of the most unique symbiotic relationships in the Pokémon world. Always found as a pair living together on a single gray rock, Binacle demonstrates that cooperation is essential to its survival. With a base stat total of 306, Binacle possesses a balanced defensive profile with 67 Defense and 56 Special Defense, making it surprisingly durable for its diminutive 0.5-meter height and 31-kilogram weight. The species evolves into the more powerful Barbaracle at level 39, marking a dramatic transformation from a duo-based Pokémon to a multi-armed powerhouse. Binacle's dual typing gives it a complex set of resistances and weaknesses that define its role in competitive play and casual teams alike.
0.5m
31.0kg
Two-Handed Pokémon
Male 50% / Female 50%
brown
heads
Strengthens moves that make contact to 1.33× their power.
Strengthens critical hits to inflict 3× damage rather than 2×.
Steals attacking Pokémon's held items on contact.
Binacle's appearance draws inspiration from goose barnacles, creatures that cling to rocks in marine environments. Each individual resembles a hand and arm, with the head serving as the 'palm' of this living appendage, complete with a brown complexion, puffy orange cheeks, and three prominent long claws extending from the top. The body transitions to orange with a distinctive white band encircling the middle section. The most remarkable biological aspect of Binacle is that it is never found alone—two individuals always inhabit the same rock, forming an inseparable pair bound by necessity rather than choice. These two Binacle move together by stretching and contracting their bodies, yanking their shared rock along in bold, coordinated hops across the shoreline. This locomotion method, while peculiar, proves highly effective for traversing rocky coastal areas and accessing seaweed, their primary dietary staple.
Binacle exhibits a perfectly balanced gender ratio of 50% male and 50% female, allowing for flexible breeding combinations and equal representation of both sexes in wild populations. Belonging to the Water 3 egg group, Binacle can breed with other aquatic and semi-aquatic Pokémon that share this classification. The species has a relatively quick hatch time of 20 cycles, translating to approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps before an egg hatches into a new Binacle. With a base happiness value of 70 in Generations VI and VII (later adjusted), Binacle shows a moderate fondness for trainers, making it a reasonably cooperative partner for players who invest in its care and training. The breeding mechanics of Binacle are particularly interesting given the species' biological requirement for pairs—while individual Binacle can be bred and raised in isolation by trainers, their lore constantly emphasizes that in nature, they seek out companions, suggesting that a trainer's treatment and attention serves as a substitute for the partnership they would normally maintain with another Binacle.
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Binacle undergoes its evolution into Barbaracle at level 39, a transformation that fundamentally alters the species' form and capabilities. Rather than remaining a duo, Barbaracle represents a fusion or consolidation of multiple Binacle into a single entity with eight arms, suggesting that the two original Binacle either merge or are joined by additional members. This evolution dramatically increases Barbaracle's offensive prowess, with its Attack stat rising significantly from Binacle's modest base 52 to a much more formidable value, along with improvements across most statistical categories. The evolution maintains the Rock/Water typing but transforms Binacle from a support-oriented or defensive creature into a hard-hitting physical attacker capable of devastating opponents with contact-based moves. This progression from weak duo to powerful individual mirrors the species' thematic focus on cooperation, suggesting that multiple Binacle working in perfect harmony become something greater than the sum of their parts.
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The behavioral patterns of Binacle are defined by their obligate partnership and the constant tension between cooperation and conflict. While they must work together to survive and gather food during high tide, the Pokédex entries reveal that the two Binacle living on one rock frequently squabble and fight with one another. When these disputes become too intense, one of the pair will abandon their shared rock and seek out a different Binacle to live with instead, as documented in multiple Pokédex entries. This social shuffling creates a dynamic ecosystem among rocky coastlines, where compatible pairs bond while incompatible ones separate. Binacle inhabits the intertidal zones and rocky shores of coastal regions, particularly those of the Kalos region where they were first discovered. They are most active during high tide when seaweed washes up abundantly on the shoreline, providing them with their primary food source. The species' survival depends entirely on whether its pair members work well together—as noted in Sword and Shield entries, poor teamwork causes both their offensive and defensive capabilities to collapse, demonstrating that their shared existence is not merely a quirk but a fundamental biological necessity.
Two Binacle live together on one rock. When they fight, one of them will move to a different rock.
They stretch and then contract, yanking their rocks along with them in bold hops. They eat seaweed that washes up on the shoreline.
Two Binacle live together on one rock. When they fight, one of them will move to a different rock.
They stretch and then contract, yanking their rocks along with them in bold hops. They eat seaweed that washes up on the shoreline.
After two Binacle find a suitably sized rock, they adhere themselves to it and live together. They cooperate to gather food during high tide.
If the two don’t work well together, both their offense and defense fall apart. Without good teamwork, they won’t survive.
The name Binacle is derived from a combination of 'bi-' meaning two, and 'barnacle,' the marine crustacean that inspired its overall design. The Japanese name Kametete similarly references the turtle-like appearance combined with the hand-like structure of the species. Binacle's design philosophy centers on representing duality and partnership—the two-handed reference in its species classification emphasizes that this Pokémon literally consists of two hand-like appendages working in tandem. The goose barnacle inspiration is particularly apt, as these real-world creatures are filter feeders that attach to rocks and other surfaces in marine environments, much like how Binacle adheres to and depends upon its rocky home. The color scheme of brown, orange, and white provides visual distinction from purely aquatic Pokémon while maintaining a clear connection to rocky coastal environments. The claw-topped head design evokes both the predatory nature of the species and the grasping, gripping function of hands, reinforcing the thematic connection to the Two-Handed Pokémon designation.
Binacle can learn 86 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aerial ace | flying | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| ancient power | rock | Special | 60 | 100 | 5 |
| assurance | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| beat up | dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| blizzard | ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| brick break | fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| bulldoze | ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| clamp | water | Physical | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| cross chop | fighting | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 |
| cut | normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| dig | ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| dual chop | dragon | Physical | 40 | 90 | 15 |
| earthquake | ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| embargo | dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| endeavor | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| false swipe | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 |
| fling | dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| fury cutter | bug | Physical | 40 | 95 | 20 |
| fury swipes | normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| grass knot | grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| helping hand | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hone claws | dark | Status | — | — | 15 |
| ice beam | ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| icy wind | ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| infestation | bug | Special | 20 | 100 | 20 |
| iron defense | steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| liquidation | water | Physical | 85 | 100 | 10 |
| mud shot | ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| nature power | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| night slash | dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| payback | dark | Physical | 50 | 100 | 10 |
| poison jab | poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| power up punch | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| razor shell | water | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| rock blast | rock | Physical | 25 | 90 | 10 |
| rock polish | rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rock slide | rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| rock smash | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| rock tomb | rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| safeguard | normal | Status | — | — | 25 |
| sand attack | ground | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| sandstorm | rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| scald | water | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| scratch | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| screech | normal | Status | — | 85 | 40 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| shadow claw | ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| shell smash | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| slash | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sludge bomb | poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| sludge wave | poison | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 |
| smack down | rock | Physical | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| stealth rock | rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| stone edge | rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 |
| strength | normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| surf | water | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| switcheroo | dark | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| swords dance | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| taunt | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| tickle | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| torment | dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| uproar | normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| water gun | water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| water pulse | water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| water sport | water | Status | — | — | 15 |
| withdraw | water | Status | — | — | 40 |
| x scissor | bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
In competitive play, Binacle occupies a niche role primarily in lower-tier formats and casual competitive environments, given its limited base stats and relatively weak moveset compared to fully evolved Pokémon. Its 306 base stat total is distributed across a defensive profile that leans toward physical defense with 67 Defense, making it somewhat durable despite its low HP of 42. Binacle's abilities significantly enhance its utility in battle: Tough Claws boosts the power of all contact moves by 33%, making physical attacks like Rock Throw, Slash, and Bubble Beam substantially more threatening, while Sniper triples the damage of critical hits rather than doubling them. The hidden ability Pickpocket steals held items from attacking opponents on contact, adding utility and potential disruption to the opponent's strategy. Binacle's movepool includes Screech for Attack reduction, Infestation for residual damage, Rock Throw and Rock Blast for STAB coverage, Bubble Beam for special attack, and Bulldoze for ground coverage, though it struggles against many common threats due to its mediocre attacking stats. The species is more frequently seen as a stepping stone toward training Barbaracle, as its pre-evolutionary status and limited power make it impractical for serious competitive teams.
Binacle is a rock and water type Pokemon.
Binacle evolves into barbaracle.
Binacle is weak to fighting, ground, grass and electric type moves.
Binacle can be found in kalos route 12 (kalos), kalos route 8 (kalos) and ambrette town (kalos) and 2 other locations.
Binacle represents a notable addition to the Pokémon franchise's exploration of symbiotic relationships and cooperative gameplay mechanics. As one of Generation VI's more conceptually unusual introductions, Binacle has garnered attention from fans interested in biological realism and ecological design within the Pokémon world. The species has appeared in the Pokémon anime and various manga adaptations, though it has not achieved the mainstream recognition of iconic dual-typed Pokémon. Its unique partnership mechanic—being unable to survive alone—resonates with players who appreciate narrative depth and Pokédex lore that extends beyond simple monster design. The design has influenced subsequent generations' approach to depicting symbiotic or hive-minded Pokémon, establishing a template for creatures whose biology fundamentally requires cooperation. In the broader fan community, Binacle is often discussed in context of Pokémon evolution lines that dramatically transform their appearance and structure, alongside Barbaracle's striking multi-armed design.
Binacle was introduced in Generation VI and has seen varying availability across regional Pokédexes and game releases. In Pokémon X and Y, Binacle appears as Coastal Kalos Pokédex entry #021, making it relatively accessible to players in that specific region. The species has continued to appear in subsequent generations, including Pokémon Sword and Shield where it holds local Pokédex number 234. More recently, Binacle appears in Pokémon Legends: Z-A with local Pokédex number 034, indicating its integration into the latest entries of the mainline series. The capture rate of 120 makes Binacle moderately easy to catch in the wild when encountered, requiring approximately one standard Poké Ball throw for a typical capture at full health. Players seeking to add Binacle to their team should explore coastal areas and rocky shorelines in games where it naturally occurs, or utilize breeding methods by obtaining one legitimately and then breeding it through compatible Water 3 egg group Pokémon. The species' relatively quick hatch time and broad distribution across modern games make it accessible to most players, though its status as a Generation VI introduction means it is not available in games predating that generation.