shelgon #372
Type Matchups
Weak to (2x damage):
Resistant to (½x damage):
shelgon
Generation III · #0372 — Endurance Pokémon
Shelgon, the Endurance Pokémon, stands as National Pokédex entry #372 and represents one of the most fascinating intermediate stages in the entire dragon-type evolutionary line. Introduced in Generation III, this Dragon-type creature embodies the concept of transformation and perseverance, serving as the crucial bridge between the scrappy young Bagon and the majestic flying powerhouse Salamence. With a base stat total of 420 distributed heavily toward physical defense (100) and attack (95), Shelgon is built as a wall-like creature designed to endure punishment while dealing respectable damage in return. Its unique typing and specialized abilities make it a memorable entry in the Hoenn Pokédex, where it occupies local entry #0188 in Ruby and Sapphire, solidifying its importance to that generation's legendary status among fans.
Base Stats
Height
1.1m
Weight
110.5kg
Category
Endurance Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
white
Shape
quadruped
Habitat
rough-terrain
Abilities
Protects against recoil damage.
Protects against damage from weather.
Shelgon Biology & Physical Characteristics
Shelgon's most striking biological feature is its elaborate six-plated bone-like shell that covers nearly its entire body, leaving only two hexagonal openings—one revealing its keen yellow eyes at the front and another at its rear. This quadrupedal Pokémon closely resembles a pupal stage of insect metamorphosis, with four stubby gray legs protruding from beneath the protective plating, each adorned with distinctive red stripes on their inner surfaces. The three dorsal plates feature pronounced ridges that run along their lengths, adding to Shelgon's imposing silhouette. Weighing in at 110.5 kilograms and standing 1.1 meters tall, this creature's armored exterior is composed of a substance identical to bone, making it extraordinarily hard and capable of bouncing off most conventional attacks. However, this remarkable defensive adaptation comes at a cost—the sheer weight of the shell makes Shelgon's movements sluggish and labored. Internally, Shelgon's cells are undergoing rapid and dramatic transformation, preparing an entirely new body for its imminent evolution into Salamence. This cellular metamorphosis is so demanding that the creature ignores hunger entirely, instead relying on stored energy reserves to fuel the miraculous biological process occurring beneath its protective carapace.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Shelgon Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Shelgon exhibits a perfectly balanced gender ratio of 50% male and 50% female, making it equally likely to encounter either sex during breeding or wild encounters. This gender distribution ensures that breeders can reliably produce Shelgon offspring without needing to specifically hunt for particular sexes. As a member of the Dragon Egg Group, Shelgon can only breed with other Pokémon within this exclusive group, which includes prestigious creatures such as Salamence itself, Dragonite, Garchomp, and various other dragon-types. The breeding process yields offspring with a relatively long hatching period of 40 cycles, translating to approximately 10,024 to 10,280 steps before an egg containing Shelgon or its pre-evolution Bagon will hatch. This extended incubation period reflects the lengthy developmental processes inherent to dragon-types, mirroring the real-world biological reality that larger, more complex creatures typically require longer gestation periods. For competitive breeders seeking to create optimally-trained Shelgon with desirable natures and individual values, this extended breeding cycle necessitates patience and planning, though the ultimate reward of obtaining a competitive Salamence justifies the investment.
Held Items
Sprites
Held Items
dragon-scale
evolution
Traded on a Seadra: Holder evolves into Kingdra.
Cost: 2000
dragon-scale
evolution
Traded on a Seadra: Holder evolves into Kingdra.
Cost: 2000
dragon-scale
evolution
Traded on a Seadra: Holder evolves into Kingdra.
Cost: 2000
dragon-scale
evolution
Traded on a Seadra: Holder evolves into Kingdra.
Cost: 2000
dragon-scale
evolution
Traded on a Seadra: Holder evolves into Kingdra.
Cost: 2000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
dragon-fang
type-enhancement
Held: Dragon-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.
Cost: 1000
TMs & HMs
tm01
black white
tm01
black 2 white 2
tm01
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm01
omega ruby alpha sapphire
tm01
x y
tm02
emerald
tm02
crystal
tm02
firered leafgreen
tm02
ruby sapphire
tm02
gold silver
tm02
black white
tm02
heartgold soulsilver
tm02
platinum
tm02
colosseum
tm02
diamond pearl
tm02
black 2 white 2
tm02
sun moon
tm02
omega ruby alpha sapphire
tm02
x y
tm02
xd
+575 more TMs/HMs
shelgon's Evolution Chain
Shelgon Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Shelgon occupies the critical intermediate position within one of Generation III's most beloved evolutionary lines, positioned between Bagon and Salamence. It evolves from Bagon when the latter reaches level 30, and in turn evolves into the powerful Dragon/Flying-type Salamence at level 50. The evolutionary progression represents a dramatic transformation in capability and appearance—while Shelgon is grounded and heavily armored, its shell peels away the instant evolution begins, revealing the sleek, winged form of Salamence beneath. This dramatic shedding of the protective shell serves as the biological catalyst for the creature's metamorphosis, with the shell disintegrating as Salamence emerges fully formed and ready for flight. The evolutionary stage itself lasts an indeterminate period in the games, but within the narrative lore, Shelgon may remain in its chrysalis-like state for considerable time, awaiting the precise moment when all accumulated energy reaches critical capacity. This progression from the clumsy, flightless Shelgon to the swift and aerial Salamence represents one of Pokémon's most satisfying evolutionary arcs, making the patience required to raise Shelgon feel worthwhile upon witnessing its final transformation.
Where to Find
kalae bay
alola
+1 more
Shelgon Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Shelgon is a remarkably reclusive Pokémon that seeks solitude in deep caverns and cave systems while awaiting its evolutionary transformation. These creatures remain almost motionless for extended periods, neither eating nor drinking, surviving through what appears to be an inexplicable metabolic process that confounds Pokémon researchers. The creature's behavior during this dormant phase is dominated by a single objective—accumulating sufficient power to undergo the explosive metamorphosis that will grant it wings and flight capability. According to sleep research documented in the Sleep Style Dex, Shelgon exhibits four distinct sleep patterns while conserving energy: Flying Dream Sleep, Stretching Sleep, Dream-Sprint Sleep, and Atop-Belly Sleep. Particularly poignant observations reveal Shelgon sleeping with its legs outstretched, apparently dreaming of the aerial existence that awaits it upon evolution. This behavior underscores the creature's psychological orientation toward its destiny, with many trainers noting that Shelgon seems to spend its entire existence contemplating and preparing for the moment when it will finally take to the skies. The creature becomes hardier and more resilient through its ordeal of endurance hunger, suggesting that the deprivation itself serves as a vital component of its development.
Pokedex Entries
Generation III
Inside SHELGON’s armor-like shell, cells are in the midst of transformation to create an entirely new body. This POKéMON’s shell is extremely heavy, making its movements sluggish.
Covering SHELGON’s body are outgrowths much like bones. The shell is very hard and bounces off enemy attacks. When awaiting evolution, this POKéMON hides away in a cavern.
It hardly eats while it awaits evolution. It becomes hardier by enduring hunger. Its shell peels off the instant it begins to evolve.
Its armored body makes all attacks bounce off. The armor is too tough, however, making it heavy and somewhat sluggish.
Generation IV
Within its rugged shell, its cells have begun changing. The shell peels off the instant it evolves.
It surrounds its body in an iron-hard shell to accumulate enough power to evolve.
Generation V
Within its rugged shell, its cells have begun changing. The shell peels off the instant it evolves.
Within its rugged shell, its cells have begun changing. The shell peels off the instant it evolves.
Generation VI
Within its rugged shell, its cells have begun changing. The shell peels off the instant it evolves.
Its armored body makes all attacks bounce off. The armor is too tough, however, making it heavy and somewhat sluggish.
Inside Shelgon’s armor-like shell, cells are in the midst of transformation to create an entirely new body. This Pokémon’s shell is extremely heavy, making its movements sluggish.
Covering Shelgon’s body are outgrowths much like bones. The shell is very hard and bounces off enemy attacks. When awaiting evolution, this Pokémon hides away in a cavern.
Generation VII
The cells within its shell transform with explosive speed, preparing it for evolution.
The cells within its body are changing at a bewildering pace. Its hard shell is made from the same substance as bone.
They lurk deep within caves—motionless, neither eating nor drinking. Why they don’t die is not known.
Shelgon lives deep within caves. It stays shut up in its hard shell, dreaming of the day it will be able to fly.
Generation VIII
This Pokémon has covered its body in a hard shell that has the same composition as bone. Shelgon stores energy for evolution.
Shelgon ignores its hunger entirely, never eating any food. Apparently, Shelgon will evolve once all its energy stores are used up.
Shelgon Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Shelgon is derived from a combination of 'shell' and 'agon,' the latter referencing its position within the Bagon evolutionary family. The Japanese name, Komoruu, similarly incorporates linguistic elements suggesting its armored, transformative nature. Shelgon's design draws heavily from the concept of insect pupae, particularly the chrysalis stage of butterfly metamorphosis, adapting this naturalistic template to create a Pokémon whose entire existence revolves around preparation for dramatic biological change. The six-plated shell structure reflects crystalline and mineral aesthetics, with the bone-like composition adding an organic, skeletal quality that distinguishes it from purely mechanical armored designs. The color palette of white plating contrasting against gray skin and yellow eyes creates strong visual hierarchy, making Shelgon instantly recognizable despite its relatively simple shape. The ridge patterns on the dorsal plates echo the segmented quality of pupae, while the hexagonal openings provide visual breathing room and hint at the creature concealed beneath. This design philosophy—creating a Pokémon that looks unfinished, temporary, and transitional—perfectly embodies Shelgon's role as an evolutionary middleman, a creature whose very existence is defined by what it will become rather than what it currently is.
Learnable Moves
Shelgon can learn 70 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aerial ace | flying | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| bite | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| brick break | fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| captivate | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| crunch | dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| cut | normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| defense curl | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| draco meteor | dragon | Special | 130 | 90 | 5 |
| dragon breath | dragon | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| dragon cheer | dragon | Status | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| dragon claw | dragon | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| dragon dance | dragon | Status | — | — | 20 |
| dragon pulse | dragon | Special | 85 | 100 | 10 |
| dragon tail | dragon | Physical | 60 | 90 | 10 |
| ember | fire | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fire blast | fire | Special | 110 | 85 | 5 |
| fire fang | fire | Physical | 65 | 95 | 15 |
| fire spin | fire | Special | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| flamethrower | fire | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| focus energy | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| fury cutter | bug | Physical | 40 | 95 | 20 |
| headbutt | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| helping hand | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hone claws | dark | Status | — | — | 15 |
| hydro pump | water | Special | 110 | 80 | 5 |
| hyper voice | normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| incinerate | fire | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| iron defense | steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| iron head | steel | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| leer | normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| mimic | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| natural gift | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| outrage | dragon | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| rage | normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 20 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| roar | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rock slide | rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| rock smash | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| rock tomb | rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| rollout | rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| scary face | normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| shadow claw | ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| strength | normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| temper flare | fire | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| tera blast | normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| thunder fang | electric | Physical | 65 | 95 | 15 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| twister | dragon | Special | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| zen headbutt | psychic | Physical | 80 | 90 | 15 |
Shelgon Competitive Battle Guide
While Shelgon itself rarely sees competitive play, occupying a transitional role that most serious trainers rapidly evolve beyond, it possesses interesting defensive characteristics that merit brief consideration. Its base Defense stat of 100 is respectable, making it relatively bulky against physical attacks, while its Attack of 95 allows it to deal meaningful damage with moves like Outrage, Dragon Claw, and Crunch. The ability Rock Head is invaluable in competitive contexts, preventing the recoil damage from powerful attacks like Double-Edge, though most competitive players opt to simply evolve immediately to Salamence, which gains the Flying-type and dramatically superior stats and Speed. Its hidden ability Overcoat provides immunity to weather-induced damage, protecting against Hail and Sandstorm, but again, this utility is generally overshadowed by Salamence's superior overall profile. Shelgon's critical limitation is its Speed stat of only 50, making it painfully slow and vulnerable to being outsped by nearly the entire competitive metagame. A trainer looking for competitive performance will find little reason to stop at Shelgon rather than immediately pursuing evolution to Salamence, whose Speed jumps to 100 and gains the crucial Flying typing that grants it valuable resistances and STAB (same-type attack bonus) coverage through moves like Aerial Ace and Hurricane.
Commonly Asked Questions About Shelgon
What type is Shelgon?
Shelgon is a dragon type Pokemon.
What does Shelgon evolve into?
Shelgon evolves into salamence.
What are Shelgon's weaknesses?
Shelgon is weak to ice, dragon and fairy type moves.
Where can I find Shelgon?
Shelgon can be found in kalae bay (alola).
Shelgon Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Shelgon holds a special place in the hearts of Generation III enthusiasts and dragon-type aficionados, often cited as one of the most iconic intermediate Pokémon designs ever created. Its appearance in various anime episodes, particularly in trainer battles and Pokédex showcases, helped establish it as a memorable member of the Hoenn region's Pokédex. The creature's unique narrative—an almost mummified Pokémon existing in a state of suspended development—captured imaginations and spawned considerable fan discussion about the biological realities underlying Pokémon evolution. In competitive communities, Shelgon became something of a symbol of patience and investment, representing the arduous journey toward obtaining a powerful final-form Pokémon. Fan artists have created countless renderings of Shelgon in various stylized forms, and it frequently appears in fan fiction exploring themes of transformation, perseverance, and the bittersweet nature of leaving one's childhood form behind. Its presence in multiple games across numerous generations has kept Shelgon relevant, and its consistent design has made it immediately recognizable to players across decades. The creature's role as an essential stepping stone in the Bagon family has made it culturally significant to anyone who has ever trained a Salamence, as nearly every player must pass through Shelgon's stage to reach their final goal.
Where to Find Shelgon in Every Pokémon Game
Shelgon's availability varies significantly across different Pokémon games and generations, reflecting its status as a region-specific Pokédex entry. In the original Ruby and Sapphire versions, Shelgon appears as local Pokédex entry #0188, accessible to trainers willing to evolve Bagon at level 30. Throughout subsequent generations, Shelgon has appeared in numerous game titles including Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black, White, Black 2, White 2, X, Y, Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire, Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, Scarlet, Violet, and Legends: Arceus. In the post-Dexit era of Pokémon Sword and Shield, Shelgon became available through the Crown Tundra DLC expansion. Its presence in X and Y as Coastal Kalos Pokédex entry #0015 made it accessible relatively early in that region's narrative. Within Alola, it appeared as Pokédex entry #0118 in Sun and Moon, and entry #0148 in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, making it available in those generation-defining titles. For players seeking to obtain Shelgon without evolution, encounter rates can vary widely depending on specific game versions, cave locations, and breeding patterns, though the simplest and most reliable method remains catching a Bagon and breeding or leveling it to level 30 to obtain Shelgon.