Relicanth Pokémon GO is a regional Water and Rock-type Pokémon from the Hoenn region. It is normally found around New Zealand and selected Pacific islands, making it one of the most difficult Hoenn Pokémon for UK players to register in their Pokédex.
Relicanth Pokémon GO is not a leading raid attacker, but its regional exclusivity, available shiny and defensive stats give it considerable collection value. It can also be used in selected Great League formats, although its double weakness to Grass is a serious problem.
This Relicanth Pokémon GO guide covers where to find Relicanth, how to obtain it outside its normal region, shiny availability, its best moveset, weaknesses, maximum CP and whether it is worth powering up.
Relicanth Pokémon GO Details
| Relicanth details | Information |
|---|---|
| Pokédex number | #0369 |
| Name | Relicanth |
| Category | Longevity Pokémon |
| Generation | Generation III |
| Region | Hoenn |
| Type | Water and Rock |
| Regional availability | New Zealand and selected Pacific islands |
| Evolution | Does not evolve |
| Shiny available | Yes |
| Maximum CP | 2,858 |
| Best raid moveset | Water Gun and Hydro Pump |
| Main value | Regional collection and limited PvP |
Relicanth is known as the Longevity Pokémon. Its appearance has barely changed over millions of years, and its body is adapted to survive the pressure of the deep sea.
Where Is Relicanth Found in Pokémon GO?
Relicanth Pokémon GO is normally found in New Zealand and selected islands within the surrounding Pacific region.
Its known regional area includes locations such as:
- New Zealand
- Fiji
- Vanuatu
- New Caledonia
- Selected nearby Pacific islands
New Zealand is the location most strongly associated with Relicanth in Pokémon GO.
Regional boundaries are not always officially mapped in precise detail, particularly across islands and surrounding coastal areas. Players travelling specifically for Relicanth should check recent local reports before relying on a particular island or destination.
Within its normal region, Relicanth can appear as a wild spawn.
Players may have a better chance of finding one by checking:
- Coastal areas
- Waterfronts
- Harbours
- Parks with frequent Pokémon spawns
- Areas near rivers or lakes
- Rainy or partly cloudy weather
- Local Pokémon GO community reports
Relicanth does not need to spawn directly beside water, but Water-type habitats and areas with dense wild spawns may make it easier to locate.
Incense and Lure Modules can attract Relicanth when used within its eligible region, although neither guarantees an encounter.
Is Relicanth Available in the UK?
Relicanth Pokémon GO is not normally available as a wild spawn in the UK.
UK players will usually need to obtain Relicanth through:
- Trading with someone who caught it in its region
- A worldwide Pokémon GO event
- Ticketed event encounters
- Special or Timed Research
- Pokémon GO Tour
- Safari Zone or City Safari events
- Travelling to New Zealand or an eligible Pacific island
Relicanth has previously been made available outside its normal region during selected major events.
One of its most important worldwide appearances came during Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn, when players could obtain Relicanth from event Eggs.
Future worldwide events could feature Relicanth again, but players should wait for official confirmation before assuming it will appear during Pokémon GO Fest: Mega Finale.
How to Get Relicanth Outside New Zealand
Trading is currently the most reliable way to obtain Relicanth outside its normal region.
Relicanth is not a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, so a standard registered trade can be relatively inexpensive.
The first Relicanth trade may count as a Special Trade when the receiving player has not yet registered it in the Pokédex.
The required Stardust depends on:
- Friendship level
- Whether Relicanth is already registered
- Whether the Relicanth is shiny
- Current event trade discounts
Players should build their friendship level before trading for Relicanth to reduce the Stardust cost.
Pokémon GO trading normally requires both players to be physically close enough to trade. Adding a Trainer from New Zealand does not allow an ordinary long-distance trade.
Other possible methods include:
- Catching Relicanth during a global event
- Hatching it from a limited event Egg
- Attending an in-person Pokémon GO event
- Completing event Research
- Travelling to its normal region
Remote Raid invitations are not generally useful because Relicanth is not normally available as a raid boss.
Can Relicanth Be Shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes, Shiny Relicanth is available in Pokémon GO.
Normal Relicanth has a brown body with tan markings and red details. Shiny Relicanth changes to a noticeably brighter blue or teal colour, making it easy to distinguish from the standard version.
Players within Relicanth’s normal region can encounter its shiny form in the wild.
Players outside the region may obtain Shiny Relicanth through:
- Worldwide event encounters
- Limited event Eggs
- In-person Pokémon GO events
- Special Research
- Trades
A shiny encounter is not guaranteed. Each eligible Relicanth encounter provides another independent shiny chance.
Shiny Relicanth can be particularly valuable in trades because it combines shiny rarity with regional exclusivity.
Players visiting New Zealand should catch as many Relicanth as possible, both for their own shiny hunt and to bring home for trades.
Does Relicanth Evolve in Pokémon GO?
No, Relicanth does not evolve in Pokémon GO.
It does not evolve from another Pokémon and has no later evolution.
Relicanth Candy is still needed to:
- Power up Relicanth
- Unlock a second Charged Attack
- Convert Candy into Candy XL
- Build a Great League Relicanth
- Build an Ultra League Relicanth
Because Relicanth is regional, players outside its normal area may struggle to collect enough Candy.
Walking with Relicanth as a Buddy can provide additional Candy.
Players can also use Rare Candy, although Rare Candy is generally more valuable when used on Legendary, Mythical or similarly difficult Pokémon.
Relicanth Pokémon GO Best Moveset
The best Relicanth Pokémon GO moveset for raids and Gym battles is:
- Fast Attack: Water Gun
- Charged Attack: Hydro Pump
Both attacks receive the same-type attack bonus from Relicanth’s Water typing.
Water Gun provides steady Water-type damage and energy generation, while Hydro Pump is Relicanth’s strongest Water Charged Attack.
For Trainer Battles, a possible Relicanth moveset is:
- Fast Attack: Water Gun
- Charged Attack: Aqua Tail
- Charged Attack: Ancient Power or Hydro Pump
| Battle format | Recommended Relicanth moveset |
|---|---|
| Raids | Water Gun and Hydro Pump |
| Gym battles | Water Gun and Hydro Pump |
| Great League | Water Gun, Aqua Tail and Ancient Power |
| Ultra League | Water Gun, Aqua Tail and Hydro Pump |
| Team GO Rocket | Water Gun, Aqua Tail and Hydro Pump |
Aqua Tail gives Relicanth a relatively inexpensive Charged Attack, allowing it to apply more frequent pressure in Trainer Battles.
Hydro Pump deals considerably more damage but requires much more energy.
Ancient Power provides Rock-type coverage and receives the same-type attack bonus.
Relicanth Available Attacks
Relicanth can use Fast Attacks including:
- Water Gun
- Zen Headbutt
Its Charged Attacks include:
- Aqua Tail
- Ancient Power
- Hydro Pump
Water Gun is normally the preferred Fast Attack because it receives the same-type attack bonus and generates more useful offensive pressure.
Zen Headbutt provides Psychic-type damage but is generally a weak option.
Aqua Tail is Relicanth’s most accessible Charged Attack.
Ancient Power provides Rock-type coverage against Bug, Fire, Flying and Ice Pokémon.
Hydro Pump is the strongest option for raid damage, although its high energy requirement limits its flexibility in PvP.
Relicanth Pokémon GO Weaknesses
Relicanth Pokémon GO is weak against:
- Electric
- Fighting
- Grass
- Ground
Relicanth has a double weakness to Grass-type attacks because both Water and Rock are weak to Grass.
Grass attacks therefore deal far more damage than its other weaknesses.
Strong Relicanth counters include:
- Kartana
- Mega Sceptile
- Mega Venusaur
- Rillaboom
- Roserade
- Meowscarada
- Tangrowth
- Venusaur
Electric, Fighting and Ground Pokémon can also defeat Relicanth effectively, but Grass attackers are normally the fastest choice.
Relicanth Resistances
Relicanth resists attacks from:
- Fire
- Flying
- Ice
- Normal
- Poison
Damage taken when Relicanth is hit by each type:
Very weak to
Weak to
Resists
Strongly resists
Based on Water / Rock typing. Abilities may modify these matchups.
Its Water and Rock typing gives Relicanth a particularly strong resistance to Fire-type damage.
This can create favourable matchups against selected Fire Pokémon.
However, its double Grass weakness is extremely dangerous. Even a relatively weak Grass attack can remove a large portion of Relicanth’s health.
Relicanth Pokémon GO Stats
Relicanth has a defensive stat distribution.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Attack | 162 |
| Defence | 203 |
| Stamina | 225 |
| Maximum Level 40 CP | 2,528 |
| Maximum Level 50 CP | 2,858 |
Relicanth’s Defence and Stamina are both significantly stronger than its Attack.
This allows it to remain in battle for a reasonable amount of time, but its low Attack prevents it from competing with leading Water or Rock-type raid attackers.
Its defensive profile is more useful in CP-limited Trainer Battles than in raids.
Is Relicanth Good in Pokémon GO Raids?
Relicanth Pokémon GO is not a strong raid attacker.
Water Gun and Hydro Pump provide a complete Water-type moveset, but Relicanth’s low Attack stat limits its damage.
Stronger Water-type raid attackers include:
- Primal Kyogre
- Mega Swampert
- Kyogre
- Greninja
- Shadow Swampert
- Origin Forme Palkia
- Kingler
- Primarina
Relicanth also lacks a complete Rock-type raid moveset because it does not have a Rock Fast Attack.
Players should not invest significant Stardust in Relicanth solely for raid battles.
Its regional, shiny and Pokédex value are much greater than its raid value.
Have You Collected Them All?
Keep track of all Costume Pikachu with our free collection tracker. Your progress is saved automatically, just bookmark the page so you can come back whenever a new event arrives.
Is Relicanth Good in Great League?
Relicanth can have limited use in Great League.
Its defensive stats allow it to absorb more damage than its CP might suggest, while Water Gun and Aqua Tail provide steady Water pressure.
Ancient Power offers additional coverage against Flying, Fire, Bug and Ice Pokémon.
Relicanth can perform well against selected:
- Fire Pokémon
- Flying Pokémon
- Ice Pokémon
- Normal Pokémon
- Poison Pokémon
However, its double weakness to Grass is a major problem.
Many Great League teams contain Grass Pokémon or Grass-type coverage specifically to defeat Water and Ground opponents.
Relicanth also struggles against common Fighting, Electric and Ground Pokémon.
It is therefore more suitable for restricted cups than the open Great League.
Is Relicanth Good in Ultra League?
Relicanth can reach 2,858 CP at Level 50, meaning it can be built close to the 2,500 CP Ultra League limit.
A suitable Ultra League Relicanth may require:
- Relicanth Candy XL
- A large amount of Stardust
- A second Charged Attack
- An appropriate PvP IV combination
Relicanth’s bulk and Water pressure can be useful in limited formats.
However, the cost is difficult to justify because it remains vulnerable to common Grass, Fighting, Electric and Ground Pokémon.
Players should not build an Ultra League Relicanth unless they have a specific team or restricted cup in mind.
What Are the Best IVs for Relicanth?
The best Relicanth IVs depend on its intended battle format.
For Great League and Ultra League, players usually want:
- Lower Attack
- High Defence
- High Stamina
This allows Relicanth to reach a higher level while remaining below the relevant CP limit.
| Use | Preferred IV style |
|---|---|
| Great League | Low Attack with high Defence and Stamina |
| Ultra League | Low Attack with high bulk |
| Collection | Perfect, shiny or event version |
| Raids | High Attack, although investment is not recommended |
Players should check low-Attack Relicanth before transferring them.
A Relicanth with a poor three-star appraisal may still have better PvP IVs than a high-Attack version.
Can Relicanth Be Traded?
Yes, Relicanth can be traded in Pokémon GO.
Trading is one of the main ways players outside New Zealand and the Pacific region obtain it.
The trade may count as a Special Trade when:
- Relicanth is not registered in the receiving player’s Pokédex
- The Relicanth is shiny
- Another Special Trade condition applies
Once regular Relicanth is registered for both players, later non-shiny trades are normally treated as ordinary trades.
Trading also rerolls the Pokémon’s IVs, which can potentially produce a stronger Great League or Ultra League combination.
A Lucky Relicanth costs less Stardust to power up, although Lucky IVs are generally better suited to collection or higher-CP use.
Should You Power Up Relicanth?
Relicanth Pokémon GO is not a priority Stardust investment for most players.
It may be worth powering up when a player has:
- A strong PvP IV combination
- A perfect Relicanth
- Shiny Relicanth
- A Lucky Relicanth
- A restricted cup team
- A personal interest in regional Pokémon
Players focused on raids should invest in stronger Water attackers instead.
For most collections, keeping one ordinary Relicanth, one shiny and several spare examples for trades will be enough.
Relicanth Pokédex Description
RELICANTH is a POKéMON species that existed for a hundred million years without ever changing its form. This ancient POKéMON feeds on microscopic organisms with its toothless mouth.
Relicanth is an ancient Pokémon that was discovered during a deep-sea expedition. Its body has remained almost completely unchanged for around 100 million years.
Is Relicanth Pokémon GO Worth Getting?
Relicanth Pokémon GO is worth getting primarily because of its regional exclusivity, shiny availability and importance for completing the Hoenn Pokédex.
It is not an essential raid attacker and has only limited use in open PvP formats.
Its main value comes from:
- Regional rarity
- Shiny availability
- Hoenn Pokédex completion
- High trade demand outside New Zealand
- Defensive stats
- Restricted Great League potential
- Limited worldwide event appearances
Players travelling to New Zealand or eligible Pacific islands should catch several Relicanth for friends and future trades.
Players elsewhere should watch major worldwide events for opportunities to obtain Relicanth without travelling.
With Pokémon GO Fest: Mega Finale approaching, having a complete Relicanth Pokémon GO guide ready also provides a useful page to link from any future regional Pokémon announcement.
