Binacle

In Generation 6, with Pokémon X and Y, a marine creature inspired by the goose barnacle and the shape of a hand appeared. Two Binacle attach themselves to the same rock and depend on coordination to move, feed and defend themselves. They stretch and contract their bodies to drag their rock by hopping, while taking advantage of the seaweed the tide leaves on the shore.

Living together is not always peaceful. When the two turn against each other, one abandons the rock and looks for another partner. Pokédex entries also describe how their attacks and defences fall apart if they do not cooperate properly, so the species turns an uncomfortable relationship into a matter of survival.

Its body measures 0,5 m and weighs 31 kg. The Rock type gives it a rough appearance, while the Water type suits its coastal life. It evolves into Barbaracle upon reaching level 39, at which point its small pair gives way to a much more numerous form.

It is not a standout competitive choice. Its base stats are spread very thinly: HP 42, Attack 52, Defense 67, Special Attack 39, Special Defense 56 and Speed 50. Defense is its best value, but its Attack is not high enough to make it a reliable physical attacker, and its HP does not let it take many hits either.

Tough Claws is the ability that makes the most sense: it increases the power of moves that make direct contact. With it, Razor Shell and Cross Chop make use of its physical Attack, while Stone Edge provides a powerful Rock-type hit. Shell Smash tries to fix its shortcomings by greatly raising Attack, Special Attack and Speed, although it lowers its defences and leaves little room for error.

Rock and Water provide useful STAB against Fire, Flying, Ice and other targets vulnerable to those types. Defensively, it resists Fire, Flying, Poison and Ice, but Electric, Fighting and Ground hit it super effectively, and Grass is an especially serious threat. In Little Cup it has access to Shell Smash, but falls behind users such as Tirtouga and Shellder, which make better use of that approach. In a normal playthrough, it works as a physical attacker during the story, especially once it learns Razor Shell and gets coverage such as Earthquake.

It belongs to the Water 3 Egg Group and has an even gender ratio: 50% female and 50% male. Its Eggs require 20 cycles, equivalent to approximately 5355 steps using the usual hatching formula. The offspring can inherit Sand Attack, Night Slash and Switcheroo; Night Slash provides direct damage, while the other two can lower accuracy or swap held items.

The evolution is straightforward: it evolves into Barbaracle upon reaching level 39. It does not need a stone, a specific move or a friendship condition. Its catch rate is 120, so catching it is relatively easy, although it is not as effortless as species with much higher catch rates. When breeding, it is worth remembering that the species lives as a pair on a rock, a characteristic that also defines its behaviour in battle and in its Pokédex entries.