Defense Curl (move)

Move data

Type Normal
Category Status  Status
Power
Accuracy
PP 40  (max. 64)
Makes contact? No
Introduced Generation 1

Machine/Record

Gold​/​Silver
Crystal
TM40

Effects

Defense Curl raises the user's Defense by one stage. Stats can be raised to a maximum of +6 stages each.

After Defense Curl has been used at least once and while the user stays in battle, the power of Rollout and Ice Ball is double their regular base power.

Z-Move effects

When a Pokémon is holding Normalium Z and uses its Z-Power, Defense Curl turns into Z-Defense Curl and raises Accuracy one stage, in addition to its usual effect as above.

Move target

Foe
Foe
Foe
User
Ally
Ally

Targets the user.

Other languages

English Defense Curl
Japanese まるくなる (Marukunaru)
German Einigler
French Boul'Armure
Italian Ricciolscudo
Spanish Rizo Defensa
Korean 웅크리기
Chinese (Simplified) 变圆
Chinese (Traditional) 變圓

Game descriptions

Gold​/​Silver
Crystal
Heightens the user’s DEFENSE.
Ruby​/​Sapphire
Emerald
Curls up to conceal weak spots and raise DEFENSE.
FireRed​/​LeafGreen The user curls up to conceal weak spots and raise its DEFENSE stat.
Diamond​/​Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold​/​SoulSilver
The user curls up to conceal weak spots and raise its Defense stat.
Black​/​White
Black 2​/​White 2
The user curls up to conceal weak spots and raise its Defense stat.
X​/​Y
O.Ruby​/​A.Sapphire
The user curls up to conceal weak spots and raise its Defense stat.
Sun​/​Moon
Ultra Sun​/​Ultra Moon
L.G. Pikachu​/​L.G. Eevee
The user curls up to conceal weak spots and raise its Defense stat.
Sword​/​Shield
B.Diamond​/​S.Pearl
The user curls up to conceal weak spots and raise its Defense stat.
Scarlet​/​Violet The user curls up and boosts its Defense stat.

Learnt by level up

These Pokémon learn Defense Curl at the level specified. The numbers given are for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet and may vary in other games; check the respective Pokédex pages for details.

Sandshrew Sandshrew
#0027 / Ground
Level 1
Alolan Sandshrew Sandshrew
Alolan Sandshrew
#0027 / Ice · Steel
Level 1
Sandslash Sandslash
#0028 / Ground
Level 1
Clefairy Clefairy
#0035 / Fairy
Level 1
Jigglypuff Jigglypuff
#0039 / Normal · Fairy
Level 1
Wigglytuff Wigglytuff
#0040 / Normal · Fairy
Level 1
Geodude Geodude
#0074 / Rock · Ground
Level 1
Alolan Geodude Geodude
Alolan Geodude
#0074 / Rock · Electric
Level 1
Graveler Graveler
#0075 / Rock · Ground
Level 1
Alolan Graveler Graveler
Alolan Graveler
#0075 / Rock · Electric
Level 1
Golem Golem
#0076 / Rock · Ground
Level 1
Alolan Golem Golem
Alolan Golem
#0076 / Rock · Electric
Level 1
Chansey Chansey
#0113 / Normal
Level 1
Snorlax Snorlax
#0143 / Normal
Level 1
Cyndaquil Cyndaquil
#0155 / Fire
Level 22
Quilava Quilava
#0156 / Fire
Level 24
Typhlosion Typhlosion
#0157 / Fire
Level 24
Hisuian Typhlosion Typhlosion
Hisuian Typhlosion
#0157 / Fire · Ghost
Level 24
Sentret Sentret
#0161 / Normal
Level 4
Furret Furret
#0162 / Normal
Level 1
Igglybuff Igglybuff
#0174 / Normal · Fairy
Level 4
Marill Marill
#0183 / Water · Fairy
Level 1
Azumarill Azumarill
#0184 / Water · Fairy
Level 1
Dunsparce Dunsparce
#0206 / Normal
Level 1
Phanpy Phanpy
#0231 / Ground
Level 1
Donphan Donphan
#0232 / Ground
Level 1
Porygon2 Porygon2
#0233 / Normal
Level 1
Blissey Blissey
#0242 / Normal
Level 1
Happiny Happiny
#0440 / Normal
Level 4
Munchlax Munchlax
#0446 / Normal
Level 4
Porygon-Z Porygon-Z
#0474 / Normal
Level 1
Tepig Tepig
#0498 / Fire
Level 13
Pignite Pignite
#0499 / Fire · Fighting
Level 13
Emboar Emboar
#0500 / Fire · Fighting
Level 13
Golett Golett
#0622 / Ground · Ghost
Level 4
Golurk Golurk
#0623 / Ground · Ghost
Level 1
Minior (Meteor Form) Minior
Meteor Form
#0774 / Rock · Flying
Level 3
Komala Komala
#0775 / Normal
Level 1
Magearna Magearna
#0801 / Steel · Fairy
Level 6
Bramblin Bramblin
#0946 / Grass · Ghost
Level 1
Brambleghast Brambleghast
#0947 / Grass · Ghost
Level 1
Rellor Rellor
#0953 / Bug
Level 1
Rabsca Rabsca
#0954 / Bug · Psychic
Level 1
Dudunsparce (Two-Segment Form) Dudunsparce
Two-Segment Form
#0982 / Normal
Level 1
Great Tusk Great Tusk
#0984 / Ground · Fighting
Level 1
Iron Treads Iron Treads
#0990 / Ground · Steel
Level 1

Learnt by breeding

These Pokémon can learn Defense Curl as an egg move. Their breeding groups are also shown for reference.

Numel Numel
#0322 / Fire · Ground
Field
Skiddo Skiddo
#0672 / Grass
Field
Gogoat Gogoat
#0673 / Grass
Field