Slowbro

Slowbro in the games: the Slowpoke that got bitten

Slowbro exists because of a Shellder. When one bites down on the tail a Slowpoke dangles in the water to fish, it stays clamped on, and Slowpoke evolves at level 37 into this Water and Psychic type; Pokédex entries say that if the Shellder is knocked loose, Slowbro reverts to a Slowpoke. Slowpoke's other branch, Slowking, comes from trading it while it holds a King's Rock. Slowbro's abilities are Oblivious and Own Tempo, and its hidden ability, Regenerator, restores some HP each time it switches out.

Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire added Mega Slowbro, triggered by the Slowbronite. The Shellder swallows almost its whole body, leaving only the head, arms and tail poking out, and it stays Water and Psychic.

Galarian Slowbro: the Shellder on its arm

The Isle of Armor expansion for Pokémon Sword and Shield introduced Galarian Slowbro, a Poison and Psychic type that evolves from Galarian Slowpoke when exposed to a Galarica Cuff. Here the Shellder bites its arm instead of its tail, and its poison reacts with the Galarica spices in Slowpoke's diet. Galarian Slowbro attacks by pulling the Shellder's tongue so it fires poisonous liquid from its tip. It is the only Pokémon that learns Shell Side Arm and the only one that can have the Quick Draw ability, and unlike its Kanto counterpart it cannot Mega Evolve.

Slowbro on cards: Dark and Light Slowbro to Mega Slowbro ex

Slowbro's first card is Fossil #43 from 1999, an Uncommon illustrated by Kagemaru Himeno. Team Rocket printed Dark Slowbro twice in 2000, as a holo (#12) and a non-holo (#29), both drawn by Mitsuhiro Arita; the holo art returned in Legendary Collection. Gym Heroes added Sabrina's Slowbro by Ken Sugimori, and Neo Destiny's Light Slowbro belongs to the Light Pokémon, the counterparts to Team Rocket's Dark Pokémon. Arita's four Slowbro credits, the last being Battle Styles' Galarian Slowbro, are the most of any artist in our catalog.

The modern mechanics followed: Slowbro EX and M Slowbro EX in Evolutions (2016), Galarian Slowbro V in Darkness Ablaze (2020), a Shiny rare in Paldean Fates (2024), and in Pitch Black (2026) both a Mega Slowbro ex and an illustration rare drawn by Mékayu. Our catalog lists 28 Slowbro cards across ten eras, from WOTC to the Mega Evolution era.

Cards to know

• Slowbro (Fossil #43)

  Slowbro's first English card, a 1999 Uncommon illustrated by Kagemaru Himeno.

• Dark Slowbro (Team Rocket #12)

  The holo version of Team Rocket's Dark Slowbro, drawn by Mitsuhiro Arita.

• Light Slowbro (Neo Destiny #51)

  Slowbro as one of Neo Destiny's Light Pokémon, drawn by Tomokazu Komiya.

• Slowbro (Paldean Fates #117)

  A Shiny rare Slowbro illustrated by Souichirou Gunjima.

• Slowbro (Pitch Black #090)

  An illustration rare from the Mega Evolution era, drawn by Mékayu.