Defense Curl (move)

Defense Curl まるくなる Curl Up

Battles Type  Normal Category  Status PP  40 (max. 64) Power  — Accuracy  —% Priority  0 Does not make contact Not affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Affected by Snatch Not affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Self: Affects the user

Availability Introduced  Generation I TM40 in Generation II Move Tutor in Pokémon Emerald

Contests Condition  Cute Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jam  0   Can avoid being startled by others once.

Super Contests Condition  Cute Appeal  2 ♥♥ Prevents the Voltage from going up in the same turn.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Cute Appeal  0   Jamming  0

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Defense Curl (Japanese: まるくなる Curl Up) is a non-damaging Normal-type move introduced in Generation I. It was TM40 in Generation II.

Effect

Generation I

Defense Curl increases the user's Defense by 1 stage.

Generation II

In addition to the previous generation, the power of the move Rollout will be doubled for the user as long as it remains in battle. This effect cannot be Baton Passed.

Generation III and on

In addition to the previous generation, the power of the move Ice Ball will be doubled for the user as long as it remains in battle.

Description

Games Description Raises the user's Defense. Can normally be used up to six times in a row. Heightens the user's Defense. RSE Curls up to conceal weak spots and raise Defense. FRLG The user curls up to conceal weak spots and raise its Defense stat. PMDRB Boosts the user's Defense by one level. The user curls up to conceal weak spots and raise its Defense stat.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Type		Level
					I		II		III		IV		V		VI
027		Sandshrew	Ground		Ground				6			6			3				3	--	--
028		Sandslash	Ground		Ground				--, 6			--, 6			--, 3				--, 3	--	--
035		Clefairy	Fairy		Fairy	39			26			25			13				13			13
039		Jigglypuff	Normal	Fairy	19			4			4			5				5			5
040		Wigglytuff	Normal	Fairy	--			--			--			--				--			--
074		Geodude	Rock	Ground	11			6			--			--				--			--
075		Graveler	Rock	Ground	--, 11			--, 6			--			--				--			--
076		Golem	Rock	Ground	--, 11			--, 6			--			--				--			--
108		Lickitung	Normal		Normal	23			13			12			9				9			9
113		Chansey	Normal		Normal	44			41			41			31				--			--
143		Snorlax	Normal		Normal				15			10	9	4				4			4
155		Cyndaquil	Fire		Fire										22				22			22
156		Quilava	Fire		Fire										24				24			24
157		Typhlosion	Fire		Fire										24				24			24
161		Sentret	Normal		Normal				5			4			4				4			4
162		Furret	Normal		Normal				--, 5			--, 4			--, 4				--, 4			--, 4
174		Igglybuff	Normal	Fairy				4			4			5				5			5
183		Marill	Water	Fairy				3			3			2				2	10	10
184		Azumarill	Water	Fairy				--, 3			--, 3			--, 2				--, 2	10	10
206		Dunsparce	Normal		Normal				5			4			5				4	--	--
231		Phanpy	Ground		Ground				9			9			--				--			9
232		Donphan	Ground		Ground				9			9			--				--			9
233		Porygon2	Normal		Normal				24			24			--				--			--
241		Miltank	Normal		Normal				8			8			5				5			5
242		Blissey	Normal		Normal				33			33			31				31			--
363		Spheal	Ice	Water								--	--				--			--
364		Sealeo	Ice	Water								--								'
365		Walrein	Ice	Water								--								'
399		Bidoof	Normal		Normal										9				9			9
400		Bibarel	Normal	Water										9				9			9
427		Buneary	Normal		Normal										--				--			--
428		Lopunny	Normal		Normal										--				--			--
446		Munchlax	Normal		Normal										4				4			4
463		Lickilicky	Normal		Normal										9				9			9
492		Shaymin	Grass		Grass										--						'
498		Tepig	Fire		Fire														13			13
499		Pignite	Fire	Fighting														13			13
500		Emboar	Fire	Fighting														13			13
517		Munna	Psychic		Psychic														--			--
518		Musharna	Psychic		Psychic														--			--
543		Venipede	Bug	Poison														--			--
544		Whirlipede	Bug	Poison														--			--
545		Scolipede	Bug	Poison														--			--
622		Golett	Ground	Ghost														--			--
623		Golurk	Ground	Ghost														--			--
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By breeding

#	Pokémon		Type		Father
					II		III		IV		V		VI
095		Onix	Rock	Ground
185		Sudowoodo	Rock		Rock
320		Wailmer	Water		Water
322		Numel	Fire	Ground
371		Bagon*	Dragon		Dragon
399		Bidoof	Normal		Normal
417		Pachirisu	Electric		Electric
420		Cherubi	Grass		Grass
438		Bonsly	Rock		Rock
590		Foongus*	Grass	Poison
650		Chespin	Grass		Grass
659		Bunnelby	Normal		Normal
672		Skiddo	Grass		Grass
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By TM

#	Pokémon		Type		Machine
					I --		II TM40		III --		IV --		V --		VI --
001		Bulbasaur	Grass	Poison	✔												✔
002		Ivysaur	Grass	Poison	✔												✔
003		Venusaur	Grass	Poison	✔												✔
004		Charmander	Fire		Fire	✔												✔
005		Charmeleon	Fire		Fire	✔												✔
006		Charizard	Fire	Flying	✔												✔
007		Squirtle	Water		Water	✔												✔
008		Wartortle	Water		Water	✔												✔
009		Blastoise	Water		Water	✔												✔
019		Rattata	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
020		Raticate	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
025		Pikachu	Electric		Electric	✔												✔
026		Raichu	Electric		Electric	✔												✔
027		Sandshrew	Ground		Ground	✔												✔
028		Sandslash	Ground		Ground	✔												✔
029		Nidoran♀	Poison		Poison	✔												✔
030		Nidorina	Poison		Poison	✔												✔
031		Nidoqueen	Poison	Ground	✔												✔
032		Nidoran♂	Poison		Poison	✔												✔
033		Nidorino	Poison		Poison	✔												✔
034		Nidoking	Poison	Ground	✔												✔
035		Clefairy	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
036		Clefable	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
039		Jigglypuff	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
040		Wigglytuff	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
052		Meowth	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
053		Persian	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
056		Mankey	Fighting		Fighting	✔												✔
057		Primeape	Fighting		Fighting	✔												✔
060		Poliwag	Water		Water	✔												✔
061		Poliwhirl	Water		Water	✔												✔
062		Poliwrath	Water	Fighting	✔												✔
074		Geodude	Rock	Ground	✔												✔
075		Graveler	Rock	Ground	✔												✔
076		Golem	Rock	Ground	✔												✔
108		Lickitung	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
113		Chansey	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
143		Snorlax	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
151		Mew	Psychic		Psychic	✔												✔
155		Cyndaquil	Fire		Fire	✔												✔
156		Quilava	Fire		Fire	✔												✔
157		Typhlosion	Fire		Fire	✔												✔
161		Sentret	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
162		Furret	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
172		Pichu	Electric		Electric	✔												✔
173		Cleffa	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
174		Igglybuff	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
175		Togepi	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
176		Togetic	Normal	Flying	✔												✔
179		Mareep	Electric		Electric	✔												✔
180		Flaaffy	Electric		Electric	✔												✔
181		Ampharos	Electric		Electric	✔												✔
183		Marill	Water		Water	✔												✔
184		Azumarill	Water		Water	✔												✔
185		Sudowoodo	Rock		Rock	✔												✔
186		Politoed	Water		Water	✔												✔
187		Hoppip	Grass	Flying	✔												✔
188		Skiploom	Grass	Flying	✔												✔
189		Jumpluff	Grass	Flying	✔												✔
190		Aipom	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
194		Wooper	Water	Ground	✔												✔
195		Quagsire	Water	Ground	✔												✔
200		Misdreavus	Ghost		Ghost	✔												✔
204		Pineco	Bug		Bug	✔												✔
205		Forretress	Bug		Steel	✔												✔
206		Dunsparce	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
208		Steelix	Steel	Ground	✔												✔
209		Snubbull	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
210		Granbull	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
211		Qwilfish	Water	Poison	✔												✔
213		Shuckle	Bug	Rock	✔												✔
215		Sneasel	Dark	Ice	✔												✔
216		Teddiursa	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
217		Ursaring	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
218		Slugma	Fire		Fire	✔												✔
219		Magcargo	Fire	Rock	✔												✔
220		Swinub	Ice	Ground	✔												✔
221		Piloswine	Ice	Ground	✔												✔
222		Corsola	Water	Rock	✔												✔
223		Remoraid	Water		Water	✔												✔
224		Octillery	Water		Water	✔												✔
231		Phanpy	Ground		Ground	✔												✔
232		Donphan	Ground		Ground	✔												✔
233		Porygon2	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
241		Miltank	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
242		Blissey	Normal		Normal	✔												✔
251		Celebi	Psychic	Grass	✔												✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By Move Tutor

#	Pokémon		Type		Game
					FRLG	E	XD
001		Bulbasaur	Grass	Poison					✔
002		Ivysaur	Grass	Poison					✔
003		Venusaur	Grass	Poison					✔
004		Charmander	Fire		Fire					✔
005		Charmeleon	Fire		Fire					✔
006		Charizard	Fire	Flying					✔
007		Squirtle	Water		Water					✔
008		Wartortle	Water		Water					✔
009		Blastoise	Water		Water					✔
019		Rattata	Normal		Normal					✔
020		Raticate	Normal		Normal					✔
025		Pikachu	Electric		Electric					✔
026		Raichu	Electric		Electric					✔
027		Sandshrew	Ground		Ground					✔
028		Sandslash	Ground		Ground					✔
029		Nidoran♀	Poison		Poison					✔
030		Nidorina	Poison		Poison					✔
031		Nidoqueen	Poison	Ground					✔
032		Nidoran♂	Poison		Poison					✔
033		Nidorino	Poison		Poison					✔
034		Nidoking	Poison	Ground					✔
035		Clefairy	Normal		Normal					✔
036		Clefable	Normal		Normal					✔
039		Jigglypuff	Normal		Normal					✔
040		Wigglytuff	Normal		Normal					✔
052		Meowth	Normal		Normal					✔
053		Persian	Normal		Normal					✔
056		Mankey	Fighting		Fighting					✔
057		Primeape	Fighting		Fighting					✔
060		Poliwag	Water		Water					✔
061		Poliwhirl	Water		Water					✔
062		Poliwrath	Water	Fighting					✔
074		Geodude	Rock	Ground					✔
075		Graveler	Rock	Ground					✔
076		Golem	Rock	Ground					✔
108		Lickitung	Normal		Normal					✔
113		Chansey	Normal		Normal					✔
143		Snorlax	Normal		Normal					✔
151		Mew	Psychic		Psychic					✔
155		Cyndaquil	Fire		Fire					✔
156		Quilava	Fire		Fire					✔
157		Typhlosion	Fire		Fire					✔
161		Sentret	Normal		Normal					✔
162		Furret	Normal		Normal					✔
172		Pichu	Electric		Electric					✔
173		Cleffa	Normal		Normal					✔
174		Igglybuff	Normal		Normal					✔
175		Togepi	Normal		Normal					✔
176		Togetic	Normal	Flying					✔
179		Mareep	Electric		Electric					✔
180		Flaaffy	Electric		Electric					✔
181		Ampharos	Electric		Electric					✔
183		Marill	Water		Water					✔
184		Azumarill	Water		Water					✔
185		Sudowoodo	Rock		Rock					✔
186		Politoed	Water		Water					✔
187		Hoppip	Grass	Flying					✔
188		Skiploom	Grass	Flying					✔
189		Jumpluff	Grass	Flying					✔
190		Aipom	Normal		Normal					✔
194		Wooper	Water	Ground					✔
195		Quagsire	Water	Ground					✔
200		Misdreavus	Ghost		Ghost					✔
204		Pineco	Bug		Bug					✔
205		Forretress	Bug	Steel					✔
206		Dunsparce	Normal		Normal					✔
208		Steelix	Steel	Ground					✔
209		Snubbull	Normal		Normal					✔
210		Granbull	Normal		Normal					✔
211		Qwilfish	Water	Poison					✔
213		Shuckle	Bug	Rock					✔
215		Sneasel	Dark	Ice					✔
216		Teddiursa	Normal		Normal					✔
217		Ursaring	Normal		Normal					✔
218		Slugma	Fire		Fire					✔
219		Magcargo	Fire	Rock					✔
220		Swinub	Ice	Ground					✔
221		Piloswine	Ice	Ground					✔
222		Corsola	Water	Rock					✔
223		Remoraid	Water		Water					✔
224		Octillery	Water		Water					✔
231		Phanpy	Ground		Ground					✔
232		Donphan	Ground		Ground					✔
233		Porygon2	Normal		Normal					✔
241		Miltank	Normal		Normal					✔
242		Blissey	Normal		Normal					✔
251		Celebi	Psychic	Grass					✔
258		Mudkip	Water		Water					✔
259		Marshtomp	Water	Ground					✔
260		Swampert	Water	Ground					✔
263		Zigzagoon	Normal		Normal					✔
264		Linoone	Normal		Normal					✔
273		Seedot	Grass		Grass					✔
274		Nuzleaf	Grass	Dark					✔
275		Shiftry	Grass	Dark					✔
280		Ralts	Psychic		Psychic					✔
281		Kirlia	Psychic		Psychic					✔
282		Gardevoir	Psychic		Psychic					✔
293		Whismur	Normal		Normal					✔
294		Loudred	Normal		Normal					✔
295		Exploud	Normal		Normal					✔
298		Azurill	Normal		Normal					✔
299		Nosepass	Rock		Rock					✔
300		Skitty	Normal		Normal					✔
301		Delcatty	Normal		Normal					✔
304		Aron	Steel	Rock					✔
305		Lairon	Steel	Rock					✔
306		Aggron	Steel	Rock					✔
311		Plusle	Electric		Electric					✔
312		Minun	Electric		Electric					✔
316		Gulpin	Poison		Poison					✔
317		Swalot	Poison		Poison					✔
320		Wailmer	Water		Water					✔
321		Wailord	Water		Water					✔
322		Numel	Fire	Ground					✔
323		Camerupt	Fire	Ground					✔
327		Spinda	Normal		Normal					✔
335		Zangoose	Normal		Normal					✔
337		Lunatone	Rock	Psychic					✔
338		Solrock	Rock	Psychic					✔
351		Castform	Normal		Normal					✔
352		Kecleon	Normal		Normal					✔
358		Chimecho	Psychic		Psychic					✔
362		Glalie	Ice		Ice					✔
363		Spheal	Ice	Water					✔
364		Sealeo	Ice	Water					✔
365		Walrein	Ice	Water					✔
372		Shelgon	Dragon		Dragon					✔
373		Salamence	Dragon	Flying					✔
375		Metang	Steel	Psychic					✔
376		Metagross	Steel	Psychic					✔
377		Regirock	Rock		Rock					✔
378		Regice	Ice		Ice					✔
379		Registeel	Steel		Steel					✔
382		Kyogre	Water		Water					✔
383		Groudon	Ground		Ground					✔
385		Jirachi	Steel	Psychic					✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move.

In the anime

Sentret Phanpy Golem Donphan
The user curls up to conceal weak spots.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Sandshrew curls itself into a ball.
A.J.'s Sandshrew	Path to the Pokémon League		Debut Sandshrew could not legally learn Defense Curl at the time
	Golem pulls its arms and legs into its shell, and hides its head, making itself a ball.
Chopper's Golem	The Bridge Bike Gang		None
A wild Golem	Hour of the Houndour		None
	Sentret rolls itself up in a ball.
A wild Sentret	Tanks a Lot!		None
	Graveler pulls its arms and legs in and curls itself into a ball.
Rory's Graveler	Spring Fever		None
	Phanpy curls itself into a ball and becomes outlined in yellow, protecting it from attacks.
Ash's Phanpy	Entei at Your Own Risk		None
	Poliwag pulls in its legs and wraps its tail around itself to make itself a ball.
A Poliwag Max borrowed from the Pokémon Trainer's School	Gonna Rule the School!		None
	Donphan curls itself into ball, protecting itself from attacks.
Ash's Donphan	Queen of the Serpentine!		None

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Golem
The user curls its body into a ball-like shape to heighten defense.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Golem pulls its arms and legs into its shell, protecting it from attacks.
Yellow's Gravvy	The Legend		Debut

In the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure! manga

Munchlax
The user curls its body to strength its defense.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Munchlax rolls around.
A wild Munchlax	Find Munchlax!!		Debut

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

Clefairy
The user curls into a ball.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Clefairy curls into a ball and then rolls forward.
Red's Clefairy	Pikachu Was Kidnapped!!		None

In other generations

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD: Time, Darkness, and Sky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

In other languages

Language Title Mandarin Chinese 防衛卷 Fángwèijuǎn Danish Forsvarsrul Dutch Verdedigingsrol Finnish Torjuntakierre (EP267) Puolustuskihara (AG140) French Boul'Armure German Einigler Greek Αμυντική Περιέλιξη Hindi बचाओ पैतरा "Bachao paintra" Italian Ricciolscudo Korean 웅크리기 Ungkeurigi Brazilian Portuguese Defesa Fechada Serbian Sklupčavanje Spanish Rizo Defensa

Variations of the move Defense Curl
Defense Curl • Harden • Meditate • Sharpen • Withdraw Formerly a variation Howl

This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.