From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.

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

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

Defense Curl also doubles the power of the user's Rollout and Ice Ball as long as the user remains in battle. This effect does not stack with itself and cannot be Baton Passed.

Defense Curl can be used as the first move of a Pokémon Contest combination, causing Rollout and Tackle to score double the normal appeal if used in the next turn. It can also be used as part of a Contest Spectacular combination, causing Ice Ball and Rollout to give the user an extra three appeal points if they are used in the next turn.

If powered up by a Normalium Z into Z-Defense Curl, the user's accuracy is raised by one stage.

Description

Games Description
StadStad2 Raises the user's Defense. Can normally be used up to six times in a row.
GSC Heightens the user's Defense.
RSEColoXD Curls up to conceal weak spots and raise Defense.
FRLG The user curls up to conceal weak spots and raise its Defense stat.
DPPtHGSSPBR
BWB2W2
XYORAS
SMUSUMPE
SwShBDSPLA 		The user curls up to conceal weak spots and raise its Defense stat.
SV The user curls up and boosts its Defense stat.

Learnset

By leveling up

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Level
I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX
0027 Sandshrew GroundIC Big.png Field − 6 6 3 3BW
1B2W2 		1 1 1 1 1 1
0027 Sandshrew IceIC Big.png
SteelIC Big.png 		Field 1 1 1 1
0028 Sandslash GroundIC Big.png Field − 1, 6 1, 6 1, 3 1, 3BW
1B2W2 		1 1 1 1 1 1
0028 Sandslash IceIC Big.png
SteelIC Big.png 		Field 1 1 1 Rem.
0035 Clefairy FairyIC Big.png Fairy 39 26 25 13 13 13 13 4 1 1 1
0036 Clefable FairyIC Big.png Fairy − − − − − − − 1 1 1 Rem.
0039 Jigglypuff NormalIC Big.png
FairyIC Big.png 		Fairy 19 4 4 5 5 5XY
3ORAS 		3 6 1 1 1
0040 Wigglytuff NormalIC Big.png
FairyIC Big.png 		Fairy 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 − 1 1 1
0074 Geodude RockIC Big.png
GroundIC Big.png 		Mineral 11 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0074 Geodude RockIC Big.png
ElectricIC Big.png 		Mineral 1 1 1
0075 Graveler RockIC Big.png
GroundIC Big.png 		Mineral 1, 11 1, 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0075 Graveler RockIC Big.png
ElectricIC Big.png 		Mineral 1 1 1
0076 Golem RockIC Big.png
GroundIC Big.png 		Mineral 1, 11 1, 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0076 Golem RockIC Big.png
ElectricIC Big.png 		Mineral 1 1 1
0108 Lickitung NormalIC Big.png Monster 23 13 12 9 9 9 9 − 1 1
0113 Chansey NormalIC Big.png Fairy 44 41 41 31 1 1 1 4 1 1 1
0143 Snorlax NormalIC Big.png Monster − 15 10RSE
9FRLG 		4 4 4 4 6 1 1 1
0155 Cyndaquil FireIC Big.png Field − − 22 22 22 22 22 22
0156 Quilava FireIC Big.png Field − − 24 24 24 24 24 24
0157 Typhlosion FireIC Big.png Field − − 24 24 24 24 24 24
0157 Typhlosion FireIC Big.png
GhostIC Big.png 		Field 24
0161 Sentret NormalIC Big.png Field 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
0162 Furret NormalIC Big.png Field 1, 5 1, 4 1, 4 1, 4 1, 4 1, 4 1, 4 1
0174 Igglybuff NormalIC Big.png
FairyIC Big.png 		No Eggs Discovered 4 4 5 5 5XY
3ORAS 		3 4 4 4
0183 Marill WaterIC Big.png
FairyIC Big.png 		Water 1 Fairy 3 3 2 2BW
10B2W2 		10 10 1 1 1
0184 Azumarill WaterIC Big.png
FairyIC Big.png 		Water 1 Fairy 1, 3 1, 3 1, 2 1, 2BW
10B2W2 		10 10 1 1 1
0206 Dunsparce NormalIC Big.png Field 5 4 5 4BW
1B2W2 		1 1 1 1 1
0231 Phanpy GroundIC Big.png Field 9 9 1 1 1 1 1 1
0232 Donphan GroundIC Big.png Field 9 9 1 1 1 1 1 1
0233 Porygon2 NormalIC Big.png Mineral 24 24 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0241 Miltank NormalIC Big.png Field 8 8 5 5 5 5 10 10
0242 Blissey NormalIC Big.png Fairy 33 33 31 1 1 1 1 1 1
0363 Spheal IceIC Big.png
WaterIC Big.png 		Water 1 Field 1FRLG 1 1 1 1 1 1
0364 Sealeo IceIC Big.png
WaterIC Big.png 		Water 1 Field 1FRLG − − 1ORAS 1 1 1
0365 Walrein IceIC Big.png
WaterIC Big.png 		Water 1 Field 1FRLG − − 1ORAS 1 1 1
0399 Bidoof NormalIC Big.png Water 1 Field 9 9 9 5 5
0400 Bibarel NormalIC Big.png
WaterIC Big.png 		Water 1 Field 9 9 9 5 5
0427 Buneary NormalIC Big.png Field Human-Like 1 1 1 1 4 4
0428 Lopunny NormalIC Big.png Field Human-Like 1 1 1 1 1 1
0440 Happiny NormalIC Big.png No Eggs Discovered − − − − 4 4 4
0446 Munchlax NormalIC Big.png No Eggs Discovered 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
0463 Lickilicky NormalIC Big.png Monster 9 9 9 9 1 1
0474 Porygon-Z NormalIC Big.png Mineral − − − − 1 1 1
0492 Shaymin GrassIC Big.png No Eggs Discovered 1DP − − − − −
0498 Tepig FireIC Big.png Field 13 13 13 13
0499 Pignite FireIC Big.png
FightingIC Big.png 		Field 13 13 13 13
0500 Emboar FireIC Big.png
FightingIC Big.png 		Field 13 13 13 13
0517 Munna PsychicIC Big.png Field 1 1 1 1
0518 Musharna PsychicIC Big.png Field 1 1 1 1
0543 Venipede BugIC Big.png
PoisonIC Big.png 		Bug 1 1 1 1
0544 Whirlipede BugIC Big.png
PoisonIC Big.png 		Bug 1 1 1 1
0545 Scolipede BugIC Big.png
PoisonIC Big.png 		Bug 1 1 1 1
0622 Golett GroundIC Big.png
GhostIC Big.png 		Mineral 1 1 1 4 4
0623 Golurk GroundIC Big.png
GhostIC Big.png 		Mineral 1 1 1 1 1
0767 Wimpod BugIC Big.png
WaterIC Big.png 		Bug Water 3 − 1
0768 Golisopod BugIC Big.png
WaterIC Big.png 		Bug Water 3 − 1
0774 Minior RockIC Big.png
FlyingIC Big.png 		Mineral 3 3
0775 Komala NormalIC Big.png Field 1 1
0777 Togedemaru ElectricIC Big.png
SteelIC Big.png 		Field Fairy 5 5
0801 Magearna SteelIC Big.png
FairyIC Big.png 		No Eggs Discovered 1 6 6
0831 Wooloo NormalIC Big.png Field 4
0832 Dubwool NormalIC Big.png Field 1
0946 Bramblin GrassIC Big.png
GhostIC Big.png 		Grass 1
0947 Brambleghast GrassIC Big.png
GhostIC Big.png 		Grass 1
0953 Rellor BugIC Big.png Bug 1
0954 Rabsca BugIC Big.png
PsychicIC Big.png 		Bug 1
0982 Dudunsparce NormalIC Big.png Field 1
0984 Great Tusk GroundIC Big.png
FightingIC Big.png 		No Eggs Discovered 1
0990 Iron Treads GroundIC Big.png
SteelIC Big.png 		No Eggs Discovered 1
1025 Pecharunt PoisonIC Big.png
GhostIC Big.png 		No Eggs Discovered Rem.
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

By TM/Move Tutor

Special move

Generation VIII

In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Defense Curl raises the user's Defense by one stage. The power of Rollout and Ice Ball will be doubled if Defense Curl was the user's most recently used move.

Pokémon Rumble Rush

In Pokémon Rumble Rush, all status moves including Defense Curl could only be used by opposing Pokémon and could not be obtained on any caught Pokémon. Defense Curl could be seen as a move used by Boss Geodude.

NormalIC RR.pngDefense Curl
Charge time 2.1 seconds
Range type Circular (self)
Target Self
Additional effect Raises the user's Defense

Pokémon UNITE

In Pokémon UNITE, Defense Curl is Wigglytuff's and Greedent's first move.

Wigglytuff starts with the move as Jigglypuff. The user gains a shield for 25% max HP and rolls forward a short distance, throwing enemies hit in the air for .5s. Hitting an obstacle while rolling will change the direction Wigglytuff is moving and reset the cooldown of Pound, Double Slap, or Dazzling Gleam. Upon evolving at level 4, it is replaced by either Rollout or Sing.

Greedent starts with the move as Skwovet. The move grants the user a shield (15% max HP) for a short time. In addition, an Oran Berry will drop in front of the user. Upon evolving at level 5, it is replaced by either Stuff Cheeks or Covet.

Description

Games Description
MDRB Boosts the user's Defense by one level.
MDTDS Boosts the user's Defense by 1 level.
BSL じぶんの ぼうぎょを １だんかいあげる
MDGtI It boosts your Defense. (The stat change returns to normal when you go to the next floor or step on a IconTileGTI.pngWonder Tile.)
SMD It boosts your Defense. The stat returns to normal when you go to the next floor or step on a IconTileSMD.pngWonder Tile.

In the anime

Main series

Pokémon: Twilight Wings

  • In Buddy, Hop mentioned that his Wooloo knows Defense Curl, but it hasn't been seen using the move.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Gravvy Defense Curl.png
Golem Furret Defense Curl Adventures.png
Furret
The user curls up to conceal weak spots and protect itself from attacks.
Pokémon Method
User First Chapter Used In Notes
Golem Golem pulls its arms and legs into its shell, protecting it from attacks.
Yellow's Gravvy The Legend Debut
Furret Furret curls around others to protect them.
Two wild Furret Popular Pupitar None

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!

Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All

Shu Sentret Defense Curl.png
Sentret
The user curls up into a ball
Pokémon Method
User First Chapter Used In Notes
Sentret Sentret tucks in its body and curls up into a ball.
Shu's Sentret GDZ42 Debut

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

In other generations

Core series games

Side series games

Spin-off series games

In other languages