Is Cloyster Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?
Water Stone evolution with the highest Defense stat in FRLG's story. AbilityShell Armor blocks critical hits, making Cloyster's physical durability even more reliable. Water/Ice coverage handles Blaine, Giovanni, and Lance. The Special Defense is the weak point. Keep Cloyster away from special attackers and it tanks everything else.
Shellder resists most of Brock's coverage and hits back hard.
Misty's typing presses Shellder's defenses.
Lt. Surge's team hits Shellder's weaknesses hard.
Erika's team hits Shellder's weaknesses hard.
Cloyster has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.
Cloyster trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.
Cloyster has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.
Cloyster resists most of Giovanni's coverage and hits back hard.
Lorelei's typing presses Cloyster's defenses.
Cloyster has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.
Cloyster trades roughly evenly with Agatha's team.
Cloyster has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.
Cloyster trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.
Catch Shellder on Pallet Town (Super Rod fishing, Lv 15-25, common).
- After Misty
- TM03WaterWater Pulse90100%20
- After Erika
- TM14IceBlizzard11070%5
- TM43NormalSecret Power70100%20
- After Koga
- HM03WaterSurf135100%15
- After Blaine
- TUTORNormalExplosion250100%5
- LV 50IceIce Beam90100%10
- After Giovanni
- TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- Post-Game
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
You can buy the Water Stone at the Celadon Department Store on the 4th floor (₽2,100). 1 other location is also available.
- STARTING (Lv 29)
- LV 29IceAurora Beam98100%20
- After Misty
- TM03WaterWater Pulse90100%20
- After Erika
- TM14IceBlizzard16570%5
- TM13IceIce Beam135100%10
- TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
- After Koga
- HM03WaterSurf135100%15
- After Blaine
- TUTORNormalExplosion250100%5
- After Giovanni
- TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- Post-Game
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
How to Get Cloyster in FireRed & LeafGreen
Water Stone on Shellder. FireRed exclusive chain since Shellder is version-locked. No wild Cloyster in FRLG.
Wild Cloyster may be holding when caught:
Pearl (50% chance) A relatively small pearl that sparkles in a pretty silver color. It can be sold cheaply.
Big Pearl (5% chance) A quite-large pearl that sparkles in a pretty silver color. It can be sold at a high price.Catch Shellder at any of these 6 spots to eventually evolve into Cloyster.
Encountered via fishing with a Rod
- 1Catch Shellder
- 2Evolve CloysterUse Water Stone
Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8How to Obtain Cloyster in FRLG
The path to Cloyster starts with Shellder at Lv. 15-25 via fishing encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 2Cloyster ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Four Island Pokemon Day Care to receive a Cloyster egg. Requires the Rainbow Pass to access Four Island.
Cloyster Weakness
Cloyster's Water/Ice typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric, Grass, Fighting, and Rock. Cloyster's physical bulk (base 180 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass, Fighting, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Ice |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
What is Cloyster Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Cloyster
 Pikachu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Pikachu builds →Shock Wave 2x65-78% Brick Break 2x22-26% | ||
 Mankey Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Mankey builds →Brick Break 2x43-52% Rock Tomb 2x22-26% | ||
 Ivysaur GrassPoison | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Bulbasaur (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Ivysaur builds →Vine Whip 2x54-65% Rock Smash 2x11-13% | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Geodude builds →Brick Break 2x28-35% Rock Tomb 2x33-39% | ||
 Paras BugGrass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Paras builds →Rock Smash 2x11-13% Bullet Seed 2x15-20% | ||
 Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) | ||
 Raichu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Raichu builds →Thunderbolt 2x141-166%KO Brick Break 2x26-32% | ||
 Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Primeape builds →Brick Break 2x46-55% Thunderbolt 2x68-82% Rock Tomb 2x22-26% | ||
 Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Machoke builds →Brick Break 2x43-51% Rock Tomb 2x20-24% | ||
 Voltorb Electric | C | |
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x171-202%KO Double Kick 2x9-12% | ||
Raichu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Raichu builds →Thunderbolt 2x144-171%KO Brick Break 2x27-33% | ||
 Electrode Electric | B | |
Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Primeape builds →Brick Break 2x47-56% Thunderbolt 2x71-84% Rock Tomb 2x21-26% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Machoke builds →Brick Break 2x44-52% Rock Tomb 2x21-26% | ||
 Hitmonlee Fighting | B | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Hitmonlee builds →Focus Punch 2x98-115%KO Rock Tomb 2x23-28% | ||
Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Primeape builds →Focus Punch 2x88-105%KO Thunderbolt 2x71-84% Rock Tomb 2x21-26% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x85-101%KO Rock Tomb 2x21-26% | ||
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x171-202%KO Double Kick 2x9-12% | ||
Raichu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Raichu builds →Focus Punch 2x51-60% Thunderbolt 2x144-171%KO | ||
Hitmonlee Fighting | B | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Hitmonlee builds →Focus Punch 2x95-112%KO Rock Tomb 2x23-27% | ||
Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Primeape builds →Focus Punch 2x84-99% Thunderbolt 2x69-81% Rock Tomb 2x19-24% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x81-97% Rock Tomb 2x19-24% | ||
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x168-198%KO Double Kick 2x9-12% | ||
 Exeggutor GrassPsychic | B | |
Hitmonlee Fighting | B | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Hitmonlee builds →Focus Punch 2x98-115%KO Rock Tomb 2x22-27% | ||
Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Primeape builds →Focus Punch 2x87-103%KO Thunderbolt 2x72-85% Rock Tomb 2x20-24% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x83-98% Rock Tomb 2x20-24% | ||
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x173-204%KO Double Kick 2x9-11% | ||
Exeggutor GrassPsychic | B | |
 Heracross BugFighting | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x99-118%KO Rock Tomb 2x23-27% | ||
Hitmonlee Fighting | B | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Hitmonlee builds →Focus Punch 2x95-112%KO Rock Tomb 2x22-26% | ||
 Raikou Electric | B | |
Obtain MethodRoaming Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Raikou builds →Thunderbolt 2x180-212%KO Rock Smash 2x8-9% | ||
Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Primeape builds →Focus Punch 2x86-102%KO Thunderbolt 2x71-84% Rock Tomb 2x20-23% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x82-96% Rock Tomb 2x19-22% | ||
In FireRed & LeafGreen, Dugtrio's Rock Slide hits Cloyster for 48-56%. Steelix deals 38-45% with Explosion.
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityArenatrap ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake32-37% Rock Slide 2x48-56% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Donphan builds →Earthquake20-24% Rapid Spin10-12% Rock Slide 2x31-36% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRockhead ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Steelix builds →Earthquake15-18% Explosion38-45% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Claydol builds →Rapid Spin9-11% Earthquake18-21% Explosion44-53% Psychic22-26% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Flygon builds →Earthquake17-20% Rock Slide 2x25-30% | ||
Cloyster Evolutions
Getting Cloyster requires an evolution item, not just grinding levels. The chain starts at Shellder. Breed this form to get Shellder eggs (average hatch time). Defense grew the most through evolution (+80 over Shellder), and Cloyster peaks at 525 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Cloyster to get Shellder eggs easily using 19 partners from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Barrier, Bubble Beam, Icicle Spear and 3 more.
FRLG Cloyster Best Moveset
180 Defense is the highest in the format, making physical attacks nearly meaningless against it. AbilityShell Armor blocks critical hits from bypassing that bulk. MoveSpikes sets TermEntry Hazards while 95 Attack fires MoveExplosion for devastating damage. The moveset revolves around setting hazards and threatening Explosion.
Best Build
Cloyster best EVs are Sp. Def and Speed
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Spikes
- Explosion
- Surf
- Rapid Spin
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
You'll want to breed for Barrier and Bubble Beam on Cloyster. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Blizzard and Ice Beam, they expand what Cloyster can actually threaten in practice.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Base Stats
Its shell is extremely hard. It cannot be shattered, even with a bomb. The shell opens only when it is attacking.
When attacked, it launches its horns in quick volleys. Its innards have never been seen.
Cloyster FireRed & LeafGreen Guide
- Why can't I find Cloyster in LeafGreen?
Cloyster is exclusive to Pokemon FireRed. LeafGreen players have to trade for one.
See the Locations section above for where to find Cloyster in FireRed.
How to trade in FireRed and LeafGreen
GBA cartridges: You need a Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable and both players' FireRed/LeafGreen cartridges. Trade at the Cable Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, which opens up shortly after Oak gives you the Pokedex.Nintendo Switch (2026 release): Trading uses local wireless only. There is no online play, and no Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required. Both players head to the Pokemon Wireless Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, then step into a Union Room. Up to four other players can join. Available once you have the Pokedex from Professor Oak.
Game Availability
One of the original 151, Cloyster has appeared in 20 games — most mainline games. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves