Clamperl Best Moveset
85 Defense on a Water pre-evo with Held ItemDeep Sea Tooth doubling Sp. Atk to an effective 148 or Held ItemDeep Sea Scale doubling Sp. Def. The moveset is gimmick-dependent on the held item. Branches into Huntail (physical) or Gorebyss (special).
DeepSeaTooth doubled Sp. Atk in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). 74 base became 148 effective. A pre-evolution hitting harder than most evolved Pokemon on one item.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Surf
- Hidden Power Electric
- Confuse Ray
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
Same DeepSeaTooth trick in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Shell Smash didn't exist yet. Two gens of item-dependent power on 345 BST.
Best Moves
Best Build
Clamperl best EVs are HP and Sp. Atk
Special Tank Moveset
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power Electric
- Hidden Power Grass
Recommended Teammates
Clamperl was a niche pick at best in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from C-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Rattled with Deepseatooth, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Shell Smash
- Hidden Power Grass
Recommended Teammates
Clamperl was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. Clamperl maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Shellarmor with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Scald
- Barrier
Recommended Teammates
Clamperl was a niche pick at best in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM), rarely seen in standard play. Clamperl maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Shellarmor with Deepseatooth, favoring a Quiet nature.
Special Tank Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Shell Smash
- Hidden Power Fire
Recommended Teammates
Clamperl Weakness
Type-wise, Clamperl takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Clamperl's physical bulk (base 85 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
What is Clamperl Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Clamperl
Kartana's Knock Off hits Clamperl for 43-51%. Rotom threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (206-242%).
 Kartana GrassSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Clamperl View Kartana builds →Knock Off43-51% | ||
 Rotom ElectricGhost | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Clamperl View Rotom builds →Volt Switch 2x161-189%KO Shadow Ball92-108%KO Thunderbolt 2x206-242%KO | ||
Evolution
Clamperl's evolution chain splits 2 ways into Huntail and Gorebyss. The method you choose determines which form you get. Evolving adds up to 140 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Clamperl easily with 114 breeding partners from the Water1 egg group.
How to Get Clamperl
The chain to Clamperl requires a trade evolution. Catch Clamperl in the wild and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
Where To Catch Clamperl in BDSP
To get Clamperl, start by catching Clamperl through walking and fishing encounters at Lv. 20-63. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Clamperl ✓Route 219Lv.20-30Super RodRate 5%Route 221Lv.20-30Super RodRate 5%Fountainspring CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRiverbank CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStill-Water CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameAvailable in-game· 2 pathsPick one
The chain to Clamperl requires a trade evolution. Catch Clamperl in the wild and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
Where To Catch Clamperl in USUM
To get Clamperl, start by catching Clamperl through fishing encounters at Lv. 10-40. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Clamperl ✓Melemele SeaLv.10-22Super RodRate 35%DayShaking spotRoute 15Lv.10-40Super RodRate 35%Shaking spotMelemele SeaLv.10-22Super RodRate 20%NightShaking spotHau'oli City - BeachfrontLv.10-17Super RodRate 5%Hau'oli City - BeachfrontLv.10-22Super RodRate 5%Shaking spotMelemele SeaLv.10-17Super RodRate 5%Route 15Lv.10-35Super RodRate 5%Available in-game· 2 pathsPick one
Clamperl can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Clamperl from Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, or Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl and evolve through the to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
The chain to Clamperl requires a trade evolution. Catch Clamperl in the wild and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.
Where To Catch Clamperl in ORAS
To get Clamperl, start by catching Clamperl through walking encounters at Lv. 30+. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Clamperl ✓Route 107 - UnderwaterLv.30GrassRate 30%Route 124 - UnderwaterLv.30GrassRate 30%Route 126 - UnderwaterLv.30GrassRate 30%Route 128 - UnderwaterLv.30GrassRate 30%Route 129 - UnderwaterLv.30GrassRate 30%Route 130 - UnderwaterLv.30GrassRate 30%Available in-game· 2 pathsPick one
Base Stats
Clamperl's spread isn't flashy. Defense leads, Speed trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Easy to catch and worth 1 Defense EV, on a standard growth curve.
It makes a single pearl during its lifetime. The pearl is said to amplify psychic power.
Clamperl Guide
Clamperl evolves into Huntail via trade. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Clamperl to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required. The Deep Sea Tooth must be held during the trade. Bring one over from a sibling Gen 3 game if needed.
Clamperl does the job early-game if you need a Water type on your team. Evolve it into Huntail before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Clamperl has been available in 13 games since Ruby & Sapphire, though obtaining it requires a trade evolution. This extra step makes it less common than Pokemon found through standard wild encounters.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
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