Special
Balanced
345Low
32Very Slow
DTier

Clamperl sits at the start of its evolution line — not yet at full power, but that changes fast. Most trainers push through to Huntail as fast as possible. Been around since Gen 3. Only weak to Electric and Grass.

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.

Base Stats
345Avg
HP35
F
Attack64
C
Defense85
C
Sp. Atk74
C
Sp. Def55
D
Speed32
F
Total345
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Clamperl yields +1 Def
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Details
Catch255GuaranteedErratic600,000 XP0.4m / 1'04"52.5kg / 115.7 lbs69Base XP
Pokedex Entries

When it evolves, it makes a mysterious pearl that amplifies psychic powers when it’s held.

X

It is protected by a sturdy shell. Once in a lifetime, it makes a magnificent pearl.

Y

Clamperl Weakness

Good

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.

4xCriticali
None
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Scorei0
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
Shell ArmorProtects against critical hits.
RattledHARaises Speed one stage upon being hit by a dark, ghost, or bug move.

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.

How to Evolve

2 Evolutions
Huntail
#367Huntail
Trade + Deep Sea Tooth
Gorebyss
#368Gorebyss
Trade + Deep Sea Scale
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Clamperl
Water
Huntail
Water
HP
35
55+20
55+20
ATK
64
104+40
84+20
DEF
85
105+20
105+20
SP.ATK
74
94+20
114+40
SP.DEF
55
75+20
75+20
SPE
32
52+20
52+20
BST
345D-Tier
485C-Tier+140
485C-Tier+140
ROLE
Balanced
Attacker
Attacker
TYPE
Special
Mixed
Special
Breeding
Very Easy

Breed Clamperl easily from the Water1 egg group. Pass egg moves like Aqua Ring, Barrier, Body Slam and 8 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Water1
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
11moves

This is a pure walling set. Eviolite provides a bulk boost that only works before full evolution so Clamperl sticks around, and the Bold nature reinforces physical wall. Rest handles sustain while Shellarmor does work passively.

Best Build

Wall
Ability
Shellarmor
Item
EvioliteBULK
Nature
Bold+DEF
EVs

Best Clamperl Moveset

  • RestRecovery
  • Sleep Talk
  • ScaldSTAB
  • BarrierUtility

Recommended Teammates

Breeding's the move. Aqua Ring and Barrier give Clamperl options it can't learn any other way, and Ice and Normal coverage already covers a decent range on top of Surf and Muddy Water. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Clamp
358515Water
Lv 1
Iron Defense
15Steel
Lv 1
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 1
Whirlpool
358515Water
Lv 50
Shell Smash
15Normal

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
110705Ice
TM100
Confide
20Normal
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
10020Normal
TM07
Hail
10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
9010010Ice
TM17
Protect+4
10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
5Water
TM44
Rest
10Psychic
TM27
Return
10020Normal
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM55
Scald
8010015Water
TM88
Sleep Talk
10Normal
TM90
Substitute
10Normal
HM03
Surf
9010015Water
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM06
Toxic
9010Poison
HM05
Waterfall
8010015Water

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Aqua Ring
20Water
Egg
Barrier
20Psychic
Egg
Body Slam
8510015Normal
Egg
Brine
6510010Water
Egg
Confuse Ray
10010Ghost
Egg
Endure+4
10Normal
Egg
Mud Sport
15Ground
Egg
Muddy Water
908510Water
Egg
Refresh
20Normal
Egg
Supersonic
5520Normal
Egg
Water Pulse
6010020Water

Tutor Moves

Clamperl can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Src
Gen 4
Captivate
10020Normal
Gen 3
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
10Normal
Gen 4
Natural Gift
10015Normal

decent spawn rates for Clamperl across 2 locations in mid-game fishing spots. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.

Best Locations

Route 12
YGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
MODERATE
Route 12
XGood RodLv.25UncommonMidRoute
MODERATE
  • Clamperl isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Huntail to unlock its full potential. At 345 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.

  • Clamperl's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric) and Exeggutor (Grass), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. At base 32 Speed, Clamperl won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.

  • Clamperl can evolve into Huntail and Gorebyss depending on the method. Clamperl is the base form in a 3-stage evolutionary line.

  • Shell Armor is the go-to ability for Clamperl. It protects against critical hits. Its hidden ability Rattled can work in specific setups.

  • Clamperl fills the balanced role. It's a special attacker with base 74 Sp. Atk. Base 32 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go.

  • Clamperl appears in 13 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.

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.