Defense leads and Sp. Def gets almost nothing. That's Cloyster's stat line in a nutshell. 3 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Moderately hard to find and yields 2 Defense EVs.
Cloyster that live in seas with harsh tidal currents grow large, sharp spikes on their shells.
When attacked, it launches its spikes in quick volleys. Its innards have never been seen.
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 |
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves View Chansey builds →
| ||
ClodsireImmune to Water via Water Absorb, ignores boosts via Unaware, recovers with Recover PoisonGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Clodsire builds →Earthquake22-25% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Gliscor builds →Earthquake26-30% Knock Off12-14% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake30-35% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityMoody ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves View Smeargle builds →
| ||
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
White Herb and Skilllink form the backbone. Cloyster invests max Attack and Speed EVs to play its physical attacker role properly, and Adamant nature pushes Attack higher. Shellsmash handles the heavy lifting on offense. The remaining moves rounds it out.
Best Build
Cloyster best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Drill Run
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Liquidation
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Icicle Spear
- Shell Smash
- Rock Blast
- Ice Shard
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Icicle Spear
- Shell Smash
- Razor Shell
- Explosion
Recommended Teammates
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Cloyster. TMs unlock Normal and Ground coverage and more and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Hydro Pump and Blizzard into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
You'll want to breed for Aqua Ring and Bubble Beam on Cloyster. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Hydro Pump and Blizzard, they expand what Cloyster can actually threaten in practice.
You'll want to breed for Aqua Ring and Bubble Beam on Cloyster. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Hydro Pump and Blizzard, they expand what Cloyster can actually threaten in practice.
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Cloyster. TMs unlock Normal and Bug coverage and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Blizzard and Ice Beam into something with actual range.
low spawn rates across 34 encounter spots for Cloyster. That's the kind of hunt where you pick one location and settle in. Sort by Best below to see where the odds are highest.
Where To Catch Cloyster in Scarlet & Violet
The path to Cloyster starts with Shellder at Lv. 15-65 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch ShellderCasseroya Lake - BeachScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water36%EarlyCasseroya Lake - BeachVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water36%EarlyCasseroya Lake - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water36%EarlyCasseroya Lake - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water36%EarlyEast Paldean Sea - BeachVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water36%EarlyEast Paldean Sea - BeachScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water36%EarlyEast Paldean Sea - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water36%EarlyEast Paldean Sea - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water36%EarlyEast Province (Area One) - BeachVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyEast Province (Area One) - BeachScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyEast Province (Area One) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyEast Province (Area One) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyEast Province (Area Three) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyEast Province (Area Three) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyEast Province (Area Two) - BeachScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyEast Province (Area Two) - BeachVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyEast Province (Area Two) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyEast Province (Area Two) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyGlaseado MountainScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Cave36%EarlyGlaseado MountainVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Cave36%EarlyNorth Paldean Sea - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water36%EarlyNorth Paldean Sea - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water36%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - BeachScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - BeachVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyNorth Province (Area Three) - BeachVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyNorth Province (Area Three) - BeachScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyNorth Province (Area Three) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyNorth Province (Area Three) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlySouth Paldean Sea - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water36%EarlySouth Paldean Sea - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water36%EarlySouth Province (Area Five) - BeachVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlySouth Province (Area Five) - BeachScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlySouth Province (Area Five) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlySouth Province (Area Five) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - BeachScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - BeachVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlySouth Province (Area Six) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlySouth Province (Area Six) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyWest Paldean Sea - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water36%EarlyWest Paldean Sea - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Water36%EarlyWest Province (Area One) - BeachVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyWest Province (Area One) - BeachScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyWest Province (Area One) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyWest Province (Area One) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyWest Province (Area Two) - BeachVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyWest Province (Area Two) - BeachScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyWest Province (Area Two) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%EarlyWest Province (Area Two) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.15-40 Route36%Early
Step 2Cloyster ✓Casseroya Lake - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Water1%LateCasseroya Lake - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Water1%LateEast Paldean Sea - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Water1%LateEast Paldean Sea - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Water1%LateEast Province (Area One) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateEast Province (Area One) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateEast Province (Area Three) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateEast Province (Area Three) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateEast Province (Area Two) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateEast Province (Area Two) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateGlaseado MountainVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Cave1%LateGlaseado MountainScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Cave1%LateNorth Paldean Sea - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Water1%LateNorth Paldean Sea - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Water1%LateNorth Province (Area One) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateNorth Province (Area One) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateNorth Province (Area Three) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateNorth Province (Area Three) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateSouth Paldean Sea - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Water1%LateSouth Paldean Sea - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Water1%LateSouth Province (Area Five) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateSouth Province (Area Five) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateSouth Province (Area Four) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateSouth Province (Area Four) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateSouth Province (Area One) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateSouth Province (Area One) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateSouth Province (Area Six) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateSouth Province (Area Six) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateWest Paldean Sea - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Water1%LateWest Paldean Sea - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Water1%LateWest Province (Area One) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateWest Province (Area One) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateWest Province (Area Two) - OceanVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateWest Province (Area Two) - OceanScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%Lateor evolve from Shellder (Step 1)
Cloyster doesn't appear wild. Catch Shellder instead, it shows up at moderate rates. Evolve it through a special method to get Cloyster. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Cloyster in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
The path to Cloyster starts with Shellder at Lv. 20-63 via walking and fishing encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch ShellderFuego IronworksBrilliant DiamondSuper Rod Lv.20-40 Power-plant5%MidFuego IronworksShining PearlSuper Rod Lv.20-40 Power-plant5%MidRoute 205 - SouthShining PearlSuper Rod Lv.20-40 Route5%MidRoute 205 - SouthBrilliant DiamondSuper Rod Lv.20-40 Route5%MidValley WindworksShining PearlSuper Rod Lv.20-40 Power-plant5%MidValley WindworksBrilliant DiamondSuper Rod Lv.20-40 Power-plant5%MidFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-game
Step 2Cloyster ✓
Cloyster starts showing up in mid-game fishing spots at moderate rates across 6 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Cloyster in Sword & Shield
Shellder is your first catch on the way to Cloyster. You'll find surfing and fishing encounters from Lv. 8-43 across 34 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch ShellderEast Lake AxewellShieldSuper Rod Lv.8-12 Cave20%EarlyEast Lake AxewellSwordSuper Rod Lv.8-12 Cave20%EarlyGiant's SeatShieldSuper Rod Lv.30-35 Water60%MidGiant's SeatSwordSuper Rod Lv.30-35 Water60%MidCourageous CavernShieldSuper Rod Lv.16-21 Cave40%MidCourageous CavernSwordSuper Rod Lv.16-21 Cave40%MidLoop LagoonSwordSuper Rod Lv.19-2440%MidLoop LagoonShieldSuper Rod Lv.19-2440%MidEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave45%LateRainingEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave45%LateRainingEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave30%LateSandstormEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave30%LateSandstormWest Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Cave25%LateSnowingWest Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Cave25%LateSnowingEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave20%LateSnowingEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave20%LateSnowingEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave15%LateOvercastEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave15%LateNormal WeatherEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave15%LateOvercastEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave15%LateNormal WeatherEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave10%LateIntense SunEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave10%LateThunderstormEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave10%LateIntense SunEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave10%LateThunderstormEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave5%LateSnowstormEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave5%LateHeavy FogEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave5%LateSnowstormEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave5%LateHeavy Fog
Step 2Cloyster ✓Courageous CavernShieldSuper Rod Lv.16-21 Cave10%MidCourageous CavernSwordSuper Rod Lv.16-21 Cave10%MidLoop LagoonSwordSuper Rod Lv.19-2410%MidLoop LagoonShieldSuper Rod Lv.19-2410%MidGiant's SeatShieldSuper Rod Lv.30-35 Water5%MidGiant's SeatSwordSuper Rod Lv.30-35 Water5%Midor evolve from Shellder (Step 1)
Cloyster tops out at low spawn rates across 4 locations in late-game water routes. The encounters below are sorted by rate so you can see exactly what you're working with.
Where To Catch Cloyster in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
To get Cloyster, start by catching Shellder through surfing encounters at Lv. 39-44. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch ShellderSeafoam Islands - Area 2Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.39-44 Water30%LateSeafoam Islands - Area 2Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.39-44 Water30%LateSeafoam Islands - Area 3Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.39-44 Water30%LateSeafoam Islands - Area 3Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.39-44 Water30%Late
Step 2Cloyster ✓Seafoam Islands - Area 2Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.39-44 Water1%LateSeafoam Islands - Area 2Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.39-44 Water1%LateSeafoam Islands - Area 3Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.39-44 Water1%LateSeafoam Islands - Area 3Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.39-44 Water1%Lateor evolve from Shellder (Step 1)
We rate Cloyster B-Tier: a solid choice for the right team. At 525 BST, the stats are spread pretty evenly. Base 180 Defense stands out.
Shell Armor protects against critical hits. That's the one you want on Cloyster. Overcoat is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Skill Link works too if your team needs something different.
Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Cloyster is a mixed attacker with base 95 Attack and 85 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Cloyster has answers, but so do you. Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Electric, Grass, and Fighting-type attackers hit hardest.
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 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut

Red & Blue - Gen 2GS

Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS

Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG

FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS

HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP

Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW

Black & White - Gen 5B2W2

Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY

X & Y - Gen 6ORAS

Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM

Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM

Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE

Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh

Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV

Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW

Winds & Waves
