For Black & White, we rate Cloyster C-Tier: a niche pick in Black & White's meta. At 525 BST, the stats are spread pretty evenly. Base 180 Defense stands out.

What is Cloyster weak to?

In Black & White, watch for Raikou (Electric), Venusaur (Grass), and Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Cloyster. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Rock-type attackers are also a problem.

What is the best ability for Cloyster?

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.

What role does Cloyster play in battle?

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.

What counters Cloyster?

For Black & White, 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.

Cloyster - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Mixed

Balanced

CTier

70Speed · Below Avg

Stats & Training

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.

Base Stats

High

HP50

Attack95

Defense180

Sp. Atk85

Sp. Def45

Speed70

Total525

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging60 / 255

Growth Rate

Slow1.25M XP

Height1.5 m

Weight132.5 kg

Base XP184

Abilities

Shell Armor

Protects against critical hits.

Skill Link

Extends two-to-five-hit moves and triple kick to their full length every time.

OvercoatHA

Protects against damage from weather.

EV Yield

HPAtkDef+2SpASpDSpe

Defense training target

Pokedex Entries

It fights by keeping its shell tightly shut for protection and by shooting spikes to repel foes.

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.

Cloyster Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Electric, Grass, Fighting, Rock
0.5x (Resist)	Water
0.25x (Resist)	Ice

Type ChartVulnerable

4Weak

2Resist

0Immune

Score-5

Gen V Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Grass Fighting Rock

½xResist

Water

¼xResist

Ice

0xImmune

None

STAB (6)

Fire Ground Rock Grass Flying Dragon

How to Beat Cloyster in Black & White (Best Counters)

Tirtouga WaterRock	C
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Rock SlideTM80 Ancient PowerLv. 18 Rock TombTM39 Smack DownLv. 31 Damage vs Cloyster Rock Slide 2x 37-44% Ancient Power 2x 62-74% Rock Tomb 2x 30-36% Smack Down 2x 26-30% View Tirtouga builds →
Ferroseed GrassSteel	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 ThunderboltTM24 Rock SmashTM94 RolloutLv. 6 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 74-88% Thunderbolt 2x 37-44% Rock Smash 2x 10-13% Rollout 2x 9-11% View Ferroseed builds →
Virizion GrassFighting	C
Obtain MethodPinwheel Forest Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Focus BlastTM52 Solar BeamTM22 Sacred SwordLv. 42 Giga DrainLv. 37 Damage vs Cloyster Focus Blast 2x 182-215%KO Solar Beam 2x 182-215%KO Sacred Sword 2x 47-55% Giga Drain 2x 114-135%KO View Virizion builds →
Omanyte RockWater	D
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Rock SlideTM80 Ancient PowerLv. 37 Rock TombTM39 Rock SmashTM94 Damage vs Cloyster Rock Slide 2x 23-28% Ancient Power 2x 94-110%KO Rock Tomb 2x 18-22% Rock Smash 2x 9-11% View Omanyte builds →
Kabuto RockWater	D
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Rock SlideTM80 Rock TombTM39 Mega DrainLv. 36 Rock SmashTM94 Damage vs Cloyster Rock Slide 2x 37-44% Rock Tomb 2x 30-36% Mega Drain 2x 29-35% Rock Smash 2x 14-17% View Kabuto builds →

Black & White Evolution

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

2 Forms

#090Shellder

Water Stone

#091Cloyster

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Shellder

Water

Cloyster

WaterIce

50+20

ATK

95+30

DEF

100

180+80

SP.ATK

85+40

SP.DEF

45+20

SPE

70+30

BST

305B-Tier

525B-Tier+220

ROLE

Balanced

TYPE

Physical

Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Cloyster to get Shellder eggs easily using 25 partners from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Aqua Ring, Avalanche, Barrier and 9 more.

Egg Groups

Water3

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

12moves

Breed With (best first)

Black & White Cloyster Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 5.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Moves

You'll want to breed for Aqua Ring and Avalanche on Cloyster. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Blizzard and Hydro Pump, they expand what Cloyster can actually threaten in practice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Aurora Beam

—6510020Ice

Lv 1

Protect+4

C——10Normal

Lv 1

Supersonic

D—5520Normal

Lv 1

Toxic Spikes

C——20Poison

Lv 1

Withdraw

———40Water

Lv 13

Spike Cannon

—2010015Normal

Lv 28

Spikes

C——20Ground

Lv 52

Icicle Crash

C859010Ice

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

C—10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

C120705Ice

HM06

Dive

C8010010Water

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM64

Explosion

B2501005Normal

TM42

Facade

C7010020Normal

TM79

Frost Breath

C609010Ice

TM21

Frustration

——10020Normal

TM68

Giga Impact

B150905Normal

TM07

Hail

———10Ice

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM15

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

C9510010Ice

TM66

Payback

D5010010Dark

TM84

Poison Jab

C8010020Poison

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM48

Round

—6010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

HM03

Surf

C9510015Water

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM41

Torment

——10015Dark

TM06

Toxic

C—9010Poison

Egg Moves

Egg

Aqua Ring

D——20Water

Egg

Avalanche-4

C6010010Ice

Egg

Barrier

D——30Psychic

Egg

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Egg

Icicle Spear

—2510030Ice

Egg

Mud Shot

D559515Ground

Egg

Rapid Spin

D5010040Normal

Egg

Rock Blast

D259010Rock

Egg

Screech

——8540Normal

Egg

Take Down

—908520Normal

Egg

Twineedle

—2510020Bug

Egg

Water Pulse

C6010020Water

Tutor Moves

Cloyster can't learn any Tutor moves

Reminder Moves

Rem

Brine

C6510010Water

Rem

Clamp

—358515Water

Rem

Hydro Pump

C120805Water

Rem

Ice Beam

C9510010Ice

Rem

Ice Shard+1

D4010030Ice

Rem

Icicle Spear

—2510030Ice

Rem

Iron Defense

D——15Steel

Rem

Leer

——10030Normal

Rem

Razor Shell

C759510Water

Rem

Shell Smash

C——15Normal

Rem

Tackle

D5010035Normal

Rem

Whirlpool

D358515Water

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 4

Captivate

——10020Normal

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 4

Endure+4

D——10Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Gen 4

Natural Gift

——10015Normal

Gen 4

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

Gen 4

Swift

—60—20Normal

How to Get Cloyster in Black & White

Cloyster tops out at moderate rates across 6 locations in late-game fishing spots. The encounters below are sorted by rate so you can see exactly what you're working with.

Where To Catch Cloyster in Black & White

To get Cloyster, start by catching Shellder through fishing encounters at Lv. 35-70. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

Step 1Catch Shellder
Undella Bay
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Water
40%Late
AnyShaking spot
Undella Bay
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Water
40%Late
Any
Undella Bay
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Water
40%Late
AnyShaking spot
Undella Bay
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Water
40%Late
Any
Undella Town
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 City
40%Late
AnyShaking spot
Undella Town
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 City
40%Late
Any
Undella Town
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 City
40%Late
AnyShaking spot
Undella Town
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 City
40%Late
Any
Route 13
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Route
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Route 13
BlackSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Route
CommonLate
Any
Route 13
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-60 Route
CommonLate
AnyShaking spot
Route 13
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.35-55 Route
CommonLate
Any
Water Stone
Step 2Cloyster ✓
Route 13
BlackSuper Rod Lv.45-70 Route
RareLate
AnyShaking spot
Route 13
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.45-70 Route
RareLate
AnyShaking spot
Undella Bay
BlackSuper Rod Lv.45-70 Water
RareLate
AnyShaking spot
Undella Bay
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.45-70 Water
RareLate
AnyShaking spot
Undella Town
WhiteSuper Rod Lv.45-70 City
RareLate
AnyShaking spot
Undella Town
BlackSuper Rod Lv.45-70 City
RareLate
AnyShaking spot
or evolve from Shellder (Step 1)

Cloyster Guide

For Black & White, we rate Cloyster C-Tier: a niche pick in Black & White's meta. At 525 BST, the stats are spread pretty evenly. Base 180 Defense stands out.
In Black & White, watch for Raikou (Electric), Venusaur (Grass), and Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Cloyster. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Rock-type attackers are also a problem.
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.
For Black & White, 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.

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

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Pansage Grass	D
Obtain MethodDreamyard Gift Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 10 Damage vs Cloyster Vine Whip 2x 24-29% View Pansage builds →
Snivy Grass	D
Obtain MethodNuvema Town Gift Available Move Moves Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Cloyster Vine Whip 2x 24-29% View Snivy builds →
Scraggy DarkFighting	D
Upcoming Move Moves Brick BreakLv. 20 Learns Brick Break at Level 20 View Scraggy builds →

Tirtouga WaterRock	C
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 18 RolloutLv. 5 Damage vs Cloyster Ancient Power 2x 68-80% Rollout 2x 21-27% View Tirtouga builds →
Archen RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 18 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Damage vs Cloyster Ancient Power 2x 80-96% Rock Throw 2x 36-43% View Archen builds →
Omanyte RockWater	D
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Move Moves RolloutLv. 16 Damage vs Cloyster Rollout 2x 13-16% View Omanyte builds →
Kabuto RockWater	D
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Move Moves AbsorbLv. 6 Damage vs Cloyster Absorb 2x 18-21% View Kabuto builds →
Snivy Grass	D
Obtain MethodNuvema Town Gift Available Moves Moves Leaf TornadoLv. 16 Vine WhipLv. 7 Damage vs Cloyster Leaf Tornado 2x 68-80% Vine Whip 2x 21-27% View Snivy builds →

Tirtouga WaterRock	C
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 18 Rock SmashTM94 RolloutLv. 5 Damage vs Cloyster Ancient Power 2x 63-76% Rock Smash 2x 16-19% Rollout 2x 19-24% View Tirtouga builds →
Virizion GrassFighting	C
Obtain MethodPinwheel Forest Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Focus BlastTM52 Solar BeamTM22 Magical LeafLv. 13 Rock SmashTM94 Damage vs Cloyster Focus Blast 2x 181-214%KO Solar Beam 2x 181-214%KO Magical Leaf 2x 92-110%KO Rock Smash 2x 24-29% View Virizion builds →
Whimsicott Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Mega DrainLv. 1 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 162-190%KO Mega Drain 2x 56-67% View Whimsicott builds →
Lilligant Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Mega DrainLv. 1 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 214-252%KO Mega Drain 2x 76-90% View Lilligant builds →
Swadloon BugGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Razor LeafLv. 1 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 121-143%KO Razor Leaf 2x 27-33% View Swadloon builds →

Tirtouga WaterRock	C
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 18 Rock TombTM39 Rock SmashTM94 RolloutLv. 5 Damage vs Cloyster Ancient Power 2x 60-71% Rock Tomb 2x 31-38% Rock Smash 2x 14-17% Rollout 2x 17-21% View Tirtouga builds →
Virizion GrassFighting	C
Obtain MethodPinwheel Forest Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Focus BlastTM52 Solar BeamTM22 Magical LeafLv. 13 Rock SmashTM94 Damage vs Cloyster Focus Blast 2x 172-204%KO Solar Beam 2x 172-204%KO Magical Leaf 2x 88-104%KO Rock Smash 2x 24-29% View Virizion builds →
Whimsicott Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Mega DrainLv. 1 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 156-183%KO Mega Drain 2x 56-67% View Whimsicott builds →
Omanyte RockWater	D
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock SmashTM94 RolloutLv. 16 Damage vs Cloyster Rock Tomb 2x 21-25% Rock Smash 2x 8-11% Rollout 2x 14-17% View Omanyte builds →
Kabuto RockWater	D
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock SmashTM94 AbsorbLv. 6 Damage vs Cloyster Rock Tomb 2x 31-38% Rock Smash 2x 14-17% Absorb 2x 15-19% View Kabuto builds →

Tirtouga WaterRock	C
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 18 Rock TombTM39 Smack DownLv. 31 Rock SmashTM94 Damage vs Cloyster Ancient Power 2x 63-74% Rock Tomb 2x 31-37% Smack Down 2x 25-30% Rock Smash 2x 14-17% View Tirtouga builds →
Virizion GrassFighting	C
Obtain MethodPinwheel Forest Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Focus BlastTM52 Solar BeamTM22 Magical LeafLv. 13 Rock SmashTM94 Damage vs Cloyster Focus Blast 2x 181-215%KO Solar Beam 2x 181-215%KO Magical Leaf 2x 94-111%KO Rock Smash 2x 25-30% View Virizion builds →
Whimsicott Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM22 Mega DrainLv. 1 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 160-189%KO Mega Drain 2x 56-67% View Whimsicott builds →
Omanyte RockWater	D
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock SmashTM94 RolloutLv. 16 Damage vs Cloyster Rock Tomb 2x 21-26% Rock Smash 2x 10-12% Rollout 2x 12-15% View Omanyte builds →
Kabuto RockWater	D
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock SmashTM94 AbsorbLv. 6 Damage vs Cloyster Rock Tomb 2x 31-37% Rock Smash 2x 14-17% Absorb 2x 16-20% View Kabuto builds →

Terrakion RockFighting	A
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves Close Combat Stone Edge Quick Attack X Scissor Damage vs Cloyster Close Combat 2x 97-115%KO Stone Edge 2x 81-96% View Terrakion builds →
Conkeldurr Fighting	B
Recommended Build AbilityGuts ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves Drain Punch Mach Punch Ice Punch Thunder Punch Damage vs Cloyster Drain Punch 2x 72-85% Mach Punch 2x 39-46% View Conkeldurr builds →
Magnezone ElectricSteel	B
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemAir Balloon NatureModest Moves Hidden Power Fire ThunderboltSTAB Flash Cannon Volt Switch Damage vs Cloyster Thunderbolt 2x 251-296%KO Flash Cannon 112-132%KO Volt Switch 2x 195-230%KO View Magnezone builds →
Breloom GrassFighting	B
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves Mach Punch Bullet Seed Swords Dance Low Sweep Damage vs Cloyster Mach Punch 2x 48-56% Bullet Seed 2x 30-35% View Breloom builds →