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.
It fights by keeping its shell tightly shut for protection and by shooting spikes to repel foes.
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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass, Fighting, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Ice |
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Garchomp's Earthquake hits Cloyster for 41-49%. Lunatone threatens a KO with Psychic (100-118%).
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Garchomp builds →Earthquake41-49% | ||
 Lunatone RockPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemPower Herb NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Lunatone builds →Ice Beam17-20% Moonblast71-83% Psychic100-118%KO | ||
 Leafeon Grass | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Leafeon builds →Knock Off23-27% | ||
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl 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
Breeding
Breed with Cloyster to get Shellder eggs easily using 21 partners from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Aqua Ring, Bubble Beam, Icicle Spear and 6 more.
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Cloyster Best Moveset
One guaranteed turn is all Cloyster needs. Focus Sash buys it, max Attack and Speed EVs make it count, and Skilllink adds something extra. The goal: deal early damage and deal damage with Icicle Spear. The remaining moves gives it play beyond just the lead turn.
Best Build
Cloyster best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Icicle Spear
- Shell Smash
- Rock Blast
- Ice Shard
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Icicle Spear
- Shell Smash
- Razor Shell
- Explosion
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Cloyster in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
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 Guide
For Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, we rate Cloyster B-Tier: a solid option in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl for the right team. At 525 BST, the stats are spread pretty evenly. Icicle Spear with Focus Sash is the standard set.
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.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, run Icicle Spear, Shellsmash, Rock Blast, and Ice Shard on Cloyster. Icicle Spear is the most common pick at 24% usage. This set covers the balanced role with a mix of damage and utility.
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 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