Nothing about Cloyster screams competitive powerhouse, and that's fine. Water/Ice means only weak to Electric, Grass, Fighting, and Rock. An original Gen 1 pick. Needs some investment to avoid getting outsped.
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.
Once it slams its shell shut, it is impossible to open, even by those with superior strength.
CLOYSTER that live in seas with harsh tidal currents grow large, sharp spikes on their shells.
Cloyster Weakness
VulnerableCloyster's Water/Ice typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric, Grass, Fighting, and Rock moves. Cloyster's physical bulk (base 180 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Cloyster to get Shellder eggs easily using 13 partners from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Barrier, Bubble Beam, Rapid Spin and 2 more.
Spikes is the priority every time Cloyster comes in. A nature nature and flexible EVs EVs keep it alive long enough to get layers down, while Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn. An ability rounds it out.
Best Build
Best Cloyster Moveset
- Spikes
- Surf
- Explosion
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
You'll want to breed for Barrier and Bubble Beam on Cloyster. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Blizzard and Surf, they expand what Cloyster can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Cloyster doesn't appear wild. Catch Shellder instead, it shows up at solid 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 Gold & Silver
The path to Cloyster starts with Shellder at Lv. 20-40 via fishing encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch ShellderMODERATENew Bark TownGoldGood RodLv.20UncommonMidCityMODERATENew Bark TownSilverGood RodLv.20UncommonMidCityMODERATEOlivine City - HarborSilverGood RodLv.20UncommonMidCityMODERATEOlivine City - HarborGoldGood RodLv.20UncommonMidCityMODERATEUnion Cave - B2FSilverGood RodLv.20UncommonMidCaveMODERATEUnion Cave - B2FGoldGood RodLv.20UncommonMidCaveMODERATEPallet TownGoldGood RodLv.20UncommonMidCityMODERATEPallet TownSilverGood RodLv.20UncommonMidCityMODERATERoute 26SilverGood RodLv.20UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 26GoldGood RodLv.20UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 27SilverGood RodLv.20UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 27GoldGood RodLv.20UncommonMidRouteMODERATEVermilion City - CityGoldGood RodLv.20UncommonMidCityMODERATEVermilion City - CitySilverGood RodLv.20UncommonMidCityMODERATEVermilion City - HarborGoldGood RodLv.20UncommonMidCityMODERATEVermilion City - HarborSilverGood RodLv.20UncommonMidCityEASYNew Bark TownGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYNew Bark TownSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYOlivine City - HarborSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYOlivine City - HarborGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYUnion Cave - B2FSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCaveEASYUnion Cave - B2FGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCaveEASYPallet TownGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYPallet TownSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYRoute 26SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 26GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 27SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 27GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYVermilion City - CitySilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYVermilion City - CityGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYVermilion City - HarborGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCityEASYVermilion City - HarborSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateCity- Step 2Cloyster ✓
We rate Cloyster S-Tier — one of the best competitive options available. At 525 BST, it fits the hazard setter role. Base 180 Defense stands out.
Shellder evolves into Cloyster using a Water Stone. Cloyster is the fully evolved form. At 525 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
Base 70 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Cloyster is a mixed attacker — base 95 Attack and 85 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a hazard setter.
Cloyster appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
One of the original 151, Cloyster has appeared in 20 games — nearly every mainline game. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A