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.
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
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 |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Infernape's Close Combat hits Cloyster for 67-79%. Zapdos threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (143-168%).
 Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Infernape builds →Close Combat 2x67-79% U Turn13-16% Fire Blast67-79% | ||
 Zapdos Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Zapdos builds →Thunderbolt 2x143-168%KO Heat Wave50-59% | ||
 Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves View Roserade builds →
| ||
 Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Aerodactyl builds →Earthquake18-22% Stone Edge 2x56-66% | ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver 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 Barrier, Bubble Beam, Icicle Spear and 5 more.
HeartGold & SoulSilver Cloyster Best Moveset
This build takes hits and hits back. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn, Skilllink supports the gameplan, and max HP and Attack EVs mean Cloyster doesn't crumble to chip damage. Plus Normal coverage backing it up.
Best Build
Cloyster best EVs are Attack and HP
Physical Tank Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Explosion
- Toxic Spikes
- Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Moves
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 Ice Beam, they expand what Cloyster can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Cloyster in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Can't catch Cloyster directly. Start with Shellder at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve through a special method. The 2-stage line from Shellder to Cloyster is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Cloyster in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Shellder is your first catch on the way to Cloyster. You'll find fishing encounters from Lv. 20-40 across 40 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch ShellderNew Bark TownHeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City10%MidNew Bark TownSoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City10%MidRoute 41HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route10%MidRoute 41SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route10%MidPallet TownHeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City10%MidPallet TownSoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City10%MidRoute 26HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route10%MidRoute 26SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route10%MidRoute 27HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route10%MidRoute 27SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route10%MidVermilion City - CitySoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City10%MidVermilion City - CityHeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City10%MidRoute 47HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 RouteRareMidRoute 47SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 RouteRareMidRoute 20HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 RouteRareMidRoute 20SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 RouteRareMidRoute 21HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 RouteRareMidRoute 21SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 RouteRareMidCinnabar Island - GymHeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Water4%MidCinnabar Island - GymSoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Water4%MidCinnabar Island - GymHeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Water40%LateCinnabar Island - GymSoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Water40%LateNew Bark TownHeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City30%LateNew Bark TownSoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City30%LateRoute 41HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route30%LateRoute 41SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route30%LateRoute 47HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 RouteCommonLateRoute 47SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 RouteCommonLatePallet TownSoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City30%LatePallet TownHeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City30%LateRoute 20HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 RouteCommonLateRoute 20SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 RouteCommonLateRoute 21HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 RouteCommonLateRoute 21SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 RouteCommonLateRoute 26HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route30%LateRoute 26SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route30%LateRoute 27HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route30%LateRoute 27SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route30%LateVermilion City - CitySoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City30%LateVermilion City - CityHeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City30%Late
Step 2Cloyster ✓
Cloyster Guide
For HeartGold & SoulSilver, we rate Cloyster C-Tier: a niche pick in HeartGold & SoulSilver's meta. At 525 BST, it fits the hazard setter role. Rapid Spin with Leftovers 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. Best used as a hazard setter.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, run Rapid Spin, Explosion, Toxic Spikes, and Spikes on Cloyster. Rapid Spin is the most common pick at 16% usage. This set covers the hazard setter 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