Cloyster Best Moveset
MoveShell Smash into AbilitySkill Link guaranteeing 5-hit moves is one of the deadliest combos available. Held ItemWhite Herb restores the defensive drops, and NatureAdamant at 95 Attack pushes Icicle Spear and Rock Blast through everything. Tera Ice amplifies the frozen barrage. One setup turn and the moveset rips through entire teams.
Clamp plus Blizzard was devastating in Gen I (Red & Blue). 180 Defense was nearly unbreakable on the physical side, and Explosion always loomed as a threat.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Explosion
- Clamp
- Blizzard
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Spikes became Cloyster's defining move in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Lay Spikes, force switches, chip everything to death. 180 Defense tanked hits while it set up.
Support Moveset
- Spikes
- Surf
- Explosion
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Three gens at the top. Spikes support was essential in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire), and Cloyster was one of the best at laying them down.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Spikes
- Explosion
- Surf
- Rapid Spin
Recommended Teammates
Stealth Rock replaced Spikes as the primary hazard in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Cloyster's 45 Sp. Def made any special attack a death sentence.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Explosion
- Toxic Spikes
- Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Shell Smash arrived and everything changed. One boost doubled Attack, Sp. Atk, and Speed. Skill Link guaranteed Icicle Spear and Rock Blast hit five times. Swept teams after one turn of setup.
Support Moveset
- Icicle Spear
- Shell Smash
- Rapid Spin
- Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Shell Smash was still terrifying in Gen VI (X & Y) but Focus Sash and priority moves gave teams ways to handle it. Fairy-types also resisted its Ice STAB.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Icicle Spear
- Shell Smash
- Rapid Spin
- Rock Blast
Recommended Teammates
More answers to Shell Smash existed in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Cloyster was still dangerous when it got the boost off, but teams were better prepared.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Icicle Spear
- Shell Smash
- Rock Blast
- Liquidation
Recommended Teammates
Same Shell Smash formula in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). The competition kept growing but the threat of a Skill Link sweep never fully went away.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Ice Shard
Recommended Teammates
Shell Smash continued to define Cloyster in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Skill Link multi-hit moves kept it threatening, just not the force it was in Gen V.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Icicle Spear
- Shell Smash
- Rock Blast
- Ice Shard
Recommended Teammates
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 |
What is Cloyster Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Cloyster
Krookodile deals 61-71% with Close Combat.
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves View Chansey builds →
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B | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemRocky Helmet NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake20-24% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityMoxie ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Krookodile builds →Earthquake25-30% Knock Off16-20% Close Combat 2x61-71% Stone Edge 2x51-60% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Swampert builds →Earthquake27-32% Flip Turn8-10% Liquidation11-13% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityOwntempo ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves View Smeargle builds →
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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 37 partners from the Water3 egg group.
How to Get Cloyster
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 SV
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 - BeachLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%Casseroya Lake - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%East Paldean Sea - BeachLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%East Paldean Sea - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%East Province (Area One) - BeachLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%East Province (Area One) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%East Province (Area Three) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%East Province (Area Two) - BeachLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%East Province (Area Two) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%Glaseado MountainLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%North Paldean Sea - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%North Province (Area One) - BeachLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%North Province (Area One) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%North Province (Area Three) - BeachLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%North Province (Area Three) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%South Paldean Sea - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area Five) - BeachLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area Five) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area Four) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area One) - BeachLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area One) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area Six) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%West Paldean Sea - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%West Province (Area One) - BeachLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%West Province (Area One) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%West Province (Area Two) - BeachLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%West Province (Area Two) - OceanLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%
Step 2Cloyster ✓Casseroya Lake - OceanLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%East Paldean Sea - OceanLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%East Province (Area One) - OceanLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%East Province (Area Three) - OceanLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%East Province (Area Two) - OceanLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%Glaseado MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%North Paldean Sea - OceanLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%North Province (Area One) - OceanLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%North Province (Area Three) - OceanLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%South Paldean Sea - OceanLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Five) - OceanLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Four) - OceanLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area One) - OceanLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Six) - OceanLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%West Paldean Sea - OceanLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%West Province (Area One) - OceanLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%West Province (Area Two) - OceanLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%or 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 BDSP
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 IronworksLv.20-40Super RodRate 5%Route 205 - SouthLv.20-40Super RodRate 5%Valley WindworksLv.20-40Super RodRate 5%Fountainspring CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRiverbank CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStill-Water CavernLv.58-63CavePost-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 SwSh
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 AxewellLv.8-12Super RodRate 20%Giant's SeatLv.30-35Super RodRate 60%Courageous CavernLv.16-21Super RodRate 40%Loop LagoonLv.19-24Super RodRate 40%East Lake AxewellLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 45%RainingEast Lake AxewellLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 30%SandstormWest Lake AxewellLv.38-40Surfing on waterRate 25%SnowingEast Lake AxewellLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 20%SnowingEast Lake AxewellLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 15%Normal WeatherEast Lake AxewellLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 15%OvercastEast Lake AxewellLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 10%Intense SunEast Lake AxewellLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 10%ThunderstormEast Lake AxewellLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 5%SnowstormEast Lake AxewellLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 5%Heavy Fog
Step 2Cloyster ✓Courageous CavernLv.16-21Super RodRate 10%Loop LagoonLv.19-24Super RodRate 10%Giant's SeatLv.30-35Super RodRate 5%or 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 LGPE
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 2Lv.39-44Surfing on waterRate 30%Seafoam Islands - Area 3Lv.39-44Surfing on waterRate 30%
Step 2Cloyster ✓Seafoam Islands - Area 2Lv.39-44Surfing on waterRate 1%Seafoam Islands - Area 3Lv.39-44Surfing on waterRate 1%or evolve from Shellder (Step 1)
Base Stats
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.
Cloyster Guide
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 physical attacker with base 95 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Run Icicle Spear, Shellsmash, Rock Blast, and Ice Shard on Cloyster. Icicle Spear is the most common pick at 0% 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 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves