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.
For protection, it uses its harder-than-diamonds shell. It also shoots spikes from the shell.
For protection, it uses its harder-than-diamonds shell. It also shoots spikes from the shell.
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 |
 Hitmonlee Fighting | B | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Hitmonlee builds →High Jump Kick 2x86-101%KO Jump Kick 2x65-77% Brick Break 2x50-60% Rolling Kick 2x41-48% | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Venusaur builds →Power Whip 2x57-67% Petal Dance 2x202-238%KO Razor Leaf 2x28-34% Vine Whip 2x24-29% | ||
 Parasect BugGrass | C | |
 Rhydon GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Rhydon builds →Rock Slide 2x53-62% Rock Throw 2x36-43% | ||
 Machoke Fighting | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Machoke builds →Superpower 2x67-79% Submission 2x46-55% Brick Break 2x42-50% Karate Chop 2x30-36% | ||
In Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, Garchomp's Stone Edge hits Cloyster for 55-65%. Excadrill's Earthquake hits Cloyster for 42-50%.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Garchomp builds →Earthquake41-49% Stone Edge 2x55-65% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMold Breaker ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Excadrill builds →Earthquake42-50% Rapid Spin14-17% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Gliscor builds →Earthquake26-30% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemDamprock NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Pelipper builds →Hurricane122-144%KO Scald44-52% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves View Chansey builds →
| ||
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee 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
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee 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 Liquidation. The remaining moves gives it play beyond just the lead turn.
Best Build
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Cloyster. TMs unlock Normal and Bug coverage and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Blizzard and Ice Beam into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Cloyster in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
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 Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
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 2Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.39-44 Water30%LateSeafoam Islands - Area 2Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.39-44 Water30%LateSeafoam Islands - Area 3Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.39-44 Water30%LateSeafoam Islands - Area 3Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.39-44 Water30%Late
Step 2Cloyster ✓Seafoam Islands - Area 2Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.39-44 Water1%LateSeafoam Islands - Area 2Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.39-44 Water1%LateSeafoam Islands - Area 3Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.39-44 Water1%LateSeafoam Islands - Area 3Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.39-44 Water1%Lateor evolve from Shellder (Step 1)
Cloyster Guide
For Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, we rate Cloyster B-Tier: a solid option in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee 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 physical attacker with base 95 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
For Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, 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
- 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