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.
Its hard shell cannot be shattered—not even by a bomb. The contents of the shell remain unknown.
Excavation of the tombs of ancient hunting tribes has turned up many spears tipped with spikes that had fallen off this Pokémon’s 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 |
 Kommo-o DragonFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Kommo-o builds →Focus Blast 2x202-238%KO Sky Uppercut 2x53-62% Brick Break 2x46-55% Rock Slide 2x31-37% | ||
 Poliwrath WaterFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Poliwrath builds →Focus Blast 2x153-180%KO Dynamic Punch 2x54-65% Submission 2x45-53% Brick Break 2x41-48% | ||
 Exeggutor GrassPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Exeggutor builds →Leaf Storm 2x262-310%KO Wood Hammer 2x65-77% Solar Beam 2x242-286%KO Energy Ball 2x183-216%KO | ||
 Decidueye GrassGhost | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Rowlet (Iki Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Decidueye builds →Solar Beam 2x202-238%KO Leaf Blade 2x54-65% Energy Ball 2x153-180%KO Low Sweep 2x27-32% | ||
 Tirtouga WaterRock | D | |
Obtain MethodRoute 8 Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Tirtouga builds →Stone Edge 2x46-55% Rock Slide 2x36-43% Ancient Power 2x63-74% Rock Tomb 2x28-34% | ||
In Sun & Moon, 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 →
| ||
Sun & Moon 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 33 partners from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Aqua Ring, Avalanche, Barrier and 9 more.
Sun & Moon 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
Cloyster best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Icicle Spear
- Shell Smash
- Rock Blast
- Liquidation
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Shell Smash
- Protect
Moves
You'll want to breed for Aqua Ring and Avalanche 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
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Cloyster in Sun & Moon
Can't catch Cloyster directly. Start with Shellder at decent 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 Sun & Moon
Shellder is your first catch on the way to Cloyster. You'll find gift and fishing encounters from Lv. 10-55 across 10 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch ShellderKala'e BayMoonSuper Rod Lv.10-15 Water20%EarlyShaking spotKala'e BaySunSuper Rod Lv.10-15 Water20%EarlyShaking spotKala'e BayMoonSuper Rod Lv.10-15 Water1%EarlyKala'e BaySunSuper Rod Lv.10-15 Water1%EarlyPoké Pelago - Ula'ula Island reachedSunGift from NPC Lv.21-276%MidPoké Pelago - Ula'ula Island reachedMoonGift from NPC Lv.21-276%MidPoké Pelago - Poni Island reachedSunGift from NPC Lv.37-435%LatePoké Pelago - Poni Island reachedMoonGift from NPC Lv.37-435%LatePoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedSunGift from NPC Lv.49-554%PostPoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedMoonGift from NPC Lv.49-554%Post
Step 2Cloyster ✓
Cloyster Guide
For Sun & Moon, we rate Cloyster B-Tier: a solid option in Sun & Moon 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 Sun & Moon, 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