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.
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
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.
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 from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Aqua Ring, Avalanche, Barrier and 9 more.
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
Best Cloyster Moveset
- Icicle Spear
- Shell Smash
- Rock Blast
- Liquidation
Recommended Teammates
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
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 ShellderMODERATEKala'e BayMoonSuper RodLv.10-1520%EarlyWaterShaking spotMODERATEKala'e BaySunSuper RodLv.10-1520%EarlyWaterShaking spotLEGENDARYKala'e BayMoonSuper RodLv.10-151%EarlyWaterLEGENDARYKala'e BaySunSuper RodLv.10-151%EarlyWaterEASYPoké Pelago - Ula'ula Island reachedSunGift from NPCLv.21-276%MidEASYPoké Pelago - Ula'ula Island reachedMoonGift from NPCLv.21-276%MidEASYPoké Pelago - Poni Island reachedSunGift from NPCLv.37-435%LateEASYPoké Pelago - Poni Island reachedMoonGift from NPCLv.37-435%LateMODERATEPoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedSunGift from NPCLv.49-554%PostMODERATEPoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedMoonGift from NPCLv.49-554%Post
Step 2Cloyster ✓
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.
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.
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.
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