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 shell is extremely hard. It cannot be shattered, even with a bomb. The shell opens only when it is attacking.
Once it slams its shell shut, it is impossible to open, even by those with superior strength.
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 using 32 partners from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Aqua Ring, Bubble Beam, Life Dew and 1 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 Icicle Spear. The remaining moves gives it play beyond just the lead turn.
Best Build
Best Cloyster Moveset
- Icicle Spear
- Shell Smash
- Rock Blast
- Ice Shard
Recommended Teammates
You'll want to breed for Aqua Ring and Bubble Beam 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
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 Sword & Shield
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 ShellderMODERATEEast Lake AxewellShieldSuper RodLv.8-1220%EarlyCaveMODERATEEast Lake AxewellSwordSuper RodLv.8-1220%EarlyCaveEASYGiant's SeatShieldSuper RodLv.30-3560%MidWaterEASYGiant's SeatSwordSuper RodLv.30-3560%MidWaterEASYCourageous CavernShieldSuper RodLv.16-2140%MidCaveEASYCourageous CavernSwordSuper RodLv.16-2140%MidCaveEASYLoop LagoonSwordSuper RodLv.19-2440%MidEASYLoop LagoonShieldSuper RodLv.19-2440%MidEASYEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4345%LateCaveRainingEASYEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4345%LateCaveRainingEASYEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4330%LateCaveSandstormEASYEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4330%LateCaveSandstormEASYWest Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on waterLv.38-4025%LateCaveSnowingEASYWest Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on waterLv.38-4025%LateCaveSnowingMODERATEEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4320%LateCaveSnowingMODERATEEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4320%LateCaveSnowingMODERATEEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateCaveOvercastMODERATEEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateCaveNormal WeatherMODERATEEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateCaveOvercastMODERATEEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateCaveNormal WeatherCHALLENGINGEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4310%LateCaveIntense SunCHALLENGINGEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4310%LateCaveThunderstormCHALLENGINGEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4310%LateCaveIntense SunCHALLENGINGEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4310%LateCaveThunderstormHARDEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-435%LateCaveSnowstormHARDEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-435%LateCaveHeavy FogHARDEast Lake AxewellSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-435%LateCaveSnowstormHARDEast Lake AxewellShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-435%LateCaveHeavy Fog
Step 2Cloyster ✓CHALLENGINGCourageous CavernShieldSuper RodLv.16-2110%MidCaveCHALLENGINGCourageous CavernSwordSuper RodLv.16-2110%MidCaveCHALLENGINGLoop LagoonSwordSuper RodLv.19-2410%MidCHALLENGINGLoop LagoonShieldSuper RodLv.19-2410%MidEXTREMEGiant's SeatShieldSuper RodLv.30-355%MidWaterEXTREMEGiant's SeatSwordSuper RodLv.30-355%MidWateror evolve from Shellder (Step 1)
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 mixed attacker — base 95 Attack and 85 Sp. Atk. 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