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.
For protection, it uses its harder-than-diamonds shell. It also shoots spikes from the 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.
- Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
- Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
- Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split
The Water/Ice-type Cloyster caps Shellder's chain at 525 stats. No daycare options for this one. Defense grew the most through evolution (+80 over Shellder), and Cloyster peaks at 525 total stats.
How to Evolve
an item and an ability form the backbone. Cloyster invests flexible EVs EVs to play its attacker role properly, and a nature nature pushes higher. Clamp handles the heavy lifting on offense. Normal coverage rounds it out.
Best Build
Best Cloyster Moveset
- Explosion
- Clamp
- Blizzard
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Cloyster. TMs unlock Normal 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
Reminder Moves
Can't catch Cloyster directly. Start with Shellder at solid 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 Yellow
Shellder is your first catch on the way to Cloyster. You'll find fishing encounters from Lv. 10-40 across 3 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch ShellderMODERATEVermilion City - HarborSuper RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityEASYRoute 18Super RodLv.20-40CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 17Super RodLv.25-35CommonMidRoute
Step 2Cloyster ✓
We rate Cloyster A-Tier — a strong competitive pick. 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.
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