The Bivalve Pokemon. Shellder is a fishing catch in Sinnoh's waters. Skill Link hits multi-strike moves the maximum 5 times, and A-Tier Cloyster is the spike-armored payoff.
Ability 1Shell ArmorAbility 1Protects against critical hits.Ability 2Skill LinkAbility 2Extends two-to-five-hit moves and triple kick to their full length every time.
305HP30Attack65Defense100Speed40Sp.Def25Sp.Atk45
Shellder
Cloyster
Weak to
Mixed
Balanced
40Speed · Very Slow

Is Shellder Good in Platinum Playthrough?

Super Rod catch on Route 205 after the Hall of Fame. AbilitySkill Link makes multi-hit moves always hit five times. Cloyster at Water Stone is the real prize, with Ice coverage for Bertha's Ground team and Cynthia's Garchomp in the rematches.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGETETGETESEESGGERoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2FantinaGym 3MayleneGym 4Crasher WakeGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4JupiterBossMarsBossSaturnBossCynthiaChamp*ShellderCatchableCloysterEvolve
Roark
Gym 1
Good

Shellder has the type edge here and should clean up Roark's team.

You Win
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
You Win
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
Even
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Even

Shellder trades roughly evenly with Gardenia's team.

You Win
Turtwig
Lv 20
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafSunny DayReflect
Risky
Cherrim
Lv 20
Grass
Flower Gift
Grass KnotLeech SeedMagical LeafSafeguard
Risky
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Fantina
Gym 3
Tough

Fantina's team hits Shellder's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Duskull
Lv 24
Ghost
Levitate
Will O WispPursuitShadow SneakFuture Sight
Risky
Haunter
Lv 24
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow ClawSucker PunchHypnosisConfuse Ray
Avoid
Mismagius
Lv 26
Ghost
Levitate
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Maylene
Gym 4
Even

Shellder trades roughly evenly with Maylene's team.

Even
Meditite
Lv 28
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionRock TombFake Out
Even
Machoke
Lv 29
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopRock TombStrengthFocus Energy
Even
Lucario
Lv 32
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 5
Tough

Crasher Wake's typing presses Shellder's defenses.

Risky
Gyarados
Lv 33
WaterFlying
Intimidate
WaterfallBrineBiteTwister
Even
Quagsire
Lv 34
WaterGround
Damp
Mud ShotRock TombWater PulseYawn
Risky
Floatzel
Lv 37
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangCrunchAqua Jet
Byron
Gym 6
Good

Shellder has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.

Risky
Magneton
Lv 37
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Flash CannonThunderboltTri AttackMetal Sound
Easy KO
Steelix
Lv 38
SteelGround
Rock Head
Flash CannonIce FangEarthquakeSandstorm
You Win
Bastiodon
Lv 41
RockSteel
Sturdy
Metal BurstStone EdgeIron DefenseTaunt
Candice
Gym 7
Even

Shellder trades roughly evenly with Candice's team.

Even
Sneasel
Lv 40
DarkIce
Inner Focus
SlashAerial AceFeint AttackIce Shard
You Win
Piloswine
Lv 40
IceGround
Oblivious
AvalancheStone EdgeEarthquakeHail
Avoid
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerWater PulseFocus Blast
Even
Froslass
Lv 44
IceGhost
Snow Cloak
BlizzardDouble TeamShadow BallPsychic
Volkner
Gym 8
Tough

Volkner's team hits Shellder's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Jolteon
Lv 46
Electric
Volt Absorb
Thunder WaveCharge BeamIron TailQuick Attack
Risky
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamFocus BlastSignal BeamQuick Attack
Risky
Luxray
Lv 48
Electric
Rivalry
Ice FangThunder FangCrunchFire Fang
Risky
Electivire
Lv 50
Electric
Motor Drive
Thunder PunchFire PunchQuick AttackGiga Impact
Aaron
Elite Four
Even

Cloyster trades roughly evenly with Aaron's team.

You Win
Yanmega
Lv 49
BugFlying
Speed Boost
Air SlashBug BuzzU TurnDouble Team
Even
Scizor
Lv 49
BugSteel
Swarm
Iron HeadX ScissorNight SlashQuick Attack
You Win
Vespiquen
Lv 50
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
Even
Heracross
Lv 51
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
Even
Drapion
Lv 53
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Strong

Cloyster resists most of Bertha's coverage and hits back hard.

Even
Whiscash
Lv 50
WaterGround
Oblivious
Earth PowerAqua TailZen HeadbuttSandstorm
Easy KO
Gliscor
Lv 53
GroundFlying
Hyper Cutter
EarthquakeIce FangFire FangThunder Fang
Easy KO
Hippowdon
Lv 52
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchYawn
Easy KO
Golem
Lv 52
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeFire PunchThunder PunchSandstorm
Easy KO
Rhyperior
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
EarthquakeRock WreckerMegahornAvalanche
Flint
Elite Four
Even

Cloyster trades roughly evenly with Flint's team.

Even
Houndoom
Lv 52
DarkFire
Early Bird
FlamethrowerSludge BombDark PulseSunny Day
Even
Flareon
Lv 55
Fire
Flash Fire
OverheatGiga ImpactQuick AttackWill O Wisp
Even
Rapidash
Lv 53
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
You Win
Infernape
Lv 55
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
Even
Magmortar
Lv 57
Fire
Flame Body
FlamethrowerThunderboltSolar BeamHyper Beam
Lucian
Elite Four
Even

Cloyster trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.

Even
Mr Mime
Lv 53
Psychic
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
Even
Espeon
Lv 55
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallQuick AttackSignal Beam
Even
Bronzong
Lv 54
SteelPsychic
Levitate
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
Even
Alakazam
Lv 56
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Even
Gallade
Lv 59
PsychicFighting
Steadfast
Drain PunchPsycho CutLeaf BladeStone Edge
Jupiter
Commander
Strong

Cloyster resists most of Jupiter's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Zubat
Lv 21
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Giga DrainWing AttackBite
You Win
Skuntank
Lv 23
PoisonDark
Stench
Night SlashPoison GasScreechSmokescreen
Mars
Commander
Good

Cloyster has the type edge here and should clean up Mars's team.

Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 38
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBiteToxicSupersonic
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 38
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Gyro BallExtrasensoryIron DefenseConfuse Ray
You Win
Purugly
Lv 40
Normal
Thick Fat
SlashFeint AttackHypnosisFake Out
Saturn
Commander
Good

Cloyster has the type edge here and should clean up Saturn's team.

Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 42
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBitePoison FangConfuse Ray
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 42
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Gyro BallExtrasensoryShadow BallConfuse Ray
You Win
Toxicroak
Lv 44
PoisonFighting
Anticipation
Poison JabBrick BreakX ScissorFeint Attack
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Cloyster trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

Even
Spiritomb
Lv 58
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindShadow Ball
Even
Roserade
Lv 58
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombToxicExtrasensory
Even
Togekiss
Lv 60
NormalFlying
Hustle
Air SlashAura SphereWater PulseShock Wave
Risky
Lucario
Lv 60
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereExtreme SpeedShadow BallStone Edge
Risky
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatDragon Pulse
You Win
Garchomp
Lv 62
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeFlamethrowerGiga Impact

Catchable

Post-game only
Type
Water
Tier
E

Catch Shellder in Valley Windworks (Super Rod fishing, Lv 20-50, uncommon).

View Shellder locations

Evolve Shellder to Cloyster

Use Water Stone
Type
WaterIce
Tier
A

Shellder evolves into Cloyster with a Water Stone. You can pick up the Water Stone in Route 213. 2 other locations are also available. Use the Water Stone in the post-game, after you beat Cynthia.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Shellder in Platinum

Shellder is a Super Rod catch, uncommon across three water spots at levels 20 to 50. You will need the strongest rod to hook one, since no walking or surfing turns it up.

Wild Shellder may be holding when caught:

Pearl (50% chance) A somewhat-small pearl that sparkles in a pretty silver color. It can be sold cheaply to shops.
Big Pearl (5% chance) A quite-large pearl that sparkles in a pretty silver color. It can be sold at a high price to shops.

3 locations to catch Shellder

Encountered via fishing with a Rod

Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5

Where To Catch Shellder in Pt

Shellder is the chain's first catch. You'll find fishing encounters from Lv. 20-50 across 3 total spots in the chain.

  1. Cloyster
    Step 2Evolve into Cloyster
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Shellder egg.

Bring the right balls: check Shellder catch odds in the Platinum Catch Rate Calculator before you throw.

How to Get Shiny Shellder in Platinum

Shellder bites the Super Rod at Fuego Ironworks and Route 205, but breeding one with a foreign Ditto is the faster shiny. Compare Shiny Shellder odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Shellder in PlatinumNormal
Shiny Shellder in Platinum Shiny
Color ShiftPurpletoRed
Shiny TierA Tier Shiny

Shiny Shellder Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Platinum Shiny Shellder Calculator

2 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is Masuda Method, about 1 in 1,639 on each try.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in Platinum

Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 1,639Masuda Method
Chance By Now50.0%at 1,136 eggs hatchedAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few173----
25%one in four472----
50%coin flip1,136----
90%very likely3,773----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Planning a longer hunt? Set up Shellder in the Platinum Shiny Odds Calculator to compare every method side by side.

Shellder Weakness

Type-wise, Shellder takes extra damage from Electric and Grass. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Shellder's physical bulk (base 100 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Shellder Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Shellder Weak Against

Good
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Shellder Strong Against

3Strong
3Resisted
0Immune
Score0
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Shellder

Exeggutor
Exeggutor
GrassPsychic
C
Roserade
Roserade
GrassPoison
B
Parasect
Parasect
BugGrass
C
C
Torterra
Torterra
GrassGround
C

Shellder Evolutions

Evolving Shellder into Cloyster takes an evolution item. It's not a simple level-up, so check the chain details below. Evolving adds up to 220 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Shellder
Water
Cloyster
WaterIce
HP
30
50+20
ATK
65
95+30
DEF
100
180+80
SP.ATK
45
85+40
SP.DEF
25
45+20
SPE
40
70+30
BST
305E-Tier
525A-Tier+220
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Physical
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Shellder easily with 21 breeding partners from the Water 3 egg group. Pass egg moves like Barrier, Bubble Beam, Icicle Spear and 4 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Water 3
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
7moves
Breed With (best first)
drapioncrawdauntcorsolaskorupicorphishomastarkabutopsomanytekabutotentacruelcloysterstarmie

Pt Shellder Best Moveset

Physical hits bounce off 100 Defense, but 30 HP undermines the durability and 25 Sp. Def means any special attack ends Shellder instantly. The moveset can't do much before evolving to Cloyster.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Revenge Killer
Ability
Skill Link
Item
Choice ScarfSPEED
Best Nature for Shellder
Naive+SPE

Shellder best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Revenge Killer Moveset

  • Rock Blast
  • ExplosionCoverage
  • Icicle Spear
  • Rapid Spin

Moves List

The egg pool carries weight here. Barrier and Bubble Beam aren't available any other way for Shellder, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Surf and Dive for solid options.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 4
Withdraw
———40Water
Lv 8
Supersonic
——5520Normal
Lv 13
Icicle Spear
B2510030Ice
Lv 16
Protect+4
C——10Normal
Lv 20
Leer
——10030Normal
Lv 25
Clamp
A528510Water
Lv 28
Ice Shard+1
A4010030Ice
Lv 32
Aurora Beam
—6510020Ice
Lv 37
Whirlpool
D528515Water
Lv 40
Iron Defense
C——15Steel
Lv 44
Brine
A9710010Water
Lv 49
Ice Beam
D9510010Ice

TM Moves

24 of 25 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractAmity Squarebadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14
BlizzardLake Acuitybadge 3
D120705Ice
TM55A9710010Water
TM78
CaptivateRoute 204badge 2
——10020Normal
TM32
Double TeamWayward Cavebadge 2
———15Normal
TM58
Endure+4Veilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
TM42
FacadeSurvival Area
D7010020Normal
TM21
FrustrationVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D6010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamRoute 216badge 3
D9510010Ice
TM83
Natural GiftVeilstone Department Storebadge 3
D—10015Normal
TM66
PaybackRoute 215badge 3
D5010010Dark
TM17C——10Normal
TM44A——10Psychic
TM27D—10020Normal
TM43
Secret PowerAmity Squarebadge 2
—7010020Normal
TM82
Sleep TalkEterna Forestbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM90
SubstituteVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
HM03C14210015Water
TM87
SwaggerPokémon Mansionbadge 4
——9015Normal
TM06
ToxicRoute 212badge 4
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulseRavaged Pathbadge 5
D9010020Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Barrier
———30Psychic
Egg
Bubble Beam
—9710020Water
Egg
Icicle Spear
B2510030Ice
Egg
Mud Shot
D559515Ground
Egg
Rapid Spin
B5010040Normal
Egg
Screech
——8540Normal
Egg
Take Down
D908520Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Dive
C12010010Water
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Iron Defense
C——15Steel
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal
Tutor
Swift
—60—20Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP30
F
Attack65
C
Defense100
B
Sp. Atk45
D
Sp. Def25
F
Speed40
D
Total305
Details
Catch Rate
Easy190 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height0.3 m
Weight4.0 kg
Base XP61
Abilities
Shell Armor
Protects against critical hits.
Skill Link
Extends two-to-five-hit moves and triple kick to their full length every time.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

It swims backward by opening and closing its two shells. Its large tongue is always kept hanging out.

Pokemon Platinum

Shellder Platinum Guide

  • Yes. Wild Shellder in Platinum can hold Pearl (50%) or Big Pearl (5%). Use Thief (TM46) or Covet to swipe the held item without affecting your catch chance. Quickest way to farm rare items like Pearl.

  • In Platinum, Shellder has 305 BST and evolves into Cloyster. Compare the two forms before you give either one a team slot.

  • Yes. Shellder is not available during the main story. It can only be obtained after entering the Hall of Fame. Shellder becomes available after the main story is complete in Platinum.

Game Availability

Shellder has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 9 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.

Explore

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