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 stat exp.
Once it slams its shell shut, it is impossible to open, even by those with superior strength.
CLOYSTER that live in seas with harsh tidal currents grow large, sharp spikes on their shells.
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 |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
In Gold & Silver, Golem's Explosion hits Cloyster for 52-61%. Marowak deals 35-42% with Fire Blast.
 | A | |
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Golem builds →Earthquake32-37% Explosion52-61% Rapid Spin11-13% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Skarmory builds →Drill Peck18-22% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build ItemThickclub Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Marowak builds →Earthquake22-27% Rock Slide 2x23-27% Fire Blast35-42% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Piloswine builds →Earthquake27-32% Ice Beam12-15% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves
Damage vs Cloyster View Quagsire builds →Earthquake24-28% | ||
Gold & Silver 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 13 partners from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Barrier, Bubble Beam, Rapid Spin and 2 more.
Gold & Silver Cloyster Best Moveset
Best Build
Support Moveset
- Spikes
- Surf
- Explosion
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Moves
You'll want to breed for Barrier and Bubble Beam on Cloyster. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Blizzard and Surf, they expand what Cloyster can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Cloyster in Gold & Silver
Cloyster doesn't appear wild. Catch Shellder instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it through a special method to get Cloyster. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Cloyster in Gold & Silver
The path to Cloyster starts with Shellder at Lv. 20-40 via fishing encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
- Step 1Catch ShellderNew Bark TownGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City10%MidNew Bark TownSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City10%MidOlivine City - HarborSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City10%MidOlivine City - HarborGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City10%MidUnion Cave - B2FSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Cave10%MidUnion Cave - B2FGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Cave10%MidPallet TownGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City10%MidPallet TownSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City10%MidRoute 26SilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route10%MidRoute 26GoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route10%MidRoute 27SilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route10%MidRoute 27GoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route10%MidVermilion City - CityGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City10%MidVermilion City - CitySilverGood Rod Lv.20 City10%MidVermilion City - HarborGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City10%MidVermilion City - HarborSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City10%MidNew Bark TownGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City30%LateNew Bark TownSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City30%LateOlivine City - HarborSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City30%LateOlivine City - HarborGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City30%LateUnion Cave - B2FSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave30%LateUnion Cave - B2FGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave30%LatePallet TownGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City30%LatePallet TownSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City30%LateRoute 26SilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route30%LateRoute 26GoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route30%LateRoute 27SilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route30%LateRoute 27GoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route30%LateVermilion City - CitySilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City30%LateVermilion City - CityGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City30%LateVermilion City - HarborGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City30%LateVermilion City - HarborSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City30%Late
Step 2Cloyster ✓
Cloyster Guide
For Gold & Silver, we rate Cloyster S-Tier: one of the best picks in the Gold & Silver meta. At 525 BST, it fits the hazard setter role. Spikes with Leftovers is the standard set.
Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Cloyster is a special attacker with base 85 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a hazard setter.
For Gold & Silver, 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.
In Gold & Silver, run Spikes, Surf, Explosion, and Toxic on Cloyster. Spikes is the most common pick at 25% usage. Surf provides reliable STAB damage.
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