For Sword & Shield, we rate Cloyster B-Tier: a solid option in Sword & Shield for the right team. At 525 BST, the stats are spread pretty evenly. Icicle Spear with Focus Sash is the standard set.

What is Cloyster weak to?

In Sword & Shield, watch for Raikou (Electric), Venusaur (Grass), and Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Cloyster. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Rock-type attackers are also a problem.

What is the best ability for Cloyster?

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.

What role does Cloyster play in battle?

Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Cloyster is a mixed attacker with base 95 Attack and 85 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.

What are the best moves for Cloyster?

In Sword & Shield, run Icicle Spear, Shellsmash, Rock Blast, and Ice Shard on Cloyster. Icicle Spear is the most common pick at 24% usage. This set covers the balanced role with a mix of damage and utility.

Cloyster - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Mixed

Balanced

BTier

70Speed · Below Avg

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 EVs.

Base Stats

High

HP50

Attack95

Defense180

Sp. Atk85

Sp. Def45

Speed70

Total525

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging60 / 255

Growth Rate

Slow1.25M XP

Height1.5 m

Weight132.5 kg

Base XP184

Abilities

Shell ArmorRare

Protects against critical hits.

Skill LinkTop Pick

Extends two-to-five-hit moves and triple kick to their full length every time.

OvercoatHA

Protects against damage from weather.

EV Yield

HPAtkDef+2SpASpDSpe

Defense training target

Pokedex Entries

Its shell is extremely hard. It cannot be shattered, even with a bomb. The shell opens only when it is attacking.

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.

Cloyster Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Electric, Grass, Fighting, Rock
0.5x (Resist)	Water
0.25x (Resist)	Ice

Type ChartVulnerable

4Weak

2Resist

0Immune

Score-5

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Grass Fighting Rock

½xResist

Water

¼xResist

Ice

0xImmune

None

STAB (6)

Fire Ground Rock Grass Flying Dragon

How to Beat Cloyster in Sword & Shield (Best Counters)

Drednaw WaterRock	C
Available Moves Moves Rock TombLv. 1 RevengeTM42 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Cloyster Rock Tomb 2x 37-45% Revenge 2x 25-30% Rock Blast 2x 19-22% View Drednaw builds →
Corsola WaterRock	C
Available Moves Moves Power GemLv. 40 Ancient PowerLv. 20 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Cloyster Power Gem 2x 93-109%KO Ancient Power 2x 71-84% Rock Blast 2x 11-14% View Corsola builds →
Ferroseed GrassSteel	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 RevengeTM42 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 74-87% Revenge 2x 14-17% View Ferroseed builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 36 Brick BreakTM43 Mega DrainLv. 12 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 131-154%KO Giga Drain 2x 83-98% Brick Break 2x 17-21% Mega Drain 2x 45-53% View Lombre builds →
Snover GrassIce	D
Available Moves Moves Wood HammerLv. 41 Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Razor LeafLv. 20 Damage vs Cloyster Wood Hammer 2x 45-53% Solar Beam 2x 133-157%KO Magical Leaf 2x 68-81% Razor Leaf 2x 23-28% View Snover builds →

Sword & Shield 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

2 Forms

#090Shellder

Water Stone

#091Cloyster

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Shellder

Water

Cloyster

WaterIce

50+20

ATK

95+30

DEF

100

180+80

SP.ATK

85+40

SP.DEF

45+20

SPE

70+30

BST

305B-Tier

525B-Tier+220

ROLE

Balanced

TYPE

Physical

Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

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.

Egg Groups

Water3

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

4moves

Breed With (best first)

Sword & Shield Cloyster Best Moveset

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

Experimental

Ability

Skill Link

Item

Focus SashSURVIVAL

Best Nature for Cloyster

Adamant+ATK

Cloyster best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Atk

SpD

Spe

Physical Sweeper Moveset

Icicle SpearSTAB
Shell Smash
Rock Blast
Ice ShardSTAB

Recommended Teammates

ExcadrillGood

CelesteelaDecent

Moves

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

Lv 1

Aurora Beam

C6510020Ice

Lv 1

Hydro Pump

B110805Water

Lv 1

Ice Beam

C9010010Ice

Lv 1

Ice Shard+1

A4010030Ice

Lv 1

Icicle Crash

C859010Ice

Lv 1

Icicle Spear

S2510030Ice

Lv 1

Iron Defense

C——15Steel

Lv 1

Leer

D—10030Normal

Lv 1

Protect+4

A——10Normal

Lv 1

Razor Shell

A759510Water

Lv 1

Shell Smash

S——15Normal

Lv 1

Spikes

A——20Ground

Lv 1

Supersonic

D—5520Normal

Lv 1

Tackle

D4010035Normal

Lv 1

Toxic Spikes

A——20Poison

Lv 1

Water Gun

—4010025Water

Lv 1

Whirlpool

D358515Water

Lv 1

Withdraw

———40Water

TM Moves

TM31

Attract

C—10015Normal

TM64

Avalanche-4

C6010010Ice

TR06

Blizzard

C110705Ice

TM55

Brine

C6510010Water

TM45

Dive

C8010010Water

TR26

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM39

Facade

C7010020Normal

TM09

Giga Impact

B150905Normal

TM35

Hail

C——10Ice

TR03

Hydro Pump

B110805Water

TM08

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TR05

Ice Beam

C9010010Ice

TM51

Icicle Spear

S2510030Ice

TM27

Icy Wind

C559515Ice

TR46

Iron Defense

C——15Steel

TM17

Light Screen

C——30Psychic

TR98

Liquidation

B8510010Water

TM53

Mud Shot

D559515Ground

TM57

Payback

D5010010Dark

TM07

Pin Missile

D259520Bug

TR57

Poison Jab

C8010020Poison

TM25

Protect+4

A——10Normal

TM33

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM83

Razor Shell

A759510Water

TM21

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM54

Rock Blast

S259010Rock

TM76

Round

D6010015Normal

TM16

Screech

D—8540Normal

TM20

Self-Destruct

B2001005Normal

TR27

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM96

Smart Strike

C70—10Steel

TM24

Snore

—5010015Normal

TR23

Spikes

A——20Ground

TR20

Substitute

C——10Normal

TR04

Surf

C9010015Water

TM40

Swift

D60—20Normal

TR54

Toxic Spikes

A——20Poison

TR19

Tri Attack

C8010010Normal

TM46

Weather Ball

D5010010Normal

TM36

Whirlpool

D358515Water

Egg Moves

Egg

Aqua Ring

D——20Water

Egg

Bubble Beam

C6510020Water

Egg

Life Dew

D——10Water

Egg

Water Pulse

C6010020Water

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Steel Roller

B1301005Steel

How to Get Cloyster in Sword & Shield

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 Shellder
East Lake Axewell
ShieldSuper Rod Lv.8-12 Cave
20%Early
East Lake Axewell
SwordSuper Rod Lv.8-12 Cave
20%Early
Giant's Seat
ShieldSuper Rod Lv.30-35 Water
60%Mid
Giant's Seat
SwordSuper Rod Lv.30-35 Water
60%Mid
Courageous Cavern
ShieldSuper Rod Lv.16-21 Cave
40%Mid
Courageous Cavern
SwordSuper Rod Lv.16-21 Cave
40%Mid
Loop Lagoon
SwordSuper Rod Lv.19-24
40%Mid
Loop Lagoon
ShieldSuper Rod Lv.19-24
40%Mid
East Lake Axewell
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
45%Late
Raining
East Lake Axewell
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
45%Late
Raining
East Lake Axewell
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
30%Late
Sandstorm
East Lake Axewell
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
30%Late
Sandstorm
West Lake Axewell
SwordSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Cave
25%Late
Snowing
West Lake Axewell
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.38-40 Cave
25%Late
Snowing
East Lake Axewell
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
20%Late
Snowing
East Lake Axewell
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
20%Late
Snowing
East Lake Axewell
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
15%Late
Overcast
East Lake Axewell
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
15%Late
Normal Weather
East Lake Axewell
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
15%Late
Overcast
East Lake Axewell
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
15%Late
Normal Weather
East Lake Axewell
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
10%Late
Intense Sun
East Lake Axewell
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
10%Late
Thunderstorm
East Lake Axewell
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
10%Late
Intense Sun
East Lake Axewell
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
10%Late
Thunderstorm
East Lake Axewell
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
5%Late
Snowstorm
East Lake Axewell
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
5%Late
Heavy Fog
East Lake Axewell
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
5%Late
Snowstorm
East Lake Axewell
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43 Cave
5%Late
Heavy Fog
Water Stone
Step 2Cloyster ✓
Courageous Cavern
ShieldSuper Rod Lv.16-21 Cave
10%Mid
Courageous Cavern
SwordSuper Rod Lv.16-21 Cave
10%Mid
Loop Lagoon
SwordSuper Rod Lv.19-24
10%Mid
Loop Lagoon
ShieldSuper Rod Lv.19-24
10%Mid
Giant's Seat
ShieldSuper Rod Lv.30-35 Water
5%Mid
Giant's Seat
SwordSuper Rod Lv.30-35 Water
5%Mid
or evolve from Shellder (Step 1)

Cloyster Guide

For Sword & Shield, we rate Cloyster B-Tier: a solid option in Sword & Shield for the right team. At 525 BST, the stats are spread pretty evenly. Icicle Spear with Focus Sash is the standard set.
In Sword & Shield, watch for Raikou (Electric), Venusaur (Grass), and Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Cloyster. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Rock-type attackers are also a problem.
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 with base 95 Attack and 85 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
In Sword & Shield, run Icicle Spear, Shellsmash, Rock Blast, and Ice Shard on Cloyster. Icicle Spear is the most common pick at 24% usage. This set covers the balanced role with a mix of damage and utility.

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

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Ferroseed GrassSteel	C
TM Move Moves Solar BeamTM11 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 80-96% View Ferroseed builds →
Gloom GrassPoison	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 20 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 177-209%KO Giga Drain 2x 113-134%KO Mega Drain 2x 63-75% Absorb 2x 36-43% View Gloom builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 136-161%KO Mega Drain 2x 50-59% Absorb 2x 27-32% View Lombre builds →
Snover GrassIce	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Razor LeafLv. 20 LeafageLv. 5 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 141-166%KO Magical Leaf 2x 71-86% Razor Leaf 2x 27-32% Leafage 2x 21-27% View Snover builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Mega DrainLv. 5 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 200-236%KO Magical Leaf 2x 104-123%KO Mega Drain 2x 71-86% Absorb 2x 39-48% View Roselia builds →

Ferroseed GrassSteel	C
TM Move Moves Solar BeamTM11 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 74-88% View Ferroseed builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 129-152%KO Mega Drain 2x 46-55% Absorb 2x 26-32% View Lombre builds →
Snover GrassIce	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Razor LeafLv. 20 LeafageLv. 5 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 132-157%KO Magical Leaf 2x 69-83% Razor Leaf 2x 26-32% Leafage 2x 18-23% View Snover builds →
Binacle RockWater	D
Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 20 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Cloyster Ancient Power 2x 54-65% Rock Blast 2x 15-18% View Binacle builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Mega DrainLv. 5 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 188-222%KO Magical Leaf 2x 97-115%KO Mega Drain 2x 66-78% Absorb 2x 34-42% View Roselia builds →

Ferroseed GrassSteel	C
TM Move Moves Solar BeamTM11 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 78-92% View Ferroseed builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 131-154%KO Mega Drain 2x 46-54% Absorb 2x 24-29% View Lombre builds →
Snover GrassIce	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Razor LeafLv. 20 LeafageLv. 5 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 131-154%KO Magical Leaf 2x 67-79% Razor Leaf 2x 24-29% Leafage 2x 21-25% View Snover builds →
Binacle RockWater	D
Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 20 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Cloyster Ancient Power 2x 53-63% Rock Blast 2x 14-17% View Binacle builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Mega DrainLv. 5 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 190-225%KO Magical Leaf 2x 99-117%KO Mega Drain 2x 67-79% Absorb 2x 35-42% View Roselia builds →

Drednaw WaterRock	C
Available Moves Moves Rock TombLv. 1 RevengeTM42 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Cloyster Rock Tomb 2x 38-45% Revenge 2x 25-30% Rock Blast 2x 18-23% View Drednaw builds →
Corsola WaterRock	C
Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 20 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Cloyster Ancient Power 2x 71-84% Rock Blast 2x 13-16% View Corsola builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 36 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 133-158%KO Giga Drain 2x 85-100%KO Mega Drain 2x 46-55% Absorb 2x 24-29% View Lombre builds →
Snover GrassIce	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Razor LeafLv. 20 LeafageLv. 5 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 137-161%KO Magical Leaf 2x 71-84% Razor Leaf 2x 24-29% Leafage 2x 18-23% View Snover builds →
Binacle RockWater	D
Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 20 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Cloyster Ancient Power 2x 52-61% Rock Blast 2x 11-13% View Binacle builds →

Drednaw WaterRock	C
Available Moves Moves Rock TombLv. 1 RevengeTM42 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Cloyster Rock Tomb 2x 39-46% Revenge 2x 26-31% Rock Blast 2x 18-22% View Drednaw builds →
Corsola WaterRock	C
Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 20 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Cloyster Ancient Power 2x 73-87% Rock Blast 2x 12-15% View Corsola builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 36 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 136-161%KO Giga Drain 2x 87-102%KO Mega Drain 2x 46-56% Absorb 2x 26-31% View Lombre builds →
Snover GrassIce	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Razor LeafLv. 20 LeafageLv. 5 Damage vs Cloyster Solar Beam 2x 139-164%KO Magical Leaf 2x 70-84% Razor Leaf 2x 23-28% Leafage 2x 18-22% View Snover builds →
Binacle RockWater	D
Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 20 Rock BlastTM54 Damage vs Cloyster Ancient Power 2x 53-62% Rock Blast 2x 12-15% View Binacle builds →