Cloyster (Pokémon)

← #090: Shellder

Pokémon

#092: Gastly →

Cloyster パルシェン Parshen #091
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Water Ice Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Bivalve Pokémon
Abilities Shell Armor or Skill Link Skill Link Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,250,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #091 Johto #172 Hoenn #261 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 4'11" Imperial 1.5 m Metric 4'11"/1.5 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 292.1 lbs. Imperial 132.5 kg Metric 292.1 lbs./132.5 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Purple	Catch rate 60 (7.8%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Water 3 group 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 2 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 203 Battle Exp.: 2031*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Cloyster (Japanese: パルシェン Parshen) is a dual-type Water/Ice Pokémon.

It evolves from Shellder when exposed to radiation from a Water Stone.

Biology

Physiology

Cloyster has a spiky shell, six of which are long are conical, resembling turrets, which is used to protect its soft insides from foes. Cloyster has an an inner, gray-colored layer inside its purple shell. Its "head" and face resemble a black pearl, and there is a jutting, horn-like white spike above its "head".

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Cloyster has strong defenses and moderate offenses, both thanks to its sturdy shell. It fights by clamping its shell tightly shut while launching spikes from its shell to strike opponents.

Behavior

Cloyster is a clever and sneaky Pokémon, viciously rushing at prey shooting with spikes. It fights roughly because of the hostile nature of its habitat and the protection of its shell, allowing it to withstand physical blows easily. Cloyster swims by means of propulsion, doing so by first swallowing water, then jetting it out toward the rear. Cloyster may also shoot spikes from its shell using the same system.

Habitat

File:Sea.gif

Sea Pokémon

Cloyster lives deep under the sea, usually on the seabed or amongst coral and rocks. Its range is basically the same as Shellder's.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

File:Lorelei's Cloyster.png

Cloyster in the anime

Major Appearances

Lorelei used a Cloyster against Ash in The Mandarin Island Miss Match.

A Cloyster appeared in Staging a Heroes Welcome under the ownership of Kyle.

Minor Appearances

Misty battled against a Cloyster in The Bridge Bike Gang.

Giovanni's Cloyster first appeared in The Battle of the Badge.

Ash also battled one during the Indigo League in Fire and Ice.

A Cloyster appeared in Poké Ball Peril.

Mateo owned a Cloyster in The Crystal Onix.

Butch used a Cloyster during his and Cassidy's attempt to capture Moltres in The Search for the Legend.

A Cloyster made a cameo in Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea.

A Cloyster can be seen in To Thine Own Pokémon Be True!

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP036 Cloyster Ash's Pokédex Cloyster, a Bivalve Pokémon. Its shell is incredibly strong and resistant to a bomb. Its shell only opens when it attacks.

In the manga

Cloyster's most predominant appearance is under Lorelei, during the Elite Four saga of Pokémon Adventures. It kept the voodoo dolls of Green and Sabrina safely out of reach while Lorelei battled them.

Cloyster reappeared again in Lorelei's attempt to defend Seven Island. It is then remarked that Cloyster is the strongest fighter Lorelei has in her arsenal.

In the TCG

Main article: Cloyster (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red When attacked, it launches its horns in quick volleys. Its innards have never been seen. Blue Yellow For protection, it uses its harder-than-diamonds shell. It also shoots spikes from the shell. Stadium Its shell is so hard, it can even withstand a bomb. No one has ever seen what is inside its shell.
Generation II Gold Once it slams its shell shut, it is impossible to open, even by those with superior strength. Silver Cloyster that live in seas with harsh tidal currents grow large, sharp spikes on their shells. Crystal Even a missile can't break the spikes it uses to stab opponents. They're even harder than its shell. Stadium 2 Once it slams its shell shut, it is impossible to open, even by those with superior strength.
Generation III Ruby Cloyster is capable of swimming in the sea. It does so by swallowing water, then jetting it out toward the rear. This Pokémon shoots spikes from its shell using the same system. Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}} Emerald It swims in the sea by swallowing water, then jetting it out toward the rear. The Cloyster shoots spikes from its shell using the same system. FireRed Its shell is extremely hard. It cannot be shattered, even with a bomb. The shell opens only when it is attacking. LeafGreen When attacked, it launches its horns in quick volleys. Its innards have never been seen.
Generation IV Diamond It fights by keeping its shell tightly shut for protection and by shooting spikes to repel foes. Pearl {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold Once it slams its shell shut, it is impossible to open, even by those with superior strength. SoulSilver Cloyster that live in seas with harsh tidal currents grow large, sharp spikes on their shells.
Generation V Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue None Evolve Shellder Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Evolve Shellder
Generation II Gold Silver None Evolve Shellder Crystal None Evolve Shellder
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen None Evolve Shellder (FireRed only) Colosseum None Trade XD None Evolve Shellder
Generation IV Diamond Pearl None Evolve Shellder Platinum None Evolve Shellder HeartGold SoulSilver None Evolve Shellder Pal Park Sea Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Snap	River
Pokémon Channel	Secret Cove
Pokémon Trozei!	Endless Level 10 Endless Level 29 Forever Level 59 Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Evolve from Shellder
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Miracle Sea (B1-B18) Deep Miracle Sea (B1-B4)
Pokémon Rumble	Bright Beach

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 50		110 - 157	210 - 304
Attack: 95		90 - 161	175 - 317
Defense: 180		166 - 255	328 - 504
Sp. Atk: 85		81 - 150	157 - 295
Sp. Def: 45		45 - 106	85 - 207
Speed: 70		67 - 134	130 - 262
Total: 525	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature. This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 85.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 1/2 ★☆	Power 4/5 ★★★★☆
Skill 1/1 ★	Stamina 4/4 ★★★★
Jump 2/2 ★★	Total 12/14 ★★

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 2× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ¼× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 2× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ¼× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 2× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ¼× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 2× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ¼× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Learnset

By leveling up

|- style="text-align:center" | style="text-align:left" | water | style="background:#3DCEF3" |  ice 

| style=" background:#FFF" | 4 | style=" background:#FFF" | 1 | style=" background:#FFF" | Cloyster | style="display:none; background:#FFF" | {{{6}}} Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

By tutoring

|- style="background:#74ACF5" | colspan="13" | Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an Evolution of this Pokémon
A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game,
while a colored background indicates that the move is available. |} |}

TCG-only moves

• Lick

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball    Acquisition: Evolve		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team File:MDP RT 091.png Body size: 1 Recruit rate: Evolve Friend Area: Bountiful Sea Phrases 51%-100% HP My shell can't be broken no matter what attack is thrown! 26%-50% HP Trouble... My health is half gone. 1%-25% HP It's all over... Even my shell is cracking... Level up My level went up! Hit me with any weapon! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up My level went up! Hit me with any weapon!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: -4.5% IQ group: E
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Unevolved Shellder  Water

Water Stone →

First Evolution Cloyster  Water  Ice

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Cloyster images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Cloyster has the highest base Defense of any Generation I Pokémon at 180. It was surpassed in Generation II by Steelix (200) and Shuckle (230). Currently it is tied with Aggron for the 4th highest behind the two previously mentioned Pokémon, and Regirock (200).
  • Therefore, Cloyster has the highest Defense of both Water and Ice-types, as well as the highest single stat of all Water-types with that Defense and the highest single base stat of all non legendary Ice-types. (Overall, behind only Regice's Special Defense)
• It is interesting to note that past Generation II, Cloyster no longer has a method of obtaining the move Take-Down through breeding. Shellder and Cloyster were only able to obtain the move in Generation II due to the father learning it via TM09 in Red or Blue and being traded to Gold or Silver and then bred. In Generations III and IV, this is no longer possible.
• Cloyster's cry is very similar to Fearow, aside from some differences in pitch and volume.
• Despite Cloyster not resembling a human form, like Jynx, Cloyster's "head" pearl was changed from black to purple in Generation IV.
• Strangely, Cloyster's head and face bear a striking resemblance to Gastly, which comes directly after it in the National Pokédex.
• Cloyster’s Template:Shiny2 color is blue. This has been treated by some as a reference to the 70’s band “Blue Oyster Cult”.

Origin

It appears to be based on a bivalve, or more specifically, of the genus spondylus, with a black pearl as its head.

Name origin

Cloyster's name may be a combination of cloister, to seclude or shelter oneself, and oyster. It could also be a combination of clam and oyster. Its Japanese name may be a combination of パール pearl and シェル shell.

In other languages

• German: Austos - From Auster (oyster).
• French: Crustabri - From crustacé (crustacean) and abri (shelter).
• Korean: 파르셀 Pareusel
• Chinese (Taiwan): 鐵甲貝 Tiě Jiǎ Bèi - "Iron armored shell"

Notes

← #090: Shellder

Pokémon

#092: Gastly →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.