* Cloyster has the highest {{stat|Defense}} of both Water and Ice types.
* Cloyster has the highest {{stat|Defense}} of both Water and Ice types.
* Cloyster's {{2v|Red|Blue}}' sprite shows its shell positioned horizontally instead of vertically.
* Cloyster's {{2v|Red|Blue}}' sprite shows its shell positioned horizontally instead of vertically.
* Although it is stated many times in the pokedex entry for Cloyster that it's innards have never been seen, in the seventh episode of the original series, during the events at the [[cerulean gym]] a hollow Cloyster shell is shown hanging from the ceiling. It apparently had been repurposed as a loudspeaker. This leaves wide open the possibility that a Cloyster's innards could have been observed.
Cloyster is an enormous bivalve with a large rugged shell that features a number of spikes. Six of the spikes, 3 per side, are especially long and conical. Resembling turrets, they enhance the ability of the shell to protect the pokémon's soft insides from foes. Even so, the shell offers little in the way of protection against special attacks. Cloyster's shell has a nested gray-colored secondary shell inside its larger purple outer shell. Its "head" and face resemble a very large black pearl, with a pronounced horn-like white spike jutting out above its "head." Its face is similar to Gastly, though the two Pokémon are not related. It is has been noted that the nature of the inner contents of a Cloyster's shell are not actually known due to the difficulty of observing them.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
Cloyster possesses incredible defensive capabilities unrivaled anywhere else in the Kanto region. Cloyster’s entire fighting style is focused around its uncanny defense: its shell. Cloyster attacks by firing sharp spikes off of its shell via telling moves such as spike cannon while it keeps clamped tightly shut. It is said to be impossible to open from the outside. Aside from its remarkable defense, Cloyster is also capable of unleashing a considerable arsenal of offenses, mostly including Water and Ice-type attacks, but reaching to Poison and Dark-type as well. This Pokémon is generally unmoving on land, though capable of moving quickly only underwater using syphon-jet propulsion much like any other bivalve. It is sometimes depicted as having the ability to inexplicably float through the air.
Behavior
In spite of its grim semblance and its menacing guise, Cloyster's behavior is actually quite unremarkable. In battle, the cowardly Cloyster clamps its monstrous, impenetrable shell tightly shut so that it may not be forced ajar. It then attacks recklessly and aimlessly in all directions with the random, ballistic fire of the spikes on its shell. This haphazard, hit-or-miss style of attack does not earn Cloyster high respect in the field of tactical gumption or cleverness. Though its personality may be lacking, the grimace on its face is perpetual.
Ash battled a Cloyster belonging to Pete Pebbleman during the Indigo League in Fire and Ice. It reappeared in a flashback in Friends to the End. Also, in the latter episode, another Cloyster under the ownership of an unknown Trainer, appeared during the closing ceremonies of the Indigo League.
First seen against Yellow in conjunction with her Dewgong. Later, in the battle on Cerise Island, it kept the voodoo dolls of Green and Sabrina (which kept their arms bound by an ice cuff) safely out of reach while Lorelei battled them. Although it initially seemed that with Green out cold, Sabrina stood little chance, she feigned attacking repeatedly and slowly sapped Cloyster's strength using Mega Drain, eventually fainting it. Lorelei realized this, and quickly took back the dolls.
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 due to the tough shell it possesses, said to withstand the damage of a Napalm Bomb. However, though they fought valiantly and pushed Sird to her limits, ultimately the insidious villain won by having her Starmiecamouflage itself and attack where they couldn't defend.
The boss of Team Rocket, Giovanni, is shown in several rounds using Cloyster. He used it to freeze two Magmar after having a chat with Red. Then, when Red came to beat him, he used it to freeze Poli.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Cloyster is drawn by Mato as having a blue marking like a jewel on its head, beneath the spike. The official art by Ken Sugimori, however, does not. This is likely because the white circle seen on Cloyster's head in most early sprites and the Generation I Sugimori art was interpreted by Mato as a jewel, but was actually intended just to be glare. Satoshi Yamamoto, who took over starting at Volume 10, did not make the same error.
Pokémon Pinball: A Cloyster appears on the Blue Table. When the pinball can be shot into the Cloyster, Catch'em Mode is activated, allowing for the capture of a Pokémon.
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
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.
Cloyster has the highest Defense of both Water and Ice types.
Cloyster's Red and Blue Versions' sprite shows its shell positioned horizontally instead of vertically.
Although it is stated many times in the pokedex entry for Cloyster that it's innards have never been seen, in the seventh episode of the original series, during the events at the cerulean gym a hollow Cloyster shell is shown hanging from the ceiling. It apparently had been repurposed as a loudspeaker. This leaves wide open the possibility that a Cloyster's innards could have been observed.
Origin
It appears to be based on a bivalve, more specifically the genus spondylus, with a black pearl as its head.
Name origin
Cloyster is a pun on cloister (to seclude or shelter oneself) which contains the word, oyster or is a portmantaeu of clam and oyster.
Parshen may be a combination of パール pearl and シェル shell.
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.
Pearl (50%)
Big Pearl (5%)
Choice Scarf (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Cloyster images on Bulbagarden Archives.
