Clamp (move)

If you were looking for the move with the Japanese name Clamp, see Vice Grip.

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Clamp からではさむ Clamp with Shell

Battles Type  Water Category  Physical PP  15 (max. 24) Power  35 Accuracy  85% Priority  0 Makes contact Affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Affected by Mirror Move Affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user

Availability Introduced  Generation I Not a TM, TR, HM, or Move Tutor move.

Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ Jam  0   Temporarily stops the crowd from getting excited.

Super Contests Condition  Tough Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ A basic performance using a move known by the Pokémon.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Tough Appeal  3 ♥♥♥ Jamming  0   Temporarily stops the crowd from growing excited.

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Clamp (Japanese: からではさむ Clamp with Shell) is a damage-dealing Water-type move introduced in Generation I. Prior to Generation III, it was the signature move of Shellder and Cloyster.

Effect

Generation I

Clamp inflicts damage and traps the target for 2-5 turns, damaging the target at the end of each turn. There is a 37.5% chance that it will attack for 2 turns, a 37.5% chance that it will attack for 3 turns, a 12.5% chance that it will attack for 4 turns, and a 12.5% chance that it will attack for 5 turns. Although only the first hit can be a critical hit, each consecutive turn will deal the same amount of damage. Whilst the target is trapped, it will be unable to attack, and if the user of Clamp strikes before the target, when used, the target will also be unable to attack during the same turn.

Damage inflicted by Clamp's continuing duration is done after recurrent damage. If the user switches out before the turn duration ends, the target will be unable to attack during that turn. If the target switches out before the turn duration ends, Clamp will automatically be used against the incoming Pokémon, deducting an additional PP from the move. If at such a time Clamp has 0 PP, Clamp will still be used against the incoming Pokémon. After that use, the current PP of Clamp will roll over to 63, and full PP Ups will be applied to it.

Even if Clamp misses, it will negate the recharge turn normally required for Hyper Beam. Additionally, if the user of Clamp attacks before the user of Hyper Beam during a recharge turn and the use of Clamp misses, the user of Hyper Beam will automatically use Hyper Beam during that turn. If at such a time Hyper Beam has 0 PP, Hyper Beam will still be used, and afterwards its current PP will roll over to 63, and full PP ups will be applied to it.

The target will be able to select a move during each turn of Clamp's duration, and will hit an incoming Pokémon with the selected move if the user switches out before the duration is over.

In Pokémon Stadium, if the target switches out before Clamp's duration ends, the move is ended and the user's turn is skipped. A move can be selected during each turn of Clamp's duration. If the target switches out before the duration ends, the incoming Pokémon will not automatically be attacked. Clamp will negate the recharge turn of Hyper Beam only if successful.

Generation II

The target is now able to attack during Clamp's duration, and can act normally. Instead, it inflicts 1/16 of the target's maximum HP as damage for two to five turns upon use, in addition to the damage dealt when it is used. "<Pokémon> was CLAMPED by <User>!" will appear. It also traps the target, preventing switching and escape. If a trapped Pokémon uses Rapid Spin, it will be freed.

Generations III and IV

The effects of Clamp are the same as in Generation II, but if a wild Pokémon uses Clamp on the player's Pokémon, the player may escape if the affected Pokémon has Run Away or is holding a Smoke Ball. However, these do not allow the player to switch the Pokémon out. The text also changes to "<User> CLAMPED <Pokémon>!"

If the user of Clamp is holding a Grip Claw, the duration will always be five turns. Also, if an affected Pokémon is holding a Shed Shell, it can switch out.

Clamp can also be used as part of a Pokémon Contest combination, with the user gaining extra three appeal points if the move Rain Dance was used in the prior turn.

Generation V

Clamp's accuracy is increased to 85, its PP is increased to 15, and it lasts four to five turns. If a Binding Band is held by the user, the damage done at the end of each turn will increase from 1/16 of the target's maximum HP to 1/8.

Generation VI

The end turn damage of Clamp is increased from 1/16 to 1/8 of the target's maximum HP. If the user is holding a Binding Band, the end turn damage of Clamp will increase to 1/6 of the target's maximum HP.

Description

Games Description Stad The target is gripped in the attacker's shell for two to five turns. It can't move while under the attack. Stad2 Grips the target in the attacker's shell for two to five turns. GSC Traps the foe for 2-5 turns. RSE Traps and squeezes the foe for 2 to 5 turns. FRLG The foe is clamped and squeezed by the user's shell for two to five turns. ColoXD Traps and squeezes the target for 2 to 5 turns. DPPtHGSSPBR The foe is clamped and squeezed by the user's very thick and sturdy shell for two to five turns. BWB2W2 XYORAS SM The target is clamped and squeezed by the user's very thick and sturdy shell for four to five turns.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0090		Shellder		Water 3		Water 3	23	41	41RSE 43FRLG	25	25	25	25
0091		Cloyster		Water 3		Water 3	1
0366		Clamperl		Water 1		Water 1			1	1	1	1	1
0688		Binacle		Water 3		Water 3						20	20
0689		Barbaracle		Water 3		Water 3						20	20
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

In other games

Description

Games Description MDRB Inflicts damage on the target. It may also cause constriction, making the foe incapable of movement.

In the anime

Cloyster Jessie's Shellder File:Shellder Clamp EP260.png Wild Shellder Clamperl
The user attaches itself to the opponent by using its shell.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Cloyster closes its shell on the opponent.
Tyra's Cloyster	The Bridge Bike Gang		Debut
	Shellder closes its shell over the opponent, or Shellder bites the opponent.
Jessie's Shellder	The Evolution Solution!		None
Multiple wild Shellder	A Crowning Achievement		None
	Clamperl closes its shell over the opponent.
A wild Clamperl	Clamperl of Wisdom		None
A wild Clamperl	Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade		None

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Shellder
The user clamps its shell over the opponent.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Shellder closes its shell over the opponent.
Lorelei's Shellder	Striking Golduck		Debut

In other generations

Core series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Spin-off series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 貝殼夾擊 Buihok Gaapgīk * 殼夾 Hokgaap Mandarin 貝殼夾擊 / 贝壳夹击 Bèiké Jiájí * 夾殼 Jiā​ké​ * Danish Klemme Dutch Clamp Finnish Pihti French Claquoir German Schnapper Greek Μέγγενη Italian Tenaglia Korean 껍질끼우기 Kkeopjil Kkiugi Brazilian Portuguese Prender Capturar (TCG) Serbian Klješta Spanish Tenaza Vietnamese Kẹp Vỏ

Variations of the move Fire Spin
Clamp • Sand Tomb Fire Spin • Whirlpool

This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.