Cloyster is a black, pearl-like Pokémon. It is encased inside a light-gray shell, which is surrounded by a second jagged, blue-violet outer shell casing. It has one barb-like spike protruding from above its head, and multiple conical horns on its outer shell. Its shell is harder than diamond with spikes that are even harder; harsh tidal currents will affect the size and sharpness of these spikes. On its pearl-like face, it has two white eyes and a mouth. Aside from its face and head, its internal anatomy has never been seen. Once it has shut itself in, it is impossible to open its shell from the outside. This impressive defense allows it to withstand anything from a bomb blast to even a missile strike.
Cloyster typically only opens its shell to attack an opponent. However, it is fully capable of retaliating against any enemy with its shell tightly closed. With rapid succession, it launches its spikes at the foe, keeping them repelled. It can also attack by clamping onto an enemy with its former signature move, Clamp. The same projectile system it uses to launch its spikes is also used for swimming. It swallows seawater, and then ejects it towards the rear propelling it through with siphon-jet propulsion. Being the result of an evolution via evolutionary stone, Cloyster is rarely found in the wild, though they can be found in the sea floor, nestled among the rocks and coral, but it will actively hunt on land for Slowpoke tails. Kingler is a natural predator of Cloyster.
Cloyster debuted in The Bridge Bike Gang, under the ownership of Tyra. It was used in a battle against Misty, who was going to use Starmie. However, Psyduck popped out of its Poké Ball instead, which resulted in Tyra winning the match.
A Cloyster appeared in Fire and Ice, under the ownership of Pete Pebbleman. It was used during the Indigo Plateau Conference. Ash battled it with Kingler, who was able to defeat Cloyster. It reappeared in a flashback in Friends to the End. Also, in the latter episode, another Trainer's Cloyster appeared during the closing ceremonies of the Indigo Plateau Conference.
A Cloyster appeared in The Crystal Onix, under the ownership of Mateo. He used it to try and capture the Crystal Onix, but Water Gun had no effect and Cloyster was knocked out.
A Cloyster appeared in The Sun, the Scare, the Secret Lair!, where Jessie tried to catch it without battling, but failed after Cloyster ate her Poké Ball. It splashed Team Rocket before swimming away, spitting the Ball out on the way.
Giovanni uses a Cloyster despite him not being the type he specializes in. He was first used in Make Way for Magmar! to freeze two Magmar in solid ice and then killed them by snapping the ice into pieces. He was used again in Golly, Golem!, where he froze Red's Poliwrath.
Lorelei owns a Cloyster that she uses as one of her main Pokémon alongside her Dewgong. It first appeared in Cloystered.
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.
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 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.
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.
Silver Leaf (100%)
Pearl (50%)
Big Pearl (5%)
Choice Scarf (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Cloyster images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
