Biology
Cloyster is a black bivalve mollusk 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 a 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. 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, pushing it through with siphon-jet propulsion. Being the result of Shellder evolving through an Evolution stone, Cloyster is rarely found in the wild, though they can be found on the sea floor, nestled among the rocks and coral; however, it will actively hunt on land for Slowpoke tails. Cloyster and its pre-evolved form, Shellder, are relatives of Gastrodon. Kingler is a natural predator of Cloyster.
In Generation I, Clamp was its signature move. Additionally, prior to Generation V, Cloyster and its pre-evolved form, Shellder, were the only known Pokémon that could have Skill Link as an Ability.
Evolution
Cloyster evolves from Shellder
(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Game data
NPC appearances
- 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
Generation I
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Kanto #091
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Red(JPN)
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(This entry was originally untranslated in English until it was reused in Pokémon FireRed.)
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Green
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Red(ENG)
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When attacked, it launches its horns in quick volleys. Its innards have never been seen.
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Blue
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Yellow
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For protection, it uses its harder-than-diamonds shell. It also shoots spikes from the shell.
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Stadium
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Its shell is so hard, it can even withstand a bomb. No one has ever seen what is inside its shell.
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Generation II
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Johto #170
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Gold
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Once it slams its shell shut, it is impossible to open, even by those with superior strength.
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Silver
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Cloyster that live in seas with harsh tidal currents grow large, sharp spikes on their shells.
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Crystal
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Even a missile can't break the spikes it uses to stab opponents. They're even harder than its shell.
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Stadium 2
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Once it slams its shell shut, it is impossible to open, even by those with superior strength. (Pokémon Red, Silver, or Crystal inserted) Cloyster that live in seas with harsh tidal currents grow large, sharp spikes on their shells. (Pokémon Blue, Gold, or Yellow inserted)
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Generation III
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Hoenn #—
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Kanto #091
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Ruby
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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.
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Sapphire
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Emerald
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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.
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FireRed
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Its shell is extremely hard. It cannot be shattered, even with a bomb. The shell opens only when it is attacking.
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LeafGreen
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When attacked, it launches its horns in quick volleys. Its innards have never been seen.
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Generation IV
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Sinnoh #—
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Johto #172
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Diamond
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It fights by keeping its shell tightly shut for protection and by shooting spikes to repel foes.
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Pearl
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Platinum
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HeartGold
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Once it slams its shell shut, it is impossible to open, even by those with superior strength.
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SoulSilver
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Cloyster that live in seas with harsh tidal currents grow large, sharp spikes on their shells.
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Generation V
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Unova #—
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Black
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It fights by keeping its shell tightly shut for protection and by shooting spikes to repel foes.
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White
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Black 2
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It fights by keeping its shell tightly shut for protection and by shooting spikes to repel foes.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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Kalos Coastal #037
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Hoenn #—
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X
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Cloyster that live in seas with harsh tidal currents grow large, sharp spikes on their shells.
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Y
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Its shell is extremely hard. It cannot be shattered, even with a bomb. The shell opens only when it is attacking.
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Omega Ruby
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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.
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Alpha Sapphire
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Generation VII
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Alola S M : #116
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Alola US UM : #139
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Kanto #091
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Sun
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Its hard shell cannot be shattered—not even by a bomb. The contents of the shell remain unknown.
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Moon
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Excavation of the tombs of ancient hunting tribes has turned up many spears tipped with spikes that had fallen off this Pokémon's shell.
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Ultra Sun
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If areas of Cloyster's very hard shell get damaged, those areas swell, gradually growing into large sharp spikes.
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Ultra Moon
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Slowpoke tails are its favorite food. It has even been known to come up on land to look for Slowpoke from time to time.
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Let's Go Pikachu
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For protection, it uses its harder-than-diamond shell. It also shoots spikes from the shell.
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Let's Go Eevee
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Generation VIII
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Galar #151
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Galar Isle of Armor #132
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Sinnoh #—
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Hisui #—
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This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Legends: Arceus.
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Sword
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Its shell is extremely hard. It cannot be shattered, even with a bomb. The shell opens only when it is attacking.
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Shield
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Once it slams its shell shut, it is impossible to open, even by those with superior strength.
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Brilliant Diamond
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It fights by keeping its shell tightly shut for protection and by shooting spikes to repel foes.
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Shining Pearl
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Generation IX
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Paldea #330
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Kitakami #—
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Blueberry #—
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Scarlet
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Cloyster that live in seas with harsh tidal currents grow large, sharp spikes on their shells.
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Violet
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When attacked, it launches its spikes in quick volleys. Its innards have never been seen.
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Game locations
In side games
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Generation II
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This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
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In events
Held items
Pokémon caught in Generation I must be traded to a Generation II game in order for a held item to appear. In Pokémon Emerald, Cloyster can only be found in the Battle Frontier.
Stats
Base stats
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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50
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110 - 157
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210 - 304
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95
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90 - 161
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175 - 317
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180
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166 - 255
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328 - 504
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85
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81 - 150
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157 - 295
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45
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45 - 106
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85 - 207
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70
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67 - 134
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130 - 262
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Total: 525
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- 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.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cloyster
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Cloyster
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cloyster
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution or an alternate form of Cloyster
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Cloyster
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cloyster
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Cloyster
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cloyster
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Cloyster
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations
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TCG-only moves
Side game data
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Pokémon Rumble Rush
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Walking Speed: 1.5 seconds
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Base HP: 48
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Base Attack: 80
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Base Defense: 61
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Base Speed: 60
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Evolution data
Sprites
In animation
Major appearances
Prima was shown to own a Cloyster in The Mandarin Island Miss Match. It battled Ash and Pikachu and won.
Other
Cloyster debuted in The Bridge Bike Gang, under the ownership of Tyra. Cloyster was used to battle Misty, who was going to use Starmie. However, Psyduck popped out of its Poké Ball instead, which resulted in Tyra winning the match.
In Fire and Ice, Pete Pebbleman used a Cloyster during the Indigo Plateau Conference. Ash battled it with Kingler, who was able to win. It reappeared in a flashback in Friends to the End, an episode where another Trainer's Cloyster appeared during the closing ceremonies of the Indigo Plateau Conference.
In The Crystal Onix, Mateo used a Cloyster to try and catch the Crystal Onix. However, its Water Gun had no effect, and Cloyster was knocked out.
In The Search for the Legend, Butch used a Cloyster during his and Cassidy's attempt to catch a wild Moltres.
In Staging a Heroes' Welcome!, Kyle used a Cloyster during the Performance Stage of the Wallace Cup. It impressed the audience with its Spike Cannon.
In The Sun, the Scare, the Secret Lair!, Jessie tried to catch a Cloyster without battling it, but it ate her Poké Ball. It splashed Team Rocket before swimming away, spitting the Ball out on the way.
In Battling in the Freezing Raid!, Goh caught a Cloyster while exploring the Seafoam Islands.
Minor appearances
In The Battling Eevee Brothers, a Cloyster attended the evolution party in Stone Town.
In The Battle of the Badge, Giovanni kept a Cloyster in a water tank in the Viridian Gym's basement.
In Pikachu's Vacation, a Cloyster was at the Pokémon Theme Park.
In Lights, Camera, Quack-tion, a Cloyster was cast in the movie Pokémon in Love.
A Cloyster appeared in Poké Ball Peril.
In The Power of One, multiple Cloyster sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.
In Hook, Line, and Stinker, a Trainer's Cloyster participated in the annual Seaking Catching Competition.
A Cloyster made a cameo appearance in Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea.
A Cloyster appeared in To Thine Own Pokémon Be True!.
In The One That Didn't Get Away!, Kiawe caught a Cloyster whilst fishing.
A Cloyster appeared in Pikachu's Exciting Adventure!.
A Cloyster appeared in Legend? Go! Friends? Go!.
A Cloyster appeared in Looking Out for Number Two!.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP036
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Cloyster
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Ash's Pokédex
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Cloyster, a Bivalve Pokémon. Its shell is incredibly strong and resistant to a bomb. Its shell only opens when it attacks.
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In the mangaIn the TCGTrivia
- Cloyster is tied with Mega Slowbro for the highest base Defense stat of all Water-type Pokémon.
- Slowbro's tail has an attached Shellder, which grows to engulf it during Mega Evolution. This may have been an intended parallel.
- Cloyster and its pre-evolved form share their category name with Clamperl. They are all known as the Bivalve Pokémon.
Origin
Cloyster appears to be based on a bivalve of the genus Spondylus with a black pearl as its head.
Name origin
Cloyster may be a combination of clam and oyster, as well as a play on cloister (to seclude or shelter oneself).
Parshen may be a combination of パール pearl and シェル shell.
In other languagesRelated articlesExternal links
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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.
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