パルシェン の育成構築

Shell Smash Cloyster's ability to potentially break past its checks through flinches make it a threatening setup sweeper. It also takes advantage of teams relying on Seismitoad and Gastrodon as their bulky Water-type, as neither is a suitable Cloyster check. Rock Blast hits Water-types such as Milotic and Suicune neutrally, helping Cloyster beat them with flinches. It also hits Volcanion and can be used against other Fire-types like Incineroar and Chandelure. Hydro Pump is the preferred last move due to its greater damage against Steel-types such as Metagross, Cobalion, and Steelix. Liquidation can be used instead to OHKO Diancie and potentially 2HKO Registeel after Spikes damage while also giving Cloyster a more reliable Water-type STAB move. However, it makes Cloyster more reliant on breaking past the aforementioned Steel-types with flinches. King's Rock gives Cloyster's Icicle Spear and Rock Blast an effective 41% flinch chance. A Naive or Jolly nature should be used, as they allow +2 Cloyster to outrun Choice Scarf Mienshao. Explosion can be used to take down Water-types such as Milotic and Suicune for a teammate. Focus Sash can be used to almost guarantee setup, but this requires solid entry hazard removal, and Cloyster loses out on the ability to break past its checks with flinches. Life Orb is another item option that allows Cloyster to KO notable threats such as Cobalion, Galarian Weezing, Metagross, and Doublade at +2 without prior residual damage. Spikes allows Cloyster, which beats most Defoggers, to give value to its team in a matchup where it doesn't do much else. However, Spikes also forces Cloyster to ditch its Water-type STAB moves, which worsens its matchup against Steel-types significantly. Cloyster's natural physical bulk is impressive even without investment and gives it some notable setup opportunities against Pokemon such as Darmanitan, Crobat lacking Taunt, and Mimikyu. Cloyster is potentially capable of breaking past its defensive answers with flinches, but this requires a fair bit of luck. Bulky Water- and Steel-types can halt Cloyster barring an ill-timed flinch, so efforts should be put into wearing these Pokemon down. Most of the tier's bulky Steel-types will get worn down by Spikes; offensive Metagross, Cobalion, and Doublade will be in KO range of +2 Hydro Pump after switching in with three layers of Spikes, while Liquidation variants will be able to reliably 2HKO Registeel after two layers. Therefore, Spikes setters like Klefki and Roserade are good teammates. Cloyster's ability to take advantage of Spikes and cause its targets to flinch makes it a great choice for hyper offense teams, as it can be a devastating wincon or a supportive wallbreaker for another sweeping teammate such as Necrozma, Mimikyu, or Polteageist. Cloyster is also capable of sweeping on standard offensive and bulky offensive teams. Teams utilizing Cloyster in this regard should attempt to wear down bulky Water- and Steel-types. Knock Off from the likes of Incineroar, Reuniclus, and Obstagoon can remove Leftovers from Pokemon like Registeel and Suicune, making it easier for Cloyster to break through them. Pivoting teammates, such as Mienshao, Incineroar, and Crobat, can get Cloyster into battle safely. Toxic from Diancie and Salazzle can help wear down Water-types to let Cloyster go wild late-game.

With Skill Link, Icicle Spear, and a Shell Smash Boost, Cloyster can defeat many top threats, such as Diggersby, Celesteela, Tangrowth, and Thundurus-T. Pin Missile hits Ice-resistant Pokemon such as Slowking and, somewhat less importantly, Starmie, for super effective damage. However, Poison Jab is an option to KO certain Water-types such as Primarina and Azumarill. It also hits Keldeo and Rotom-W for greater damage. Hydro Pump is run to OHKO physically defensive Pokemon such as Cobalion and Skarmory after a boost. Life Orb secures these OHKOs, but it can severely cut into Cloyster's longevity. White Herb is an alternative that restores Cloyster's defenses back to normal after Shell Smash, limiting its vulnerability to Scizor's Bullet Punch and potentially letting it boost again. A Naughty nature gives Cloyster maximum Attack without weakening Hydro Pump, as it does not care about decreasing its already low Special Defense. Cloyster is primarily a late-game cleaner on hyper offense teams, which are great at weakening its checks. Cloyster appreciates a dedicated suicide lead, such as Excadrill or Scolipede, to set up entry hazards and rack up chip damage on threats such as Celesteela and Swampert. Excadrill's Stealth Rock also disables Skarmory's Sturdy, and it can remove hazards with Rapid Spin, alleviating Cloyster's weakness to them. Celesteela and Azelf can take on Fighting-types such as Conkeldurr and Cobalion, with the former beating Scizor and the latter able to revenge kill Keldeo as well. Gyarados and Thundurus-T can remove Water-types like Keldeo, Tentacruel, and Rotom-W for Cloyster. They also can wear down checks such as Slowking and Primarina. Scizor and Meteor Beam Nihilego pressure faster threats such as Zarude, Azelf, Salamence, and Hydreigon. Scizor can revenge kill Azelf with Bullet Punch and take a hit from Zarude, while Nihilego uses both Salamence and Hydreigon to fire off Meteor Beam.

Spikes is the main reason to use Cloyster. Shell Smash and Icicle Spear punish Pokemon that stay in on it without attacking such as Ho-Oh, Eternatus, and Ferrothorn; in addition, it is one of the fastest Pokemon in the metagame after Shell Smash. Rapid Spin stops other suicide leads like Excadrill, Slurpuff, and Aerodactyl from setting their entry hazards freely. A Jolly nature can be chosen over Adamant, at the cost of a bit of power, for boosted Cloyster to outspeed Choice Scarf Yveltal, Adamant Regieleki, and more generally any Choice Scarf users under base 110 Speed. Spikes is great support for heavily offensive teams, allowing threats like Zekrom, Groudon, and Kyogre to wear down their common checks, namely Necrozma-DM, Tangrowth, and Blissey. Fast Taunt users like Yveltal are also great, as they can prevent Spikes from being removed by slow Defoggers; plus, being able to spam Knock Off and thus remove Heavy-Duty Boots is great synergy with Spikes. Finally, Eternatus, especially its offensive set, appreciate Cloyster luring in Yveltal and Ho-Oh, as it severely punishes them with Meteor Beam.

With a sky-high Defense stat, Cloyster is able to function as a Shell Smash sweeper on Ice teams. Icicle Spear can threaten Pokemon such as Mandibuzz, Togekiss, and Dragapult on Dark, Flying, and Dragon teams. Utilizing Rock Blast, Cloyster is able to sweep Fire teams fairly easily, providing Ice teams with a win condition versus them. It is also able to sweep opposing Ice teams, thus aiding in the mirror matchups. Liquidation prevents Cloyster from being walled by Steel-types such as Bisharp, Bronzong, and Aegislash, as well as aiding in sweeping Rock teams. Skill Link allows both Icicle Spear and Rock Blast to always hit five times for maximum damage output. Focus Sash allows Cloyster to set up with Shell Smash guaranteed and is crucial against special attackers such as Indeedee and Gardevoir in order to set up in a pinch. Maximum Attack and Speed investment alongside a Jolly nature allow Cloyster to be as strong and as fast as possible, as at +2 only base 110 Speed Choice Scarf Pokemon or higher can revenge kill it, of which only Dragapult is particularly viable. Cloyster is used as a late-game sweeper when all its checks and counters are either eliminated or have been worn down, and it is best to set up in front of a physical attacker or when Aurora Veil is up. It can also be used to set up early to break holes for its teammates. Wallbreakers such as Weavile and Galarian Darmanitan are amazing teammates for Cloyster, as they are able to punch holes through teams, allowing Cloyster to sweep more easily. Galarian Darmanitan can notably wear down Steel teams easily to the point of where Cloyster can sweep. Choice Scarf Weavile is able to check Choice Scarf Jirachi, which is a huge threat to Ice teams. Alolan Ninetales is a fantastic partner for Cloyster, as it is able to use Aurora Veil to allow it to set up more easily, as well as threatening Toxapex, which Cloyster struggles to break, with Freeze-Dry; in addition, it can threaten Swift Swim Water teams with Snow Warning. Mamoswine, Piloswine, and Froslass provide entry hazard support with Stealth Rock and Spikes to wear down foes, allowing Cloyster to sweep more easily. In addition, Froslass has access to Taunt to deny entry hazards from the opposing team, making sure that Cloyster's Focus Sash is intact. Galarian Mr. Mime and Avalugg are good teammates that provide Rapid Spin support to ensure that Cloyster's Focus Sash remains intact. In particular, Galarian Mr. Mime fits better on the offensive teams that leverage Cloyster thanks to its high Speed and can also cripple Pokemon with Trick, potentially giving Cloyster a free setup opportunity.

Cloyster performs the role of a threatening Shell Smash sweeper and late-game cleaner for Water teams. It helps Water teams to greatly improve matchups against types such as Dragon, Flying, and Grass. Cloyster has average offensive stats, but its ability Skill Link combined with moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast give it high Base Power moves to use with Shell Smash and allow it to pose a threat to unprepared teams. Rock Blast allows it to beat Ice- and Bug-type Pokemon such as Lapras and Vikavolt, and priority Ice Shard helps Cloyster to revenge kill faster Choice Scarf users like Noivern and beat opposing priority users like Dragapult and Whimsicott after Shell Smash. Maximum Attack investment optimizes Cloyster's damage output maximum Speed with a Jolly nature makes it as fast as possible, allowing it to outspeed most Pokemon at +2 with the exception of foes like Choice Scarf Gengar. Its huge Defense stat and Focus Sash ensure that it can set up at least one Shell Smash during the battle. Hard-hitting Pokemon such as Barraskewda and Crawdaunt appreciate Cloyster taking care of Dragon-and Grass-type teams, and in return, both of them can weaken shared checks like Ferrothorn for Cloyster. Cloyster's weakness to Electric-type moves can be mitigated by using teammates like Seismitoad, which not only can provide Cloyster with essential Stealth Rock support but also help Cloyster beat Pokemon such as Aegislash and Toxapex with STAB Earth Power. Toxapex provides Cloyster with a defensive pivot and a Grass neutrality, can put walls on timer with Toxic or spread burns with Scald, and can absorb Toxic Spikes to help Cloyster retain its Focus Sash.

Cloyster is a terrifying sweeper on hyper offense, utilizing the unique combination of Shell Smash, Skill Link, and Water Shuriken to snowball through teams with ease. With an incredibly high Defense stat, it gets many opportunities to set up on Pokemon like Seismitoad and Weavile. Water Shuriken always hits five times thanks to Skill Link, and it preempts Accelerock users like Aerodactyl and Terrakion after Shell Smash, preventing Cloyster from being revenge killed as easily. It also lets Cloyster reliably deal with weakened Choice Scarf users like Gengar, as well as naturally faster Pokemon like Zeraora. Freeze-Dry hits bulky Water-types like Rotom-W and Toxapex, which would otherwise wall it completely. Icicle Spear provides stronger neutral coverage for bulky Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Blissey, and Clefable, and it being physical lets Cloyster better threaten Kyurem and Sylveon. Life Orb gives Cloyster the extra power it needs to break past bulky walls like Galarian Slowking and Buzzwole. 88 Speed EVs let Cloyster outspeed Aerodactyl, and 29 HP IVs minimize Life Orb recoil. Teammates like Buzzwole and Mimikyu can soften up teams for Cloyster to clean up. Cloyster's ability to remove Water-types like Toxapex and Rotom-W massively benefits teammates that tend to struggle against them, like Urshifu-R and Scizor. Due to entry hazards severely cutting into Cloyster's longevity and making it vulnerable to priority moves, entry hazard control is very important. Taunt leads like Mew and Heatran can prevent hazards from going up in the first place, and offensive entry hazard removers like Obstagoon, Tornadus-T, and Diggersby can remove them.

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Moves Spikes and Toxic Spikes help wear down the opponent's team, helping teammates to sweep. Toxic Spikes is less consistent, as it does not affect Steel-types such as Magearna, Ferrothorn, and Necrozma-DM. It also gets absorbed by Poison-types such as Mega Gengar and Toxapex but tends to be better against other offensive teams. Shell Smash allows Cloyster to not be passive, boosting its Attack and Speed to let it outspeed the entire unboosted metagame with a Jolly nature and do heavy damage to Pokemon that do not resist STAB Icicle Spear. STAB Icicle Spear paired with Skill Link always results in five hits, thus breaking Focus Sash and helping to weaken the opponent's team as much as possible. Rapid Spin gives entry hazard control to the team, allowing teammates to be brought in safely. Set Details Maximum investment in Speed and Attack is used for maximum offensive presence. With a Jolly nature, +2 Cloyster outspeeds the entire unboosted metagame and notable Pokemon like +1 Adamant Mega Salamence, Deoxys-S, +2 standard Geomancy Xerneas, Choice Scarf Xerneas, and +2 standard Rock Polish Primal Groudon. An Adamant nature can also be used, as Cloyster will have a high chance to OHKO standard Giratina and Necrozma-DW with +2 Icicle Spear, preventing the latter from blocking Rapid Spin. Usage Tips Since Cloyster is a dedicated lead, getting up entry hazards should be the main priority. Try to preserve Focus Sash, as it can come in clutch later. Use Shell Smash and Icicle Spear to pressure opposing hazard setters to prevent them from getting hazards up, to do as much damage as possible before going down, and to punish a predicted use of Defog or switch to a bulkier Pokemon. Although weakening the opponent's team is great, spinning away hazards is more important. Lead against Pokemon such as Deoxys-S and Excadrill, since Cloyster can beat them with Icicle Spear and spin their hazards away. Avoid leading with Cloyster versus bad matchups such as against Mega Sableye, Smeargle, and support Arceus formes, especially Arceus-Water and Arceus-Dark, as some sets use Will-O-Wisp. Getting only one layer of Toxic Spikes is more helpful versus offensive teams, since the games are quite fast paced and the constant 12% damage is preferred rather than the increasing damage over time with two layers, but against balance builds, two layers are better, as being badly poisoned is more threatening to defensive Pokemon. Team Options Cloyster is a dedicated entry hazard lead; hence, it only fits on hyper offensive builds. Taunt users such as Mega Gengar, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Yveltal make excellent teammates for Cloyster, as they prevent the hazards from getting removed. They also help against Smeargle, although they can be crippled by Nuzzle. Spinblockers such as Marshadow, Mega Gengar, Lunala, and Arceus-Ghost make great teammates for a similar reason. Lunala especially appreciates Cloyster's Rapid Spin support because of its Shadow Shield. Mega Gengar appreciates Toxic Spikes, since it can then run Hex more effectively. Stealth Rock users such as Arceus-Fairy and Primal Groudon are helpful to Cloyster. Primal Groudon is especially useful, as it can pressure Pokemon Cloyster has trouble with such as support Arceus formes and Necrozma-DM. Fairy-types such as Xerneas and Arceus-Fairy make decent teammates, as they can anti-lead against Mega Sableye and pressure Defoggers like Mega Salamence and Giratina. Arceus-Fairy is a great partner because it can also get Stealth Rock up. Xerneas appreciates the Spikes support, as it helps wear Pokemon like Necrozma-DM and Primal Groudon down. Pokemon weak to hazards such as Mega Salamence, Yveltal, and Rayquaza appreciate Cloyster removing hazards for them. Since Cloyster is decent at getting hazards up, strong wallbreakers and late-game cleaners such as Rock Polish Primal Groudon, Dragon Dance Mega Salamence, Double Dance Necrozma-DM, Dragon Dance Zygarde, Geomancy Xerneas, Marshadow, and Calm Mind Arceus-Flying are used alongside it, as they all appreciate their checks getting worn down.

Set Information Shell Smash lets Cloyster outspeed fast Pokemon such as Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Alakazam and boost its damage output to KO Pokemon like Nidoqueen and Zapdos. Hydro Pump somewhat mitigates Cloyster's low Special Attack, while Surf is a somewhat weaker option that lets Cloyster accurately finish off Pokemon that resist Ice Beam where Hydro Pump is not necessary; it also deals reliable damage to Pokemon when needed and allows Cloyster to be a more consistent wincon. Ice Beam offers a 100% accurate STAB attack that prevents Grass-types and Dragonite from walling Cloyster. Self-Destruct takes advantage of the Attack boost from Shell Smash to blow past special walls like Alolan Muk, Snorlax, and Chansey as well as Water-types like Mega Gyarados, Starmie, and Poliwrath. Usage Tips Do not use Cloyster early on, as your opponent will be able to use their best or most convenient check and finish Cloyster off with minimal harm to their team. Cloyster performs much better later on, when its answers are limited and it can potentially use Self-Destruct on your opponent's counterplay and open the door for another Pokemon to win. When using Self-Destruct, be mindful of how much your opponent would be rewarded for predicting Self-Destruct and saving their check, as it might be worthwhile to predict this and simply use another attack. A key to using Cloyster is deciding whether it will be more effective to have Cloyster weaken walls such as Alolan Muk and Melmetal to support its fast, offensive teammates or to wallbreak with said teammates to enable a sweep with Cloyster. This is largely dependent on your matchup— if your opponent has multiple healthy checks to Cloyster, attempting to sweep with it is unadvised. Team Options Cloyster is a spectacular partner for Mega Alakazam, as all of Alakazam's defensive checks are commonly used to check a boosted Cloyster. Cloyster can put these Pokemon into KO range of Mega Alakazam's coverage with Hydro Pump, or outright remove them with Self-Destruct in the case of Snorlax and Alolan Muk. Cloyster can also capitalize on any wallbreaking that Mega Alakazam does to sweep later on. Starmie works well with Cloyster in a similar way, but it comes with more similar coverage and utility without taking a Mega slot. Pokemon that deal with the Water-types that stump Cloyster can be useful, and Zapdos matches up well against Mega Gyarados and Poliwrath. Nasty Plot Mew is also a great special attacker that can take advantage of Cloyster's ability to force damage on many of its best answers while also setting up freely on Poliwrath. Any Pokemon that appreciate the chunks of health Cloyster often rips out of Melmetal are options, most notably Mega Beedrill, Mega Aerodactyl, and Mega Gyarados. Mega Gyarados also pressures Water-types like Poliwrath.

Moves Shell Smash is an amazing setup move that enables Cloyster to sweep unprepared teams. Icicle Spear is Cloyster's main STAB attack, and coupled with Skill Link, it essentially reaches 125 Base Power. Hydro Pump, coupled with Waterium Z, enables Cloyster to bypass many of its would-be checks and counters such as Skarmory and Mega Scizor once it has set up. Regular Hydro Pump hits Steel-types for neutral damage, which otherwise would be able to wall Cloyster completely. Rock Blast is extremely useful to hit Fire-types that Hydro Pump can't hit super effectively such as Mega Charizard X and Torkoal, and it also comes in handy in the Bug and mirror Ice matchup, all of which are much harder without Cloyster. It can also hit Water-types that resist its STAB moves, but it doesn't hit particularly hard because of a lack of type advantage. Set Details Waterium Z enables Cloyster to use Hydro Vortex, which, with 144 Special Attack EVs, secures an OHKO on Mega Scizor at +2 after Stealth Rock. These EVs also ensure Cloyster OHKOes Skarmory with Hydro Pump when at +2. 252 Speed EVs and a Naive nature are necessary to avoid being outsped by common Choice Scarf users such as Terrakion and Infernape. The remaining EVs are poured into Attack to power up Icicle Spear and Rock Blast. Skill Link is the ability of choice due to it allowing Icicle Spear and Rock Blast to always hit five times, making them very reliable attacks. Usage Tips Due to its monstrous physical defense, Cloyster is able to easily set up on most non-super effective physical hits such as Infernape locked into Flare Blitz. Setting Aurora Veil with Alolan Ninetales helps Cloyster tremendously while setting up, allowing it to set up on even strong super effective moves like Horn Leech from Choice Scarf Tapu Bulu and on some weak special attackers it otherwise wouldn't be able to, such as Clefable. Make sure to clear Stealth Rock and other entry hazards when attempting a sweep with Cloyster; the chip damage taken from them can be extremely detrimental when trying to set up. This is especially important versus Pokemon that can hit Cloyster super effectively such as offensive Scizor and versus specially offensive Pokemon like Choice Scarf Keldeo, which OHKO it if any hazard is up. Weakening Water-types with Pokemon like Kyurem-B and Alolan Ninetales is necessary due to them resisting both of Cloyster's STAB attacks and taking little damage from Rock Blast, which allows Pokemon such as Slowbro and Toxapex to completely wall it. Ideally, you should save Cloyster for late-game once its checks and counters have been removed from the game, though it could be used to occasionally switch into a physical attack for its teammates, especially versus types like Flying, which don't tend to carry priority or fast Choice Scarf users. However, be extremely careful of switching Cloyster into attacks, since it may compromise its ability to set up later. Cloyster should not attempt to set up on Pokemon that can status it with moves like Scald, Will-O-Wisp, and Thunder Wave, such as Toxapex, Mega Sableye, and Klefki. Team Options Alolan Ninetales is an excellent partner for Cloyster, since it can set up Aurora Veil for it, which can help immensely while setting up, and check Fighting-type Pokemon, which can check Cloyster themselves. It can also use Encore on passive foes such as Celesteela to create setup opportunities and deal with bulky Water-types for Cloyster with Freeze-Dry. Kyurem-B is a terrifying wallbreaker for Ice teams that can pave the way for a Cloyster sweep due to its ability to heavily damage Pokemon like Toxapex and Mega Venusaur for it. Mamoswine and Piloswine can both set up Stealth Rock for Cloyster and its other teammates, which is a consistent way of dealing chip damage to Pokemon like Mega Venusaur. In addition, running Piloswine means Mamoswine is free to run a wallbreaking set, which can help break down Pokemon such as Porygon2 for Cloyster. Its access to Ice Shard can heavily damage Latios, which is a Choice Scarf user that can outpace Cloyster even at +2. Avalugg can use Rapid Spin to further support Cloyster when setting up, allowing it to stay at full health and helping it take decently strong super effective hits from the likes of Armaldo. Alolan Sandslash can run utility options; either Rapid Spin or Swords Dance are useful for Cloyster, since the former allows it to provide hazard removal support to its teammates and the latter lets it break through troublesome walls such as Toxapex with a boosted Earthquake. Rotom-F can provide useful Defog support and beat several Water- and Steel-types such as Toxapex and Scizor with its STAB Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Fire. Weavile is able to Pursuit trap troublesome Pokemon for Ice teams such as Victini and Latios with ease. Its access to priority in Ice Shard also allows it to pick off weakened foes such as Gengar, which Cloyster appreciates.

Moves Shell Smash is what allows Cloyster to sweep, raising all of its offensive stats by two stages while lowering its defensive stats. Icicle Spear is Cloyster's main STAB move, which has an effective 125 Base Power thanks to Skill Link. It can also break Focus Sashes on Pokemon that could stop Cloyster's sweep. Rock Blast is a good coverage move that is affected by Skill Link and helps against Bug, Ice, and Fire teams. Ice Shard is a priority move that can be used to revenge kill threats before setting up and also hits Choice Scarf Latios, which would otherwise outspeed and KO Cloyster even after a Shell Smash. It can also be used to outprioritize threats such as Diggersby that attempt to revenge kill Cloyster with their own priority attacks. Hydro Pump is a secondary STAB move that hits physically defensive Pokemon such as Forretress and Skarmory, especially those that resist Icicle Spear. Set Details Maximum Attack and Speed investment makes the most of Cloyster's sweeping potential, allowing it to outspeed most threats after a Shell Smash and making Icicle Spear and Rock Blast hit as hard as possible. A Jolly nature gives Cloyster even more Speed and should be used with Ice Shard; on the other hand, a Naive nature boosts Cloyster's Speed without decreasing the power of Hydro Pump. Skill Link makes Icicle Spear and Rock Blast always hit five times and gives them an effective 125 Base Power, allowing Cloyster to break through many threats. Focus Sash almost guarantees a safe setup opportunity for Cloyster by allowing it to survive at least one attack. Usage Tips Preserve Cloyster until near the end of the match, as it can be a great late-game cleaner once its checks have been weakened or removed. Since it is best to keep Cloyster at full HP to let it effectively set up Shell Smash, it is helpful to bring Cloyster in freely on a slow U-turn or Volt Switch from the likes of Pelipper or Lanturn or after an ally has been KOed. Similarly, entry hazards must be off the field before sending Cloyster in, especially as it is weak to Stealth Rock and the entry hazards will break its Focus Sash; it is very difficult to set up with Cloyster if its Focus Sash does not work. On the other hand, Cloyster can also sometimes utilize its massive Defense stat to switch into some physical attackers like Gyarados and Mimikyu and set up against them. Since Cloyster generally only has one chance to sweep, attempt to get rid of its checks and counters—in particular, bulky Water-types—before setting up. Similarly, priority users such as Dragonite and Weavile should also be removed before setting up, as they can revenge kill Cloyster when it's down to 1 HP. If Cloyster is running Ice Shard, it can also come in against weakened threats and revenge kill them. Team Options Tapu Fini and Mantine can use Defog to clear the entry hazards that can wear down Cloyster while also offering defensive utility; Mantine's Grass neutrality and amazing special bulk allow it to switch into many attacks that threaten Cloyster, while Tapu Fini's Misty Surge ability allows it to easily absorb status. Pelipper can set rain, which makes Hydro Pump hit much harder, while also sporting a Grass neutrality along with access to U-turn, which allows Cloyster to be brought in easily. In a similar vein, Rotom-W offers a slow Volt Switch that gives Cloyster free opportunities to switch in. It also has an Electric neutrality and can burn foes with Will-O-Wisp, slowly chipping at them. Lanturn also sports an Electric immunity thanks to Volt Absorb, can heal Cloyster of any status ailments with Heal Bell, and has access to Volt Switch to allow it to pivot into Cloyster easily. Entry hazard setters such as Swampert and Empoleon can set up Stealth Rock, which aids Cloyster's sweeping potential. Strong wallbreakers such as Greninja and Keldeo are able to weaken many foes and physical walls, allowing Cloyster to clean late-game. Z-Move users such as Azumarill, Manaphy, and Gyarados are great sweepers that can wear down shared checks with Cloyster.

Shell Smash boosts Cloyster's stats to a dangerous levels which can allow it to sweep unprepared teams. Icicle Spear is the main STAB option, always hitting 5 times with Skill Link, allowing Cloyster to break through common Focus Sash Pokemon such as Garchomp and Tapu Koko, Pokemon carrying Substitute, and Mimikyu. Rock Blast provides coverage against Fire- and Ice-types such as opposing Cloyster, Mega-Charizard X, Rotom-H, Blaziken, and Volcarona. Ice Shard allows Cloyster to beat opposing priority users when at +2, including Mach Punch Breloom and Prankster Thundurus, while also providing general coverage when not boosted against Mega Salamence and Garchomp. However, Tapu Lele's Psychic Surge can be troublesome for Cloyster given the prevention of priority moves against grounded targets. Waterium Z and Razor Shell in place of Ice Shard is an option to allow Cloyster to use Hydro Vortex, which can OHKO Heatran and Assault Vest Mamoswine without a boost, while also allowing +2 Cloyster to OHKO Aegislash and Mega Metagross after Stealth Rock damage. Focus Sash guarantees Cloyster can use Shell Smash, which is essential in matchups against dedicated special attackers, as Cloyster's Special Defense is quite poor. Kings Rock works in conjunction with Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, granting a 41% chance to make the opponent flinch. 252 Attack EVs ensure that Cloyster can hit to its full potential, while 252 Speed EVs are needed for Cloyster to outspeed Choice Scarf Tapu Lele. An Adamant nature is preferred, as +2 Speed from Shell Smash gives Cloyster enough Speed; however, a Jolly nature can still be used to ensure that +2 Cloyster is faster than Choice Scarf Garchomp and +1 Mega Charizard Y, which would otherwise OHKO it. Even at +2, Cloyster struggles to break bulky Water-types and Porygon2, so be sure to carry Electric-type coverage somewhere and a means of dealing with Porygon2. Steel-types also prove to be problematic, so be sure to carry some coverage for these threats.

Moves Shell Smash is mandatory on this set, as it allows Cloyster to sweep opposing teams late-game. Icicle Spear is its best STAB attack that hits 125 Base Power after all 5 hits and can also break Focus Sashes and Sturdy. Rock Blast is great coverage for Cloyster and can break through the aforementioned Focus Sashes and Sturdy due to Skill Link. Explosion is a nice option, as it allows Cloyster to remove some of its supposed checks and counters for other Pokemon to clean up the mess. Ice Shard gives Cloyster a form of priority to sweep past other priority users when they are at low health such as Honchkrow and Toxicroak, whereas Hydro Pump is a great STAB option that allows Cloyster to remove checks such as Mega Aggron and Bronzong after prior damage and a boost. Set Details 252 Attack and Speed EVs allow Cloyster to have maximum sweeping potential. The remaining 4 EVs are put into either Special Attack or Special Defense stats depending on whether Hydro Pump is being used. A Jolly or Naive nature is used to maximize Speed, allowing Cloyster to outspeed every Choice Scarf user in the tier up to Infernape. A Focus Sash is used to allow Cloyster to live any one hit and guarantee that Cloyster can use a Shell Smash whereas a Life Orb allows extra damage output, which is crucial when using Explosion or Hydro Pump. Usage Tips Cloyster should be sent in to clean the remains of the enemy team, especially after all its counters and checks have either been removed or severely weakened. Try to clear out entry hazards from your side of the field so that Cloyster's Focus Sash remains intact or, if using a Life Orb, you can bluff a Focus Sash. Team Options Entry hazard setters and removers, Volt Switch and U-turn users, and wallbreakers all work well with Cloyster. Forretress deserves a special mention for being able to fulfill the three former roles. Aggron and Froslass can also fulfill the entry hazard setter role. Heliolisk and Infernape make for good Volt Switch and U-turn partners. Crobat and Tentacruel can remove entry hazards fairly well. Life Orb Hydreigon and Choice Band Darmanitan can break the walls that hinder Cloyster. Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Darmanitan can utilize Cloyster's Explosion, which removes most of the bulky Water-types, most notably Suicune and Alomomola.

Moves Cloyster's main niche in Ubers is to provide entry hazard control for your team. Thus, Rapid Spin is a necessity on this set, as well as the entry hazards of your choice, Toxic Spikes or Spikes. Offensively incorporated Toxic Spikes are a big threat in the current meta, as they put a timer on offensive setup sweepers such as ExtremeKiller Arceus and Geomancy Xerneas while hampering bulky Pokemon such as Primal Groudon. However, Spikes can be used if your team requires the immediate extra damage to better punish switches. For a utility Pokemon, Icicle Spear is a great STAB attack, as Skill Link boosts its Base Power to 125 and it has good coverage in Ubers, dealing super effective damage to Giratina, the most common spinblocker. Shell Smash allows Cloyster to aggressively pressure the opposing team, but Explosion can be used to pseudo-spinblock or to deal damage to Pokemon such as Kyogre. Set Details Maximum Attack and Speed investment allow Cloyster to optimally fulfill its role, by maximizing Icicle Spear's damage output and letting Cloyster outpace bulky entry hazard users, respectively. With a Jolly Nature, Cloyster can outspeed uninvested Lugia and, after using Shell Smash, the entire unboosted metagame. Focus Sash is the item of choice, as it guarantees a spin or a turn of setup against faster, more powerful foes. It also lets Cloyster act as an emergency check to dangerous setup sweepers such as Mega Salamence and Geomancy Xerneas. Usage Tips Cloyster is typically used as a lead, unless the opponent carries a Pokemon that could prevent Cloyster from accomplishing its role. Key Pokemon to look out for are sleep leads, such as Darkrai and Smeargle, or entry hazard setters that can beat Cloyster, such as the rare Forretress. Cloyster should be played extremely aggressively and switched directly into potential entry hazard setters such as Primal Groudon and Dialga to try preserving its Focus Sash. Free turns should be used to set up entry hazards, use Shell Smash, or deal damage with Icicle Spear, depending on the situation. Cloyster should try to deal as much damage as possible to bulky entry hazard setters to the point where your next Pokemon can reliably KO them, thus preventing entry hazards from being set up. Team Options The premier teammate for Cloyster is Ho-Oh, as it appreciates the offensive entry hazard control Cloyster provides for it. Additionally, Toxic Spikes support can wear down Ho-Oh's checks, such as Arceus-Rock, Primal Groudon, and Zekrom. In return, Ho-Oh can use its Fire-type STAB moves or Earthquake to threaten the Steel-types that Cloyster has trouble with, such as Aegislash and Heatran. Choice Band variants of Ho-Oh can also absorb Dark Void from lead Darkrai, one of the few leads that can beat Cloyster. Primal Groudon is another good teammate for Cloyster, as its STAB moves can hit many entry hazard setters in Ubers super effectively. This makes Groudon a good follow-up Pokemon to take out weakened Dialga, opposing Primal Groudon, Defog Scizor, and more. Groudon also provides Stealth Rock support for your team. In return, Cloyster can use its Ice-type STAB move to beat Groudon's checks, such as Giratina-O, Landorus-T, and Mega Salamence. Finally, ExtremeKiller Arceus is another good teammate for Cloyster, as it appreciates Primal Groudon and Giratina being worn down and the extra entry hazards allow it to secure more KOs.

This is a sample set. We aren't working on ORAS Monotype analyses at the moment, but check out ORAS Monotype resources for more information about the metagame.

This is a sample set. We aren't working on ORAS Monotype analyses at the moment, but check out ORAS Monotype resources for more information about the metagame.

This is a sample set. We aren't working on ORAS Monotype analyses at the moment, but check out ORAS Monotype resources for more information about the metagame.

This is a sample set. We aren't working on ORAS Monotype analyses at the moment, but check out ORAS Monotype resources for more information about the metagame.

Moves Shell Smash is a must on Cloyster, boosting its offenses to dangerous levels and allowing it to sweep unprepared teams at a moment's notice. Icicle Spear is Cloyster's most powerful and reliable STAB attack, which is guaranteed to hit five times due to Skill Link, reaching 125 Base Power. This lets it easily break through Focus Sash and Substitute, as well as OHKO Intimidate users such as Salamence and Landorus-T even at -1. Rock Blast is another move that benefits from Skill Link and offers Cloyster coverage against Fire- and Ice-types such as Charizard, Volcarona, Glalie, and opposing Cloyster, while also hitting bulky Water-types that resist Icicle Spear neutrally, such as Rotom-W, Suicune, and Slowbro. These attacks are non-contact moves as well, meaning that common Rocky Helmet users such as Cresselia and Hippowdon cannot hurt Cloyster with residual damage outside of Toxic and, in Hippowdon's case, Sand Stream. Ice Shard is a STAB priority move that is very useful because Cloyster struggles to take a hit after Shell Smash's defense drops. It also helps against other priority users such as Thundurus, Talonflame, and Breloom. Alternatively, Razor Shell gives Cloyster a secondary STAB option that it can use to OHKO defensive Heatran and Mamoswine after a Shell Smash boost. Set Details An Adamant nature along with full investment in Attack gives Cloyster maximum damage output. Cloyster is relatively flexible with the amount of Speed investment it can run; 140 EVs allow it to outspeed all the relevant threats up to Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T after a Shell Smash boost. However, 100 Speed EVs can be run if only outspeeding the base 135 Speed tier is desirable, or even 84 EVs if you only need it to outspeed Mega Gengar. The rest of the EVs go into HP, Defense, and Special Defense to increase Cloyster's overall bulk. A much simpler spread of 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe is viable if you want Cloyster to outspeed every +1 base 100 Speed Pokemon after one Shell Smash boost; this includes common Dragon Dance users such as Mega Charizard X and Speed Boost Mega Blaziken. It also allows Cloyster to Speed tie with Adamant Breloom prior to Shell Smash. A Jolly nature with maximum Speed allows Cloyster after a Shell Smash to outspeed everything up to the base 110 Speed tier at +1, including Choice Scarf Latios, while Speed tying with maximum Speed Breloom before the boost. King's Rock is the best item on Cloyster, pairing nicely with Skill Link and Cloyster's multi-hit moves to provide a great 41% chance to make the foe flinch. Cloyster can fully take advantage of King's Rock to potentially muscle through defensive threats such as Rotom-W, Cresselia, Porygon2, and Mega Venusaur. Focus Sash means Cloyster can always survive a hit, allowing it to set up on special attackers such as Gengar and Thundurus, which would otherwise OHKO it with their STAB move of choice; however, this is normally outclassed by King's Rock's ability to immobilize slower and bulkier threats. Lum Berry is an option to allow Cloyster to set up more effectively, as it wouldn't be fearing Breloom's Spore, Hippowdon's Yawn, or Thundurus's Thunder Wave. Skill Link is chosen to guarantee Icicle Spear and Rock Blast hit five times. Usage Tips Cloyster has a large enough presence at Team Preview that your opponent will think twice before sending out their physical attackers and common Ground-type leads such as Garchomp and Landorus-T, and even going up against these threats usually means a chance to boost. Therefore, you can use Team Preview to your advantage when picking your lead. With that said, Cloyster is best used as a lead, especially if it runs Focus Sash. Don't be careless by switching into Outrage and Earthquake, as both of these moves have a high chance to 2HKO it. Go for an early Shell Smash take out as many threats as possible or simply try to make them flinch before going down, and then let your team clean up. It's better to leave Cloyster for later or bench it entirely if you're against teams that have Steel- and Water-types, particularly Mega Mawile, Aegislash, Suicune, Rotom-W, and Slowbro, or against rain offense or Trick Room teams. You can afford to be more aggressive if running Substitute or Lum Berry, as it allows Cloyster to use Shell Smash much more safely against moves such as Hippowdon's Yawn, Breloom's Spore, and Suicune's Scald. Team Options Volcarona is able to easily threaten out the Steel-types that Cloyster struggles with, such as Aegislash and Mega Mawile, while Cloyster eliminates Ground-types such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon, all of which threaten Volcarona. Dual screen setters such as Klefki and Raikou are particularly helpful to Cloyster, making it extremely difficult to take down. Assault Vest Raikou can also help Cloyster by sponging nasty Electric-type attacks such as Thunder Wave and Thunderbolt, and in return Cloyster can set up on the Ground-types that Raikou doesn't like. Thunder Wave support from Thundurus is also appreciated for Cloyster due to its low Speed prior to Shell Smash. Consider Mega Charizard X when using Cloyster, as Mega Charizard X appreciates the removal of Ground- and Dragon-types, which Cloyster can set up on. Mega Gengar is great for trapping defensive walls that Cloyster might have trouble breaking through, such as Slowbro and Cresselia. Bulky Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Hippowdon help Cloyster deal with Steel-types such as Aegislash and Mega Mawile. Chansey can come in on any special attacker that may threaten Cloyster, such as Thundurus, Greninja, or Mega Charizard Y, and provide Thunder Wave support if required. Talonflame threatens Fighting-types such as Breloom and Blaziken and is able to burn Mamoswine with Will-O-Wisp. Specially defensive variants of Talonflame can also deal with Aegislash, which can easily wall Cloyster, very well. In return, Cloyster can help Talonflame remove Ground-types that it struggles with, such as Garchomp and Landorus-T. It can set up Shell Smash against these threats, as they would most likely want to get up Stealth Rock as soon as possible upon seeing both Cloyster and Talonflame in Team Preview. Heatran can take special attacks relatively well and beat Steel-types for Cloyster, while Cloyster can take Earthquake thanks to his high natural physical bulk and remove Ground-types for Heatran. Serperior can easily set up on and remove bulky Water-types such as Suicune, Rotom-W, and Slowbro and is able to spread paralysis through Glare or set up dual screens to allow Cloyster to boost more easily. Cresselia has access to Lunar Dance and other support moves such as Thunder Wave and Toxic, and it can also easily wall bulky attackers such as Mega Kangaskhan and Conkeldurr.

Although boosting moves are typically frowned upon, Cloyster is one of the few Pokemon that can consistently set up and sweep the opponent's team with ease. After a Shell Smash, Cloyster is able to KO almost every Pokemon in the VGC 2012 metagame with Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, which always hit five times due to Skill Link, allowing Cloyster to threaten Pokemon such as Zapdos, Latios, and Garchomp. Multi-hit moves are also useful for overriding type-resist Berries and KOing the holder. Hidden Power Fire ensures Cloyster is not walled by Scizor, but if Cloyster is hit down to its Focus Sash, priority Bullet Punch will KO it. While getting the KO on Scizor is important for Cloyster, Protect is a decent alternative, allowing Cloyster to shield itself from an attack while its teammate KOes the threat. Focus Sash is essential if Cloyster wants to use Shell Smash. With the given EVs and the Lonely nature, Cloyster after a Shell Smash hits 242 Speed, just shy of Speed tying Ludicolo in rain due to Hidden Power. If outpacing Ludicolo and other Pokemon is important, a Hasty nature can be used; however, the drop in power is noticeable. After a Shell Smash, Cloyster can utilize STAB moves such as Hydro Pump and Shell Razor to hit other Pokemon for super effective damage. Hydro Pump and Shell Razor hit harder against Pokemon that are only 2x weak to Fire-type moves. Pokemon that can use Rage Powder or Follow Me, such as Amoonguss, make good teammates as they draw in Fake Outs and Thunderbolts that would otherwise KO Cloyster. A partner with Wide Guard, such as Hitmontop, blocks Cloyster from Discharges and Rock Slides from common threats. A Fake Out partner helps Cloyster get the Shell Smash off, ensuring that Cloyster isn't KOed that turn.

There isn't anything about Cloyster that screams "Choice Scarf user", especially with its middling Speed and Attack stats. To demonstrate how effective this set is, take a closer look at Icicle Spear. Cloyster's Skill Link essentially turns it into an Ice-type Close Combat with no negative repercussions, as well as the ability to bypass Focus Sash and Yache Berry. Although a base 95 Attack stat doesn't sound too attractive on paper, that's still on par with the likes of Hitmontop. Add that to the fact that many common Pokemon take at least neutral damage from Ice-type attacks, you have yourself a really potent threat on your hands! Icicle Spear is the star of the show. With a Choice Scarf equipped, Cloyster can outspeed and OHKO 252/0 Zapdos, Yache Berry Garchomp, Latios, Thundurus, Tornadus, and many more. It's absolutely hilarious to see threats such as Zapdos have their Sitrus Berry activate midway through the attack, only to have them faint after all five hits. Rock Blast provides additional coverage and deals with any Fire-types that stand in your way. Razor Shell will be seldom used, but it provides nice secondary STAB and takes a good chunk off the troublesome Terrakion. Explosion is primarily a filler, but it might come in handy once in a blue moon. You're using a Choice Scarf Cloyster anyway, so a second surprise in the form of Explosion doesn't hurt anyone. The EV spread allows Cloyster to hit a magical Speed stat of 180 with a Choice Scarf, just barely enough to outpace positive-natured base 111 Speed Pokemon. From there, the rest is invested into Attack for maximum firepower. The remaining EVs are dumped into HP for some additional bulk. A Naughty nature can be used with a special attack in the fourth slot, but it probably won't be seeing much use. If you choose to run a Naughty nature, make sure you move the HP EVs into Special Attack. Prominent special options include Hidden Power Fire, Surf, Hydro Pump, Blizzard, and Ice Beam. For a few wacky hijinks, Protect is an option in the last slot. Using Protect and immediately switching out on the next turn might fool your opponent into thinking you're not using a Choice Scarf at all. Maximum Speed with a Jolly nature is also an option that allows Cloyster to outrun maximum Speed base 115 Pokemon, as well as Choice Scarf Tyranitar and Choice Scarf Abomasnow. Be warned that the power difference is noticeable, so give it some thought first. As for teammates, Cloyster can't handle multiple opponents at once, so Follow Me, Rage Powder, or Fake Out support is greatly appreciated. Not only does Hitmontop make a stellar Fake Out user, but it can lower the power of opposing Rock Slides with Intimidate or block Rock Slide, or any other spread attack, with Wide Guard, as well as smack Steel-types that resist Icicle Spear with Close Combat. Amoonguss can redirect Fighting-, Grass-, or Electric-type attacks aimed at Cloyster with Rage Powder, sponge Fake Out from slower opponents, and even put your opponent to sleep with Spore, giving Cloyster plenty of time to attack. Not only is Volcarona a good user of Rage Powder as it resists the Fighting- and Grass-type attacks aimed at Cloyster, but it also outspeeds the majority of Fake Out users, guaranteeing that Cloyster will be free to attack (burning Fake Out users with Volcarona's Flame Body is also hysterical). Be cautious if using Volcarona and Cloyster together, as two Pokemon weak to Rock Slide isn't the best idea. Pokemon that love having Garchomp and Zapdos out of the way are also great teammates to consider. Metagross springs to mind as a good candidate—it loves firing off Meteor Mash and Earthquake without the ever-annoying Zapdos in the way.

This is a sample set. We aren't working on BW Monotype analyses at the moment, but check out BW Monotype resources for more information about the metagame.

This is a sample set. We aren't working on BW Monotype analyses at the moment, but check out BW Monotype resources for more information about the metagame.

This is a sample set. We aren't working on BW Monotype analyses at the moment, but check out BW Monotype resources for more information about the metagame.

While Cloyster does have access to Shell Smash, don't forget that it also has a massive base 180 Defense, allowing it to counter top physical threats such as Garchomp and Excadrill. This set works best as a bulky attacker on offensive teams needing a solid answer to the aforementioned threats, but it fits equally well on stall teams which can provide Cloyster with the support to take powerful special attacks. Cloyster can also set up entry hazards and provide Rapid Spin support to its teammates; its function is thus similar to that of Forretress, the difference being its greater offensive presence. Icicle Spear allows Cloyster to act as a solid check to Dragon-types such as Dragonite; it also ensures that Substitute users such as Gliscor and Mienshao will not be able to set up on it. Cloyster's poor Speed and dreadful Special Defense might make Rapid Spin appear to be a bad choice, but it can easily pull off a Rapid Spin against Pokemon such as Skarmory, which cannot deal much damage to it. Spikes and Toxic Spikes are both options for the third slot: the choice between these two depends on the entry hazard which Cloyster's teammates cannot set up. Hydro Pump is the preferred option for the fourth moveslot, providing coverage on the Fire- and Steel-types which resist Icicle Spear; it OHKOes Excadrill and Chandelure and deals heavy damage to physical tanks such as Skarmory. The following damage calculations highlight how Cloyster can soak up powerful physical attacks from some of the top threats in the metagame with its excellent physical bulk: +1 Adamant Dragonite Outrage: 52.8-62.7% +2 Adamant Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake: 77.22 - 91.08% +2 Jolly Life Orb Garchomp Outrage: 82.17 - 97.02% Adamant Life Orb Breloom Mach Punch: 69.7 - 82.98% Adamant Choice Band Scizor Superpower: 69.96 - 82.5% Ferrothorn Power Whip: 39.6 - 47.52% The EV spread is somewhat complex. First, 84 EVs are invested in Attack so that Cloyster obtains the OHKO on Gengar switch-ins with Icicle Spear; this also ensures a 3HKO on standard Ferrothorn. 248 EVs are invested in HP to ensure that Cloyster can switch into Stealth Rock 4 times without fainting, and the remaining EVs are dumped into Defense to provide optimum physical bulk. A Relaxed nature is used to further bolster Cloyster's Defense, and the Speed drop will not hinder it much since most offensive threats are faster anyway. Leftovers is the preferred item option to heal off entry hazard damage, though if you feel Chandelure poses a major threat, you can always run Shed Shell. If you feel Spikes will not be particularly useful, then Rock Blast is an option in the third moveslot to deal heavy damage to threats such as Gyarados. Hidden Power Fire is also usable on sun teams, as it deals heavy damage to Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Scizor. It is important to understand the fact that Cloyster does not function as a physical wall. Instead, its aim is to counter specific physical attackers that threaten its teammates, setting up entry hazards and Rapid Spinning when it gets a free turn or two. Cloyster simply cannot take powerful special attacks, so pairing it with a specially bulky Pokemon is a great idea. Latias is a great option, as it has excellent defensive synergy with Cloyster and can also provide Wish support. Blissey, while it compounds Cloyster's Fighting-type weakness, passes larger Wishes and sponges special attacks much more easily with its colossal HP and Special Defense. Packing a spinblocker will also be of help; Jellicent and Gengar are both good options.

It is not hard to see why this is Cloyster's most threatening set. With its immense physical bulk, Cloyster can easily set up a Shell Smash on physical attackers such as Dugtrio, doubling its Attack, Special Attack, and Speed in one fell swoop; after a Shell Smash, Cloyster will sit at a frightening 578 Attack, 412 Special Attack, and 524 Speed with the given EV spread. It can then go to town with its powerful STAB Icicle Spear, which has an enormous 187 Base Power with STAB and Skill Link. Additionally, this ensures that Cloyster will be able to KO most threats through Substitute and Multiscale. Rock Blast is Cloyster's main coverage option, dealing heavy damage to the Fire- and Water-types that resist Icicle Spear. Hydro Pump is the preferred option in the last moveslot, as it destroys bulky Steel-types such as Skarmory, Scizor, and Forretress looking to soak up a boosted Icicle Spear. However, Razor Shell can be used to OHKO Tyranitar and Heatran, which can survive a boosted Hydro Pump with a specially defensive EV spread and OHKO in return. The choice between the two depends on the support which Cloyster's teammates can provide: if these two latter Pokemon are handled easily by your team, then running Hydro Pump is better. The EV spread maximizes Cloyster's Attack and Speed, with a Speed-boosting nature used to ensure that Cloyster outspeeds common Choice Scarf users such as Terrakion after a Shell Smash. A Naive nature is used if you use Hydro Pump in the last moveslot so as not to lower Cloyster's great Defense stat; Jolly is the way to go with Razor Shell. White Herb is the preferred item option on this set, as it ensures that powerful priority users such as Breloom and Dragonite won't bring a premature end to Cloyster's sweep. You can run Life Orb to ensure the OHKO on Ferrothorn with Icicle Spear after a boost, but Cloyster will easily be revenge killed with a Defense drop and Life Orb recoil, so White Herb is almost always the better option. However, Cloyster has some other item options. Focus Sash can be used to guarantee Cloyster's setup, but the prevalence of priority and sandstorm makes this a poor choice. Lastly, Icicle Plate can be used to maintain the OHKO on Ferrothorn without Life Orb recoil. Cloyster is best used on offensive rain teams, as it can destroy opposing weather starters such as Tyranitar and Ninetales with the appropriate move after a Shell Smash while having its STAB Hydro Pump boosted to massive levels by the rain. Alternatively, you can also run Cloyster on a sun team; in this case, Hidden Power Fire should replace Cloyster's Water-type STAB to deal heavy damage to Steel-types such as Skarmory and Forretress. Cloyster doesn't need much in the way of team support for pulling off a sweep, as few threats can stand up to the might of its boosted attacks. However, entry hazard support can come in handy, as Cloyster will always OHKO physically defensive Politoed with Rock Blast after Stealth Rock. Forretress and Ferrothorn are good options; the former can also provide valuable Rapid Spin support, making it a particularly effective partner. While not strictly necessary, dual screens also make it much easier for Cloyster to set up. Espeon thus makes an excellent teammate, as it can set up dual screens easily thanks to its high Speed while also stopping entry hazards from being set up with Magic Bounce. Lastly, Choice Scarf Chandelure is also a great partner for Cloyster on non-rain teams as it can trap and eliminate Steel-types such as Jirachi that act as a roadblock to Cloyster's sweep; alternatively, it can even run Choice Specs with a Modest nature to OHKO Jellicent.

Set Description Spikes is a fantastic progress maker for teams because of its guaranteed chip damage against every foe bar Flying-types. Pokemon like Mewtwo, Zapdos, and Mew all become far more threatening to consistently check for the opposing team with Spikes up. Surf is Cloyster's main STAB move that hits Pokemon that might switch into it, like Gengar, for decent damage. It also allows Cloyster to check Rock- and Ground-type Pokemon like Tyranitar, Golem, Steelix, and Marowak. Toxic is Cloyster's main tool for making progress against Flying-type Pokemon like Zapdos and Lugia. It is also used to force Rest users like Snorlax and Tyranitar to use Rest, making them lose precious offensive momentum. Rapid Spin is an option for Cloyster to remove Spikes against opposing Cloyster in order to support teammates like Marowak. This is best used on bulkier styles of teams that appreciate Cloyster's ability to check Pokemon like Tyranitar and Marowak while also functioning as a pivot against Snorlax. However, Rapid Spin is illegal alongside Explosion. Miracle Berry can be an option over Leftovers if Cloyster wants a one-time immunity to Lovely Kiss from Snorlax. This is best used in the lead slot, as lead Cloyster will not miss Leftovers's passive recovery as much. Team Options Cloyster is a good facilitator for offensive teams that appreciate its Spikes in order to more easily net KOs. As such, strong attackers and setup sweepers like Mewtwo, Mew, Zapdos, Snorlax, Gengar, and Vaporeon are good partners. Pokemon with access to Explosion and Self-Destruct are good partners as well, as they mesh well with Cloyster's offensive capabilities; as such, having Mewtwo, Mew, Gengar, Steelix, Exeggutor, and Golem as teammates is appreciated. If Cloyster is running Rest, teammates with access to Heal Bell like Celebi are appreciated as well. Checks to special attackers, such as Snorlax, Celebi, and Raikou are also appreciated, as Cloyster's abysmal Special Defense makes it a target for common special threats. Phazers like Whirlwind Zapdos, Tyranitar, Steelix, and Lugia make for great partners as well for their ability to take advantage of Spikes to force chip damage onto the opposing team.

Set Description Blizzard is Cloyster's primary attacking option, OHKOing Rhydon 33.3% of the time, 2HKOing Exeggutor and Zapdos, and 3HKOing Tauros. Clamp can provide free switches for Cloyster's teammates. It can also be used to whittle down slower foes into KO range from another attack, but this is unreliable due to its poor accuracy. Explosion allows Cloyster to take out or do heavy damage to a foe, OHKOing frailer foes such as Alakazam and Chansey 74.4% of the time and doing a hefty chunk to bulkier foes, such as doing 60% minimum to Snorlax and 62.1% minimum to Mewtwo. Explosion also has the benefit of prematurely ending the turn, which can deny recovery on slower foes. Rest increases Cloyster's longevity and clears paralysis, but it is left completely helpless for two turns and cannot regain its Speed until it switches out, allowing Pokemon that threaten it, such as Mewtwo, Starmie, and Zapdos, to switch in and fire off strong attacks or set up. Cloyster necessitates paralysis support to function, so Thunder Wave Mewtwo and Mew make great partners, as they can spread paralysis across the opposing team, particularly to the opposing Mewtwo and Mew. Chansey is also good at spreading paralysis to support Cloyster, and it is a good switch-in to the special attackers Cloyster is afraid of, such as Mewtwo, Starmie, and Alakazam. Rhydon can make a good teammate, as it walls Zapdos and Jolteon, which both threaten Cloyster immensely; Cloyster also switches into Tauros's Earthquake and Blizzard well to support Rhydon. Rhydon—much like Cloyster—also benefits heavily from spreading paralysis across the opposing team. Cloyster can be paired with other Explosion and Self-Destruct users such as Exeggutor, Snorlax, Explosion Mew, and Self-Destruct Mewtwo to attempt to overwhelm the opponent and trade down Pokemon until a strong sweeper, such as Zapdos or Tauros, can win the game. Cloyster should be kept hidden until the opponent's Mewtwo is paralyzed, as once it is, Cloyster becomes far more offensively threatening. Cloyster should only use Rest if it absolutely needs to, as waking up is incredibly difficult.

Set Description Cloyster most often runs two Ice-type attacks in Ice Beam and Blizzard. Ice Beam's greater PP and accuracy make it better at freeze fishing, while Blizzard's extra power gets important KO ranges, such as a 2HKO on Exeggutor. These moves' freeze chance mean switching in an unparalyzed Starmie or Chansey is never truly safe. Surf is able to hit the rare Jynx, and it has more PP than Blizzard, which can be useful in longer games. However, forgoing Surf doesn't give Cloyster many coverage issues, since the two most viable Ice-resistant Pokemon—Starmie and Slowbro—also resist Surf. Rest is essential to Cloyster's function as a wall, as it gives Cloyster longevity against foes such as Tauros and Snorlax. Explosion lets Cloyster remove or heavily damage a foe and prevents it from being completely passive against Starmie, Chansey, and Alakazam. However, Cloyster must watch out for Substitute, as using Explosion on a Substitute will KO Cloyster. Cloyster's best teammates are those that appreciate its walling capabilities and can fill in any defensive holes Cloyster creates. Chansey is a great partner for Cloyster, since it can switch into special attackers such as Starmie and Alakazam that force Cloyster out, while Cloyster can check Tauros and Snorlax. Rhydon is also a good teammate, as it switches into Zapdos and Jolteon with ease, while Cloyster can switch into Blizzard from Tauros. One physical attacker that gives Cloyster trouble is Persian, since Thunderbolt 3HKOes it, and even if Persian drops Thunderbolt, Slash 4HKOes it. For this reason, Gengar can be a helpful teammate thanks to its great Persian matchup. Gengar is also useful for forcing opposing Tauros and Snorlax to use Earthquake, a move that Cloyster can switch into more safely than Body Slam. Cloyster's ability to lure in and use Explosion on Starmie and Chansey makes Amnesia Snorlax and Slowbro more effective, as breaking through these special walls is one of their biggest hurdles.