PotW #9 - Cloyster

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PotW #9​

Cloyster has always been decent, from being the master of Explosion and Clamp in RBY and being a good support Pokemon in DPP. However, 5th generation granted Cloyster something it could only dream of. It got Shell Smash, one of the best boosting moves in the game, turning into a monster of a sweeper. It’s ability Skill Link allows multi-hit moves to always hit the maximum number of times, giving it the equivalent of an 125 base power STAB move in Icicle Spear. To top it all off, it’s massive base 180 defense allows it to survive many physical moves, letting it set up with ease. While not all is frosty for this overpowered clam, including a nasty weakness to Stealth Rock and very low Special Defense, it’s advantages make it a destructive force that should never be doubted in today’s metagame.​

Cloyster @ White Herb
Ability: Skill Link
Nature: Naïve
252 Atk/4 Sp Atk/252 Spe
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Hydro Pump/Razor Shell​

This is pretty much the only set that can be used for Cloyster as a sweeper, but it’s certainly ferocious. All of the EV’s are obviously put into the attacking stats and speed, as it needs all the power it can get. White Herb allows it to restore it’s defenses after it uses Shell Smash, making it even harder to revenge kill. Icicle Spear is obviously the main STAB move, and Rock Blast compliments it nicely by abusing Skill Link at hitting a lot of things that resist Icicle Spear, mainly water types. Hydro Pump is the main choice for the final slot, as it destroys any steel types with high defense like Skarmory and Scizor. Razor Shell can also be used if Specially Defensive Heatran or Tyranitar give you problems.

The best way to make it easier to counter Cloyster is with Stealth Rock. That immediately takes away 25% of it’s HP on switch in, making revenge killing by Scizor and Mach Punch users easier. Bulky waters like Vaporeon and bulky Rotom-W also make decent counters. Choice Scarf Latios also manages to outspeed Cloyster even at +2 and can more than easily OHKO with Draco Meteor.

So how do you use Cloyster? Do you like it better as a support Pokemon? Do you like Focus Sash over White Herb? Maybe you have an entirely unique set for Cloyster that you would like to share. Discuss!

 

[King Arceus]

I prefer a different EV Spread for Cloyster. I prefer 252 Atk, 88 Spe, 168 HP with an Adamant nature. This gives Cloyster the maximum attack possible while being able to outpace many normal threats. Its Speed will reach 396 after Shell Smash allowing it to outpace Jolteon. The extra HP is appreciated since Cloyster has low Special Defense.

Overall Cloyster performs ok, but it still isn't great really. The low Special Defense is such an obstacle before it uses Shell Smash. As mentioned, Vaporeon is a check since the only thing Cloyster can really do is Rock Blast. Jellicent and Ferrothorn are also problematic for Cloyster to face. Jellicent's Will-o-wisp cripples it badly. It also can do a fair bit of damage with Shadow Ball if the Cloyster is already damaged. Ferrothorn just hits it with Power Whip to get rid of it.

 

[Professor Palutena]

I really like using Cloyster as a rapid spinner, because the threat of Shell Smash gives it lots of chances to spin. I use it on Sun teams, so I replace the Water-type move with Rapid Spin. King's Rock is my favorite item to use with Cloyster, as it gives Rock Smash and Icicle Spear a 41% chance of causing the foe to flinch.

I consider Forretress the best counter to Cloyster. Rock Blast needs to hit a minimum of 11 times to KO Forretress, while Volt Switch cripples it behind compare. In fact, I run 84 Sp.A EVs on my Forretress just to get the guaranteed OHKO after SR damage.

 

[Alan]

I've seen people on Random Matchup lead with Cloyster with sets like this:
Cloyster @ Focus Sash
Adamant/Jolly/Something that works nature
252 Atk/252 Spe/4 HP (Or something along those lines)
Shell Smash
Icicle Spear
Rock Blast
Ice Shard/ Razor Shell

This set pretty much sets up, For surtain surviving with Focus Sash, outspeeds you afterwards, sweeps your team.

The best choice would be a tyranitar to break the sash with the sandstorm. I guess T-wave will end the sweep afterwards. Its easy to counter if you do it right.

 

[The Yoshi]

Personally, I find Gorebyss to be a much better Shell Smasher than Cloyster, mainly because it's Special Defense isn't pathetic compared to Cloyster. Sure, Closyter spins, but Base 70 Speed leaves it vulnerable to revengers out speeding and KOing it (plus it is SR weak).

Actually, though, Cloyster's Base 180 Defense is often overlooked. Personally I run this set for a physically defensive Cloyster.

Cloyster @ Leftovers
Trait: Skill Link
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Nature: Relaxed (+Def, -Spe)
-Icicle Spear
-Rapid Spin
-Spikes/Toxic Spikes (depends on what the team needs)
-Ice Shard

Cloyster reaches 504 Defense with the EV investment in Defense and the Relaxed Nature, making it an excellent physical tank (not even an LO Jolly Close Combat from Terrakion has a chance to OHKO it). It's Attack stat is pretty unappealing, but with Skill Link, Icicle Shard not only breaks Dragonite's Multiscale, it also has the potential to KO it. Although Cloyster is now pretty slow, it can still reliably spin and set hazards, being a nice asset to the team. Ice Shard is a great priority move that can get that last hit on a Salamence, Dragonite, or Latios. Overall, I find this set very viable in OU, but Forretress laughs at it.

In Ubers, a Shell Smash set is the only viable set Cloyster can achieve, since it can be very difficult to wall once it is set up (though it requires a lot of support). It can KO lots of Uber walls, like Groudon, Giratina, and Lugia.

I like Cloyster as a Pokemon competitively and aesthetically. It's one of my favorite Pokemon from Gen 1, and I'm happy to see it in OU after it suffered being UU in DPPt for the first and only time (so far).