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Community POTW #7

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Abizzel1

Well-Known Member
Shell Shocked

Nature
Adament/Jolly

Ability
Skill Link

Moveset
Shell Break
Clamp/Razor Shell
Rock Blast
Icicle Spear/Explosion


Clamp gives you more power with skill link 175 POW to be exact, however, Razor Shell can lower defense and it's slightly more accurate, but I'd go with Clamp. Rock Blast gives you plenty of neutral coverage with the water attack. However, there are still dual types who can block this combination such as Water/Fighting, Water/Steel, Grass/Fighting, and Grass/Steel. And to make things worst each of those dual types is going to have at least 1 strong candidate for the OU tier (Keldeo, Empoleon, Breloom, Virizion, and Ferrothorn). The final 2 moves are both there for getting rid of threats Icicle Spear gets rid of the Grass/Fighting type and handles known threats like Garchomp, while Explosion gets rid of both Grass/Fighting and Water/Fighting as well as another other non ghost or steel.

Countering
Steel types give Cloyster so much trouble, notably Empoleon and Ferrothorn. Cloyster also has low HP and SD, and after a Shell Break it's DEF becomes more manageable, while it's bad SD becomes even worse, so Lucario and Toxicroak can easily revenge kill it with Vacuum Wave.
 

pikamanepicfail45

<dont dis da awsmnes
yea but if your opponent has keldeo, then they were using hacks because you cant get it through events.
 
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TM0verlord

PSN ID is on sig
Your Basic Cloyster
Jolly/Adamant Nature with Skill Link
252 EV's in Attack and Speed
4 EV's in HP
Item: Focus Sash

Moves:
Razor Shell
Icicle Spear
Rock Blast
Shell Break

Shell Break lowers your defenses by 2 levels, which leaves you very frail . Equip your Cloyster with a Focus Sash if you don't want to lose it early. With Skill Link, Icicle Spear and Rock Blast will hit all 5 times and breaks subs most of the time unless they resist both moves. Razor Blade is your main STAB move, but you can use Dive as well, unless you hate waiting for a turn. Use Adamant for power or Jolly to outrun some pokemon.
 

Reno

so adorable...
yea but if your opponent has keldeo, then they were using hacks because you cant get it through events.

or you are battling on a pokemon simulator, like most competitive players.
 

ultimatedarkrai

Forbidden Empire!
Support/Spiker
EVs:252 HP 252 defense
Impish nature
leftovers
Ability: Skill Link

Moves:
Toxic/Protect/Rock Blast
Icicle Spear
Toxic Spikes/Spikes
Rapid Spin

Somewhat self-explanatory set. Toxic to support and wear down tougher pokemon but dont bother if you already have toxic spikes, Protect if you want to wear down a poisoned pokemon, and rock blast if you would rather have an attacking move and kept icicle spear. Icicle spear for its best STAB and guaranteed 5 hits, you can also switch this for the for the toxic spikes/spikes. Toxic Spikes or spikes depending if you want direct or indirect damage, and rapid spin for getting rid of any entry hazards your opponent may have set up. Max HP and Defense EVs so you can survive a few attacks and set up.
 
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Weavile117

New Member
A Special Set

Cloyster, #91

Despite its OK base 85 special attack, most people focus on Cloyster being a physical tank, and therefore on its physical attack. However, as Shell Break raises both physical and special attack, a special set is more than viable, especially to beat all those physically defensive Steel-type counters to most normal sets.


Nature: Rash
EVs (preliminary): 6 HP, 252 SpAtk, 252 Speed
Ability: Shell Armor
Item: Focus Sash/Rechargeable Battery
Moves:
Shell Break
Surf/Hydro Pump
Ice Beam
Signal Beam/Mud Shot/Icy Wind/Explosion

A fairly standard 'Bulky Water' moveset, other than the facts that Cloyster has physical bulk rather than special, has STAB with Ice-type moves and knows Shell Break.

A Rash nature (+special attack, -special defence) should be run to give Cloyster 295 SpAtk, boosting the power of its moves. A Naive nature (+speed, -special defence) can be run instead if you want to beat Choice-Scarfed Dugtrio, Jirachi and Flygon after one Shell Break. Just remember that even before Shell Break, your special defence is pitifully low, so keep away from special sweepers. Also, if you want to lower your defence instead (not advised), you can use a Mild or Hasty nature.

As an ability, Shell Armor is preferred, as it prevents game-breaking critical hits (especially from priority special moves like Vacuum Wave). However, if you plan on switching Cloyster into a Sandstorm, Overcoat can be used.

For the item, Focus Sash can be used to take a special hit and retaliate with Explosion. However, Rechargeable Battery grants immunity to one Electric-type attack, raising the attack stat one stage. This can be used to take down a surprised counter, and could even allow the use of a more powerful explosion with the +3 attack (after Shell Break). Of course, Cloyster is unlikely to outspeed much before using Shell Break, which would hinder its chances of pulling off a successful Explosion.

Shell Break is the most important move on this set; a turn of setup is really needed to do a decent amount of damage and outspeed the opponent.

Surf is the most common special Water-type move, and for good reason: 95 base power with 100 accuracy gives a reliable, reasonably powerful move. It is perfectly fine for taking out most Steel-types, however Hydro Pump can be run over Surf, and while it has an extra 25 base power, it only has 80 accuracy and is a bit unreliable.

Ice Beam is the same as Surf, apart from being Ice-type and having a pitiful (but awesome if it works) chance of freezing. Purely for type coverage and STAB. Blizzard can be run for more power if Cloyster is on a hail team.

The fourth move is mainly filler, but you can use Signal Beam as a decent Bug-type move, to hit Dark- and Psychic-types Super Effectively and get neutral hits on Water-types. However, it only does a bit more damage with a SE hit than Surf does after STAB. Other Pokemon can do better jobs of countering Water-types, and this combination of types is resisted by Empoleon, Keldeo, Poliwrath, Tentacruel and Jellicent. Mud Shot and Icy Wind both have quite low base powers (55), but have the added bonus of a 100% chance to lower the opponent's speed one stage. Useful if you don't want the defense drop from another Shell Break and if something outspeeds you. Use Mud Shot for type coverage, but Icy Wind could be used if you worry about Tailwind-using Flying-types. Finally, Explosion synergises well with the attack and speed boosts from Shell Break, and could catch an opponent by surprise for a sacrifice KO. Remember that in the 5th generation environment, Explosion no longer temporarily lowers the opponent's defence by two stages, so its base power really is "just" 250.

Cloyster can be countered by pokemon that resist its moves, like those stated above. Tentacruel is easily the best of these, taking at most 174 damage from a +2 Mud Shot with no special defence investment. Jellicent is another Pokemon to watch out for, taking 126 max damage from a +2 Surf, again with no special defence investment. Of course, Cloyster can also be countered by Agility Zapdos, Choice-Scarfed Starmie or Azelf and Agility Kingdra, due to being faster than Cloyster after one Shell Break and having powerful STABed/Super Effective moves.
 
;091;

Shell break
icicle spear
rock blast/spike cannon
Hydro pump

Nature: Rash/Lax/Naughty
Abillity: Skill link
Item: metronome

ive not really used cloyster before but its Skill link abillity given to it in 4th gen ive have began to consider raising one. And as 'Reno' pointed out it gaining the move Shell Break it would give cloyster that extra oomph. the drop in both defences may not be a big problem as its defence base is 180 and sp.def is already low so it would still be easily taken out by Sp.attacks. Icicle spear gets the STAB and strikes all 5 times with Skill link as with either rock blast or spike cannon. hydro pump will help againt pokemon with high defence like cofagrigus. metronome will add more power if you decide to constantly use the same move dealing more pain.

this is all i can give as i am inexperienced with cloyster and this was conjured up pretty much a few moments before typing this.
 
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ASB

Weather Team Hater
Wow, pretty much everyone posted the same exact Shell Break Set. :p
 

knuckles1299

F*** yeah Seaking
Cloyster@ leftovers
Impish Nature
Overcoat
EV's: (252 HP/252 Sp.D/ 6 Def)
- Rapid Spin
- Aqua Ring
- Spikes/Toxic Spikes
- Explosion

This is a defensive based spikes-cloyster. Rapid Spin is for obvious reasons, and Aqua Ring with Leftovers makes you that much harder to kill. He has freakish amounts of Defense so concentrating his EV's on Sp.D makes more sense. HP for more bulk (even though his HP stat sucks). Spikes or Toxic Spikes is simply up to preference. Explosion puts to topping on the cake, and you have a spikes lead. It may not be as powerful as Shell Break cloyster but it's more original and it also is unexpected, therefore it can hit hard seeing as everybody will be waiting for the shell break.
 
Potw #7

Cloyster @ White Herb
Adamant Nature
EV: (252 Atk/252 Speed/6 HP)
-Shell Break
-Icicle Drop
-Razor Shell
-Explosion

A 100% offensive Cloyster. Shell Break raises Atk, Sp.At, and Speed two stages. White Herb helps with the Def/Sp.Def drop. Icicle Drop is a great STAB attack, plus it covers for those Grass types that use Grass Knot. Razor Shell is another great STAB attack and helps get rid of Rock types. Explosion is there when you start to feel out of HP. Just blow your enemy to bits!
 

TimmahX

Well-Known Member
Wow, pretty much everyone posted the same exact Shell Break Set. :p

It's one of those "If it aint broke, don't fix it" scenarios. It's nice that Cloyster got a few new tricks, but it's still not very diverse, thanks to its shallow movepool. It's still a great option though.

Though I'm still questioning the use of leftovers. 50 Base HP + 45 Base Sp.Def = poor survival skills. Leftovers won't matter if Cloyster is gunned down by any special attack, but Focus Sash ensures that it can stand for at least two turns. I can see it being good if it switches into a Physical attack, but Cloyster still doesn't have a lot of HP in general.
 

Doomsdaytreecko

New Member
Skill Link Abusement:

Cloyster:
Moveset:
Spike Cannon/ Rock Blast/ Twineedle/ Icicle Spear
Shell Break
Icicle Drop
Razor Shell
Item: Shell Bell
EV & Nature: 4HP / 252 ATK / 252 SPD
Adamant Nature (+ATK, -SP.ATK) / Jolly Nature (+SPD, -SP.ATK)

This set is designed to abuse Cloyster's brilliant ability: Skill Link by utilising the Shell Bell (providing you managed to get one back in Gen III). For starters, your multiple strike attack of your choice allows Cloyster to use it's ability in a way that will gain it the equivalent of 5, yep that's right 5, Leftover heals thanks to the handily equipped Shell Bell. Shell Break allows Cloyster to change from that High-Defense Water Type to somewhat of a Glass-Cannon which allows Cloyster to gain more kills with it's alternative choices of moves; Icicle Drop and Razor Shell.

Hopefully this sounds reasonable
 

ASB

Weather Team Hater
Skill Link Abusement:

Cloyster:
Moveset:
Spike Cannon/ Rock Blast/ Twineedle/ Icicle Spear
Shell Break
Icicle Drop
Razor Shell
Item: Shell Bell
EV & Nature: 4HP / 252 ATK / 252 SPD
Adamant Nature (+ATK, -SP.ATK) / Jolly Nature (+SPD, -SP.ATK)

This set is designed to abuse Cloyster's brilliant ability: Skill Link by utilising the Shell Bell (providing you managed to get one back in Gen III). For starters, your multiple strike attack of your choice allows Cloyster to use it's ability in a way that will gain it the equivalent of 5, yep that's right 5, Leftover heals thanks to the handily equipped Shell Bell. Shell Break allows Cloyster to change from that High-Defense Water Type to somewhat of a Glass-Cannon which allows Cloyster to gain more kills with it's alternative choices of moves; Icicle Drop and Razor Shell.

Hopefully this sounds reasonable

Icicle Spear should pretty much always be used instead of Icicle Drop, Icicle Spear's Base power would be 187.5 whereas Icicle Drop's would only be 127.5, and their accuracy ratings are 100 and 90 respectively. If would really want flinchhax, you could use Icicle drop, but Icicle Spear seems much more reliable. Twineedle only hits twice (according to serebii anyway) and Rock Blast is more powerful than Spike Cannon (not to mention the typing), so the slashing in slot one is pretty unnecessary. Then again, that would make your set exactly the same as every other physical Shell Break set so far, since there's really only one Phys Shell Break Skill Link set it can run.

The Shell Bell thing is clever.
 

Nijaskills

Well-Known Member
Skill Link Abusement:

Cloyster:
Moveset:
Spike Cannon/ Rock Blast/ Twineedle/ Icicle Spear
Shell Break
Icicle Drop
Razor Shell
Item: Shell Bell
EV & Nature: 4HP / 252 ATK / 252 SPD
Adamant Nature (+ATK, -SP.ATK) / Jolly Nature (+SPD, -SP.ATK)

This set is designed to abuse Cloyster's brilliant ability: Skill Link by utilising the Shell Bell (providing you managed to get one back in Gen III). For starters, your multiple strike attack of your choice allows Cloyster to use it's ability in a way that will gain it the equivalent of 5, yep that's right 5, Leftover heals thanks to the handily equipped Shell Bell. Shell Break allows Cloyster to change from that High-Defense Water Type to somewhat of a Glass-Cannon which allows Cloyster to gain more kills with it's alternative choices of moves; Icicle Drop and Razor Shell.

Hopefully this sounds reasonable

Shell bell doesn't work that way. It regains 1/8th of the damage inflicted. That's why it works so well with sturdy endeavor pokes.
 

ASB

Weather Team Hater
Special Shell Break

Cloyster @ White Herb?
Modest/Timid
Shell Armor/Overcoat
4 HP, 252 SpA, 252 Spe
Ice Beam
Surf/Hydro Pump
Signal Beam/Hyper Beam
Shell Break

Meh, I try.

Not much to say as theses are the only Special moves it gets (well, I chose the best water type and the best Ice-type, as there are some others of those types). Hyper Beam and Hydro Pump can be used to increase power, but the former loses you a turn and some type coverage while the latter is inaccurate. Shell Break really doesn't need any more explanation, if you've spent five seconds reading this thread then you know what it is. White Herb heals up your broken shell, but you may opt to make it more of a glass cannon by giving it something like a Life Orb or WiseGlasses.
 

bugcatchersdream

is not a moron
To start out, Cloyster's weaknesses are Electric, Grass, and Fighting. As Cloyster will be mostly a physical tank this gen, the best partner is something with good Sp. Def that covers it's weaknesses. This all comes with Latias. Oh, yeah, has anyone considered putting Aqua ring on Cloyster instead of Leftovers?
...STILL waiting for Slaking...*cough*
 

Dragonite's

Talented Trainer
Cloyster

Spikey Lead:

Spikes
Toxic Spikes
Razor Shell
Swagger

Item:Leftovers Nature:Careful
Ev's: 252:HP 200:def 56:sdef Ability: Shell Armor

All right!! Lets see aerodactyl take on this set!
Spikes and Toxic Spikes are your entry hazards.
Razor shell is your attack move so you can take down aerodactyl and you don't have to struggle (or switch) the whole time your taunted. Swagger is there to encourage your opponent to switch. The item, evs, ability, and nature are defensively based so their self explanatory.

Exploding shells:

Shell break
Razor Shell
Icicle Spear
Explosion

Item:Life Orb Nature:Jolly
Evs: Atk:252 Spd:252 HP:4 Ability:Skill Link

Shell break doubles your Attack, Special Attack, and Speed but lowers your Defense and Special Defense. Razor Shell and Icicle Spear are your stab Moves. Explosion is there because even after you use Shell Break you will still have a base 120 defense. In other words you'll still be able to take a few physical hits.

Now for double and triple battles.

For the Lead set use any fast power hitters like Manectric and Weavile.
Weavile because it is really strong and fast pokemon in the game and Manectric because of Lightningrod and rain dance.

For the Exploding Shells set use any strong ghost type like Gengar and Chandelure.

Counters:
Any special hitting electric type like Jolteon and Lanturn. (Frankly any special hitter.) Any pokemon w/ water absorb that can hit w/ neutral damage.
 
Cloyster's Icy Explosion! Razor Shell Break!!

Cloyster @ Life Orb
Ability - Skill Link
EVs - 252 Atk/252 Def/4 HP
Nature - Adamant (+Atk -SpA)
Razor Shell
Shell Break
Explosion
Icicle Spear

All Physical. Skill Link + Icicle Spear + STAB = 160 BP. Explosion is a great move to use when Cloyster's in a pinch. Shell Break and Razor Shell is a great combo.​
 

BattleFrontierChampion

Factory Head Noland
There's a maximum of 255 evs in each stat you know.

Yes i know. Im not too good with EV's so i just put the maximum stat possible for each nature.
 
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