[OVERVIEW]
Cloyster is one of the most threatening Ice-type sweepers due to its Water typing and access to Shell Smash, which allows it to sweep types such as Fire and Rock if given the chance to set up. A neutrality to both Fire- and Steel-type moves allows Cloyster to heavily influence these matchups with Rock Blast and Hydro Vortex, being able to set up on Pokemon such as Infernape locked into Flare Blitz and Excadrill with ease. Furthermore, Cloyster's good offensive ability in Skill Link allows it to make good use of moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, enabling it to break through Focus Sash from Pokemon such as Breloom, Alakazam, and Araquanid. A gargantuan Defense stat means it can set up in front of many physical attackers such as Excadrill and Mega Swampert easily. However, an abysmal Special Defense leaves Cloyster vulnerable to any decently strong special hit and diminishes its ability to set up as easily. Even resisted special hits, such as Scald from Keldeo, will dent Cloyster. Low offensive stats mean it is further dependent on a Shell Smash boost to pose as an offensive threat, since it doesn't hit very hard unboosted. Cloyster's mediocre Speed stat makes it somewhat easy to revenge kill, since it cannot outspeed key threats such as Choice Scarf Latios, and due to its vulnerability to entry hazards and Shell Smash's defense-lowering effect, it's easy to chip it down, possibly leaving it vulnerable to opposing priority moves such as Dragonite's Extreme Speed and Breloom's Mach Punch.
[SET]
name: Shell Smash Sweeper
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Hydro Pump
move 4: Rock Blast
item: Waterium Z
ability: Skill Link
nature: Naive
evs: 112 Atk / 144 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
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.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice
--------
A Naughty nature can be used, but the loss in Speed isn't worth it, as Cloyster would be outsped by several Choice Scarf users such as Infernape, Blacephalon, and Terrakion. However, it does let Cloyster secure a 2HKO on Mega Swampert after very slight chip damage, as well as giving it more power before setting up Shell Smash, which it slightly lacks with a Naive nature. White Herb can be used to make Cloyster less vulnerable to priority and revenge killing; however, it sorely misses the one time nuke Waterium Z provides.
Checks and Counters
===================
Ice
--------
**Water-types**: Water-types resist both of Cloysters STAB moves and are mostly unaffected by Rock Blast, which can give free turns to several key threats to Ice teams such as Keldeo, which can launch a powerful attack, and Toxapex, which can freely set up Toxic Spikes.
**Special Attackers**: Due to its pathetic Special Defense stat, Cloyster will easily crumble to even relatively weak or resisted special attacks. While this is mitigated if Aurora Veil has been set up beforehand, it is still quite disappointing—for example, it won't even be able to take any attack from Choice Scarf Latios if it has taken Stealth Rock damage.
**Faster Choice Scarf users**: Any Choice Scarf user with base 110 Speed or higher will be able to outspeed Cloyster even after it has set up a Shell Smash, meaning Pokemon like Gengar, Greninja, and Latios can easily revenge kill it, especially after prior chip damage.
**Entry Hazards**: Cloyster absolutely hates having to take unnecessary damage, since it heavily relies on its natural bulk, further supported by Aurora Veil, to set up and endure priority attacks. This means the extra damage taken from entry hazards, Stealth Rock in particular, can mean the difference between sweeping a team and being taken out either while setting up or versus a faster foe.
**Phazers and Haze Users**: Pokemon such as Avalugg, Swampert, and Toxapex can stop a Cloyster sweep cold due to their ability to erase its stat boosts through Roar or Haze.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Very physically bulky Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Porygon2, and Quagsire are able to take Cloyster's attacks and retaliate, beating it one-on-one.
**Status**: Status moves are heavily detrimental to Cloyster, since it relies on all of its speed, power, and longevity, which paralysis, burns, and bad poison severely reduce.
Cloyster is one of the most threatening Ice-type sweepers due to its Water typing and access to Shell Smash, which allows it to sweep types such as Fire and Rock if given the chance to set up. A neutrality to both Fire- and Steel-type moves allows Cloyster to heavily influence these matchups with Rock Blast and Hydro Vortex, being able to set up on Pokemon such as Infernape locked into Flare Blitz and Excadrill with ease. Furthermore, Cloyster's good offensive ability in Skill Link allows it to make good use of moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, enabling it to break through Focus Sash from Pokemon such as Breloom, Alakazam, and Araquanid. A gargantuan Defense stat means it can set up in front of many physical attackers such as Excadrill and Mega Swampert easily. However, an abysmal Special Defense leaves Cloyster vulnerable to any decently strong special hit and diminishes its ability to set up as easily. Even resisted special hits, such as Scald from Keldeo, will dent Cloyster. Low offensive stats mean it is further dependent on a Shell Smash boost to pose as an offensive threat, since it doesn't hit very hard unboosted. Cloyster's mediocre Speed stat makes it somewhat easy to revenge kill, since it cannot outspeed key threats such as Choice Scarf Latios, and due to its vulnerability to entry hazards and Shell Smash's defense-lowering effect, it's easy to chip it down, possibly leaving it vulnerable to opposing priority moves such as Dragonite's Extreme Speed and Breloom's Mach Punch.
[SET]
name: Shell Smash Sweeper
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Hydro Pump
move 4: Rock Blast
item: Waterium Z
ability: Skill Link
nature: Naive
evs: 112 Atk / 144 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
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.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice
--------
A Naughty nature can be used, but the loss in Speed isn't worth it, as Cloyster would be outsped by several Choice Scarf users such as Infernape, Blacephalon, and Terrakion. However, it does let Cloyster secure a 2HKO on Mega Swampert after very slight chip damage, as well as giving it more power before setting up Shell Smash, which it slightly lacks with a Naive nature. White Herb can be used to make Cloyster less vulnerable to priority and revenge killing; however, it sorely misses the one time nuke Waterium Z provides.
Checks and Counters
===================
Ice
--------
**Water-types**: Water-types resist both of Cloysters STAB moves and are mostly unaffected by Rock Blast, which can give free turns to several key threats to Ice teams such as Keldeo, which can launch a powerful attack, and Toxapex, which can freely set up Toxic Spikes.
**Special Attackers**: Due to its pathetic Special Defense stat, Cloyster will easily crumble to even relatively weak or resisted special attacks. While this is mitigated if Aurora Veil has been set up beforehand, it is still quite disappointing—for example, it won't even be able to take any attack from Choice Scarf Latios if it has taken Stealth Rock damage.
**Faster Choice Scarf users**: Any Choice Scarf user with base 110 Speed or higher will be able to outspeed Cloyster even after it has set up a Shell Smash, meaning Pokemon like Gengar, Greninja, and Latios can easily revenge kill it, especially after prior chip damage.
**Entry Hazards**: Cloyster absolutely hates having to take unnecessary damage, since it heavily relies on its natural bulk, further supported by Aurora Veil, to set up and endure priority attacks. This means the extra damage taken from entry hazards, Stealth Rock in particular, can mean the difference between sweeping a team and being taken out either while setting up or versus a faster foe.
**Phazers and Haze Users**: Pokemon such as Avalugg, Swampert, and Toxapex can stop a Cloyster sweep cold due to their ability to erase its stat boosts through Roar or Haze.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Very physically bulky Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Porygon2, and Quagsire are able to take Cloyster's attacks and retaliate, beating it one-on-one.
**Status**: Status moves are heavily detrimental to Cloyster, since it relies on all of its speed, power, and longevity, which paralysis, burns, and bad poison severely reduce.
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