Monotype Cloyster (Water)

lotiasite

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[OVERVIEW]

Water
========

Cloyster is an amazing setup sweeper and late-game cleaner due to its access to Shell Smash, one of the best setup moves in the game. Cloyster's Skill Link ability in conjunction with moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast allows it to have very high-Base Power moves while also breaking potential Focus Sashes on Pokemon such as Breloom. A sky-high Defense stat allows Cloyster to set up Shell Smash against most physical attackers with ease, and a good offensive Water / Ice typing gives Cloyster opportunities to sweep many types, including Grass, Ground, Dragon, and Flying, once its checks have been taken care of. However, a lack of coverage moves forces Cloyster to rely on the less powerful Hydro Pump to hit Steel-types. Cloyster also has relatively low offensive stats, which means it needs to set up to be an offensive threat, and its very low special bulk makes it take lots of damage from even weak special attacks. This, combined with a poor defensive typing with only two resistances, means Cloyster can have a hard time finding appropriate setup opportunities. This causes it to be extremely reliant on a Focus Sash to help it set up, and this reliance on Focus Sash also causes Cloyster to be very vulnerable to priority, which can revenge kill it easily. A mediocre Speed stat causes Cloyster to be outsped by most offensive threats, some such as Choice Scarf Latios and Swift Swim Kingdra even after a Shell Smash. Finally, it can be hard to justify Cloyster a teamslot when it is outclassed in most situations by other late-game cleaners and setup sweepers such as Mega Sharpedo, Gyarados, and Azumarill.

[SET]
name: Shell Smash Sweeper (Water)
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Rock Blast
move 4: Ice Shard / Hydro Pump
item: Focus Sash
ability: Skill Link
nature: Jolly / Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
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.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Water
--------
White Herb mitigates the defense drops from Shell Smash, but the safety offered by Focus Sash is more helpful.

Checks and Counters
===================

Water
--------
**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon such as Mega Slowbro, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex resist both of Cloyster's STAB moves, allowing them to easily take any hit. They are then able to status it, hit it hard, or remove its boosts, depending on the Pokemon.

**Special Attackers**: Due to Cloyster's pitiful Special Defense stat, fast special attackers like Alakazam and Porygon-Z are able to easily OHKO it if it has not yet set up. Cloyster cannot even switch into resisted special attacks, as they will still do large damage to it.

**Priority**: Cloyster's reliance on Focus Sash to set up means that it will usually be at 1 HP while sweeping, so fast priority such as from Weavile and Dragonite can easily revenge kill it. However, if Cloyster is using Ice Shard, it may be able to get one hit off against slower priority users before getting KOed.

**Electric-types**: Most Electric-types are very fast and have high offensive stats, allowing them to OHKO Cloyster before it has set up or even outspeeding it after it has set up. In particular, Alolan Raichu can outspeed Cloyster in Electric Terrain even after a Shell Smash and OHKO it with Thunderbolt. Magnezone can survive any hit from Cloyster and OHKO it in return, and Rotom-W can take any of Cloyster's attacks before pivoting out with Volt Switch.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist all of Cloyster's physical attacks, forcing it to rely on the weaker Hydro Pump to hit them. Bulky Steel-types such as Magearna and Ferrothorn are able to easily take any of Cloyster's attacks even at +2 and can KO or outlast it.

**Fighting-types**: Even though most Fighting-types are physical, they are still able to deal massive damage to Cloyster, especially after a Shell Smash. While most of them are unable to tank hits from +2 Cloyster, Keldeo fears nothing from Cloyster and priority from Infernape or Breloom can pick Cloyster off.
 
Last edited:

lotiasite

undedgy
is a Forum Moderatoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a Social Media Contributor Alumnus
wrote most of this, then page accidentally reloaded, then lost all of it;; hopefully i didnt miss anything when rewriting it, but this is ready for qc
 
I'm not going to do a full QC yet because that set definitely shouldn't be used and your analysis revolves around it so i'll have to make an unreasonable amount of edits to remove all 'Explosion' mentions. Change the set to this and change the analysis accordingly;

[SET]

name: Shell Smash Sweeper (Water)
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Rock Blast
move 4: Ice Shard / Hydro Pump
item: Focus Sash
ability: Skill Link
nature: Jolly / Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

Normalium Z is utterly unviable on Cloyster given the amount of better Z-move users on Water and how hard it is for Cloyster to find opportunities to set up. Rock Blast is a necessity on any Cloyster while Ice Shard lets it beat slower priority users that try to revenge kill it after it has been brought to its Focus Sash. Hydro Pump lets it effectively break Flying by hitting Skamory.

Tag me once you've made the changes and i'll QC this.
 
[OVERVIEW]

* This, combined with a poor defensive typing with only two resistances, Cloyster can have a hard time finding appropriate setup opportunities.
- Mention this causing it to be extremely reliant on its Focus Sash to set up.
- Very vulnerable to priority.

Moves

* Ice Shard is a priority move that can be used to revenge kill threats before setting up. It can also be used to outprioritize threats that attempt to revenge kill Cloyster with their own priority attacks.
- Examples of priority users? Also mention it can be used to hit Choice Scarf Latios, which otherwise outspeeds and KOs it even after a Shell Smash?

Set Details

* A Jolly nature gives Cloyster even more Speed, but it decreases the power of Hydro Pump slightly.
* A Naive nature boosts Cloyster's Speed further while not decreasing the power of Hydro Pump.
- Jolly with Hydro Pump shouldn't be used. Jolly's supposed to be run when Ice Shard is used and Naive when Hydro Pump is used. Re-word it accordingly.

Usage Tips

* Similarly, try to keep entry hazards off the field before sending Cloyster in, especially as it is weak to Stealth Rock and the entry hazards will break its Focus Sash.
- Stress this a bit more. Without Focus Sash, it is nearly impossible to set up so sending it in while Stealth Rock is up can be disastrous.
* 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.
- Add that priority users like Dragonite should be removed before setting up as well.
Cloyster is running Ice Shard, it can also come in against weakened threats and revenge kill them, but note that without Hydro Pump, Cloyster cannot heavily damage many physically defensive Pokemon such as Skarmory.
- The Hydro Pump is unnecessary, that's not a usage tip, its something you should mention in Moves.

Other Options

- Remove Life Orb, its horrible.

Good job, QC 1/3.
 
Overview:
- Definitely mention its pretty awful coverage, forced to rely on Hydro Pump to hit Steel-types
- Also talk about its poor base Attack stat, which also forces it into relying on setting up to be an offensive threat.

Team Options:
- While it is essential to have Electric-immune Pokemon, it should be noted that Cloyster itself is not particularly in need of such a teammate. Cloyster's goal is to come in one time and sweep. Having a switch-in to Electric-types is actually unnecessary for it, especially since it wants to be OHKOing them anyway.
- Not sure what this line is about:
* Mega Sharpedo and Greninja also appreciate Cloyster's high Defense stat that allows it to switch into some physical attacks.
- Keldeo really should be noted by name, as it takes on physical walls. Manaphy fits more in the sweepers section below with Z-Rain Dance, and Mega Sharpedo isn't really much of a wallbreaker that supports Cloyster.

Checks and Counters:
- +Priority
- +Steel-types

Looks great QC 2/3
 

Vid

Our life is what our thoughts make it
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qc; terrors, eien
[OVERVIEW]

Water
========

Cloyster is an amazing setup sweeper due to its access to Shell Smash, one of the best setup moves in the game, allowing it to be a great late-game cleaner. Its Skill Link ability in conjunction with moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast allows Cloyster to have very high-Base Power moves while also breaking potential Focus Sashes and Sturdy I really can't think of a viable sturdy user that rock blast or spear at full HP example would prob be nice here. A sky-high Defense stat allows Cloyster to set up Shell Smash against most physical attackers with ease, and a good offensive typing in Water / Ice gives Cloyster opportunities to sweep many types, including Grass, Ground, Dragon, and Flying, once its checks have been taken care of. However, a lack of coverage moves forces Cloyster to rely on the less powerful Hydro Pump to hit Steel-types. Cloyster also has relatively low offensive stats, which means it needs to set up to be an offensive threat, and its very low special bulk makes it take lots of damage from even weak special attacks. This, combined with a poor defensive typing with only two resistances, Cloyster can have a hard time finding appropriate setup opportunities. This causes it to be extremely reliant on a Focus Sash to help it set up, and this reliance on Focus Sash also causes Cloyster to be very vulnerable to priority, which can revenge kill it easily. A mediocre Speed stat allows Cloyster to be outsped by most offensive threats, some such as Choice Scarf Latios and Swift Swim Kingdra even after a Shell Smash. Finally, It can be hard to justify Cloyster a teamslot when it is outclassed in most situations by other late-game cleaners and setup sweepers such as Mega Sharpedo, Gyarados, and Azumarill.

[SET]
name: Shell Smash Sweeper (Water)
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Rock Blast
move 4: Ice Shard / Hydro Pump
item: Focus Sash
ability: Skill Link
nature: Jolly / Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
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 and Sturdy on Pokemon that could stop Cloyster's sweep. Rock Blast is good coverage 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 outspeeds 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 but decreases the power of Hydro Pump slightly, so it should only be used with Ice Shard. On the other hand, a Naive nature boosts Cloyster's Speed further while not decreasing the power of Hydro Pump, so use it when running Hydro Pump over Ice Shard. 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 with free switch in opportunities provided by a slow U-turn or Volt Switch from the likes of Pelipper or Rotom-W Lanturn is probably a better example than rotom-w here or after an ally is 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. 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 switch in opportunities. It also has an Electric neutrality and can burn foes with Will-O-Wisp, slowly chipping at them. 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. Lanturn

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Water
--------
White Herb mitigates the defense drops from Shell Smash, but the safety offered by Focus Sash is more helpful. King's Rock may seem like an appealing option for its high flinch chance when combined with Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, but it's very luck-based and unreliable. I really don't think King's Rock even deserves a mention because it's so inconsistent

Checks and Counters
===================

Water
--------
**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon such as Mega Slowbro, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex resist both of Cloyster's STAB moves, allowing them to easily take any hit. They are then able to status it, hit it hard, or remove its boosts, depending on the Pokemon.

**Special Attackers**: Due to Cloyster's pitiful Special Defense stat, fast special attackers like Alakazam and Porygon-Z are able to easily OHKO Cloyster if it has not yet set up. Cloyster cannot even switch into resisted special attacks, as they will still do large damage to it.

**Priority**: Cloyster's reliance on Focus Sash to set up means that it will usually be at 1 HP while sweeping, so fast priority such as from Weavile and Dragonite can easily revenge kill Cloyster. However, if Cloyster is using Ice Shard, it may be able to get one hit off against slower priority users before getting KOed.

**Electric-types**: Most Electric-types are very fast and have high offensive stats, allowing them to OHKO Cloyster before it has set up or even outspeeding it after it has set up. In particular, Alolan Raichu can outspeed Cloyster in Electric Terrain even after a Shell Smash and OHKO it with Thunderbolt. Magnezone can survive any hit from Cloyster and OHKO it in return, and Rotom-W can take any of Cloyster's attacks before pivoting out with Volt Switch.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist all of Cloyster's physical attacks, forcing it to rely on the weaker Hydro Pump to hit them. Bulky Steel-types such as Magearna and Ferrothorn are able to easily take any of Cloyster's attacks even at +2 and can KO or outlast it.

**Fighting-types**: Even though most Fighting-types are physical, they are still able to deal massive damage to Cloyster, especially after a Shell Smash. While most of them are unable to tank hits from +2 Cloyster, Keldeo fears nothing from Cloyster and priority from Infernape or Breloom can pick Cloyster off.
Nice Work
QC 3/3
 

Lumari

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add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 1/2
[OVERVIEW]

Water
========

Cloyster is an amazing setup sweeper and late-game cleaner due to its access to Shell Smash, one of the best setup moves in the game, allowing it to be a great late-game cleaner. Cloyster's Skill Link ability in conjunction with moves like Icicle Spear and Rock Blast allows it to have very high-Base Power moves while also breaking potential Focus Sashes on Pokemon such as Breloom. A sky-high Defense stat allows Cloyster to set up Shell Smash against most physical attackers with ease, and a good offensive Water / Ice typing gives Cloyster opportunities to sweep many types, including Grass, Ground, Dragon, and Flying, once its checks have been taken care of. However, a lack of coverage moves forces Cloyster to rely on the less powerful Hydro Pump to hit Steel-types. Cloyster also has relatively low offensive stats, which means it needs to set up to be an offensive threat, and its very low special bulk makes it take lots of damage from even weak special attacks. This, combined with a poor defensive typing with only two resistances, means Cloyster can have a hard time finding appropriate setup opportunities. This causes it to be extremely reliant on a Focus Sash to help it set up, and this reliance on Focus Sash also causes Cloyster to be very vulnerable to priority, which can revenge kill it easily. A mediocre Speed stat causes Cloyster to be outsped by most offensive threats, some such as Choice Scarf Latios and Swift Swim Kingdra even after a Shell Smash. Finally, it can be hard to justify Cloyster a teamslot when it is outclassed in most situations by other late-game cleaners and setup sweepers such as Mega Sharpedo, Gyarados, and Azumarill.

[SET]
name: Shell Smash Sweeper (Water)
move 1: Shell Smash
move 2: Icicle Spear
move 3: Rock Blast
move 4: Ice Shard / Hydro Pump
item: Focus Sash
ability: Skill Link
nature: Jolly / Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
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 but decreases the power of Hydro Pump slightly, so it and should only be used with Ice Shard; (SC) on the other hand, a Naive nature boosts Cloyster's Speed further while not without decreasing the power of Hydro Pump, so use it when running Hydro Pump over Ice Shard. 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 freely in with free switch in opportunities provided by 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 contrary 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 switch in 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.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Water
--------
White Herb mitigates the defense drops from Shell Smash, but the safety offered by Focus Sash is more helpful.

Checks and Counters
===================

Water
--------
**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon such as Mega Slowbro, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex resist both of Cloyster's STAB moves, allowing them to easily take any hit. They are then able to status it, hit it hard, or remove its boosts, depending on the Pokemon.

**Special Attackers**: Due to Cloyster's pitiful Special Defense stat, fast special attackers like Alakazam and Porygon-Z are able to easily OHKO Cloyster it if it has not yet set up. Cloyster cannot even switch into resisted special attacks, as they will still do large damage to it.

**Priority**: Cloyster's reliance on Focus Sash to set up means that it will usually be at 1 HP while sweeping, so fast priority such as from Weavile and Dragonite can easily revenge kill Cloyster it. However, if Cloyster is using Ice Shard, it may be able to get one hit off against slower priority users before getting KOed.

**Electric-types**: Most Electric-types are very fast and have high offensive stats, allowing them to OHKO Cloyster before it has set up or even outspeeding it after it has set up. In particular, Alolan Raichu can outspeed Cloyster in Electric Terrain even after a Shell Smash and OHKO it with Thunderbolt. Magnezone can survive any hit from Cloyster and OHKO it in return, and Rotom-W can take any of Cloyster's attacks before pivoting out with Volt Switch.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist all of Cloyster's physical attacks, forcing it to rely on the weaker Hydro Pump to hit them. Bulky Steel-types such as Magearna and Ferrothorn are able to easily take any of Cloyster's attacks even at +2 and can KO or outlast it.

**Fighting-types**: Even though most Fighting-types are physical, they are still able to deal massive damage to Cloyster, especially after a Shell Smash. While most of them are unable to tank hits from +2 Cloyster, Keldeo fears nothing from Cloyster and priority from Infernape or Breloom can pick Cloyster off.
 
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