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CARD INFORMATION

  • SUBTYPES:
    • Basic
  • HP: 60
  • TYPES:
    • Water
  • EVOLVES TO:
    • Huntail
    • Gorebyss
  • WEAKNESSES:
    • TYPE: Lightning
    • VALUE: ×2
  • RETREATCOST:
    • Colorless
    • Colorless
  • RETREAT COST: 2
  • RARITY: Illustration Rare
  • FLAVOR TEXT: Clamperl's pearls are exceedingly precious. They can be more than 10 times as costly as Shellder's pearls.
  • REGULATIONMARK: I

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

  • NAME: Shell Press
  • COST:
    • Water
  • ENERGY COST: 1
  • DAMAGE: 10
  • DETAILS: During your opponent's next turn, this Pokémon takes 10 less damage from attacks (after applying Weakness and Resistance).

MARKET PRICES FOR CLAMPERL 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/11
HIGH

69.00

USD
MID

3.61

USDTREND
LOW

2.86

USD

Check the latest prices on:
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Clamperl (sv10-195) emerges as an intriguing Water-type Basic Pokémon that serves as the gateway to two different evolution paths: Huntail and Gorebyss.

While its modest 60 HP might not immediately catch your eye, this small shellfish has some surprising tactical elements that could make it worth considering for specific Water-themed strategies.




Offensive Score Image Offensive rating: 2/10

Clamperl's offensive capabilities are extremely limited with just a single attack.

Shell Press deals a mere 10 damage for one Water Energy, putting its damage-per-energy ratio at a disappointing 30 points.

The attack lacks any significant damage output to threaten opponents directly.

While it does provide a defensive benefit as part of the attack, this doesn't compensate for the minimal damage.

Without any ability to scale damage or bypass defenses, and no knockout effects whatsoever, Clamperl serves primarily as a setup piece rather than an attacker.

Most Basic Water Pokémon significantly outperform it in the damage department.




Survival Score Image Survival rating: 3/10

With just 60 HP, Clamperl is extremely vulnerable to being knocked out in a single hit by most competitive attackers.

Its Lightning weakness further compromises its survivability against a common type in the meta.

The only saving grace is its Shell Press attack, which reduces incoming damage by 10 during your opponent's next turn.

This effect, while helpful against small chip damage, won't save Clamperl from most serious threats.

The damage reduction represents approximately a 17% increase in effective HP, which is inadequate against powerful attacks.

Additionally, its high retreat cost of two energy severely limits its mobility, making it a liability when stuck in the active position.




Versatility Score Image Versatility rating: 3/10

Clamperl's versatility stems primarily from its evolution potential into two different Pokémon: Huntail and Gorebyss.

This branching evolution path provides deck-building flexibility and allows players to adapt to different metagame needs.

However, on its own, Clamperl offers very little versatility.

Its single attack with minimal damage output severely limits its role options.

It can't function as an effective attacker, disruptor, or support Pokémon.

The minor damage reduction effect doesn't provide significant strategic advantages in most matchups.

Clamperl essentially serves as a stepping stone to its evolutions rather than a versatile component in its own right.




setup Score Image Speed/Setup rating: 5/10

As a Basic Pokémon, Clamperl benefits from immediate playability, avoiding the setup time required by Stage 1 or Stage 2 Pokémon.

Its single Water Energy requirement for Shell Press means it can attack on turn one if you go second.

However, Clamperl's true purpose is evolving into either Huntail or Gorebyss, which requires waiting a turn after playing it.

The high retreat cost significantly hampers its mobility, forcing you to either commit Switch cards or additional energy attachments to get it out of the active spot.

Additionally, with no built-in draw or search abilities, Clamperl doesn't contribute to improving deck consistency or accelerating your strategy.




To maximize Clamperl's potential, you'll want to include both of its evolution paths (Huntail and Gorebyss) for flexibility.

Energy acceleration cards like Frosmoth or Quaquaval help overcome its evolution forms' energy requirements.

Irida or Nest Ball provide reliable search options to get Clamperl into play early, while cards like Rare Candy might help bypass the evolution waiting period in expanded formats.

Perfect Partners examples:

Frosmoth's Freezing Scales Ability allows you to attach additional Water Energy from your hand to your Water Pokémon, enabling quicker powering up of Clamperl's evolutions for their potentially higher energy cost attacks.

This Supporter card lets you search your deck for a Water Pokémon and an Item card, helping you quickly find both Clamperl and an evolution piece or tool to support your strategy.

As one of Clamperl's evolution options, including Huntail provides a stronger attacker that can capitalize on the board position established by Clamperl while offering more substantial damage output.




Clamperl serves primarily as an evolutionary stepping stone rather than a standalone competitive card.

Its minimal damage output, fragile defensive profile, and limited utility make it unsuitable as a main attacker or tank.

The card's primary strength lies in its ability to evolve into two different Pokémon, offering deck flexibility that could be valuable in specific Water-based strategies.

When using Clamperl, focus on getting it onto your bench quickly and evolving it as soon as possible, as its base form contributes little to your board position.

Consider it exclusively in decks built around its evolutions, and pair it with cards that can accelerate the evolution process or provide protection while it develops.

While unimpressive on its own, Clamperl's value should be measured by the strength of the Huntail or Gorebyss it enables rather than its individual performance metrics.



POWER INDEX

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21

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