Most Pokemon that can evolve are part of a two/three-stage evolution. However, other Pokemon don't evolve at all, or they have branching evolutions. Branched evolution Pokemon usually have different stats from one another and, occasionally, different typing. Since Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl covers four generations, there are plenty of Pokemon with branching evolutions. A lesser-known Pokemon is Clamperl, which evolves into Huntail or Gorebyss.
Clamperl debuted in Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire, and its method of evolution has remained consistent over the many generations of Pokemon. Getting it to evolve in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is the same as it was back in Ruby/Sapphire: Have Clamperl hold the right item, and then trade it to another trainer.
Finding Clamperl & Deep Sea Tooth/Scale
To evolve Clamperl, it needs to be traded while holding a Deep Sea Tooth or a Deep Sea Scale. If players want Huntail, then it needs to hold the Deep Sea Tooth. For Gorebyss, it needs the Deep Sea Scale. Although Clamperl itself won't spawn until trainers get their National Dex, the Deep Sea Tooth and Scale can be found in the Grand Underground beforehand.
The Deep Sea Tooth can be found in the southwestern hideaways of the Grand Underground. Try exploring the Grand Underground from Canalave City and look for hideaways like Fountainspring Cave. To get the Deep Sea Scale, go to snowy hideaways such as Icy Cave near Celestic Town. Both of the evolution items will be in their respective hideaways as Poke Ball Items.
The Deep Sea Tooth and Deep Sea Scale also have a 5% chance of being held by a wild Carvanha and Chinchou respectively. They can be fished up using the Super Rod at the Great Marsh (Carvanha) and Route 220 (Chinchou).
Clamperl can be found in the following hideaways after becoming Champion:
- Fountainspring Cave
- Riverbank Cave
- Still-Water Cavern
Another way to catch Clamperl is to use the Super Rod on Route 219 or Route 221. Clamperl is a rare Pokemon and has a 5% chance of being hooked. It will be around levels 20-30 in the wild.
More Information About Clamperl's Evolutions
Both Huntail and Gorebyss are Water-type Pokemon, meaning they share the same Type-effectiveness. Additionally, they have the same base stat total of 485. However, while Huntail has a stronger Attack, Gorebyss has the better Special Attack. They have the same base Defense and both suffer from poor Speed, Health, and mediocre Special Defense.
Name | Base Stat | Base Stat Total |
|---|---|---|
Huntail | HP: 55 | 485 |
Attack: 104 | ||
Defense: 105 | ||
Special Attack: 94 | ||
Special Defense: 75 | ||
Speed: 52 | ||
Gorebyss | HP: 55 | 485 |
Attack: 84 | ||
Defense: 105 | ||
Special Attack: 114 | ||
Special Defense: 75 | ||
Speed: 52 |
Huntail and Gorebyss' learnset reflects their stats: Huntail has more Physical moves while Gorebyss has Special moves. Gorebyss doesn't learn an Ice-type move upon leveling up, but Huntail learns Ice Fang. However, trainers can teach Gorebyss Ice Beam by using TM13, which can be bought in Veilstone City's department store. Ice moves are important for Gorebyss and Huntail because it gives them coverage against one of their weaknesses: Grass-type.
Both evolutions have the following Type-effectiveness:
Strengths: | Fire, Ground, Rock |
Weaknesses: | Grass, Electric |
Resistances: | Water, Ice, Steel, Fire |
Immunities: | N/A |
A good Nature for Huntail is Naughty (+Attk, -Sp.Def). Even though Huntail's Special Attack is lower than Gorebyss', it can still make use out of moves like Ice Beam. Between Ice Fang and Ice Beam, Ice Beam has more power, which is something to consider when making Huntail's moveset. Players can also try running with an Impish (+Def, -Sp.Attk) Nature, but it's not as recommended as a Naughty Nature.
Gorebyss can benefit from a Modest (+Sp.Attk, -Attk) or a Timid (+Spd, -Attk) Nature. Unlike Huntail, Gorebyss' Attack isn't too good, and its moves are mainly Special. Have Gorebyss use Shell Smash in battle to increase its Attack, Special Attack, and Speed by two levels at the cost of lowering its Defense and Special Defense.
Unfortunately, Gorebyss and Huntail struggle competitively against other Water-types, despite their decent Attack and Special Attack. Their low Speed makes them move last, meaning they won't be able to 1HKO a tough opponent if they can't make the first move. While their Defense is high, their Special Defense is one of their worst stats, meaning Special Moves like Thunderbolt or Leaf Storm will have no problems knocking them out.
Although Gorebyss and Huntail may struggle in tournaments, they're good for Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl's story mode or battling random NPCs. However, if trainers intend on taking them to the Battle Tower, then it's a good idea to put Clamperl through some EV training before evolving it into Huntail or Gorebyss.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl are available now on Nintendo Switch.
