Mixed
Balanced
70Speed · Below Avg

Is Tentacool Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

Every Water route. AbilityClear Body prevents stat drops from Intimidate, Growl, and similar moves. AbilityLiquid Ooze damages anything that tries to drain HP from Tentacool. Tentacruel at 30 has enormous Special Defense. Water/Poison coverage for Blaine and Erika.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEEEEEESGGGEEEBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4TentacoolCatchableTentacruelEvolveKogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Even

Tentacool trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Even
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Even

Tentacool trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.

Even
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
Risky
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Even

Tentacool trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
Even
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Risky
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Even

Tentacool trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.

Even
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
You Win
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
Even
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Even

Tentacruel trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.

Even
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Even
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
Even
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Even
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Tentacruel trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
Even
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Strong

Tentacruel resists most of Blaine's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Easy KO
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

Tentacruel has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.

Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
You Win
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
You Win
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Even
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
You Win
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Good

Tentacruel has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.

You Win
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
You Win
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
Even
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
Even
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water AbsorbImmune to Water attacks
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Tentacruel has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
Even
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Even

Tentacruel trades roughly evenly with Agatha's team.

Even
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
You Win
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
Even
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
Even
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
Even
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Tentacruel trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Risky
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
Even
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
Even
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Even

Tentacruel trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.

Even
Heracross
Lv 72
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornEarthquakeCounterRock Tomb
Even
Alakazam
Lv 73
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCalm MindReflect
Even
Tyranitar
Lv 72
RockDark
Sand Stream
CrunchEarthquakeThunderboltAerial Ace
Risky
Gyarados
Lv 73
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hydro PumpDragon DanceEarthquakeHyper Beam
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 73
Fire
Intimidate
Extreme SpeedOverheatAerial AceIron Tail
Risky
Venusaur
Lv 75
GrassPoison
Overgrow
Solar BeamSludge BombEarthquakeSunny Day
Catchable
Available after Badge 4
Type
WaterPoison
Tier
E

Catch Tentacool on Pallet Town (Surf, Lv 5-40, common).

View Tentacool locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Misty
    • TM03WaterWater Pulse90100%20
    • LV 25WaterBubble Beam98100%20
  • After Erika
    • TM36PoisonSludge Bomb135100%10
    • TM13IceIce Beam90100%10
  • After Koga
    • HM03WaterSurf135100%15
    • LV 49WaterHydro Pump16580%5
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • Post-Game
    • HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20
Evolve Tentacool to Tentacruel
Level 30
Type
WaterPoison
Tier
A

Your Tentacool should hit Level 30 before you reach Koga, at typical leveling pace.

View Tentacruel locations

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 30)
    • LV 30WaterBubble Beam98100%20
  • After Erika
    • TM36PoisonSludge Bomb135100%10
    • TM06PoisonToxic90%10
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
  • After Koga
    • HM03WaterSurf135100%15
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
    • LV 55WaterHydro Pump16580%5
  • Post-Game
    • HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20

How to Get Tentacool in FireRed & LeafGreen

Tentacool owns the ocean. 58 surfing encounters across both versions, common at nearly all of them. The map is wall-to-wall Tentacool wherever there's water.

27 locations to catch Tentacool

Encountered via Surfing

Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8
Post-Game

Where To Catch Tentacool in FRLG

To get Tentacool, start by catching Tentacool through surfing encounters at Lv. 5-45. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

Tentacool Weakness

Tentacool is weak to Electric, Ground, and Psychic. 7 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that. Tentacool's special bulk (base 100 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Tentacool Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Ground, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Steel
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Tentacool Weak Against

Good
3Weak
7Resist
0Immune
Score+1
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Tentacool Strong Against

4Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+4
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Tentacool

Tentacool Evolutions

Tentacool evolves into Tentacruel. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 180 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Tentacool
WaterPoison
Tentacruel
WaterPoison
HP
40
80+40
ATK
40
70+30
DEF
35
65+30
SP.ATK
50
80+30
SP.DEF
100
120+20
SPE
70
100+30
BST
335C-Tier
515B-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Pivot
TYPE
Utility
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Tentacool easily with 19 breeding partners from the Water3 egg group. Pass egg moves like Aurora Beam, Confuse Ray, Haze and 3 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
crawdauntcorsolacorphishomastarkabutopsomanytekabutotentacruelcloysterstarmiekinglerstaryu

FRLG Tentacool Best Moveset

100 Sp. Def is remarkable for a pre-evolution, with AbilityClear Body preventing all stat drops. Water/Poison heading toward Tentacruel's defensive and spinning role.

Best Build

Experimental
Bulky Support
Ability
Clear Body
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Tentacool
Timid+SPE

Tentacool best EVs are HP and Speed

EVs

Bulky Support Moveset

  • ToxicUtility
  • Hydro PumpSTAB
  • ProtectFAST +4
  • Rapid Spin

Moves List

Breeding opens up real options for Tentacool. Aurora Beam and Confuse Ray come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Hydro Pump and Sludge Bomb and Normal and Ice coverage and more.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Poison Sting
D2210035Poison
Lv 6
Supersonic
5520Normal
Lv 12
Constrict
1010035Normal
Lv 19
Acid
D6010030Poison
Lv 25
Bubble Beam
D9710020Water
Lv 30
Wrap
D158520Normal
Lv 36
Barrier
D30Psychic
Lv 43
Screech
D8540Normal
Lv 49
Hydro Pump
S180805Water

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
D120705Ice
HM01
Cut
D509530Normal
TM
Dive
D9010010Water
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM19
Giga Drain
D751005Grass
TM07
Hail
10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
D9510010Ice
TM17
Protect+4
S10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM36
Sludge Bomb
C13510010Poison
HM03
Surf
C14210015Water
TM46
Thief
D6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
S8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
D9010020Water
HM07
Waterfall
D12010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Aurora Beam
6510020Ice
Egg
Confuse Ray
D10010Ghost
Egg
Haze
C30Ice
Egg
Mirror Coat-5
D10020Psychic
Egg
Rapid Spin
S5010040Normal
Egg
Safeguard
D25Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Double-Edge
D12010015Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C10Normal
Tutor
Swords Dance
C30Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP40
D
Attack40
D
Defense35
F
Sp. Atk50
D
Sp. Def100
B
Speed70
C
Total335
Details
Catch Rate
Easy190 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height0.9 m
Weight45.5 kg
Base XP67
Abilities
Clear Body
Prevents stats from being lowered by other Pokémon.
Liquid Ooze
Damages opponents using leeching moves for as much as they would heal.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpD+1Spe
Special Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

Its eyes are as transparent as crystals. From them, it shoots mysterious beams of light.

Drifts in shallow seas. Anglers who hook them by accident are often punished by their stingers.

Tentacool FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • Tentacool can be found while surfing at Bond Bridge, Cerulean City, Cinnabar Island, and Five Island in Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen.

Game Availability

Tentacool has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 21 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.

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