Cacnea Best Moveset
Grass at 85/85 mixed offenses and 35 Speed with AbilityWater Absorb granting Water immunity. Mixed offenses on pre-evolution stats don't threaten. The moveset needs evolution. Cacturne at 115/115 mixed power with Dark typing adds a second TermStab.
Cacnea saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). This was Cacnea's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Sandveil with Leftovers, favoring a Sassy nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Cacnea best EVs are HP and Sp. Def
Wall Moveset
- Destiny Bond
- Spikes
- Focus Punch
- Giga Drain
Recommended Teammates
Cacnea saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Cacnea maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sandveil with Choice Scarf, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Hidden Power Ice
- Energy Ball
- Encore
Recommended Teammates
Cacnea saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Cacnea maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Waterabsorb with Eviolite, favoring a Careful nature.
Utility Moveset
- Leech Seed
- Drain Punch
- Needle Arm
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Cacnea saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Cacnea maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sandveil with Cameruptite, favoring a Careful nature.
Utility Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Brick Break
- Body Slam
- Bullet Seed
Recommended Teammates
Cacnea saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Cacnea maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Waterabsorb with Choice Band, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Wallbreaker Moveset
- Sucker Punch
- Drain Punch
- Poison Jab
- Seed Bomb
Recommended Teammates
Cacnea saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Cacnea maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Waterabsorb with Focus Sash, favoring a Naughty nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Endeavor
- Sucker Punch
- Power Trip
- Encore
Recommended Teammates
Cacnea Weakness
Cacnea's Grass typing leaves it vulnerable to Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, and Bug. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Water Absorb grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Grass, Ground |
What is Cacnea Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Cacnea
Arcanine can KO Cacnea with Flare Blitz (295-347%). Baxcalibur's Icicle Spear hits Cacnea for 83-98%. Staraptor's Double-Edge also KOs at 156-184%.
 Arcanine Fire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Arcanine builds →Extreme Speed66-77% Flare Blitz 2x295-347%KO | ||
 Baxcalibur DragonIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityThermalexchange ItemLoaded Dice NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Baxcalibur builds →Icicle Spear 2x83-98% | ||
 Staraptor Normal | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityReckless ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Staraptor builds →Close Combat104-123%KO U Turn 2x122-144%KO Double Edge156-184%KO | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureModest Moves View Volcarona builds →
| ||
 Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Nidoking builds →Ice Beam 2x180-212%KO Flamethrower 2x180-212%KO | ||
Evolution
One evolution ahead. Cacnea grows into Cacturne through a straightforward two-stage chain. Plenty of partners for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 140 total stats over Cacnea. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Cacnea easily with 89 breeding partners from the Plant and Humanshape egg groups.
How to Get Cacnea
high spawn rates in mid-game routes across 2 locations. Cacnea's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Where To Catch Cacnea in SV
The path to Cacnea starts with Cacnea at Lv. 18-51 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Cacnea ✓Asado Desert - DesertLv.18-36OverworldRate 54%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into CacturneAsado Desert - DesertLv.32-51OverworldRate 8%or evolve from Cacnea (Step 1)
moderate rates for Cacnea across 14 locations in mid-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Cacnea in BDSP
The path to Cacnea starts with Cacnea at Lv. 23-63 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Cacnea ✓Route 228Lv.23-25GrassRate 5%Big Bluff CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameBogsunk CavernLv.58-63GrassPost-gameGrassland CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRocky CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSunlit CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameSwampy CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve into CacturneRoute 228Lv.52-53GrassRate 40%NightRoute 228Lv.53GrassRate 20%Morning/dayBig Bluff CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameBogsunk CavernLv.58-63GrassPost-gameGrassland CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRocky CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSunlit CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameSwampy CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-gameor evolve from Cacnea (Step 1)
Cacnea can't be caught in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Transfer Cacnea from Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, or Scarlet & Violet and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Cacnea in USUM
- Step 1Cacnea ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Walking · Route 111. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Route 111. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Route 228. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Walking · Route 228. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Walking · Route 111. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl via Walking · Route 228. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Cacturne
No wild encounters for Cacnea in Sun & Moon. Bring Cacnea over from Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, or Scarlet & Violet, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Cacnea in SM
- Step 1Cacnea ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave Cacturne with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Cacnea egg.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Walking · Route 111. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Route 111. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Route 228. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Walking · Route 228. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Walking · Route 111. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl via Walking · Route 228. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Evolve into Cacturne
Base Stats
Attack and Sp. Atk carry most of Cacnea's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Common in the wild and yields 1 Sp. Atk EV. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It lives in arid locations. Its yellow flowers bloom once a year.
Cacnea Guide
You can run Cacnea through the first few routes without issues. 335 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Cacturne as fast as you can.
Game Availability
Available in 14 titles since its debut in Ruby & Sapphire, Cacnea spans 8 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through catching or hatching as a base form in a solid number of games.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves