Is Cacnea Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?
Grass from Hoenn with AbilitySand Veil for sandstorm evasion. Trade-only. Cacturne at 32 adds Dark. Grass/Dark coverage handles Misty, Agatha, and Sabrina. Low Speed and bulk limit survivability.
Cacnea resists most of Brock's coverage and hits back hard.
Cacnea has the type edge here and should clean up Misty's team.
Cacnea trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.
Erika's team hits Cacnea's weaknesses hard.
Koga's team hits Cacnea's weaknesses hard.
Cacnea trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.
Blaine's team hits Cacnea's weaknesses hard.
Cacnea has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.
Cacnea has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.
Cacnea has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.
Agatha's team hits Cacnea's weaknesses hard.
Lance's team hits Cacnea's weaknesses hard.
Terry's team hits Cacnea's weaknesses hard.
Cacnea cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. On GBA, cross-region trading unlocks post-game after Celio's Sevii Islands Ruby & Sapphire quest. The Switch re-release supports only one-way transfers out to Pokemon HOME.
- After Erika
- TM22GrassSolar Beam180100%10
- TM19GrassGiga Drain113100%10
- TM43NormalSecret Power70100%20
- LV 37GrassNeedle Arm90100%15
- After Koga
- TM01FightingFocus Punch150100%20
- After Giovanni
- TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- Post-Game
- TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
How to Get Cacnea in FireRed & LeafGreen
Route 111's Hoenn desert hosts Cacnea, alongside Trapinch. FRLG players trade one in from Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald. The cactus has no Kanto counterpart.
How to Obtain Cacnea in FRLG
Step 1Cacnea ✓CARTRIDGE TRADEfrom Ruby & SapphireAvailableCatch in Ruby & Sapphire via Walking · Route 111, then trade to the current game via link cable.CARTRIDGE TRADEfrom EmeraldAvailableCatch in Emerald via Walking · Route 111, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCELATER APPEARANCELATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Walking · Route 111.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl via Walking · Route 228.LATER APPEARANCEHOME TRANSFERNot TradeablePokemon HOME on Switch FireRed & LeafGreen is permanently deposit-only — once it launches, Cacnea can be sent from this game into HOME, but never transferred in.
Step 2Evolve into Cacturne
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 |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
What is Cacnea Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Cacnea
 Charmander Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift | ||
 Pidgey Normal | D | |
 Weedle BugPoison | D | |
 Beedrill BugPoison | C | |
 Butterfree Bug | C | |
 Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Nidoqueen builds →Aerial Ace 2x70-83% Poison Sting 2x33-39% | ||
 Spearow Normal | C | |
 Charmeleon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Charmeleon builds →Ember 2x65-78% Aerial Ace 2x54-65% | ||
Beedrill BugPoison | C | |
Butterfree Bug | C | |
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Nidoqueen builds →Aerial Ace 2x70-83% Poison Sting 2x33-39% | ||
Spearow Normal | C | |
Charmeleon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Charmeleon builds →Ember 2x65-78% Aerial Ace 2x54-65% | ||
 Flareon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) | ||
 Golbat Poison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Golbat builds →Wing Attack 2x89-107%KO Leech Life 2x22-26% | ||
Charmeleon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Charmeleon builds →Flamethrower 2x141-166%KO Aerial Ace 2x51-61% | ||
 Parasect BugGrass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Parasect builds →Aerial Ace 2x68-82% Leech Life 2x37-43% | ||
Beedrill BugPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Beedrill builds →Aerial Ace 2x64-76% Twineedle 2x43-51% | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Bulbasaur (Pallet Town Gift) | ||
Flareon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) | ||
Golbat Poison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Golbat builds →Sludge Bomb 2x136-160%KO Wing Attack 2x92-108%KO Leech Life 2x21-26% | ||
Beedrill BugPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Beedrill builds →Sludge Bomb 2x148-174%KO Aerial Ace 2x66-79% Twineedle 2x44-52% | ||
 Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Nidoking builds →Sludge Bomb 2x165-195%KO Flamethrower 2x100-119%KO Ice Beam 2x100-119%KO Peck 2x45-53% | ||
Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Bulbasaur (Pallet Town Gift) | ||
Flareon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) | ||
Golbat Poison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Golbat builds →Sludge Bomb 2x136-160%KO Wing Attack 2x92-108%KO Leech Life 2x21-26% | ||
Beedrill BugPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Beedrill builds →Sludge Bomb 2x148-174%KO Aerial Ace 2x66-79% Twineedle 2x44-52% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Nidoking builds →Sludge Bomb 2x165-195%KO Flamethrower 2x100-119%KO Ice Beam 2x100-119%KO Peck 2x45-53% | ||
 Charizard Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Charizard builds →Overheat 2x261-308%KO Fly 2x108-127%KO | ||
Flareon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Flareon builds →Overheat 2x233-275%KO Smog 2x30-36% | ||
Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Bulbasaur (Pallet Town Gift) | ||
 Muk Poison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Muk builds →Sludge Bomb 2x164-193%KO Fire Blast 2x99-117%KO | ||
Golbat Poison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Golbat builds →Sludge Bomb 2x131-155%KO Wing Attack 2x88-104%KO Leech Life 2x21-25% | ||
 Moltres Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodMt Ember Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Moltres builds →Overheat 2x306-360%KO Fly 2x128-151%KO | ||
Charizard Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Charizard builds →Overheat 2x273-322%KO Fly 2x112-132%KO | ||
Flareon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Flareon builds →Overheat 2x245-288%KO Smog 2x32-38% | ||
Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Bulbasaur (Pallet Town Gift) | ||
 Articuno Ice | B | |
Obtain MethodSeafoam Islands Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Articuno builds →Ice Beam 2x167-197%KO Fly 2x112-132%KO | ||
 Ho-oh Fire | S | |
Obtain MethodNavel Rock Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Ho-oh builds →Overheat 2x277-326%KO Fly 2x161-189%KO | ||
Moltres Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodMt Ember Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Moltres builds →Overheat 2x308-363%KO Fly 2x129-153%KO | ||
 Heracross BugFighting | A | |
Charizard Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Charizard builds →Overheat 2x275-325%KO Fly 2x112-132%KO | ||
 Entei Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodRoaming Interact Encounter | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityWaterveil ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Wailmer builds →Earthquake18-21% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityArenatrap ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Diglett builds →Earthquake24-29% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemQuickclaw NatureTimid Moves View Gastly builds →
| ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityTrace ItemLeftovers NatureBrave Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Porygon builds →Psychic22-27% Facade34-40% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySynchronize ItemSalacberry NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Cacnea View Abra builds →Psychic34-40% | ||
Cacnea Evolutions
One evolution ahead. Cacnea grows into Cacturne through a straightforward two-stage chain. A decent partner pool 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 35 breeding partners from the Plant and Humanshape egg groups. Pass egg moves like Acid, Counter, Dynamic Punch and 2 more to offspring.
FRLG Cacnea Best Moveset
Grass/Dark with AbilitySand Veil boosting evasion in sandstorm and 85 Attack. Cacturne brings the stats to use the typing offensively.
Best Build
Cacnea best EVs are HP and Sp. Def
Wall Moveset
- Destiny Bond
- Spikes
- Focus Punch
- Giga Drain
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
You'll want to breed for Acid and Counter on Cacnea. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Solar Beam and Giga Drain, they expand what Cacnea can actually threaten in practice.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
It prefers harsh environments such as deserts. It can survive for 30 days on water stored in its body.
Cacnea FireRed & LeafGreen Guide
Cacnea isn't catchable in FireRed & LeafGreen. Catch one in Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald, then trade it to FireRed & LeafGreen.
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