Stats & Training
Everything pushes toward mixed damage here. Cacturne's Attack does the work, Speed pays the price. But you're still getting 2 Attack and Sp. Atk EVs per KO. Moderately hard to find, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It becomes active at night, seeking prey that is exhausted from the day’s desert heat.
Cacturne Weakness
Cacturne is weak to Bug, Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, and Flying. Watch out for Bug attacks, those deal 4x damage. On the flip side, it's immune to Psychic-type moves entirely. It resists 6 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. Water Absorb grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Bug |
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Flying |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Grass, Ground, Ghost, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Pineco Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Pineco builds →Bug Bite 4x109-128%KO Rock Smash 2x23-30% | ||
 Anorith RockBug | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Anorith builds →Brick Break 2x57-68% Rock Smash 2x32-38% | ||
 Growlithe Fire | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Growlithe builds →Fire Blast 2x96-115%KO Ember 2x43-51% Rock Smash 2x28-34% | ||
 Doduo Normal | D | |
 Starly Normal | D | |
 Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x214-253%KO Brick Break 2x111-131%KO Aerial Ace 2x58-69% Rock Smash 2x59-70% | ||
 Beautifly Bug | D | |
Pineco Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Pineco builds →Bug Bite 4x111-131%KO Rock Smash 2x27-31% | ||
 Combee Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Combee builds →Bug Bite 4x70-84% Gust 2x27-33% | ||
 Burmy Bug | D | |
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x206-244%KO Brick Break 2x105-124%KO Aerial Ace 2x56-68% Rock Smash 2x60-71% | ||
 Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Kricketune builds →Leech Life 4x165-195%KO Brick Break 2x53-63% Fury Cutter 4x89-105%KO Rock Smash 2x29-35% | ||
Beautifly Bug | D | |
Pineco Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Pineco builds →Bug Bite 4x108-128%KO Rock Smash 2x25-30% | ||
Combee Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Combee builds →Bug Bite 4x70-83% Gust 2x25-30% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x212-251%KO Focus Blast 2x75-89% Brick Break 2x109-129%KO Aerial Ace 2x57-68% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Kricketune builds →Leech Life 4x174-204%KO X-Scissor 4x174-204%KO Brick Break 2x54-64% Fury Cutter 4x89-105%KO | ||
Beautifly Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Beautifly builds →U-turn 4x129-152%KO Gust 2x49-59% | ||
Pineco Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Pineco builds →Bug Bite 4x105-125%KO Rock Smash 2x24-29% | ||
Combee Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Combee builds →Bug Bite 4x67-79% Gust 2x24-30% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x212-251%KO Focus Blast 2x75-89% Brick Break 2x109-129%KO Aerial Ace 2x57-68% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Kricketune builds →Leech Life 4x174-204%KO X-Scissor 4x174-204%KO Brick Break 2x54-64% Aerial Ace 2x43-51% | ||
Beautifly Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Beautifly builds →U-turn 4x129-152%KO Aerial Ace 2x56-66% Gust 2x49-59% | ||
Pineco Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Pineco builds →Bug Bite 4x105-125%KO Rock Smash 2x24-29% | ||
Combee Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Combee builds →Bug Bite 4x67-79% Gust 2x24-30% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x208-245%KO Close Combat 2x166-196%KO Focus Blast 2x73-86% Brick Break 2x106-125%KO | ||
 Scyther Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Scyther builds →X-Scissor 4x203-240%KO Brick Break 2x63-75% U-turn 4x177-209%KO Wing Attack 2x77-91% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Kricketune builds →Leech Life 4x163-193%KO X-Scissor 4x163-193%KO Brick Break 2x51-61% Silver Wind 4x93-110%KO | ||
Beautifly Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Beautifly builds →U-turn 4x123-146%KO Silver Wind 4x142-167%KO Aerial Ace 2x53-63% Gust 2x49-57% | ||
Anorith RockBug | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Anorith builds →X-Scissor 4x182-214%KO Brick Break 2x56-66% Aerial Ace 2x45-54% Fury Cutter 4x93-110%KO | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x205-241%KO Close Combat 2x166-195%KO Focus Blast 2x70-83% Brick Break 2x103-122%KO | ||
Scyther Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Scyther builds →X-Scissor 4x198-234%KO Brick Break 2x62-73% U-turn 4x174-205%KO Wing Attack 2x74-88% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Kricketune builds →Leech Life 4x161-190%KO X-Scissor 4x161-190%KO Brick Break 2x50-60% Silver Wind 4x91-107%KO | ||
Beautifly Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Beautifly builds →Bug Buzz 4x207-244%KO U-turn 4x124-146%KO Silver Wind 4x141-166%KO Aerial Ace 2x54-63% | ||
Anorith RockBug | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Anorith builds →X-Scissor 4x178-210%KO Brick Break 2x55-65% Aerial Ace 2x44-52% Fury Cutter 4x91-107%KO | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x212-250%KO Close Combat 2x170-201%KO Focus Blast 2x72-85% Brick Break 2x107-126%KO | ||
Scyther Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Scyther builds →X-Scissor 4x207-244%KO Brick Break 2x64-76% U-turn 4x183-215%KO Wing Attack 2x77-91% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Kricketune builds →Bug Buzz 4x137-161%KO Leech Life 4x168-199%KO X-Scissor 4x168-199%KO Brick Break 2x52-62% | ||
Beautifly Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Beautifly builds →Bug Buzz 4x214-252%KO U-turn 4x126-149%KO Silver Wind 4x144-170%KO Aerial Ace 2x54-64% | ||
Anorith RockBug | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Anorith builds →X-Scissor 4x183-215%KO Brick Break 2x57-68% Aerial Ace 2x46-54% Fury Cutter 4x94-112%KO | ||
In Platinum, Infernape can KO Cacturne with Close Combat (181-214%). Dragonite threatens a KO with Outrage (154-181%). Gengar's Focus Blast also KOs at 183-215%.
 Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Infernape builds →Close Combat 2x181-214%KO U Turn 4x141-167%KO Fire Blast 2x119-140%KO | ||
 Dragonite Dragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Dragonite builds →Extreme Speed69-81% Outrage154-181%KO | ||
 Gengar GhostPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Gengar builds →Shadow Ball46-54% Focus Blast 2x183-215%KO Explosion79-93% | ||
 Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Lucario builds →Close Combat 2x269-316%KO Extreme Speed59-70% Bullet Punch45-53% | ||
 Forretress BugSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Forretress builds →Rapid Spin18-21% Explosion89-105%KO Payback9-11% | ||
Platinum Evolution
Cacturne is what Cacnea becomes. Breed it for Cacnea eggs (average hatch time). A decent partner pool for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolution from Cacnea pushed Cacturne to 475 total stats. Attack saw the largest single gain at +30. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Cacturne to get Cacnea eggs easily using 45 partners from the Plant and Humanshape egg groups. Notable egg moves include Acid, Counter, Dynamic Punch and 6 more.
Platinum Cacturne Best Moveset
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Egg moves make a real difference. Cacturne gets Acid and Counter exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Poison and Fighting coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Solar Beam and Energy Ball.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Cacturne in Platinum
A few locations for Cacturne with high spawn rates across endgame routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Cacturne in Platinum
To get Cacturne, start by catching Cacnea through walking encounters at Lv. 50-52. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch CacneaRoute 228Grass Lv.50 RouteRarePost
Step 2Cacturne ✓Route 228Grass Lv.50-52 RouteCommonPostNightRoute 228Grass Lv.52 RouteUncommonPostMorning/dayor evolve from Cacnea (Step 1)
Cacturne Guide
In Platinum, Cacturne looks average on paper at 475 BST. But Water Absorb is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier cannon on our tier list.
In Platinum, Cacturne's biggest threats include Scyther (Bug), Blaziken (Fire), and Lapras (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Scyther is the most dangerous since Bug moves deal 4x damage. Fighting, Poison, and Flying-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Cacturne gets Water Absorb and Sand Veil. But Water Absorb is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Cacturne is a mixed attacker with base 115 Attack and 115 Sp. Atk. Speed tells the real story. At base 55 Speed, it won't be moving first often. Fits the cannon role.
In Platinum, Water Absorb is the hidden ability. It absorbs water moves, healing for 1/4 max HP. Worth hunting for if you want Cacturne to compete at a higher level.
Game Availability
Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Cacturne appears in 14 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in a solid number of games, typically found through wild encounters.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves