Is Cacturne Good in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Playthrough?
Grass/Dark with solid Attack and Special Attack. Handles Olivia with Grass and Acerola with Dark. The speed is bad enough that Cacturne takes a hit before doing anything, and the fragile defenses mean that hit often matters.
Cacnea has the type edge here and should clean up Ilima's team.
Cacturne trades roughly evenly with Hala's team.
Cacturne has the type edge here and should clean up Lana's team.
ElectricSteelReceived as a Totem-sized gift Pokemon by collecting enou... (Ultra Moon only)
BugElectricReceived as a Totem-sized gift Pokemon by collecting enou... (Ultra Sun only)
GrassReceived as a Totem-sized gift Pokemon by collecting enou... (Ultra Sun only)
GhostFairyReceived as a Totem-sized gift Pokemon by collecting enou...
Kiawe's team hits Cacnea's weaknesses hard.
Cacnea trades roughly evenly with Mallow's team.
Cacnea has the type edge here and should clean up Olivia's team.
Sophocles's team hits Cacnea's weaknesses hard.
Cacturne has the type edge here and should clean up Acerola's team.
Cacturne has the type edge here and should clean up Nanu's team.
Cacturne trades roughly evenly with Mina's team.
Cacturne resists most of Hapu's coverage and hits back hard.
Cacturne trades roughly evenly with Molayne's team.
Cacturne has the type edge here and should clean up Olivia's team.
Cacturne has the type edge here and should clean up Acerola's team.
Kahili's team hits Cacturne's weaknesses hard.
Cacturne trades roughly evenly with Kukui's team.
Cacturne cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four. Alternatively, transfer the pre-evolution and level it up to Lv 32.
How to Get Cacturne in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Cacturne isn't available in the wild in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Start by transferring Cacnea from Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, or Scarlet & Violet. The evolution path from Cacnea to Cacturne is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Cacturne in USUM
Step 1Obtain CacneaLATER 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 2Cacturne ✓
Cacturne Weakness
Cacturne is weak to Bug, Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Flying, and Fairy. 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, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Grass, Ground, Ghost, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
What is Cacturne Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Cacturne
 Hawlucha Fighting | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Hawlucha builds →Brick Break 2x85-102%KO Wing Attack 2x66-79% | ||
 Salamence Dragon | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Salamence builds →Fly 2x134-158%KO Brick Break 2x74-87% Fire Fang 2x66-79% | ||
 Vivillon Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Vivillon builds →Struggle Bug 4x115-136%KO Gust 2x47-57% | ||
 Oricorio Fire | C | |
 Crabrawler Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Crabrawler builds →Brick Break 2x75-91% Frost Breath 2x28-34% | ||
Hawlucha Fighting | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Hawlucha builds →Brick Break 2x81-96% Wing Attack 2x65-78% | ||
Salamence Dragon | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Salamence builds →Fly 2x129-152%KO Brick Break 2x74-87% Fire Fang 2x64-75% | ||
 Glaceon Ice | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Paniola Ranch Gift) | ||
 Butterfree Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Butterfree builds →Silver Wind 4x132-157%KO Gust 2x43-52% | ||
Vivillon Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Vivillon builds →Struggle Bug 4x110-130%KO Gust 2x43-52% | ||
Hawlucha Fighting | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Hawlucha builds →Brick Break 2x88-103%KO Wing Attack 2x70-84% | ||
Salamence Dragon | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Salamence builds →Fly 2x139-164%KO Brick Break 2x77-91% Fire Fang 2x69-81% | ||
Glaceon Ice | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Paniola Ranch Gift) | ||
Butterfree Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Butterfree builds →Silver Wind 4x142-169%KO Gust 2x47-56% | ||
Vivillon Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Vivillon builds →Struggle Bug 4x119-141%KO Gust 2x47-56% | ||
 Passimian Fighting | C | |
Hawlucha Fighting | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Hawlucha builds →Brick Break 2x81-96% Wing Attack 2x68-80% | ||
 Ariados BugPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Ariados builds →Bug Bite 4x128-152%KO Poison Sting 2x20-24% | ||
Salamence Dragon | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Salamence builds →Fly 2x132-156%KO Brick Break 2x72-85% Fire Fang 2x63-75% | ||
 Noctowl Normal | C | |
 Ribombee BugFairy | B | |
Obtain MethodHeahea Beach Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Ribombee builds →Pollen Puff 4x204-240%KO Draining Kiss 2x60-71% Aerial Ace 2x32-38% | ||
Hawlucha Fighting | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Hawlucha builds →Flying Press 2x111-131%KO Wing Attack 2x68-81% | ||
Ariados BugPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Ariados builds →Leech Life 4x180-212%KO Venoshock 2x53-64% | ||
 Toucannon Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Toucannon builds →Beak Blast 2x138-162%KO Brick Break 2x69-82% Flame Charge 2x47-56% | ||
 Bewear NormalFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodHauoli City Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Bewear builds →Brick Break 2x107-127%KO Aerial Ace 2x58-68% | ||
 Golisopod BugWater | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Wimpod (Dividing Peak Tunnel Interact Encounter) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Golisopod builds →First Impression 4x264-312%KO Brick Break 2x73-87% Aerial Ace 2x59-69% Ice Beam 2x49-58% | ||
 Pinsir Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Pinsir builds →X-Scissor 4x235-277%KO Brick Break 2x73-87% | ||
 Incineroar FireDark | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Litten (Route 1 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Incineroar builds →Leech Life 4x147-173%KO Overheat 2x130-153%KO Brick Break 2x68-81% | ||
 Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
Obtain MethodHeahea Beach Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Vikavolt builds →Bug Buzz 4x299-352%KO Air Slash 2x83-98% | ||
 Houndoom DarkFire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Houndoom builds →Overheat 2x168-199%KO Smog 2x27-33% | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Volcarona builds →Bug Buzz 4x264-312%KO Overheat 2x191-226%KO Hurricane 2x108-127%KO | ||
Golisopod BugWater | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Wimpod (Dividing Peak Tunnel Interact Encounter) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Golisopod builds →First Impression 4x249-293%KO Brick Break 2x70-82% Aerial Ace 2x57-67% Ice Beam 2x47-56% | ||
Incineroar FireDark | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Litten (Route 1 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Incineroar builds →Leech Life 4x136-161%KO Overheat 2x124-147%KO Brick Break 2x64-76% Acrobatics 2x48-57% | ||
Pinsir Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Pinsir builds →X-Scissor 4x221-260%KO Brick Break 2x70-82% | ||
Vikavolt BugElectric | B | |
Obtain MethodHeahea Beach Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Vikavolt builds →Bug Buzz 4x284-335%KO Air Slash 2x79-93% | ||
Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Volcarona builds →Bug Buzz 4x268-315%KO Overheat 2x192-227%KO Hurricane 2x109-128%KO | ||
Golisopod BugWater | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Wimpod (Dividing Peak Tunnel Interact Encounter) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Golisopod builds →First Impression 4x251-296%KO Brick Break 2x69-82% Aerial Ace 2x56-67% Sludge Wave 2x49-58% | ||
Pinsir Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Pinsir builds →X-Scissor 4x222-262%KO Superpower 2x111-131%KO | ||
Hawlucha Fighting | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Hawlucha builds →Sky Attack 2x214-252%KO High Jump Kick 2x140-165%KO X-Scissor 4x115-136%KO | ||
 Kommo-o DragonFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodHeahea Beach Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Kommo-o builds →X-Scissor 4x133-156%KO Sky Uppercut 2x106-125%KO Aerial Ace 2x50-59% | ||
 Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Megahorn 4x340-400%KO Close Combat 2x170-200%KO Aerial Ace 2x58-68% Venoshock 2x26-31% | ||
Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Volcarona builds →Bug Buzz 4x271-319%KO Overheat 2x196-231%KO Hurricane 2x110-130%KO Poison Jab 2x42-49% | ||
Golisopod BugWater | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Wimpod (Dividing Peak Tunnel Interact Encounter) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Golisopod builds →First Impression 4x255-300%KO Poison Jab 2x76-89% Brick Break 2x71-84% Aerial Ace 2x58-68% | ||
 Tapu Bulu GrassFairy | B | |
Obtain MethodRuins Of Abundance Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Tapu Bulu builds →Megahorn 4x234-275%KO Superpower 2x117-138%KO Dazzling Gleam 2x82-97% | ||
 Cobalion SteelFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodUltra Space Wilds Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Cobalion builds →Close Combat 2x128-152%KO X-Scissor 4x115-135%KO Poison Jab 2x58-68% Aerial Ace 2x44-52% | ||
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Greninja can KO Cacturne with Ice Beam (127-149%). Genesect threatens a KO with U-turn (172-203%). Blaziken's High Jump Kick also KOs at 238-280%.
S | ||
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse28-33% Ice Beam 2x127-149%KO Hydro Pump38-46% | ||
 Genesect BugSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDownload ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Genesect builds →U Turn 4x172-203%KO Flamethrower 2x94-111%KO | ||
 Blaziken FireFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySpeed Boost ItemFocus Sash NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Blaziken builds →High Jump Kick 2x238-280%KO Flare Blitz 2x220-258%KO | ||
 Machamp Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNoguard ItemAssault Vest NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Machamp builds →Stone Edge64-76% Bullet Punch26-31% Knock Off21-25% | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Lapras builds →Surf31-36% Hydro Pump37-44% Ice Beam 2x123-145%KO | ||
Cacturne Evolutions
Cacturne is what Cacnea becomes. Breed it for Cacnea eggs (average hatch time). Plenty of partners 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 67 partners from the Plant and Humanshape egg groups. Notable egg moves include Acid, Belch, Block and 15 more.
USUM Cacturne Best Moveset
115 Attack and 115 Sp. Atk from both sides with Grass/Dark TermStab. AbilityWater Absorb absorbs Water as a hidden ability. But 55 Speed acts after most threats and 70/60/60 bulk crumbles to any priority or faster attacker. The moveset hits hard from a standstill but the Speed ruins everything.
Best Build
Cacturne best EVs are Attack and Sp. Atk
Mixed Attacker Moveset
- Sucker Punch
- Spikes
- Dark Pulse
- Giga Drain
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Egg moves make a real difference. Cacturne gets Acid and Belch 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 Foul Play.
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
Cacturne Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Guide
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, 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. Sucker Punch with Life Orb is the standard set.
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, 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, Flying, and Fairy-type attackers are also a problem. With 7 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.
For Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, the core moveset is Sucker Punch, Spikes, Dark Pulse, and Giga Drain. Sucker Punch leads at 0% usage. This set covers the cannon role with a mix of damage and utility.
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 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