Is Cacturne Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?
Grass/Dark with AbilitySand Veil. Trade-only. If imported, handles Misty, Agatha, and Sabrina through dual coverage. The Speed is terrible. Cacturne needs to survive the first hit to contribute.
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.
Cacturne 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. Alternatively, transfer the pre-evolution and level it up to Lv 32.
- After Brock
- TUTORNormalMega Kick12075%5
- LV 29DarkFeint Attack90100%20
- After Erika
- TM22GrassSolar Beam180100%10
- TM19GrassGiga Drain113100%10
- TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
- LV 41GrassNeedle Arm90100%15
- After Koga
- TM01FightingFocus Punch150100%20
- After Giovanni
- TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- Post-Game
- TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
How to Get Cacturne in FireRed & LeafGreen
Level a Cacnea to 32 for Cacturne. The base form lives only in Hoenn's Route 111 desert, so a trade comes before any leveling begins.
How to Obtain Cacturne in FRLG
Step 1Obtain CacneaCARTRIDGE 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 2Cacturne ✓
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 |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
What is Cacturne Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Cacturne
 Charmander Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift | ||
 Pidgey Normal | D | |
 Weedle BugPoison | D | |
 Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Nidoqueen builds →Aerial Ace 2x43-53% Double Kick 2x25-30% Poison Sting 2x23-28% | ||
 Beedrill BugPoison | C | |
 Mankey Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Mankey builds →Karate Chop 2x53-62% Aerial Ace 2x42-49% | ||
 Butterfree Bug | C | |
 Charmeleon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Charmeleon builds →Ember 2x42-51% Aerial Ace 2x34-42% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Nidoqueen builds →Brick Break 2x57-68% Aerial Ace 2x43-53% Poison Sting 2x23-28% | ||
 Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Nidoking builds →Brick Break 2x60-72% Peck 2x32-38% Poison Sting 2x23-28% | ||
Mankey Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Mankey builds →Brick Break 2x75-91% Aerial Ace 2x42-49% | ||
Beedrill BugPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Beedrill builds →Brick Break 2x53-64% Aerial Ace 2x43-53% | ||
Butterfree Bug | C | |
 Flareon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) | ||
 Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Primeape builds →Brick Break 2x92-109%KO Aerial Ace 2x50-59% | ||
Charmeleon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Charmeleon builds →Flamethrower 2x92-109%KO Brick Break 2x42-50% Aerial Ace 2x34-41% | ||
 Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Machoke builds →Brick Break 2x86-102%KO Flamethrower 2x44-52% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Nidoking builds →Ice Beam 2x65-77% Flamethrower 2x65-77% Brick Break 2x59-70% Peck 2x28-34% | ||
Flareon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Nidoking builds →Sludge Bomb 2x110-130%KO Ice Beam 2x67-79% Flamethrower 2x67-79% Brick Break 2x62-73% | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Bulbasaur (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Venusaur builds →Sludge Bomb 2x92-109%KO Rock Smash 2x15-18% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Nidoqueen builds →Sludge Bomb 2x100-118%KO Ice Beam 2x60-71% Flamethrower 2x60-71% Brick Break 2x57-67% | ||
 Venomoth BugPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Venomoth builds →Silver Wind 4x108-127%KO Sludge Bomb 2x80-94% Aerial Ace 2x35-42% | ||
 Hitmonlee Fighting | B | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift | ||
Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Primeape builds →Focus Punch 2x185-218%KO Aerial Ace 2x52-61% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x177-209%KO Flamethrower 2x45-55% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Nidoqueen builds →Focus Punch 2x109-129%KO Sludge Bomb 2x100-118%KO Ice Beam 2x60-71% Flamethrower 2x60-71% | ||
Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Bulbasaur (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Venusaur builds →Sludge Bomb 2x92-109%KO Rock Smash 2x15-18% | ||
Hitmonlee Fighting | B | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift | ||
Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Primeape builds →Focus Punch 2x178-210%KO Overheat 2x72-85% Aerial Ace 2x48-57% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x171-201%KO Fire Blast 2x54-64% | ||
 Charizard Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Charizard builds →Overheat 2x173-204%KO Focus Punch 2x99-117%KO Fly 2x70-83% | ||
 Muk Poison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Muk builds →Focus Punch 2x119-140%KO Sludge Bomb 2x107-127%KO Fire Blast 2x66-77% | ||
Hitmonlee Fighting | B | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift | ||
Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Primeape builds →Focus Punch 2x184-217%KO Overheat 2x74-87% Aerial Ace 2x50-59% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x177-209%KO Fire Blast 2x56-66% | ||
 Moltres Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodMt Ember Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Moltres builds →Overheat 2x199-234%KO Fly 2x84-99% Rock Smash 2x17-21% | ||
 Articuno Ice | B | |
Obtain MethodSeafoam Islands Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Articuno builds →Ice Beam 2x109-128%KO Fly 2x74-87% Rock Smash 2x15-18% | ||
 Heracross BugFighting | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Megahorn 4x341-401%KO Focus Punch 2x213-250%KO | ||
 Ho-oh Fire | S | |
Obtain MethodNavel Rock Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Ho-oh builds →Overheat 2x178-210%KO Fly 2x104-122%KO Rock Smash 2x20-24% | ||
Hitmonlee Fighting | B | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift | ||
Primeape Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Primeape builds →Focus Punch 2x183-216%KO Overheat 2x73-86% Aerial Ace 2x49-58% | ||
Moltres Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodMt Ember Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Moltres builds →Overheat 2x198-234%KO Fly 2x83-98% Rock Smash 2x17-20% | ||
In FireRed & LeafGreen, Blaziken's Fire Blast hits Cacturne for 82-96%. Machamp's Rock Slide hits Cacturne for 44-52%.
 Blaziken FireFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemSalacberry NatureHasty Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Blaziken builds →Fire Blast 2x82-96% | ||
 Machamp Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityGuts ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Machamp builds →Rock Slide44-52% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Haunter builds →Thunderbolt14-17% | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Lapras builds →Ice Beam 2x77-91% Thunderbolt13-15% Thunder15-18% | ||
Cacturne Evolutions
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 35 partners from the Plant and Humanshape egg groups. Notable egg moves include Acid, Counter, Dynamic Punch and 2 more.
FRLG Cacturne Best Moveset
115 Attack and 115 Sp. Atk hit from both sides on a Grass/Dark frame. AbilitySand Veil boosts evasion in sandstorm for Tyranitar team synergy. The moveset fires physical MoveNeedle Arm and special MoveGiga Drain for Grass TermStab from whichever stat the opponent can't tank. 55 Speed is painfully slow.
Best Build
Cacturne best EVs are Sp. Def and Speed
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Spikes
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power Dark
- Leech Seed
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
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 Giga Drain.
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 lives in deserts. It becomes active at night when it hunts for prey exhausted from the desert’s heat.
Cacturne FireRed & LeafGreen Guide
No. Cacturne isn't catchable in FireRed & LeafGreen. Obtain one in Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald, then trade it over.
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