Huntail Best Moveset
104 Attack with AbilitySwift Swim doubling 52 Speed in rain. Water TermStab behind that Attack in rain gives the moveset physical presence. But 55/105/75 across HP, Defense, and Sp. Def at that base Speed limit it outside rain. Rain-dependent physical Water attacker.
Shell Smash wasn't available yet in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). 104 Attack and 52 Speed made Huntail a slow physical Water-type with no setup options.
Best Moves
Best Build
Huntail best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Rain Dance
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power Electric
Recommended Teammates
Still no Shell Smash in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Huntail waited for the move that would define it. Two gens of unrealized potential.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
- Crunch
- Double Edge
Recommended Teammates
Shell Smash arrived in Gen V (Black & White). Double offensive stats and Speed in one turn. 52 Speed doubled to 104 was fast enough. The one-turn setup into Waterfall swept.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Waterfall
- Crunch
- Ice Fang
- Shell Smash
Recommended Teammates
Borderline in Gen VI (X & Y). Shell Smash swept but Huntail needed a Smash turn to survive. 55 HP and 105 Defense helped, but special hits ended the setup.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Ice Fang
- Sucker Punch
- Waterfall
- Shell Smash
Recommended Teammates
Fell in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Shell Smash sweepers multiplied. Huntail's 104 Attack after a boost wasn't the strongest option anymore.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Shell Smash
- Waterfall
- Bounce
- Crunch
Recommended Teammates
Huntail Weakness
Huntail's Water typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric and Grass. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Huntail's physical bulk (base 105 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
What is Huntail Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Huntail
Rillaboom can KO Huntail with Wood Hammer (241-283%). Regieleki threatens a KO with Volt Switch (97-115%).
 Rillaboom Grass | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Huntail View Rillaboom builds →Knock Off43-51% U Turn47-55% Wood Hammer 2x241-283%KO | ||
 Regieleki Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTransistor ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Huntail View Regieleki builds →Volt Switch 2x97-115%KO Rapid Spin13-15% Rapid Spin13-15% Volt Switch 2x97-115%KO | ||
Evolution
Out of 2 evolutions from Clamperl, Huntail comes from the trade route. The method you use determines which form you end up with. Breed through Clamperl to get eggs. Both Huntail and Gorebyss hit 485 total stats from Clamperl. The difference is how those stats are split. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Huntail to get Clamperl eggs easily using 114 partners from the Water1 egg group.
How to Get Huntail
A trade step sits in Huntail's 2-stage line from Clamperl. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Clamperl shows up at moderate rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
How to Obtain Huntail in BDSP
The path to Huntail starts with Clamperl at Lv. 20-63 via walking and fishing encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch ClamperlRoute 219Lv.20-30Super RodRate 5%Route 221Lv.20-30Super RodRate 5%Fountainspring CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRiverbank CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStill-Water CavernLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Huntail ✓
A trade step sits in Huntail's 2-stage line from Clamperl. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Clamperl shows up at solid rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
Where To Catch Huntail in USUM
The path to Huntail starts with Clamperl at Lv. 10-40 via fishing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch ClamperlMelemele SeaLv.10-22Super RodRate 35%DayShaking spotRoute 15Lv.10-40Super RodRate 35%Shaking spotMelemele SeaLv.10-22Super RodRate 20%NightShaking spotHau'oli City - BeachfrontLv.10-17Super RodRate 5%Hau'oli City - BeachfrontLv.10-22Super RodRate 5%Shaking spotMelemele SeaLv.10-17Super RodRate 5%Route 15Lv.10-35Super RodRate 5%
Step 2Huntail ✓Hau'oli City - BeachfrontLv.10-17Super RodNightSOS from ClamperlHau'oli City - BeachfrontLv.10-22Super RodNightSOS from ClamperlMelemele SeaLv.10-22Super RodNightSOS from ClamperlMelemele SeaLv.10-17Super RodNightSOS from ClamperlRoute 15Lv.10-40Super RodNightSOS from ClamperlRoute 15Lv.10-35Super RodNightSOS from Clamperlor evolve from Clamperl (Step 1)
Huntail isn't available in the wild in Sun & Moon. Start by transferring Clamperl from Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, or Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. The evolution path from Clamperl to Huntail is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Huntail in SM
Step 1Obtain ClamperlBREEDINGAvailableLeave Huntail with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Clamperl egg.CARTRIDGE TRADEAvailableCatch in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon via Super rod · Route 15 · Shaking spot, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Ruby & SapphireNot TradeableAppears in Ruby & Sapphire via Surfing · Route 124. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Surfing · Route 124. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Super rod · Route 219. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Surfing · Route 19 · Swarm active. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black & WhiteNot TradeableAppears in Black & White via Super rod · Route 4. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Black 2 & White 2Not TradeableAppears in Black 2 & White 2 via Super rod · Route 4. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.- Step 2Huntail ✓
A trade step sits in Huntail's 2-stage line from Clamperl. The step cards below map each stage with catch locations and evolution methods. Clamperl shows up at solid rates, so the starting catch is the easy part.
How to Obtain Huntail in ORAS
The path to Huntail starts with Clamperl at Lv. 30+ via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch ClamperlRoute 107 - UnderwaterLv.30GrassRate 30%Route 124 - UnderwaterLv.30GrassRate 30%Route 126 - UnderwaterLv.30GrassRate 30%Route 128 - UnderwaterLv.30GrassRate 30%Route 129 - UnderwaterLv.30GrassRate 30%Route 130 - UnderwaterLv.30GrassRate 30%
Step 2Huntail ✓
Base Stats
Defense and Attack carry most of Huntail's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Moderately hard to find and yields 2 Attack and Defense EVs. Follows a standard growth curve.
It lives deep in the sea. With a tail shaped like a small fish, it attracts unsuspecting prey.
Huntail Guide
Swift Swim changes the entire equation for Huntail. The 485 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as an attacker.
No. Huntail is not catchable in the wild. It only comes from trade-evolving Clamperl. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Clamperl to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required. The Deep Sea Tooth must be held during the trade. Bring one over from a sibling Gen 3 game if needed.
Swift Swim is what you want on Huntail. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Water Veil) work on paper but Swift Swim is what makes Huntail worth using.
At base 52 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Huntail is a physical attacker with base 104 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as an attacker.
Game Availability
Obtainable through a trade evolution, Huntail appears in 13 titles across 8 generations since Ruby & Sapphire. The evolution method adds a barrier that wild-catchable Pokemon don't have.
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