What separates Huntail from the pack is Swift Swim — it doubles its Speed in rain. Combine that with Water typing and it relies on priority moves or Scarf to keep up. Only weak to Electric and Grass.
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 Weakness
GoodHuntail's Water typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric and Grass moves. 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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Huntail to get Clamperl eggs easily using 69 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Aqua Ring, Barrier, Body Slam and 4 more.
Prediction matters here. Choice Band means Huntail can't change moves after clicking, but the payoff is raw power at the cost of move flexibility. Max Attack and Speed EVs with Swiftswim back that up. Dark coverage prevents free switches.
Best Build
Best Huntail Moveset
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
- Crunch
- Double Edge
Recommended Teammates
The natural movepool does the job, but Aqua Ring and Barrier from the egg pool give Huntail something extra.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
Huntail's 2-stage line starts with Clamperl, which appears at moderate rates in the locations below. Level through 2 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.
How to Obtain Huntail in Diamond & Pearl
Clamperl is your first catch on the way to Huntail. You'll find fishing encounters from Lv. 20-30 across 4 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch ClamperlEXTREMERoute 219DiamondSuper RodLv.20-30RareMidRouteEXTREMERoute 219PearlSuper RodLv.20-30RareMidRouteEXTREMERoute 221DiamondSuper RodLv.20-30RareMidRouteEXTREMERoute 221PearlSuper RodLv.20-30RareMidRoute
Step 2Huntail ✓
Swift Swim changes the entire equation for Huntail. The 485 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as an attacker.
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.
Huntail appears in 13 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Obtainable through a trade evolution, Huntail appears in 13 titles across 7 generations since Ruby & Sapphire. The evolution method adds a barrier that wild-catchable Pokemon don't have.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB

Red & Blue - Gen IIGS

Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRSDebut

Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG

FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS

HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP

Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW

Black & White - Gen VB2W2

Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY

X & Y - Gen VIORAS

Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM

Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM

Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE

Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh

Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV

Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A