Tangela Best Moveset
Healing a third of HP on every switch through AbilityRegenerator, with Held ItemEviolite pushing physical defense to impressive levels for an unevolved Pokemon. The moveset runs NatureBold with Grass-type attacks and support options, carving out a lower-tier tank niche across several generations despite Tangrowth doing the same thing with better stats.
115 Defense was the calling card in Gen I (Red & Blue). Decent physical wall with 100 Special, but Grass-type had too many weaknesses and no evolution yet.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Mega Drain
- Sleep Powder
- Bind
- Growth
Recommended Teammates
The Special split gave Tangela 100 Sp. Atk and 40 Sp. Def in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Strong on one special side, completely exposed on the other.
Support Moveset
- Sleep Powder
- Growth
- Bind
- Giga Drain
Recommended Teammates
Chlorophyll doubled Speed in sun in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). 100 Sp. Atk could sweep, but 40 Sp. Def meant one special hit ended the run before it started.
Special Attacker Moveset
- Giga Drain
- Leech Seed
- Sunny Day
- Hidden Power Ice
Recommended Teammates
Tangrowth arrived as an evolution in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl), but Tangela still existed on its own. Sleep Powder and 115 Defense kept it functional in the lower tiers.
Wall Moveset
- Energy Ball
- Sleep Powder
- Sludge Bomb
- Morning Sun
Recommended Teammates
Eviolite boosted both defenses by 50% in Gen V (Black & White). 115 Defense became 172 effective. Regenerator healed on switch-out. Best gen Tangela ever had as a pre-evolution.
Wall Moveset
- Leech Seed
- Giga Drain
- Toxic
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Eviolite Regenerator stayed effective in Gen VI (X & Y). Tangela walled physical attackers, healed on switch-out, and repeated. The formula worked until anything special touched it.
Wall Moveset
- Giga Drain
- Leech Seed
- Hidden Power Fire
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Held steady in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Eviolite Tangela outlasted many fully evolved Pokemon on the physical side. 40 Sp. Def was always one Ice Beam from disaster.
Wall Moveset
- Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power Ice
Recommended Teammates
Tangela saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Tangela maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Regenerator with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Leech Seed
- Knock Off
- Sludge Bomb
- Leaf Storm
Recommended Teammates
Tangela Weakness
Type-wise, Tangela takes extra damage from Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, and Bug. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Tangela's physical bulk (base 115 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Grass, Ground |
What is Tangela Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Tangela
S | ||
Recommended Build AbilityProtosynthesis ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Tangela View Great Tusk builds →Rapid Spin10-12% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Tangela View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn3-4% Scald3-4% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityQuarkdrive ItemBooster Energy NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Tangela View Iron Treads builds →Rapid Spin9-11% Earthquake9-10% Knock Off12-14% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityGoodasgold ItemAir Balloon NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Tangela View Gholdengo builds →Shadow Ball22-25% | ||
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves View Landorus-Therian builds →
| ||
Evolution
Evolving Tangela into Tangrowth takes knowing a specific move. It's not a simple level-up, so check the chain details below. Evolving adds up to 100 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Tangela easily with 89 breeding partners from the Plant egg group.
How to Get Tangela
No wild encounters for Tangela in Winds & Waves. Bring Tangela over from Red & Blue, Yellow, or Black 2 & White 2, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Tangela in WW
- Step 1Tangela ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom Red & BlueNot TradeableAppears in Red & Blue via Walking · Route 21. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom YellowNot TradeableAppears in Yellow via Walking · Safari Zone. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Route 21. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Walking · Route 21. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Route 21. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Walking · Great Marsh. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Tangrowth
Tangela starts showing up in mid-game routes at decent spawn rates across 2 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Tangela in PLA
Step 1Tangela ✓Crossing SlopeLv.16-41GrassRate 15%Gapejaw BogLv.19-22GrassRate 15%
Step 2Evolve into Tangrowth
4 encounter spots for Tangela at moderate rates starting from endgame routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Tangela in BDSP
To get Tangela, start by catching Tangela through walking encounters at Lv. 58-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Tangela ✓Bogsunk CavernLv.58-63GrassPost-gameSwampy CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve into TangrowthBogsunk CavernLv.58-63GrassPost-gameSwampy CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-gameor evolve from Tangela (Step 1)
18 encounter spots for Tangela at decent spawn rates starting from early-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Tangela in SwSh
To get Tangela, start by catching Tangela through walking encounters at Lv. 10-15. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Tangela ✓Forest of FocusLv.10-15OverworldRate 16%RainingForest of FocusLv.10-15OverworldRate 16%Intense SunForest of FocusLv.10-15OverworldRate 16%SnowstormForest of FocusLv.10-15OverworldRate 16%Heavy FogForest of FocusLv.10-15OverworldRate 16%SnowingForest of FocusLv.10-15OverworldRate 16%OvercastForest of FocusLv.10-15OverworldRate 16%SandstormForest of FocusLv.10-15OverworldRate 16%ThunderstormForest of FocusLv.10-15OverworldRate 16%Normal Weather
Step 2Evolve into TangrowthBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Tangrowth egg.
Base Stats
Tangela's spread isn't flashy. Defense leads, Sp. Def trails, 2 stats clear the bar. Tough to catch and worth 1 Defense EV, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Hidden beneath a tangle of vines that grows nonstop even if the vines are torn off, this Pokémon’s true appearance remains a mystery.
Tangela Guide
Tangela isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Tangrowth to unlock its full potential. At 435 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Run Regenerator on Tangela. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Tangela also gets Chlorophyll and Leaf Guard, but they don't compare.
Regenerator is the hidden ability. It heals for 1/3 max HP upon switching out. Worth hunting for if you want Tangela to compete at a higher level.
Tangela fills the attacker role. It's a mixed attacker with base 55 Attack and 100 Sp. Atk. At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Game Availability
Tangela has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 21 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
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