Between Regenerator and Grass typing, Tangrowth carves out a strong competitive niche. It recovers a third of its HP every time it switches out, which gives it an edge most Pokemon in its stat range don't have. Been around since Gen 4.
Tangrowth's spread isn't flashy. Defense leads, Sp. Def trails, 4 stats clear the bar. Tough to catch and worth 2 Defense EVs, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Tangrowth has two arms that it can extend as it pleases. Recent research has shown that these arms are, in fact, bundles of vines.
Vine growth is accelerated for Tangrowth living in warm climates. If the vines grow long, Tangrowth shortens them by tearing parts of them off.
Tangrowth Weakness
FragileFire, Ice, Poison, Flying, and Bug-type moves hit Tangrowth for super-effective damage. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Tangrowth's physical bulk (base 125 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
Tangrowth doesn't evolve through normal leveling. You'll need knowing a specific move to get here from Tangela's line. Breed this form to get Tangela eggs (average hatch time). Evolving from Tangela gave Tangrowth the biggest boost in Attack (+45), bringing the total to 535 stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Tangrowth to get Tangela eggs easily using 50 partners from the Plant egg group. Notable egg moves include Confusion, Endeavor, Flail and 3 more.
The recommended build leans into Tangrowth's strengths as a defensive wall. Assault Vest provides a special bulk boost with no status moves allowed, and HP-heavy investment EVs back that up. Regenerator rounds out the package.
Best Build
Best Tangrowth Moveset
- Knock Off
- Sludge Bomb
- Power Whip
- Focus Blast
Recommended Teammates
Don't skip the egg moves. Tangrowth picks up Confusion and Endeavor only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Leaf Storm and Solar Blade while coverage across 7 types adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Tangrowth doesn't appear wild. Catch Tangela instead, it shows up at decent rates. Evolve it through a special method to get Tangrowth. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Tangrowth in Sword & Shield
To get Tangrowth, start by catching Tangela through walking encounters at Lv. 10-15. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch TangelaEASYForest of FocusShieldOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestNormal WeatherEASYForest of FocusSwordOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestOvercastEASYForest of FocusShieldOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestSnowstormEASYForest of FocusSwordOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestNormal WeatherEASYForest of FocusSwordOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestSnowstormEASYForest of FocusShieldOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestThunderstormEASYForest of FocusShieldOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestIntense SunEASYForest of FocusSwordOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestThunderstormEASYForest of FocusShieldOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestSnowingEASYForest of FocusSwordOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestIntense SunEASYForest of FocusShieldOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestSandstormEASYForest of FocusSwordOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestSnowingEASYForest of FocusShieldOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestRainingEASYForest of FocusSwordOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestSandstormEASYForest of FocusShieldOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestHeavy FogEASYForest of FocusSwordOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestRainingEASYForest of FocusShieldOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestOvercastEASYForest of FocusSwordOverworldLv.10-1516%EarlyForestHeavy Fog
Step 2Tangrowth ✓
Don't let Tangrowth's 535 base stat total fool you. Regenerator is what makes it tick — it punches way above its weight class. We rate it A-Tier as a tank.
Tangela evolves into Tangrowth after learning Ancient Power. Tangrowth is the fully evolved form. At 535 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
Run Regenerator on Tangrowth. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Tangrowth also gets Chlorophyll and Leaf Guard, but they don't compare.
Tangrowth fills the tank role. It's a mixed attacker — base 100 Attack and 110 Sp. Atk. Base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Tangrowth appears in 12 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.
Tangrowth first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 12 games across 6 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDPDebut
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