What does Tentacool evolve into?

Tentacool evolves into Tentacruel at level 30. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 335 BST.

At what level does Tentacool evolve?

Tentacool evolves into Tentacruel at level 30. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.

Should I use Tentacool?

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Tentacool does the job early-game if you need a Water/Poison type on your team. Evolve it into Tentacruel before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.

Where can you catch Tentacool?

Tentacool is catchable in HeartGold & SoulSilver. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 20 other games across the series.

Tentacool - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Utility

Balanced

DTier

70Speed · Below Avg

Stats & Training

Tentacool's spread isn't flashy. Sp. Def leads, Defense trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 1 Sp. Def EV, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.

Base Stats

Avg

HP40

Attack40

Defense35

Sp. Atk50

Sp. Def100

Speed70

Total335

Details

Catch Rate

Easy190 / 255

Growth Rate

Slow1.25M XP

Height0.9 m

Weight45.5 kg

Base XP67

Abilities

Clear Body

Prevents stats from being lowered by other Pokémon.

Liquid Ooze

Damages opponents using leeching moves for as much as they would heal.

Rain DishHANot in game

Heals for 1/16 max HP after each turn during rain.

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpD+1Spe

Special Defense training source

Pokedex Entries

When the tide goes out, dehydrated TENTACOOL remains can be found washed up on the shore.

Tentacool Weakness

Tentacool is weak to Electric, Ground, and Psychic. 7 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that. Tentacool's special bulk (base 100 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Tentacool Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Electric, Ground, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)	Fire, Water, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Steel

Type ChartGood

3Weak

7Resist

0Immune

Score+1

Gen IV Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Ground Psychic

½xResist

Fire Water Ice Fighting Poison Bug Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

None

STAB (4)

Fire Ground Rock Grass

How to Beat Tentacool in HeartGold & SoulSilver (Best Counters)

Whiscash WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves Zen HeadbuttLv. 1 Mud BombLv. 14 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacool Zen Headbutt 2x 94-111%KO Mud Bomb 2x 54-64% Mud-Slap 2x 18-22% View Whiscash builds →
Gligar GroundFlying	C
TM Move Moves DigTM28 Damage vs Tentacool Dig 2x 138-163%KO View Gligar builds →
Graveler RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeLv. 33 DigTM28 Damage vs Tentacool Earthquake 2x 205-243%KO Dig 2x 165-195%KO View Graveler builds →
Onix RockGround	C
TM Move Moves DigTM28 Damage vs Tentacool Dig 2x 95-112%KO View Onix builds →
Wooper WaterGround	D
Obtain MethodRuins Of Alph Surfing Available Moves Moves EarthquakeLv. 33 DigTM28 Mud BombLv. 19 Mud ShotLv. 9 Damage vs Tentacool Earthquake 2x 119-140%KO Dig 2x 95-112%KO Mud Bomb 2x 27-32% Mud Shot 2x 23-29% View Wooper builds →

HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution

Tentacool evolves into Tentacruel. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 180 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms

#072Tentacool

Level 30

#073Tentacruel

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Tentacool

WaterPoison

Tentacruel

WaterPoison

80+40

ATK

70+30

DEF

65+30

SP.ATK

80+30

SP.DEF

100

120+20

SPE

100+30

BST

335C-Tier

515B-Tier+180

ROLE

Balanced

Pivot

TYPE

Utility

Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Tentacool easily with 21 breeding partners from the Water3 egg group. Pass egg moves like Acupressure, Aurora Beam, Confuse Ray and 6 more to offspring.

Egg Groups

Water3

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

9moves

Breed With (best first)

HeartGold & SoulSilver Tentacool Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Moves

Breeding opens up real options for Tentacool. Acupressure and Aurora Beam come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Hydro Pump and Sludge Bomb and Normal and Ice coverage and more.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Poison Sting

—1510035Poison

Lv 5

Supersonic

——5520Normal

Lv 8

Constrict

—1010035Normal

Lv 12

Acid

—4010030Poison

Lv 15

Toxic Spikes

C——20Poison

Lv 19

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Lv 22

Wrap

—158520Normal

Lv 26

Barrier

———30Psychic

Lv 29

Water Pulse

D6010020Water

Lv 33

Poison Jab

D8010020Poison

Lv 36

Screech

——8540Normal

Lv 40

Hydro Pump

C120805Water

Lv 43

Wring Out

——1005Normal

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

——10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

D120705Ice

TM55

Brine

D6510010Water

TM78

Captivate

——10020Normal

HM01

Cut

—509530Normal

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM58

Endure+4

———10Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM19

Giga Drain

D6010010Grass

TM07

Hail

D——10Ice

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

D9510010Ice

TM83

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

TM66

Payback

D5010010Dark

TM84

Poison Jab

D8010020Poison

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM43

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM36

Sludge Bomb

C9010010Poison

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

HM03

Surf

C9510015Water

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM75

Swords Dance

C——30Normal

TM46

Thief

—6010025Dark

TM06

Toxic

C—8510Poison

TM03

Water Pulse

D6010020Water

HM07

Waterfall

D8010015Water

HM05

Whirlpool

D358515Water

Egg Moves

Egg

Acupressure

———30Normal

Egg

Aurora Beam

—6510020Ice

Egg

Confuse Ray

D—10010Ghost

Egg

Haze

D——30Ice

Egg

Knock Off

D6510020Dark

Egg

Mirror Coat-5

——10020Psychic

Egg

Muddy Water

—958510Water

Egg

Rapid Spin

D5010040Normal

Egg

Safeguard

D——25Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Dive

D8010010Water

Tutor

Icy Wind

D559515Ice

Tutor

Knock Off

D6510020Dark

Tutor

Magic Coat+4

———15Psychic

Tutor

Snore

D4010015Normal

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Double-Edge

D12010015Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

HeartGold & SoulSilver Tentacool Locations

Tentacool's scattered across 98 spots in early-game fishing spots with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.

Best Locations to Catch Tentacool in HeartGold & SoulSilver

fishing and surfing encounters for Tentacool across 98 spots at Lv. 10-40. The catch is that HeartGold and SoulSilver don't share every location, so compare what's available in your version.

Cherrygrove City

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City

90%Early

Cherrygrove City

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City

90%Early

New Bark Town

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City

90%Early

New Bark Town

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City

90%Early

Olivine City

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City

90%Early

Olivine City

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 City

90%Early

Route 34

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route

90%Early

Route 34

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route

90%Early

Route 40

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route

90%Early

Route 40

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-25 Route

90%Early

Cianwood City

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-25 City

90%Early

Cianwood City

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-25 City

90%Early

Route 27

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-20 Route

90%Early

Route 27

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-20 Route

90%Early

Route 32

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-20 Route

60%Early

Route 32

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-20 Route

60%Early

Union Cave - B2F

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.10-20 Cave

60%Early

Union Cave - B2F

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.10-20 Cave

60%Early

Route 41

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-25 Route

60%Early

Route 41

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-25 Route

60%Early

Whirl Islands - 1F

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-25 Water

60%Early

Whirl Islands - 1F

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-25 Water

60%Early

Route 47

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.15-25 Route

CommonEarly

Route 47

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.15-25 Route

CommonEarly

New Bark Town

HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 City

15%Early

New Bark Town

SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 City

15%Early

Route 32

HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route

15%Early

Route 32

SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route

15%Early

Route 41

HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route

15%Early

Route 41

SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route

15%Early

Pallet Town

SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 City

15%Early

Pallet Town

HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 City

15%Early

Route 26

HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route

15%Early

Route 26

SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route

15%Early

Route 27

SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route

15%Early

Route 27

HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route

15%Early

Vermilion City - City

HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 City

15%Early

Vermilion City - City

SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 City

15%Early

Route 47

SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route

RareEarly

Route 47

HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route

RareEarly

Cinnabar Island - Gym

SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Water

5%Early

Cinnabar Island - Gym

HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Water

5%Early

Route 12

HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route

RareEarly

Route 12

SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route

RareEarly

Route 13

SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route

RareEarly

Route 13

HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route

RareEarly

Route 20

SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route

RareEarly

Route 20

HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route

RareEarly

Route 21

HeartGoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route

RareEarly

Route 21

SoulSilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route

RareEarly

Route 26

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.25-30 Route

90%Mid

Route 26

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.25-30 Route

90%Mid

Cinnabar Island - Gym

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.30-35 Water

90%Mid

Cinnabar Island - Gym

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.30-35 Water

90%Mid

Pallet Town

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.30-35 City

90%Mid

Pallet Town

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.30-35 City

90%Mid

Vermilion City - City

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.30-35 City

90%Mid

Vermilion City - City

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.30-35 City

90%Mid

Route 32

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route

55%Mid

Route 32

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route

55%Mid

Cinnabar Island - Gym

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Water

40%Mid

Cinnabar Island - Gym

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Water

40%Mid

New Bark Town

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City

30%Mid

New Bark Town

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City

30%Mid

Route 41

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route

30%Mid

Route 41

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route

30%Mid

Route 47

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route

CommonMid

Route 47

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route

CommonMid

Pallet Town

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City

30%Mid

Pallet Town

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City

30%Mid

Route 12

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route

CommonMid

Route 12

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route

CommonMid

Route 13

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route

CommonMid

Route 13

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route

CommonMid

Route 20

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route

CommonMid

Route 20

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route

CommonMid

Route 21

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route

CommonMid

Route 21

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route

CommonMid

Route 26

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route

30%Mid

Route 26

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route

30%Mid

Route 27

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route

30%Mid

Route 27

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route

30%Mid

Vermilion City - City

HeartGoldGood Rod Lv.20 City

30%Mid

Vermilion City - City

SoulSilverGood Rod Lv.20 City

30%Mid

Route 13

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.25 Route

CommonMid

Route 13

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.25 Route

CommonMid

Route 19

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.30-35 Route

CommonMid

Route 19

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.30-35 Route

CommonMid

Route 20

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.30-35 Route

CommonMid

Route 20

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.30-35 Route

CommonMid

Route 21

HeartGoldSurfing on water Lv.30-35 Route

CommonMid

Route 21

SoulSilverSurfing on water Lv.30-35 Route

CommonMid

Route 32

SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

70%Late

Route 32

HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

70%Late

Route 12

HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

CommonLate

Route 12

SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

CommonLate

Route 13

HeartGoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

CommonLate

Route 13

SoulSilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route

CommonLate

Tentacool Guide

Tentacool evolves into Tentacruel at level 30. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 335 BST.
Tentacool evolves into Tentacruel at level 30. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Tentacool does the job early-game if you need a Water/Poison type on your team. Evolve it into Tentacruel before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Tentacool is catchable in HeartGold & SoulSilver. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 20 other games across the series.

Game Availability

Tentacool 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

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Whiscash WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves Zen HeadbuttLv. 1 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacool Zen Headbutt 2x 82-100%KO Mud-Slap 2x 25-32% View Whiscash builds →
Meditite FightingPsychic	D
Available Move Moves ConfusionLv. 8 Damage vs Tentacool Confusion 2x 36-43% View Meditite builds →
Plusle Electric	D
Upcoming Move Moves SparkLv. 15 Learns Spark at Level 15 View Plusle builds →
Minun Electric	D
Upcoming Move Moves SparkLv. 15 Learns Spark at Level 15 View Minun builds →
Shinx Electric	D
Upcoming Move Moves SparkLv. 13 Learns Spark at Level 13 View Shinx builds →

Whiscash WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves Zen HeadbuttLv. 1 Mud BombLv. 14 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacool Zen Headbutt 2x 86-102%KO Mud Bomb 2x 58-70% Mud-Slap 2x 23-28% View Whiscash builds →
Wooper WaterGround	D
Obtain MethodRuins Of Alph Surfing Available Move Moves Mud ShotLv. 9 Damage vs Tentacool Mud Shot 2x 28-35% View Wooper builds →
Slowpoke WaterPsychic	D
Obtain MethodSlowpoke Well Surfing Available Move Moves ConfusionLv. 15 Damage vs Tentacool Confusion 2x 35-42% View Slowpoke builds →
Bronzor SteelPsychic	D
Available Move Moves ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacool Confusion 2x 28-35% View Bronzor builds →
Plusle Electric	D
Available Move Moves SparkLv. 15 Damage vs Tentacool Spark 2x 81-98% View Plusle builds →

Whiscash WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves Zen HeadbuttLv. 1 Mud BombLv. 14 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacool Zen Headbutt 2x 90-108%KO Mud Bomb 2x 58-69% Mud-Slap 2x 23-29% View Whiscash builds →
Wooper WaterGround	D
Obtain MethodRuins Of Alph Surfing Available Moves Moves Mud BombLv. 19 Mud ShotLv. 9 Damage vs Tentacool Mud Bomb 2x 33-40% Mud Shot 2x 29-35% View Wooper builds →
Slowpoke WaterPsychic	D
Obtain MethodSlowpoke Well Surfing Available Move Moves ConfusionLv. 15 Damage vs Tentacool Confusion 2x 33-40% View Slowpoke builds →
Bronzor SteelPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves ExtrasensoryLv. 19 ConfusionLv. 1 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Tentacool Extrasensory 2x 38-46% Confusion 2x 23-29% Charge Beam 2x 15-19% View Bronzor builds →
Plusle Electric	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 15 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Tentacool Thunder 2x 102-121%KO Thunderbolt 2x 83-98% Spark 2x 87-104%KO Charge Beam 2x 48-58% View Plusle builds →

Whiscash WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves Zen HeadbuttLv. 1 Mud BombLv. 14 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacool Zen Headbutt 2x 92-110%KO Mud Bomb 2x 56-68% Mud-Slap 2x 19-24% View Whiscash builds →
Onix RockGround	C
TM Move Moves DigTM28 Damage vs Tentacool Dig 2x 98-116%KO View Onix builds →
Wooper WaterGround	D
Obtain MethodRuins Of Alph Surfing Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Mud BombLv. 19 Mud ShotLv. 9 Damage vs Tentacool Dig 2x 98-116%KO Mud Bomb 2x 32-39% Mud Shot 2x 27-34% View Wooper builds →
Magnemite ElectricSteel	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 22 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Tentacool Thunder 2x 110-131%KO Thunderbolt 2x 90-106%KO Spark 2x 69-82% Charge Beam 2x 53-63% View Magnemite builds →
Sandshrew Ground	D
TM Move Moves DigTM28 Damage vs Tentacool Dig 2x 139-165%KO View Sandshrew builds →

Whiscash WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves Zen HeadbuttLv. 1 Mud BombLv. 14 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacool Zen Headbutt 2x 94-111%KO Mud Bomb 2x 54-65% Mud-Slap 2x 20-25% View Whiscash builds →
Graveler RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeLv. 33 DigTM28 Damage vs Tentacool Earthquake 2x 205-242%KO Dig 2x 165-195%KO View Graveler builds →
Onix RockGround	C
TM Move Moves DigTM28 Damage vs Tentacool Dig 2x 98-116%KO View Onix builds →
Wooper WaterGround	D
Obtain MethodRuins Of Alph Surfing Available Moves Moves EarthquakeLv. 33 DigTM28 Mud BombLv. 19 Mud ShotLv. 9 Damage vs Tentacool Earthquake 2x 119-141%KO Dig 2x 98-116%KO Mud Bomb 2x 30-36% Mud Shot 2x 24-29% View Wooper builds →
Magnemite ElectricSteel	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 22 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Tentacool Thunder 2x 107-127%KO Thunderbolt 2x 88-105%KO Spark 2x 67-80% Charge Beam 2x 52-61% View Magnemite builds →

Magnezone ElectricSteel	B
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves ThunderboltSTAB Hidden Power Fire Thunder Wave Explosion Damage vs Tentacool Thunderbolt 2x 135-159%KO Explosion 121-143%KO View Magnezone builds →
Gliscor GroundFlying	B
Recommended Build AbilityHypercutter ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves EarthquakeSTAB RoostRecovery TauntUtility Ice Fang Damage vs Tentacool Earthquake 2x 209-246%KO Ice Fang 23-27% View Gliscor builds →
Celebi PsychicGrass	B
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves RecoverRecovery Thunder Wave Grass Knot Hidden Power Fire View Celebi builds →
Jolteon Electric	B
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves ThunderboltSTAB Shadow Ball Hidden Power Ice Signal Beam Damage vs Tentacool Thunderbolt 2x 179-210%KO Shadow Ball 53-62% View Jolteon builds →
Garchomp DragonGround	C
Ground is super effective against TentacoolView Garchomp →