
Is Tentacool Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?
Every Water route. AbilityClear Body prevents stat drops from Intimidate, Growl, and similar moves. AbilityLiquid Ooze damages anything that tries to drain HP from Tentacool. Tentacruel at 30 has enormous Special Defense. Water/Poison coverage for Blaine and Erika.
Tentacool trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.
Tentacool trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.
Tentacool trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.
Tentacool trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.
Tentacruel trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.
Tentacruel trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.
Tentacruel resists most of Blaine's coverage and hits back hard.
Tentacruel has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.
Tentacruel has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.
Tentacruel has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.
Tentacruel trades roughly evenly with Agatha's team.
Tentacruel trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.
Tentacruel trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.
Catch Tentacool on Pallet Town (Surf, Lv 5-40, common).
- After Misty
- TM03WaterWater Pulse90100%20
- LV 25WaterBubble Beam98100%20
- After Erika
- TM36PoisonSludge Bomb135100%10
- TM13IceIce Beam90100%10
- After Koga
- HM03WaterSurf135100%15
- LV 49WaterHydro Pump16580%5
- After Giovanni
- TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- Post-Game
- HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
Your Tentacool should hit Level 30 before you reach Koga, at typical leveling pace.
- STARTING (Lv 30)
- LV 30WaterBubble Beam98100%20
- After Erika
- TM36PoisonSludge Bomb135100%10
- TM06PoisonToxic—90%10
- TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
- After Koga
- HM03WaterSurf135100%15
- After Giovanni
- TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- LV 55WaterHydro Pump16580%5
- Post-Game
- HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
How to Get Tentacool in FireRed & LeafGreen
Tentacool owns the ocean. 58 surfing encounters across both versions, common at nearly all of them. The map is wall-to-wall Tentacool wherever there's water.
27 locations to catch Tentacool
Encountered via Surfing
Where To Catch Tentacool in FRLG
To get Tentacool, start by catching Tentacool through surfing encounters at Lv. 5-45. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Tentacool ✓Cerulean CityLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 100%Cinnabar IslandLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 100%Pallet TownLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 100%Route 10Lv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 100%Route 11Lv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 100%Route 12Lv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 100%Route 13Lv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 100%Route 19Lv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 100%Route 20Lv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 100%Route 21Lv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 100%Route 24Lv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 100%Route 4Lv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 100%Vermilion City - CityLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 100%Vermilion City - HarborLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 100%Bond BridgeLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 95%Green PathLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 95%Icefall Cave - 1F Room 3Lv.5-45Surfing on waterRate 95%Kindle RoadLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 95%One IslandLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 95%Outcast IslandLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 95%Tanoby RuinsLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 95%Trainer TowerLv.5-40Surfing on waterFireRedRate 95%Treasure BeachLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 95%Water PathLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 95%Trainer TowerLv.5-35Surfing on waterLeafGreenRate 90%Five IslandLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 65%Five Isle MeadowLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 65%Memorial PillarLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 65%Resort GorgeousLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 65%Water LabyrinthLv.5-40Surfing on waterRate 65%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into TentacruelBond BridgeLv.35-40Surfing on waterRate 5%Five IslandLv.35-40Surfing on waterRate 5%Five Isle MeadowLv.35-40Surfing on waterRate 5%Green PathLv.35-40Surfing on waterRate 5%Kindle RoadLv.35-40Surfing on waterRate 5%Memorial PillarLv.35-40Surfing on waterRate 5%One IslandLv.35-40Surfing on waterRate 5%Outcast IslandLv.35-40Surfing on waterRate 5%Resort GorgeousLv.35-40Surfing on waterRate 5%Tanoby RuinsLv.35-40Surfing on waterRate 5%Trainer TowerLv.35-40Surfing on waterRate 5%Treasure BeachLv.35-40Surfing on waterRate 5%Water LabyrinthLv.35-40Surfing on waterRate 5%Water PathLv.35-40Surfing on waterRate 5%Icefall Cave - 1F Room 3Lv.35-45Surfing on waterRate 4%or evolve from Tentacool (Step 1)
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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ground, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Steel |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
What is Tentacool Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Tentacool
Pikachu Electric | C | |
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x200-237%KO Shock Wave 2x40-47% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 2x184-216%KO Shock Wave 2x35-42% | ||
Pikachu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Pikachu builds →Shock Wave 2x40-49% Dig 2x53-65% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Kadabra builds →Confusion 2x65-77% Shock Wave 2x51-60% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Marowak Ground | C | |
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x100-118%KO Dig 2x59-70% | ||
Raichu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Raichu builds →Thunderbolt 2x86-101%KO Dig 2x76-90% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x204-241%KO Thunderbolt 2x55-65% | ||
Hypno Psychic | C | |
Marowak Ground | C | |
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x103-122%KO Dig 2x62-73% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x138-163%KO Shock Wave 2x47-56% | ||
Electrode Electric | B | |
Raichu Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Raichu builds →Thunderbolt 2x90-106%KO Dig 2x78-94% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x138-163%KO Shock Wave 2x47-56% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Hypno Psychic | C | |
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x103-122%KO Dig 2x62-73% | ||
Exeggutor GrassPsychic | B | |
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x135-160%KO Shock Wave 2x47-55% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Hypno Psychic | C | |
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x100-118%KO Dig 2x59-70% | ||
Exeggutor GrassPsychic | B | |
Zapdos Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodPower Plant Interact Encounter | ||
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x139-164%KO Shock Wave 2x47-56% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Hypno Psychic | C | |
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x103-123%KO Dig 2x62-73% | ||
Deoxys Psychic | A | |
Obtain MethodBirth Island Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Deoxys builds →Psycho Boost 2x196-231%KO Thunderbolt 2x90-106%KO | ||
Mewtwo Psychic | S | |
Obtain MethodCerulean Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Mewtwo builds →Psychic 2x130-153%KO Thunderbolt 2x92-108%KO Earthquake 2x158-186%KO | ||
Lugia Psychic | S | |
Obtain MethodNavel Rock Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Lugia builds →Psychic 2x83-97% Earthquake 2x133-157%KO Thunderbolt 2x58-69% | ||
Raikou Electric | B | |
Obtain MethodRoaming Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Raikou builds →Thunderbolt 2x107-126%KO Dig 2x76-90% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x139-164%KO Shock Wave 2x47-56% | ||
In FireRed & LeafGreen, Jolteon can KO Tentacool with Thunderbolt (93-110%). Alakazam threatens a KO with Psychic (108-127%). Abra deals 60-70% with Psychic.
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x93-110%KO | ||
Alakazam Psychic | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySynchronize ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Alakazam builds →Psychic 2x108-127%KO | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySynchronize ItemSalacberry NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Abra builds →Psychic 2x60-70% | ||
Tentacool Evolutions
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
FRLG Tentacool Best Moveset
100 Sp. Def is remarkable for a pre-evolution, with AbilityClear Body preventing all stat drops. Water/Poison heading toward Tentacruel's defensive and spinning role.
Best Build
Tentacool best EVs are HP and Speed
Bulky Support Moveset
- Toxic
- Hydro Pump
- Protect
- Rapid Spin
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Breeding opens up real options for Tentacool. Aurora Beam and Confuse Ray 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.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
Its eyes are as transparent as crystals. From them, it shoots mysterious beams of light.
Drifts in shallow seas. Anglers who hook them by accident are often punished by their stingers.
Tentacool FireRed & LeafGreen Guide
Tentacool can be found while surfing at Bond Bridge, Cerulean City, Cinnabar Island, and Five Island in Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen.
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
- 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