Special
Pivot
100Speed · Fast

Stats & Training

Sp. Def and Speed carry most of Tentacruel's stat budget. Defense's the obvious dump stat. Moderately hard to find and yields 2 Sp. Def EVs. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.

Base Stats
High
HP80
C
Attack70
C
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk80
C
Sp. Def120
A
Speed100
B
Total515
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging60 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.6 m
Weight55.0 kg
Base XP180
Abilities
Clear BodyNiche
Prevents stats from being lowered by other Pokémon.
Liquid OozeTop Pick
Damages opponents using leeching moves for as much as they would heal.
Rain DishHA
Heals for 1/16 max HP after each turn during rain.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpD+2Spe
Special Defense training target
Pokedex Entries

With 80 tentacles for ensnaring victims, it prevents escape until the prey is weakened by poison.

Tentacruel Weakness

Electric, Ground, and Psychic moves hit Tentacruel for super-effective damage. With 8 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Tentacruel's special bulk (base 120 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Tentacruel Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Ground, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Steel, Fairy
Type ChartGood
3Weak
8Resist
0Immune
Score+2
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None
How to Beat Tentacruel in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (Best Counters)
Gastrodon
Gastrodon
WaterGround
B
Available Moves
Moves
  • EarthquakeTM26
  • Earth PowerLv. 39
  • DigTM28
  • BulldozeTM83
Damage vs Tentacruel
Earthquake 2x
86-102%KO
Earth Power 2x
54-64%
Dig 2x
69-82%
Bulldoze 2x
54-64%
View Gastrodon builds →

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Evolution

Evolved from Tentacool. Tentacruel is the final form in this two-stage line. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. HP grew the most through evolution (+40 over Tentacool), and Tentacruel peaks at 515 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Tentacool
WaterPoison
Tentacruel
WaterPoison
HP
40
80+40
ATK
40
70+30
DEF
35
65+30
SP.ATK
50
80+30
SP.DEF
100
120+20
SPE
70
100+30
BST
335C-Tier
515B-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Pivot
TYPE
Utility
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Tentacruel to get Tentacool eggs easily using 21 partners from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Acupressure, Aqua Ring, Aurora Beam and 7 more.

Egg Groups
Water3
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
10moves
Breed With (best first)
drapioncrawdauntcorsolaskorupicorphishomastarkabutopsomanytekabutocloysterstarmiekingler

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Tentacruel Best Moveset

Timid nature gives Tentacruel the fast special lean it needs to trade hits effectively. Black Sludge adds Poison-type passive recovery, spread EVs split the difference, and the remaining moves punishes anything trying to wall it.

Best Build

Experimental
Ability
Liquid Ooze
Item
Black SludgeSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Tentacruel
Timid+SPE

Tentacruel best EVs are HP and Speed

EVs

Hazard Setter Moveset

  • Rapid Spin
  • ScaldSTAB
  • Knock Off
  • Toxic SpikesSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Moves

Don't skip the egg moves. Tentacruel picks up Acupressure and Aqua Ring only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Hydro Pump and Sludge Wave while coverage across 7 types adds range.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Acid
4010030Poison
Lv 1
Poison Sting
1510035Poison
Lv 1
Reflect Type
15Normal
Lv 1
Water Gun
4010025Water
Lv 1
Wrap
159020Normal
Lv 12
Supersonic
D5520Normal
Lv 16
Water Pulse
C6010020Water
Lv 20
Screech
D8540Normal
Lv 24
Bubble Beam
C6510020Water
Lv 28
Hex
A6510010Ghost
Lv 34
Acid Armor
D20Poison
Lv 40
Poison Jab
C8010020Poison
Lv 46
Surf
C9010015Water
Lv 52
Sludge Wave
C9510010Poison
Lv 58
Hydro Pump
S110805Water

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
C10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
C110705Ice
TM55
Brine
C6510010Water
TM93
Cut
509530Normal
TM21
Dazzling Gleam
A8010010Fairy
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM58
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM19
Giga Drain
A7510010Grass
TM68
Giga Impact
C150905Normal
TM07
Hail
C10Ice
TM15
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
C9010010Ice
TM66
Payback
D5010010Dark
TM84
Poison Jab
C8010020Poison
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM20
Safeguard
C25Normal
TM49
Scald
S8010015Water
TM82
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM36
Sludge Bomb
S9010010Poison
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
TM95
Surf
C9010015Water
TM87
Swagger
D8515Normal
TM75
Swords Dance
C20Normal
TM46
Thief
D6010025Dark
TM03
Water Pulse
C6010020Water
TM99
Waterfall
C8010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Acupressure
30Normal
Egg
Aqua Ring
D20Water
Egg
Aurora Beam
D6510020Ice
Egg
Confuse Ray
D10010Ghost
Egg
Haze
C30Ice
Egg
Knock Off
S6510020Dark
Egg
Mirror Coat-5
D10020Psychic
Egg
Muddy Water
C908510Water
Egg
Rapid Spin
S5010040Normal
Egg
Tickle
D10020Normal

Tutor Moves

Tentacruel can't learn any Tutor moves

How to Get Tentacruel in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

Tentacruel is available from mid-game water routes onward at high spawn rates. 46 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.

Where To Catch Tentacruel in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

To get Tentacruel, start by catching Tentacool through surfing and walking encounters at Lv. 20-55. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Tentacool
    Step 1Catch Tentacool
    Canalave City
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 City
    60%Mid
    Canalave City
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 City
    60%Mid
    Fuego Ironworks
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Power-plant
    60%Mid
    Fuego Ironworks
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Power-plant
    60%Mid
    Iron Island - Outside
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Water
    60%Mid
    Iron Island - Outside
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Water
    60%Mid
    Pastoria City
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 City
    60%Mid
    Pastoria City
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 City
    60%Mid
    Route 205 - South
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 205 - South
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 213
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 213
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 218
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 218
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 219
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 219
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 220
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 220
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 221
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 221
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 222
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 222
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
    60%Mid
    Valley Windworks
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Power-plant
    60%Mid
    Valley Windworks
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Power-plant
    60%Mid
    Bogsunk Cavern
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.42-46 Swamp
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Bogsunk Cavern
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.42-46 Swamp
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Fountainspring Cave
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.42-46 Cave
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Fountainspring Cave
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.42-46 Cave
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Riverbank Cave
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.42-46 Cave
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Riverbank Cave
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.42-46 Cave
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Still-Water Cavern
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.42-46 Cave
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Still-Water Cavern
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.42-46 Cave
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Swampy Cave
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.42-46 Swamp
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Swampy Cave
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.42-46 Swamp
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
  2. Tentacruel
    Step 2Tentacruel
    Canalave City
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 City
    5%Mid
    Canalave City
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 City
    5%Mid
    Fuego Ironworks
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Power-plant
    5%Mid
    Fuego Ironworks
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Power-plant
    5%Mid
    Iron Island - Outside
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Water
    5%Mid
    Iron Island - Outside
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Water
    5%Mid
    Pastoria City
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 City
    5%Mid
    Pastoria City
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 City
    5%Mid
    Route 205 - South
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
    5%Mid
    Route 205 - South
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
    5%Mid
    Route 213
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
    5%Mid
    Route 213
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
    5%Mid
    Route 218
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
    5%Mid
    Route 218
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
    5%Mid
    Route 219
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
    5%Mid
    Route 219
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
    5%Mid
    Route 220
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
    5%Mid
    Route 220
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
    5%Mid
    Route 221
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
    5%Mid
    Route 221
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
    5%Mid
    Route 222
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
    5%Mid
    Route 222
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
    5%Mid
    Valley Windworks
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Power-plant
    5%Mid
    Valley Windworks
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Power-plant
    5%Mid
    Route 223
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.35-45 Route
    60%Late
    Route 223
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.35-45 Route
    60%Late
    Sunyshore City
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.35-45 City
    60%Late
    Sunyshore City
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.35-45 City
    60%Late
    Pokémon League
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.35-45
    35%Late
    Pokémon League
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.35-45
    35%Late
    Route 224
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.40-55 Route
    35%Late
    Route 224
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.40-55 Route
    35%Late
    Bogsunk Cavern
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.42-46 Swamp
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Bogsunk Cavern
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.42-46 Swamp
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Fountainspring Cave
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.42-46 Cave
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Fountainspring Cave
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.42-46 Cave
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Riverbank Cave
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.42-46 Cave
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Riverbank Cave
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.42-46 Cave
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Still-Water Cavern
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.42-46 Cave
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Still-Water Cavern
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.42-46 Cave
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Swampy Cave
    Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.42-46 Swamp
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Swampy Cave
    Shining PearlGrass Lv.42-46 Swamp
    Late
    Requires Icicle Badge
    Route 226
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.40-55 Route
    5%Late
    Route 226
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.40-55 Route
    5%Late
    Route 230
    Shining PearlSurfing on water Lv.40-55 Route
    5%Late
    Route 230
    Brilliant DiamondSurfing on water Lv.40-55 Route
    5%Late
    or evolve from Tentacool (Step 1)

Tentacruel Guide

  • For Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, we rate Tentacruel B-Tier: a solid option in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl for the right team. At 515 BST, it fits the pivot role. Rapid Spin with Black Sludge is the standard set.

  • In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, watch for Raikou (Electric), Golem (Ground), and Starmie (Psychic) when using Tentacruel. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.

  • Clear Body prevents stats from being lowered by other Pokémon. That's the one you want on Tentacruel. Rain Dish is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Liquid Ooze works too if your team needs something different.

  • Base 100 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Tentacruel is a special attacker with base 80 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a pivot.

  • In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, run Rapid Spin, Scald, Knock Off, and Toxic Spikes on Tentacruel. Rapid Spin is the most common pick at 24% usage. Scald provides reliable STAB damage.

Game Availability

One of the original 151, Tentacruel has appeared in 21 games — nearly every mainline game. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.

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