As a Water/Poison-type, Tentacruel fills a straightforward role. Only weak to Electric, Ground, and Psychic. Known as the Jellyfish Pokémon. Known as the Jellyfish Pokemon. Can go either physical or special depending on the set.
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.
When its 80 feelers absorb water, it stretches to become like a net to entangle its prey.
Tentacruel Weakness
GoodElectric, Ground, and Psychic-type moves hit Tentacruel for super-effective damage. With 7 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.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
Evolved from Tentacool. Tentacruel is the final form in this two-stage line. A small 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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Tentacruel to get Tentacool eggs easily using 13 partners from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Aurora Beam, Haze, Mirror Coat and 2 more.
The recommended build leans into Tentacruel's strengths as a setup attacker. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn, and flexible EVs EVs back that up. An ability rounds out the package.
Best Build
Best Tentacruel Moveset
- Surf
- Sludge Bomb
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Don't skip the egg moves. Tentacruel picks up Aurora Beam and Haze only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Hydro Pump and Sludge Bomb while Normal and Ice coverage and more adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Tentacruel's scattered across 30 spots in mid-game water routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Where To Catch Tentacruel in Crystal
Tentacool is your first catch on the way to Tentacruel. You'll find surfing and fishing encounters from Lv. 10-40 across 76 total spots in the chain.
- Step 1Catch TentacoolEASYCherrygrove CitySurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCityEASYCianwood CitySurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCityEASYNew Bark TownSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCityEASYOlivine CitySurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCityEASYOlivine City - HarborSurfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyCityEASYRoute 32Surfing on waterLv.15-19CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 34Surfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 40Surfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRouteEASYUnion Cave - B2FSurfing on waterLv.15-19CommonEarlyCaveEASYRoute 27Surfing on waterLv.15-24CommonEarlyRouteMODERATENew Bark TownOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATEOlivine City - HarborOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATERoute 32Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATEPallet TownOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATERoute 12Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 13Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 26Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 27Old RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATEVermilion City - CityOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATEVermilion City - HarborOld RodLv.10UncommonEarlyCityEASYNew Bark TownGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYOlivine City - HarborGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYRoute 32Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 41Surfing on waterLv.20-24CommonMidRouteEASYWhirl Islands - 1FSurfing on waterLv.20-24CommonMidWaterEASYPallet TownGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYRoute 12Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 13Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 26Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 27Good RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYVermilion City - CityGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYVermilion City - HarborGood RodLv.20CommonMidCityEASYRoute 12Surfing on waterLv.25-29CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 13Surfing on waterLv.25-29CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 26Surfing on waterLv.25-34CommonMidRouteEASYCinnabar Island - GymSurfing on waterLv.30-39CommonMidWaterEASYPallet TownSurfing on waterLv.30-39CommonMidCityEASYRoute 19Surfing on waterLv.30-39CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 20Surfing on waterLv.30-39CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 21Surfing on waterLv.30-39CommonMidRouteEASYVermilion City - CitySurfing on waterLv.30-39CommonMidCityEASYVermilion City - HarborSurfing on waterLv.30-39CommonMidCityMODERATEWhirl Islands - B2FSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidWaterEASYRoute 32Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 12Super RodLv.40CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 13Super RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
- Step 2Tentacruel ✓EASYRoute 41Surfing on waterLv.20-24CommonMidRouteEASYWhirl Islands - B2F Inner CaveSurfing on waterLv.20-28CommonMidWaterMODERATECherrygrove CitySurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidCityMODERATECianwood CitySurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidCityMODERATENew Bark TownSurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidCityMODERATEOlivine CitySurfing on waterLv.20-40UncommonMidCityMODERATEOlivine City - HarborSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidCityMODERATERoute 32Surfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 34Surfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 40Surfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRouteMODERATEUnion Cave - B2FSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidCaveMODERATEWhirl Islands - 1FSurfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidWaterMODERATERoute 27Surfing on waterLv.20-24UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 12Surfing on waterLv.25-29UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 13Surfing on waterLv.25-29UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 26Surfing on waterLv.30-34UncommonMidRouteMODERATECinnabar Island - GymSurfing on waterLv.35-39UncommonLateWaterMODERATEPallet TownSurfing on waterLv.35-39UncommonLateCityMODERATERoute 19Surfing on waterLv.35-39UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 20Surfing on waterLv.35-39UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 21Surfing on waterLv.35-39UncommonLateRouteMODERATEVermilion City - CitySurfing on waterLv.35-39UncommonLateCityMODERATEVermilion City - HarborSurfing on waterLv.35-39UncommonLateCityMODERATENew Bark TownSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATEOlivine City - HarborSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATEPallet TownSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATERoute 26Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 27Super RodLv.40UncommonLateRouteMODERATEVermilion City - CitySuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityMODERATEVermilion City - HarborSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateCityor evolve from Tentacool (Step 1)
We rate Tentacruel B-Tier — a solid choice for the right team. At 515 BST, it fits the pivot role. Base 120 Sp. Def stands out.
Tentacool evolves into Tentacruel at level 30. Tentacruel is the fully evolved form. At 515 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
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.
Tentacruel appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
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.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
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 IVDP
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