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.
With 80 tentacles for ensnaring victims, it prevents escape until the prey is weakened by poison.
It alerts others to danger by stridently flashing the red orbs on its head.
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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Tentacruel to get Tentacool eggs easily using 21 partners from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Acupressure, Aurora Beam, Confuse Ray and 5 more.
Lead with Tentacruel, set Toxic Spikes, and keep pressure on. Liquidooze and Black Sludge buy the time it needs, with a spread EV build EVs letting it take hits while controlling the hazard game.
Best Build
Best Tentacruel Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Surf
- Toxic Spikes
- Sludge Bomb
Recommended Teammates
Don't skip the egg moves. Tentacruel picks up Acupressure and Aurora Beam 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
Transfer Moves
Easy grab on Tentacruel with high spawn rates across 36 locations in mid-game water routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Where To Catch Tentacruel in Diamond & Pearl
To get Tentacruel, start by catching Tentacool through surfing encounters at Lv. 20-55. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch TentacoolEASYCanalave CityDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidCityEASYCanalave CityPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidCityEASYFuego IronworksDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidPower-plantEASYFuego IronworksPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidPower-plantEASYIron Island - OutsidePearlSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidWaterEASYIron Island - OutsideDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidWaterEASYPastoria CityPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidCityEASYPastoria CityDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidCityEASYRoute 205 - SouthPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 205 - SouthDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 213PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 213DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 218PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 218DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 219PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 219DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 220PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 220DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 221PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 221DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 222PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 222DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYValley WindworksDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidPower-plantEASYValley WindworksPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidPower-plant- Step 2Tentacruel ✓HARDCanalave CityDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidCityHARDCanalave CityPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidCityHARDFuego IronworksDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidPower-plantHARDFuego IronworksPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidPower-plantHARDIron Island - OutsidePearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidWaterHARDIron Island - OutsideDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidWaterHARDPastoria CityPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidCityHARDPastoria CityDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidCityHARDRoute 205 - SouthDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 205 - SouthPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 213DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 213PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 218DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 218PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 219DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 219PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 220DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 220PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 221DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 221PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 222DiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 222PearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDValley WindworksDiamondSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidPower-plantHARDValley WindworksPearlSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidPower-plantEASYPokémon LeaguePearlSurfing on waterLv.35-45CommonLateEASYPokémon LeagueDiamondSurfing on waterLv.35-45CommonLateEASYRoute 223PearlSurfing on waterLv.35-45CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 223DiamondSurfing on waterLv.35-45CommonLateRouteEASYSunyshore CityDiamondSurfing on waterLv.35-45CommonLateCityEASYSunyshore CityPearlSurfing on waterLv.35-45CommonLateCityEASYRoute 224PearlSurfing on waterLv.40-55CommonLateRouteEASYRoute 224DiamondSurfing on waterLv.40-55CommonLateRouteHARDRoute 226PearlSurfing on waterLv.40-55RareLateRouteHARDRoute 226DiamondSurfing on waterLv.40-55RareLateRouteHARDRoute 230PearlSurfing on waterLv.40-55RareLateRouteHARDRoute 230DiamondSurfing on waterLv.40-55RareLateRouteor 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.
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.
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