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

What is Tentacruel weak to?

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

What is the best ability for Tentacruel?

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.

What role does Tentacruel play in battle?

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.

What counters Tentacruel?

For Diamond & Pearl, Tentacruel has answers, but so do you. Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Electric, Ground, and Psychic-type attackers hit hardest.

Tentacruel - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Special

Pivot

BTier

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

Attack70

Defense65

Sp. Atk80

Sp. Def120

Speed100

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 DishHANot in game

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 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.

Tentacruel 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 Tentacruel in Diamond & Pearl (Best Counters)

Bronzong SteelPsychic	A
Available Moves Moves Future SightLv. 43 EarthquakeTM26 Dream EaterTM85 PsychicTM29 Damage vs Tentacruel Future Sight 2x 63-74% Earthquake 2x 62-74% Dream Eater 2x 53-62% Psychic 2x 48-56% View Bronzong builds →
Gastrodon WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 DigTM28 Mud BombLv. 11 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 89-105%KO Dig 2x 72-85% Mud Bomb 2x 39-46% Mud-Slap 2x 13-16% View Gastrodon builds →
Quagsire WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 DigTM28 Mud BombLv. 19 Mud ShotLv. 9 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 91-107%KO Dig 2x 73-87% Mud Bomb 2x 30-36% Mud Shot 2x 27-32% View Quagsire builds →
Steelix SteelGround	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 DigTM28 Thunder FangLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 91-107%KO Dig 2x 73-87% Thunder Fang 2x 40-47% View Steelix builds →
Gible DragonGround	D
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 DigTM28 Sand TombLv. 19 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 79-93% Dig 2x 63-74% Sand Tomb 2x 29-34% View Gible builds →

Diamond & 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

#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 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.

Egg Groups

Water3

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

8moves

Breed With (best first)

Diamond & Pearl Tentacruel Best Moveset

Lead with Tentacruel, set Toxic Spikes, and keep pressure on. Liquidooze and Black Sludge buy the time it needs, with spread EVs letting it take hits while controlling the hazard game.

Best Build

Solid pick

Hazard Setter

Ability

Liquid Ooze

Item

Black SludgeSUSTAIN

Best Nature for Tentacruel

Calm+SPD

Tentacruel best EVs are HP and Sp. Def

EVs

Def

SpD

Hazard Setter Moveset

Rapid Spin
SurfSTAB
Toxic SpikesSTAB
Sludge BombSTAB

Recommended Teammates

HeatranDecent

JirachiDecent

HippowdonDecent

Moves

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

Lv 1

Constrict

—1010035Normal

Lv 1

Poison Sting

—1510035Poison

Lv 1

Supersonic

——5520Normal

Lv 5

Supersonic

——5520Normal

Lv 8

Constrict

—1010035Normal

Lv 12

Acid

—4010030Poison

Lv 15

Toxic Spikes

S——20Poison

Lv 19

Bubble Beam

—6510020Water

Lv 22

Wrap

—158520Normal

Lv 26

Barrier

———30Psychic

Lv 29

Water Pulse

C6010020Water

Lv 36

Poison Jab

C8010020Poison

Lv 42

Screech

——8540Normal

Lv 49

Hydro Pump

B120805Water

Lv 55

Wring Out

——1005Normal

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

——10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

C120705Ice

TM55

Brine

C6510010Water

TM78

Captivate

——10020Normal

HM01

Cut

—509530Normal

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM58

Endure+4

———10Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM19

Giga Drain

C6010010Grass

TM68

Giga Impact

C150905Normal

TM07

Hail

D——10Ice

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM15

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

A9510010Ice

TM83

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

TM66

Payback

D5010010Dark

TM84

Poison Jab

C8010020Poison

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

A9010010Poison

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

HM03

Surf

S9510015Water

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM75

Swords Dance

C——30Normal

TM46

Thief

—6010025Dark

TM06

Toxic

C—8510Poison

TM03

Water Pulse

C6010020Water

HM07

Waterfall

C8010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg

Acupressure

———30Normal

Egg

Aurora Beam

—6510020Ice

Egg

Confuse Ray

D—10010Ghost

Egg

Haze

D——30Ice

Egg

Knock Off

B6510020Dark

Egg

Mirror Coat-5

——10020Psychic

Egg

Rapid Spin

S5010040Normal

Egg

Safeguard

D——25Normal

Tutor Moves

Tentacruel can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

How to Get Tentacruel in Diamond & Pearl

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 Tentacool
Canalave City
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 City
60%Mid
Canalave City
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 City
60%Mid
Pastoria City
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 City
60%Mid
Pastoria City
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 City
60%Mid
Route 218
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
60%Mid
Route 218
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
60%Mid
Route 219
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
60%Mid
Route 219
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
60%Mid
Route 220
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
60%Mid
Route 220
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
60%Mid
Route 221
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
60%Mid
Route 221
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
60%Mid
Route 222
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
60%Mid
Route 222
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
60%Mid
Fuego Ironworks
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Power-plant
CommonMid
Fuego Ironworks
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Power-plant
CommonMid
Iron Island - Outside
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Water
CommonMid
Iron Island - Outside
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Water
CommonMid
Route 205 - South
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
CommonMid
Route 205 - South
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
CommonMid
Route 213
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
CommonMid
Route 213
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Route
CommonMid
Valley Windworks
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Power-plant
CommonMid
Valley Windworks
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-30 Power-plant
CommonMid
Train until Level 30
Step 2Tentacruel ✓
Canalave City
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 City
5%Mid
Canalave City
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 City
5%Mid
Fuego Ironworks
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Power-plant
RareMid
Fuego Ironworks
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Power-plant
RareMid
Iron Island - Outside
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Water
RareMid
Iron Island - Outside
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Water
RareMid
Pastoria City
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 City
5%Mid
Pastoria City
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 City
5%Mid
Route 205 - South
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
RareMid
Route 205 - South
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
RareMid
Route 213
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
RareMid
Route 213
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
RareMid
Route 218
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
5%Mid
Route 218
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
5%Mid
Route 219
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
5%Mid
Route 219
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
5%Mid
Route 220
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
5%Mid
Route 220
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
5%Mid
Route 221
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
5%Mid
Route 221
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
5%Mid
Route 222
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
5%Mid
Route 222
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Route
5%Mid
Valley Windworks
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Power-plant
RareMid
Valley Windworks
PearlSurfing on water Lv.20-40 Power-plant
RareMid
Route 223
PearlSurfing on water Lv.35-45 Route
60%Late
Route 223
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.35-45 Route
60%Late
Sunyshore City
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.35-45 City
60%Late
Sunyshore City
PearlSurfing on water Lv.35-45 City
60%Late
Pokémon League
PearlSurfing on water Lv.35-45
CommonLate
Pokémon League
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.35-45
CommonLate
Route 224
PearlSurfing on water Lv.40-55 Route
CommonLate
Route 224
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.40-55 Route
CommonLate
Route 226
PearlSurfing on water Lv.40-55 Route
5%Late
Route 226
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.40-55 Route
5%Late
Route 230
PearlSurfing on water Lv.40-55 Route
5%Late
Route 230
DiamondSurfing on water Lv.40-55 Route
5%Late
or evolve from Tentacool (Step 1)

Tentacruel Guide

For Diamond & Pearl, we rate Tentacruel B-Tier: a solid option in Diamond & Pearl for the right team. At 515 BST, it fits the pivot role. Rapid Spin with Black Sludge is the standard set.
In Diamond & 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.
For Diamond & Pearl, Tentacruel has answers, but so do you. Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Electric, Ground, and Psychic-type attackers hit hardest.

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.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Available Move Moves ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacruel Confusion 2x 34-42% View Lunatone builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Available Move Moves ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacruel Confusion 2x 30-36% View Solrock builds →
Pachirisu Electric	C
Available Move Moves SparkLv. 13 Damage vs Tentacruel Spark 2x 44-54% View Pachirisu builds →
Cubone Ground	D
Available Move Moves Bone ClubLv. 7 Damage vs Tentacruel Bone Club 2x 44-54% View Cubone builds →
Elekid Electric	D
Available Move Moves Thunder ShockLv. 7 Damage vs Tentacruel Thunder Shock 2x 24-30% View Elekid builds →

Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Available Move Moves ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacruel Confusion 2x 34-41% View Lunatone builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Available Move Moves ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacruel Confusion 2x 23-28% View Solrock builds →
Pachirisu Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 13 Damage vs Tentacruel Thunderbolt 2x 34-41% Spark 2x 41-49% View Pachirisu builds →
Cubone Ground	D
Available Moves Moves Bone ClubLv. 7 BonemerangLv. 21 Damage vs Tentacruel Bone Club 2x 41-49% Bonemerang 2x 34-41% View Cubone builds →
Elekid Electric	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 Shock WaveLv. 19 Thunder ShockLv. 7 Damage vs Tentacruel Thunderbolt 2x 45-53% Shock Wave 2x 30-36% Thunder Shock 2x 23-28% View Elekid builds →

Gligar GroundFlying	C
TM Move Moves EarthquakeTM26 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 87-102%KO View Gligar builds →
Graveler RockGround	C
TM Move Moves EarthquakeTM26 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 102-121%KO View Graveler builds →
Onix RockGround	C
TM Move Moves EarthquakeTM26 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 60-71% View Onix builds →
Gible DragonGround	D
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 Sand TombLv. 19 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 81-96% Sand Tomb 2x 31-37% View Gible builds →
Phanpy Ground	D
TM Move Moves EarthquakeTM26 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 73-87% View Phanpy builds →

Quagsire WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 DigTM28 Mud BombLv. 19 Mud ShotLv. 9 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 94-111%KO Dig 2x 75-90% Mud Bomb 2x 34-40% Mud Shot 2x 29-34% View Quagsire builds →
Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Dream EaterTM85 EarthquakeTM26 PsychicTM29 ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacruel Dream Eater 2x 65-77% Earthquake 2x 45-54% Psychic 2x 58-68% Confusion 2x 34-40% View Lunatone builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Dream EaterTM85 EarthquakeTM26 PsychicTM29 ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacruel Dream Eater 2x 44-53% Earthquake 2x 68-80% Psychic 2x 39-46% Confusion 2x 23-28% View Solrock builds →
Gligar GroundFlying	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 DigTM28 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 87-102%KO Dig 2x 68-80% View Gligar builds →
Gible DragonGround	D
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 DigTM28 Sand TombLv. 19 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 81-96% Dig 2x 65-77% Sand Tomb 2x 31-37% View Gible builds →

Quagsire WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 DigTM28 Mud BombLv. 19 Mud ShotLv. 9 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 91-108%KO Dig 2x 74-87% Mud Bomb 2x 31-37% Mud Shot 2x 26-32% View Quagsire builds →
Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Dream EaterTM85 EarthquakeTM26 PsychicTM29 ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacruel Dream Eater 2x 62-74% Earthquake 2x 45-53% Psychic 2x 55-66% Confusion 2x 33-39% View Lunatone builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Dream EaterTM85 EarthquakeTM26 PsychicTM29 ConfusionLv. 1 Damage vs Tentacruel Dream Eater 2x 42-50% Earthquake 2x 67-79% Psychic 2x 38-45% Confusion 2x 22-26% View Solrock builds →
Gligar GroundFlying	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 DigTM28 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 84-100%KO Dig 2x 67-79% View Gligar builds →
Gible DragonGround	D
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeTM26 DigTM28 Sand TombLv. 19 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 80-95% Dig 2x 64-76% Sand Tomb 2x 29-34% View Gible builds →

InfernapeOutspeeds FireFighting	A
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves Close Combat U Turn Grass Knot Fire Blast Damage vs Tentacruel Close Combat 29-34% U Turn 11-13% Fire Blast 10-12% View Infernape builds →
ScizorImmune to Poison BugSteel	A
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves Bullet Punch Superpower U Turn Pursuit Damage vs Tentacruel Bullet Punch 18-22% Superpower 37-43% U Turn 32-38% Pursuit 25-29% View Scizor builds →
SkarmoryImmune to Poison, recovers with Roost, threatens with Spikes SteelFlying	B
Recommended Build AbilityKeeneye ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves SpikesHazard RoostRecovery WhirlwindUtility Brave Bird View Skarmory builds →
EmpoleonImmune to Poison, resists Water, sets up Agility WaterSteel	B
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemFocus Sash NatureModest Moves Ice Beam Hydro Pump Grass Knot Aqua Jet Damage vs Tentacruel Ice Beam 9-11% Hydro Pump 17-20% Aqua Jet 6-7% View Empoleon builds →
RoseradeResists Water, threatens with Spikes, cures status via Natural Cure GrassPoison	B
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemBlack Sludge NatureTimid Moves Toxic Spikes Hidden Power Fire SpikesHazard Sleep Powder View Roserade builds →