Utility
Pivot
515High
100Fast
BTier

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.

Base Stats
515High
HP80
C
Attack70
C
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk80
C
Sp. Def120
A
Speed100
B
Total515
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Tentacruel yields +2 SpD
HPAtkDefSpASpD+2Spe
Details
Catch60Challenging•Slow1.25M XP•1.6m / 5'03"•55kg / 121.3 lbs•180Base XP
Pokedex Entries

Its 80 tentacles absorb water and stretch almost endlessly to constrict its prey and enemies.

Heart Gold

In battle, it extends all 80 of its tentacles to entrap its opponent inside a poisonous net.

Soul Silver

Tentacruel Weakness

Good

Electric, 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.

Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
ElectricGroundPsychic
½xResisti
FireWaterIceFightingPoisonBugSteel
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
STAB (4)i
FireGroundRockGrass
3Weak
7Resist
0Immune
Scorei+1
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesAbsorbs on switch
Abilities
Clear BodyPrevents stats from being lowered by other Pokémon.
Liquid OozeDamages opponents using leeching moves for as much as they would heal.
Rain DishHAHeals for 1/16 max HP after each turn during rain.

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

2 Forms
Tentacool
#072Tentacool
30
Level 30
Tentacruel
#073Tentacruel
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, Aurora Beam, Confuse Ray and 6 more.

Egg Groups
Water3
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
9moves
Breed With (best first)
drapioncrawdauntcorsolaskorupicorphishomastarkabutopsomanytekabutotentacruelcloysterstarmie
12 of 21·

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

Hazard Setter
Ability
Liquidooze
Item
Black SludgeSUSTAIN
Nature
Calm+SPD
EVs

Best Tentacruel Moveset

  • Rapid Spin
  • SurfSTAB
  • Toxic SpikesSTAB
  • Sludge BombSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Heatran
HeatranDecent
Jirachi
JirachiDecent
Hippowdon
HippowdonDecent

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
——20Poison
Lv 19
Bubble Beam
6510020Water
Lv 22
Wrap
158520Normal
Lv 26
Barrier
——30Psychic
Lv 29
Water Pulse
6010020Water
Lv 36
Poison Jab
8010020Poison
Lv 42
Screech
—8540Normal
Lv 49
Hydro Pump
120805Water
Lv 55
Wring Out
—1005Normal

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
—10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
120705Ice
TM55
Brine
6510010Water
TM78
Captivate
—10020Normal
HM01
Cut
509530Normal
TM32
Double Team
——15Normal
TM58
Endure+4
——10Normal
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
—10020Normal
TM19
Giga Drain
6010010Grass
TM68
Giga Impact
150905Normal
TM07
Hail
——10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
9510010Ice
TM83
Natural Gift
—10015Normal
TM66
Payback
5010010Dark
TM84
Poison Jab
8010020Poison
TM17
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM44
Rest
——10Psychic
TM27
Return
—10020Normal
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM82
Sleep Talk
——10Normal
TM36
Sludge Bomb
9010010Poison
TM90
Substitute
——10Normal
HM03
Surf
9510015Water
TM87
Swagger
—9015Normal
TM75
Swords Dance
——30Normal
TM46
Thief
6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
—8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
6010020Water
HM07
Waterfall
8010015Water
HM05
Whirlpool
358515Water

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Acupressure
——30Normal
Egg
Aurora Beam
6510020Ice
Egg
Confuse Ray
—10010Ghost
Egg
Haze
——30Ice
Egg
Knock Off
6510020Dark
Egg
Mirror Coat-5
—10020Psychic
Egg
Muddy Water
958510Water
Egg
Rapid Spin
5010040Normal
Egg
Safeguard
——25Normal

Tutor Moves

Src
Tutor
Dive
8010010Water
Tutor
Icy Wind
559515Ice
Tutor
Knock Off
6510020Dark
Tutor
Magic Coat+4
——15Psychic
Tutor
Snore
4010015Normal

Transfer Moves

Src
Gen 3
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
——10Normal

Tentacruel's scattered across 62 spots in early-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 HeartGold & SoulSilver

The path to Tentacruel starts with Tentacool at Lv. 10-40 via surfing and fishing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Tentacool
    Step 1Catch Tentacool
    Cherrygrove City
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Cherrygrove City
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    New Bark Town
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    New Bark Town
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Olivine City
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Olivine City
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Route 32
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10-20CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 32
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10-20CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 34
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 34
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 40
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 40
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10-25CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Union Cave - B2F
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.10-20CommonEarlyCave
    EASY
    Union Cave - B2F
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.10-20CommonEarlyCave
    EASY
    Cianwood City
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-25CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Cianwood City
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-25CommonEarlyCity
    EASY
    Route 41
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-25CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 41
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-25CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 47
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-25CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 47
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-25CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Whirl Islands - 1F
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-25CommonEarlyWater
    EASY
    Whirl Islands - 1F
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-25CommonEarlyWater
    EASY
    Route 27
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-20CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 27
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-20CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    New Bark Town
    HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyCity
    CHALLENGING
    New Bark Town
    SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyCity
    CHALLENGING
    Route 32
    HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Route 32
    SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Route 41
    HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Route 41
    SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Route 47
    SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Route 47
    HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Cinnabar Island - Gym
    SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyWater
    CHALLENGING
    Cinnabar Island - Gym
    HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyWater
    CHALLENGING
    Pallet Town
    SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyCity
    CHALLENGING
    Pallet Town
    HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyCity
    CHALLENGING
    Route 12
    HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Route 12
    SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Route 13
    SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Route 13
    HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Route 20
    SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Route 20
    HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Route 21
    HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Route 21
    SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Route 26
    HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Route 26
    SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Route 27
    SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Route 27
    HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyRoute
    CHALLENGING
    Vermilion City - City
    HeartGoldOld RodLv.10RareEarlyCity
    CHALLENGING
    Vermilion City - City
    SoulSilverOld RodLv.10RareEarlyCity
    CHALLENGING
    New Bark Town
    HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    New Bark Town
    SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Route 32
    SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 32
    HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 41
    HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 41
    SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 47
    SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 47
    HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Cinnabar Island - Gym
    HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidWater
    EASY
    Cinnabar Island - Gym
    SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidWater
    EASY
    Pallet Town
    SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Pallet Town
    HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Route 12
    HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 12
    SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 13
    HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 13
    SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 20
    SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 20
    HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 21
    HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 21
    SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 26
    HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 26
    SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 27
    SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 27
    HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Vermilion City - City
    HeartGoldGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Vermilion City - City
    SoulSilverGood RodLv.20CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Route 13
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.25CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 13
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.25CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 26
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.25-30CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 26
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.25-30CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Cinnabar Island - Gym
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.30-35CommonMidWater
    EASY
    Cinnabar Island - Gym
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.30-35CommonMidWater
    EASY
    Pallet Town
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.30-35CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Pallet Town
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.30-35CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Route 19
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.30-35CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 19
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.30-35CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 20
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.30-35CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 20
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.30-35CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 21
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.30-35CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 21
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.30-35CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Vermilion City - City
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.30-35CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Vermilion City - City
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.30-35CommonMidCity
    EASY
    Route 32
    SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 32
    HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 12
    HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 12
    SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 13
    HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 13
    SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
  2. Tentacruel
    Step 2Tentacruel ✓
    Route 41
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-25CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Route 41
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-25CommonEarlyRoute
    EASY
    Whirl Islands - B2F
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-25CommonEarlyWater
    EASY
    Whirl Islands - B2F
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-25CommonEarlyWater
    EASY
    Cherrygrove City
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-25UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Cherrygrove City
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-25UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Cianwood City
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-25UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Cianwood City
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-25UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    New Bark Town
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-25UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    New Bark Town
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-25UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Olivine City
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-29UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Olivine City
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-29UncommonEarlyCity
    MODERATE
    Route 32
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-36UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 32
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-36UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 34
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-29UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 34
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-29UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 40
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-29UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 40
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-29UncommonEarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Union Cave - B2F
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-25UncommonEarlyCave
    MODERATE
    Union Cave - B2F
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-25UncommonEarlyCave
    MODERATE
    Whirl Islands - 1F
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.15-25UncommonEarlyWater
    MODERATE
    Whirl Islands - 1F
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.15-25UncommonEarlyWater
    MODERATE
    Route 12
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.25CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 12
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.25CommonMidRoute
    EASY
    Route 27
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.20UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 27
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.20UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 13
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 13
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.25UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 26
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.30UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 26
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.30UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Cinnabar Island - Gym
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.35UncommonLateWater
    MODERATE
    Cinnabar Island - Gym
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.35UncommonLateWater
    MODERATE
    Pallet Town
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.35UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Pallet Town
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.35UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Route 19
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.35UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 19
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.35UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 20
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.35UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 20
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.35UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 21
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.35UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 21
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.35UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Vermilion City - City
    HeartGoldSurfing on waterLv.35UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    Vermilion City - City
    SoulSilverSurfing on waterLv.35UncommonLateCity
    MODERATE
    New Bark Town
    HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40RareLateCity
    EXTREME
    New Bark Town
    SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40RareLateCity
    EXTREME
    Route 41
    HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40RareLateRoute
    EXTREME
    Route 41
    SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40RareLateRoute
    EXTREME
    Route 47
    HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40RareLateRoute
    EXTREME
    Route 47
    SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40RareLateRoute
    EXTREME
    Cinnabar Island - Gym
    HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40RareLateWater
    EXTREME
    Cinnabar Island - Gym
    SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40RareLateWater
    EXTREME
    Pallet Town
    HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40RareLateCity
    EXTREME
    Pallet Town
    SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40RareLateCity
    EXTREME
    Route 20
    HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40RareLateRoute
    EXTREME
    Route 20
    SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40RareLateRoute
    EXTREME
    Route 21
    HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40RareLateRoute
    EXTREME
    Route 21
    SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40RareLateRoute
    EXTREME
    Route 26
    SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40RareLateRoute
    EXTREME
    Route 26
    HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40RareLateRoute
    EXTREME
    Route 27
    HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40RareLateRoute
    EXTREME
    Route 27
    SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40RareLateRoute
    EXTREME
    Vermilion City - City
    HeartGoldSuper RodLv.40RareLateCity
    EXTREME
    Vermilion City - City
    SoulSilverSuper RodLv.40RareLateCity
    EXTREME
    or 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.

  • Watch for Raikou (Electric), Golem (Ground), and Starmie (Psychic) when using Tentacruel. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.

  • 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 leaning toward the special side (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.