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.
It extends its 80 tentacles to form an encircling poisonous net that is difficult to escape.
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
Tentacruel is available from mid-game water routes onward at high spawn rates. 19 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 Platinum
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 CitySurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidCityEASYFuego IronworksSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidPower-plantEASYIron Island - OutsideSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidWaterEASYPastoria CitySurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidCityEASYRoute 205 - SouthSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 212 - SouthSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 213Surfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 218Surfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 219Surfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 220Surfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 221Surfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidRouteEASYValley WindworksSurfing on waterLv.20-30CommonMidPower-plantEASYRoute 222Surfing on waterLv.30-40CommonMidRouteEASYSunyshore CitySurfing on waterLv.30-40CommonMidCity- Step 2Tentacruel ✓EASYRoute 223Surfing on waterLv.30-50CommonMidRouteHARDCanalave CitySurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidCityHARDFuego IronworksSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidPower-plantHARDIron Island - OutsideSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidWaterHARDPastoria CitySurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidCityHARDRoute 205 - SouthSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 212 - SouthSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 213Surfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 218Surfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 219Surfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 220Surfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDRoute 221Surfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidRouteHARDValley WindworksSurfing on waterLv.20-40RareMidPower-plantHARDPokémon LeagueSurfing on waterLv.30-50RareMidHARDRoute 222Surfing on waterLv.30-50RareMidRouteHARDSunyshore CitySurfing on waterLv.30-50RareMidCityEASYRoute 224Surfing on waterLv.35-55CommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 226Surfing on waterLv.35-55UncommonLateRouteMODERATERoute 230Surfing on waterLv.35-55UncommonLateRouteor 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