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.
It has 80 tentacles, each with a venomous tip. These tentacles are also extendible, lengthening when Tentacruel attempts to catch prey. Use caution.
Tentacruel Weakness
Electric, Ground, and Psychic moves hit Tentacruel for super-effective damage. With 8 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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ground, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Garchomp builds →Earth Power 2x49-58% Dig 2x105-124%KO Bulldoze 2x79-93% Sand Tomb 2x47-56% | ||
 Ting-Lu DarkGround | S | |
Obtain MethodSocarrat Trail Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Ting-Lu builds →Earthquake 2x113-134%KO Earth Power 2x37-45% Stomping Tantrum 2x85-101%KO Bulldoze 2x69-81% | ||
 Toedscruel GroundGrass | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Toedscruel builds →Earth Power 2x49-58% Mud Shot 2x31-37% Mud-Slap 2x13-15% | ||
 Gastrodon WaterGround | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Gastrodon builds →Earth Power 2x54-64% Bulldoze 2x54-64% Mud-Slap 2x14-17% | ||
 Quagsire WaterGround | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x92-108%KO Earth Power 2x43-50% Bulldoze 2x55-66% Mud Shot 2x26-31% | ||
In Scarlet & Violet, Pelipper deals 34-40% with Hurricane.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemCharcoal NatureQuiet Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Torkoal builds →Eruption24-28% Heat Wave15-18% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityShielddust ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Ribombee builds →Moonblast15-17% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Pelipper builds →Hurricane34-40% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemHeatrock NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Ninetales builds →Heat Wave13-16% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Moltres builds →Flamethrower14-16% U Turn7-9% | ||
Scarlet & Violet Evolution
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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Tentacruel to get Tentacool eggs easily using 13 partners from the Water3 egg group.
Scarlet & Violet Tentacruel Best Moveset
The build revolves around Flip Turn for safe pivoting. Liquidooze and Leftovers support Tentacruel's hit-and-run approach, with flexible EVs making sure each pivot actually threatens. The remaining moves adds versatility.
Best Build
Tentacruel best EVs are HP and Speed
Pivot Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Flip Turn
- Knock Off
- Surf
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Surf
- Knock Off
- Flip Turn
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Sludge Bomb
- Rapid Spin
- Muddy Water
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Support Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
- Knock Off
- Toxic Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Sludge Bomb
- Muddy Water
- Haze
- Protect
Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Tentacruel. TMs unlock coverage across 8 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Gunk Shot and Hydro Pump into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Tentacruel in Scarlet & Violet
Tentacruel isn't available in the wild in Scarlet & Violet. Start by transferring Tentacool from Red, Yellow, or Gold. The evolution path from Tentacool to Tentacruel is covered in the steps below.
Tentacruel Guide
For Scarlet & Violet, we rate Tentacruel B-Tier: a solid option in Scarlet & Violet for the right team. At 515 BST, it fits the pivot role. Rapid Spin with Leftovers is the standard set.
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.
For Scarlet & Violet, 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
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves