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.
The tentacles are normally kept short. On hunts, they are extended to ensnare and immobilize prey.
It has 80 tentacles that move about freely. They can sting, causing poisoning and sharp, stabbing pain.
Tentacruel Weakness
GoodElectric, Ground, and Psychic-type 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.
Evolved from Tentacool. Tentacruel is the final form in this two-stage line. No compatible partners 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 from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Acupressure, Aqua Ring, Aurora Beam and 8 more.
Timid nature gives Tentacruel the fast special lean it needs to trade hits effectively. Black Sludge adds Poison-type passive recovery, max HP and Defense EVs split the difference, and the remaining moves punishes anything trying to wall it.
Best Build
Best Tentacruel Moveset
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic Spikes
- Knock Off
Don't skip the egg moves. Tentacruel picks up Acupressure and Aqua Ring only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Hydro Pump and Sludge Wave while coverage across 7 types adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
No wild encounters for Tentacruel. The 2-stage line runs through Tentacool, which you can catch at solid rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 30 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Tentacruel in X & Y
To get Tentacruel, start by catching Tentacool through surfing encounters at Lv. 25-27. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch TentacoolEASYAmbrette TownXSurfing on waterLv.25-27CommonMidCityEASYAmbrette TownYSurfing on waterLv.25-27CommonMidCityEASYAzure BayXSurfing on waterLv.25-27CommonMidWaterEASYAzure BayYSurfing on waterLv.25-27CommonMidWaterEASYCyllage CityYSurfing on waterLv.25-27CommonMidCityEASYCyllage CityXSurfing on waterLv.25-27CommonMidCityEASYRoute 12YSurfing on waterLv.25-27CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 12XSurfing on waterLv.25-27CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 8YSurfing on waterLv.25-27CommonMidRouteEASYRoute 8XSurfing on waterLv.25-27CommonMidRouteEASYShalour CityYSurfing on waterLv.25-27CommonMidCityEASYShalour CityXSurfing on waterLv.25-27CommonMidCity
Step 2Tentacruel ✓
We rate Tentacruel C-Tier — a situational pick that fills a niche. 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