As a Water/Poison-type, Tentacruel fills a straightforward role. Only weak to Electric, Ground, Psychic, and Bug. 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.
Its 80 tentacles can stretch and contract freely. They wrap around prey and weaken it with poison.
Tentacruel Weakness
VulnerableElectric, Ground, Psychic, and Bug-type moves hit Tentacruel for super-effective damage. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Tentacruel's special bulk (base 120 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
- Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
- Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
- Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split
You get Tentacruel from Tentacool at level 30. This Water/Poison-type hits 515 total stats and can't produce eggs. HP grew the most through evolution (+40 over Tentacool), and Tentacruel peaks at 515 total stats.
How to Evolve
The recommended build leans into Tentacruel's strengths as an attacker. An item provides extra utility, and flexible EVs EVs back that up. An ability rounds out the package.
Best Build
Best Tentacruel Moveset
- Wrap
- Blizzard
- Toxic
- Surf
Recommended Teammates
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Tentacruel. TMs unlock Normal and Ice coverage and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Hydro Pump and Surf into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Tentacruel's scattered across 3 spots in mid-game fishing spots 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 Yellow
Tentacool is your first catch on the way to Tentacruel. You'll find fishing and surfing encounters from Lv. 5-40 across 18 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch TentacoolEASYRoute 17Super RodLv.5-15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 19Surfing on waterLv.5-40CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 20Surfing on waterLv.5-40CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 21Surfing on waterLv.5-40CommonEarlyRouteEASYPallet TownSuper RodLv.10-20CommonEarlyCityEASYRoute 11Super RodLv.10-20CommonEarlyRouteEASYVermilion City - CitySuper RodLv.10-20CommonEarlyCityEASYVermilion City - HarborSuper RodLv.10-15CommonEarlyCityEASYRoute 18Super RodLv.15CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 19Super RodLv.15-30CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 21Super RodLv.15-30CommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 13Super RodLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 20Super RodLv.20CommonMidRouteEASYSeafoam Islands - B4FSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidWaterEASYSeafoam Islands - B3FSurfing on waterLv.20-40CommonMidWater
Step 2Tentacruel ✓EASYRoute 20Super RodLv.20-40CommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 19Super RodLv.30UncommonMidRouteMODERATERoute 21Super RodLv.30UncommonMidRouteor evolve from Tentacool (Step 1)
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.
Base 100 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Tentacruel is a mixed attacker — base 70 Attack and 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