Stats & Training
Everything pushes toward mixed damage here. Cacturne's Attack does the work, Speed pays the price. But you're still getting 2 Attack and Sp. Atk EVs per KO. Moderately hard to find, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It becomes active at night, seeking prey that is exhausted from the day’s desert heat.
It becomes active at night, seeking prey that is exhausted from the day’s desert heat.
Cacturne Weakness
Cacturne is weak to Bug, Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, and Flying. Watch out for Bug attacks, those deal 4x damage. On the flip side, it's immune to Psychic-type moves entirely. It resists 6 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. Water Absorb grants an additional Water immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Bug |
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Flying |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Grass, Ground, Ghost, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x200-236%KO Brick Break 2x102-121%KO Aerial Ace 2x57-68% Rock Smash 2x60-70% | ||
 Combee Bug | D | |
 Anorith RockBug | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Anorith builds →Brick Break 2x57-68% Rock Smash 2x32-38% | ||
 Pineco Bug | D | |
 Wurmple Bug | D | |
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x199-235%KO Brick Break 2x103-122%KO Aerial Ace 2x54-64% Rock Smash 2x55-65% | ||
 Beautifly Bug | D | |
Combee Bug | D | |
 Weedle BugPoison | D | |
Anorith RockBug | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Anorith builds →Brick Break 2x54-64% Rock Smash 2x32-38% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x212-251%KO Focus Blast 2x75-89% Brick Break 2x109-129%KO Aerial Ace 2x57-68% | ||
 Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Kricketune builds →Leech Life 4x174-204%KO X-Scissor 4x174-204%KO Brick Break 2x54-64% Fury Cutter 4x89-105%KO | ||
Beautifly Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Beautifly builds →U-turn 4x129-152%KO Gust 2x49-59% | ||
Combee Bug | D | |
Weedle BugPoison | D | |
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x212-251%KO Focus Blast 2x75-89% Brick Break 2x109-129%KO Aerial Ace 2x57-68% | ||
 Yanma Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Yanma builds →U-turn 4x123-145%KO Aerial Ace 2x53-63% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Kricketune builds →Leech Life 4x174-204%KO X-Scissor 4x174-204%KO Brick Break 2x54-64% Aerial Ace 2x43-51% | ||
Beautifly Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Beautifly builds →U-turn 4x129-152%KO Aerial Ace 2x56-66% Gust 2x49-59% | ||
 Skorupi PoisonBug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Skorupi builds →Sludge Bomb 2x49-59% Brick Break 2x37-44% Aerial Ace 2x30-35% Rock Smash 2x20-24% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x209-247%KO Focus Blast 2x71-84% Brick Break 2x107-126%KO Aerial Ace 2x57-67% | ||
Yanma Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Yanma builds →U-turn 4x119-140%KO Aerial Ace 2x52-62% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Kricketune builds →Bug Buzz 4x133-157%KO Leech Life 4x166-196%KO X-Scissor 4x166-196%KO Brick Break 2x52-62% | ||
Beautifly Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Beautifly builds →U-turn 4x128-151%KO Silver Wind 4x143-168%KO Aerial Ace 2x54-64% Gust 2x50-59% | ||
Skorupi PoisonBug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Skorupi builds →Sludge Bomb 2x48-56% Brick Break 2x36-43% Aerial Ace 2x28-34% Rock Smash 2x21-24% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x208-245%KO Close Combat 2x166-196%KO Focus Blast 2x73-86% Brick Break 2x106-125%KO | ||
Yanma Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Yanma builds →U-turn 4x119-141%KO Silver Wind 4x115-136%KO Aerial Ace 2x50-60% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Kricketune builds →Bug Buzz 4x133-157%KO Leech Life 4x163-193%KO X-Scissor 4x163-193%KO Brick Break 2x51-61% | ||
Beautifly Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Beautifly builds →U-turn 4x123-146%KO Silver Wind 4x142-167%KO Aerial Ace 2x53-63% Gust 2x49-57% | ||
Skorupi PoisonBug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Skorupi builds →Sludge Bomb 2x46-55% Poison Jab 2x57-68% Brick Break 2x35-42% Aerial Ace 2x30-35% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x205-241%KO Close Combat 2x166-195%KO Focus Blast 2x70-83% Brick Break 2x103-122%KO | ||
Yanma Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Yanma builds →U-turn 4x115-137%KO Silver Wind 4x111-132%KO Aerial Ace 2x50-59% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Kricketune builds →Bug Buzz 4x133-156%KO Leech Life 4x161-190%KO X-Scissor 4x161-190%KO Brick Break 2x50-60% | ||
Beautifly Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Beautifly builds →Bug Buzz 4x207-244%KO U-turn 4x124-146%KO Silver Wind 4x141-166%KO Aerial Ace 2x54-63% | ||
Skorupi PoisonBug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Skorupi builds →Sludge Bomb 2x46-54% Poison Jab 2x55-66% Brick Break 2x34-41% Aerial Ace 2x28-34% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x209-246%KO Close Combat 2x167-197%KO Focus Blast 2x71-84% Brick Break 2x105-124%KO | ||
Yanma Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Yanma builds →U-turn 4x120-141%KO Wing Attack 2x51-60% Silver Wind 4x113-133%KO Aerial Ace 2x51-60% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Kricketune builds →Bug Buzz 4x134-159%KO Leech Life 4x167-197%KO X-Scissor 4x167-197%KO Brick Break 2x52-61% | ||
Beautifly Bug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Beautifly builds →Bug Buzz 4x211-249%KO U-turn 4x127-150%KO Silver Wind 4x141-167%KO Aerial Ace 2x54-64% | ||
Skorupi PoisonBug | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Skorupi builds →Sludge Bomb 2x45-54% Poison Jab 2x56-66% Brick Break 2x35-41% Aerial Ace 2x28-33% | ||
In Diamond & Pearl, Infernape can KO Cacturne with Close Combat (181-214%). Dragonite threatens a KO with Outrage (154-181%). Gengar's Focus Blast also KOs at 183-215%.
 Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Infernape builds →Close Combat 2x181-214%KO U Turn 4x141-167%KO Fire Blast 2x119-140%KO | ||
 Dragonite Dragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Dragonite builds →Extreme Speed69-81% Outrage154-181%KO | ||
 Gengar GhostPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Gengar builds →Shadow Ball46-54% Focus Blast 2x183-215%KO Explosion79-93% | ||
 Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Lucario builds →Close Combat 2x269-316%KO Extreme Speed59-70% Bullet Punch45-53% | ||
 Forretress BugSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Cacturne View Forretress builds →Rapid Spin18-21% Explosion89-105%KO Payback9-11% | ||
Diamond & Pearl Evolution
Cacturne is what Cacnea becomes. Breed it for Cacnea eggs (average hatch time). A decent partner pool for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolution from Cacnea pushed Cacturne to 475 total stats. Attack saw the largest single gain at +30. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Cacturne to get Cacnea eggs easily using 45 partners from the Plant and Humanshape egg groups. Notable egg moves include Acid, Counter, Dynamic Punch and 6 more.
Diamond & Pearl Cacturne Best Moveset
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Egg moves make a real difference. Cacturne gets Acid and Counter exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Poison and Fighting coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Solar Beam and Energy Ball.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Cacturne in Diamond & Pearl
high spawn rates for Cacturne across 4 locations in endgame routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Cacturne in Diamond & Pearl
The path to Cacturne starts with Cacnea at Lv. 23-53 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch CacneaRoute 228PearlGrass Lv.23-25 RouteRareMidRoute 228DiamondGrass Lv.23-25 RouteRareMid
Step 2Cacturne ✓Route 228DiamondGrass Lv.52-53 RouteCommonPostNightRoute 228PearlGrass Lv.52-53 RouteCommonPostNightRoute 228DiamondGrass Lv.53 RouteUncommonPostMorning/dayRoute 228PearlGrass Lv.53 RouteUncommonPostMorning/dayor evolve from Cacnea (Step 1)
Cacturne Guide
In Diamond & Pearl, Cacturne looks average on paper at 475 BST. But Water Absorb is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier cannon on our tier list.
In Diamond & Pearl, Cacturne's biggest threats include Scyther (Bug), Blaziken (Fire), and Lapras (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Scyther is the most dangerous since Bug moves deal 4x damage. Fighting, Poison, and Flying-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Cacturne gets Water Absorb and Sand Veil. But Water Absorb is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Cacturne is a mixed attacker with base 115 Attack and 115 Sp. Atk. Speed tells the real story. At base 55 Speed, it won't be moving first often. Fits the cannon role.
In Diamond & Pearl, Water Absorb is the hidden ability. It absorbs water moves, healing for 1/4 max HP. Worth hunting for if you want Cacturne to compete at a higher level.
Game Availability
Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Cacturne appears in 14 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in a solid number of games, typically found through wild encounters.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
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