Stats & Training
Tentacool's spread isn't flashy. Special leads, Defense trails, 2 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 1 Special stat exp, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.
Drifts in shallow seas. Anglers who hook them by accident are often punished by its stinging acid.
Drifts in shallow seas. Anglers who hook them by accident are often punished by its stinging acid.
Tentacool Weakness
Tentacool is weak to Electric, Ground, Psychic, and Bug. It resists 5 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Tentacool's special bulk (base 100 Special) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ground, Psychic, Bug |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Fighting, Poison |
- 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
 Pikachu Electric | C | |
 Dugtrio Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 2x207-244%KO Dig 2x165-196%KO | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x115-136%KO Dig 2x95-112%KO | ||
 Sandshrew Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Sandshrew builds →Earthquake 2x165-196%KO Dig 2x132-156%KO | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Geodude builds →Earthquake 2x173-204%KO Dig 2x139-164%KO | ||
 Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x125-148%KO Dig 2x101-120%KO Bone Club 2x81-96% | ||
Dugtrio Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 2x209-247%KO Dig 2x171-201%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x115-137%KO Dig 2x92-110%KO | ||
 Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Rhyhorn builds →Earthquake 2x186-220%KO Thunderbolt 2x28-33% Dig 2x148-175%KO | ||
Sandshrew Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Sandshrew builds →Earthquake 2x167-197%KO Dig 2x135-159%KO | ||
Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x125-148%KO Dig 2x103-122%KO Bone Club 2x84-99% | ||
Dugtrio Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 2x206-242%KO Dig 2x166-195%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x112-132%KO Dig 2x91-107%KO | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Rhyhorn builds →Earthquake 2x182-215%KO Thunderbolt 2x25-29% Dig 2x145-171%KO | ||
Sandshrew Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Sandshrew builds →Earthquake 2x166-195%KO Dig 2x133-157%KO | ||
Cubone Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x121-143%KO Dig 2x98-116%KO Bone Club 2x82-96% Bonemerang 2x62-74% | ||
 Sandslash Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Sandslash builds →Earthquake 2x217-256%KO Dig 2x172-203%KO | ||
Dugtrio Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 2x217-256%KO Dig 2x172-203%KO | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x182-214%KO Dig 2x146-172%KO Bone Club 2x119-141%KO Bonemerang 2x93-110%KO | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x208-245%KO Dig 2x166-196%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x119-141%KO Dig 2x95-112%KO | ||
In Red & Blue, Jolteon can KO Tentacool with Thunderbolt (97-114%). Golem's Earthquake also KOs at 254-299%.
 Jolteon Electric | A | |
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x97-114%KO Pin Missile 2x26-31% | ||
 Slowbro WaterPsychic | B | |
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Slowbro builds →Surf22-26% | ||
 Golem RockGround | B | |
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Golem builds →Earthquake 2x254-299%KO Explosion210-248%KO Rock Slide95-113%KO Body Slam71-85% | ||
 Pinsir Bug | B | |
Recommended Build Moves
Damage vs Tentacool View Pinsir builds →Hyper Beam131-154%KO Submission35-41% Bind13-16% | ||
Red & Blue Evolution
Tentacool evolves into Tentacruel, but can't breed. At 385 stats as a Water/Poison type, evolution is the only path. Evolving adds up to 130 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Red & Blue Tentacool Best Moveset
Best Build
Gen 1 build content has limited support (no abilities, held items, or natures).
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
TMs define Tentacool's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Hydro Pump and Surf, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it Normal and Ice coverage. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Red & Blue Tentacool Locations
Easy grab on Tentacool with high spawn rates across 18 locations in early-game fishing spots. Two different catch methods are in play here. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Best Locations to Catch Tentacool in Red & Blue
Which version you're playing matters for Tentacool. 18 fishing and surfing spots at Lv. 5-40 spread across Blue and Red, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.
Tentacool Guide
In Red & Blue, Tentacool isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Tentacruel to unlock its full potential. At 385 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
In Red & Blue, Tentacool fills the attacker role. It's a mixed attacker with base 40 Attack and 100 Special. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.
In Red & Blue, Tentacool does the job early-game if you need a Water/Poison type on your team. Evolve it into Tentacruel before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Tentacool evolves into Tentacruel at level 30. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.
Game Availability
Tentacool has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 21 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
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