Utility
Balanced
DTier
70Speed · Below Avg

Stats & Training

Tentacool's spread isn't flashy. Sp. Def leads, Defense trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 1 Sp. Def EV, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.

Base Stats
Avg
HP40
D
Attack40
D
Defense35
F
Sp. Atk50
D
Sp. Def100
B
Speed70
C
Total335
Details
Catch Rate
Easy190 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height0.9 m
2'11"Small
Weight45.5 kg
100.3 lbsLight
Base XP67
Low Yield
Abilities
Clear Body
Prevents stats from being lowered by other Pokémon.
Liquid Ooze
Damages opponents using leeching moves for as much as they would heal.
Rain DishHA
Heals for 1/16 max HP after each turn during rain.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpD+1Spe
Special Defense training source
Pokedex Entries

Tentacool is not a particularly strong swimmer. It drifts across the surface of shallow seas as it searches for prey.

Tentacool Weakness

Tentacool is weak to Electric, Ground, and Psychic. 8 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that. Tentacool's special bulk (base 100 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Tentacool Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Ground, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Steel, Fairy
Type ChartGood
3Weak
8Resist
0Immune
Score+2
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
ElectricGroundPsychic
½xResist
FireWaterIceFightingPoisonBugSteelFairy
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None
STAB (5)
FireGroundRockGrassFairy
How to Beat Tentacool in Sword & Shield (Best Counters)
Hippowdon
Hippowdon
Ground
A
Available Moves
Moves
  • EarthquakeLv. 44
  • DigTM15
  • Stomping TantrumTM98
  • Thunder FangLv. 1
Damage vs Tentacool
Earthquake 2x
234-276%KO
Dig 2x
188-222%KO
Stomping Tantrum 2x
177-208%KO
Thunder Fang 2x
102-121%KO
View Hippowdon builds →

Sword & Shield Evolution

Tentacool evolves into Tentacruel. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 180 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Tentacool
#072Tentacool
30
Level 30
Tentacruel
#073Tentacruel
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Tentacool
WaterPoison
Tentacruel
WaterPoison
HP
40
80+40
ATK
40
70+30
DEF
35
65+30
SP.ATK
50
80+30
SP.DEF
100
120+20
SPE
70
100+30
BST
335C-Tier
515B-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Pivot
TYPE
Utility
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Tentacool easily with 32 breeding partners from the Water3 egg group. Pass egg moves like Acupressure, Aqua Ring, Aurora Beam and 6 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Water3
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
9moves
Breed With (best first)
drapionclawitzergolisopodcursolacrawdauntcorsolaskorupiclaunchercorphisharcheopsomastarkabutops
12 of 32·

Sword & Shield Tentacool Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Moves

Breeding opens up real options for Tentacool. Acupressure and Aqua Ring come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Hydro Pump and Sludge Wave and coverage across 7 types.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Poison Sting
—1510035Poison
Lv 1
Water Gun
—4010025Water
Lv 4
Acid
—4010030Poison
Lv 8
Wrap
—159020Normal
Lv 12
Supersonic
D—5520Normal
Lv 16
Water Pulse
D6010020Water
Lv 20
Screech
D—8540Normal
Lv 24
Bubble Beam
D6510020Water
Lv 28
Hex
D6510010Ghost
Lv 32
Acid Armor
D——20Poison
Lv 36
Poison Jab
D8010020Poison
Lv 40
Surf
C9010015Water
Lv 44
Sludge Wave
C9510010Poison
Lv 48
Hydro Pump
C110805Water

TM Moves

TM
TM31
Attract
C—10015Normal
TR06
Blizzard
D110705Ice
TM55
Brine
D6510010Water
TM97
Brutal Swing
D6010020Dark
TM73
Cross Poison
D7010020Poison
TR92
Dazzling Gleam
D8010010Fairy
TM45
Dive
D8010010Water
TR26
Endure+4
C——10Normal
TM39
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM28
Giga Drain
D7510010Grass
TM35
Hail
C——10Ice
TM77
Hex
D6510010Ghost
TR03
Hydro Pump
C110805Water
TR05
Ice Beam
D9010010Ice
TM27
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
TR45
Muddy Water
D908510Water
TM57
Payback
D5010010Dark
TR57
Poison Jab
D8010020Poison
TM25
Protect+4
C——10Normal
TM33
Rain Dance
C——5Water
TM21
Rest
C——10Psychic
TM76
Round
D6010015Normal
TM19
Safeguard
C——25Normal
TR84
Scald
C8010015Water
TM16
Screech
D—8540Normal
TR27
Sleep Talk
C——10Normal
TR22
Sludge Bomb
C9010010Poison
TR78
Sludge Wave
C9510010Poison
TM24
Snore
—5010015Normal
TR20
Substitute
C——10Normal
TR04
Surf
C9010015Water
TM
Swords Dance
C——20Normal
TM23
Thief
D6010025Dark
TR54
Toxic Spikes
C——20Poison
TM74
Venoshock
D6510010Poison
TR16
Waterfall
D8010015Water
TM36
Whirlpool
D358515Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Acupressure
———30Normal
Egg
Aqua Ring
D——20Water
Egg
Aurora Beam
D6510020Ice
Egg
Confuse Ray
D—10010Ghost
Egg
Haze
C——30Ice
Egg
Knock Off
D6510020Dark
Egg
Mirror Coat-5
D—10020Psychic
Egg
Rapid Spin
D5010040Normal
Egg
Tickle
D—10020Normal

Tutor Moves

Tentacool can't learn any Tutor moves

Sword & Shield Tentacool Locations

148 encounter spots for Tentacool at high spawn rates starting from late-game water routes. Two different catch methods are in play here. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.

Best Locations to Catch Tentacool in Sword & Shield

Which version you're playing matters for Tentacool. 148 surfing and walking spots at Lv. 40-48 spread across Shield and Sword, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.

Honeycalm Sea
ShieldGrass Lv.43-48 Water
100%Late
All Weather
Honeycalm Sea
SwordGrass Lv.43-48 Water
100%Late
All Weather
Courageous Cavern
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Cave
60%Late
All Weather
Courageous Cavern
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Cave
60%Late
All Weather
Challenge Beach - Ocean
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
50%Late
Normal Weather
Challenge Beach - Ocean
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
50%Late
Normal Weather
Challenge Beach - Ocean
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
50%Late
Snowstorm
Challenge Beach - Ocean
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
50%Late
Snowstorm
Challenge Beach - Ocean
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
50%Late
Intense Sun
Challenge Beach - Ocean
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
50%Late
Intense Sun
Challenge Beach - Ocean
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
50%Late
Snowing
Challenge Beach - Ocean
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
50%Late
Snowing
Challenge Beach - Ocean
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
50%Late
Sandstorm
Challenge Beach - Ocean
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
50%Late
Sandstorm
Fields of Honor
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
50%Late
Intense Sun
Fields of Honor
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
50%Late
Intense Sun
Loop Lagoon
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
45%Late
Snowing
Loop Lagoon
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
45%Late
Snowing
Loop Lagoon
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
45%Late
Sandstorm
Loop Lagoon
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
45%Late
Sandstorm
Loop Lagoon
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
45%Late
Normal Weather
Loop Lagoon
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
45%Late
Normal Weather
Loop Lagoon
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
45%Late
Snowstorm
Loop Lagoon
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
45%Late
Snowstorm
Challenge Beach - Ocean
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
35%Late
Thunderstorm
Challenge Beach - Ocean
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
35%Late
Thunderstorm
Challenge Beach - Ocean
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
35%Late
Raining
Challenge Beach - Ocean
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
35%Late
Raining
Challenge Beach - Ocean
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
35%Late
Heavy Fog
Challenge Beach - Ocean
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
35%Late
Heavy Fog
Challenge Beach - Ocean
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
35%Late
Overcast
Challenge Beach - Ocean
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
35%Late
Overcast
Fields of Honor
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
35%Late
Overcast
Fields of Honor
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
35%Late
Normal Weather
Fields of Honor
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
35%Late
Normal Weather
Fields of Honor
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
35%Late
Snowstorm
Fields of Honor
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
35%Late
Snowstorm
Fields of Honor
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
35%Late
Thunderstorm
Fields of Honor
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
35%Late
Thunderstorm
Fields of Honor
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
35%Late
Snowing
Fields of Honor
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
35%Late
Snowing
Fields of Honor
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
35%Late
Sandstorm
Fields of Honor
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
35%Late
Sandstorm
Fields of Honor
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
35%Late
Raining
Fields of Honor
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
35%Late
Raining
Fields of Honor
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
35%Late
Heavy Fog
Fields of Honor
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
35%Late
Heavy Fog
Fields of Honor
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
35%Late
Overcast
Loop Lagoon
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
30%Late
Thunderstorm
Loop Lagoon
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
30%Late
Intense Sun
Loop Lagoon
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
30%Late
Intense Sun
Loop Lagoon
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
30%Late
Raining
Loop Lagoon
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
30%Late
Raining
Loop Lagoon
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
30%Late
Heavy Fog
Loop Lagoon
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
30%Late
Heavy Fog
Loop Lagoon
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
30%Late
Overcast
Loop Lagoon
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45
30%Late
Overcast
Loop Lagoon
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45
30%Late
Thunderstorm
Honeycalm Island
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Raining
Honeycalm Island
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Normal Weather
Honeycalm Island
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Normal Weather
Honeycalm Island
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowstorm
Honeycalm Island
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowstorm
Honeycalm Island
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Intense Sun
Honeycalm Island
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Intense Sun
Honeycalm Island
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowing
Honeycalm Island
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowing
Honeycalm Island
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Sandstorm
Honeycalm Island
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Sandstorm
Honeycalm Island
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Raining
Honeycalm Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Raining
Honeycalm Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Raining
Honeycalm Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Normal Weather
Honeycalm Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Normal Weather
Honeycalm Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowstorm
Honeycalm Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowstorm
Honeycalm Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Intense Sun
Honeycalm Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Intense Sun
Honeycalm Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowing
Honeycalm Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowing
Honeycalm Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Sandstorm
Honeycalm Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Sandstorm
Insular Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowing
Insular Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Sandstorm
Insular Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Sandstorm
Insular Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Raining
Insular Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Raining
Insular Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Normal Weather
Insular Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Normal Weather
Insular Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowstorm
Insular Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowstorm
Insular Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Intense Sun
Insular Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Intense Sun
Insular Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowing
Stepping-Stone Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Intense Sun
Stepping-Stone Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Intense Sun
Stepping-Stone Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowing
Stepping-Stone Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowing
Stepping-Stone Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Sandstorm
Stepping-Stone Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Sandstorm
Stepping-Stone Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Raining
Stepping-Stone Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Raining
Stepping-Stone Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Normal Weather
Stepping-Stone Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Normal Weather
Stepping-Stone Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowstorm
Stepping-Stone Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowstorm
Workout Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowstorm
Workout Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowstorm
Workout Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Intense Sun
Workout Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Intense Sun
Workout Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowing
Workout Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Snowing
Workout Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Sandstorm
Workout Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Sandstorm
Workout Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Raining
Workout Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Raining
Workout Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Normal Weather
Workout Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
28%Late
Normal Weather
Honeycalm Island
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Heavy Fog
Honeycalm Island
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Heavy Fog
Honeycalm Island
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Overcast
Honeycalm Island
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Overcast
Honeycalm Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Heavy Fog
Honeycalm Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Heavy Fog
Honeycalm Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Overcast
Honeycalm Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Overcast
Insular Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Heavy Fog
Insular Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Heavy Fog
Insular Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Overcast
Insular Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Overcast
Stepping-Stone Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Heavy Fog
Stepping-Stone Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Heavy Fog
Stepping-Stone Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Overcast
Stepping-Stone Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Overcast
Workout Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Heavy Fog
Workout Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Heavy Fog
Workout Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Overcast
Workout Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
27%Late
Overcast
Honeycalm Island
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
21%Late
Thunderstorm
Honeycalm Island
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
21%Late
Thunderstorm
Honeycalm Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
21%Late
Thunderstorm
Honeycalm Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
21%Late
Thunderstorm
Insular Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
21%Late
Thunderstorm
Insular Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
21%Late
Thunderstorm
Stepping-Stone Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
21%Late
Thunderstorm
Stepping-Stone Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
21%Late
Thunderstorm
Workout Sea
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
21%Late
Thunderstorm
Workout Sea
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-45 Water
21%Late
Thunderstorm

Tentacool Guide

  • Tentacool evolves into Tentacruel at level 30. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 335 BST.

  • Tentacool evolves into Tentacruel at level 30. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.

  • In Sword & Shield, 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 is catchable in Sword & Shield. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 20 other games across the series.

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

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