Stats & Training
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.
It extends its 80 tentacles to form an encircling poisonous net that is difficult to escape.
It extends its 80 tentacles to form an encircling poisonous net that is difficult to escape.
Tentacruel Weakness
Electric, Ground, and Psychic moves hit Tentacruel for super-effective damage. With 7 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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ground, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Steel |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Forretress builds →Rapid Spin12-14% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Bounce ItemRocky Helmet NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Xatu builds →U Turn7-8% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Politoed builds →Scald9-11% | ||
 Ninetales Fire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Ninetales builds →Fire Blast15-18% Flamethrower13-15% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemBlack Sludge NatureCalm Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Amoonguss builds →Giga Drain17-20% Sludge Bomb10-12% | ||
Black 2 & White 2 Evolution
Evolved from Tentacool. Tentacruel is the final form in this two-stage line. A decent partner pool 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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Tentacruel to get Tentacool eggs easily using 25 partners from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Acupressure, Aqua Ring, Aurora Beam and 8 more.
Black 2 & White 2 Tentacruel Best Moveset
Timid nature gives Tentacruel the fast special lean it needs to trade hits effectively. Black Sludge adds Poison-type passive recovery, flexible EVs split the difference, and utility options punishes anything trying to wall it.
Best Build
Tentacruel best EVs are HP and Speed
Bulky Support Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Scald
- Protect
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
Moves
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 Normal and Ghost coverage and more adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Tentacruel in Black 2 & White 2
Tentacruel isn't available in the wild in Black 2 & White 2. Start by transferring Tentacool from Red, Yellow, or Gold. The evolution path from Tentacool to Tentacruel is covered in the steps below.
Tentacruel Guide
For Black 2 & White 2, we rate Tentacruel B-Tier: a solid option in Black 2 & White 2 for the right team. At 515 BST, it fits the pivot role. Rapid Spin with Black Sludge is the standard set.
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.
In Black 2 & White 2, run Rapid Spin, Scald, Protect, and Toxic on Tentacruel. Rapid Spin is the most common pick at 24% usage. Scald provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
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.
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