Mixed
Pivot
BTier
100Speed · Fast

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 stat exp. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.

Base Stats
High
HP80
C
Attack70
C
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk80
C
Sp. Def120
A
Speed100
B
Total515
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging60 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.6 m
5'03"Average
Weight55.0 kg
121.3 lbsStandard
Base XP180
High Yield
Abilities
Abilities were introduced in Generation III. Shown below for reference.
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+2Spe
Special Defense training target
Pokedex Entries

Its 80 tentacles absorb water and stretch almost endlessly to CONSTRICT its prey and enemies.

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.

Tentacruel Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Ground, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Steel
Type ChartGood
3Weak
7Resist
0Immune
Score+1
Gen II Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
  • Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
ElectricGroundPsychic
½xResist
FireWaterIceFightingPoisonBugSteel
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None
STAB (4)
FireGroundRockGrass
How to Beat Tentacruel in Gold & Silver (Best Counters)
Graveler
Graveler
RockGround
C
Available Moves
Moves
  • DigTM28
  • Mud-SlapTM31
Damage vs Tentacruel
Dig 2x
79-93%
Mud-Slap 2x
21-26%
View Graveler builds →

Gold & Silver Evolution

Evolved from Tentacool. Tentacruel is the final form in this two-stage line. A small 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

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 with Tentacruel to get Tentacool eggs easily using 13 partners from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Aurora Beam, Haze, Mirror Coat and 2 more.

Egg Groups
Water3
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
5moves
Breed With (best first)
corsolaomastarkabutopsomanytekabutocloysterstarmiekinglerstaryutentacoolkrabbyshellder
12 of 13·

Gold & Silver Tentacruel Best Moveset

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Not in Gen 2
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Nature
Not in Gen 2

Utility Moveset

  • SurfSTAB
  • Sludge BombSTAB
  • SubstituteUtility
  • Swords Dance

Recommended Teammates

Snorlax
SnorlaxGood
Tyranitar
TyranitarDecent
Skarmory
SkarmoryDecent

Moves

Don't skip the egg moves. Tentacruel picks up Aurora Beam and Haze only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Hydro Pump and Sludge Bomb while Normal and Ice coverage and more adds range.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Constrict
—1010035Normal
Lv 1
Poison Sting
—1510035Poison
Lv 1
Supersonic
——5520Normal
Lv 6
Supersonic
——5520Normal
Lv 12
Constrict
—1010035Normal
Lv 19
Acid
—4010030Poison
Lv 25
Bubble Beam
—6510020Water
Lv 30
Wrap
—158520Normal
Lv 38
Barrier
D——30Psychic
Lv 47
Screech
D—8540Normal
Lv 55
Hydro Pump
C120805Water

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
D—10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
C120705Ice
TM03
Curse
C——10Ghost
HM01
Cut
—509530Normal
TM32
Double Team
———15Normal
TM20
Endure+4
D——10Normal
TM21
Frustration
D—10020Normal
TM19
Giga Drain
C751005Grass
TM10
Hidden Power
—6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM16
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
TM17
Protect+4
B——10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C——5Water
TM44
Rest
C——10Psychic
TM27
Return
D—10020Normal
TM35
Sleep Talk
C——10Normal
TM36
Sludge Bomb
S9010010Poison
TM13
Snore
—4010015Normal
HM03
Surf
S9510015Water
TM34
Swagger
C—8515Normal
TM06
Toxic
B—8510Poison
HM06
Whirlpool
D358515Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Aurora Beam
—6510020Ice
Egg
Haze
C——30Ice
Egg
Mirror Coat-5
D—10020Psychic
Egg
Rapid Spin
A5010040Normal
Egg
Safeguard
D——25Normal

Tutor Moves

Tentacruel can't learn any Tutor moves

How to Get Tentacruel in Gold & Silver

Tentacruel's scattered across 64 spots in mid-game water routes 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 Gold & Silver

The path to Tentacruel starts with Tentacool at Lv. 10-40 via surfing and fishing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Tentacool
    Step 1Catch Tentacool
    Cianwood City
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.15-24 City
    90%Early
    Cianwood City
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.15-24 City
    90%Early
    New Bark Town
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.15-24 City
    90%Early
    New Bark Town
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.15-24 City
    90%Early
    Olivine City
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.15-24 City
    90%Early
    Olivine City
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.15-24 City
    90%Early
    Olivine City - Harbor
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.15-24 City
    90%Early
    Olivine City - Harbor
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.15-24 City
    90%Early
    Route 34
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
    90%Early
    Route 34
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
    90%Early
    Route 40
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
    90%Early
    Route 40
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
    90%Early
    Route 27
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
    90%Early
    Route 27
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
    90%Early
    Cherrygrove City
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.15-24 City
    60%Early
    Cherrygrove City
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.15-24 City
    60%Early
    Route 32
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.15-19 Route
    60%Early
    Route 32
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.15-19 Route
    60%Early
    Route 41
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
    60%Early
    Route 41
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
    60%Early
    Union Cave - B2F
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.15-19 Cave
    60%Early
    Union Cave - B2F
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.15-19 Cave
    60%Early
    New Bark Town
    GoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    New Bark Town
    SilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Olivine City - Harbor
    SilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Olivine City - Harbor
    GoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Route 32
    SilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 32
    GoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Union Cave - B2F
    SilverOld Rod Lv.10 Cave
    15%Early
    Union Cave - B2F
    GoldOld Rod Lv.10 Cave
    15%Early
    Pallet Town
    SilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Pallet Town
    GoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Route 12
    SilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 12
    GoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 13
    GoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 13
    SilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 26
    SilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 26
    GoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 27
    GoldOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Route 27
    SilverOld Rod Lv.10 Route
    15%Early
    Vermilion City - City
    SilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Vermilion City - City
    GoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Vermilion City - Harbor
    SilverOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Vermilion City - Harbor
    GoldOld Rod Lv.10 City
    15%Early
    Route 26
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.25-34 Route
    90%Mid
    Route 26
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.25-34 Route
    90%Mid
    Cinnabar Island - Gym
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.30-39 Water
    90%Mid
    Cinnabar Island - Gym
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.30-39 Water
    90%Mid
    Pallet Town
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.30-39 City
    90%Mid
    Pallet Town
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.30-39 City
    90%Mid
    Route 19
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.30-39 Route
    90%Mid
    Route 19
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.30-39 Route
    90%Mid
    Route 20
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.30-39 Route
    90%Mid
    Route 20
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.30-39 Route
    90%Mid
    Route 21
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.30-39 Route
    90%Mid
    Route 21
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.30-39 Route
    90%Mid
    Vermilion City - City
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.30-39 City
    90%Mid
    Vermilion City - City
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.30-39 City
    90%Mid
    Vermilion City - Harbor
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.30-39 City
    90%Mid
    Vermilion City - Harbor
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.30-39 City
    90%Mid
    Route 12
    SilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    65%Mid
    Route 12
    GoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    65%Mid
    Route 13
    GoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    65%Mid
    Route 13
    SilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    65%Mid
    Whirl Islands - 1F
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Water
    60%Mid
    Whirl Islands - 1F
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Water
    60%Mid
    Route 12
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.25-29 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 12
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.25-29 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 13
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.25-29 Route
    60%Mid
    Route 13
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.25-29 Route
    60%Mid
    New Bark Town
    GoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    New Bark Town
    SilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Olivine City - Harbor
    SilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Olivine City - Harbor
    GoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Union Cave - B2F
    GoldGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    35%Mid
    Union Cave - B2F
    SilverGood Rod Lv.20 Cave
    35%Mid
    Pallet Town
    SilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Pallet Town
    GoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Route 26
    SilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 26
    GoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 27
    SilverGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Route 27
    GoldGood Rod Lv.20 Route
    35%Mid
    Vermilion City - City
    GoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Vermilion City - City
    SilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Vermilion City - Harbor
    SilverGood Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Vermilion City - Harbor
    GoldGood Rod Lv.20 City
    35%Mid
    Route 32
    SilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    70%Late
    Route 32
    GoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    70%Late
    Route 12
    SilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    70%Late
    Route 12
    GoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    70%Late
    Route 13
    GoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    70%Late
    Route 13
    SilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    70%Late
  2. Tentacruel
    Step 2Tentacruel ✓
    Route 41
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
    30%Mid
    Route 41
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
    30%Mid
    Cherrygrove City
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.20-40 City
    10%Mid
    Cherrygrove City
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.20-40 City
    10%Mid
    Cianwood City
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.20-40 City
    10%Mid
    Cianwood City
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.20-40 City
    10%Mid
    New Bark Town
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.20-40 City
    10%Mid
    New Bark Town
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.20-40 City
    10%Mid
    Olivine City
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.20-40 City
    10%Mid
    Olivine City
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.20-40 City
    10%Mid
    Olivine City - Harbor
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.20-24 City
    10%Mid
    Olivine City - Harbor
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.20-24 City
    10%Mid
    Route 32
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
    10%Mid
    Route 32
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
    10%Mid
    Route 34
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
    10%Mid
    Route 34
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
    10%Mid
    Route 40
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
    10%Mid
    Route 40
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
    10%Mid
    Union Cave - B2F
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Cave
    10%Mid
    Union Cave - B2F
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Cave
    10%Mid
    Whirl Islands - 1F
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Water
    10%Mid
    Whirl Islands - 1F
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Water
    10%Mid
    Whirl Islands - B2F
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Water
    10%Mid
    Whirl Islands - B2F
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Water
    10%Mid
    Whirl Islands - B2F Inner Cave
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Water
    10%Mid
    Whirl Islands - B2F Inner Cave
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Water
    10%Mid
    Route 27
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
    10%Mid
    Route 27
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
    10%Mid
    Route 12
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.25-29 Route
    10%Mid
    Route 12
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.25-29 Route
    10%Mid
    Route 13
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.25-29 Route
    10%Mid
    Route 13
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.25-29 Route
    10%Mid
    Route 26
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.30-34 Route
    10%Mid
    Route 26
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.30-34 Route
    10%Mid
    New Bark Town
    GoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    20%Late
    New Bark Town
    SilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    20%Late
    Olivine City - Harbor
    SilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    20%Late
    Olivine City - Harbor
    GoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    20%Late
    Union Cave - B2F
    SilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    20%Late
    Union Cave - B2F
    GoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Cave
    20%Late
    Pallet Town
    SilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    20%Late
    Pallet Town
    GoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    20%Late
    Route 26
    SilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Route 26
    GoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Route 27
    SilverSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Route 27
    GoldSuper Rod Lv.40 Route
    20%Late
    Vermilion City - City
    SilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    20%Late
    Vermilion City - City
    GoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    20%Late
    Vermilion City - Harbor
    SilverSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    20%Late
    Vermilion City - Harbor
    GoldSuper Rod Lv.40 City
    20%Late
    Cinnabar Island - Gym
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.35-39 Water
    10%Late
    Cinnabar Island - Gym
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.35-39 Water
    10%Late
    Pallet Town
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.35-39 City
    10%Late
    Pallet Town
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.35-39 City
    10%Late
    Route 19
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.35-39 Route
    10%Late
    Route 19
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.35-39 Route
    10%Late
    Route 20
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.35-39 Route
    10%Late
    Route 20
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.35-39 Route
    10%Late
    Route 21
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.35-39 Route
    10%Late
    Route 21
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.35-39 Route
    10%Late
    Vermilion City - City
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.35-39 City
    10%Late
    Vermilion City - City
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.35-39 City
    10%Late
    Vermilion City - Harbor
    SilverSurfing on water Lv.35-39 City
    10%Late
    Vermilion City - Harbor
    GoldSurfing on water Lv.35-39 City
    10%Late
    or evolve from Tentacool (Step 1)

Tentacruel Guide

  • For Gold & Silver, we rate Tentacruel B-Tier: a solid option in Gold & Silver for the right team. At 515 BST, it fits the pivot role. Surf with Leftovers is the standard set.

  • In Gold & Silver, watch for Raikou (Electric), Golem (Ground), and Starmie (Psychic) when using Tentacruel. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.

  • Base 100 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Tentacruel is a mixed attacker with base 70 Attack and 80 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a pivot.

  • In Gold & Silver, run Surf, Sludge Bomb, Substitute, and Swords Dance on Tentacruel. Surf is the most common pick at 19% usage. Surf provides reliable STAB damage.

  • For Gold & Silver, Tentacruel has answers, but so do you. Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Electric, Ground, and Psychic-type attackers hit hardest.

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

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