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.
The tentacles are normally kept short. On hunts, they are extended to ensnare and immobilize prey.
It has 80 tentacles that move about freely. They can sting, causing poisoning and sharp, stabbing pain.
Tentacruel Weakness
Electric, Ground, and Psychic moves hit Tentacruel for super-effective damage. With 8 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 |
In X & Y, Latios deals 79-93% with Psyshock.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Clefable builds →Moonblast11-13% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Volcanion builds →Flamethrower17-20% Sludge Bomb11-13% | ||
 Latios DragonPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Latios builds →Draco Meteor64-75% Psyshock 2x79-93% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityHuge Power ItemSitrus Berry NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Azumarill builds →Aqua Jet6-7% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
X & Y 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 29 partners from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Acupressure, Aqua Ring, Aurora Beam and 8 more.
X & Y Tentacruel Best Moveset
Timid nature gives Tentacruel the fast special lean it needs to trade hits effectively. Black Sludge adds Poison-type passive recovery, max HP and Defense EVs split the difference, and the remaining moves punishes anything trying to wall it.
Best Build
Tentacruel best EVs are HP and Defense
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic Spikes
- Knock Off
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 coverage across 7 types adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Tentacruel in X & Y
No wild encounters for Tentacruel. The 2-stage line runs through Tentacool, which you can catch at solid rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 30 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Tentacruel in X & Y
To get Tentacruel, start by catching Tentacool through surfing encounters at Lv. 25-27. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch TentacoolAmbrette TownXSurfing on water Lv.25-27 CityCommonMidAmbrette TownYSurfing on water Lv.25-27 CityCommonMidAzure BayXSurfing on water Lv.25-27 WaterCommonMidAzure BayYSurfing on water Lv.25-27 WaterCommonMidCyllage CityYSurfing on water Lv.25-27 CityCommonMidCyllage CityXSurfing on water Lv.25-27 CityCommonMidRoute 12YSurfing on water Lv.25-27 RouteCommonMidRoute 12XSurfing on water Lv.25-27 RouteCommonMidRoute 8YSurfing on water Lv.25-27 RouteCommonMidRoute 8XSurfing on water Lv.25-27 RouteCommonMidShalour CityYSurfing on water Lv.25-27 CityCommonMidShalour CityXSurfing on water Lv.25-27 CityCommonMid
Step 2Tentacruel ✓
Tentacruel Guide
For X & Y, we rate Tentacruel C-Tier: a niche pick in X & Y's meta. At 515 BST, it fits the pivot role. Scald 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.
For X & Y, 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
- 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