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

What is Tentacruel weak to?

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

What role does Tentacruel play in battle?

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.

What are the best moves for Tentacruel?

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

What counters Tentacruel?

For Crystal, 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.

Tentacruel - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

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

Attack70

Defense65

Sp. Atk80

Sp. Def120

Speed100

Total515

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging60 / 255

Growth Rate

Slow1.25M XP

Height1.6 m

Weight55.0 kg

Base XP180

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

When its 80 feelers absorb water, it stretches to become like a net to entangle its prey.

Crystal

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
Damage	Types
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

Electric Ground Psychic

½xResist

Fire Water Ice Fighting Poison Bug Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

None

STAB (4)

Fire Ground Rock Grass

How to Beat Tentacruel in Crystal (Best Counters)

Donphan Ground	B
TM Move Moves Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Mud-Slap 2x 27-32% View Donphan builds →
Quagsire WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Dig 2x 71-84% Mud-Slap 2x 19-23% View Quagsire builds →
Graveler RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Dig 2x 79-93% Mud-Slap 2x 21-26% View Graveler builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Dig 2x 47-55% Mud-Slap 2x 15-17% View Onix builds →
Magnemite ElectricSteel	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 Thunder ShockLv. 6 Damage vs Tentacruel Thunder 2x 66-79% Thunder Shock 2x 27-32% View Magnemite builds →

Crystal 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

#072Tentacool

Level 30

#073Tentacruel

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Tentacool

WaterPoison

Tentacruel

WaterPoison

80+40

ATK

70+30

DEF

65+30

SP.ATK

80+30

SP.DEF

100

120+20

SPE

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)

Crystal 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

SnorlaxGood

TyranitarDecent

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

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

Aurora Beam

—6510020Ice

Egg

Haze

C——30Ice

Egg

Mirror Coat-5

D—10020Psychic

Egg

Rapid Spin

A5010040Normal

Egg

Safeguard

D——25Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Ice Beam

C9510010Ice

How to Get Tentacruel in Crystal

Tentacruel's scattered across 30 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 Crystal

Tentacool is your first catch on the way to Tentacruel. You'll find surfing and fishing encounters from Lv. 10-40 across 76 total spots in the chain.

Step 1Catch Tentacool
Cianwood City
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 City
90%Early
New Bark Town
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 City
90%Early
Olivine City
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 City
90%Early
Olivine City - Harbor
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 City
90%Early
Route 34
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
90%Early
Route 40
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
90%Early
Route 27
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 Route
90%Early
Cherrygrove City
Surfing on water Lv.15-24 City
60%Early
Route 32
Surfing on water Lv.15-19 Route
60%Early
Union Cave - B2F
Surfing on water Lv.15-19 Cave
60%Early
New Bark Town
Old Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Olivine City - Harbor
Old Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Route 32
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Pallet Town
Old Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Route 12
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 13
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 26
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 27
Old Rod Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Vermilion City - City
Old Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Vermilion City - Harbor
Old Rod Lv.10 City
15%Early
Route 26
Surfing on water Lv.25-34 Route
90%Mid
Cinnabar Island - Gym
Surfing on water Lv.30-39 Water
90%Mid
Pallet Town
Surfing on water Lv.30-39 City
90%Mid
Route 19
Surfing on water Lv.30-39 Route
90%Mid
Route 20
Surfing on water Lv.30-39 Route
90%Mid
Route 21
Surfing on water Lv.30-39 Route
90%Mid
Vermilion City - City
Surfing on water Lv.30-39 City
90%Mid
Vermilion City - Harbor
Surfing on water Lv.30-39 City
90%Mid
Route 32
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Route 12
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Route 13
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
65%Mid
Route 41
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
60%Mid
Whirl Islands - 1F
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 Water
60%Mid
Whirl Islands - B2F
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 Water
60%Mid
Route 12
Surfing on water Lv.25-29 Route
60%Mid
Route 13
Surfing on water Lv.25-29 Route
60%Mid
New Bark Town
Good Rod Lv.20 City
35%Mid
Olivine City - Harbor
Good Rod Lv.20 City
35%Mid
Pallet Town
Good Rod Lv.20 City
35%Mid
Route 26
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
35%Mid
Route 27
Good Rod Lv.20 Route
35%Mid
Vermilion City - City
Good Rod Lv.20 City
35%Mid
Vermilion City - Harbor
Good Rod Lv.20 City
35%Mid
Route 32
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
70%Late
Route 12
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
70%Late
Route 13
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
70%Late
Train until Level 30
Step 2Tentacruel ✓
Route 41
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
30%Mid
Cherrygrove City
Surfing on water Lv.20-40 City
10%Mid
Cianwood City
Surfing on water Lv.20-40 City
10%Mid
New Bark Town
Surfing on water Lv.20-40 City
10%Mid
Olivine City
Surfing on water Lv.20-40 City
10%Mid
Olivine City - Harbor
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 City
10%Mid
Route 32
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
10%Mid
Route 34
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
10%Mid
Route 40
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
10%Mid
Union Cave - B2F
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 Cave
10%Mid
Whirl Islands - 1F
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 Water
10%Mid
Whirl Islands - B2F Inner Cave
Surfing on water Lv.20-28 Water
10%Mid
Route 27
Surfing on water Lv.20-24 Route
10%Mid
Route 12
Surfing on water Lv.25-29 Route
10%Mid
Route 13
Surfing on water Lv.25-29 Route
10%Mid
Route 26
Surfing on water Lv.30-34 Route
10%Mid
New Bark Town
Super Rod Lv.40 City
20%Late
Olivine City - Harbor
Super Rod Lv.40 City
20%Late
Pallet Town
Super Rod Lv.40 City
20%Late
Route 26
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
20%Late
Route 27
Super Rod Lv.40 Route
20%Late
Vermilion City - City
Super Rod Lv.40 City
20%Late
Vermilion City - Harbor
Super Rod Lv.40 City
20%Late
Cinnabar Island - Gym
Surfing on water Lv.35-39 Water
10%Late
Pallet Town
Surfing on water Lv.35-39 City
10%Late
Route 19
Surfing on water Lv.35-39 Route
10%Late
Route 20
Surfing on water Lv.35-39 Route
10%Late
Route 21
Surfing on water Lv.35-39 Route
10%Late
Vermilion City - City
Surfing on water Lv.35-39 City
10%Late
Vermilion City - Harbor
Surfing on water Lv.35-39 City
10%Late
or evolve from Tentacool (Step 1)

Tentacruel Guide

For Crystal, we rate Tentacruel B-Tier: a solid option in Crystal for the right team. At 515 BST, it fits the pivot role. Surf with Leftovers is the standard set.
In Crystal, 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 Crystal, 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 Crystal, 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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Donphan Ground	B
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeLv. 49 Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 121-143%KO Mud-Slap 2x 26-31% View Donphan builds →
Marowak Ground	B
Obtain MethodEvolve Cubone (Goldenrod City Gift) Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Thunder PunchTM41 Bone ClubLv. 9 BonemerangLv. 25 Damage vs Tentacruel Dig 2x 70-83% Thunder Punch 2x 19-23% Bone Club 2x 57-68% Bonemerang 2x 44-52% View Marowak builds →
Quagsire WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeLv. 35 DigTM28 Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Earthquake 2x 92-108%KO Dig 2x 74-87% Mud-Slap 2x 19-23% View Quagsire builds →
Sandslash Ground	C
Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Dig 2x 84-99% Mud-Slap 2x 23-27% View Sandslash builds →
Magneton ElectricSteel	C
Available Moves Moves Zap CannonLv. 53 ThunderTM25 Thunder ShockLv. 6 Damage vs Tentacruel Zap Cannon 2x 88-105%KO Thunder 2x 82-97% Thunder Shock 2x 31-37% View Magneton builds →

Celebi PsychicGrass	A
Obtain MethodIlex Forest Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves ConfusionLv. 1 Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Confusion 2x 36-43% Mud-Slap 2x 18-21% View Celebi builds →
Quagsire WaterGround	C
TM Move Moves Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Mud-Slap 2x 21-27% View Quagsire builds →
Onix RockGround	C
TM Move Moves Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Mud-Slap 2x 18-21% View Onix builds →
Geodude RockGround	C
TM Move Moves Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Mud-Slap 2x 21-27% View Geodude builds →
Sandshrew Ground	D
TM Move Moves Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Mud-Slap 2x 21-27% View Sandshrew builds →

Quagsire WaterGround	C
TM Move Moves Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Mud-Slap 2x 22-26% View Quagsire builds →
Onix RockGround	C
TM Move Moves Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Mud-Slap 2x 18-22% View Onix builds →
Geodude RockGround	C
TM Move Moves Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Mud-Slap 2x 22-26% View Geodude builds →
Slowpoke WaterPsychic	D
Obtain MethodSlowpoke Well Surfing Available Moves Moves ConfusionLv. 20 Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Confusion 2x 22-26% Mud-Slap 2x 15-18% View Slowpoke builds →
Sandshrew Ground	D
TM Move Moves Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Mud-Slap 2x 22-26% View Sandshrew builds →

Quagsire WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Dig 2x 77-91% Mud-Slap 2x 21-26% View Quagsire builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Dig 2x 49-59% Mud-Slap 2x 15-18% View Onix builds →
Cubone Ground	C
Obtain MethodGoldenrod City Gift Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Thunder PunchTM41 Bone ClubLv. 9 BonemerangLv. 25 Damage vs Tentacruel Dig 2x 52-62% Thunder Punch 2x 21-24% Bone Club 2x 43-51% Bonemerang 2x 34-40% View Cubone builds →
Magnemite ElectricSteel	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 Thunder ShockLv. 6 Damage vs Tentacruel Thunder 2x 74-88% Thunder Shock 2x 30-37% View Magnemite builds →
Sandshrew Ground	D
Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Dig 2x 71-84% Mud-Slap 2x 21-26% View Sandshrew builds →

Quagsire WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Dig 2x 73-87% Mud-Slap 2x 20-24% View Quagsire builds →
Graveler RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Dig 2x 81-96% Mud-Slap 2x 22-27% View Graveler builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Mud-SlapTM31 Damage vs Tentacruel Dig 2x 48-57% Mud-Slap 2x 15-18% View Onix builds →
Cubone Ground	C
Obtain MethodGoldenrod City Gift Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Thunder PunchTM41 Bone ClubLv. 9 BonemerangLv. 25 Damage vs Tentacruel Dig 2x 51-60% Thunder Punch 2x 18-22% Bone Club 2x 43-51% Bonemerang 2x 33-39% View Cubone builds →
Magnemite ElectricSteel	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 Thunder ShockLv. 6 Damage vs Tentacruel Thunder 2x 68-81% Thunder Shock 2x 28-33% View Magnemite builds →