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.
Normally, it has 80 poisonous tentacles. The longer one has been alive, the fewer tentacles it will have.
Although these Pokémon are rare, when a large outbreak of them occurs, all fish Pokémon disappear from the surrounding sea.
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 |
 Zygarde DragonGround | B | |
Obtain MethodRoute 16 Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Zygarde builds →Earthquake 2x105-124%KO Land's Wrath 2x94-110%KO Dig 2x84-99% Bulldoze 2x64-75% | ||
 Gastrodon WaterGround | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Gastrodon builds →Mud Bomb 2x39-46% Bulldoze 2x54-64% Mud-Slap 2x14-17% | ||
 Metagross SteelPsychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Metagross builds →Psychic 2x55-66% Zen Headbutt 2x108-128%KO Bulldoze 2x55-65% Confusion 2x33-39% | ||
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Magnezone builds →Zap Cannon 2x95-112%KO Thunder 2x87-103%KO Thunderbolt 2x72-85% Wild Charge 2x70-83% | ||
 Mudsdale Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Mudsdale builds →Earthquake 2x126-149%KO High Horsepower 2x120-141%KO Bulldoze 2x77-91% Mud-Slap 2x10-12% | ||
 | S | |
Recommended Build AbilitySoulheart ItemAssault Vest NatureCalm Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Magearna builds →Volt Switch 2x30-36% Ice Beam10-11% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMisty Surge ItemWikiberry NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Tapu Fini builds →Moonblast13-15% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemBlack Sludge NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Toxapex builds →Scald6-7% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse40-46% Ice Beam15-17% Hydro Pump27-32% | ||
Sun & Moon 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 33 partners from the Water3 egg group. Notable egg moves include Acupressure, Aqua Ring, Aurora Beam and 8 more.
Sun & Moon 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
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
- Sludge Bomb
- Haze
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
- Sludge Bomb
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Sludge Wave
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Scald
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 coverage across 8 types adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Tentacruel in Sun & Moon
Tentacruel appears at high spawn rates across 2 spots in late-game water routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Tentacruel in Sun & Moon
Tentacool is your first catch on the way to Tentacruel. You'll find surfing encounters from Lv. 14-43 across 22 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch TentacoolBrooklet Hill - Totem's DenMoonSurfing on water Lv.14-1740%EarlyBrooklet Hill - Totem's DenSunSurfing on water Lv.14-1740%EarlyKala'e BayMoonSurfing on water Lv.15-18 Water40%EarlyKala'e BaySunSurfing on water Lv.15-18 Water40%EarlyMelemele SeaMoonSurfing on water Lv.15-18 Water40%EarlyMelemele SeaSunSurfing on water Lv.15-18 Water40%EarlyRoute 1 - Hau'oli OutskirtsMoonSurfing on water Lv.15-18 Route40%EarlyRoute 1 - Hau'oli OutskirtsSunSurfing on water Lv.15-18 Route40%EarlyHano BeachMoonSurfing on water Lv.21-24 Water100%MidShaking spotHano BeachSunSurfing on water Lv.21-24 Water100%MidShaking spotSecluded ShoreMoonSurfing on water Lv.27-3040%MidSecluded ShoreSunSurfing on water Lv.27-3040%MidRoute 14MoonSurfing on water Lv.28-31 Route40%MidRoute 14SunSurfing on water Lv.28-31 Route40%MidRoute 15MoonSurfing on water Lv.30-33 Route40%MidRoute 15SunSurfing on water Lv.30-33 Route40%MidRoute 7MoonSurfing on water Lv.16-19 Route30%MidRoute 7SunSurfing on water Lv.16-19 Route30%MidHano BeachMoonSurfing on water Lv.21-24 Water30%MidHano BeachSunSurfing on water Lv.21-24 Water30%Mid
Step 2Tentacruel ✓Poni WildsSunSurfing on water Lv.40-4330%LatePoni WildsMoonSurfing on water Lv.40-4330%Lateor evolve from Tentacool (Step 1)
Tentacruel Guide
For Sun & Moon, we rate Tentacruel B-Tier: a solid option in Sun & Moon for the right team. 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.
In Sun & Moon, run Scald, Rapid Spin, Sludge Bomb, and Haze on Tentacruel. Scald is the most common pick at 25% 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