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 fires off ultrasonic waves from its red orbs to weaken its prey, and then it wraps them up in its 80 tentacles.
It communicates with others of its kind by lighting up the red orbs on its head. When the orbs are blinking, it’s a warning sign.
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 |
 Lunala PsychicGhost | S | |
Obtain MethodMahalo Trail Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Lunala builds →Dream Eater 2x84-99% Thunderbolt 2x50-59% Psyshock 2x67-79% Confusion 2x43-50% | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Garchomp builds →Dig 2x105-124%KO Bulldoze 2x79-93% Sand Tomb 2x47-56% | ||
 Swampert WaterGround | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Swampert builds →Earthquake 2x113-134%KO Mud Bomb 2x37-45% Bulldoze 2x69-81% Mud Shot 2x33-39% | ||
 Metagross SteelPsychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Metagross builds →Psychic 2x55-66% Zen Headbutt 2x108-128%KO Psyshock 2x49-58% Bulldoze 2x55-65% | ||
 Flygon GroundDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Tentacruel View Flygon builds →Earthquake 2x105-124%KO Earth Power 2x49-58% Bulldoze 2x64-75% Sand Tomb 2x37-45% | ||
 | 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% | ||
Ultra Sun & Ultra 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.
Ultra Sun & Ultra 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 Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Tentacruel starts showing up in mid-game water routes at high spawn rates across 8 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Tentacruel in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Tentacool is your first catch on the way to Tentacruel. You'll find surfing encounters from Lv. 14-44 across 24 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch TentacoolBrooklet Hill - Totem's DenUltra MoonSurfing on water Lv.14-1740%EarlyBrooklet Hill - Totem's DenUltra SunSurfing on water Lv.14-1740%EarlyHau'oli City - BeachfrontUltra MoonSurfing on water Lv.15-18 City40%EarlyHau'oli City - BeachfrontUltra SunSurfing on water Lv.15-18 City40%EarlyKala'e BayUltra MoonSurfing on water Lv.15-18 Water40%EarlyKala'e BayUltra SunSurfing on water Lv.15-18 Water40%EarlyMelemele SeaUltra MoonSurfing on water Lv.15-18 Water40%EarlyMelemele SeaUltra SunSurfing on water Lv.15-18 Water40%EarlyHano BeachUltra SunSurfing on water Lv.22-25 Water100%MidShaking spotHano BeachUltra MoonSurfing on water Lv.22-25 Water100%MidShaking spotRoute 7Ultra MoonSurfing on water Lv.16-19 Route30%MidRoute 7Ultra SunSurfing on water Lv.16-19 Route30%MidHano BeachUltra MoonSurfing on water Lv.22-25 Water30%MidHano BeachUltra SunSurfing on water Lv.22-25 Water30%MidNightSOS from FinneonHano BeachUltra SunSurfing on water Lv.22-25 Water30%MidHano BeachUltra MoonSurfing on water Lv.22-25 Water30%MidNightSOS from Finneon
Step 2Tentacruel ✓Route 14Ultra SunSurfing on water Lv.30-33 Route30%MidRoute 14Ultra MoonSurfing on water Lv.30-33 Route30%MidRoute 15Ultra SunSurfing on water Lv.32-35 Route40%LateRoute 15Ultra MoonSurfing on water Lv.32-35 Route40%LateAncient Poni PathUltra MoonSurfing on water Lv.41-44 Route30%LateAncient Poni PathUltra SunSurfing on water Lv.41-44 Route30%LatePoni Breaker CoastUltra MoonSurfing on water Lv.41-44 Water30%LatePoni Breaker CoastUltra SunSurfing on water Lv.41-44 Water30%Lateor evolve from Tentacool (Step 1)
Tentacruel Guide
For Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, we rate Tentacruel B-Tier: a solid option in Ultra Sun & Ultra 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 Ultra Sun & Ultra 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