Special
Attacker
52Speed · Slow

Is Huntail Good in Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

Trade Clamperl with Deep Sea Tooth. Water-type with AbilitySwift Swim for rain Speed. Physical Water attacker, which doesn't work well since Water is Special in Gen 3. The same physical/special mismatch. Trade evolution for a conflicted result.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSGESEEGGEEEEGGEEGGGGRoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6ClamperlCatchableHuntailGorebyssEvolveTate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8SidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Strong

Clamperl resists most of Roxanne's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Easy KO
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
TackleHardenRock ThrowRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Good

Clamperl has the type edge here and should clean up Brawly's team.

You Win
Machop
Lv 17
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopSeismic TossBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 18
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustKnock OffSand AttackBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Clamperl trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

Even
Magnemite
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomThunder ShockThunder Wave
Even
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSelf DestructSparkSonic Boom
Risky
Magneton
Lv 23
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomShock WaveThunder Wave
Flannery
Gym 4
Strong

Clamperl resists most of Flannery's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
Easy KO
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
FlamethrowerRock SlideLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Torkoal
Lv 28
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatBody SlamFlailAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Clamperl trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

Even
Slaking
Lv 28
Normal
Truant
EncoreFacadeYawnFeint Attack
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 30
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFeint AttackFacadeEncore
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
Focus PunchSlack OffFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Clamperl trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

You Win
Swellow
Lv 31
NormalFlying
Guts
Quick AttackAerial AceDouble TeamEndeavor
Risky
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Even
Skarmory
Lv 32
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Even
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Good

Huntail has the type edge here and should clean up Tate & Liza's team.

You Win
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
You Win
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Good

Gorebyss has the type edge here and should clean up Tate & Liza's team.

You Win
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
You Win
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Tate & Liza
Gym 7

Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Tate & Liza:

Wallace
Gym 8
Even

Huntail trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

Risky
Luvdisc
Lv 40
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Even
Whiscash
Lv 42
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
Even
Sealeo
Lv 40
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Risky
Seaking
Lv 42
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseRain DanceFury AttackHorn Drill
Risky
Milotic
Lv 43
Water
Marvel Scale
Water PulseTwisterRecoverIce Beam
Wallace
Gym 8
Even

Gorebyss trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

Even
Luvdisc
Lv 40
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Even
Whiscash
Lv 42
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
Even
Sealeo
Lv 40
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Risky
Seaking
Lv 42
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseRain DanceFury AttackHorn Drill
Risky
Milotic
Lv 43
Water
Marvel Scale
Water PulseTwisterRecoverIce Beam
Wallace
Gym 8

Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Wallace:

Sidney
Elite Four
Even

Huntail trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.

You Win
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarTake DownSand AttackCrunch
Even
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
Fake OutDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
Even
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Risky
Sharpedo
Lv 48
WaterDark
Rough Skin
CrunchSwaggerSurfSlash
Even
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceSnatchSwords DanceSlash
Sidney
Elite Four
Even

Gorebyss trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.

You Win
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarTake DownSand AttackCrunch
Even
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
Fake OutDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
Even
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Risky
Sharpedo
Lv 48
WaterDark
Rough Skin
CrunchSwaggerSurfSlash
Even
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceSnatchSwords DanceSlash
Sidney
Elite Four

Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Sidney:

Phoebe
Elite Four
Good

Huntail has the type edge here and should clean up Phoebe's team.

You Win
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseFuture Sight
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallSpiteWill O WispFeint Attack
You Win
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallPsychicAttractFeint Attack
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicToxicSkill Swap
You Win
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamConfuse RayEarthquake
Phoebe
Elite Four
Good

Gorebyss has the type edge here and should clean up Phoebe's team.

You Win
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseFuture Sight
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallSpiteWill O WispFeint Attack
You Win
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallPsychicAttractFeint Attack
You Win
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicToxicSkill Swap
You Win
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamConfuse RayEarthquake
Phoebe
Elite Four

Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Phoebe:

Glacia
Elite Four
Even

Huntail trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.

You Win
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchHailIce Beam
Even
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamHailIce Ball
Even
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDiveHailBlizzard
You Win
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallCrunchHailIce Beam
Risky
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamBlizzardSheer Cold
Glacia
Elite Four
Even

Gorebyss trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.

Even
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchHailIce Beam
Even
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamHailIce Ball
Even
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDiveHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallCrunchHailIce Beam
Risky
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamBlizzardSheer Cold
Glacia
Elite Four

Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Glacia:

Drake
Elite Four
Good

Huntail has the type edge here and should clean up Drake's team.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectCrunch
Even
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Take DownDragon BreathDragon DanceRefresh
Easy KO
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
Easy KO
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
Even
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Drake
Elite Four
Good

Gorebyss has the type edge here and should clean up Drake's team.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectCrunch
Even
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Take DownDragon BreathDragon DanceRefresh
Easy KO
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
Easy KO
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
Even
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Drake
Elite Four

Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Drake:

Steven
Champion
Good

Huntail has the type edge here and should clean up Steven's team.

Even
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
You Win
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
Levitate
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
You Win
Aggron
Lv 56
SteelRock
Sturdy
ThunderEarthquakeSolar BeamDragon Claw
Even
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
Easy KO
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Risky
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam
Steven
Champion
Good

Gorebyss has the type edge here and should clean up Steven's team.

Even
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
You Win
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
Levitate
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
You Win
Aggron
Lv 56
SteelRock
Sturdy
ThunderEarthquakeSolar BeamDragon Claw
You Win
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
Easy KO
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Even
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam
Steven
Champion

Your evolution path matters here. Pick a branch to see how it fares against Steven:

Catch Clamperl
Available after Badge 6
Type
Water
Tier
E

Catch Clamperl on Route 124 (Surf, Lv 20-35, common).

View Clamperl locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Brawly
    • TM43NormalSecret Power70100%20
  • After Wattson
    • TM13IceIce Beam90100%10
  • After Norman
    • HM03WaterSurf135100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20
  • After Winona
    • TM14IceBlizzard11070%5
  • After Tate & Liza
    • HM08WaterDive120100%10
    • HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
  • After Wallace
    • TM03WaterWater Pulse90100%20
Evolve Clamperl to Huntail
Trade holding Deep Sea Tooth
Type
Water
Tier
C

Most players are ready to trade before reaching Tate & Liza.

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 33)
    • LV 33WaterWater Pulse90100%20
  • After Wattson
    • TM13IceIce Beam90100%10
  • After Norman
    • HM03WaterSurf135100%15
  • After Winona
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • LV 36DarkCrunch80100%15
  • After Tate & Liza
    • HM08WaterDive120100%10
    • HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
    • LV 50WaterHydro Pump16580%5
Evolve Clamperl to Gorebyss
Trade holding Deep Sea Scale
Type
Water
Tier
A

Most players are ready to trade before reaching Tate & Liza.

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 33)
    • LV 33WaterWater Pulse90100%20
  • After Wattson
    • TM13IceIce Beam90100%10
  • After Norman
    • HM03WaterSurf135100%15
  • After Winona
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • LV 36PsychicPsychic90100%10
  • After Tate & Liza
    • HM08WaterDive120100%10
    • HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
    • LV 50WaterHydro Pump16580%5

How to Get Huntail in Ruby & Sapphire

Huntail's 2-stage line starts with Clamperl, which appears at solid rates in the locations below. Level through 2 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.

How to Obtain Huntail in RS

Clamperl is your first catch on the way to Huntail. You'll find surfing encounters from Lv. 20-35 across 4 total spots in the chain.

  1. Clamperl
    Step 1Catch Clamperl
    Route 124 - Underwater
    Lv.20-35Surfing on water
    Rate 65%
    Route 126 - Underwater
    Lv.20-35Surfing on water
    Rate 65%
  2. Huntail
    Step 2Huntail
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Huntail egg.

Huntail Weakness

Huntail's Water typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric and Grass. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Huntail's physical bulk (base 105 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Huntail Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Huntail Weak Against

Good
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Huntail Strong Against

3Strong
3Resisted
0Immune
Score0
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Huntail

Huntail Evolutions

Out of 2 evolutions from Clamperl, Huntail comes from the trade route. The method you use determines which form you end up with. Breed through Clamperl to get eggs. Both Huntail and Gorebyss hit 485 total stats from Clamperl. The difference is how those stats are split. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Evolutions
Huntail
#367Huntail
Trade + Deep Sea Tooth
Gorebyss
#368Gorebyss
Trade + Deep Sea Scale
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Huntail
Water
HP
35
55+20
55+20
ATK
64
104+40
84+20
DEF
85
105+20
105+20
SP.ATK
74
94+20
114+40
SP.DEF
55
75+20
75+20
SPE
32
52+20
52+20
BST
345C-Tier
485C-Tier+140
485C-Tier+140
ROLE
Balanced
Attacker
Attacker
TYPE
Special
Mixed
Special

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Huntail to get Clamperl eggs easily using 58 partners from the Water1 egg group. Notable egg moves include Barrier, Body Slam, Confuse Ray and 3 more.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
azumarillblastoisegolduckferaligatrkingdraswampertslowbroslowkingoctilleryludicolodewgongcrawdaunt

RS Huntail Best Moveset

104 Attack with physical Water/Dark coverage and MoveRain Dance to trigger AbilitySwift Swim doubling Speed. Held ItemLeftovers sustains or Held ItemChoice Band boosts. Rain attacker on the physical side with decent Attack.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Sweeper
Ability
Swift Swim
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Huntail
Modest+SPA

Huntail best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Sweeper Moveset

  • Ice Beam
  • Rain DanceSTAB
  • Hydro PumpSTAB
  • Hidden Power Electric

Recommended Teammates

Moves List

The natural movepool does the job, but Barrier and Body Slam from the egg pool give Huntail something extra.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Whirlpool
528515Water
Lv 8
Bite
C6010025Dark
Lv 15
Screech
D8540Normal
Lv 22
Water Pulse
C9010020Water
Lv 29
Scary Face
9010Normal
Lv 36
Crunch
C8010015Dark
Lv 43
Baton Pass
C40Normal
Lv 50
Hydro Pump
B180805Water

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
C120705Ice
HM08
Dive
B9010010Water
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM07
Hail
10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
B9510010Ice
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
B5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM39
Rock Tomb
D609510Rock
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM49
Snatch+4
10Dark
HM03
Surf
B14210015Water
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
C9010020Water
HM07
Waterfall
B12010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Barrier
D30Psychic
Egg
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Egg
Confuse Ray
D10010Ghost
Egg
Mud Sport
15Ground
Egg
Refresh
D20Normal
Egg
Supersonic
5520Normal

Tutor Moves

Huntail can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP55
D
Attack104
B
Defense105
B
Sp. Atk94
B
Sp. Def75
C
Speed52
D
Total485
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging60 / 255
Growth Rate
Erratic600,000 XP
Height1.7 m
Weight27.0 kg
Base XP170
Abilities
Swift Swim
Doubles Speed during rain.
EV Yield
HPAtk+1Def+1SpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

HUNTAIL’s presence went unnoticed by people for a long time because it lives at extreme depths in the sea. This POKéMON’s eyes can see clearly even in the murky dark depths of the ocean.

HUNTAIL’s tail is shaped like a fish. It uses the tail to attract prey, then swallows the prey whole with its large, gaping mouth. This POKéMON swims by wiggling its slender body like a snake.

Huntail Ruby & Sapphire Guide

  • In Ruby & Sapphire, Swift Swim changes the entire equation for Huntail. The 485 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as an attacker. Ice Beam with Leftovers is the standard set.

  • In Ruby & Sapphire, watch for Raikou (Electric) and Breloom (Grass) when using Huntail. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • No. Huntail is not catchable in the wild. It only comes from trade-evolving Clamperl. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Clamperl to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required. The Deep Sea Tooth must be held during the trade. Bring one over from a sibling Gen 3 game if needed.

  • Swift Swim is what you want on Huntail. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind.

  • At base 52 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Huntail is a special attacker with base 94 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as an attacker.

Game Availability

Obtainable through a trade evolution, Huntail appears in 13 titles across 8 generations since Ruby & Sapphire. The evolution method adds a barrier that wild-catchable Pokemon don't have.

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