Pokemon GO Tentacruel: Ultimate Guide for 2024

Tentacruel is a popular Water/Poison-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 2,422, Tentacruel is a viable option for Great League PvP battles where its unique typing and moveset can shine.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Tentacruel in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.

📊 Tentacruel Base Stats & Overview

Tentacruel (#073) is a Water/Poison-type Pokemon from Generation 1.

Base Stats
Attack	166
Defense	209
Stamina	190
Total Stats	565
Max CP	2,422
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 166 Attack, 209 Defense, and 190 Stamina, Tentacruel has a total stat product of 565. Its impressive Defense stat makes it a bulky option that can take hits while dealing consistent damage.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Tentacruel

Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Tentacruel’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Tentacruel for raids, gym battles, or PvP.

Best Raid & Gym Moveset

For PvE content like raids and gym battles, you want moves that maximize DPS (Damage Per Second). The best Water/Poison-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.

Best PvP Moveset

In PvP battles, energy generation and coverage moves become more important. You’ll want a fast move that charges energy quickly and charged moves that provide good type coverage.

🎯 Tentacruel Type Effectiveness

Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Tentacruel effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Water/Poison-type Pokemon, Tentacruel has specific strengths and weaknesses.

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

Tentacruel is weak to: Electric, Ground, Psychic-type moves. When battling against Tentacruel, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.

• Electric – Deals increased damage
• Ground – Deals increased damage
• Psychic – Deals increased damage

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

Tentacruel resists: Fire, Water, Ice, Steel, Grass, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Fairy-type moves. This means Tentacruel takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.

• Fire – Reduced damage
• Water – Reduced damage
• Ice – Reduced damage
• Steel – Reduced damage
• Grass – Reduced damage
• Fighting – Reduced damage
• Poison – Reduced damage
• Bug – Reduced damage
• Fairy – Reduced damage

🏆 Tentacruel PvP Analysis

Tentacruel can be used in Pokemon GO’s GO Battle League PvP battles. Here’s how it performs in each league:

Great League (1500 CP Limit)

With a max CP of 2,422, Tentacruel would need to be under-leveled for Great League. Check if the stats at 1500 CP are competitive before investing resources.

Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)

Tentacruel fits well in Ultra League with a max CP of 2,422. It can compete effectively against the meta threats in this league.

Master League (No CP Limit)

Tentacruel is generally not recommended for Master League due to its lower max CP (2,422). Focus on other leagues instead.

⚔️ Tentacruel Raid Guide

Tentacruel is primarily used as a raid attacker rather than a raid boss. Here’s how to use it effectively in raids:

Using Tentacruel in Raids

When using Tentacruel as a raid attacker:

• Best against raid bosses weak to Water-type moves
• Power up to at least level 30-35 for decent performance
• Ensure you have the optimal moveset for maximum DPS

🎯 Best Counters for Tentacruel

Whether you’re battling Tentacruel in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Tentacruel:

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Tentacruel’s weaknesses to Electric, Ground, Psychic-type moves:

Pokemon	Type	Why It Works
Zekrom	Dragon/Electric	Top Electric DPS in the game
Electivire	Electric	Thunder Shock + Wild Charge deals high damage
Raikou	Electric	Consistent Electric damage dealer
Garchomp	Dragon/Ground	Mud Shot + Earth Power deals massive damage
Groudon	Ground	Legendary with Precipice Blades
Excadrill	Ground/Steel	High Ground DPS

Counter Strategy Tips

1. Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Tentacruel
2. Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
3. Watch for Coverage Moves: Tentacruel may have moves that counter its own counters
4. Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks

📍 How to Get Tentacruel in Pokemon GO

There are several ways to obtain Tentacruel in Pokemon GO:

• Wild Encounters: Tentacruel can spawn in the wild, especially in areas matching its type
• Eggs: May hatch from 3km eggs
• Evolution: Evolve from its pre-evolution using Candy
• Raids: Occasionally appears in raid battles
• Research Tasks: Complete field research for a chance to encounter
• Trading: Trade with friends

Shiny Tentacruel

Yes, Shiny Tentacruel is available in Pokemon GO! The shiny variant has a different coloration and is highly sought after by collectors. The shiny rate for wild encounters is approximately 1 in 500, though this can be boosted during special events like Community Days or Spotlight Hours.

Tentacruel Evolution

Check the Pokédex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Tentacruel

Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Tentacruel’s potential in Pokemon GO:

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Tentacruel with high Attack IVs (15 Attack is ideal). The Attack stat contributes most to damage output in PvE content.

For PvP battles, the ideal IVs depend on the league:

• Great League: Look for low Attack, high Defense and HP (0/15/15 is often ideal)
• Ultra League: Similar to Great League, optimize for stat product under 2500 CP
• Master League: Perfect 15/15/15 IVs are best since there’s no CP cap

2. Power Up Priority

Before investing Stardust and Candy into Tentacruel, consider:

• Do you have enough resources? (Powering to level 50 costs 296,000 Stardust and 296 Candy)
• Will this Pokemon fill a gap in your battle team?
• Are there better alternatives for the same role?
• Do you have the optimal moveset or need Elite TMs?

3. Team Composition

Tentacruel works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Water/Poison type weak to Electric, Ground, consider adding team members that resist these types.

4. Weather Considerations

Take advantage of weather boosts:

• When catching: Weather-boosted Tentacruel spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
• When battling: Weather that boosts Water moves increases your damage output
• When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather

📚 Tentacruel in the Pokemon Franchise

Tentacruel first appeared in Generation 1 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Tentacruel’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.

In Pokemon GO, Tentacruel was introduced as part of the Generation 1 Pokemon rollout. Being a Generation 1 Pokemon, Tentacruel has been available since the game’s launch in July 2016.

📊 How Tentacruel Compares

Let’s see how Tentacruel stacks up against other Water-type Pokemon:

Stat	Tentacruel	Type Average	Rating
Attack	166	~180	⭐⭐
Defense	209	~160	⭐⭐⭐
Stamina	190	~170	⭐⭐
Max CP	2,422	~2,500	⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Tentacruel is a versatile Water/Poison-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 2,422 and solid base stats (166/209/190), it can shine in Great League PvP where its unique typing and moveset options provide interesting strategic possibilities.

Remember to:

• Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
• Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
• Build a team that covers Tentacruel’s weaknesses
• Take advantage of weather boosts when possible

For more Pokemon guides and the complete Pokedex, visit our Pokemon GO Database. Check out our PvP Rankings for the current meta and Raid Guides for battle strategies.

Last updated: January 2026. Information based on the latest Pokemon GO game data.

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