Tentacool Pokemon GO: Complete Guide, Best Moveset & Counters

Tentacool is a popular Water/Poison-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 1,040, Tentacool 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 Tentacool in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.

📊 Tentacool Base Stats & Overview

Tentacool (#072) is a Water/Poison-type Pokemon from Generation 1.

Base Stats
Attack	97
Defense	149
Stamina	120
Total Stats	366
Max CP	1,040
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 97 Attack, 149 Defense, and 120 Stamina, Tentacool has a total stat product of 366. While not the highest in any single stat, Tentacool’s balanced stats make it versatile in various battle situations.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Tentacool

Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Tentacool’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Tentacool 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.

🎯 Tentacool Type Effectiveness

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

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

Tentacool is weak to: Electric, Ground, Psychic-type moves. When battling against Tentacool, 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)

Tentacool resists: Fire, Water, Ice, Steel, Grass, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Fairy-type moves. This means Tentacool 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

🏆 Tentacool PvP Analysis

Tentacool 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)

Tentacool can reach its full potential in Great League since its max CP (1,040) is at or below the 1500 CP limit. This makes it a viable option if its typing and moveset align with the current meta.

Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)

With a max CP of 1,040, Tentacool may struggle in Ultra League against bulkier opponents with higher stat products.

Master League (No CP Limit)

Tentacool is generally not recommended for Master League due to its lower max CP (1,040). Focus on other leagues instead.

⚔️ Tentacool Raid Guide

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

Using Tentacool in Raids

When using Tentacool 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 Tentacool

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

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Tentacool’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 Tentacool
2. Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
3. Watch for Coverage Moves: Tentacool 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 Tentacool in Pokemon GO

There are several ways to obtain Tentacool in Pokemon GO:

• Wild Encounters: Tentacool 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 Tentacool

Yes, Shiny Tentacool 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.

Tentacool Evolution

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

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Tentacool

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

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Tentacool 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 Tentacool, 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

Tentacool 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 Tentacool 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

📚 Tentacool in the Pokemon Franchise

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

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

📊 How Tentacool Compares

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

Stat	Tentacool	Type Average	Rating
Attack	97	~180	⭐
Defense	149	~160	⭐
Stamina	120	~170	⭐
Max CP	1,040	~2,500	⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Tentacool is a versatile Water/Poison-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 1,040 and solid base stats (97/149/120), 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 Tentacool’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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