Competitive Information for Tentacruel [Sword/Shield]
Water / Poison
Abilities:
Prevents other Pokemon from lowering this Pokemon's stat stages.
This Pokemon damages those draining HP from it for as much as they would heal.
If Rain Dance is active, this Pokemon heals 1/16 of its max HP each turn.
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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Tentacruel? These builds are optimized for Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sword/Shield metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
RillaboomIncineroarTogekissGyaradosDusclopsDracovishPrimarinaLaprasIndeedee-FSeaking
Discover the strength of Tentacruel, an exceptional Pokémon known for its Water and Poison typing! It's a sight to see Tentacruel out in the 8th generation battlefield. It is weak to Electric, Ground, and Psychic-typed attacks. Discover how Tentacruel excels in battles with the movesets provided below.
Item: Weakness Policy / Expert Belt
Ability: Clear Body
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Hydro Pump / Scald
- Sludge Bomb / Sludge Wave
- Giga Drain
- Protect / Hyper Beam
In single battles, Tentacruel's Special Sweeper role is a superior. This moveset attempts to overwhelm foes with destructive special power. Expert Belt boosts the damage of Tentacruel's super effective moves by 20%. Weakness Policy activates if Tentacruel is hit by a super effective move. The Weakness Policy is consumed and its Attack and Special Attack are increased by two stages each. With Clear Body, prevents other pokemon from lowering Tentacruel's stat stages.
◆ Scald is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (30% chance to burn the target. Thaws target).
◆ Sludge Bomb is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Sludge Wave is a special STAB-boosted 95-base power Poison-type move (10% chance to poison adjacent pokemon).
◆ Giga Drain is a special 75-base power Grass-type move (Tentacruel recovers 50% of the damage dealt).
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Tentacruel this turn).
◆ Hyper Beam is a special 150-base power Normal-type move (Tentacruel cannot move next turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/maa49
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Band
Ability: Clear Body
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 12 Def / 244 Spe
Moveset:
- Cross Poison / Poison Jab
- Double-Edge / Facade
- Waterfall / Dive
- Knock Off / Brutal Swing
Tentacruel proves to be an exceptional Physical Sweeper for single battles. This moveset is designed to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Tentacruel from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Band will increase the damage of Tentacruel's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. With Clear Body, prevents other pokemon from lowering Tentacruel's stat stages. Facade's damage doubles when the user has a status affliction.
◆ Poison Jab is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Facade is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if Tentacruel is burn/poison/paralyzed).
◆ Waterfall is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Dive is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (dives underwater turn 1, strikes turn 2).
◆ Knock Off is a physical 65-base power Dark-type move (1.5x damage if foe holds an item; Note: This will also remove that item).
◆ Brutal Swing is a physical 60-base power Dark-type move (no additional effect. Hits adjacent pokemon).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mba49
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Specs
Ability: Clear Body
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 12 Def / 252 SpA / 244 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Sludge Wave / Sludge Bomb
- Surf / Scald
- Ice Beam
- Dazzling Gleam
Tentacruel makes an a wonderful Special Sweeper in single battles. This build is crafted to overwhelm foes with brute special power. Focus Sash helps protect Tentacruel from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Tentacruel's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Clear Body, prevents other pokemon from lowering Tentacruel's stat stages.
◆ Sludge Bomb is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Surf is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move (hits adjacent pokemon. Double damage on dive).
◆ Scald is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (30% chance to burn the target. Thaws target).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Dazzling Gleam is a special 80-base power Fairy-type move (no additional effect. Hits adjacent foes).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mca49
Item: Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
Nature: Naive (+Spe, -SpD)
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Moveset:
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
- Giga Drain / Venoshock
- Ice Beam
Tentacruel stands out as a stupendous Physical Tank in single battles. The purpose of this moveset is to absorb physical damage and return fire with decent force. With Liquid Ooze, Tentacruel damages those draining hp from it for as much as they would heal. With a Black Sludge equipped to it, each turn, if Tentacruel is a poison type, restores 1/16 max hp; loses 1/8 if not.
◆ Rapid Spin is a physical 50-base power Normal-type move (free Tentacruel from hazards/bind/leech seed; +1 spe).
◆ Giga Drain is a special 75-base power Grass-type move (Tentacruel recovers 50% of the damage dealt).
◆ Venoshock is a special STAB-boosted 65-base power Poison-type move (power doubles if the target is poisoned).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mda49
Item: Black Sludge
Ability: Rain Dish
Nature: Bold (+Def, -Atk)
EVs: 252 Hp / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Moveset:
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Protect
Tentacruel excels as pretty popular Physical Wall during single battles. This setup is intended to withstand physical attacks and hit back effectively. With Rain Dish, if rain dance is active Tentacruel heals 1/16 of its max hp each turn. This tentacruel is best set for Rain teams! Scald is an obvious, decently strong STAB move that has a high chance to burn, which is always good. Protect is so you can stall out the Black Sludge+Rain Dish recovery method is AMAZING. Toxic Spikes is just a useful hazard that is uncommon on most Pokemon in the OU tier. With a Black Sludge equipped to it, each turn, if Tentacruel is a poison type, restores 1/16 max hp; loses 1/8 if not.
◆ Toxic Spikes is a status move (poisons grounded foes on switch-in. Max 2 layers).
◆ Rapid Spin is a physical 50-base power Normal-type move (free Tentacruel from hazards/bind/leech seed; +1 spe).
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Tentacruel this turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mea49
Item: Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
Nature: Calm (+SpD, -Atk)
EVs: 248 Hp / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Moveset:
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
- Rapid Spin / Acid Spray
- Toxic / Knock Off
Ready for single battles? Tentacruel is an interesting Special Wall. The main aim of this moveset is to take a hefty amount of hits from special attacks while dealing some decent damage. With Liquid Ooze, Tentacruel damages those draining hp from it for as much as they would heal. With a Black Sludge equipped to it, each turn, if Tentacruel is a poison type, restores 1/16 max hp; loses 1/8 if not.
◆ Toxic Spikes is a status move (poisons grounded foes on switch-in. Max 2 layers).
◆ Rapid Spin is a physical 50-base power Normal-type move (free Tentacruel from hazards/bind/leech seed; +1 spe).
◆ Acid Spray is a special STAB-boosted 40-base power Poison-type move (100% chance to lower the target's special defense by 2 stages).
◆ Toxic is a status move (badly poisons the target; Note: Poison types can't miss with Toxic).
◆ Knock Off is a physical 65-base power Dark-type move (1.5x damage if foe holds an item; Note: This will also remove that item).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mfa49
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Tentacruel? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sword/Shield Double Battles. The VGC is the ultimate test of strategy and skill, and these movesets and EVs are designed to excel against multiple opponents at once while providing essential support to your team. Dominate the Sword/Shield metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
RillaboomIncineroarTogekissGyaradosDusclopsDracovishPrimarinaLaprasIndeedee-FSeaking
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Band
Ability: Clear Body
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 12 Def / 244 Spe
Moveset:
- Cross Poison / Poison Jab
- Double-Edge / Facade
- Waterfall / Dive
- Knock Off / Brutal Swing
Tentacruel proves to be a noteworthy Physical Sweeper for double battles. This technique aims to overwhelm foes with devastating physical attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Tentacruel from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Band will increase the damage of Tentacruel's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. With Clear Body, prevents other pokemon from lowering Tentacruel's stat stages. Facade's damage doubles when the user has a status affliction.
◆ Poison Jab is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Facade is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if Tentacruel is burn/poison/paralyzed).
◆ Waterfall is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Dive is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (dives underwater turn 1, strikes turn 2).
◆ Knock Off is a physical 65-base power Dark-type move (1.5x damage if foe holds an item; Note: This will also remove that item).
◆ Brutal Swing is a physical 60-base power Dark-type move (no additional effect. Hits adjacent pokemon).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/naa49
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Specs
Ability: Clear Body
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 12 Def / 252 SpA / 244 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Sludge Wave / Sludge Bomb
- Surf / Scald
- Dazzling Gleam
- Icy Wind / Ice Beam
Tentacruel proves to be popular Special Sweeper for double battles. This moveset is tailored to overwhelm foes with destructive special moves. Focus Sash helps protect Tentacruel from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Tentacruel's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Clear Body, prevents other pokemon from lowering Tentacruel's stat stages.
◆ Sludge Bomb is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Surf is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move (hits adjacent pokemon. Double damage on dive).
◆ Scald is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (30% chance to burn the target. Thaws target).
◆ Dazzling Gleam is a special 80-base power Fairy-type move (no additional effect. Hits adjacent foes).
◆ Icy Wind is a special 55-base power Ice-type move (100% chance to lower the foes speed by 1 stage).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/nba49
Movepool
Want to know what moves Tentacruel can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sword/Shield generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by type, category, accuracy, and power. Moves in bold get the same-type attack bonus (STAB) when used by Tentacruel.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Tentacruel can perform in Sword/Shield. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive SS Move and Ability Combos for Tentacruel
- Moves: Swagger + Screech
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Magic Coat, Protect
- Moves that inflict status (and combo with the move Hex): Scald, Toxic
Moves that boost Tentacruel's stats
- Acid Armor
- Acupressure
- Curse
- Rapid Spin
- Skull Bash
- Swords Dance
Most notable and possible best moves for Tentacruel
- Blizzard
- Dazzling Gleam
- Giga Drain
- Hydro Pump
- Hyper Beam
- Ice Beam
- Icy Wind
- Knock Off
- Muddy Water
- Protect
- Rapid Spin
- Reflect
- Rest
- Scald
- Sludge Bomb
- Sludge Wave
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Tentacruel in Sword and Shield
- Modest Nature ( 0/0/4/252/0/252 )
- Modest Nature ( 172/0/180/100/4/52 )
- Optimize Tentacruel's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
Usage Data
Explore the latest analytical usage data for this Pokémon from various VGC and online competitions. We use this data to develop our strategies and movesets. The data is categorized by competition and skill level: top-ranking trainers, mid-level players, and entry-level players.
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Here are the best movesets for Tentacruel. Top rated Tentacruel Sword/Shield movesets. You can find Tentacruel builds Sword/Shield. Tentacruel movesets Sword/Shield are listed here. VGC Tentacruel Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Tentacruel in Sword/Shield along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution