Competitive Information for Tentacruel [Sword/Shield]
Water / Poison
Abilities:
Movesets for Singles
What is a good competitive moveset for Tentacruel? These builds have been optimized for Pokemon competing in Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs have been specifically calibrated to deal the most amount of damage to the largest group of potentially common opponents and typing threats for the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
RillaboomIncineroarTogekissGyaradosDusclopsDracovishPrimarinaLaprasIndeedee-FSeaking
Tentacruel is a phenomenal Water and Poison-typed Pokemon. It's a pretty standard sight to see Tentacruel out in the 8th generation battlefield. Tentacruel is typically seen in the UU tier (Underused). Tentacruel is weak to Electric, Ground, and Psychic-typed attacks.
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
Special Sweeper Tentacruel (Popular/Trending)
Tentacruel is pretty popular Special Sweeper for single battles. It is primarily designed to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. 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/is10a49
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 / Headbutt
- Waterfall / Dive
- Knock Off / Brutal Swing
Physical Sweeper Tentacruel (Clear Body)
Tentacruel is a stupendous Physical Sweeper for single battles. It's purpose is 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.
◆ 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).
◆ Headbutt is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ 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/is11a49
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
Special Sweeper Tentacruel (Clear Body)
Tentacruel is an astounding Special Sweeper for single battles. This moveset is designed to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. 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/is12a49
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 Physical Tank (Cruel Fate)
Tentacruel is an interesting Physical Tank for single battles. It's primary goal is to take a hefty amount of physical hits 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.
◆ 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/is13a49
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 Physical Wall (Hentaisquid)
Tentacruel is a notable Physical Wall for single battles. It's purpose is to take a large amount of physical hits while dealing some decent damage. 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/is14a49
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
Tentacruel Special Wall (Cruel Spinspike )
Tentacruel is a pretty decent Special Wall for single battles. This moveset is designed to take a large 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/is15a49
Movesets for Doubles
What is a good doubles moveset for Tentacruel? These builds have been optimized for Sword/Shield Double Battles. They have movesets and EVs specifically calibrated to generally work best versus multiple Pokemon at once as well as helping to support other team members and allys in the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
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 / Headbutt
- Waterfall / Dive
- Knock Off / Brutal Swing
Doubles Physical Sweeper Tentacruel (Clear Body)
Tentacruel is an awesome Physical Sweeper for double battles. This moveset attempts 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.
◆ 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).
◆ Headbutt is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ 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/id10a49
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
Doubles Special Sweeper Tentacruel (Clear Body)
Tentacruel is pretty popular Special Sweeper for double battles. It was designed to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. 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/id11a49
Movepool
Wondering what moves can Tentacruel learn? Here is the list of moves this Pokemon can learn in this selected generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by move type, category, accuracy, and power. Bolded moves will gain the same-type attack bonus (STAB) if this Pokemon uses them.
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, Protect, Magic Coat
- Moves that inflict status (and combo with the move Hex): Toxic, Scald
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 EV spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
Related Videos
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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