Tentacruel (Japanese: ドククラゲ Dokukurage) is a dual-type Water/Poison Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
It evolves from Tentacool starting at level 30.
It is ecologically similar to Toedscruel; however, the two are separate species.
Biology
Tentacruel's orbs glowing
Tentacruel is a large, cnidarian Pokémon. It has a clear, light blue body that has two large, red orbs on either side and smaller orb in the center. Its eyes are visible in its round lower body, which is black. Extending from its lower body are two blue, beak-like appendages and numerous grayish tentacles. Its red orbs glow whenever it is excited or agitated, communicating with its own kind, and it may alert others to danger by stridently flashing them. They are also capable of refracting sunlight, storing energy, and firing ultrasonic waves.
Tentacruel's primarily light blue body helps it camouflage in the water. It has a total of 80 tentacles, which it can readily extend during hunts to ensnare its prey in a net-like shape before immobilizing it with poison. The tentacles can grow or shrink with ease. Its tentacles can absorb water to stretch even further. Most of these tentacles are hidden and kept short, leaving up to 14 exposed. However, it tends to lose tentacles as it ages. While Tentacruel are rarely seen, they can gather in large groups which scares away any nearby fish Pokémon. Tentacruel lives in underwater rock formations and can be found throughout the ocean.
Although Toedscruel bears a strong resemblance to Tentacruel, the two species are biologically unrelated.
Evolution
Tentacruel evolves from Tentacool.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokédex entries
| Generation I | | | Kanto
#073 | | Red(JPN) | (This entry was originally untranslated in English until it was reused in Pokémon FireRed.) | | Green | | Red(ENG) | The tentacles are normally kept short. On hunts, they are extended to ensnare and immobilize prey. | | Blue | | Yellow | Its 80 tentacles can stretch and contract freely. They wrap around prey and weaken it with poison. | | Stadium | It has 80 tentacles. Once they wrap around an enemy, the tentacles will not release, no matter what. | | |
| Generation II | | | Johto
#163 | | Gold | Its 80 tentacles absorb water and stretch almost endlessly to Constrict its prey and enemies. | | Silver | In battle, it extends all 80 of its tentacles to entrap its opponent inside a poisonous net. | | Crystal | When its 80 feelers absorb water, it stretches to become like a net to entangle its prey. | | Stadium 2 | Its 80 tentacles absorb water and stretch almost endlessly to Constrict its prey and enemies. | | |
| Generation III | | Hoenn
#067 | | Kanto
#073 | | Ruby | Tentacruel has large red orbs on its head. The orbs glow before lashing the vicinity with a harsh ultrasonic blast. This Pokémon's outburst causes rough waves around it. | | Sapphire | Tentacruel has tentacles that can be freely elongated and shortened at will. It ensnares prey with its tentacles and weakens the prey by dosing it with a harsh toxin. It can catch up to 80 prey at the same time. | | Emerald | It lives in complex rock formations on the ocean floor and traps prey using its 80 tentacles. Its red orbs glow when it grows excited or agitated. | | FireRed | It has 80 tentacles that move about freely. They can sting, causing poisoning and sharp, stabbing pain. | | LeafGreen | The tentacles are normally kept short. On hunts, they are extended to ensnare and immobilize prey. | | |
| Generation IV | | Sinnoh
#137 | | Johto
#165 | | Diamond | With 80 tentacles for ensnaring victims, it prevents escape until the prey is weakened by poison. | | Pearl | It alerts others to danger by stridently flashing the red orbs on its head. | | Platinum | It extends its 80 tentacles to form an encircling poisonous net that is difficult to escape. | | HeartGold | Its 80 tentacles absorb water and stretch almost endlessly to constrict its prey and enemies. | | SoulSilver | In battle, it extends all 80 of its tentacles to entrap its opponent inside a poisonous net. | | |
| Generation V | | | Unova
#— | | Black | It extends its 80 tentacles to form an encircling poisonous net that is difficult to escape. | | White | | Black 2 | It extends its 80 tentacles to form an encircling poisonous net that is difficult to escape. | | White 2 | | |
| Generation VI | | Kalos
Coastal #026 | | Hoenn
#069 | | X | The tentacles are normally kept short. On hunts, they are extended to ensnare and immobilize prey. | | Y | It has 80 tentacles that move about freely. They can sting, causing poisoning and sharp, stabbing pain. | | Omega Ruby | Tentacruel has large red orbs on its head. The orbs glow before lashing the vicinity with a harsh ultrasonic blast. This Pokémon's outburst creates rough waves around it. | | Alpha Sapphire | Tentacruel has tentacles that can be freely elongated and shortened at will. It ensnares prey with its tentacles and weakens the prey by dosing it with a harsh toxin. It can catch up to 80 prey at the same time. | | |
| Generation VII | | Alola
S M : #107 | | Alola
US UM : #130 | | Kanto
#073 | | Sun | Normally, it has 80 poisonous tentacles. The longer one has been alive, the fewer tentacles it will have. | | Moon | Although these Pokémon are rare, when a large outbreak of them occurs, all fish Pokémon disappear from the surrounding sea. | | Ultra Sun | It fires off ultrasonic waves from its red orbs to weaken its prey, and then it wraps them up in its 80 tentacles. | | Ultra Moon | It communicates with others of its kind by lighting up the red orbs on its head. When the orbs are blinking, it's a warning sign. | | Let's Go Pikachu | Its 80 tentacles can stretch and contract freely. They wrap around prey and weaken it with poison. | | Let's Go Eevee | | |
| Generation VIII | | Galar
Isle of Armor #041 | | Sinnoh
#137 | | Hisui
#171 | | Sword | When the red orbs on Tentacruel's head glow brightly, watch out. The Pokémon is about to fire off a burst of ultrasonic waves. | | Shield | Its 80 tentacles can stretch and shrink freely. Tentacruel ensnares prey in a net of spread-out tentacles, delivering venomous stings to its catch. | | Brilliant Diamond | With 80 tentacles for ensnaring victims, it prevents escape until the prey is weakened by poison. | | Shining Pearl | It alerts others to danger by stridently flashing the red orbs on its head. | | Legends: Arceus | It has 80 tentacles, each with a venomous tip. These tentacles are also extendible, lengthening when Tentacruel attempts to catch prey. Use caution. | | |
| Generation IX | | Paldea
#— | | Kitakami
#— | | Blueberry
#51 | | Scarlet | On the rare occasions that large outbreaks of Tentacruel occur, all fish Pokémon disappear from the surrounding sea. | | Violet | In battle, it extends all 80 of its tentacles to entrap its opponent inside a poisonous net. | | |
Game locations
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| Generation II | | | Gold | Silver | Routes 20, 21, 26, 27 and 41, New Bark Town, Olivine City*, Pallet Town, Vermilion City, Cinnabar Island (Surfing and Super Rod)
Routes 12, 13, 19, 32, 34 and 40, Cherrygrove City, Cianwood City, Whirl Islands, Union Cave* (Surfing) | | | Crystal | Routes 20, 21, 26, 27 and 41, New Bark Town, Olivine City*, Pallet Town, Vermilion City, Cinnabar Island (Surfing and Super Rod)
Routes 12, 13, 19, 32, 34 and 40, Cherrygrove City, Cianwood City, Whirl Islands, Union Cave* (Surfing) | | | |
| Generation III | | | Ruby | Sapphire | | | Emerald | | | FireRed | LeafGreen | | Treasure Beach, Kindle Road, Bond Bridge, Five Isle Meadow, Memorial Pillar, Water Labyrinth, Resort Gorgeous, Water Path, Green Path, Outcast Island, Tanoby Ruins, One Island, Five Island, Icefall Cave, Trainer Tower (Surfing) | | | Colosseum | | | XD | | | |
| Generation IV | | | Diamond | Pearl | | Routes 205, 213, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 226, and 230, Pastoria City, Canalave City, Sunyshore City, Valley Windworks, Fuego Ironworks, Iron Island, Pokémon League (Surfing) | | | Platinum | | Routes 205, 212, 213, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 226, and 230, Pastoria City, Canalave City, Sunyshore City, Valley Windworks, Fuego Ironworks, Iron Island, Pokémon League (Surfing) | | | HeartGold | SoulSilver | Routes 20, 21, 26, 27, and 41, New Bark Town, Vermilion City, Cinnabar Island, Pallet Town (Surfing and Super Rod)
Routes 12, 13, 19, 32, 34, and 40, Cherrygrove City, Union Cave*, Whirl Islands*, Olivine City, Cianwood City (Surfing)
Route 47 (Super Rod) | | | Pal Park | | | |
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| Generation VI | | | X | Y | | | Omega Ruby | Alpha Sapphire | | Routes 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, and 133, Mossdeep City, Pacifidlog Town, Ever Grande City, Shoal Cave, Seafloor Cavern, Victory Road, Battle Resort (Surfing) | | | |
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| Generation VIII | | | Sword | Shield | | | Expansion Pass | Challenge Beach, Fields of Honor, Honeycalm Island, Honeycalm Sea, Insular Sea, Loop Lagoon, Stepping-Stone Sea, Workout Sea (Surfing)
Courageous Cavern (Wanderer)
Fields of Honor, Soothing Wetlands, Forest of Focus, Challenge Beach, Loop Lagoon, Insular Sea (Max Raid Battle)
Max Lair (Dynamax Adventure) | | | Brilliant Diamond | Shining Pearl | Routes 205, 213, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 226, and 230, Pastoria City, Canalave City, Sunyshore City, Valley Windworks, Fuego Ironworks, Iron Island, Pokémon League (Surfing)
Grand Underground - Fountainspring Cave, Riverbank Cave, Still-Water Cavern, Swampy Cave, Bogsunk Cavern (After defeating Candice) | | | Legends: Arceus | | | |
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In side games
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| Generation II | | | This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games. | | |
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Held items
Pokémon caught in Generation I must be traded to a Generation II game in order for a held item to appear.
Stats
Base stats
Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
| Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is: | | |
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Learnset
Tentacruel is available in Scarlet and Violet Version 3.0.0+.
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tentacruel
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Tentacruel
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tentacruel
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution or an alternate form of Tentacruel
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Tentacruel
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tentacruel
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Tentacruel
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tentacruel
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Tentacruel
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations
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Side game data
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Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs | Group: | | Poké Assist:
(present) | 
| Field move:
(present) | 
(Crush ×1) | | Not available in the past. | | Browser entry R-277 | | It spits bubbles around itself that make Pokémon Slowed. | | |
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Pokémon Rumble Rush  | Walking Speed: 1.5 seconds | Base HP: 55 | | | Base Attack: 79 | Base Defense: 58 | Base Speed: 70 | | |
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New Pokémon Snap  | | Photodex entry #115 | | Tentacruel use ultrasonic waves to investigate their surroundings and emit light from their heads to signal danger. They seemed to react to the NEO-ONE’s scans—maybe they felt familiar to them! | | |
Evolution data
Sprites
In the anime
Major appearances
A giant Tentacruel appeared in Tentacool & Tentacruel, marking the species' debut. It attacked the city of Porta Vista with a group of Tentacool in response to Nastina's plans to build a hotel on top of their territory. It was eventually talked out of continuing its rampage by Misty.
In Mewtwo Strikes Back and its remake Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution, Fergus's Tentacruel was captured and cloned by Mewtwo. The Tentacruel clone was seen again in Mewtwo Returns.
In Bye Bye Psyduck, Marina used a Tentacruel in her battle with Misty. It battled Goldeen and won, but it was later defeated by Staryu.
In Viva Las Lapras, Captain Crook used multiple Tentacruel to help him poach Pokémon, until they were released by Misty.
In Around the Whirlpool, Captain Marius's Tentacruel got Ash and his friends out of the water using its tentacles. In the same episode, a Tentacruel was among the Pokémon stolen from the Pokémon Center of Blue Point Isle.
In Cerulean Blues, each of the Invincible Pokémon Brothers has a Tentacruel. They were used against Misty's Corsola and Gyarados, eventually hurting the latter. They were then blasted away by Gyarados's Hyper Beam.
In The Search for the Legend, Cassidy used a Tentacruel along with Butch's Cloyster in their attempt to capture a wild Moltres.
In The Great Eight Fate!, three Tentacruel were part of Juan's Sootopolis City Water Exhibit. They and Juan's other Pokémon were captured by Team Rocket, but they all worked together to escape.
In The Brockster Is In!, Team Rocket disturbed multiple Tentacruel. This resulted in them attacking a group of baby Pokémon, leaving them poisoned.
Two Tentacruel appeared in Fighting Back the Tears!. One appeared in a flashback, where it was revealed to have attacked James's Mareanie when it was still wild, whilst another appeared in the present day, where it also attacked Mareanie, only for James to ward it away.
Minor appearances
In a fantasy in Who Gets to Keep Togepi?, Misty hoped the Egg the group had might hatch into a Tentacruel.
In Pikachu's Vacation, a Tentacruel was at the Pokémon Theme Park.
In Round One - Begin!, a Trainer's Tentacruel competed in the Indigo Plateau Conference.
A Tentacruel appeared in a fantasy in Charizard Chills.
In The Power of One, multiple Tentacruel sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.
A Tentacruel appeared in Snorlax Snowman.
In The Joy of Water Pokémon, a Tentacruel was living in Lake Lucid, while another was receiving special treatment in a salt bath tank in the Pokémon Center located near the lake.
In Dueling Heroes, a Trainer's Tentacruel competed in the Whirl Cup.
A Tentacruel appeared in A Family That Battles Together Stays Together!, under the ownership of Lola. It reappeared in a fantasy in Grating Spaces!.
A Coordinator's Tentacruel appeared in A Cacturne for the Worse.
A Tentacruel appeared in the opening sequence of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
In One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!, the Pokémon Summer Academy provided a Tentacruel to a student for the second leg of the Pokémon Triathlon.
A Tentacruel appeared in the opening sequence of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
Multiple Tentacruel appeared in Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!.
Multiple Tentacruel appeared in Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction.
A Tentacruel appeared in a fantasy in Yo, Ho, Ho! Go, Popplio!.
Multiple Tentacruel appeared in The Island Whisperer!.
A Tentacruel appeared in I Choose You!.
A wild Tentacruel appeared in Alola, Kanto!.
In Securing the Future!, a Tentacruel joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its normal form.
A Tentacruel appeared in Pikachu's Exciting Adventure!.
A Tentacruel appeared in Legend? Go! Friends? Go!.
In Making Battles in the Sand!, Ash battled a Trainer's Tentacruel with his Riolu in a World Coronation Series match, only to be defeated.
Two Tentacruel appeared in This Could be the Start of Something Big!.
A Tentacruel appeared in Ride, Lapras, Ride!.
Pokédex entries
| Episode | Pokémon | Source | Entry | | EP019 | Tentacruel | Ash's Pokédex | Tentacruel, a Jellyfish Pokémon. An evolved form of the Tentacool. Its numerous tentacles serve as a powerful weapon. It is known as "The Gangster of the Sea." | |
| Episode | Pokémon | Source | Entry | | EP113 | Tentacruel | Ash's Pokédex | Tentacruel, the Jellyfish Pokémon. Its potent poison stingers can quickly paralyze its victims. | |
| Episode | Pokémon | Source | Entry | | DP190 | Tentacruel | Dawn's Pokédex | Tentacruel, the Jellyfish Pokémon, and the evolved form of Tentacool. Tentacruel uses its tentacles to capture prey and holds it until weakened from poison. | |
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
Multiple Tentacruel debuted in Wake Up—You're Snorlax!, where they served as obstacles during a bike race.
A Tentacruel appeared in The Kindest Tentacruel, where it led Yellow to a trapped baby Tentacool, which she helped save. As thanks for her efforts, the Tentacruel brought Yellow to visit the legendary underwater dome underneath the Vermilion Harbor. When the Pokémon Fan Club Chairman later tried to get there himself, the Tentacruel threw him out of the water.
A Tentacruel appeared in The Last Battle X, under the ownership of Koga.
A Tentacruel appeared in a fantasy in PSs1.
Archie's Tentacruel appeared in It All Ends Now V.
A Tentacruel was one of the aquarium Pokémon seen in Archie's collection in Stick This in Your Craw, Crawdaunt! I.
Guile Hideout used a Tentacruel in The Final Battle I.
Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys
A Tentacruel appeared in Let's Survive This Sea Battle.
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
A Tentacruel appeared in Legend? Check! Friends? Check!.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
A Tentacruel appeared in Fierce Competition at the Pokémon Baseball Tournament!, where it was one of the Pokémon that took part in a baseball match.
In the TCG
- Main article: Tentacruel (TCG)
Trivia
- In the Pokémon Red and Blue beta, Tentacruel was originally known as "Manowar", after the Portuguese man o' war.
- Tentacruel, Toedscruel, and their respective evolutionary lines have exactly the same base stats in the same distribution.
- Even though many of Tentacruel's Pokedex entries mention it having 80 tentacles, it is never shown to have that many, with its main artwork only showing up to 14 tentacles.
Origin
Tentacruel may take inspiration from the jellyfish and the Portuguese man o' war, as evidenced by its category and prototype English name, respectively. It also shares some characteristics of a squid. Additionally, Tentacruel resembles several varieties of the bug-eyed monster and other alien invaders from 1950s B-movies, which is reflected in its ability to fire lasers from the gems on its head.
Name origin
Tentacruel may be a combination of tentacle and cruel.
Dokukurage may be a combination of 毒 doku (poison) and 水母 kurage (jellyfish).
In other languages
Related articles
External links
