Tentacruel’s best moves are Hex, Water Pulse, Poison Jab, and Hydro Pump. We picked these moves based on Tentacruel’s base stats and the STAB (same type attack bonus). This bonus yields a 50 percent increase in damage output if the chosen move shares the Pokémon’s typing.

Tentacruel’s Most Powerful Moves

Since Tentacruel is both a water and poison-type Pokémon, its best moves are ideally of similar types. Water Pulse is a water-type move learned at level 11 (mastered at 20) with an attack power of 90. Poison Jab is a poison-type move learned at level 25 (mastered at 35) with an attack power of 120—and both moves are massively strong due to the STAB. Tentacruel’s last learned move is a water-type special one and this Pokémon’s best move: Hydro Pump, with an overall attack power of 165.

While Hex is a ghost-type move, its attack power maxes out at a decent 65 for Tentacruel and provides good general coverage with 10 power points (PP). Perhaps most important, Hex is a special move like the others except for Poison Jab—Tentacruel’s move specialty; this Pokémon’s base special attack stat is among its highest, only behind special defense and speed. The rest come in either average or a bit below.

Tentacruel’s Base Stats

  • Stat Total: 515HP: 80Attack: 70Defense: 65Special Attack: 80Special Defense: 120Speed: 100

This means special attacks rather than physical attacks will always be Tentacruel’s forte in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Many other powerful moves such as Hyper Beam or Giga Impact can be learned for a price from Zisu at the Training Grounds in Jubilife Village, but they do not take advantage of the STAB. This Pokémon’s best moves are learned naturally as it levels up.

  • HP: 80Attack: 70Defense: 65Special Attack: 80Special Defense: 120Speed: 100

Purchased moves such as the poison-type Sludge Bomb, while powerful, can be considered an alternate option to Hex, but it allows for a lesser degree of variety in the moveset and better general coverage against more kinds of Pokémon. Tentacruel’s special defense strength can be considered its greatest use as a relatively average Pokémon—the better to withstand damage with in order to weaken other monsters in battle for capture.

Tentacruel is the second and final evolutionary form of Tentacool, both of which can be found in Lunker’s Lair in the Cobalt Crosslands. You’ve probably already encountered the Alpha Tentacruel that can be found there. Tentacool evolves into Tentacruel at level 30. Be sure to also take advantage of its best nature, which adds a further 10 percent special defense increase.

For more Pokémon: Legends Arceus content, check out How to Craft All Pokéballs in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.