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No. 0331

Cacnea

Cactus Pokémon

Cacnea official artwork
Official art

Cacnea is a Grass-type Pokémon, 2× weak to Flying, Poison, Bug, Fire and Ice, with a base stat total of 335. It isn’t usable in Pokémon Champions’ Regulation M-C.

Grass
Height
0.4 m 1′04″
Weight
51.3 kg 113.1 lbs
Base stat total
335 Higher than 28% of Pokémon
Introduced
Gen III Ruby & Sapphire
Abilities
Pokédex entrySapphire / Alpha Sapphire
The more arid and harsh the environment, the more pretty and fragrant a flower CACNEA grows. This Pokémon battles by wildly swinging its thorny arms.
See all 6 entries

Base stats

HP50125–157210–304
Atk8594–150157–295
Def4054–10176–196
SpA8594–150157–295
SpD4054–10176–196
Spe3549–9567–185
Total335Higher than 28% of Pokémon
HP50Atk85Def40Spe35SpD40SpA85

Ranges in Pokémon Champions at Lv 50: 0 Stat Points with a −10% Stat Alignment to 32 Stat Points with a +10% one (HP has no alignment).Ranges in the main games at Lv 100: 0 IV/EV with a hindering nature to 31 IV/252 EV with a helpful nature. EV yield: 1 SpA.

Stat calculatorChampions Stat Points & Stat Alignment, or EVs, IVs & nature
Calculate damage →

Type matchups

Weak to

2×
BugFireFlyingIcePoison

Resists

½×
ElectricGrassGroundWater
Takes normal damage from 9 types
NormalFightingRockGhostSteelPsychicDragonDarkFairy

With : Water becomes 0×

Speed tiers

The faster Pokémon moves first each turn, so knowing who you outspeed decides a lot of battles. These are its Speed values at Lv 50 in Pokémon Champions (base Speed 35); Scarf and Tailwind use the Max+ value.

Max+95Max87No SP55Min49Scarf142Tailwind190

At max Speed, Cacnea outspeeds 8 of the 30 most used Pokémon in Champions VGC on Showdown, and ties 1.

Speed at Lv 50 in Pokémon Champions: Cacnea against the 30 most used Pokémon in Champions VGC on Showdown, fastest first
SpeedPokémon
203Mega Garchomp ZModest · 32 SP · #21 on Showdown
200Mega GengarTimid · 32 SP · #26 on Showdown
190Mega Raichu YTimid · 23 SP · #13 on Showdown
189Mega SalamenceTimid · 32 SP · #4 on Showdown
184WhimsicottTimid · 32 SP · #23 on Showdown
178Mega MetagrossJolly · 32 SP · #28 on Showdown
178Mega StaraptorJolly · 32 SP · #29 on Showdown
172SneaslerAdamant · 32 SP · #2 on Showdown
169Mega FloetteTimid · 32 SP · #17 on Showdown
169GarchompJolly · 32 SP · #19 on Showdown
167Mega Charizard YTimid · 32 SP · #14 on Showdown
167Mega GardevoirTimid · 32 SP · #20 on Showdown
161IndeedeeTimid · 32 SP · #30 on Showdown
156Hisuian ArcanineJolly · 32 SP · #16 on Showdown
150ArchaludonTimid · 32 SP · #9 on Showdown
149GholdengoTimid · 32 SP · #8 on Showdown
143BasculegionJolly · 32 SP · #6 on Showdown
128PelipperTimid · 32 SP · #12 on Showdown
120VolcaronaBold · 0 SP · #25 on Showdown
105RillaboomAdamant · 0 SP · #1 on Showdown
101MiloticCalm · 0 SP · #15 on Showdown
95Cacnea · Max+32 SP, Speed-raising alignment
95SylveonModest · 15 SP · #18 on Showdown
94Female IndeedeeRelaxed · 0 SP · #7 on Showdown
90PolitoedCalm · 0 SP · #22 on Showdown
90SinistchaBold · 0 SP · #24 on Showdown
87Cacnea · Max32 SP, neutral alignment
85ArmarougeQuiet · 0 SP · #27 on Showdown
80IncineroarCareful · 0 SP · #3 on Showdown
80FarigirafBold · 0 SP · #11 on Showdown
70KingambitAdamant · 0 SP · #5 on Showdown
60Mega GolisopodAdamant · 0 SP · #10 on Showdown
55Cacnea · No SP0 SP, neutral alignment

Smogon · Showdown Others at their most common Speed investment in Champions VGC (Reg M-C · Doubles, Sep 2026); Pokémon holding a Mega Stone are shown as their Mega.

Abilities

Competitive

Smogon · Showdown On Showdown

Sep 2026
Other Showdown formats Scarlet & Violet, with Tera
SV SinglesLC

0.1% of teams · rank #95 · Singles, first stages at Lv 5 · 1630 weighting · 7,479 battles · Sep 2026

Most common build

Ability
Nature
Naive
EVs
236 SpA / 236 Spe
Tera Type
Grass
  1. Sucker Punch
  2. Energy Ball
  3. Leaf Storm
  4. Destiny Bond

Each part is the most used on its own, so not every team runs this exact set.

Usage by rating

  • All games1.0%
  • 1500 weighting0.5%
  • 1630 weighting0.1%
  • 1760 weighting<0.1%

Usage by month

Oct 20250.1%

Moves

Items

Abilities

  • 99.4%
  • 0.6%

EV spreads

  • Naive 236 SpA / 236 Spe27.7%
  • Rash 36 HP / 236 SpA / 236 Spe26.3%
  • Hardy 36 HP / 116 Def / 236 SpA / 116 SpD14.1%
  • Quiet 76 Atk / 236 SpA / 196 SpD13.1%
  • Timid 116 HP / 116 Def / 236 SpA / 36 SpD9.1%

Tera types

  • Grass55.8%
  • Dark20.5%
  • Ground14.1%
  • Rock9.4%

Common teammates

Evolution

  1. #0331CacneaGrass
    1. Level 32
      #0332CacturneGrassDark

Moves

Level up 17

1LeerLowers the foe(s) Defense by 1.NormalStatus—100%30
1Poison Sting30% chance to poison the target.PoisonPhys15100%35
4AbsorbUser recovers 50% of the damage dealt.GrassSpec20100%25
7GrowthRaises user's Attack and Sp. Atk by 1; 2 in Sun.NormalStatus——20
10Leech Seed1/8 of target's HP is restored to user every turn.GrassStatus—90%10
13Sand AttackLowers the target's accuracy by 1.GroundStatus—100%15
16Bullet SeedHits 2-5 times in one turn.GrassPhys25100%30
19Power Trip + 20 power for each of the user's stat boosts.DarkPhys20100%10
22IngrainTraps/grounds user; heals 1/16 max HP per turn.GrassStatus——20
26PaybackPower doubles if the user moves after the target.DarkPhys50100%10
30SpikesHurts grounded foes on switch-in. Max 3 layers.GroundStatus——20
34Sucker PunchUsually goes first. Fails if target is not attacking.DarkPhys70100%5
38Pin MissileHits 2-5 times in one turn.BugPhys2595%20
42Energy Ball10% chance to lower the target's Sp. Def by 1.GrassSpec90100%10
46Cotton SporeLowers the target's Speed by 2.GrassStatus—100%40
50SandstormFor 5 turns, a sandstorm rages. Rock: 1.5× SpD.RockStatus——10
54Destiny BondIf an opponent knocks out the user, it also faints.GhostStatus——5

TM / HM / TR 49

TM01Take DownHas 1/4 recoil.NormalPhys9085%20
TM06Scary FaceLowers the target's Speed by 2.NormalStatus—100%10
TM07ProtectPrevents moves from affecting the user this turn.NormalStatus——10
TM12Low KickMore power the heavier the target.FightingPhys—100%20
TM18ThiefIf the user has no item, it steals the target's.DarkPhys60100%25
TM20Trailblaze100% chance to raise the user's Speed by 1.GrassPhys50100%20
TM25FacadePower doubles if user is burn/poison/paralyzed.NormalPhys70100%20
TM28Bulldoze100% chance lower adjacent Pkmn Speed by 1.GroundPhys60100%20
TM32SwiftThis move does not check accuracy. Hits foes.NormalSpec60—20
TM33Magical LeafThis move does not check accuracy.GrassSpec60—20
TM43FlingFlings the user's item at the target. Power varies.DarkPhys—100%10
TM45VenoshockPower doubles if the target is poisoned.PoisonSpec65100%10
TM47EndureUser survives attacks this turn with at least 1 HP.NormalStatus——10
TM49Sunny DayFor 5 turns, intense sunlight powers Fire moves.FireStatus——5
TM50Rain DanceFor 5 turns, heavy rain powers Water moves.WaterStatus——5
TM51SandstormFor 5 turns, a sandstorm rages. Rock: 1.5× SpD.RockStatus——10
TM55DigDigs underground turn 1, strikes turn 2.GroundPhys80100%10
TM56Bullet SeedHits 2-5 times in one turn.GrassPhys25100%30
TM58Brick BreakDestroys screens, unless the target is immune.FightingPhys75100%15
TM62Foul PlayUses target's Attack stat in damage calculation.DarkPhys95100%15
TM66Body Slam30% chance to paralyze the target.NormalPhys85100%15
TM68Thunder Punch10% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricPhys75100%15
TM70Sleep TalkUser must be asleep. Uses another known move.NormalStatus——10
TM71Seed BombNo additional effect.GrassPhys80100%15
TM73Drain PunchUser recovers 50% of the damage dealt.FightingPhys75100%10
TM81Grass KnotMore power the heavier the target.GrassSpec—100%20
TM83Poison Jab30% chance to poison the target.PoisonPhys80100%20
TM85RestUser sleeps 2 turns and restores HP and status.PsychicStatus——5
TM88Swords DanceRaises the user's Attack by 2.NormalStatus——20
TM90SpikesHurts grounded foes on switch-in. Max 3 layers.GroundStatus——20
TM91Toxic SpikesPoisons grounded foes on switch-in. Max 2 layers.PoisonStatus——20
TM94Dark Pulse20% chance to make the target flinch.DarkSpec80100%15
TM103SubstituteUser takes 1/4 its max HP to put in a substitute.NormalStatus——10
TM111Giga DrainUser recovers 50% of the damage dealt.GrassSpec75100%10
TM119Energy Ball10% chance to lower the target's Sp. Def by 1.GrassSpec90100%10
TM122EncoreTarget repeats its last move for its next 3 turns.NormalStatus—100%5
TM130Helping HandOne adjacent ally's move power is 1.5× this turn.NormalStatus——20
TM137Grassy Terrain5 turns. Grounded: +Grass power, +1/16 max HP.GrassStatus——10
TM140Nasty PlotRaises the user's Sp. Atk by 2.DarkStatus——20
TM159Leaf StormLowers the user's Sp. Atk by 2.GrassSpec13090%5
TM168Solar BeamCharges turn 1. Hits turn 2. No charge in sunlight.GrassSpec120100%10
TM171Tera BlastIf Terastallized: Phys. if Atk > SpA, type = Tera.NormalSpec80100%10
TM177SpiteLowers the PP of the target's last move by 4.GhostStatus—100%10
TM192Focus PunchFails if the user takes damage before it hits.FightingPhys150100%20
TM194Grassy GlideUser on Grassy Terrain: +1 priority.GrassPhys55100%20
TM205EndeavorLowers the target's HP to the user's HP.NormalPhys—100%5
TM219Skitter Smack100% chance to lower target's Sp. Atk by 1.BugPhys7090%10
TM221Throat ChopFor 2 turns, the target cannot use sound moves.DarkPhys80100%15
TM224CurseCurses if Ghost, else -1 Spe, +1 Atk, +1 Def.GhostStatus——10

Egg moves 8

EggAcid10% chance to lower the foe(s) Sp. Def by 1.PoisonSpec40100%30
EggBelchCannot be selected until the user eats a Berry.PoisonSpec12090%10
EggBlockPrevents the target from switching out.NormalStatus——5
EggCounterIf hit by physical attack, returns double damage.FightingPhys—100%20
EggDisableFor 4 turns, disables the target's last move used.NormalStatus—100%20
EggFell StingerRaises user's Attack by 3 if this KOes the target.BugPhys50100%25
EggSwitcherooUser switches its held item with the target's.DarkStatus—100%10
EggTeeter DanceConfuses adjacent Pokémon.NormalStatus—100%20

Biology

Its body can store moisture, so it can live up to 30 days without drinking water. Its flower, whose size and fragrance depend on the harshness of its environment, is used to attract prey. It can shoot thorns, or wave its arms around like hammers.

Adapted from Wikipedia: List of generation III Pokémon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited.

Polls & views

Each line is one source, as it published it. Polls counted every form under its species.

Pokédex entries

Cactus Pokémon
Hoenn · Ruby & Sapphire
Color
Green
Rough Terrain
Pal Park area
Mountain
Original Hoenn#119New Hoenn#124Paldea#252

  1. It lives in arid locations. Its yellow flowers bloom once a year.

    HeartGold · SoulSilver · X

  2. By storing water in its body, this desert dweller can survive for 30 days without water.

    Diamond · Pearl · Platinum · Black · White · Black 2 · White 2

  3. It prefers harsh environments such as deserts. It can survive for 30 days on water stored in its body.

    FireRed · LeafGreen · Y

  4. CACNEA live in deserts with virtually no rainfall. It battles by swinging its thick, spiked arms. Once a year, a yellow flower blooms.

    Emerald

  5. The more arid and harsh the environment, the more pretty and fragrant a flower CACNEA grows. This Pokémon battles by wildly swinging its thorny arms.

    Sapphire · Alpha Sapphire

  6. CACNEA lives in arid locations such as deserts. It releases a strong aroma from its flower to attract prey. When prey comes near, this Pokémon shoots sharp thorns from its body to bring the victim down.

    Ruby · Omega Ruby

Names around the world

English
Cacnea
Japanese
サボネア
Japanese (romaji)
Sabonea
Korean
선인왕
Chinese (Traditional)
刺球仙人掌
Chinese (Simplified)
刺球仙人掌
French
Cacnea
German
Tuska
Spanish
Cacnea
Italian
Cacnea

Sprites

Artwork and 3D models

Gen IX · Gen VIII · Gen VII · Gen VI · Gen V

Generation IV

Generation III

Training

1 SpA
190 ≈24.8% with a Poké Ball at full HP
35
67
Medium Slow

Breeding

GrassHuman-Like
♂ 50%♀ 50%
20 egg cycles ≈5,355 steps (Gen IV–VII)

Where to find

SoulSilver 1 area
  • Safari Zone DesertWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 35
HeartGold 1 area
  • Safari Zone DesertWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 35
Platinum 1 area
  • Road 228Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 50
Pearl 1 area
  • Road 228Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 23–25
Diamond 1 area
  • Road 228Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 23–25
Emerald 1 area
  • Road 111Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 20–22
Sapphire 1 area
  • Road 111Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 19–21
Ruby 1 area
  • Road 111Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 19–21

Locations cover Red & Blue to Sword & Shield (with its DLC) and Let’s Go. We don’t have them yet for Legends: Arceus, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Scarlet & Violet and Legends: Z-A.