Cacturne: Stats, Moves, Weakness & Evolution

Base stats

HP70145–177250–344

Atk115121–183211–361

Def6072–123112–240

SpA115121–183211–361

SpD6072–123112–240

Spe5567–117103–229

Total475Higher than 57% of Pokémon

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 Atk, 1 SpA.

Stat calculatorChampions Stat Points & Stat Alignment, or EVs, IVs & nature

Calculate damage →

Type matchups

GrassDarkshow which type causes itweaknessresistance

Weak to

4×

Bug

2×

FairyFightingFireFlyingIcePoison

Resists

½×

DarkElectricGhostGrassGroundWater

Immune to

0×

Psychic

Takes normal damage from 4 types

NormalRockSteelDragon

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 55); Scarf and Tailwind use the Max+ value.

Max+117Max107No SP75Min67Scarf175Tailwind234

At max Speed, Cacturne outspeeds 11 of the 30 most used Pokémon in Champions VGC on Showdown.

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

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

If Sandstorm is active, this Pokémon's evasiveness is 1.25×; to Sandstorm.
Everything about Sand Veil →
Other Pokémon with Sand Veil 26
Sandshrew Sandslash Diglett Dugtrio Geodude Graveler Golem Gligar Phanpy Donphan Larvitar Cacnea Gible Gabite Garchomp Gliscor Stunfisk Helioptile Heliolisk Sandygast Palossand Silicobra Sandaconda Wiglett Wugtrio Orthworm
This Pokémon heals 1/4 of its max HP when hit by Water moves; Water .
Everything about Water Absorb →
Other Pokémon with Water Absorb 26
Poliwag Poliwhirl Poliwrath Lapras Vaporeon Chinchou Lanturn Politoed Wooper Quagsire Mantine Cacnea Mantyke Tympole Palpitoad Seismitoad Maractus Frillish Jellicent Volcanion Dewpider Araquanid Dracovish Arctovish Clodsire Wellspring Mask Ogerpon

Competitive

Smogon · Showdown On Showdown

Sep 2026

Other Showdown formats Scarlet & Violet, with Tera

SV SinglesZUSV Doubles(DUU)National DexRU

1.1% of teams · rank #83 · Singles · 1630 weighting · 6,316 battles · Sep 2026

Most common build

Item: Life Orb
Ability
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Dark

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

Usage by rating

All games0.5%
1500 weighting0.7%
1630 weighting1.1%
1760 weighting2.2%

Usage by month

Oct 20251.1%

Moves

Items

Abilities

100.0%

EV spreads

Adamant 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe61.4%
Rash 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe28.7%
Adamant 252 HP / 116 Atk / 96 SpD / 44 Spe9.0%
Jolly 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe0.6%
Sassy 12 HP / 244 Def / 252 SpD0.2%

Tera types

Dark57.6%
Flying28.7%
Fairy9.0%
Grass3.3%

Common teammates

Evolution

#0331CacneaGrass
1. Level 32
  #0332CacturneGrassDark

Moves

Level up 18


Evo	Spiky ShieldProtects from moves. Contact: loses 1/8 max HP.	Grass	Status	—	—	10
1	AbsorbUser recovers 50% of the damage dealt.	Grass	Spec	20	100%	25
1	Destiny BondIf an opponent knocks out the user, it also faints.	Ghost	Status	—	—	5
1	GrowthRaises user's Attack and Sp. Atk by 1; 2 in Sun.	Normal	Status	—	—	20
1	LeerLowers the foe(s) Defense by 1.	Normal	Status	—	100%	30
1	Poison Sting30% chance to poison the target.	Poison	Phys	15	100%	35
10	Leech Seed1/8 of target's HP is restored to user every turn.	Grass	Status	—	90%	10
13	Sand AttackLowers the target's accuracy by 1.	Ground	Status	—	100%	15
16	Bullet SeedHits 2-5 times in one turn.	Grass	Phys	25	100%	30
19	Power Trip + 20 power for each of the user's stat boosts.	Dark	Phys	20	100%	10
22	IngrainTraps/grounds user; heals 1/16 max HP per turn.	Grass	Status	—	—	20
26	PaybackPower doubles if the user moves after the target.	Dark	Phys	50	100%	10
30	SpikesHurts grounded foes on switch-in. Max 3 layers.	Ground	Status	—	—	20
35	Sucker PunchUsually goes first. Fails if target is not attacking.	Dark	Phys	70	100%	5
38	Pin MissileHits 2-5 times in one turn.	Bug	Phys	25	95%	20
44	Energy Ball10% chance to lower the target's Sp. Def by 1.	Grass	Spec	90	100%	10
49	Cotton SporeLowers the target's Speed by 2.	Grass	Status	—	100%	40
54	SandstormFor 5 turns, a sandstorm rages. Rock: 1.5× SpD.	Rock	Status	—	—	10

TM / HM / TR 59


TM01	Take DownHas 1/4 recoil.	Normal	Phys	90	85%	20
TM06	Scary FaceLowers the target's Speed by 2.	Normal	Status	—	100%	10
TM07	ProtectPrevents moves from affecting the user this turn.	Normal	Status	—	—	10
TM12	Low KickMore power the heavier the target.	Fighting	Phys	—	100%	20
TM18	ThiefIf the user has no item, it steals the target's.	Dark	Phys	60	100%	25
TM20	Trailblaze100% chance to raise the user's Speed by 1.	Grass	Phys	50	100%	20
TM25	FacadePower doubles if user is burn/poison/paralyzed.	Normal	Phys	70	100%	20
TM28	Bulldoze100% chance lower adjacent Pkmn Speed by 1.	Ground	Phys	60	100%	20
TM32	SwiftThis move does not check accuracy. Hits foes.	Normal	Spec	60	—	20
TM33	Magical LeafThis move does not check accuracy.	Grass	Spec	60	—	20
TM43	FlingFlings the user's item at the target. Power varies.	Dark	Phys	—	100%	10
TM45	VenoshockPower doubles if the target is poisoned.	Poison	Spec	65	100%	10
TM47	EndureUser survives attacks this turn with at least 1 HP.	Normal	Status	—	—	10
TM49	Sunny DayFor 5 turns, intense sunlight powers Fire moves.	Fire	Status	—	—	5
TM50	Rain DanceFor 5 turns, heavy rain powers Water moves.	Water	Status	—	—	5
TM51	SandstormFor 5 turns, a sandstorm rages. Rock: 1.5× SpD.	Rock	Status	—	—	10
TM55	DigDigs underground turn 1, strikes turn 2.	Ground	Phys	80	100%	10
TM56	Bullet SeedHits 2-5 times in one turn.	Grass	Phys	25	100%	30
TM58	Brick BreakDestroys screens, unless the target is immune.	Fighting	Phys	75	100%	15
TM59	Zen Headbutt20% chance to make the target flinch.	Psychic	Phys	80	90%	15
TM62	Foul PlayUses target's Attack stat in damage calculation.	Dark	Phys	95	100%	15
TM66	Body Slam30% chance to paralyze the target.	Normal	Phys	85	100%	15
TM68	Thunder Punch10% chance to paralyze the target.	Electric	Phys	75	100%	15
TM70	Sleep TalkUser must be asleep. Uses another known move.	Normal	Status	—	—	10
TM71	Seed BombNo additional effect.	Grass	Phys	80	100%	15
TM73	Drain PunchUser recovers 50% of the damage dealt.	Fighting	Phys	75	100%	10
TM81	Grass KnotMore power the heavier the target.	Grass	Spec	—	100%	20
TM83	Poison Jab30% chance to poison the target.	Poison	Phys	80	100%	20
TM84	Stomping TantrumPower doubles if the user's last move failed.	Ground	Phys	75	100%	10
TM85	RestUser sleeps 2 turns and restores HP and status.	Psychic	Status	—	—	5
TM87	TauntTarget can't use status moves its next 3 turns.	Dark	Status	—	100%	20
TM88	Swords DanceRaises the user's Attack by 2.	Normal	Status	—	—	20
TM90	SpikesHurts grounded foes on switch-in. Max 3 layers.	Ground	Status	—	—	20
TM91	Toxic SpikesPoisons grounded foes on switch-in. Max 2 layers.	Poison	Status	—	—	20
TM94	Dark Pulse20% chance to make the target flinch.	Dark	Spec	80	100%	15
TM103	SubstituteUser takes 1/4 its max HP to put in a substitute.	Normal	Status	—	—	10
TM111	Giga DrainUser recovers 50% of the damage dealt.	Grass	Spec	75	100%	10
TM114	Shadow Ball20% chance to lower the target's Sp. Def by 1.	Ghost	Spec	80	100%	15
TM119	Energy Ball10% chance to lower the target's Sp. Def by 1.	Grass	Spec	90	100%	10
TM122	EncoreTarget repeats its last move for its next 3 turns.	Normal	Status	—	100%	5
TM130	Helping HandOne adjacent ally's move power is 1.5× this turn.	Normal	Status	—	—	20
TM137	Grassy Terrain5 turns. Grounded: +Grass power, +1/16 max HP.	Grass	Status	—	—	10
TM140	Nasty PlotRaises the user's Sp. Atk by 2.	Dark	Status	—	—	20
TM152	Giga ImpactUser cannot move next turn.	Normal	Phys	150	90%	5
TM158	Focus Blast10% chance to lower the target's Sp. Def by 1.	Fighting	Spec	120	70%	5
TM159	Leaf StormLowers the user's Sp. Atk by 2.	Grass	Spec	130	90%	5
TM163	Hyper BeamUser cannot move next turn.	Normal	Spec	150	90%	5
TM168	Solar BeamCharges turn 1. Hits turn 2. No charge in sunlight.	Grass	Spec	120	100%	10
TM171	Tera BlastIf Terastallized: Phys. if Atk > SpA, type = Tera.	Normal	Spec	80	100%	10
TM177	SpiteLowers the PP of the target's last move by 4.	Ghost	Status	—	100%	10
TM181	Knock Off1.5× damage if foe holds an item. Removes item.	Dark	Phys	65	100%	20
TM185	Lunge100% chance to lower the target's Attack by 1.	Bug	Phys	80	100%	15
TM192	Focus PunchFails if the user takes damage before it hits.	Fighting	Phys	150	100%	20
TM194	Grassy GlideUser on Grassy Terrain: +1 priority.	Grass	Phys	55	100%	20
TM199	Lash Out2× power if the user had a stat lowered this turn.	Dark	Phys	75	100%	5
TM205	EndeavorLowers the target's HP to the user's HP.	Normal	Phys	—	100%	5
TM219	Skitter Smack100% chance to lower target's Sp. Atk by 1.	Bug	Phys	70	90%	10
TM221	Throat ChopFor 2 turns, the target cannot use sound moves.	Dark	Phys	80	100%	15
TM224	CurseCurses if Ghost, else -1 Spe, +1 Atk, +1 Def.	Ghost	Status	—	—	10

Biology

It stays immobile at day, and stalks prey until exhaustion at night. Its blood has the same genetic composition as sand.

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

Polls & views

Official vote, Japan#531 of 720 in the 2016 Pokémon General Election 720 (Japan), tiedOfficial results, via Cinematoday

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

Pokédex entries

: Scarecrow Pokémon
: Hoenn · Ruby & Sapphire
Color: Green

: Rough Terrain
Pal Park area: Mountain

Original Hoenn#120New Hoenn#125Paldea#253

Packs of them follow travelers through the desert until the travelers can no longer move.
HeartGold · SoulSilver · Y
It becomes active at night, seeking prey that is exhausted from the day’s desert heat.
Diamond · Pearl · Platinum · Black · White · Black 2 · White 2 · X
It lives in deserts. It becomes active at night when it hunts for prey exhausted from the desert’s heat.
FireRed · LeafGreen
After spending thousands of years in harsh deserts, its blood transformed into the same substances as sand. It is nocturnal, so it hunts at night.
Emerald
If a traveler is going through a desert in the thick of night, CACTURNE will follow in a ragtag group. The Pokémon are biding their time, waiting for the traveler to tire and become incapable of moving.
Sapphire · Alpha Sapphire
During the daytime, CACTURNE remains unmoving so that it does not lose any moisture to the harsh desert sun. This Pokémon becomes active at night when the temperature drops.
Ruby · Omega Ruby

Names around the world

English: Cacturne
Japanese: ノクタス
Japanese (romaji): Noctus
Korean: 밤선인
Chinese (Traditional): 夢歌仙人掌
Chinese (Simplified): 梦歌仙人掌
French: Cacturne
German: Noktuska
Spanish: Cacturne
Italian: Cacturne

Sprites

Artwork and 3D models

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

Generation IV

Generation III

Training

: 1 Atk, 1 SpA
: 60 ≈7.8% with a Poké Ball at full HP
: 35
: 166
: Medium Slow

Breeding

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

Males and females look different

HOME 3D model

Where to find

Evolves from Cacnea: Level 32.

Y 1 area

Friend Safari (Dark)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 30

X 1 area

Friend Safari (Dark)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 30

SoulSilver 2 areas

Safari Zone DesertWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 48
Safari Zone SavannahWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 42

HeartGold 2 areas

Safari Zone DesertWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 48
Safari Zone SavannahWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 42

Platinum 1 area

Road 228Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 50–52

Pearl 1 area

Road 228Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 52–53

Diamond 1 area

Road 228Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 52–53

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.