Cacnea (Pokémon)

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
← #0330: Flygon	Pokémon	#0332: Cacturne →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Cacnea (disambiguation).

Cacnea Cactus Pokémon サボネア Sabonea #0331 Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Grass Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Sand Veil Cacophony Cacophony Water Absorb Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Cacophony
Gender ratio Unknown 50% male, 50% female	Catch rate 190 (35.2%)
Breeding Egg Groups Grass and Human-Like Hatch time 20 cycles
Height 1'04" 0.4 m Cacnea 0'0" 0 m {{{form2}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 113.1 lbs. 51.3 kg Cacnea 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form2}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield 97 Gen. III-IV Unknown IV 67 V+	Leveling rate Medium Slow
EV yield Total: 1 Cacnea 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 1 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint {{{form2}}}
Pokédex color   Green	Base friendship 35
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Cacnea (Japanese: サボネア Sabonea) is a Grass-type Pokémon introduced in Generation III.

It evolves into Cacturne starting at level 32.

Biology

Cacnea is a green, bipedal Pokémon with a round body and cactus-like striations. It has a dark green rhombus shape above its face, and six dark green rhombus shapes that ring around its waist. It has dark circles around its eyes, and its mouth composed of several similar circles. It has two dark green spikes on each side of its head, along with a yellow flower bud on top of its head. It has two club-like arms that are ringed with dark green spikes, and its two stubby legs are dark green and conical.

Cacnea uses its thorny arms like hammers to attack its opponents. Prior to Generation V, Needle Arm was its signature move. It is able to live in deserts for 30 days without any water, due to its body being able to store moisture. The beauty and fragrance of its yellow flower depend on the harshness of its environment. This flower releases a strong aroma to attract prey. When prey approaches, Cacnea shoots sharp thorns to bring it down.

In the anime

Cacnea in the anime

Major appearances

James's Cacnea

Cacnea debuted in A Poached Ego!. James caught it after he had to release his Weezing, alongside Jessie's Arbok, to protect a group of Ekans and Koffing that were freed from a Pokémon Poacher. In Once There Were Greenfields, James left Cacnea in the care of Gardenia, who agreed to train it to master Drain Punch.

Minor appearances

A Trainer's Cacnea appeared in A Squad's Worth of Passion!.

A Cacnea appeared in HZ011.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry AG007 Cacnea Ash's Pokédex Cacnea, the Cactus Pokémon. Cacnea lives primarily in dry desert areas, and attacks by swinging its pin-covered arms like hammers.

In the manga

Cacnea in Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Adventures

Cacnea debuted in Creepin Past Cacnea, where a wild one battled alongside a Duskull, Wingull, Volbeat, and Beautifly against Norman, but they were quickly defeated by his Pokémon.

A Trainer's Cacnea appeared in Always Keep Whiscash on You for Emergencies.

Pokémon Battle Frontier

A Cacnea appeared in Battle Between Student and Master!.

In the TCG

Main article: Cacnea (TCG)

In the TFG

One Cacnea figure has been released.

• Groundbreakers: Cacnea

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III Hoenn #119 Kanto #— Ruby 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. 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. Emerald Cacnea live in deserts with virtually no rainfall. It battles by swinging its thick, spiked arms. Once a year, a yellow flower blooms. FireRed It prefers harsh environments such as deserts. It can survive for 30 days on water stored in its body. LeafGreen
Generation IV Sinnoh #— Johto #— Diamond By storing water in its body, this desert dweller can survive for 30 days without water. Pearl Platinum HeartGold It lives in arid locations. Its yellow flowers bloom once a year. SoulSilver
Generation V Unova #— Black By storing water in its body, this desert dweller can survive for 30 days without water. White Black 2 By storing water in its body, this desert dweller can survive for 30 days without water. White 2
Generation VI Kalos #— Hoenn #124 X It lives in arid locations. Its yellow flowers bloom once a year. Y It prefers harsh environments such as deserts. It can survive for 30 days on water stored in its body. Omega Ruby 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. 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.
Generation VII Alola #— Kanto #— This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation VII.
Generation VIII Galar #— Sinnoh #— Hisui #— This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Sword, Shield, and Legends: Arceus. Brilliant Diamond By storing water in its body, this desert dweller can survive for 30 days without water. Shining Pearl
Generation IX Paldea #252 Scarlet It prefers harsh environments, such as deserts. It can survive for 30 days on water stored in its body. Violet It lives in arid locations. Its yellow flowers bloom once a year.

File:Pokedex Image Cacnea SV.png

Cacnea in the Paldea Pokédex

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III Ruby Sapphire Route 111 Emerald Route 111 FireRed LeafGreen Trade Colosseum Trade XD Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Route 228 Platinum Route 228 HeartGold SoulSilver Safari Zone (Desert with 35 Forest points) Pal Park Mountain
Generation V Black White Trade Black 2 White 2 Breed Cacturne Dream World Rugged Mountain
Generation VI X Y Breed Cacturne Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Route 111
Generation VII Sun Moon Pokémon Bank Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Pokémon Bank Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee Unobtainable
Generation VIII Sword Shield Unobtainable Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl Route 228 Grand Underground - Grassland Cave, Sunlit Cavern, Swampy Cave, Rocky Cave, Big Bluff Cavern, Stargleam Cavern (After obtaining the National Pokédex) Legends: Arceus Unobtainable
Generation IX Scarlet Violet West Province: Asado Desert Tera Raid Battles (2★)

In side games

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III Pinball: R&S Wilderness (Sapphire Field) Trozei! Endless Level 5, Forever Level 5, Pair Trozei, Mr. Who's Den MD Red MD Blue Mt. Thunder (1F-4F), Joyous Tower (33F-35F), Oddity Cave (B1-B4)
Generation IV MD Time MD Darkness Northern Desert (1F-8F) MD Sky Northern Desert (1F-8F) Ranger: SoA Haruba Desert
Generation V Rumble Blast Desert: Sunny Seashore Rumble U Magical Lake: In Need of Trees, Chill Battle: Garden Keepers
Generation VI Battle Trozei Safari Jungle: Stage 2Tu Shuffle Violeta Palace: Stage 394 Rumble World Ruby Volcano: Dusty Desert (All Areas), Fairy Land: Heat-Wave Desert (All Areas)
Generation VII Rumble Rush Pinsir Sea, Celebi Sea, Rayquaza Sea, Celebi SeaFinal
Generation VIII New Snap Sweltering Sands

In events

Games	Event	Language	Location	Level	Distribution period
RSEFRLG	PokéPark Egg Cacnea	Japanese	Japan	5	March 12 to May 8, 2005

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Ruby	Sapphire	Poison Barb (5%)
Emerald
Diamond	Pearl	Sticky Barb (5%)
Platinum
HeartGold	SoulSilver	Sticky Barb (5%)
Omega Ruby	Alpha Sapphire	Sticky Barb (5%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 50		110 - 157	210 - 304
Attack: 85		81 - 150	157 - 295
Defense: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Sp. Atk: 85		81 - 150	157 - 295
Sp. Def: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Speed: 35		36 - 95	67 - 185
Total: 335	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 3/3 ★★★	Power 3/4 ★★★☆
Skill 3/4 ★★★☆	Stamina 4/5 ★★★★☆
Jump 2/3 ★★☆	Total 15/19 ★★★

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 2× Poison 2× Ground ½× Rock 1× Bug 2× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water ½× Grass ½× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 2× Poison 2× Ground ½× Rock 1× Bug 2× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water ½× Grass ½× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 2× Poison 2× Ground ½× Rock 1× Bug 2× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water ½× Grass ½× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 2× Poison 2× Ground ½× Rock 1× Bug 2× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water ½× Grass ½× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Notes: If this Pokémon has Water Absorb, the effectiveness of  Water-type  moves is 0×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation IX Other generations: III - IV - V - VI - VII - VIII

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 011 Poison Sting Poison Physical 01515 100100% 35 011 Leer Normal Status 0000— 100100% 30 044 Absorb Grass Special 02020 100100% 25 077 Growth Normal Status 0000— 00——% 20 1010 Leech Seed Grass Status 0000— 09090% 10 1313 Sand Attack Ground Status 0000— 100100% 15 1616 Bullet Seed Grass Physical 02525 100100% 30 1919 Power Trip Dark Physical 02020 100100% 10 2222 Ingrain Grass Status 0000— 00——% 20 2626 Payback Dark Physical 05050 100100% 10 3030 Spikes Ground Status 0000— 00——% 20 3434 Sucker Punch Dark Physical 07070 100100% 5 3838 Pin Missile Bug Physical 02525 09595% 20 4242 Energy Ball Grass Special 09090 100100% 10 4646 Cotton Spore Grass Status 0000— 100100% 40 5050 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000— 00——% 10 5454 Destiny Bond Ghost Status 0000— 00——% 5

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cacnea Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Cacnea Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM

Generation IX Other generations: III - IV - V - VI - VII - VIII

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM001 TM001 Take Down Normal Physical 09090 085}}85% 20 TM006 TM006 Scary Face Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM007 TM007 Protect Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM012 TM012 Low Kick Fighting Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM018 TM018 Thief Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 25 TM020 TM020 Trailblaze Grass Physical 05050 100}}100% 20 TM025 TM025 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM028 TM028 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 TM032 TM032 Swift Normal Special 06060 00—}}—% 20 TM033 TM033 Magical Leaf Grass Special 06060 00—}}—% 20 TM043 TM043 Fling Dark Physical 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM045 TM045 Venoshock Poison Special 06565 100}}100% 10 TM047 TM047 Endure Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM049 TM049 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM050 TM050 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM051 TM051 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM055 TM055 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10 TM056 TM056 Bullet Seed Grass Physical 02525 100}}100% 30 TM058 TM058 Brick Break Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM062 TM062 Foul Play Dark Physical 09595 100}}100% 15 TM066 TM066 Body Slam Normal Physical 08585 100}}100% 15 TM068 TM068 Thunder Punch Electric Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM070 TM070 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM071 TM071 Seed Bomb Grass Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TM073 TM073 Drain Punch Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 10 TM081 TM081 Grass Knot Grass Special 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM083 TM083 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20 TM085 TM085 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM088 TM088 Swords Dance Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM090 TM090 Spikes Ground Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM091 TM091 Toxic Spikes Poison Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM094 TM094 Dark Pulse Dark Special 08080 100}}100% 15 TM103 TM103 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM111 TM111 Giga Drain Grass Special 07575 100}}100% 10 TM119 TM119 Energy Ball Grass Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TM122 TM122 Encore Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 5 TM130 TM130 Helping Hand Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM137 TM137 Grassy Terrain Grass Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM140 TM140 Nasty Plot Dark Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM159 TM159 Leaf Storm Grass Special 130130 090}}90% 5 TM168 TM168 Solar Beam Grass Special 120120 100}}100% 10 TM171 TM171 Tera Blast Normal Special 08080 100}}100% 10

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cacnea Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution or an alternate form of Cacnea Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation IX Other generations: III - IV - V - VI - VII - VIII

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  This Pokémon learns no moves by breeding.

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Cacnea Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cacnea Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Cacnea Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball RS   Acquisition: Catch			Pokémon Trozei! Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 7.2% Friend Area: Furnace Desert Phrases 51%-100% HP I can live for thirty days without having anything to drink! 26%-50% HP My HP is slipping down to the halfway mark. 1%-25% HP I'll faint on you... My body's developing cracks... Level up I leveled up! I can feel power down to my spikes!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 6.4% IQ group: C
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group: Grass Poké Assist: Grass Field move: (Tackle ×1) Browser entry R-239 It attacks by scattering needles.
Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●● Defense ● Speed ●●●
Pokémon Rumble Rush Walking Speed: 1.97 seconds Base HP: 48 Base Attack: 71 Base Defense: 45 Base Speed: 60
Pokémon Battle Trozei Grass Attack Power: ★★★★★			Pokémon Shuffle Grass Attack Power: 50 - 100 5 #552 Swap+ Sometimes replaces three disruptions with this Pokémon.
Pokémon GO Base HP: 137 Base Attack: 156 Base Defense: 74 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 3 km Evolution Requirement: 50 Fast Attacks: Poison Sting, Sucker Punch Charged Attacks: Grass Knot, Brick Break, Seed Bomb, Payback*, Frustration, Return
New Pokémon Snap Photodex entry #124 Cacnea goes with the flow of its desert environment without a care in the world. Its thorns are so sharp that random objects sometimes get stuck to them.

Evolution

Unevolved Cacnea  Grass

Level 32 →

First Evolution Cacturne  Grass  Dark

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation V Black White Black 2 White 2 Front Back Front Back
Generation VI X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Front Back Front Back
Generation VII Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Front Back Front Back
Generation VIII HOME

For other sprites and images, please see Cacnea images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• No other Pokémon has the same Egg Group combination as Cacnea and its evolution.
  • Cacnea and its evolution are also the only Grass-type Pokémon in the Human-Like Egg Group.
• Cacnea shares its category with Maractus. They are both known as the Cactus Pokémon.
• Cacnea has no Egg Moves in Generation IX, even though most of the ones it had previously would still be able to be inherited by it otherwise (due to both a possible parent and the move itself being present in the game). It is unknown if this is intentional.

Origin

Cacnea is based on a barrel cactus and possibly a jack-o'-lantern.

Name origin

Cacnea may be a combination of cactus and its Japanese name.

Sabonea may be a combination of 仙人掌 saboten (cactus) and debonair.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese サボネア Sabonea From 仙人掌 saboten and debonair French Cacnea Same as English name Spanish Cacnea Same as English name German Tuska From Kaktus Italian Cacnea Same as English name Korean 선인왕 Seoninwang From 선인장 (仙人掌) seon-in-jang and 왕 (王) wang Mandarin Chinese 刺球仙人掌 Cìqiúxiānrénzhǎng* 沙漠奈亞 / 沙漠奈亚 Shāmònàiyǎ / Shāmònàiyà* From 刺 cì, 球 qiú, or 刺球 chhì-kiû, and 仙人掌 xiānrénzhǎng From 沙漠 shāmò and transcription of Japanese name Cantonese Chinese 刺球仙人掌 Chikàuhsīnyàhnjéung* 沙漠奈亞 Sāmohknoih'a* From 刺 chi, 球 kàuh, or 刺球 chhì-kiû, and 仙人掌 sīnyàhnjéung From 沙漠 sāmohk and transcription of Japanese name

More languages Thai ซาโบเนีย Sabonia Transcription of Japanese name

Related articles

• James's Cacnea

External links

← #0330: Flygon

Pokémon

#0332: Cacturne →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.