Edition differences: original GBA and Nintendo Switch (2026)
Battle data describes Generation III rules. Availability notes distinguish native catches, evolution and breeding from original GBA imports. GBA games can trade with compatible Generation III games after the network quest; Switch supports local FireRed/LeafGreen trading and cannot import Pokémon from other games. Transfers to Pokémon HOME are one way.
GBA: AuroraTicket and MysticTicket required historical event distributions. Switch: both tickets are added after entering the Hall of Fame, providing access to Deoxys on Birth Island and Lugia/Ho-Oh on Navel Rock. Other event Pokémon and GBA imports are not made available by these tickets.
Original GBA: a roaming Entei or Raikou that successfully ends an encounter with Roar disappears permanently because of a game bug. The Switch editions fix this Roar disappearance bug.
Cacnea
#331 in the National Pokédex • Cactus Pokémon
Pokédex entries
FireRed
It prefers harsh environments such as deserts. It can survive for 30 days on water stored in its body.
LeafGreen
It prefers harsh environments such as deserts. It can survive for 30 days on water stored in its body.
Details
Type
Category
Ability
Height
Weight
National Pokédex
Stats
Min
Max
HP
50
210
304
Attack
85
157
295
Defense
40
76
196
Sp. Atk
85
157
295
Sp. Def
40
76
196
Speed
35
67
185
Total
335
Ranges are for Level 100. Max assumes a beneficial nature, 252 EVs, and 31 IVs; min assumes a hindering nature, 0 EVs, and 0 IVs.
Game availability
GBA: requires importing from another Generation III game.Switch: unavailable. This page documents the supported Generation III Pokémon.
Growth
| EV yield | 1 SpA |
|---|---|
| Catch rate | 190 |
| Base Exp. | 97 |
Eggs
| Egg groups | |
|---|---|
| Gender | 50% male 50% female |
| Egg cycles | 20 (5,375 steps) |
Evolution
| Pokémon | Requires | Evolution |
|---|---|---|
 Cacnea #331 | Level 32 This line requires importing Pokémon from another Generation III game on GBA; unavailable on Switch. Requires the National Pokédex. |  Cacturne #332 |
Moves
| Class | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | Poison Sting |  |  Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 | The foe is stabbed with a toxic barb, etc. It may poison the foe. |
| Start | Leer |  |  Status | - | 100 | 30 | The foe is given an intimidating look that lowers its DEFENSE stat. |
| 5 | Absorb | |  Special | 20 | 100 | 20 | An attack that absorbs half the damage it inflicted to restore HP. |
| 9 | Growth | | Status | - | - | 40 | The user’s body is forced to grow, raising the SP. ATK stat. |
| 13 | Leech Seed | | Status | - | 90 | 10 | A seed is planted on the foe to steal some HP for the user on every turn. |
| 17 | Sand Attack |  | Status | - | 100 | 15 | A lot of sand is hurled in the foe’s face, reducing its accuracy. |
| 21 | Pin Missile |  | Physical | 14 | 85 | 20 | Sharp pins are shot at the foe and hit two to five times at once. |
| 25 | Ingrain | | Status | - | - | 20 | The user lays roots that restore HP on every turn. It can’t switch out. |
| 29 | Feint Attack |  | Special | 60 | - | 20 | The user draws up close to the foe disarmingly, then hits without fail. |
| 33 | Spikes | | Status | - | - | 20 | A trap of spikes is laid around the foe’s party to hurt foes switching in. |
| 37 | Needle Arm | | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 | An attack using thorny arms. It may make the foe flinch. |
| 41 | Cotton Spore | | Status | - | 85 | 40 | Cotton-like spores cling to the foe, sharply reducing its SPEED stat. |
| 45 | Sandstorm |  | Status | - | - | 10 | A 5-turn sandstorm that damages all types except ROCK, GROUND, and STEEL. |
| 49 | Destiny Bond |  | Status | - | - | 5 | If the user faints, the foe delivering the final hit also faints. |
| Class | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Focus Punch |  | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 | An attack that is executed last. The user flinches if hit beforehand. |
| TM06 | Toxic | | Status | - | 85 | 10 | A move that badly poisons the foe. Its poison damage worsens every turn. |
| TM09 | Bullet Seed | | Special | 10 | 100 | 30 | The user shoots seeds at the foe. Two to five seeds are shot at once. |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | | Physical | - | 100 | 15 | An attack that varies in type and intensity depending on the user. |
| TM11 | Sunny Day |  | Status | - | - | 5 | The sun blazes for five turns, powering up FIRE-type moves. |
| TM17 | Protect | | Status | - | - | 10 | Enables the user to evade all attacks. It may fail if used in succession. |
| TM19 | Giga Drain | | Special | 60 | 100 | 5 | A harsh attack that absorbs half the damage it inflicted to restore HP. |
| TM21 | Frustration | | Physical | - | 100 | 20 | This attack move grows more powerful the less the user likes its TRAINER. |
| TM22 | Solar Beam | | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 | A 2-turn move that blasts the foe with absorbed energy in the 2nd turn. |
| TM27 | Return | | Physical | - | 100 | 20 | This attack move grows more powerful the more the user likes its TRAINER. |
| TM32 | Double Team | | Status | - | - | 15 | The user creates illusory copies of itself to raise its evasiveness. |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | | Status | - | - | 10 | A 5-turn sandstorm that damages all types except ROCK, GROUND, and STEEL. |
| TM42 | Facade | | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | An attack that is boosted if user is burned, poisoned, or paralyzed. |
| TM43 | Secret Power | | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | An attack that may have an additional effect that varies with the terrain. |
| TM44 | Rest |  | Status | - | - | 10 | The user sleeps for two turns to fully restore HP and heal any status problem. |
| TM45 | Attract | | Status | - | 100 | 15 | If it is the other gender, the foe is made infatuated and unlikely to attack. |
| HM01 | Cut | | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 | A basic attack. It can be used to cut down thin trees and grass. |
| HM05 | Flash | | Status | - | 70 | 20 | A blast of light that cuts the foe’s accuracy. It also illuminates caves. |
Tutors
| Class | Description | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Slam | | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 | The user drops its full body on the foe. It may leave the foe paralyzed. |
| Counter | | Physical | - | 100 | 20 | A retaliation move that counters any physical hit with double the damage. |
| Double-Edge | | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 | A reckless, life-risking tackle that also hurts the user a little. |
| Mega Punch | | Physical | 80 | 85 | 20 | The foe is slugged by a punch thrown with muscle-packed power. |
| Mimic | | Status | - | - | 10 | The user copies the move last used by the foe for the rest of the battle. |
| Seismic Toss | | Physical | - | 100 | 20 | A gravity-fed throw that causes damage matching the user’s level. |
| Substitute | | Status | - | - | 10 | The user creates a decoy using one-quarter of its full HP. |
| Swords Dance | | Status | - | - | 30 | A frenetic dance of fighting. It sharply raises the ATTACK stat. |
Breeding
| Class | Description | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acid | | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 | The foe is sprayed with a harsh, hide-melting acid that may lower DEFENSE. |
| Counter | | Physical | - | 100 | 20 | A retaliation move that counters any physical hit with double the damage. |
| Dynamic Punch | | Physical | 100 | 50 | 5 | The foe is punched with the user’s full power. It confuses the foe if it hits. |
| Grass Whistle | | Status | - | 55 | 15 | A pleasant melody is played to lull the foe into a deep sleep. |
| Teeter Dance | | Status | - | 100 | 20 | A wobbly dance that confuses all the Pokémon in battle. |
Traits
Sand Veil
Ups evasion in a sandstorm.
Increases evasion to 1.25× during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.
