Special
Balanced
65Speed · Below Avg

Is Vulpix Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

LeafGreen only. AbilityFlash Fire makes Vulpix immune to Fire attacks and boosts its own Fire damage when hit. Ninetales at Fire Stone handles Erika and contributes against Lorelei's Ice-types. The Fire immunity is more useful than it sounds since trainers across Kanto love Fire moves. Growlithe fills this slot in FireRed.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadETESGGEEGEGTEBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3VulpixCatchableNinetalesEvolveErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Even

Vulpix trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Risky
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Tough

Misty's team hits Vulpix's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
Risky
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Even

Vulpix trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
You Win
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Even
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Strong

Ninetales resists most of Erika's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
Easy KO
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
Easy KO
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Good

Ninetales has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Good

Ninetales has the type edge here and should clean up Sabrina's team.

You Win
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
Easy KO
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Even
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Even

Ninetales trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.

You Win
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
You Win
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Even
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Even
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Even

Ninetales trades roughly evenly with Giovanni's team.

Even
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Even
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
You Win
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
You Win
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Risky
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Good

Ninetales has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.

You Win
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
You Win
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
Even
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
Easy KO
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
Even
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Even

Ninetales trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.

Even
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
Even
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
Even
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Good

Ninetales has the type edge here and should clean up Agatha's team.

You Win
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
You Win
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
You Win
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
You Win
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
You Win
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Tough

Lance's team hits Ninetales's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
Even
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
Even
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
Risky
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
Avoid
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Even

Ninetales trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.

You Win
Heracross
Lv 72
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornEarthquakeCounterRock Tomb
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 73
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCalm MindReflect
Risky
Tyranitar
Lv 72
RockDark
Sand Stream
CrunchEarthquakeThunderboltAerial Ace
Easy KO
Exeggutor
Lv 73
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Giga DrainPsychicSleep PowderLight Screen
Risky
Gyarados
Lv 73
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hydro PumpDragon DanceEarthquakeHyper Beam
Risky
Charizard
Lv 75
FireFlying
Blaze
Fire BlastDragon ClawAerial AceEarthquake
Catchable
Available after Badge 3
Type
Fire
Tier
F

Catch Vulpix on Route 8 (walking, Lv 15-18, uncommon).

View Vulpix locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM28GroundDig80100%10
    • LV 29FireFlamethrower135100%15
  • After Erika
    • TM23SteelIron Tail10075%15
  • After Blaine
    • TM38FireFire Blast16585%5
  • After Giovanni
    • TM50FireOverheat19590%5
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20
Evolve Vulpix to Ninetales
Use Fire Stone
Type
Fire
Tier
B

You can buy the Fire Stone at the Celadon Department Store on the 4th floor (₽2,100). 1 other location is also available.

Recommended Moves
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM28GroundDig80100%10
  • After Erika
    • TM35FireFlamethrower135100%15
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • TM23SteelIron Tail10075%15
  • After Blaine
    • TM38FireFire Blast16585%5
  • After Giovanni
    • TM50FireOverheat19590%5
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20

How to Get Vulpix in FireRed & LeafGreen

LeafGreen exclusive with just four grass encounters at uncommon rates. Vulpix shows up on a handful of mid-game routes and one late-game building.

LeafGreen Exclusive — Trade with FireRed for Growlithe

Wild Vulpix may be holding when caught:

Rawst Berry (50% chance) When held by a Pokemon, it will be used in battle to heal a burn.

3 locations to catch Vulpix

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7

Where To Catch Vulpix in FRLG

To get Vulpix, start by catching Vulpix through walking encounters at Lv. 15-32. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.

  1. Ninetales
    Step 2Evolve into Ninetales
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Four Island Pokemon Day Care to receive a Ninetales egg. Requires the Rainbow Pass to access Four Island.

Vulpix Weakness

Water, Ground, and Rock moves hit Vulpix for super-effective damage. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Flash Fire grants an additional Fire immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Vulpix's special bulk (base 65 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Vulpix Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Ground, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Vulpix Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score-1
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Vulpix Strong Against

4Strong
4Resisted
0Immune
Score0
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Vulpix

Vulpix Evolutions

Vulpix doesn't evolve by leveling. You'll need an evolution item to push it forward to Ninetales. The evolved forms gain up to 206 total stats over Vulpix. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Vulpix
Fire
HP
38
73+35
ATK
41
76+35
DEF
40
75+35
SP.ATK
50
81+31
SP.DEF
65
100+35
SPE
65
100+35
BST
299D-Tier
505C-Tier+206
ROLE
Balanced
Pivot
TYPE
Utility
Mixed

Breeding

Easy

Breed Vulpix easily with 102 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Disable, Feint Attack, Flail and 5 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Gender
25.0%75.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
8moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosrhydondewgongarbokquagsirenidorinofarfetchdflaaffy

FRLG Vulpix Best Moveset

AbilityFlash Fire grants Fire immunity and boosts Fire moves when hit. Stats too low for competitive play. Ninetales and a deeper moveset one Fire Stone away.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Flash Fire
Item
Silk Scarf
Best Nature for Vulpix
Gentle+SPD

Vulpix best EVs are HP and Attack

EVs

Utility Moveset

  • Iron Tail
  • Body Slam
  • Fire BlastSTAB
  • Hidden Power Ice

Moves List

Without breeding, Vulpix misses out on Disable and Feint Attack. That's 8 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Overheat and Fire Blast, with Normal and Ground coverage and more rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Ember
6010025Fire
Lv 5
Tail Whip
10030Normal
Lv 9
Roar-6
C20Normal
Lv 13
Quick Attack+1
D4010030Normal
Lv 17
Will-O-Wisp
C7515Fire
Lv 21
Confuse Ray
D10010Ghost
Lv 25
Imprison
10Psychic
Lv 29
Flamethrower
C14210015Fire
Lv 33
Safeguard
D25Normal
Lv 37
Grudge
D5Ghost
Lv 41
Fire Spin
527015Fire

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM28
Dig
D6010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM38
Fire Blast
S180855Fire
TM35
Flamethrower
C14210015Fire
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM23
Iron Tail
S1007515Steel
TM50
Overheat
C210905Fire
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6
C20Normal
TM20
Safeguard
D25Normal
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Disable
D5520Normal
Egg
Feint Attack
6020Dark
Egg
Flail
D10015Normal
Egg
Heat Wave
C1509010Fire
Egg
Howl
D40Normal
Egg
Hypnosis
C6020Psychic
Egg
Psych Up
D10Normal
Egg
Spite
10010Ghost

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
S8510015Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
D12010015Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C10Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP38
F
Attack41
D
Defense40
D
Sp. Atk50
D
Sp. Def65
C
Speed65
C
Total299
Details
Catch Rate
Easy190 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.6 m
Weight9.9 kg
Base XP60
Abilities
Flash Fire
Protects against fire moves. Once one has been blocked, the Pokémon's own Fire moves inflict 1.5× damage until it leaves battle.
Flash Fire grants Fire immunity
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Speed training source
Pokedex Entry

While young, it has six gorgeous tails. When it grows, several new tails are sprouted.

When it is born, it has just one snow-white tail. The tail splits from its tip as it grows older.

Vulpix FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • When should I use the Fire Stone on Vulpix?

    Wait until Vulpix reaches Lv. 17 before using the Fire Stone. Evolving earlier permanently locks Vulpix out of Will-O-Wisp, a move Ninetales cannot relearn.

    Vulpix sprite
    1. Lv. 17learns Will-O-Wisp
    2. Lv. 17+Use the Fire Stone
  • Where do I get the Fire Stone in FireRed & LeafGreen?

    Buy a Fire Stone to evolve Vulpix into Ninetales.

    Fire Stone

    Evolves Vulpix into Ninetales

    Celadon Department Store 4F₽2,100

  • Why can't I find Vulpix in FireRed?

    Vulpix is exclusive to Pokemon LeafGreen. FireRed players have to trade for one.

    Pokemon LeafGreen cover art

    LeafGreen exclusive

    Trade with a player who has Pokemon LeafGreen to obtain Vulpix.

    See the Locations section above for where to find Vulpix in LeafGreen.

    How to trade in FireRed and LeafGreen

    GBA cartridges: You need a Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable and both players' FireRed/LeafGreen cartridges. Trade at the Cable Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, which opens up shortly after Oak gives you the Pokedex.
    Nintendo Switch (2026 release): Trading uses local wireless only. There is no online play, and no Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required. Both players head to the Pokemon Wireless Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, then step into a Union Room. Up to four other players can join. Available once you have the Pokedex from Professor Oak.

Game Availability

Since debuting in Red & Blue, Vulpix has appeared in 21 titles over 10 generations. Along the way, it received an Alolan form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.

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