What separates Arcanine from the pack is Intimidate — it lowers the opponent's Attack on switch-in. Combine that with Fire typing and it sits at a decent but contested Speed tier. Known as the Legendary Pokemon.
Everything pushes toward mixed damage here. Arcanine's Attack does the work, Defense pays the price. But you're still getting 2 Attack EVs per KO. Moderately hard to find, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.
An ancient picture scroll shows that people were captivated by its movement as it ran through prairies.
Its magnificent bark conveys a sense of majesty. Anyone hearing it can’t help but grovel before it.
Arcanine Weakness
AvgArcanine's Fire typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Ground, and Rock moves. It resists 6 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. Flash Fire grants an additional Fire immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. With 90 HP and balanced defenses, Arcanine can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
Arcanine evolved from Growlithe's chain using an evolution item. It's a non-standard trigger, so check the details below. Breed this form to get Growlithe eggs (average hatch time). The evolution from Growlithe pushed Arcanine to 555 total stats. Attack saw the largest single gain at +40.
How to Evolve
Breed with Arcanine to get Growlithe eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground egg group.
Intimidate helps Arcanine stick around while dealing real damage. Heavy-Duty Boots for hazard immunity on every switch-in, max Attack and Speed EVs for the right balance, and Extreme Speed as the main threat. Not the fastest, but it doesn't need to be.
Best Build
Best Arcanine Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Flare Blitz
- Morning Sun
- Curse
Recommended Teammates
STAB runs through Overheat and Flare Blitz for the basics, but Arcanine's real strength is the 11-type coverage spread. Dark and Fairy hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The offense anchors on Raging Fury and Flare Blitz, with coverage across 10 types adding reach. It's a workable movepool for Arcanine that handles most situations. Raging Fury and Double-Edge give it enough punch where it matters.
You'll want to breed for Body Slam and Burn Up on Arcanine. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Burn Up and Overheat, they expand what Arcanine can actually threaten in practice.
STAB runs through Burn Up and Overheat for the basics, but Arcanine's real strength is the 10-type coverage spread. Dark and Normal hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
Arcanine tops out at low spawn rates across 4 locations in endgame routes. The encounters below are sorted by rate so you can see exactly what you're working with.
Where To Catch Arcanine in Scarlet & Violet
To get Arcanine, start by catching Growlithe through walking encounters at Lv. 17-65. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch GrowlitheMODERATEEast Province (Area Three) - RockyScarletOverworldLv.17-2312%MidRouteMODERATEEast Province (Area Three) - RockyVioletOverworldLv.17-2312%MidRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Three) - RockyVioletOverworldLv.17-2312%MidRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Three) - RockyScarletOverworldLv.17-2312%MidRouteMODERATEEast Province (Area Three) - MineScarletOverworldLv.17-236%MidRouteMODERATEEast Province (Area Three) - MineVioletOverworldLv.17-236%MidRouteHARDNorth Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestVioletOverworldLv.47-651%PostRouteHARDNorth Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestScarletOverworldLv.47-651%PostRouteHARDNorth Province (Area Two) - RockyVioletOverworldLv.47-651%PostRouteHARDNorth Province (Area Two) - RockyScarletOverworldLv.47-651%PostRoute
Step 2Arcanine ✓HARDNorth Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestVioletOverworldLv.47-651%PostRouteHARDNorth Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestScarletOverworldLv.47-651%PostRouteHARDNorth Province (Area Two) - RockyVioletOverworldLv.47-651%PostRouteHARDNorth Province (Area Two) - RockyScarletOverworldLv.47-651%PostRouteor evolve from Growlithe (Step 1)
Arcanine doesn't appear wild. Catch Growlithe instead, it shows up at decent rates. Evolve it through a special method to get Arcanine. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Arcanine in Legends: Arceus
Step 1Catch GrowlitheEASYVeilstone CapeGrassUncommonEASYWindbreak StandGrassUncommon
Step 2Arcanine ✓
You're catching Growlithe first, not Arcanine. Growlithe appears at moderate rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 2-stage line with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Arcanine in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Growlithe is your first catch on the way to Arcanine. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 58-63 across 4 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch GrowlitheSandsear CaveGrassLv.58-63PostDesertPost-gameSpacious CaveGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameTyphlo CavernGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameVolcanic CaveGrassLv.58-63PostVolcanoPost-game
Step 2Arcanine ✓
A few locations for Arcanine with decent spawn rates across endgame routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Arcanine in Sword & Shield
To get Arcanine, start by catching Growlithe through walking encounters at Lv. 7-58. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
- Step 1Catch GrowlitheEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1060%EarlyIntense SunEFFORTLESSWest Lake AxewellShieldGrassLv.7-1140%EarlyCaveIntense SunEFFORTLESSDappled GroveShieldGrassLv.11-1540%EarlyForestIntense SunEFFORTLESSWest Lake AxewellShieldOverworldLv.8-1435%EarlyCaveIntense SunEFFORTLESSEast Lake AxewellShieldGrassLv.8-1230%EarlyCaveIntense SunEFFORTLESSSouth Lake MilochShieldGrassLv.11-1330%EarlyWaterIntense SunEASYRolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlyIntense SunEASYEast Lake AxewellShieldOverworldLv.10-1525%EarlyCaveIntense SunEASYSouth Lake MilochShieldOverworldLv.14-1625%EarlyWaterIntense SunEASYRolling FieldsShieldGrassLv.7-1020%EarlyIntense SunEASYWatchtower RuinsShieldGrassLv.11-1420%EarlyBuildingIntense SunEASYRoute 3ShieldOverworldLv.10-1415%EarlyRouteAll WeatherEASYSouth Lake Miloch - 2ShieldOverworldLv.14-1615%EarlyWaterIntense SunCHALLENGINGDappled GroveShieldOverworldLv.13-152%EarlyForestIntense SunEFFORTLESSHammerlocke HillsSwordGrassLv.28-3040%MidIntense SunMODERATEWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworldLv.26-2910%MidBuildingIntense SunMODERATENorth Lake MilochShieldOverworldLv.26-285%MidWaterIntense SunEFFORTLESSAxew's EyeShieldGrassLv.35-4040%LateIntense SunEFFORTLESSDusty BowlSwordOverworldLv.42-4730%LateIntense SunMODERATEGiant's SeatShieldOverworldLv.33-385%LateWaterIntense SunMODERATEAxew's EyeShieldOverworldLv.36-405%LateIntense Sun
- Step 2Arcanine ✓EASYLake of OutrageOverworldLv.55-5825%PostWaterIntense Sunor evolve from Growlithe (Step 1)
Arcanine already has 555 BST going for it, and Intimidate pushes the competitive value even higher. A-Tier attacker on our tier list.
Watch for Starmie (Water), Golem (Ground), and Aerodactyl (Rock) when using Arcanine. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.
Arcanine gets Intimidate, Flash Fire, and Justified. But Intimidate is the one that matters — it's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Arcanine is a mixed attacker — base 110 Attack and 100 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 95 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. Fits the attacker role.
Arcanine appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Available since Red & Blue, Arcanine appears in 21 games spanning 9 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained a Hisuian form in Generation 8.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A