Arcanine Best Moveset
AbilityIntimidate on entry drops the opponent's Attack, and 110 base Attack behind Fire TermStab hits hard on the physical side. Held ItemLeftovers with NatureJolly at 95 Speed keeps it healthy between pivots. Tera Normal turns MoveExtreme Speed into a priority nuke. The moveset balances offense and defensive utility through Intimidate cycling.
Fire-type with great physical stats but no way to use them in Gen I (Red & Blue). Fire moves were all Special, and Arcanine's 80 base Special was underwhelming.
Utility Moveset
- Body Slam
- Fire Blast
- Hyper Beam
- Agility
Recommended Teammates
Extremespeed arrived and the format slowed down in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Priority plus reliable bulk made Arcanine an effective late-game cleaner.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Fire Blast
- Flamethrower
- Crunch
Recommended Teammates
Intimidate dropped Attack on switch-in, giving Arcanine a defensive niche on top of its offensive one. Bulky pivot sets with Will-O-Wisp were effective in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire).
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Overheat
- Hidden Power Fighting
- Toxic
Recommended Teammates
The physical/special split finally gave Arcanine physical Fire STAB in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Flare Blitz plus Extremespeed was the combo it waited four generations for.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Flare Blitz
- Crunch
- Thunder Fang
Recommended Teammates
Flash Fire provided a second ability option. Switch into a Fire move, power up, and threaten with boosted Flare Blitz. A flexible teambuilding choice in Gen V (Black & White).
Bulky Support Moveset
- Flare Blitz
- Morning Sun
- Extreme Speed
- Close Combat
Recommended Teammates
Six gens of consistent relevance. Intimidate cycling, Flare Blitz pressure, and Extremespeed priority made Arcanine the definition of a reliable team player.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Will O Wisp
- Flare Blitz
- Morning Sun
Recommended Teammates
Z-Moves let it fire off a massive Z-Flare Blitz, but the format's power level in Gen VII (Sun & Moon) was climbing faster than Arcanine's tools could keep up.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Flare Blitz
- Extreme Speed
- Close Combat
- Wild Charge
Recommended Teammates
Intimidate was still good but 90/80/80 defenses weren't bulky enough for Gen VIII (Sword & Shield), where Dynamaxed threats hit at doubled power.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Flare Blitz
- Morning Sun
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Hisuian Arcanine existed as a Rock/Fire alternative in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Regular Arcanine got squeezed out by both its regional form and newer Fire-types.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Flare Blitz
- Morning Sun
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Arcanine Weakness
Arcanine's Fire typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Ground, and Rock. 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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
What is Arcanine Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Arcanine
Rillaboom's Knock Off hits Arcanine for 42-50%. Meowscarada deals 36-42% with Knock Off.
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Rillaboom builds →Knock Off42-50% U Turn23-27% Wood Hammer39-46% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Blissey builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityProtean ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Meowscarada builds →Knock Off36-42% U Turn19-22% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityMold Breaker ItemAir Balloon NatureJolly Moves View Tinkaton builds →
| ||
Recommended Build AbilitySnow Warning ItemLightclay NatureTimid Moves View Ninetales-Alola builds →
| ||
Evolution
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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Arcanine to get Growlithe eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground egg group.
How to Get Arcanine
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 SV
To get Arcanine, start by catching Growlithe through walking encounters at Lv. 7-65. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch GrowlitheApple HillsLv.7-60OverworldCrystal PoolLv.7-60OverworldInfernal PassLv.7-60OverworldKitakami WildsLv.7-60OverworldMossfell ConfluenceLv.7-60OverworldOni MountainLv.7-60OverworldOnis MawLv.7-60OverworldParadise BarrensLv.7-60OverworldRevelers RoadLv.7-60OverworldTimeless WoodsLv.7-60OverworldEast Province (Area Three) - RockyLv.17-23OverworldRate 12%South Province (Area Three) - RockyLv.17-23OverworldRate 12%East Province (Area Three) - MineLv.17-23OverworldRate 6%North Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestLv.47-65OverworldRate 1%North Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.47-65OverworldRate 1%
Step 2Arcanine ✓North Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestLv.47-65OverworldRate 1%North Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.47-65OverworldRate 1%or 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 PLA
Step 1Catch GrowlitheVeilstone CapeLv.29-32GrassRate 15%Windbreak StandLv.41-44GrassRate 15%
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 BDSP
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 CaveLv.58-63GrassBrilliant DiamondPost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameTyphlo CavernLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameVolcanic CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-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 SwSh
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 GrowlitheRolling FieldsLv.7-10OverworldShieldRate 60%Intense SunWest Lake AxewellLv.7-11CaveShieldRate 40%Intense SunDappled GroveLv.11-15GrassShieldRate 40%Intense SunWest Lake AxewellLv.8-14OverworldShieldRate 35%Intense SunEast Lake AxewellLv.8-12CaveShieldRate 30%Intense SunSouth Lake MilochLv.11-13GrassShieldRate 30%Intense SunRolling Fields - 2Lv.7-10OverworldShieldRate 25%Intense SunEast Lake AxewellLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 25%Intense SunSouth Lake MilochLv.14-16OverworldShieldRate 25%Intense SunRolling FieldsLv.7-10GrassShieldRate 20%Intense SunWatchtower RuinsLv.11-14FloorShieldRate 20%Intense SunRoute 3Lv.10-14OverworldShieldRate 15%All WeatherSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldShieldRate 15%Intense SunDappled GroveLv.13-15OverworldShieldRate 2%Intense SunHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassSwordRate 40%Intense SunWatchtower RuinsLv.26-29OverworldShieldRate 10%Intense SunNorth Lake MilochLv.26-28OverworldShieldRate 5%Intense SunAxew's EyeLv.35-40GrassShieldRate 40%Intense SunDusty BowlLv.42-47OverworldSwordRate 30%Intense SunGiant's SeatLv.33-38OverworldShieldRate 5%Intense SunAxew's EyeLv.36-40OverworldShieldRate 5%Intense Sun
- Step 2Arcanine ✓Lake of OutrageLv.55-58OverworldShieldRate 25%Intense Sunor evolve from Growlithe (Step 1)
Base Stats
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.
Arcanine Guide
Arcanine already has 555 BST going for it, and Intimidate pushes the competitive value even higher. B-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 physical attacker with base 110 Attack. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 95 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. Fits the attacker role.
Run Extreme Speed, Flare Blitz, Morningsun, and Will O Wisp on Arcanine. Extreme Speed is the most common pick at 0% usage. This set covers the attacker role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Available since Red & Blue, Arcanine appears in 21 games spanning 10 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained a Hisuian form in Generation 8.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves