Nothing about Arcanine screams competitive powerhouse, and that's fine. Fire means only weak to Water, Ground, and Rock. Known as the Legendary Pokemon. Can go either physical or special depending on the set.
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 attracted to its movement as it ran through prairies.
Arcanine Weakness
AvgArcanine's Fire typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Ground, and Rock moves. The Fire typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. With 90 HP and balanced defenses, Arcanine can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
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 66 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Body Slam, Crunch, Fire Spin and 2 more.
Leftovers and an ability form the backbone. Arcanine invests flexible EVs EVs to play its attacker role properly, and a nature nature pushes higher. Flamethrower handles the heavy lifting on offense. Dark coverage rounds it out.
Best Build
Best Arcanine Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Fire Blast
- Flamethrower
- Crunch
Recommended Teammates
You'll want to breed for Body Slam and Crunch on Arcanine. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Fire Blast and Flamethrower, they expand what Arcanine can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
You're catching Growlithe first, not Arcanine. Growlithe appears at solid 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 Crystal
To get Arcanine, start by catching Growlithe through walking encounters at Lv. 5-17. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch GrowlitheEASYRoute 36GrassLv.5UncommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayEASYRoute 35GrassLv.13UncommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayEFFORTLESSRoute 37GrassLv.16CommonMidRouteDayEASYRoute 37GrassLv.16UncommonMidRouteMorningEASYRoute 8GrassLv.17UncommonMidRouteMorning/day
Step 2Arcanine ✓
Arcanine already has 555 BST going for it, and Intimidate pushes the competitive value even higher. C-Tier setup sweeper 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 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 setup sweeper 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