Stats & Training
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.
The sight of it running over 6,200 miles in a single day and night has captivated many people.
A Pokémon that has long been admired for its beauty. It runs agilely as if on wings.
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 |
 Shuckle BugRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Shuckle builds →Rock Throw 2x17-21% Rollout 2x14-17% Rock Blast 2x10-13% | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Onix builds →Rock Slide 2x42-50% Rock Throw 2x28-33% Smack Down 2x28-33% Rock Blast 2x17-21% | ||
 Krabby Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Krabby builds →Bubble Beam 2x28-33% Mud Shot 2x15-19% Water Gun 2x17-21% | ||
 Palpitoad WaterGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Palpitoad builds →Bubble Beam 2x46-54% Mud Shot 2x39-46% | ||
 Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Onix builds →Rock Slide 2x39-46% Rock Throw 2x26-32% Smack Down 2x26-32% Sand Tomb 2x20-25% | ||
Krabby Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Krabby builds →Bubble Beam 2x24-29% Mud Shot 2x13-17% Water Gun 2x18-21% Whirlpool 2x14-18% | ||
Palpitoad WaterGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Palpitoad builds →Bubble Beam 2x42-50% Mud Shot 2x36-43% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Lombre builds →Bubble Beam 2x39-46% Mud Shot 2x21-26% Water Gun 2x26-32% Whirlpool 2x24-29% | ||
 Shellos Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Shellos builds →Water Pulse 2x36-43% Ancient Power 2x24-29% Mud Shot 2x21-26% Water Gun 2x24-29% | ||
 Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Sudowoodo builds →Stone Edge 2x82-97% Rock Tomb 2x52-61% Rock Throw 2x43-52% Sand Tomb 2x22-26% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Onix builds →Rock Slide 2x35-42% Rock Throw 2x24-29% Smack Down 2x24-29% Sand Tomb 2x18-23% | ||
Krabby Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Krabby builds →Bubble Beam 2x24-29% Mud Shot 2x14-17% Water Gun 2x16-19% Whirlpool 2x13-16% | ||
Palpitoad WaterGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Palpitoad builds →Bubble Beam 2x41-48% Mud Shot 2x35-42% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Lombre builds →Bubble Beam 2x38-45% Mud Shot 2x22-26% Water Gun 2x24-29% Whirlpool 2x22-26% | ||
 Lunatone RockPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Lunatone builds →Stone Edge 2x55-64% Rock Slide 2x42-50% Rock Throw 2x29-35% Sand Tomb 2x14-17% | ||
 Pelipper Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Pelipper builds →Water Pulse 2x50-60% Water Gun 2x33-40% Whirlpool 2x29-35% | ||
 Cramorant Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Cramorant builds →Dive 2x60-72% Water Gun 2x31-37% Whirlpool 2x27-32% | ||
 Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Solrock builds →Stone Edge 2x79-94% Rock Slide 2x60-72% Rock Throw 2x42-50% Sand Tomb 2x19-23% | ||
 Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Quagsire builds →Aqua Tail 2x67-79% Muddy Water 2x55-64% Dig 2x60-72% Mud Shot 2x33-40% | ||
Lunatone RockPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Lunatone builds →Stone Edge 2x53-63% Rock Slide 2x41-49% Rock Throw 2x27-33% Sand Tomb 2x13-16% | ||
Pelipper Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Pelipper builds →Water Pulse 2x49-59% Water Gun 2x34-40% Whirlpool 2x30-35% | ||
Cramorant Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Cramorant builds →Dive 2x59-70% Water Gun 2x31-38% Whirlpool 2x27-33% | ||
Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Solrock builds →Stone Edge 2x80-94% Rock Slide 2x62-73% Rock Throw 2x41-49% Sand Tomb 2x20-23% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Quagsire builds →Aqua Tail 2x67-80% Muddy Water 2x55-66% Dig 2x59-70% Mud Shot 2x35-42% | ||
Lunatone RockPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Lunatone builds →Stone Edge 2x52-62% Rock Slide 2x40-47% Bulldoze 2x21-26% Rock Throw 2x27-32% | ||
Pelipper Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Pelipper builds →Water Pulse 2x47-56% Water Gun 2x32-39% Whirlpool 2x29-34% | ||
 Seismitoad WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Seismitoad builds →Dig 2x61-73% Bubble Beam 2x47-56% Bulldoze 2x47-56% Mud Shot 2x40-47% | ||
Cramorant Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Cramorant builds →Dive 2x58-69% Water Gun 2x31-36% Whirlpool 2x27-32% | ||
Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Solrock builds →Stone Edge 2x78-92% Rock Slide 2x58-69% Bulldoze 2x31-37% Rock Throw 2x40-47% | ||
 Toxapex PoisonWater | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Toxapex builds →Liquidation 2x49-58% Mud Shot 2x19-23% | ||
Seismitoad WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Seismitoad builds →Dive 2x62-74% Dig 2x62-74% Rock Slide 2x39-47% Bubble Beam 2x47-55% | ||
 Barbaracle RockWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Barbaracle builds →Dive 2x68-80% Dig 2x45-53% Razor Shell 2x64-76% Rock Slide 2x64-76% | ||
 Mantine Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Mantine builds →Dive 2x35-41% Rock Slide 2x21-25% Bubble Beam 2x45-53% Water Pulse 2x42-49% | ||
 Drednaw WaterRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Drednaw builds →Dive 2x73-86% Dig 2x49-58% Razor Shell 2x70-82% Rock Slide 2x70-82% | ||
Toxapex PoisonWater | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Toxapex builds →Liquidation 2x50-58% Mud Shot 2x19-23% | ||
 Golisopod BugWater | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Golisopod builds →Liquidation 2x85-100%KO Dive 2x80-94% Razor Shell 2x75-89% Rock Slide 2x50-59% | ||
 Flygon GroundDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Flygon builds →Earthquake 2x83-98% Earth Power 2x62-74% Dig 2x67-79% Rock Slide 2x42-49% | ||
Seismitoad WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Seismitoad builds →Dive 2x64-75% Dig 2x64-75% Rock Slide 2x40-48% Stomping Tantrum 2x60-72% | ||
Barbaracle RockWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Barbaracle builds →Dive 2x70-83% Dig 2x47-55% Razor Shell 2x65-77% Rock Slide 2x65-77% | ||
In Sword & Shield, Runerigus's Poltergeist hits Arcanine for 43-51%. Lunatone's Psychic hits Arcanine for 49-57%. Slowking deals 65-77% with Scald.
 Runerigus GroundGhost | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityWanderingspirit ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Runerigus builds →Poltergeist43-51% | ||
Lunatone RockPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemPower Herb NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Lunatone builds →Ice Beam16-19% Moonblast17-20% Psychic49-57% | ||
 Slowking WaterPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemColbur Berry NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Slowking builds →Scald 2x65-77% | ||
 Landorus Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Arcanine View Landorus builds →Sludge Bomb44-52% Psychic44-52% | ||
 Urshifu FightingDark | C | |
Water is super effective against ArcanineView Urshifu → | ||
Sword & Shield 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 152 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Covet, Double Kick, Double-Edge and 2 more.
Sword & Shield Arcanine Best Moveset
Intimidate helps Arcanine stick around while dealing real damage. Leftovers for passive recovery each turn, 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
Arcanine best EVs are Attack and Speed
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Burn Up
- Flare Blitz
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Flamethrower
- Flare Blitz
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Moves
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Arcanine in Sword & Shield
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 GrowlitheRolling FieldsShieldOverworld Lv.7-1060%EarlyIntense SunWest Lake AxewellShieldGrass Lv.7-11 Cave40%EarlyIntense SunDappled GroveShieldGrass Lv.11-15 Forest40%EarlyIntense SunWest Lake AxewellShieldOverworld Lv.8-14 Cave35%EarlyIntense SunEast Lake AxewellShieldGrass Lv.8-12 Cave30%EarlyIntense SunSouth Lake MilochShieldGrass Lv.11-13 Water30%EarlyIntense SunRolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworld Lv.7-1025%EarlyIntense SunEast Lake AxewellShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Cave25%EarlyIntense SunSouth Lake MilochShieldOverworld Lv.14-16 Water25%EarlyIntense SunRolling FieldsShieldGrass Lv.7-1020%EarlyIntense SunWatchtower RuinsShieldGrass Lv.11-14 Building20%EarlyIntense SunRoute 3ShieldOverworld Lv.10-14 Route15%EarlyAll WeatherSouth Lake Miloch - 2ShieldOverworld Lv.14-16 Water15%EarlyIntense SunDappled GroveShieldOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest2%EarlyIntense SunHammerlocke HillsSwordGrass Lv.28-3040%MidIntense SunWatchtower RuinsShieldOverworld Lv.26-29 Building10%MidIntense SunNorth Lake MilochShieldOverworld Lv.26-28 Water5%MidIntense SunAxew's EyeShieldGrass Lv.35-4040%LateIntense SunDusty BowlSwordOverworld Lv.42-4730%LateIntense SunGiant's SeatShieldOverworld Lv.33-38 Water5%LateIntense SunAxew's EyeShieldOverworld Lv.36-405%LateIntense Sun
Step 2Arcanine ✓Lake of OutrageOverworld Lv.55-58 Water25%PostIntense Sunor evolve from Growlithe (Step 1)
Arcanine Guide
In the Sword & Shield meta, Arcanine already has 555 BST going for it, and Intimidate pushes the competitive value even higher. B-Tier attacker on our tier list. Extreme Speed with Leftovers is the standard set.
In Sword & Shield, 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 special attacker with base 100 Sp. Atk. 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.
For Sword & Shield, Arcanine has answers, but so do you. Faster attackers outpace it. Anything with a super-effective STAB move and decent speed can revenge kill.
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 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves