Intimidate plus ExtremeSpeed priority make Arcanine one of Platinum's best A-Tier physical attackers. Heat Wave from the tutors aids doubles, and Flare Blitz provides raw Fire-type attacks.
Ability 1IntimidateAbility 1Lowers opponents' Attack one stage upon entering battle.Ability 2Flash FireAbility 2Protects against fire moves. Once one has been blocked, the Pokémon's own Fire moves inflict 1.5× damage until it leaves battle.
555HP90Attack110Defense80Speed95Sp.Def80Sp.Atk100
Growlithe
Arcanine
Weak to
Physical
Attacker
95Speed · Above Avg

Is Arcanine Good in Platinum Playthrough?

Fire Stone on Growlithe, which is harder to source in Platinum than Diamond and Pearl. AbilityIntimidate plus strong mixed offense through the physical/special split make Arcanine excellent. The question is whether you can get Growlithe in the first place.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEGGGESSGSGEGSSSERoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2FantinaGym 3MayleneGym 4Crasher WakeGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4JupiterBossMarsBossSaturnBossCynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Even

Arcanine trades roughly evenly with Roark's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
Even
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
Even
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Good

Arcanine has the type edge here and should clean up Gardenia's team.

Easy KO
Turtwig
Lv 20
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafSunny DayReflect
You Win
Cherrim
Lv 20
Grass
Flower Gift
Grass KnotLeech SeedMagical LeafSafeguard
You Win
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Fantina
Gym 3
Good

Arcanine has the type edge here and should clean up Fantina's team.

You Win
Duskull
Lv 24
Ghost
Levitate
Will O WispPursuitShadow SneakFuture Sight
You Win
Haunter
Lv 24
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow ClawSucker PunchHypnosisConfuse Ray
You Win
Mismagius
Lv 26
Ghost
Levitate
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Maylene
Gym 4
Good

Arcanine has the type edge here and should clean up Maylene's team.

You Win
Meditite
Lv 28
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionRock TombFake Out
You Win
Machoke
Lv 29
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopRock TombStrengthFocus Energy
You Win
Lucario
Lv 32
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 5
Even

Arcanine trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.

Risky
Gyarados
Lv 33
WaterFlying
Intimidate
WaterfallBrineBiteTwister
You Win
Quagsire
Lv 34
WaterGround
Damp
Mud ShotRock TombWater PulseYawn
Even
Floatzel
Lv 37
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangCrunchAqua Jet
Byron
Gym 6
Strong

Arcanine resists most of Byron's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Magneton
Lv 37
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Flash CannonThunderboltTri AttackMetal Sound
Easy KO
Steelix
Lv 38
SteelGround
Rock Head
Flash CannonIce FangEarthquakeSandstorm
You Win
Bastiodon
Lv 41
RockSteel
Sturdy
Metal BurstStone EdgeIron DefenseTaunt
Candice
Gym 7
Strong

Arcanine resists most of Candice's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Sneasel
Lv 40
DarkIce
Inner Focus
SlashAerial AceFeint AttackIce Shard
Easy KO
Piloswine
Lv 40
IceGround
Oblivious
AvalancheStone EdgeEarthquakeHail
Easy KO
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerWater PulseFocus Blast
Easy KO
Froslass
Lv 44
IceGhost
Snow Cloak
BlizzardDouble TeamShadow BallPsychic
Volkner
Gym 8
Good

Arcanine has the type edge here and should clean up Volkner's team.

You Win
Jolteon
Lv 46
Electric
Volt Absorb
Thunder WaveCharge BeamIron TailQuick Attack
You Win
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamFocus BlastSignal BeamQuick Attack
You Win
Luxray
Lv 48
Electric
Rivalry
Ice FangThunder FangCrunchFire Fang
You Win
Electivire
Lv 50
Electric
Motor Drive
Thunder PunchFire PunchQuick AttackGiga Impact
Aaron
Elite Four
Strong

Arcanine resists most of Aaron's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Yanmega
Lv 49
BugFlying
Speed Boost
Air SlashBug BuzzU TurnDouble Team
Easy KO
Scizor
Lv 49
BugSteel
Swarm
Iron HeadX ScissorNight SlashQuick Attack
Easy KO
Vespiquen
Lv 50
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
Easy KO
Heracross
Lv 51
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
You Win
Drapion
Lv 53
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Good

Arcanine has the type edge here and should clean up Bertha's team.

You Win
Whiscash
Lv 50
WaterGround
Oblivious
Earth PowerAqua TailZen HeadbuttSandstorm
Even
Gliscor
Lv 53
GroundFlying
Hyper Cutter
EarthquakeIce FangFire FangThunder Fang
You Win
Hippowdon
Lv 52
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchYawn
You Win
Golem
Lv 52
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeFire PunchThunder PunchSandstorm
Even
Rhyperior
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
EarthquakeRock WreckerMegahornAvalanche
Flint
Elite Four
Even

Arcanine trades roughly evenly with Flint's team.

Even
Houndoom
Lv 52
DarkFire
Early Bird
FlamethrowerSludge BombDark PulseSunny Day
Even
Flareon
Lv 55
Fire
Flash FireImmune to Fire attacks
OverheatGiga ImpactQuick AttackWill O Wisp
Even
Rapidash
Lv 53
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
Risky
Infernape
Lv 55
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
Even
Magmortar
Lv 57
Fire
Flame Body
FlamethrowerThunderboltSolar BeamHyper Beam
Lucian
Elite Four
Good

Arcanine has the type edge here and should clean up Lucian's team.

You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 53
Psychic
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
You Win
Espeon
Lv 55
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallQuick AttackSignal Beam
You Win
Bronzong
Lv 54
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 56
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
You Win
Gallade
Lv 59
PsychicFighting
Steadfast
Drain PunchPsycho CutLeaf BladeStone Edge
Jupiter
Commander
Strong

Arcanine resists most of Jupiter's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Zubat
Lv 21
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Giga DrainWing AttackBite
Easy KO
Skuntank
Lv 23
PoisonDark
Stench
Night SlashPoison GasScreechSmokescreen
Mars
Commander
Strong

Arcanine resists most of Mars's coverage and hits back hard.

You Win
Golbat
Lv 38
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBiteToxicSupersonic
Easy KO
Bronzor
Lv 38
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryIron DefenseConfuse Ray
You Win
Purugly
Lv 40
Normal
Thick Fat
SlashFeint AttackHypnosisFake Out
Saturn
Commander
Strong

Arcanine resists most of Saturn's coverage and hits back hard.

You Win
Golbat
Lv 42
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBitePoison FangConfuse Ray
Easy KO
Bronzor
Lv 42
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryShadow BallConfuse Ray
Easy KO
Toxicroak
Lv 44
PoisonFighting
Anticipation
Poison JabBrick BreakX ScissorFeint Attack
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Arcanine trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

You Win
Spiritomb
Lv 58
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindShadow Ball
You Win
Roserade
Lv 58
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombToxicExtrasensory
Even
Togekiss
Lv 60
NormalFlying
Hustle
Air SlashAura SphereWater PulseShock Wave
You Win
Lucario
Lv 60
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereExtreme SpeedShadow BallStone Edge
Even
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatDragon Pulse
Risky
Garchomp
Lv 62
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeFlamethrowerGiga Impact

Catch Growlithe

Available before Badge 1
Type
Fire
Tier
E

Catch Growlithe on Route 201 (walking, Lv 2, rare). Pokémon FireRed in GBA slot.

View Growlithe locations

How to Get Arcanine in Platinum

A Fire Stone evolves Growlithe into Arcanine, the lone route to one. That makes the FireRed dual-slot trick for Growlithe the real prerequisite before you can even use the stone.

Wild Arcanine may be holding when caught:

Rawst Berry (always) Held: Consumed when burned to cure a burn.

Catch Growlithe at any of these 2 spots to eventually evolve into Arcanine.

Encountered via tall grass encounters

  1. 1
    Catch Growlithe
  2. 2
    Evolve ArcanineUse Fire Stone
Badge 1

How to Obtain Arcanine in Pt

  1. Arcanine
    Step 2Arcanine ✓
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Growlithe egg.

How to Get Shiny Arcanine in Platinum

Arcanine needs a Fire Stone, so chain a Growlithe on Route 201 or Route 202 to 40 for a shiny first, then evolve it. Compare Shiny Arcanine odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Arcanine in PlatinumNormal
Shiny Arcanine in Platinum Shiny
Color ShiftBrowntoYellow
Shiny TierA Tier Shiny

Shiny Arcanine Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Platinum Shiny Arcanine Calculator

3 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is PokeRadar Chain at full boosts, about 1 in 200 on each try. Tune it below.

Step 1 · Encounter Method3 in Platinum

PokeRadar Chain: Chain shaking-grass patches without breaking the combo. The rate peaks at a chain of 40.

Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Step 2 · Boost Your Oddstap to add
00

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 200PokeRadar Chain
Chance By Now50.2%at 139 encountersAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few22----
25%one in four58----
50%coin flip139----
90%very likely460----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

For time estimates and charm math, open the Platinum shiny odds calculator with Arcanine already selected.

Arcanine Weakness

Arcanine's Fire typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Ground, and Rock. The Fire typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. 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 Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Ground, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Arcanine Weak Against

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

What is Arcanine Strong Against

4Strong
4Resisted
0Immune
Score0
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Arcanine

Palkia
Palkia
WaterDragon
S
B
Rhydon
Rhydon
GroundRock
C
Garchomp
Garchomp
DragonGround
S
Marowak
Marowak
Ground
C

Arcanine Evolutions

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

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Arcanine
Fire
HP
55
90+35
ATK
70
110+40
DEF
45
80+35
SP.ATK
70
100+30
SP.DEF
50
80+30
SPE
60
95+35
BST
350E-Tier
555A-Tier+205
ROLE
Balanced
Attacker
TYPE
Mixed
Mixed

Breeding

Easy

Breed with Arcanine to get Growlithe eggs easily using 131 partners from the Field egg group. Notable egg moves include Body Slam, Crunch, Double-Edge and 6 more.

Egg Groups
Field
Gender
♂75.0%♀25.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
9moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosrhydondewgongarbokquagsirenidorinofarfetchdflaaffy

Pt Arcanine Best Moveset

Switching in drops the opponent's physical Attack through AbilityIntimidate, and 90 HP with 80 Defense gives the moveset real bulk to work with. MoveFlare Blitz at 110 Attack or MoveFlamethrower at 100 Sp. Atk hit from whichever side the target is weaker.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Intimidate
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Arcanine
Jolly+SPE

Arcanine best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • Extreme Speed
  • Flare BlitzSTAB
  • CrunchCoverage
  • Thunder Fang

Moves List

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 Overheat and Flare Blitz, they expand what Arcanine can actually threaten in practice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bite
C6010025Dark
Lv 1
Fire Fang
C979515Fire
Lv 1
Odor Sleuth
———40Normal
Lv 1
Roar-6
C——20Normal
Lv 1
Thunder Fang
A659515Electric
Lv 39
Extreme Speed+2
B801005Normal

TM Moves

30 of 33 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40
Aerial AceRoute 213badge 3
C60—20Flying
TM45
AttractAmity Squarebadge 2
——10015Normal
TM78
CaptivateRoute 204badge 2
——10020Normal
TM28
DigManiac Tunnelbadge 3
C8010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamWayward Cavebadge 2
———15Normal
TM59
Dragon PulseVictory Roadnot until badge 8
C9010010Dragon
TM58
Endure+4Veilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
TM42
FacadeSurvival Area
C7010020Normal
TM38
Fire BlastLake Veritybadge 3
B180855Fire
TM35
FlamethrowerVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
B14210015Fire
TM21
FrustrationVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM68
Giga ImpactVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
B150905Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
C6010015Normal
TM15B150905Normal
TM23
Iron TailIron Islandbadge 5
C1007515Steel
TM83
Natural GiftVeilstone Department Storebadge 3
D—10015Normal
TM50B210905Fire
TM17C——10Normal
TM44C——10Psychic
TM27D—10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6Route 213not until badge 7
C——20Normal
HM08—908520Normal
HM06D4010015Fighting
TM43
Secret PowerAmity Squarebadge 2
—7010020Normal
TM82
Sleep TalkEterna Forestbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM22B12010010Grass
HM04
StrengthIron Islandbadge 5
C8010015Normal
TM90
SubstituteVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM87
SwaggerPokémon Mansionbadge 4
——9015Normal
TM46
ThiefEterna Citybadge 2
C6010025Dark
TM06
ToxicRoute 212badge 4
C—8510Poison
TM61
Will-O-WispExchange Service Corner counter at the Battle Frontier, which you enter from the Fight Area
A—7515Fire

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Egg
Crunch
B8010015Dark
Egg
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal
Egg
Fire Spin
—527015Fire
Egg
Flare Blitz
B18010015Fire
Egg
Heat Wave
B1509010Fire
Egg
Howl
———40Normal
Egg
Safeguard
D——25Normal
Egg
Thrash
—12010020Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Heat Wave
B1509010Fire
Tutor
Helping Hand+5
———20Normal
Tutor
Iron Head
C8010015Steel
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal
Tutor
Swift
—60—20Normal

Reminder Moves

Rem
Rem
Agility
C——30Psychic
Rem
Crunch
B8010015Dark
Rem
Ember
—6010025Fire
Rem
Flame Wheel
—9010025Fire
Rem
Flamethrower
B14210015Fire
Rem
Flare Blitz
B18010015Fire
Rem
Heat Wave
B1509010Fire
Rem
Helping Hand+5
———20Normal
Rem
Leer
——10030Normal
Rem
Reversal
——10015Fighting
Rem
Take Down
C908520Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
High
HP90
B
Attack110
B
Defense80
C
Sp. Atk100
B
Sp. Def80
C
Speed95
B
Total555
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging75 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.9 m
Weight155.0 kg
Base XP194
Abilities
Intimidate
Lowers opponents' Attack one stage upon entering battle.
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
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

Its proud and regal appearance has captured the hearts of people since long ago.

Pokemon Platinum

Arcanine Platinum Guide

  • In Platinum, use Arcanine as an attacker. Physical side carries the damage. Speed is middling,

  • For Platinum, build your team around Starmie, Donphan, and Skarmory. These have the highest co-usage rates with Arcanine in competitive formats. They cover each other's weaknesses.

  • Arcanine has a Hisuian form that swaps the typing and reshuffles the stats. Introduced in Gen 8. Worth checking if the original version doesn't fit your team.

  • For Platinum, run Jolly on Arcanine. +Speed is what matters, and the -Sp. Atk cut doesn't hurt this set. Fits the attacker role.

Game Availability

Available since Red & Blue, Arcanine appears in 21 games spanning 9 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained a Hisuian form in Generation 8.

Explore

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