Cyndaquil Best Moveset
Fire at 60 Sp. Atk and 65 Speed. The moveset can't compete at starter pre-evolution stats. AbilityFlash Fire grants Fire immunity and boosts Fire moves when hit by one, but there's no damage to boost. Evolve through to Typhlosion for 109 Sp. Atk.
Cyndaquil was a niche pick at best in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal), rarely seen in standard play. This marked Cyndaquil's competitive debut.
Utility Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Quick Attack
- Double Edge
- Swift
Recommended Teammates
Cyndaquil was a niche pick at best in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald), rarely seen in standard play. Cyndaquil maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Blaze with Salacberry, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Body Slam
- Flame Wheel
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power Grass
Recommended Teammates
Cyndaquil saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). This was Cyndaquil's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Blaze with Choice Scarf, favoring a Modest nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Cyndaquil best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Eruption
- Hidden Power Grass
- Extrasensory
- Overheat
Recommended Teammates
Cyndaquil was a niche pick at best in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Blaze with Choice Scarf, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power Grass
- Extrasensory
Recommended Teammates
Cyndaquil saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Cyndaquil climbed from F-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran Blaze with Assault Vest, favoring a Mild nature.
Special Tank Moveset
- Eruption
- Overheat
- Flare Blitz
- Fire Blast
Recommended Teammates
Cyndaquil was a niche pick at best in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Blaze with Choice Scarf, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Extrasensory
- Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Cyndaquil saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Cyndaquil climbed from F-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran Flashfire with Choice Scarf, favoring a Timid nature.
Utility Moveset
- Eruption
- Extrasensory
- Overheat
- Tera Blast
Recommended Teammates
Cyndaquil Weakness
Cyndaquil'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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
What is Cyndaquil Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Cyndaquil
Gyarados can KO Cyndaquil with Waterfall (235-277%). Terrakion's Stone Edge also KOs at 273-322%.
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Cyndaquil View Gyarados builds →Waterfall 2x235-277%KO Earthquake 2x196-230%KO Ice Fang32-37% | ||
 Landorus Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves View Landorus builds →
| ||
 Terrakion RockFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Cyndaquil View Terrakion builds →Close Combat164-193%KO Stone Edge 2x273-322%KO Earthquake 2x182-215%KO | ||
Evolution
Cyndaquil kicks off a three-stage evolution line through Quilava all the way to Typhlosion. For breeding, average hatch time with a massive partner pool via one egg group. The evolved forms gain up to 225 total stats over Cyndaquil. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Cyndaquil with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
How to Get Cyndaquil
Cyndaquil appears at moderate rates across 2 spots in endgame routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Quilava in SV
Step 2Quilava ✓Polar BiomeLv.50-80Overworldor evolve from Cyndaquil (Step 1)Available in-game· 2 pathsPick one
TyphlosionLv 36- TyphlosionLv 36
2 encounter spots for Cyndaquil at decent spawn rates starting from early-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Quilava in PLA
Step 1Catch Cyndaquil
Step 2Quilava ✓Jubilife VillageLv.5Gift from NPCLimitedStarter choiceSpace-Time Distortion - Crimson MirelandsLv.35-50CaveRate 15%Post-gameor evolve from Cyndaquil (Step 1)Available in-game· 2 pathsPick one
TyphlosionLv 36- TyphlosionLv 36
Cyndaquil starts showing up in endgame routes at moderate rates across 6 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Cyndaquil in BDSP
Cyndaquil is your first catch on the way to Cyndaquil. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 58-63 across 6 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Cyndaquil ✓Sandsear CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-gameTyphlo CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameVolcanic CaveLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Evolve into Quilava
Step 3Evolve into Typhlosion
No wild encounters for Cyndaquil in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Bring Cyndaquil over from Gold & Silver, Crystal, or Scarlet & Violet, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Cyndaquil in USUM
- Step 1Cyndaquil ✓CARTRIDGE TRADEfrom Sun & MoonAvailableCatch in Sun & Moon via Walking · Route 3 · Island Scan; Sunday, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Gift · New Bark Town. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Gift · New Bark Town · Starter Pokémon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Gift · Littleroot Town · Gift from Professor Birch (complete Hoenn Pokédex). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Gift · New Bark Town · Starter Pokémon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire via Gift · Route 101 · Post-Elite Four. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl via Walking · Sandsear Cave · After National Dex obtained. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Quilava- Step 3Evolve into Typhlosion
Base Stats
Nothing fancy in Cyndaquil's spread. It leans mixed with Speed out front. And you'll get 1 Speed EV per KO for it. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It has a timid nature. If it is startled, the flames on its back burn more vigorously.
Cyndaquil Guide
For a casual playthrough, Cyndaquil works as a placeholder. Fire coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Quilava. That's where the stats start mattering.
Game Availability
Debuting in Gold & Silver, Cyndaquil appears in 17 games across 9 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
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 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves