Gouging Fire's spread favors physical bulk over offense. Defense leads the defensive side, Sp. Atk eats the cost. Yields 3 Defense EVs per defeat. Slow 1.25M XP grind to level.
Gouging Fire is weak to Ground, Rock, and Dragon. It resists 5 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Gouging Fire's physical bulk (base 121 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground, Rock, Dragon |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Electric, Bug, Steel |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Fire, Grass |
Scizor's Close Combat hits Gouging Fire for 46-55%.
 Rillaboom Grass | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemAssault Vest NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Gouging Fire View Rillaboom builds →Wood Hammer9-11% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Gouging Fire View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch12-14% U Turn20-24% Knock Off25-30% Close Combat46-55% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Bounce ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Gouging Fire View Hatterene builds →Nuzzle1-2% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemLightclay NatureImpish Moves View Grimmsnarl builds →
| ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityShadowtag ItemSitrus Berry NatureSassy Moves
Damage vs Gouging Fire View Gothitelle builds →Psychic25-30% | ||
Gouging Fire is strong overall with 590 total stats as a Fire/Dragon legendary. Can't breed it, so you're locked to whatever you catch or receive. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
For a physical attacker, Gouging Fire wants flexible EVs and Booster Energy. The Jolly nature tilts toward fast physical duty, and Protosynthesis contributes without taking a move slot.
Best Build
Gouging Fire best EVs are Speed and Attack
Doubles Utility Moveset
- Breaking Swipe
- Burning Bulwark
- Heat Crash
- Howl
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Burning Bulwark
- Heat Crash
- Breaking Swipe
- Flare Blitz
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Burning Bulwark
- Dragon Claw
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Burning Bulwark
- Flare Blitz
- Dragon Dance
- Heat Crash
Recommended Teammates
Moves
TMs define Gouging Fire's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Draco Meteor and Overheat, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 8 types. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Gouging Fire is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
This is an event-exclusive or special distribution.
Gouging Fire is a Legendary Pokemon rated A-Tier. At 590 BST, it hits hard. It excels as a pivot. Base 121 Defense is where it shines.
Gouging Fire's biggest threats include Golem (Ground), Aerodactyl (Rock), and Salamence (Dragon), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Gouging Fire has enough bulk to absorb a hit, but don't push the matchup. Pivot to a teammate that resists.
Protosynthesis is the go-to ability for Gouging Fire. It raises highest stat in harsh sunlight, or if holding Booster Energy. It's Gouging Fire's only ability.
Gouging Fire fills the pivot role. It's leaning toward the physical side (base 115 Attack). Base 91 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's tanky enough to absorb a few hits.
Best way to handle Gouging Fire: Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Ground, Rock, and Dragon-type attackers hit hardest.
Gouging Fire has appeared in 1 games since Scarlet & Violet, spanning 2 generations. As a Legendary, it's typically a one-per-save encounter tied to the story or post-game content.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
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 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SVDebut
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves