Growlithe Best Moveset
Fire at 70 Attack and 60 Speed with AbilityIntimidate lowering opposing Attack on entry. Decent support value for a pre-evolution, but the stats don't compete. Evolve to Arcanine for 110 Attack and AbilityIntimidate on a frame that actually survives hits.
Growlithe saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This was Growlithe's competitive peak. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 50.
Best Moves
Best Build
Screens Setter Moveset
- Reflect
- Bite
- Body Slam
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Growlithe saw minimal competitive use in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal). Growlithe maintained its position from the previous generation.
Utility Moveset
- Crunch
- Agility
- Body Slam
- Curse
Recommended Teammates
Growlithe saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). Growlithe maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Intimidate with Leftovers, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Tank Moveset
- Toxic
- Crunch
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power Grass
Recommended Teammates
Growlithe saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Growlithe maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Intimidate with Sitrus Berry, favoring a Jolly nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Flare Blitz
- Will O Wisp
- Morning Sun
- Substitute
Recommended Teammates
Growlithe saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Growlithe maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Intimidate with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Toxic
- Will O Wisp
- Morning Sun
Recommended Teammates
Growlithe saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Growlithe maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Intimidate with Nothing, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Heat Wave
- Fire Blast
- Fire Fang
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Growlithe saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Growlithe maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Justified with Weakness Policy, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Endure
- Reversal
- Flame Charge
- Crunch
Recommended Teammates
Growlithe saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Growlithe maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Intimidate with Focus Sash, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Will O Wisp
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Growlithe saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Growlithe maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Intimidate with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Will O Wisp
- Morning Sun
- Roar
- Heat Wave
Recommended Teammates
Growlithe Weakness
Type-wise, Growlithe takes extra damage from Water, Ground, Fighting, and Rock. Watch out for Water and Ground attacks, those deal 4x damage. With 7 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Flash Fire grants an additional Fire immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Water, Ground |
| 2x (Weak) | Fighting, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Fire |
What is Growlithe Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Growlithe
Greninja can KO Growlithe with Surf (233-274%). Excadrill threatens a KO with Earthquake (175-206%). Conkeldurr deals 68-80% with Drain Punch.
 Greninja WaterDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse52-60% Ice Beam19-23% Surf 4x233-274%KO | ||
 Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySandrush ItemAir Balloon NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 4x175-206%KO Rapid Spin7-9% | ||
 Conkeldurr Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityGuts ItemFlame Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Conkeldurr builds →Drain Punch 2x68-80% Mach Punch 2x37-44% Knock Off19-23% | ||
 Rhyperior GroundRock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolidrock ItemAssault Vest NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Rhyperior builds →Earthquake 4x179-211%KO Stone Edge 2x90-106%KO | ||
Evolution
Growlithe doesn't evolve by leveling. You'll need an evolution item to push it forward to Arcanine. Evolving adds up to 205 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Growlithe easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
How to Get Hisuian Growlithe
moderate rates across 30 locations for Growlithe in early-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Growlithe in SV
The path to Growlithe starts with Growlithe at Lv. 7-65 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Growlithe ✓Apple HillsLv.7-60OverworldCrystal PoolLv.7-60OverworldInfernal PassLv.7-60OverworldKitakami WildsLv.7-60OverworldMossfell ConfluenceLv.7-60OverworldOni MountainLv.7-60OverworldOnis MawLv.7-60OverworldParadise BarrensLv.7-60OverworldRevelers RoadLv.7-60OverworldTimeless WoodsLv.7-60OverworldEast Province (Area Three) - RockyLv.17-23OverworldRate 12%South Province (Area Three) - RockyLv.17-23OverworldRate 12%East Province (Area Three) - MineLv.17-23OverworldRate 6%North Province (Area Two) - Bamboo ForestLv.47-65OverworldRate 1%North Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.47-65OverworldRate 1%Available in-game· 2 pathsPick one
Growlithe starts showing up in mid-game routes at decent spawn rates across 2 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Growlithe appears at moderate rates across 4 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 Growlithe in BDSP
Growlithe is your first catch on the way to Growlithe. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 58-63 across 4 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Growlithe ✓Sandsear CaveLv.58-63GrassBrilliant DiamondPost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameTyphlo CavernLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-gameVolcanic CaveLv.58-63CaveBrilliant DiamondPost-game
Step 2Evolve into Arcanine
Growlithe is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 21 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Where To Catch Growlithe in SwSh
Growlithe is your first catch on the way to Growlithe. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 7-58 across 22 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Growlithe ✓Rolling FieldsLv.7-10OverworldShieldRate 60%Intense SunWest Lake AxewellLv.7-11CaveShieldRate 40%Intense SunDappled GroveLv.11-15GrassShieldRate 40%Intense SunWest Lake AxewellLv.8-14OverworldShieldRate 35%Intense SunEast Lake AxewellLv.8-12CaveShieldRate 30%Intense SunSouth Lake MilochLv.11-13GrassShieldRate 30%Intense SunRolling Fields - 2Lv.7-10OverworldShieldRate 25%Intense SunEast Lake AxewellLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 25%Intense SunSouth Lake MilochLv.14-16OverworldShieldRate 25%Intense SunRolling FieldsLv.7-10GrassShieldRate 20%Intense SunWatchtower RuinsLv.11-14FloorShieldRate 20%Intense SunRoute 3Lv.10-14OverworldShieldRate 15%All WeatherSouth Lake Miloch - 2Lv.14-16OverworldShieldRate 15%Intense SunDappled GroveLv.13-15OverworldShieldRate 2%Intense SunHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassSwordRate 40%Intense SunWatchtower RuinsLv.26-29OverworldShieldRate 10%Intense SunNorth Lake MilochLv.26-28OverworldShieldRate 5%Intense SunAxew's EyeLv.35-40GrassShieldRate 40%Intense SunDusty BowlLv.42-47OverworldSwordRate 30%Intense SunGiant's SeatLv.33-38OverworldShieldRate 5%Intense SunAxew's EyeLv.36-40OverworldShieldRate 5%Intense Sun
Step 2Catch or Evolve into ArcanineLake of OutrageLv.55-58OverworldShieldRate 25%Intense Sunor evolve from Growlithe (Step 1)
Base Stats
Attack and Sp. Atk carry most of Growlithe's stat budget. Defense's the obvious dump stat. Common in the wild and yields 1 Attack EV. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
It's very friendly and faithful to people. It will try to repel enemies by barking and biting.
Growlithe Guide
Growlithe is meant to evolve into Arcanine. At 350 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Intimidate is what you want on Growlithe. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Flash Fire, Rock Head) work on paper but Intimidate is what makes Growlithe worth using.
At base 55 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Growlithe is a special attacker with base 65 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Fragile, can't afford to take many hits.
You can run Growlithe through the first few routes without issues. 350 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Arcanine as fast as you can.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Growlithe has appeared in 21 titles over 10 generations. Along the way, it received a Hisuian form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
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 8PLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves