Is Growlithe Good in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Playthrough?
Brilliant Diamond Underground catch. Arcanine is one of the strongest Fire-types you can get in Sinnoh, and Fire Stone availability from the Underground makes evolution straightforward. Fills the biggest gap in the Sinnoh roster.
Roark's team hits Growlithe's weaknesses hard.
Growlithe resists most of Gardenia's coverage and hits back hard.
Growlithe trades roughly evenly with Maylene's team.
Crasher Wake's Pokemon outpace and outclass Growlithe here.
Growlithe trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.
Growlithe has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.
Growlithe has the type edge here and should clean up Candice's team.
Volkner's team hits Growlithe's weaknesses hard.
Growlithe has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.
Bertha's team hits Growlithe's weaknesses hard.
Growlithe trades roughly evenly with Flint's team.
Growlithe trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.
Growlithe trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.
Growlithe cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.
How to Get Growlithe in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
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 Weakness
Type-wise, Growlithe takes extra damage from Water, Ground, and Rock. With 6 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. 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 Growlithe Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Growlithe
 Cubone Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x100-119%KO Rock Slide 2x51-60% | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Geodude builds →Earthquake 2x130-153%KO Stone Edge 2x130-153%KO | ||
 Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x93-112%KO Stone Edge 2x93-112%KO | ||
 Phanpy Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Phanpy builds →Earthquake 2x112-133%KO Rock Slide 2x58-70% | ||
 Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Bibarel builds →Waterfall 2x115-137%KO Rollout 2x33-39% | ||
Cubone Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Cubone builds →Earthquake 2x98-117%KO Rock Slide 2x50-61% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Geodude builds →Earthquake 2x133-157%KO Stone Edge 2x133-157%KO | ||
Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing | ||
 Buizel Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Buizel builds →Surf 2x98-117%KO Rock Tomb 2x50-61% | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x137-161%KO Stone Edge 2x90-107%KO | ||
 Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 2x137-161%KO Rock Tomb 2x68-80% | ||
Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Bibarel builds →Waterfall 2x115-135%KO Bulldoze 2x57-68% Rollout 2x30-37% | ||
 Donphan Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x187-220%KO Stone Edge 2x124-146%KO | ||
 Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x139-165%KO Surf 2x127-150%KO Stone Edge 2x93-110%KO | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x137-161%KO Stone Edge 2x90-107%KO | ||
 Azumarill WaterFairy | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Azurill (Great Marsh Surfing) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Azumarill builds →Surf 2x93-110%KO Dig 2x54-63% Rollout 2x22-27% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 2x137-161%KO Dig 2x90-107%KO Rock Tomb 2x68-80% | ||
 Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Sudowoodo builds →Stone Edge 2x161-190%KO Earthquake 2x107-127%KO | ||
Donphan Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x187-220%KO Stone Edge 2x124-146%KO | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x132-156%KO Stone Edge 2x89-104%KO | ||
Azumarill WaterFairy | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Azurill (Great Marsh Surfing) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Azumarill builds →Surf 2x90-106%KO Dig 2x51-60% Rollout 2x21-25% | ||
 Golduck Water | C | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Golduck builds →Surf 2x127-150%KO Dig 2x74-88% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 2x132-156%KO Dig 2x89-104%KO Rock Tomb 2x67-79% | ||
 Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x175-206%KO Stone Edge 2x117-138%KO Water Pulse 2x46-54% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x131-154%KO Stone Edge 2x87-103%KO | ||
Azumarill WaterFairy | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Azurill (Great Marsh Surfing) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Azumarill builds →Surf 2x88-105%KO Dig 2x50-60% Rollout 2x19-23% | ||
Golduck Water | C | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Golduck builds →Surf 2x126-149%KO Dig 2x72-85% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 2x131-154%KO Dig 2x87-103%KO Rock Tomb 2x66-78% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x173-204%KO Stone Edge 2x116-136%KO Water Pulse 2x44-52% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x131-154%KO Stone Edge 2x86-103%KO | ||
Azumarill WaterFairy | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Azurill (Great Marsh Surfing) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Azumarill builds →Surf 2x86-103%KO Dig 2x50-59% Rollout 2x20-23% | ||
Golduck Water | C | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Golduck builds →Surf 2x123-146%KO Dig 2x71-85% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 2x131-154%KO Dig 2x86-103%KO Rock Tomb 2x66-77% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x172-203%KO Stone Edge 2x114-135%KO Water Pulse 2x44-52% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x131-154%KO Stone Edge 2x86-103%KO | ||
Azumarill WaterFairy | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Azurill (Great Marsh Surfing) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Azumarill builds →Surf 2x86-103%KO Dig 2x50-59% Rollout 2x20-23% | ||
Golduck Water | C | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Golduck builds →Surf 2x123-146%KO Dig 2x71-85% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Floatzel builds →Waterfall 2x131-154%KO Dig 2x86-103%KO Rock Tomb 2x66-77% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x172-203%KO Stone Edge 2x114-135%KO Water Pulse 2x44-52% | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x201-236%KO Stone Edge 2x134-157%KO Surf 2x74-88% | ||
 Rhydon GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Rhydon builds →Earthquake 2x201-236%KO Stone Edge 2x201-236%KO Surf 2x48-57% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x134-158%KO Stone Edge 2x89-105%KO | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Sudowoodo builds →Head Smash 2x240-282%KO Earthquake 2x107-125%KO | ||
 Kingler Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Kingler builds →Crabhammer 2x201-236%KO Dig 2x107-127%KO Rock Slide 2x101-118%KO | ||
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Greninja can KO Growlithe with Hydro Pump (317-373%). Excadrill threatens a KO with Earthquake (252-296%). Rhyperior's Earthquake also KOs at 215-253%.
 Greninja WaterDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse115-135%KO Ice Beam43-51% Hydro Pump 2x317-373%KO | ||
 Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySandrush ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x252-296%KO Rapid Spin42-50% | ||
 Rhyperior GroundRock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolidrock ItemWeakness Policy NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Rhyperior builds →Earthquake 2x215-253%KO Avalanche22-25% | ||
Growlithe Evolutions
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
BDSP Growlithe Best Moveset
Two useful abilities in AbilityIntimidate dropping Attack on entry and AbilityFlash Fire absorbing Fire moves. But 70/70 offenses at 60 Speed on a Fire pre-evo can't capitalize on either. The moveset waits for Arcanine where 110 Attack at 95 Speed puts those abilities on a C-tier platform.
Best Build
Growlithe best EVs are Sp. Def
Utility Moveset
- Will O Wisp
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
The egg pool carries weight here. Body Slam and Burn Up aren't available any other way for Growlithe, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Overheat and Burn Up for solid options.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
It is a Pokémon with a loyal nature. It will remain motionless until it is given an order by its Trainer.
Growlithe Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl 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, Justified) work on paper but Intimidate is what makes Growlithe worth using.
At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Growlithe is leaning toward the physical side (base 70 Attack). Defensively? Fragile, can't afford to take many hits.
For Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, 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