Stats & Training
The stat budget goes to damage. Attack and Sp. Atk carry the offense, Defense doesn't even come close. A Puppy Pokemon on a slow 1.25M XP grind, worth 1 Attack EV per KO.
They patrol their territory in pairs. I believe the igneous rock components in the fur of this species are the result of volcanic activity in its habitat.
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 |
In Legends: Arceus, Tyranitar can KO Growlithe with Stone Edge (410-483%). Greninja threatens a KO with Hydro Pump (317-373%). Excadrill's Earthquake also KOs at 252-296%.
Tyranitar RockDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Tyranitar builds →Crunch165-194%KO Stone Edge 2x410-483%KO Earthquake 2x273-322%KO | ||
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 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMold Breaker ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x252-296%KO Rapid Spin42-50% | ||
Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 2x214-252%KO Knock Off70-82% | ||
Slowbro WaterPsychic | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Slowbro builds →Scald 2x120-141%KO | ||
Legends: Arceus 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
Legends: Arceus Growlithe Best Moveset
Best Build
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
A solid spread overall. Growlithe gets Flare Blitz and Flamethrower for same-type damage alongside coverage across 9 types. It won't blow anyone away, but it doesn't leave you stuck either.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Legends: Arceus Growlithe Locations
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.
Best Locations to Catch Growlithe in Legends: Arceus
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, 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 a mixed attacker with base 70 Attack and 70 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Fragile, can't afford to take many hits.
For Legends: Arceus, 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 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut

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 8PLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV

Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW

Winds & Waves
