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.

What is Growlithe weak to?

In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, Growlithe's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Rhydon (Ground), and Golem (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.

What is the best ability for Growlithe?

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.

What role does Growlithe play in battle?

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.

Should I use Growlithe?

For Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, 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.

Growlithe - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Mixed

Balanced

DTier

60Speed · Below Avg

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.

Base Stats

Avg

HP55

Attack70

Defense45

Sp. Atk70

Sp. Def50

Speed60

Total350

Details

Catch Rate

Easy190 / 255

Growth Rate

Slow1.25M XP

Height0.7 m

Weight19.0 kg

Base XP70

Abilities

Intimidate

Lowers opponents' Attack one stage upon entering battle.

Flash Fire

Protects against fire moves. Once one has been blocked, the Pokémon's own Fire moves inflict 1.5× damage until it leaves battle.

JustifiedHA

Raises Attack one stage upon taking damage from a dark move.

Flash Fire grants Fire immunity

EV Yield

HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe

Attack training source

Pokedex Entries

Growlithe has a superb sense of smell. Once it smells anything, this Pokémon won’t forget the scent, no matter what. It uses its advanced olfactory sense to determine the emotions of other living things.

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.

Growlithe Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Water, Ground, Rock
0.5x (Resist)	Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy

Type ChartAvg

3Weak

6Resist

1Immune

Score0

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Water Ground Rock

½xResist

Fire Grass Ice Bug Steel Fairy

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Fire

STAB (4)

Grass Ice Bug Steel

How to Beat Growlithe in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire (Best Counters)

Regirock Rock	B
Obtain MethodRoute 111 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Stone EdgeTM71 DigTM28 BulldozeTM78 Ancient PowerLv. 31 Damage vs Growlithe Stone Edge 2x 162-191%KO Dig 2x 86-102%KO Bulldoze 2x 64-76% Ancient Power 2x 56-66% View Regirock builds →
Aerodactyl RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodRustboro City Gift Available Moves Moves Stone EdgeTM71 Ancient PowerLv. 25 BulldozeTM78 Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Growlithe Stone Edge 2x 168-198%KO Ancient Power 2x 62-74% Bulldoze 2x 67-80% Rock Tomb 2x 101-119%KO View Aerodactyl builds →
Relicanth WaterRock	C
Available Moves Moves Stone EdgeTM71 SurfHM03 DiveHM07 Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Growlithe Stone Edge 2x 148-175%KO Surf 2x 75-89% Dive 2x 119-140%KO Rock Tomb 2x 91-107%KO View Relicanth builds →
Dewgong WaterIce	C
Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 DiveHM07 BrineLv. 33 Aqua JetLv. 31 Damage vs Growlithe Surf 2x 103-122%KO Dive 2x 97-114%KO Brine 2x 75-89% Aqua Jet 2x 49-58% View Dewgong builds →
Alomomola Water	C
Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 DiveHM07 BrineLv. 41 Water PulseLv. 25 Damage vs Growlithe Surf 2x 69-81% Dive 2x 103-122%KO Brine 2x 52-61% Water Pulse 2x 47-56% View Alomomola builds →

Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire 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

2 Forms

#058Growlithe

Fire Stone

#059Arcanine

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Growlithe

Fire

Arcanine

Fire

90+35

ATK

110+40

DEF

80+35

SP.ATK

100+30

SP.DEF

80+30

SPE

95+35

BST

350D-Tier

555A-Tier+205

ROLE

Balanced

Attacker

TYPE

Mixed

Breeding

Easy

Breed Growlithe easily with 200 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Body Slam, Close Combat, Covet and 10 more to offspring.

Egg Groups

Ground

Gender

♂75.0%♀25.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

13moves

Breed With (best first)

Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Growlithe Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 6.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Moves

The egg pool carries weight here. Body Slam and Close Combat aren't available any other way for Growlithe, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Overheat and Flare Blitz for solid options.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Bite

D6010025Dark

Lv 1

Roar-6

C——20Normal

Lv 6

Ember

—4010025Fire

Lv 8

Leer

——10030Normal

Lv 10

Odor Sleuth

———40Normal

Lv 12

Helping Hand+5

C——20Normal

Lv 17

Flame Wheel

—6010025Fire

Lv 19

Reversal

——10015Fighting

Lv 21

Fire Fang

C659515Fire

Lv 23

Take Down

—908520Normal

Lv 28

Flame Burst

—7010015Fire

Lv 30

Agility

C——30Psychic

Lv 32

Retaliate

—701005Normal

Lv 34

Flamethrower

C9010015Fire

Lv 39

Crunch

D8010015Dark

Lv 41

Heat Wave

C959010Fire

Lv 43

Outrage

C12010010Dragon

Lv 45

Flare Blitz

B12010015Fire

TM Moves

TM40

Aerial Ace

D60—20Flying

TM45

Attract

D—10015Normal

TM100

Confide

———20Normal

TM28

Dig

D8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM38

Fire Blast

C110855Fire

TM43

Flame Charge

D5010020Fire

TM35

Flamethrower

C9010015Fire

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM59

Incinerate

—6010015Fire

TM50

Overheat

B130905Fire

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM67

Retaliate

—701005Normal

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM05

Roar-6

C——20Normal

HM06

Rock Smash

—4010015Fighting

TM48

Round

D6010015Normal

TM20

Safeguard

C——25Normal

TM94

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM88

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM95

Snarl

D559515Dark

HM04

Strength

—8010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM11

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM46

Thief

D6010025Dark

TM06

Toxic

C—9010Poison

TM93

Wild Charge

C9010015Electric

TM61

Will-O-Wisp

C—8515Fire

Egg Moves

Egg

Body Slam

D8510015Normal

Egg

Close Combat

C1201005Fighting

Egg

Covet

—6010025Normal

Egg

Crunch

D8010015Dark

Egg

Double Kick

—3010030Fighting

Egg

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Egg

Fire Spin

D358515Fire

Egg

Flare Blitz

B12010015Fire

Egg

Heat Wave

C959010Fire

Egg

Howl

———40Normal

Egg

Iron Tail

D1007515Steel

Egg

Morning Sun

D——5Normal

Egg

Thrash

—12010010Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Covet

—6010025Normal

Tutor

Heat Wave

C959010Fire

Tutor

Helping Hand+5

C——20Normal

Tutor

Iron Tail

D1007515Steel

Tutor

Outrage

C12010010Dragon

Tutor

Snore

—5010015Normal

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 4

Captivate

——10020Normal

Gen 4

Endure+4

D——10Normal

Gen 4

Headbutt

D7010015Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Gen 4

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

Gen 4

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

Gen 4

Swift

—60—20Normal

Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Growlithe Locations

Growlithe sits at moderate rates across 6 spots in late-game routes. Pick one from the sorted list and commit to it. Jumping between areas wastes more time than waiting in the right location.

Best Locations to Catch Growlithe in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire

6 walking encounters at Lv. 31+ for Growlithe across Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.

Mt. Pyre - Area 5

Alpha SapphireGrass Lv.31 Cave

5%Late

DexNav chain

Mt. Pyre - Area 5

Omega RubyGrass Lv.31 Cave

5%Late

DexNav chain

Mt. Pyre - Area 6

Alpha SapphireGrass Lv.31 Cave

5%Late

DexNav chain

Mt. Pyre - Area 6

Omega RubyGrass Lv.31 Cave

5%Late

DexNav chain

Mt. Pyre - Area 7

Omega RubyGrass Lv.31 Cave

5%Late

DexNav chain

Mt. Pyre - Area 7

Alpha SapphireGrass Lv.31 Cave

5%Late

DexNav chain

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.
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, Growlithe's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Rhydon (Ground), and Golem (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.
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 Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, 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

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Aerodactyl RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodRustboro City Gift TM Move Moves Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Growlithe Rock Tomb 2x 100-119%KO View Aerodactyl builds →
Archen RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodRustboro City Gift Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Damage vs Growlithe Rock Tomb 2x 105-126%KO Rock Throw 2x 88-105%KO View Archen builds →
Tyrunt RockDragon	D
Obtain MethodRustboro City Gift TM Move Moves Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Growlithe Rock Tomb 2x 88-105%KO View Tyrunt builds →
Amaura RockIce	D
Obtain MethodRustboro City Gift Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 10 Damage vs Growlithe Rock Tomb 2x 70-84% Rock Throw 2x 58-70% View Amaura builds →
Omanyte RockWater	D
Obtain MethodRustboro City Gift Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 Rock TombTM39 Water GunLv. 10 Damage vs Growlithe Surf 2x 119-140%KO Rock Tomb 2x 58-70% Water Gun 2x 58-70% View Omanyte builds →

Aerodactyl RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodRustboro City Gift TM Move Moves Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Growlithe Rock Tomb 2x 100-119%KO View Aerodactyl builds →
Relicanth WaterRock	C
Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 Rock TombTM39 Water GunLv. 10 Damage vs Growlithe Surf 2x 79-94% Rock Tomb 2x 90-106%KO Water Gun 2x 42-50% View Relicanth builds →
Lanturn WaterElectric	C
Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 BubbleLv. 1 Water GunLv. 12 Damage vs Growlithe Surf 2x 110-131%KO Bubble 2x 52-63% Water Gun 2x 52-63% View Lanturn builds →
Archen RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodRustboro City Gift Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Damage vs Growlithe Rock Tomb 2x 106-125%KO Rock Throw 2x 90-106%KO View Archen builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 7 Damage vs Growlithe Rock Tomb 2x 58-69% Rock Throw 2x 52-63% View Onix builds →

Aerodactyl RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodRustboro City Gift TM Move Moves Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Growlithe Rock Tomb 2x 99-116%KO View Aerodactyl builds →
Relicanth WaterRock	C
Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 Rock TombTM39 Ancient PowerLv. 21 Water GunLv. 10 Damage vs Growlithe Surf 2x 76-90% Rock Tomb 2x 87-103%KO Ancient Power 2x 52-63% Water Gun 2x 37-45% View Relicanth builds →
Lanturn WaterElectric	C
Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 Bubble BeamLv. 20 BubbleLv. 1 Water GunLv. 12 Damage vs Growlithe Surf 2x 106-125%KO Bubble Beam 2x 79-94% Bubble 2x 49-58% Water Gun 2x 49-58% View Lanturn builds →
Archen RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodRustboro City Gift Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 18 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Damage vs Growlithe Ancient Power 2x 72-85% Rock Tomb 2x 101-121%KO Rock Throw 2x 87-103%KO View Archen builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 7 Smack DownLv. 22 Damage vs Growlithe Rock Tomb 2x 57-67% Rock Throw 2x 49-58% Smack Down 2x 49-58% View Onix builds →

Aerodactyl RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodRustboro City Gift Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 25 BulldozeTM78 Rock TombTM39 Smack DownTM23 Damage vs Growlithe Ancient Power 2x 61-72% Bulldoze 2x 65-76% Rock Tomb 2x 96-114%KO Smack Down 2x 84-99% View Aerodactyl builds →
Relicanth WaterRock	C
Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 DiveLv. 26 Rock TombTM39 Ancient PowerLv. 21 Damage vs Growlithe Surf 2x 77-91% Dive 2x 115-137%KO Rock Tomb 2x 86-103%KO Ancient Power 2x 51-61% View Relicanth builds →
Lanturn WaterElectric	C
Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 Bubble BeamLv. 20 BubbleLv. 1 Water GunLv. 12 Damage vs Growlithe Surf 2x 109-129%KO Bubble Beam 2x 80-95% Bubble 2x 51-61% Water Gun 2x 51-61% View Lanturn builds →
Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Obtain MethodMeteor Falls Surfing Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 21 BulldozeTM78 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 1 Damage vs Growlithe Rock Slide 2x 73-87% Bulldoze 2x 41-48% Rock Tomb 2x 61-72% Rock Throw 2x 51-61% View Lunatone builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Obtain MethodMeteor Falls Surfing Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 21 Rock TombTM39 BulldozeTM78 Rock ThrowLv. 1 Damage vs Growlithe Rock Slide 2x 113-133%KO Rock Tomb 2x 90-106%KO Bulldoze 2x 59-71% Rock Throw 2x 77-91% View Solrock builds →

Aerodactyl RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodRustboro City Gift Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 25 BulldozeTM78 Rock TombTM39 Smack DownTM23 Damage vs Growlithe Ancient Power 2x 63-75% Bulldoze 2x 67-79% Rock Tomb 2x 100-118%KO Smack Down 2x 85-100%KO View Aerodactyl builds →
Relicanth WaterRock	C
Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 DiveLv. 26 Rock TombTM39 Ancient PowerLv. 21 Damage vs Growlithe Surf 2x 75-89% Dive 2x 118-139%KO Rock Tomb 2x 90-107%KO Ancient Power 2x 51-61% View Relicanth builds →
Lanturn WaterElectric	C
Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 Bubble BeamLv. 20 BubbleLv. 1 Water GunLv. 12 Damage vs Growlithe Surf 2x 108-129%KO Bubble Beam 2x 79-93% Bubble 2x 51-61% Water Gun 2x 51-61% View Lanturn builds →
Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Obtain MethodMeteor Falls Surfing Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 21 BulldozeTM78 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 1 Damage vs Growlithe Rock Slide 2x 79-93% Bulldoze 2x 42-50% Rock Tomb 2x 63-75% Rock Throw 2x 54-64% View Lunatone builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Obtain MethodMeteor Falls Surfing Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 21 Rock TombTM39 BulldozeTM78 Rock ThrowLv. 1 Damage vs Growlithe Rock Slide 2x 114-136%KO Rock Tomb 2x 94-111%KO Bulldoze 2x 62-74% Rock Throw 2x 79-93% View Solrock builds →

Excadrill GroundSteel	S
Recommended Build AbilityMold Breaker ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves EarthquakeSTAB Rapid Spin Iron Head Stealth Rock Damage vs Growlithe Earthquake 2x 252-296%KO Rapid Spin 42-50% View Excadrill builds →
Tyranitar RockDark	A
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureRelaxed Moves Stone Edge PursuitSTAB CrunchSTAB Superpower Damage vs Growlithe Stone Edge 2x 311-366%KO Pursuit 62-73% Crunch 124-146%KO Superpower 124-146%KO View Tyranitar builds →
Gastrodon WaterGround	B
Recommended Build AbilityStormdrain ItemLeftovers NatureQuiet Moves Earth Power ScaldSTAB RecoverRecovery ProtectPriority Damage vs Growlithe Scald 2x 132-155%KO View Gastrodon builds →
Gliscor GroundFlying	B
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureCareful Moves EarthquakeSTAB RoostRecovery Swords Dance Knock Off Damage vs Growlithe Earthquake 2x 154-182%KO Knock Off 33-39% View Gliscor builds →
Greninja WaterDark	B
Recommended Build AbilityProtean ItemAssault Vest NatureModest Moves Dark Pulse ScaldSTAB Icy Wind Blizzard Damage vs Growlithe Dark Pulse 84-100%KO Scald 2x 169-200%KO Blizzard 39-45% View Greninja builds →