The stat budget goes to damage. Sp. Atk and Speed carry the offense, Defense doesn't even come close. A Dark Pokemon on a slow 1.25M XP grind, worth 2 Sp. Atk EVs per KO.
If you are burned by the flames it shoots from its mouth, the pain will never go away.
Upon hearing its eerie howls, other Pokémon get the shivers and head straight back to their nests.
Water, Fighting, Ground, and Rock moves hit Houndoom for super-effective damage. The upside? Psychic-type moves can't touch it at all. With 6 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Flash Fire grants an additional Fire immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Houndoom's special bulk (base 80 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Fighting, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Ghost, Dark, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
Chandelure's Flamethrower hits Houndoom for 49-58%. Slowbro deals 72-85% with Scald.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Chandelure builds →Shadow Ball44-52% Energy Ball33-38% Flamethrower49-58% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Slowbro builds →Scald 2x72-85% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityCursedbody ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves View Froslass builds →
| ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Sableye builds →Knock Off16-20% | ||
Evolved from Houndour. Houndoom is the final form in this two-stage line. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. HP grew the most through evolution (+30 over Houndour), and Houndoom peaks at 500 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Houndoom to get Houndour eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground egg group.
the remaining moves is what separates a good sweep from a wasted boost. After Nasty Plot, Houndoom threatens a wide range with max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs and Heavy-Duty Boots backing every hit.
Best Build
Houndoom best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Nasty Plot
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Heat Wave
- Sucker Punch
- Foul Play
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
- Flame Charge
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Sludge Bomb
- Flamethrower
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Nasty Plot
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Heat Wave
- Sucker Punch
- Foul Play
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
- Flame Charge
Doubles Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Sludge Bomb
- Flamethrower
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Nasty Plot
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Heat Wave
- Fire Blast
- Dark Pulse
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
- Fire Blast
Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Houndoom. TMs unlock coverage across 8 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Overheat and Flare Blitz into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Houndoom. TMs unlock coverage across 7 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Overheat and Flare Blitz into something with actual range.
Without breeding, Houndoom misses out on Beat Up and Counter. That's 10 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Overheat and Fire Blast, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.
Without breeding, Houndoom misses out on Beat Up and Counter. That's 14 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Overheat and Fire Blast, with coverage across 9 types rounding things out.
Houndoom appears at moderate rates across 4 spots in mid-game 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 Houndoom in Scarlet & Violet
Houndour is your first catch on the way to Houndoom. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 2-60 across 12 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch HoundourSouth Province (Area Four) - RockyVioletOverworld Lv.2-20 Route36%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - RockyScarletOverworld Lv.2-20 Route36%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - CaveVioletOverworld Lv.2-20 Route36%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - CaveScarletOverworld Lv.2-20 Route36%EarlyNorth Province (Area Two) - CaveScarletOverworld Lv.24-60 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - CaveVioletOverworld Lv.24-60 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - RockyScarletOverworld Lv.24-60 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - RockyVioletOverworld Lv.24-60 Route8%Mid
Step 2Houndoom ✓North Province (Area Two) - CaveScarletOverworld Lv.24-60 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - CaveVioletOverworld Lv.24-60 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - RockyScarletOverworld Lv.24-60 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - RockyVioletOverworld Lv.24-60 Route8%Midor evolve from Houndour (Step 1)
Houndoom isn't available in the wild in Legends: Z-A. Start by transferring Houndour from Gold, Crystal, or Scarlet. The evolution path from Houndour to Houndoom is covered in the steps below.
high spawn rates in mid-game routes across 22 locations. Houndoom's one of the easier catches on the list. Two different catch methods are in play here. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Where To Catch Houndoom in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Houndour is your first catch on the way to Houndoom. You'll find walking and special encounters from Lv. 16-63 across 22 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Obtain Houndour
Step 2Houndoom ✓Volcanic CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-63 Volcano100%MidUnique encounterVolcanic CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.16-63 Volcano70%MidUnique encounterSandsear CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-63 Desert50%MidUnique encounterTyphlo CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-63 Cave50%MidUnique encounterSandsear CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.16-63 Desert40%MidUnique encounterTyphlo CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.16-63 Cave40%MidUnique encounterDazzling CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.16-63 Cave25%MidUnique encounterStargleam CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.16-63 Cave25%MidUnique encounterRoute 215Shining PearlUsing PokeRadar Lv.20-22 Route22%MidRoute 214Shining PearlUsing PokeRadar Lv.23-24 Route22%MidDazzling CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-63 Cave20%MidUnique encounterStargleam CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-63 Cave20%MidUnique encounterSpacious CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.16-63 Cave19%MidUnique encounterSpacious CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.16-63 Cave19%MidUnique encounterDazzling CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameDazzling CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSandsear CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 DesertPostPost-gameSandsear CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 DesertPostPost-gameSpacious CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSpacious CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStargleam CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStargleam CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameor evolve from Houndour (Step 1)
decent spawn rates across 1 locations for Houndoom in mid-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 Houndoom in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
The path to Houndoom starts with Houndour at Lv. 29-55 via gift and walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch HoundourPoké Pelago - Poni Island reachedGift from NPC Lv.37-433%LatePoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedGift from NPC Lv.49-552%Post
Step 2Houndoom ✓Route 12Grass Lv.29-32 Route20%Midor evolve from Houndour (Step 1)
Flash Fire changes the entire equation for Houndoom. The 500 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as an attacker.
Houndoom can Mega Evolve into Mega Houndoom. That's 600 BST, up from 500. The stat redistribution often changes its best role. Mega Stone required, one per battle.
Flash Fire is what you want on Houndoom. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Early Bird, Unnerve) work on paper but Flash Fire is what makes Houndoom worth using.
Base 95 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Houndoom is a special attacker with base 110 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as an attacker.
Since debuting in Gold & Silver, Houndoom has appeared in 17 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
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 6ORASMega
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 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves