Houndoom Best Moveset
110 Sp. Atk at 95 Speed on Dark/Fire with AbilityFlash Fire absorbing Fire moves for a damage boost. Held ItemFocus Sash guarantees surviving one hit. NatureTimid outspeeds most of the tier. The moveset fires special Dark and Fire TermStab that covers Steel, Psychic, Ghost, and Grass. Tera Fire under Flash Fire boost pushes damage to extreme levels.
Dark/Fire was unique typing in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Pursuit trapped Psychic and Ghost-types, and Crunch plus Fire Blast provided strong dual STAB coverage.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Fire Blast
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Sunny Day
Recommended Teammates
Flash Fire absorbed Fire attacks for a power boost in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Early Bird woke it from sleep faster. Houndoom had tools other Dark-types lacked.
Special Attacker Moveset
- Pursuit
- Fire Blast
- Crunch
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Nasty Plot boosted Sp. Atk sharply in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). 110 Sp. Atk after one boost threatened to sweep entire teams.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Sucker Punch
- Fire Blast
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Four gens of consistent performance in Gen V (Black & White). Nasty Plot plus Dark Pulse plus Fire Blast coverage was hard to wall.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Sucker Punch
- Nasty Plot
- Overheat
Recommended Teammates
Mega Houndoom with Solar Power existed but base form dropped in Gen VI (X & Y). Without Mega Evolving, 95 Speed was merely average.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Nasty Plot
- Sludge Bomb
- Destiny Bond
Recommended Teammates
Mega Houndoom was decent but base form fell further in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Faster Dark and Fire-types outclassed it from both angles.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
- Fire Blast
Recommended Teammates
No Mega form in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Houndoom returned as a slow Dark/Fire type with nothing unique left to offer the format.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Flamethrower
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Houndoom Weakness
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 |
What is Houndoom Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Houndoom
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityGoodasgold ItemAir Balloon NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Gholdengo builds →Shadow Ball18-22% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonpuppeteer ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Pecharunt builds →Shadow Ball11-13% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Moltres builds →Flamethrower16-19% U Turn27-32% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityUnaware ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureCalm Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Skeledirge builds →Hex10-12% | ||
Evolution
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.
How to Get Houndoom
Houndoom appears at moderate rates across 18 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 SV
Houndour is your first catch on the way to Houndoom. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 2-60 across 42 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch HoundourSouth Province (Area Four) - RockyLv.2-20OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area One) - CaveLv.2-20OverworldRate 36%Chilling WaterheadLv.7-60OverworldCrystal PoolLv.7-60OverworldFellhorn GorgeLv.7-60OverworldInfernal PassLv.7-60OverworldKitakami WildsLv.7-60OverworldOni MountainLv.7-60OverworldParadise BarrensLv.7-60OverworldWistful FieldsLv.7-60OverworldNorth Province (Area Two) - CaveLv.24-60OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.24-60OverworldRate 8%
Step 2Houndoom ✓Chilling WaterheadLv.24-60OverworldCrystal PoolLv.24-60OverworldFellhorn GorgeLv.24-60OverworldInfernal PassLv.24-60OverworldKitakami WildsLv.24-60OverworldOni MountainLv.24-60OverworldParadise BarrensLv.24-60OverworldNorth Province (Area Two) - CaveLv.24-60OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.24-60OverworldRate 8%or evolve from Houndour (Step 1)
moderate rates across 2 locations for Houndoom in late-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 LZA
The path to Houndoom starts with Houndour at Lv. 17-50 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
- Step 1Catch HoundourWild Zone 6Lv.17-18OverworldLegends: Z-A
- Step 2Houndoom ✓Wild Zone 6Lv.32-33OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 19Lv.49-50OverworldLegends: Z-Aor evolve from Houndour (Step 1)
high spawn rates in mid-game routes across 14 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 BDSP
Houndour is your first catch on the way to Houndoom. You'll find walking and special encounters from Lv. 16-63 across 14 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Obtain Houndour
Step 2Houndoom ✓Volcanic CaveLv.16-63CaveBrilliant DiamondRate 100%Unique encounterVolcanic CaveLv.16-63CaveShining PearlRate 70%Unique encounterTyphlo CavernLv.16-63CaveBrilliant DiamondRate 50%Unique encounterTyphlo CavernLv.16-63CaveShining PearlRate 40%Unique encounterRoute 215Lv.20-22Using PokeRadarShining PearlRate 22%Route 214Lv.23-24Using PokeRadarShining PearlRate 22%Dazzling CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSandsear CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-gameSpacious CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CavePost-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 USUM
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 reachedLv.37-43Gift from NPCUltra SunPoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedLv.49-55Gift from NPCUltra Sun
Step 2Houndoom ✓Route 12Lv.29-32GrassUltra SunRate 20%or evolve from Houndour (Step 1)
Base Stats
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.
Houndoom Guide
Flash Fire changes the entire equation for Houndoom. The 500 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-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 mixed attacker with base 90 Attack and 110 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as an attacker.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Gold & Silver, Houndoom has appeared in 17 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 6, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
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 6ORASMega
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 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves