Stats & Training
The stat budget goes to damage. Sp. Atk and Speed carry the offense, HP doesn't even come close. A Dark Pokemon on a slow 1.25M XP grind, worth 2 Sp. Atk EVs per KO.
The flames it breathes when angry contain toxins. If they cause a burn, it will hurt forever.
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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Fighting, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Ghost, Dark, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
 Tapu Fini WaterFairy | A | |
Obtain MethodRuins Of Hope Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Tapu Fini builds →Hydro Pump 2x88-104%KO Muddy Water 2x73-86% Surf 2x73-86% Waterfall 2x54-64% | ||
 Primarina WaterFairy | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Popplio (Iki Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Primarina builds →Hydro Pump 2x112-132%KO Sparkling Aria 2x91-108%KO Surf 2x91-108%KO Scald 2x81-96% | ||
 Kommo-o DragonFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Kommo-o builds →Focus Blast 2x100-118%KO Earthquake 2x61-72% Sky Uppercut 2x78-92% Rock Slide 2x46-55% | ||
 Poliwrath WaterFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Poliwrath builds →Focus Blast 2x76-90% Dynamic Punch 2x81-96% Earthquake 2x54-64% Surf 2x57-68% | ||
 Carbink RockFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Carbink builds →Stone Edge 2x51-60% Power Gem 2x41-48% Rock Slide 2x39-46% Ancient Power 2x30-36% | ||
In Sun & Moon, Greninja can KO Houndoom with Hydro Pump (173-203%). Cobalion threatens a KO with Close Combat (89-105%). Mamoswine's Earthquake also KOs at 136-161%.
 Greninja WaterDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse31-37% Ice Beam23-27% Hydro Pump 2x173-203%KO | ||
 Cobalion SteelFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemFightiniumz NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Cobalion builds →Close Combat 2x89-105%KO Stone Edge 2x50-59% | ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityThickfat ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Mamoswine builds →Earthquake 2x136-161%KO Ice Shard14-16% Knock Off15-18% | ||
 Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemFightiniumz NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Lucario builds →Flash Cannon23-27% Aura Sphere 2x91-107%KO | ||
Sun & Moon 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. Defense grew the most through evolution (+60 over Houndour), and Houndoom peaks at 600 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Houndoom to get Houndour eggs easily using 218 partners from the Ground egg group.
Sun & Moon Houndoom Best Moveset
the remaining moves is what separates a good sweep from a wasted boost. After Nasty Plot, Houndoom threatens a wide range with max Defense and Speed EVs and Wide Lens backing every hit.
Best Build
Houndoom best EVs are Defense and Speed
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
Leveling does the heavy lifting. Houndoom picks up Inferno and Foul Play along the way, building toward a complete offensive set. TMs add coverage across 8 types, but the foundation's already strong by then.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Houndoom in Sun & Moon
Houndoom can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Houndour from Gold, Crystal, or Scarlet and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Houndoom Guide
For Sun & Moon, we rate Houndoom B-Tier: a solid option in Sun & Moon for the right team. At 600 BST, it fits the sweeper role. Heat Wave with Wide Lens is the standard set.
In Sun & Moon, Houndoom can Mega Evolve into Mega Houndoom. That's 700 BST, up from 600. The stat redistribution often changes its best role. Mega Stone required, one per battle.
Solar Power increases Special Attack to 1.5× but costs 1/8 max HP after each turn during strong sunlight. That's the one you want on Houndoom. It's the only ability Houndoom has.
Base 115 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Houndoom is a special attacker with base 140 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a sweeper.
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 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