Psychic moves don't affect Houndoom at all — that's the advantage of Dark/Fire typing. Flash Fire absorbs Fire moves and powers up its own. Known as the Dark Pokemon. Can go either physical or special depending on the set.
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.
Long ago, people imagined its eerie howls to be the call of the grim reaper.
Houndoom Weakness
GoodWater, Fighting, Ground, and Rock-type 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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Houndoom to get Houndour eggs easily using 131 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Beat Up, Counter, Fire Fang and 9 more.
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 Life Orb backing every hit.
Best Build
Best Houndoom Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Sucker Punch
- Fire Blast
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Without breeding, Houndoom misses out on Beat Up and Counter. That's 12 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Overheat and Fire Blast, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
Houndoom is only available through the PokeRadar in this game. No standard wild encounters here. 2 spots are listed below with details on how to trigger them. These become available in mid-game encounter areas.
Where To Catch Houndoom in Diamond & Pearl
Step 1Obtain Houndour
Step 2Houndoom ✓HARDRoute 215Using PokeRadarLv.20-22UncommonMidRouteHARDRoute 214Using PokeRadarLv.24UncommonMidRouteor evolve from Houndour (Step 1)
Flash Fire changes the entire equation for Houndoom. The 500 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as an attacker.
Houndour evolves into Houndoom at level 24. Houndoom is the fully evolved form. At 500 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
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.
Houndoom appears in 17 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Since debuting in Gold & Silver, Houndoom has appeared in 17 titles over 8 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A