Stats & Training
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.
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 |
 Tapu Fini WaterFairy | A | |
Obtain MethodRuins Of Hope Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Tapu Fini builds →Hydro Pump 2x97-114%KO Muddy Water 2x79-94% Surf 2x79-94% Waterfall 2x83-98% | ||
 Primarina WaterFairy | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Popplio (Iki Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Primarina builds →Hydro Pump 2x122-144%KO Sparkling Aria 2x100-118%KO Surf 2x100-118%KO Scald 2x90-106%KO | ||
 Kommo-o DragonFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Kommo-o builds →Focus Blast 2x110-130%KO Earthquake 2x94-111%KO Sky Uppercut 2x121-142%KO Rock Slide 2x71-84% | ||
 Poliwrath WaterFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Poliwrath builds →Focus Blast 2x83-98% Dynamic Punch 2x125-148%KO Earthquake 2x83-99% Surf 2x63-74% | ||
 Carbink RockFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Carbink builds →Stone Edge 2x78-92% Power Gem 2x44-52% Rock Slide 2x59-70% Ancient Power 2x34-40% | ||
In Sun & Moon, Cobalion can KO Houndoom with Close Combat (125-147%). Volcanion's Sludge Bomb hits Houndoom for 61-72%. Mamoswine's Earthquake also KOs at 191-225%.
 Cobalion SteelFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemFightiniumz NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Cobalion builds →Close Combat 2x125-147%KO Stone Edge 2x69-82% | ||
 Volcanion FireWater | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Volcanion builds →Sludge Bomb61-72% Fire Blast56-66% | ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityThickfat ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Mamoswine builds →Earthquake 2x191-225%KO Ice Shard19-23% Knock Off21-24% | ||
 Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemFightiniumz NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Lucario builds →Flash Cannon25-29% Aura Sphere 2x100-118%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. 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 218 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Beat Up, Counter, Destiny Bond and 11 more.
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
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 8 types rounding things out.
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
In Sun & Moon, Flash Fire changes the entire equation for Houndoom. The 500 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as an attacker. Heat Wave with Wide Lens is the standard set.
In Sun & Moon, 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.
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