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.
Its red claws and the tips of its tail are melting from high internal temperatures that are painful to Houndoom itself.
Houndoom’s entire body generates heat when it Mega Evolves. Its fearsome fiery breath turns its opponents to ash.
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.
Evolved from Houndour. Houndoom is the final form in this two-stage line. No compatible partners 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 from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Beat Up, Counter, Destiny Bond and 11 more.
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
Best Houndoom Moveset
- Heat Wave
- Fire Blast
- Dark Pulse
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
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 HoundourMODERATEPoké Pelago - Poni Island reachedGift from NPCLv.37-433%LateMODERATEPoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedGift from NPCLv.49-552%Post
Step 2Houndoom ✓EASYRoute 12GrassLv.29-3220%MidRouteor 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.
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