Stats & Training
Houndour's spread isn't flashy. Sp. Atk leads, Defense trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 1 Sp. Atk EV, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.
It is smart enough to hunt in packs. It uses a variety of cries for communicating with others.
It uses different kinds of cries for communicating with others of its kind and for pursuing its prey.
Houndour Weakness
Houndour is weak to Water, Fighting, Ground, and Rock. On the flip side, it's immune to Psychic-type moves entirely. 6 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that. Flash Fire grants an additional Fire immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Fighting, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Ghost, Dark, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
Greninja WaterDark | S | |
Water is super effective against HoundourView Greninja → | ||
Dondozo Water | A | |
Water is super effective against HoundourView Dondozo → | ||
Annihilape FightingGhost | A | |
Fighting is super effective against HoundourView Annihilape → | ||
Glimmora RockPoison | A | |
Rock is super effective against HoundourView Glimmora → | ||
Krookodile GroundDark | A | |
Ground is super effective against HoundourView Krookodile → | ||
In Legends: Z-A, Greninja can KO Houndour with Surf (274-322%). Annihilape's Drain Punch also KOs at 189-222%.
Greninja WaterDark | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Houndour View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse61-71% Ice Beam45-54% Surf 2x274-322%KO U Turn55-65% | ||
Dondozo Water | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnaware ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves View Dondozo builds →
| ||
Annihilape FightingGhost | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityDefiant ItemSitrus Berry NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Houndour View Annihilape builds →Drain Punch 2x189-222%KO | ||
Glimmora RockPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityToxicdebris ItemRed Card NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Houndour View Glimmora builds →Power Gem 2x182-214%KO | ||
Krookodile GroundDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMoxie ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Houndour View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 2x296-348%KO Knock Off48-57% Close Combat 2x236-278%KO | ||
Legends: Z-A Evolution
Houndour evolves into Houndoom. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 170 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Legends: Z-A Houndour Best Moveset
For an attacker, Houndour wants spread EVs and Life Orb. The Naive nature tilts toward fast mixed duty, and Flashfire contributes without taking a move slot.
Best Build
Houndour best EVs are Speed and Sp. Atk
Utility Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Sucker Punch
- Flame Charge
Recommended Teammates
Moves
TMs define Houndour's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Overheat and Flare Blitz, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it Normal and Ground coverage and more. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Houndour in Legends: Z-A
No wild encounters for Houndour in Legends: Z-A. It's available in Gold, Crystal, or Scarlet and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Houndour Guide
Houndour evolves into Houndoom at level 24. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 330 BST.
Houndour evolves into Houndoom at level 24. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.
In Legends: Z-A, Houndour does the job early-game if you need a Dark/Fire type on your team. Evolve it into Houndoom before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Houndour is catchable in Legends: Z-A. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 16 other games across the series.
Game Availability
Houndour first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 17 games across 9 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
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 6ORAS

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
