Don't let Houndstone's 488 base stat total fool you. Sand Rush is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it B-Tier as an attacker.

What is Houndstone weak to?

Houndstone's biggest threats include Gengar (Ghost) and Houndoom (Dark), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

What is the best ability for Houndstone?

Run Sand Rush on Houndstone. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Houndstone also gets Fluffy, but they don't compare.

What role does Houndstone play in battle?

Houndstone fills the attacker role. It's a physical attacker with base 101 Attack. At base 68 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.

What counters Houndstone?

Best way to handle Houndstone: Faster attackers outpace it. Anything with a super-effective STAB move and decent speed can revenge kill.

Houndstone - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Attacker

BTier

68Speed · Below Avg

Houndstone's spread favors balanced defenses over offense. Attack leads the defensive side, Sp. Atk eats the cost. Yields 2 Attack EVs per defeat. 1.06M XP medium-slow curve to level.

Base Stats

Above

HP72

Attack101

Defense100

Sp. Atk50

Sp. Def97

Speed68

Total488

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging60 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Slow1.06M XP

Height2.0 m

Weight15.0 kg

Base XP171

Abilities

Sand RushRare

Doubles Speed during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.

FluffyHATop Pick

Damage from contact moves is halved. Damage from Fire moves is doubled.

EV Yield

HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe

Attack training target

Pokedex Entries

Houndstone spends most of its time sleeping in graveyards. Among all the dog Pokémon, this one is most loyal to its master.

Houndstone is weak to Ghost and Dark. On the flip side, it's immune to Normal and Fighting-type moves entirely. With 72 HP and balanced defenses, Houndstone can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.

Houndstone Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Ghost, Dark
0.5x (Resist)	Poison, Bug
0x (Immune)	Normal, Fighting

Type ChartExcellent

2Weak

2Resist

2Immune

Score+4

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Ghost Dark

½xResist

Poison Bug

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Normal Fighting

STAB (2)

Psychic Ghost

How to Beat Houndstone (Best Counters)

AlomomolaRecovers HP on switch via Regenerator Water	A
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves Flip Turn WishRecovery ProtectPriority ToxicUtility Damage vs Houndstone Flip Turn 11-13% View Alomomola builds →
ForretressSturdy guarantees survival, walls physical sets BugSteel	B
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves Rapid Spin Stealth Rock Body Press Volt Switch Damage vs Houndstone Volt Switch 10-12% View Forretress builds →
ClodsireIgnores boosts via Unaware, recovers with Recover PoisonGround	B
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves RecoverRecovery EarthquakeSTAB ToxicUtility Stealth Rock Damage vs Houndstone Earthquake 18-21% View Clodsire builds →
CorviknightRecovers with Roost FlyingSteel	B
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves RoostRecovery DefogUtility U Turn Body Press Damage vs Houndstone U Turn 5-5% View Corviknight builds →
SlowkingRecovers HP on switch via Regenerator, burns with Scald, walls special sets WaterPsychic	B
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureSassy Moves ScaldSTAB Chilly Reception Slack Off Thunder Wave Damage vs Houndstone Scald 26-30% View Slowking builds →

Houndstone is the evolved form of Greavard. Breeding produces Greavard eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Greavard gave Houndstone the biggest boost in Sp.Def (+42), bringing the total to 488 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms

#971Greavard

Level 30 (Night)

#972Houndstone

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Greavard

Ghost

Houndstone

Ghost

72+22

ATK

101+40

DEF

100+40

SP.ATK

50+20

SP.DEF

97+42

SPE

68+34

BST

290C-Tier

488B-Tier+198

ROLE

Balanced

Attacker

TYPE

Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Houndstone to get Greavard eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground egg group.

Egg Groups

Ground

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Breed With (best first)

For a defensive wall, Houndstone wants max HP and Defense EVs and Weakness Policy. The Bold nature tilts toward physical wall duty, and Fluffy contributes without taking a move slot.

Best Build

Solid pick

Ability

Fluffy

Item

Weakness PolicySETUP

Best Nature for Houndstone

Bold+DEF

Houndstone best EVs are HP and Defense

EVs

Def

SpD

Bulky Support Moveset

PoltergeistSTAB
Shadow SneakSTAB
Night ShadeSTAB
Body Press

Recommended Teammates

IncineroarDecent

Moves

TMs define Houndstone's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Poltergeist and Phantom Force, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 9 types. That's where the options open up.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Growl

D—10040Normal

Lv 1

Tackle

D4010035Normal

Lv 3

Lick

D3010030Ghost

Lv 6

Bite

C6010025Dark

Lv 6

Tail Whip

D—10030Normal

Lv 9

Roar-6

C——20Normal

Lv 12

Headbutt

C7010015Normal

Lv 16

Dig

C8010010Ground

Lv 24

Rest

B——5Psychic

Lv 28

Crunch

S8010015Dark

Lv 36

Play Rough

S909010Fairy

Lv 41

Helping Hand+5

C——20Normal

Lv 46

Phantom Force

B9010010Ghost

Lv 51

Charm

C—10020Fairy

Lv 58

Double-Edge

B12010015Normal

TM Moves

TM89

Body Press

A8010010Fighting

TM28

Bulldoze

C6010020Ground

TM02

Charm

C—10020Fairy

TM17

Confuse Ray

C—10010Ghost

TM108

Crunch

S8010015Dark

TM55

Dig

C8010010Ground

TM204

Double-Edge

B12010015Normal

TM205

Endeavor

D—1005Normal

TM47

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM25

Facade

C7010020Normal

TM08

Fire Fang

C659515Fire

TM152

Giga Impact

B150905Normal

TM130

Helping Hand+5

C——20Normal

TM29

Hex

D6510010Ghost

TM163

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TM10

Ice Fang

C659515Ice

TM35

Mud Shot

D559515Ground

TM05

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

TM42

Night Shade

A—10015Ghost

TM202

Pain Split

A——20Normal

TM151

Phantom Force

B9010010Ghost

TM127

Play Rough

S909010Fairy

TM198

Poltergeist

S110905Ghost

TM07

Protect+4

A——10Normal

TM63

Psychic Fangs

A8510010Psychic

TM50

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM85

Rest

B——5Psychic

TM172

Roar-6

C——20Normal

TM51

Sandstorm

C——10Rock

TM06

Scary Face

C—10010Normal

TM114

Shadow Ball

C8010015Ghost

TM70

Sleep Talk

B——10Normal

TM30

Snarl

D559515Dark

TM84

Stomping Tantrum

B7510010Ground

TM103

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM49

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM01

Take Down

C908520Normal

TM171

Tera Blast

B8010010Normal

TM18

Thief

C6010025Dark

TM09

Thunder Fang

A659515Electric

TM109

Trick

C—10010Psychic

TM191

Uproar

D9010010Normal

TM107

Will-O-Wisp

S—8515Fire

Egg Moves

Houndstone doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Houndstone can't learn any Tutor moves

Houndstone starts showing up in late-game routes at moderate rates across 58 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.

Where To Catch Houndstone in Scarlet & Violet

Greavard is your first catch on the way to Houndstone. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 22-56 across 116 total spots in the chain.

Step 1Catch Greavard
North Province (Area One) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.22-34 Route
29%Mid
North Province (Area One) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.22-34 Route
29%Mid
West Province (Area Three) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.22-34 Route
29%Mid
West Province (Area Three) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.22-34 Route
29%Mid
East Province (Area One) - Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
East Province (Area One) - Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
8%Late
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
8%Late
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
8%Late
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
8%Late
North Province (Area One) - Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
North Province (Area One) - Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
South Province (Area Five) - Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
South Province (Area Five) - Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
South Province (Area Four) - Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
South Province (Area Four) - Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
South Province (Area Six) - Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
South Province (Area Six) - Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
South Province (Area Two) - Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
South Province (Area Two) - Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
The Great Crater of Paldea
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56
8%Late
The Great Crater of Paldea
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56
8%Late
West Province (Area One) - Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
West Province (Area One) - Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
Casseroya Lake - Snow
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Water
5%Late
Casseroya Lake - Snow
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Water
5%Late
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
5%Late
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
5%Late
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
5%Late
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
5%Late
North Province (Area One) - Snow
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
5%Late
North Province (Area One) - Snow
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
5%Late
North Province (Area Three) - Snow
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
5%Late
North Province (Area Three) - Snow
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
5%Late
Asado Desert - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Desert
3%Late
Asado Desert - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Desert
3%Late
Casseroya Lake - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Water
3%Late
Casseroya Lake - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Water
3%Late
East Province (Area Two) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
East Province (Area Two) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
3%Late
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
3%Late
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
3%Late
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
3%Late
South Province (Area Five) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Five) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Four) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Four) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area One) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area One) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Six) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Six) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Three) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Three) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Two) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Two) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
West Province (Area One) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
West Province (Area One) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
Train until Level 30
Step 2Houndstone ✓
East Province (Area One) - Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
East Province (Area One) - Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
8%Late
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
8%Late
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
8%Late
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
8%Late
North Province (Area One) - Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
North Province (Area One) - Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
South Province (Area Five) - Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
South Province (Area Five) - Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
South Province (Area Four) - Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
South Province (Area Four) - Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
South Province (Area Six) - Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
South Province (Area Six) - Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
South Province (Area Two) - Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
South Province (Area Two) - Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
The Great Crater of Paldea
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56
8%Late
The Great Crater of Paldea
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56
8%Late
West Province (Area One) - Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
West Province (Area One) - Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
8%Late
Casseroya Lake - Snow
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Water
5%Late
Casseroya Lake - Snow
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Water
5%Late
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
5%Late
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
5%Late
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
5%Late
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
5%Late
North Province (Area One) - Snow
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
5%Late
North Province (Area One) - Snow
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
5%Late
North Province (Area Three) - Snow
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
5%Late
North Province (Area Three) - Snow
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
5%Late
Asado Desert - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Desert
3%Late
Asado Desert - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Desert
3%Late
Casseroya Lake - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Water
3%Late
Casseroya Lake - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Water
3%Late
East Province (Area Two) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
East Province (Area Two) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
3%Late
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
3%Late
Glaseado Mountain
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
3%Late
Glaseado Mountain
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Cave
3%Late
North Province (Area One) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
North Province (Area One) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Five) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Five) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Four) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Four) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area One) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area One) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Six) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Six) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Three) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Three) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Two) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
South Province (Area Two) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
West Province (Area One) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
West Province (Area One) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
West Province (Area Three) - Ruins
VioletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
West Province (Area Three) - Ruins
ScarletOverworld Lv.42-56 Route
3%Late
or evolve from Greavard (Step 1)

Don't let Houndstone's 488 base stat total fool you. Sand Rush is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it B-Tier as an attacker.
Houndstone's biggest threats include Gengar (Ghost) and Houndoom (Dark), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Run Sand Rush on Houndstone. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Houndstone also gets Fluffy, but they don't compare.
Houndstone fills the attacker role. It's a physical attacker with base 101 Attack. At base 68 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Best way to handle Houndstone: Faster attackers outpace it. Anything with a super-effective STAB move and decent speed can revenge kill.

Introduced in Scarlet & Violet, Houndstone has appeared in 2 games across 2 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Settings

Houndstone

Stats & Training