Nothing fancy in Ninetales's spread. It leans mixed with Sp. Def out front. And you'll get 2 Sp. Def and Speed EVs per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Dwells on sacred peaks perpetually covered in snow. Said to appear to virtuous people who have lost their way on mountain paths—it then guides them back down to the mountain’s base.
Type-wise, Ninetales takes extra damage from Water, Ground, and Rock. It resists 6 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. Flash Fire grants an additional Fire immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Ninetales's special bulk (base 100 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Amoonguss builds →Sludge Bomb30-36% | ||
 Tinkaton FairySteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPickpocket ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Tinkaton builds →Knock Off16-20% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Corviknight builds →U Turn10-12% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Forretress builds →Rapid Spin13-16% Volt Switch12-14% | ||
Ninetales evolved from Vulpix's chain using an evolution item. It's a non-standard trigger, so check the details below. Breed this form to get Vulpix eggs (average hatch time). The evolution from Vulpix pushed Ninetales to 505 total stats. HP saw the largest single gain at +35. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Ninetales to get Vulpix eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground egg group.
the remaining moves keeps opponents guessing about Ninetales's real targets. Heatrock provides extra utility while max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs and Timid nature handle the stat profile. Drought ties it together.
Best Build
Ninetales best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Heat Wave
- Solar Beam
- Protect
- Will O Wisp
Support Moveset
- Encore
- Healing Wish
- Will O Wisp
- Weather Ball
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Support Moveset
- Protect
- Heat Wave
- Will O Wisp
- Encore
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Nasty Plot
- Energy Ball
- Fire Blast
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Fire Blast
- Energy Ball
- Nasty Plot
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Solar Beam
- Scorching Sands
- Heat Wave
- Incinerate
Recommended Teammates
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Fire Blast
- Energy Ball
- Nasty Plot
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Solar Beam
- Scorching Sands
- Heat Wave
- Incinerate
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Most of Ninetales's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Overheat and Flare Blitz, but Normal and Dark and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The offense anchors on Fire Blast and Flamethrower, with Normal and Ghost coverage and more adding reach. It's a workable movepool for Ninetales that handles most situations. Flamethrower and Fire Blast give it enough punch where it matters.
Breeding's the move. Baby-Doll Eyes and Disable give Ninetales options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 7 types already covers a decent range on top of Overheat and Flare Blitz. The egg moves push it further.
Breeding's the move. Baby-Doll Eyes and Flail give Ninetales options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 7 types already covers a decent range on top of Overheat and Flare Blitz. The egg moves push it further.
Ninetales can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Transfer Vulpix from Blue, Yellow, or Omega Ruby and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Ninetales starts showing up in mid-game routes at decent spawn rates across 1 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Ninetales in Legends: Arceus
Step 1Catch VulpixVeilstone CapeGrassUncommon
Step 2Ninetales ✓Firespit IslandGrass WaterUncommonor evolve from Vulpix (Step 1)
Can't catch Ninetales directly. Start with Vulpix at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve through a special method. The 2-stage line from Vulpix to Ninetales is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Ninetales in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Ninetales, start by catching Vulpix through walking encounters at Lv. 58-63. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch VulpixSandsear CaveGrass Lv.58-63 DesertPostPost-gameSpacious CaveGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameTyphlo CavernGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameVolcanic CaveGrass Lv.58-63 VolcanoPostPost-game
Step 2Ninetales ✓
A few locations for Ninetales with decent spawn rates across endgame routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Ninetales in Sword & Shield
To get Ninetales, start by catching Vulpix through walking encounters at Lv. 7-58. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch VulpixRolling FieldsSwordOverworld Lv.7-1060%EarlyIntense SunWest Lake AxewellSwordGrass Lv.7-11 Cave40%EarlyIntense SunDappled GroveSwordGrass Lv.11-15 Forest40%EarlyIntense SunWest Lake AxewellSwordOverworld Lv.8-14 Cave35%EarlyIntense SunEast Lake AxewellSwordGrass Lv.8-12 Cave30%EarlyIntense SunSouth Lake MilochSwordGrass Lv.11-13 Water30%EarlyIntense SunRolling Fields - 2SwordOverworld Lv.7-1025%EarlyIntense SunEast Lake AxewellSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Cave25%EarlyIntense SunSouth Lake MilochSwordOverworld Lv.14-16 Water25%EarlyIntense SunRolling FieldsSwordGrass Lv.7-920%EarlyIntense SunWatchtower RuinsSwordGrass Lv.11-14 Building20%EarlyIntense SunRoute 3SwordOverworld Lv.10-14 Route15%EarlyAll WeatherSouth Lake Miloch - 2SwordOverworld Lv.14-16 Water15%EarlyIntense SunDappled GroveSwordOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest2%EarlyIntense SunHammerlocke HillsShieldGrass Lv.28-3040%MidIntense SunWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworld Lv.26-29 Building10%MidIntense SunNorth Lake MilochSwordOverworld Lv.26-28 Water5%MidIntense SunAxew's EyeSwordGrass Lv.35-4040%LateIntense SunDusty BowlShieldOverworld Lv.42-4730%LateIntense SunGiant's SeatSwordOverworld Lv.33-38 Water5%LateIntense SunAxew's EyeSwordOverworld Lv.36-405%LateIntense Sun
Step 2Ninetales ✓Lake of OutrageOverworld Lv.55-58 Water25%PostIntense Sunor evolve from Vulpix (Step 1)
Ninetales looks average on paper at 505 BST. But Drought is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. B-Tier pivot on our tier list.
Ninetales gets Drought and Flash Fire. But Drought is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Ninetales is a special attacker with base 81 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 100 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the pivot role.
Drought is the hidden ability. It summons strong sunlight that lasts indefinitely upon entering battle. Worth hunting for if you want Ninetales to compete at a higher level.
Available since Red & Blue, Ninetales appears in 21 games spanning 10 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained an Alolan form in Generation 7.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
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 7SMAlolan
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