Ninetales's stats are solid on their own, but Drought is what pushes it over the line. It sets sun on switch-in. Only weak to Water, Ground, and Rock. Known as the Fox Pokemon. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets.
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.
Ninetales Weakness
AvgType-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.
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.
How to Evolve
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
Best Ninetales Moveset
- Heat Wave
- Solar Beam
- Protect
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
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 VulpixEASYVeilstone CapeGrassUncommon
Step 2Ninetales ✓EASYFirespit IslandGrassUncommonWateror 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 CaveGrassLv.58-63PostDesertPost-gameSpacious CaveGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameTyphlo CavernGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameVolcanic CaveGrassLv.58-63PostVolcanoPost-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 VulpixEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1060%EarlyIntense SunEFFORTLESSWest Lake AxewellSwordGrassLv.7-1140%EarlyCaveIntense SunEFFORTLESSDappled GroveSwordGrassLv.11-1540%EarlyForestIntense SunEFFORTLESSWest Lake AxewellSwordOverworldLv.8-1435%EarlyCaveIntense SunEFFORTLESSEast Lake AxewellSwordGrassLv.8-1230%EarlyCaveIntense SunEFFORTLESSSouth Lake MilochSwordGrassLv.11-1330%EarlyWaterIntense SunEASYRolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlyIntense SunEASYEast Lake AxewellSwordOverworldLv.10-1525%EarlyCaveIntense SunEASYSouth Lake MilochSwordOverworldLv.14-1625%EarlyWaterIntense SunEASYRolling FieldsSwordGrassLv.7-920%EarlyIntense SunEASYWatchtower RuinsSwordGrassLv.11-1420%EarlyBuildingIntense SunEASYRoute 3SwordOverworldLv.10-1415%EarlyRouteAll WeatherEASYSouth Lake Miloch - 2SwordOverworldLv.14-1615%EarlyWaterIntense SunCHALLENGINGDappled GroveSwordOverworldLv.13-152%EarlyForestIntense SunEFFORTLESSHammerlocke HillsShieldGrassLv.28-3040%MidIntense SunMODERATEWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworldLv.26-2910%MidBuildingIntense SunMODERATENorth Lake MilochSwordOverworldLv.26-285%MidWaterIntense SunEFFORTLESSAxew's EyeSwordGrassLv.35-4040%LateIntense SunEFFORTLESSDusty BowlShieldOverworldLv.42-4730%LateIntense SunMODERATEGiant's SeatSwordOverworldLv.33-385%LateWaterIntense SunMODERATEAxew's EyeSwordOverworldLv.36-405%LateIntense Sun
Step 2Ninetales ✓EASYLake of OutrageOverworldLv.55-5825%PostWaterIntense 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. But the speed tells the real story — base 100 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the pivot role.
Ninetales appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Available since Red & Blue, Ninetales appears in 21 games spanning 9 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained an Alolan form in Generation 7.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
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 VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISMAlolan
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