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.
It lives on mountains perpetually covered in snow and is revered as a deity incarnate. It appears draped in a blizzard.
It lives on mountains perpetually covered in snow and is revered as a deity incarnate. It appears draped in a blizzard.
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 |
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Magikarp (Route 4 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Gyarados builds →Hydro Pump 2x58-69% Waterfall 2x95-111%KO | ||
 Blastoise Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Blastoise builds →Bubble Beam 2x46-55% Bubble 2x29-34% Aqua Jet 2x36-43% Water Gun 2x29-34% | ||
 Golduck Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Golduck builds →Surf 2x67-79% Water Gun 2x30-36% | ||
 Rhydon GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Rhydon builds →Earthquake 2x122-144%KO Drill Run 2x98-116%KO Rock Slide 2x93-109%KO Rock Throw 2x61-73% | ||
 Kingler Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Kingler builds →Crabhammer 2x122-144%KO Bubble Beam 2x30-36% Bubble 2x20-24% | ||
In Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, Mamoswine threatens a KO with Earthquake (206-242%). Greninja's Hydro Pump also KOs at 160-188%.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureSassy Moves View Ferrothorn builds →
| ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityThickfat ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Mamoswine builds →Earthquake 2x206-242%KO Ice Shard21-24% Knock Off45-53% | ||
 Greninja WaterDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse59-69% Ice Beam22-26% Hydro Pump 2x160-188%KO | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemDamprock NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Pelipper builds →Hurricane56-66% Scald 2x82-96% | ||
 Terrakion RockFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Terrakion builds →Close Combat129-152%KO Stone Edge 2x215-253%KO Earthquake 2x143-169%KO | ||
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
the remaining moves keeps opponents guessing about Ninetales's real targets. Heatrock provides extra utility while max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs and Modest nature handle the stat profile. Drought ties it together.
Best Build
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
Most of Ninetales's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Fire Blast and Flamethrower, 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
low spawn rates is the best you'll get on Ninetales in mid-game routes. Use the sort toggle below. Best shows where the odds peak, Earliest shows where you can access it soonest in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Ninetales in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
Vulpix is your first catch on the way to Ninetales. You'll find walking and trade encounters from Lv. 11-27 across 7 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch VulpixRoute 5Grass Lv.11-16 Route20%EarlyRoute 6Grass Lv.11-16 Route20%EarlyRoute 7Grass Lv.22-27 Route19%MidRoute 8Grass Lv.22-27 Route19%MidCeladon CityIn-game trade Lv.27 CityMidTrade for (give Vulpix)
Step 2Ninetales ✓Route 7Grass Lv.22-27 Route1%MidRoute 8Grass Lv.22-27 Route1%Midor evolve from Vulpix (Step 1)
In Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, Ninetales looks average on paper at 505 BST. But Drought is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier pivot on our tier list. Solarbeam with Heatrock is the standard set.
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.
In Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, 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