Nothing fancy in Ninetales's spread. It leans mixed with Speed out front. And you'll get 2 Sp. Def and Speed EVs per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Some legends claim that each of its nine tails has its own unique type of special mystical power.
It has nine long tails and fur that gleams gold. It is said to live for 1,000 years.
Type-wise, Ninetales takes extra damage from Steel, Fire, Poison, and Rock. Watch out for Steel attacks, those deal 4x damage. Dragon moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. Ninetales's special bulk (base 100 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Steel |
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Poison, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Ice, Bug, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Dragon |
 Bronzong SteelPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Bronzong builds →Flash Cannon 4x107-126%KO Iron Head 4x145-170%KO Rock Blast 2x16-19% | ||
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Magnezone builds →Flash Cannon 4x158-186%KO Iron Head 4x120-142%KO | ||
 Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Lucario builds →Meteor Mash 4x193-227%KO Poison Jab 2x57-68% Flash Cannon 4x141-166%KO Metal Claw 4x110-130%KO | ||
 Tinkaton FairySteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Tinkaton builds →Flash Cannon 4x96-114%KO Metal Claw 4x82-97% | ||
 Copperajah Steel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Copperajah builds →Iron Head 4x196-231%KO Flash Cannon 4x107-126%KO Rollout 2x25-30% Rock Blast 2x22-26% | ||
In Scarlet & Violet, Amoonguss's Sludge Bomb hits Ninetales for 60-71%.
 | 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 Bomb 2x60-71% | ||
| A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 | 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. Speed saw the largest single gain at +44. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Ninetales to get Vulpix eggs easily using 206 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
Moves
Most of Ninetales's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Blizzard and Ice Beam, but Normal and Water and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Alolan 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.
In Scarlet & Violet, Ninetales looks average on paper at 505 BST. But Snow Warning is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. B-Tier pivot on our tier list. Heat Wave with Heatrock is the standard set.
Ninetales gets Snow Warning and Snow Cloak. But Snow Warning 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 109 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the pivot role.
In Scarlet & Violet, Snow Warning is the hidden ability. It summons hail 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