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.
Its nine tails are said to be imbued with a mystic power. It can live for a thousand years.
Ninetales Weakness
AvgType-wise, Ninetales takes extra damage from Water, Ground, and Rock. The Fire typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. 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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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 131 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Disable, Energy Ball, Extrasensory and 8 more.
Flamethrower is the main STAB option after a Nasty Plot boost. Salacberry gives Ninetales extra utility to survive the setup turn, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs make the boosted hits count. The remaining moves catches resists.
Best Build
Best Ninetales Moveset
- Energy Ball
- Nasty Plot
- Flamethrower
- Fire Blast
Recommended Teammates
Breeding's the move. Disable and Energy Ball give Ninetales options it can't learn any other way, and Normal and Dark coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Overheat and Flare Blitz. The egg moves push it further.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
No wild encounters for Ninetales. The 2-stage line runs through Vulpix, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve through a special method once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Ninetales in Diamond & Pearl
The path to Ninetales starts with Vulpix at Lv. 16-24 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch VulpixCHALLENGINGRoute 209DiamondGrassLv.16RareMidRouteDual-slot: LeafGreenCHALLENGINGRoute 209PearlGrassLv.16RareMidRouteDual-slot: LeafGreenCHALLENGINGRoute 214DiamondGrassLv.24RareMidRouteDual-slot: LeafGreenCHALLENGINGRoute 214PearlGrassLv.24RareMidRouteDual-slot: LeafGreen
Step 2Ninetales ✓
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.
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