Stats & Training
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.
Some legends claim that each of its nine tails has its own unique type of special mystical power.
Its nine beautiful tails are filled with a wondrous energy that could keep it alive for 1,000 years.
Ninetales Weakness
Type-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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Flygon can KO Ninetales with Earthquake (122-143%). Swampert threatens a KO with Earthquake (104-122%). Aerodactyl's Stone Edge also KOs at 125-147%.
 Flygon GroundDragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Flygon builds →Earthquake 2x122-143%KO Outrage73-86% U Turn14-17% | ||
 Swampert WaterGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Swampert builds →Earthquake 2x104-122%KO Ice Beam10-11% Waterfall 2x83-98% | ||
 Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Aerodactyl builds →Earthquake 2x83-98% Stone Edge 2x125-147%KO | ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution
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 131 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Disable, Energy Ball, Extrasensory and 9 more.
HeartGold & SoulSilver Ninetales Best Moveset
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
Ninetales best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Energy Ball
- Nasty Plot
- Flamethrower
- Fire Blast
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Breeding's the move. Disable and Energy Ball 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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Ninetales in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Ninetales doesn't appear wild. Catch Vulpix instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it through a special method to get Ninetales. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Ninetales in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Vulpix is your first catch on the way to Ninetales. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 13-25 across 10 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch VulpixRoute 7Grass Lv.15-18 RouteCommonEarlyDayRoute 36Grass Lv.13 RouteUncommonEarlyMorning/nightRoute 36Grass Lv.13-15 RouteUncommonEarlyDayRoute 37Grass Lv.14 RouteUncommonEarlyMorning/nightRoute 37Grass Lv.14-15 RouteUncommonEarlyDayRoute 48Grass Lv.21-25 RouteCommonMidNightRoute 7Grass Lv.18 RouteUncommonMidMorning/nightRoute 8Grass Lv.18 RouteUncommonMidMorning/dayRoute 8Grass Lv.17 RouteRareMidNightRoute 48Grass Lv.21 RouteRareMidMorning/day
Step 2Ninetales ✓
Ninetales Guide
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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. Energy Ball with Salacberry 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 HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.
Game Availability
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