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.
It creates drops of ice in its coat and showers them over its enemies. Anyone who angers it will be frozen stiff in an instant.
Possessing a calm demeanor, this Pokémon was revered as a deity incarnate before it was identified as a regional variant of Ninetales.
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 from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Captivate, Disable, Extrasensory and 11 more.
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
Best Ninetales Moveset
- Solar Beam
- Protect
- Heat Wave
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Breeding's the move. Captivate and Disable 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
Can't catch Ninetales directly. Start with Vulpix at solid 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 Sun & Moon
The path to Ninetales starts with Vulpix at Lv. 28-45 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch VulpixMODERATERoute 14GrassLv.28-3110%MidRouteMODERATETapu VillageGrassLv.28-3110%MidCityEFFORTLESSMount Lanakila - OutsideGrassLv.42-4530%LateCave
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