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.
A deity resides in the snowy mountains where this Pokémon lives. In ancient times, it was worshiped as that deity’s incarnation.
While it will guide travelers who get lost on a snowy mountain down to the mountain’s base, it won’t forgive anyone who harms nature.
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 using 138 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Baby-Doll Eyes, Flail, Flame Charge and 4 more.
Fire Blast is the main STAB option after a Nasty Plot boost. Heavy-Duty Boots gives Ninetales hazard immunity on every switch-in 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
- Fire Blast
- Energy Ball
- Nasty Plot
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Breeding's the move. Baby-Doll Eyes and Flail 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
A few locations for Ninetales with decent spawn rates across endgame routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Ninetales in Sword & Shield
To get Ninetales, start by catching Vulpix through walking encounters at Lv. 7-58. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch VulpixEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1060%EarlyIntense SunEFFORTLESSWest Lake AxewellSwordGrassLv.7-1140%EarlyCaveIntense SunEFFORTLESSDappled GroveSwordGrassLv.11-1540%EarlyForestIntense SunEFFORTLESSWest Lake AxewellSwordOverworldLv.8-1435%EarlyCaveIntense SunEFFORTLESSEast Lake AxewellSwordGrassLv.8-1230%EarlyCaveIntense SunEFFORTLESSSouth Lake MilochSwordGrassLv.11-1330%EarlyWaterIntense SunEASYRolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlyIntense SunEASYEast Lake AxewellSwordOverworldLv.10-1525%EarlyCaveIntense SunEASYSouth Lake MilochSwordOverworldLv.14-1625%EarlyWaterIntense SunEASYRolling FieldsSwordGrassLv.7-920%EarlyIntense SunEASYWatchtower RuinsSwordGrassLv.11-1420%EarlyBuildingIntense SunEASYRoute 3SwordOverworldLv.10-1415%EarlyRouteAll WeatherEASYSouth Lake Miloch - 2SwordOverworldLv.14-1615%EarlyWaterIntense SunCHALLENGINGDappled GroveSwordOverworldLv.13-152%EarlyForestIntense SunEFFORTLESSHammerlocke HillsShieldGrassLv.28-3040%MidIntense SunMODERATEWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworldLv.26-2910%MidBuildingIntense SunMODERATENorth Lake MilochSwordOverworldLv.26-285%MidWaterIntense SunEFFORTLESSAxew's EyeSwordGrassLv.35-4040%LateIntense SunEFFORTLESSDusty BowlShieldOverworldLv.42-4730%LateIntense SunMODERATEGiant's SeatSwordOverworldLv.33-385%LateWaterIntense SunMODERATEAxew's EyeSwordOverworldLv.36-405%LateIntense Sun
Step 2Ninetales ✓EASYLake of OutrageOverworldLv.55-5825%PostWaterIntense Sunor evolve from Vulpix (Step 1)
Ninetales looks average on paper at 505 BST. But Drought is why it sees play — build around that and it pulls its weight. A-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