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.
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
Type-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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
 Shuckle BugRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Shuckle builds →Rock Throw 2x18-23% Rollout 2x15-18% Rock Blast 2x11-14% | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Onix builds →Rock Slide 2x46-55% Rock Throw 2x34-42% Smack Down 2x34-42% Rock Blast 2x18-23% | ||
 Krabby Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Krabby builds →Bubble Beam 2x26-32% Mud Shot 2x15-18% Water Gun 2x18-23% | ||
 Palpitoad WaterGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Palpitoad builds →Bubble Beam 2x43-51% Mud Shot 2x34-42% | ||
 Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Onix builds →Rock Slide 2x43-51% Rock Throw 2x29-36% Smack Down 2x29-36% Sand Tomb 2x22-28% | ||
Krabby Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Krabby builds →Bubble Beam 2x22-28% Mud Shot 2x13-16% Water Gun 2x16-20% Whirlpool 2x16-20% | ||
Palpitoad WaterGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Palpitoad builds →Bubble Beam 2x39-47% Mud Shot 2x33-39% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Lombre builds →Bubble Beam 2x37-43% Mud Shot 2x22-26% Water Gun 2x26-32% Whirlpool 2x22-28% | ||
 Shellos Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Shellos builds →Water Pulse 2x33-39% Ancient Power 2x22-26% Mud Shot 2x20-24% Water Gun 2x22-28% | ||
 Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Sudowoodo builds →Stone Edge 2x96-114%KO Rock Tomb 2x61-71% Rock Throw 2x51-61% Sand Tomb 2x24-29% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Onix builds →Rock Slide 2x42-50% Rock Throw 2x30-36% Smack Down 2x30-36% Sand Tomb 2x20-25% | ||
Krabby Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Krabby builds →Bubble Beam 2x24-29% Mud Shot 2x13-17% Water Gun 2x14-18% Whirlpool 2x14-18% | ||
Palpitoad WaterGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Palpitoad builds →Bubble Beam 2x39-46% Mud Shot 2x33-39% | ||
Lombre WaterGrass | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Lombre builds →Bubble Beam 2x36-43% Mud Shot 2x20-24% Water Gun 2x24-29% Whirlpool 2x20-25% | ||
 Lunatone RockPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Lunatone builds →Stone Edge 2x62-74% Rock Slide 2x47-55% Rock Throw 2x32-39% Sand Tomb 2x16-18% | ||
 Pelipper Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Pelipper builds →Water Pulse 2x47-55% Water Gun 2x32-39% Whirlpool 2x28-33% | ||
 Cramorant Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Cramorant builds →Dive 2x70-83% Water Gun 2x30-36% Whirlpool 2x26-30% | ||
 Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Solrock builds →Stone Edge 2x94-110%KO Rock Slide 2x70-83% Rock Throw 2x49-58% Sand Tomb 2x23-28% | ||
 Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Quagsire builds →Aqua Tail 2x77-91% Muddy Water 2x51-61% Dig 2x70-83% Mud Shot 2x32-39% | ||
Lunatone RockPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Lunatone builds →Stone Edge 2x63-76% Rock Slide 2x49-57% Rock Throw 2x33-39% Sand Tomb 2x16-19% | ||
Pelipper Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Pelipper builds →Water Pulse 2x46-55% Water Gun 2x33-39% Whirlpool 2x29-34% | ||
Cramorant Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Cramorant builds →Dive 2x70-83% Water Gun 2x29-34% Whirlpool 2x26-31% | ||
Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Solrock builds →Stone Edge 2x93-110%KO Rock Slide 2x70-83% Rock Throw 2x49-57% Sand Tomb 2x23-28% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Quagsire builds →Aqua Tail 2x77-91% Muddy Water 2x50-60% Dig 2x70-83% Mud Shot 2x33-39% | ||
Lunatone RockPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Lunatone builds →Stone Edge 2x60-71% Rock Slide 2x46-55% Bulldoze 2x25-30% Rock Throw 2x32-38% | ||
Pelipper Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Pelipper builds →Water Pulse 2x44-52% Water Gun 2x30-36% Whirlpool 2x26-31% | ||
 Seismitoad WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Seismitoad builds →Dig 2x72-86% Bubble Beam 2x44-52% Bulldoze 2x54-64% Mud Shot 2x38-45% | ||
Cramorant Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Cramorant builds →Dive 2x67-79% Water Gun 2x28-33% Whirlpool 2x24-29% | ||
Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Solrock builds →Stone Edge 2x90-107%KO Rock Slide 2x68-81% Bulldoze 2x36-43% Rock Throw 2x46-55% | ||
 Toxapex PoisonWater | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Toxapex builds →Liquidation 2x58-69% Mud Shot 2x18-21% | ||
Seismitoad WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Seismitoad builds →Dive 2x73-87% Dig 2x73-87% Rock Slide 2x47-55% Bubble Beam 2x44-53% | ||
 Barbaracle RockWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Barbaracle builds →Dive 2x82-96% Dig 2x54-64% Razor Shell 2x76-89% Rock Slide 2x76-89% | ||
 Mantine Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Mantine builds →Dive 2x40-48% Rock Slide 2x24-29% Bubble Beam 2x43-50% Water Pulse 2x40-48% | ||
 Drednaw WaterRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Drednaw builds →Dive 2x87-103%KO Dig 2x58-69% Razor Shell 2x82-96% Rock Slide 2x82-96% | ||
Toxapex PoisonWater | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Toxapex builds →Liquidation 2x59-70% Mud Shot 2x19-23% | ||
 Golisopod BugWater | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Golisopod builds →Liquidation 2x100-118%KO Dive 2x95-112%KO Razor Shell 2x89-106%KO Rock Slide 2x60-70% | ||
 Flygon GroundDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Flygon builds →Earthquake 2x99-116%KO Earth Power 2x59-70% Dig 2x79-93% Rock Slide 2x49-58% | ||
Seismitoad WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Seismitoad builds →Dive 2x75-89% Dig 2x75-89% Rock Slide 2x48-56% Stomping Tantrum 2x72-85% | ||
Barbaracle RockWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Barbaracle builds →Dive 2x82-97% Dig 2x55-65% Razor Shell 2x77-91% Rock Slide 2x77-91% | ||
In Sword & Shield, Lunatone's Psychic hits Ninetales for 46-54%. Slowking deals 60-71% with Scald.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Ferrothorn builds →Knock Off20-23% | ||
Lunatone RockPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemPower Herb NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Lunatone builds →Ice Beam15-18% Moonblast16-19% Psychic46-54% | ||
 Slowking WaterPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemColbur Berry NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Slowking builds →Scald 2x60-71% | ||
 Landorus Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Landorus builds →Sludge Bomb41-48% Psychic41-48% | ||
Sword & Shield 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 152 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Baby-Doll Eyes, Flail, Flame Charge and 4 more.
Sword & Shield Ninetales Best Moveset
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
Ninetales best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Fire Blast
- Energy Ball
- Nasty Plot
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Solar Beam
- Scorching Sands
- Heat Wave
- Incinerate
Recommended Teammates
Moves
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
How to Get Ninetales in Sword & Shield
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 VulpixRolling FieldsSwordOverworld Lv.7-1060%EarlyIntense SunWest Lake AxewellSwordGrass Lv.7-11 Cave40%EarlyIntense SunDappled GroveSwordGrass Lv.11-15 Forest40%EarlyIntense SunWest Lake AxewellSwordOverworld Lv.8-14 Cave35%EarlyIntense SunEast Lake AxewellSwordGrass Lv.8-12 Cave30%EarlyIntense SunSouth Lake MilochSwordGrass Lv.11-13 Water30%EarlyIntense SunRolling Fields - 2SwordOverworld Lv.7-1025%EarlyIntense SunEast Lake AxewellSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Cave25%EarlyIntense SunSouth Lake MilochSwordOverworld Lv.14-16 Water25%EarlyIntense SunRolling FieldsSwordGrass Lv.7-920%EarlyIntense SunWatchtower RuinsSwordGrass Lv.11-14 Building20%EarlyIntense SunRoute 3SwordOverworld Lv.10-14 Route15%EarlyAll WeatherSouth Lake Miloch - 2SwordOverworld Lv.14-16 Water15%EarlyIntense SunDappled GroveSwordOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest2%EarlyIntense SunHammerlocke HillsShieldGrass Lv.28-3040%MidIntense SunWatchtower RuinsSwordOverworld Lv.26-29 Building10%MidIntense SunNorth Lake MilochSwordOverworld Lv.26-28 Water5%MidIntense SunAxew's EyeSwordGrass Lv.35-4040%LateIntense SunDusty BowlShieldOverworld Lv.42-4730%LateIntense SunGiant's SeatSwordOverworld Lv.33-38 Water5%LateIntense SunAxew's EyeSwordOverworld Lv.36-405%LateIntense Sun
Step 2Ninetales ✓Lake of OutrageOverworld Lv.55-58 Water25%PostIntense Sunor evolve from Vulpix (Step 1)
Ninetales Guide
In Sword & Shield, 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. Fire Blast with Heavy-Duty Boots 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 Sword & Shield, the best way to handle Ninetales: Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Water, Ground, and Rock-type attackers hit hardest.
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