Is Ninetales Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?
AbilityFlash Fire turns incoming Fire attacks into free power boosts. Ninetales absorbs Fire moves that would hurt the rest of your team and hits back harder for it. Handles Erika and contributes against Lorelei. The Speed keeps Ninetales ahead of most mid-game threats. LeafGreen only.
Vulpix trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.
Misty's team hits Vulpix's weaknesses hard.
Vulpix trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.
Ninetales resists most of Erika's coverage and hits back hard.
Ninetales has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.
Ninetales has the type edge here and should clean up Sabrina's team.
Ninetales trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.
Ninetales trades roughly evenly with Giovanni's team.
Ninetales has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.
Ninetales trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.
Ninetales has the type edge here and should clean up Agatha's team.
Lance's team hits Ninetales's weaknesses hard.
Ninetales trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.
Catch Vulpix on Route 8 (walking, Lv 15-18, uncommon).
- After Lt. Surge
- TM28GroundDig80100%10
- LV 29FireFlamethrower135100%15
- After Erika
- TM23SteelIron Tail10075%15
- After Blaine
- TM38FireFire Blast16585%5
- After Giovanni
- TM50FireOverheat19590%5
- TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- Post-Game
- TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
You can buy the Fire Stone at the Celadon Department Store on the 4th floor (₽2,100). 1 other location is also available.
- After Lt. Surge
- TM28GroundDig80100%10
- After Erika
- TM35FireFlamethrower135100%15
- TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
- TM23SteelIron Tail10075%15
- After Blaine
- TM38FireFire Blast16585%5
- After Giovanni
- TM50FireOverheat19590%5
- TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- Post-Game
- TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
How to Get Ninetales in FireRed & LeafGreen
Fire Stone on Vulpix. LeafGreen exclusive chain since Vulpix itself is version-locked. No wild Ninetales in FRLG.
Wild Ninetales may be holding when caught:
Rawst Berry (50% chance) When held by a Pokemon, it will be used in battle to heal a burn.Catch Vulpix at any of these 3 spots to eventually evolve into Ninetales.
Encountered via tall grass encounters
- 1Catch Vulpix
- 2Evolve NinetalesUse Fire Stone
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7How to Obtain Ninetales in FRLG
Vulpix is your first catch on the way to Ninetales. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 15-32 across 6 total spots in the chain.
Step 2Ninetales ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Four Island Pokemon Day Care to receive a Ninetales egg. Requires the Rainbow Pass to access Four Island.
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 |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
What is Ninetales Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Ninetales
 Squirtle Water | C | |
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift | ||
 Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x104-122%KO Water Pulse 2x31-37% Rock Tomb 2x37-44% | ||
 Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 2x94-111%KO Water Pulse 2x28-33% Rock Tomb 2x33-41% | ||
 Wartortle Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Squirtle (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Wartortle builds →Waterfall 2x52-61% Dig 2x31-37% | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Geodude builds →Earthquake 2x83-100%KO Rock Tomb 2x46-56% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x104-122%KO Water Pulse 2x31-37% Rock Tomb 2x37-44% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 2x94-111%KO Water Pulse 2x28-33% Rock Tomb 2x33-41% | ||
Wartortle Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Squirtle (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Wartortle builds →Waterfall 2x52-61% Dig 2x31-37% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Geodude builds →Earthquake 2x83-100%KO Rock Tomb 2x46-56% | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x81-97% Rock Tomb 2x28-33% | ||
 Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Vaporeon builds →Waterfall 2x68-80% Dig 2x28-33% | ||
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Magikarp (Route 4 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Gyarados builds →Earthquake 2x77-91% Waterfall 2x44-53% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x99-117%KO Water Pulse 2x28-33% Rock Tomb 2x33-40% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 2x90-107%KO Water Pulse 2x26-31% Rock Tomb 2x31-38% | ||
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Vaporeon builds →Surf 2x80-95% Dig 2x30-36% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x83-98% Rock Tomb 2x28-34% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Magikarp (Route 4 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Gyarados builds →Earthquake 2x78-93% Surf 2x52-62% | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x101-119%KO Surf 2x44-51% Rock Tomb 2x35-42% | ||
Nidoqueen PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 2x93-110%KO Surf 2x40-48% Rock Tomb 2x32-38% | ||
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Vaporeon builds →Surf 2x80-95% Dig 2x30-36% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x83-98% Rock Tomb 2x28-34% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Magikarp (Route 4 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Gyarados builds →Earthquake 2x78-93% Surf 2x52-62% | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodSilph Co Gift | ||
Nidoking PoisonGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Nidoking builds →Earthquake 2x101-119%KO Surf 2x44-51% Rock Tomb 2x35-42% | ||
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Vaporeon builds →Surf 2x78-92% Dig 2x28-33% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x78-92% Rock Tomb 2x26-31% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Magikarp (Route 4 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Gyarados builds →Earthquake 2x75-89% Hydro Pump 2x60-71% | ||
 Blastoise Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Squirtle (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Blastoise builds →Surf 2x64-75% Earthquake 2x54-64% | ||
 Dewgong WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodIcefall Cave Surfing | ||
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Vaporeon builds →Surf 2x80-95% Dig 2x28-34% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Magikarp (Route 4 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Gyarados builds →Earthquake 2x79-93% Hydro Pump 2x64-75% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x82-97% Rock Tomb 2x28-34% | ||
 Omastar RockWater | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Omanyte (Cinnabar Island Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Omastar builds →Surf 2x84-99% Rock Tomb 2x34-41% Mud Shot 2x25-30% | ||
 Rhydon GroundRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Rhydon builds →Earthquake 2x122-144%KO Rock Tomb 2x61-73% Surf 2x27-32% | ||
 Suicune Water | A | |
Obtain MethodRoaming Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Suicune builds →Surf 2x67-80% Dig 2x32-37% | ||
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Vaporeon builds →Hydro Pump 2x100-118%KO Dig 2x28-33% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Magikarp (Route 4 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Gyarados builds →Earthquake 2x78-93% Hydro Pump 2x61-72% | ||
Omastar RockWater | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Omanyte (Cinnabar Island Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Omastar builds →Hydro Pump 2x104-123%KO Ancient Power 2x40-47% Mud Shot 2x24-29% | ||
Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x81-96% Rock Tomb 2x28-33% | ||
In FireRed & LeafGreen, Gengar's Explosion hits Ninetales for 50-59%. Magneton deals 36-42% with Thunderbolt.
S | ||
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Gengar builds →Thunderbolt34-41% Explosion50-59% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityKeeneye ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemMagnet NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Magneton builds →Thunderbolt36-42% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Celebi builds →Psychic24-28% Giga Drain10-11% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Ninetales View Forretress builds →Rapid Spin15-17% Explosion72-85% Earthquake 2x59-69% | ||
Ninetales Evolutions
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 102 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Disable, Feint Attack, Flail and 5 more.
FRLG Ninetales Best Moveset
100 Speed and 100 Sp. Def with AbilityFlash Fire absorbing Fire attacks for a damage boost. 81 Sp. Atk fires special Fire TermStab from a fast frame. The moveset leans on MoveFlamethrower and coverage moves, with Ninetales acting as a special tank that punishes opposing Fire types on the switch.
Best Build
Ninetales best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Attacker Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Will O Wisp
- Overheat
- Hypnosis
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Breeding's the move. Disable and Feint Attack give Ninetales options it can't learn any other way, and Normal and Ground coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Overheat and Fire Blast. The egg moves push it further.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Base Stats
It has nine long tails and fur that gleams gold. It is said to live for 1,000 years.
Very smart and very vengeful. Grabbing one of its many tails could result in a 1,000-year curse.
Ninetales FireRed & LeafGreen Guide
- Is Ninetales exclusive to LeafGreen or FireRed?
Ninetales is exclusive to Pokemon LeafGreen. FireRed players have to trade for one.
See the Locations section above for where to find Ninetales in LeafGreen.
How to trade in FireRed and LeafGreen
GBA cartridges: You need a Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable and both players' FireRed/LeafGreen cartridges. Trade at the Cable Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, which opens up shortly after Oak gives you the Pokedex.Nintendo Switch (2026 release): Trading uses local wireless only. There is no online play, and no Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required. Both players head to the Pokemon Wireless Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, then step into a Union Room. Up to four other players can join. Available once you have the Pokedex from Professor Oak.
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 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves