Flash Fire absorbs Fire hits for Ninetales at C-Tier in Platinum. Heat Wave from the tutors aids doubles, and Will-o-Wisp cripples physical attackers alongside Flamethrower same-type attacks.
Ability 1Flash FireAbility 1Protects against fire moves. Once one has been blocked, the Pokémon's own Fire moves inflict 1.5× damage until it leaves battle.
505HP73Attack76Defense75Speed100Sp.Def100Sp.Atk81
Vulpix
Ninetales
Weak to
Special
Pivot
100Speed · Fast

Is Ninetales Good in Platinum Playthrough?

Fire Stone evolution from Vulpix, which is harder to get in Platinum than Diamond and Pearl. Ninetales handles Gardenia, Candice, and Aaron if you manage it. But Houndour on Route 214 is the easier Fire answer this time.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTTTGESSGGEEGSGSERoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2VulpixCatchableNinetalesEvolveFantinaGym 3MayleneGym 4Crasher WakeGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4JupiterBossMarsBossSaturnBossCynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Tough

Roark's team hits Vulpix's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
Risky
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
Risky
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Tough

Gardenia's typing presses Vulpix's defenses.

Even
Turtwig
Lv 20
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafSunny DayReflect
Risky
Cherrim
Lv 20
Grass
Flower Gift
Grass KnotLeech SeedMagical LeafSafeguard
Risky
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Fantina
Gym 3
Tough

Fantina's typing presses Ninetales's defenses.

Risky
Duskull
Lv 24
Ghost
Levitate
Will O WispPursuitShadow SneakFuture Sight
Risky
Haunter
Lv 24
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow ClawSucker PunchHypnosisConfuse Ray
Avoid
Mismagius
Lv 26
Ghost
Levitate
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Maylene
Gym 4
Good

Ninetales has the type edge here and should clean up Maylene's team.

You Win
Meditite
Lv 28
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionRock TombFake Out
You Win
Machoke
Lv 29
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopRock TombStrengthFocus Energy
Easy KO
Lucario
Lv 32
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 5
Even

Ninetales trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.

Risky
Gyarados
Lv 33
WaterFlying
Intimidate
WaterfallBrineBiteTwister
You Win
Quagsire
Lv 34
WaterGround
Damp
Mud ShotRock TombWater PulseYawn
Even
Floatzel
Lv 37
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangCrunchAqua Jet
Byron
Gym 6
Strong

Ninetales resists most of Byron's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Magneton
Lv 37
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Flash CannonThunderboltTri AttackMetal Sound
You Win
Steelix
Lv 38
SteelGround
Rock Head
Flash CannonIce FangEarthquakeSandstorm
You Win
Bastiodon
Lv 41
RockSteel
Sturdy
Metal BurstStone EdgeIron DefenseTaunt
Candice
Gym 7
Strong

Ninetales resists most of Candice's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Sneasel
Lv 40
DarkIce
Inner Focus
SlashAerial AceFeint AttackIce Shard
Easy KO
Piloswine
Lv 40
IceGround
Oblivious
AvalancheStone EdgeEarthquakeHail
Easy KO
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerWater PulseFocus Blast
You Win
Froslass
Lv 44
IceGhost
Snow Cloak
BlizzardDouble TeamShadow BallPsychic
Volkner
Gym 8
Good

Ninetales has the type edge here and should clean up Volkner's team.

You Win
Jolteon
Lv 46
Electric
Volt Absorb
Thunder WaveCharge BeamIron TailQuick Attack
You Win
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamFocus BlastSignal BeamQuick Attack
You Win
Luxray
Lv 48
Electric
Rivalry
Ice FangThunder FangCrunchFire Fang
Even
Electivire
Lv 50
Electric
Motor Drive
Thunder PunchFire PunchQuick AttackGiga Impact
Aaron
Elite Four
Good

Ninetales has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.

Easy KO
Yanmega
Lv 49
BugFlying
Speed Boost
Air SlashBug BuzzU TurnDouble Team
Easy KO
Scizor
Lv 49
BugSteel
Swarm
Iron HeadX ScissorNight SlashQuick Attack
Easy KO
Vespiquen
Lv 50
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
You Win
Heracross
Lv 51
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
Even
Drapion
Lv 53
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Even

Ninetales trades roughly evenly with Bertha's team.

You Win
Whiscash
Lv 50
WaterGround
Oblivious
Earth PowerAqua TailZen HeadbuttSandstorm
Even
Gliscor
Lv 53
GroundFlying
Hyper Cutter
EarthquakeIce FangFire FangThunder Fang
You Win
Hippowdon
Lv 52
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchYawn
Even
Golem
Lv 52
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeFire PunchThunder PunchSandstorm
Even
Rhyperior
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
EarthquakeRock WreckerMegahornAvalanche
Flint
Elite Four
Even

Ninetales trades roughly evenly with Flint's team.

Even
Houndoom
Lv 52
DarkFire
Early Bird
FlamethrowerSludge BombDark PulseSunny Day
Even
Flareon
Lv 55
Fire
Flash FireImmune to Fire attacks
OverheatGiga ImpactQuick AttackWill O Wisp
Even
Rapidash
Lv 53
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
Risky
Infernape
Lv 55
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
Even
Magmortar
Lv 57
Fire
Flame Body
FlamethrowerThunderboltSolar BeamHyper Beam
Lucian
Elite Four
Good

Ninetales has the type edge here and should clean up Lucian's team.

You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 53
Psychic
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
You Win
Espeon
Lv 55
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallQuick AttackSignal Beam
You Win
Bronzong
Lv 54
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 56
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Even
Gallade
Lv 59
PsychicFighting
Steadfast
Drain PunchPsycho CutLeaf BladeStone Edge
Jupiter
Commander
Strong

Ninetales resists most of Jupiter's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Zubat
Lv 21
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Giga DrainWing AttackBite
You Win
Skuntank
Lv 23
PoisonDark
Stench
Night SlashPoison GasScreechSmokescreen
Mars
Commander
Good

Ninetales has the type edge here and should clean up Mars's team.

You Win
Golbat
Lv 38
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBiteToxicSupersonic
Easy KO
Bronzor
Lv 38
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryIron DefenseConfuse Ray
You Win
Purugly
Lv 40
Normal
Thick Fat
SlashFeint AttackHypnosisFake Out
Saturn
Commander
Strong

Ninetales resists most of Saturn's coverage and hits back hard.

You Win
Golbat
Lv 42
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBitePoison FangConfuse Ray
Easy KO
Bronzor
Lv 42
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryShadow BallConfuse Ray
Easy KO
Toxicroak
Lv 44
PoisonFighting
Anticipation
Poison JabBrick BreakX ScissorFeint Attack
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Ninetales trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

You Win
Spiritomb
Lv 58
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindShadow Ball
Easy KO
Roserade
Lv 58
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombToxicExtrasensory
Even
Togekiss
Lv 60
NormalFlying
Hustle
Air SlashAura SphereWater PulseShock Wave
You Win
Lucario
Lv 60
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereExtreme SpeedShadow BallStone Edge
Even
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatDragon Pulse
Avoid
Garchomp
Lv 62
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeFlamethrowerGiga Impact

Catch Vulpix

Available after Badge 2
Type
Fire
Tier
E

Catch Vulpix on Route 209 (walking, Lv 17-19, rare). Pokémon LeafGreen in GBA slot.

View Vulpix locations

Evolve Vulpix to Ninetales

Use Fire Stone
Type
Fire
Tier
C

Vulpix evolves into Ninetales with a Fire Stone. You can pick up the Fire Stone in Fuego Ironworks. 2 other locations are also available.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Ninetales in Platinum

A Fire Stone evolves Vulpix into Ninetales, the only way to one in Sinnoh. Getting the Vulpix to use it on requires a LeafGreen cartridge in the GBA slot.

Wild Ninetales may be holding when caught:

Rawst Berry (always) Held: Consumed when burned to cure a burn.

Catch Vulpix at any of these 2 spots to eventually evolve into Ninetales.

Encountered via tall grass encounters

  1. 1
    Catch Vulpix
  2. 2
    Evolve NinetalesUse Fire Stone
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5

How to Obtain Ninetales in Pt

  1. Ninetales
    Step 2Ninetales ✓
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Vulpix egg.

How to Get Shiny Ninetales in Platinum

Ninetales needs a Fire Stone, so chain Vulpix on Route 209 or Route 214 to 40 for a shiny first, then evolve it. Compare Shiny Ninetales odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Ninetales in PlatinumNormal
Shiny Ninetales in Platinum Shiny
Color ShiftYellowtoBlue
Shiny TierA Tier Shiny

Shiny Ninetales Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Platinum Shiny Ninetales Calculator

3 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is PokeRadar Chain at full boosts, about 1 in 200 on each try. Tune it below.

Step 1 · Encounter Method3 in Platinum

PokeRadar Chain: Chain shaking-grass patches without breaking the combo. The rate peaks at a chain of 40.

Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Step 2 · Boost Your Oddstap to add
00

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 200PokeRadar Chain
Chance By Now50.2%at 139 encountersAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few22----
25%one in four58----
50%coin flip139----
90%very likely460----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Planning a longer hunt? Set up Ninetales in the Platinum Shiny Odds Calculator to compare every method side by side.

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.

Ninetales Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Ground, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Ninetales Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score-1
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Ninetales Strong Against

4Strong
4Resisted
0Immune
Score0
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Ninetales

Palkia
Palkia
WaterDragon
S
B
Garchomp
Garchomp
DragonGround
S
Marowak
Marowak
Ground
C
Rhydon
Rhydon
GroundRock
C

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

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Vulpix
Fire
Ninetales
Fire
HP
38
73+35
ATK
41
76+35
DEF
40
75+35
SP.ATK
50
81+31
SP.DEF
65
100+35
SPE
65
100+35
BST
299E-Tier
505C-Tier+206
ROLE
Balanced
Pivot
TYPE
Utility
Mixed

Breeding

Easy

Breed with Ninetales to get Vulpix eggs easily using 131 partners from the Field egg group. Notable egg moves include Disable, Energy Ball, Extrasensory and 8 more.

Egg Groups
Field
Gender
♂25.0%♀75.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
11moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosrhydondewgongarbokquagsirenidorinofarfetchdflaaffy

Pt Ninetales Best Moveset

100 Speed and 100 Sp. Def make Ninetales a fast specially bulky Fire type, which is a rare combination. The moveset runs special Fire attacks off 81 Sp. Atk with AbilityFlash Fire turning incoming Fire moves into free power. Not a hard hitter, but hard to remove.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Setup Sweeper
Ability
Flash Fire
Item
Salac BerryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Ninetales
Timid+SPE

Ninetales best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • Energy Ball
  • Nasty Plot
  • FlamethrowerSTAB
  • Fire BlastSTAB

Moves List

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

Lv 1
Confuse Ray
C—10010Ghost
Lv 1
Ember
—6010025Fire
Lv 1
Nasty Plot
B——20Dark
Lv 1
Quick Attack+1
D4010030Normal
Lv 1
Safeguard
D——25Normal

TM Moves

29 of 33 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractAmity Squarebadge 2
——10015Normal
TM04
Calm MindExchange Service Corner counter at the Battle Frontier, which you enter from the Fight Area
C——20Psychic
TM78
CaptivateRoute 204badge 2
——10020Normal
TM79
Dark PulseVictory Roadnot until badge 8
C8010015Dark
TM28
DigManiac Tunnelbadge 3
C8010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamWayward Cavebadge 2
———15Normal
TM85
Dream EaterValor Lakefrontnot until badge 7
C10010015Psychic
TM58
Endure+4Veilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
TM42
FacadeSurvival Area
D7010020Normal
TM38
Fire BlastLake Veritybadge 3
A180855Fire
TM35
FlamethrowerVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
B14210015Fire
TM21
FrustrationVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM68
Giga ImpactVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
C150905Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D6010015Normal
TM15C150905Normal
TM23
Iron TailIron Islandbadge 5
D1007515Steel
TM83
Natural GiftVeilstone Department Storebadge 3
D—10015Normal
TM50B210905Fire
TM66
PaybackRoute 215badge 3
D5010010Dark
TM17C——10Normal
TM77
Psych UpRoute 211badge 5
———10Normal
TM44C——10Psychic
TM27D—10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6Route 213not until badge 7
C——20Normal
TM20D——25Normal
TM43
Secret PowerAmity Squarebadge 2
—7010020Normal
TM82
Sleep TalkEterna Forestbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM22C12010010Grass
TM90
SubstituteVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM87
SwaggerPokémon Mansionbadge 4
——9015Normal
TM06
ToxicRoute 212badge 4
C—8510Poison
TM61
Will-O-WispExchange Service Corner counter at the Battle Frontier, which you enter from the Fight Area
C—7515Fire

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Disable
D—8020Normal
Egg
Energy Ball
B8010010Grass
Egg
Extrasensory
C8010030Psychic
Egg
Feint Attack
—60—20Dark
Egg
Flail
D—10015Normal
Egg
Flare Blitz
B18010015Fire
Egg
Heat Wave
C1509010Fire
Egg
Howl
———40Normal
Egg
Hypnosis
D—7020Psychic
Egg
Psych Up
———10Normal
Egg
Spite
——10010Ghost

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Heat Wave
C1509010Fire
Tutor
Ominous Wind
D601005Ghost
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal
Tutor
Spite
——10010Ghost
Tutor
Swift
—60—20Normal
Tutor
Zen Headbutt
D809015Psychic

Reminder Moves

Rem
Rem
Captivate
——10020Normal
Rem
Extrasensory
C8010030Psychic
Rem
Fire Blast
A180855Fire
Rem
Fire Spin
—527015Fire
Rem
Flamethrower
B14210015Fire
Rem
Grudge
———5Ghost
Rem
Imprison
———10Psychic
Rem
Payback
D5010010Dark
Rem
Roar-6
C——20Normal
Rem
Tail Whip
——10030Normal
Rem
Will-O-Wisp
C—7515Fire

Base Stats

Base Stats
High
HP73
C
Attack76
C
Defense75
C
Sp. Atk81
C
Sp. Def100
B
Speed100
B
Total505
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging75 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.1 m
Weight19.9 kg
Base XP177
Abilities
Flash Fire
Protects against fire moves. Once one has been blocked, the Pokémon's own Fire moves inflict 1.5× damage until it leaves battle.
Flash Fire grants Fire immunity
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpD+1Spe+1
Special Defense training target
Pokedex Entry

Its nine tails are said to be imbued with a mystic power. It can live for a thousand years.

Pokemon Platinum

Ninetales Platinum Guide

  • In Platinum, Ninetales plays as a pivot. It outspeeds most threats, so it can pressure opponents before they move. Flamethrower is the primary attack.

  • In Platinum, Ninetales pairs best with Gengar, Crobat, and Forretress. Gengar has Decent synergy and covers what Ninetales can't handle on its own.

  • Yes. Alolan Ninetales is a regional variant with different typing and a reworked stat spread. Introduced in Gen 7. Plays completely differently from the original.

  • In Platinum, Timid is the go-to nature for Ninetales. That's +Speed / -Attack. Pair it with 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe EVs. Fits the pivot role.

Game Availability

Available since Red & Blue, Ninetales appears in 21 games spanning 9 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained an Alolan form in Generation 7.

Explore

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