Mid-stage Pokemon like Ponyta rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Rapidash, which is where the real potential kicks in. Sits at a decent but contested Speed tier. Only weak to Water, Ground, and Rock.
Everything pushes toward mixed damage here. Ponyta's Speed does the work, HP pays the price. But you're still getting 1 Speed EV per KO. Common in the wild, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
About an hour after birth, Ponyta’s fiery mane and tail grow out, giving the Pokémon an impressive appearance.
Its legs grow strong while it chases after its parents. It runs all day in fields and on mountains.
Ponyta Weakness
AvgWater, Ground, and Rock-type moves hit Ponyta for super-effective damage. 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.
Ponyta is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Rapidash. Check the evolution method below. No compatible partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 90 total stats over Ponyta.
How to Evolve
Breed Ponyta easily from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Ally Switch, Charm, Double Kick and 8 more to offspring.
Prediction matters here. Choice Band means Ponyta can't change moves after clicking, but the payoff is raw power at the cost of move flexibility. Max Attack and Speed EVs with Flame Body back that up. The remaining moves prevents free switches.
Best Build
Best Ponyta Moveset
- Flare Blitz
- High Horsepower
- Wild Charge
- Quick Attack
Without breeding, Ponyta misses out on Ally Switch and Charm. That's 11 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Overheat and Flare Blitz, with Normal and Steel coverage and more rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Ponyta is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 32 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations
32 walking encounters at Lv. 13-29 for Ponyta across Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
At 410 BST, Ponyta is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Rapidash before bringing it to any serious fight.
Watch for Starmie (Water), Golem (Ground), and Aerodactyl (Rock) when using Ponyta. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.
Ponyta can evolve into Rapidash and Galarian Rapidash depending on the method. Ponyta is the base form in a 3-stage evolutionary line.
Ponyta gets Flash Fire, Run Away, and Flame Body. But Flash Fire is the one that matters — it's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Ponyta is a physical attacker with base 85 Attack. But the speed tells the real story — base 90 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many.
Ponyta appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Available since Red & Blue, Ponyta appears in 20 games spanning 9 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained a Galarian form in Generation 8.
- 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 VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwShGalarian
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A