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.
A PONYTA is very weak at birth. It can barely stand up. Its legs become stronger as it stumbles and falls while trying to keep up with its parent.
Ponyta Weakness
AvgWater, Ground, and Rock-type moves hit Ponyta for super-effective damage. The Fire typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Flash Fire grants an additional Fire immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
Ponyta is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Rapidash. Check the evolution method below. A massive partner pool 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 with 102 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Charm, Double Kick, Double-Edge and 3 more to offspring.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 3.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Without breeding, Ponyta misses out on Charm and Double Kick. That's 6 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Overheat and Fire Blast, with Normal and Flying coverage and more rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
No wild encounters for Ponyta in Emerald. It's available in Red, Yellow, or Platinum and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
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
