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.
It is a weak runner immediately after birth. It gradually becomes faster by chasing after its parents.
Its hind legs, which have harder-than-diamond hooves, kick back at any presence it senses behind it.
Ponyta Weakness
AvgWater, Ground, and Rock-type moves hit Ponyta for super-effective damage. The Fire typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Not too many gaps in the chart, 3 weaknesses to account for.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
Ponyta is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Rapidash. Check the evolution method below. Plenty of 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 with 66 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Charm, Double Kick, Flame Wheel and 3 more to offspring.
Best Build
Gen 2 build content has limited support (no abilities).
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 Fire Blast and Flame Wheel, with Normal and Steel coverage rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Easy grab on Ponyta with high spawn rates across 10 locations in early-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Best Locations
Before you go hunting for Ponyta, check which of the 10 spots belong to your version. Gold and Silver each have different walking encounters at Lv. 6-42.
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 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
