What does Poochyena evolve into?

Get Poochyena to Mightyena at level 18. At 220 BST, Poochyena is just the starting point.

At what level does Poochyena evolve?

Level 18 gets you Mightyena . Quick enough that Poochyena barely slows you down.

Should I use Poochyena?

In Platinum, Poochyena does the job early-game if you need a Dark type on your team. Evolve it into Mightyena before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.

Where can you catch Poochyena?

You can find Poochyena in Platinum. The Locations section has the full breakdown of routes and encounter details. It also appears in 13 other games across the series.

Poochyena - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Balanced

DTier

35Speed · Very Slow

Stats & Training

Poochyena's stats barely vary. None sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 1 Attack EV, medium-fast 1M XP curve to max.

Base Stats

Below

HP35

Attack55

Defense35

Sp. Atk30

Sp. Def30

Speed35

Total220

Details

Catch Rate

Guaranteed255 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height0.5 m

Weight13.6 kg

Base XP56

Abilities

Run Away

Ensures success fleeing from wild battles.

Quick Feet

Increases Speed to 1.5× with a major status ailment.

RattledHANot in game

Raises Speed one stage upon being hit by a dark, ghost, or bug move.

EV Yield

HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe

Attack training source

Pokedex Entries

A Pokémon with a persistent nature, it chases its chosen prey until the prey becomes exhausted.

Platinum

Poochyena Weakness

Fighting and Bug moves hit Poochyena for super-effective damage. The upside? Psychic-type moves can't touch it at all. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.

Poochyena Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Fighting, Bug
0.5x (Resist)	Ghost, Dark
0x (Immune)	Psychic

Type ChartGood

2Weak

2Resist

1Immune

Score+1

Gen IV Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Fighting Bug

½xResist

Ghost Dark

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Psychic

STAB (2)

Psychic Ghost

How to Beat Poochyena in Platinum (Best Counters)

Heracross BugFighting	B
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Focus BlastTM52 Brick BreakTM31 Rock SmashHM06 Damage vs Poochyena Focus Punch 2x 393-463%KO Focus Blast 2x 149-176%KO Brick Break 2x 200-236%KO Rock Smash 2x 109-129%KO View Heracross builds →
Machoke Fighting	C
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Focus BlastTM52 Brick BreakTM31 Vital ThrowLv. 25 Damage vs Poochyena Focus Punch 2x 327-386%KO Focus Blast 2x 174-206%KO Brick Break 2x 167-197%KO Vital Throw 2x 156-184%KO View Machoke builds →
Kricketune Bug	C
Available Moves Moves Leech LifeLv. 14 X-ScissorLv. 30 Brick BreakTM31 Fury CutterLv. 10 Damage vs Poochyena Leech Life 2x 156-184%KO X-Scissor 2x 156-184%KO Brick Break 2x 99-117%KO Fury Cutter 2x 80-94% View Kricketune builds →
Medicham FightingPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Focus BlastTM52 Brick BreakTM31 Drain PunchTM60 Damage vs Poochyena Focus Punch 2x 226-266%KO Focus Blast 2x 196-231%KO Brick Break 2x 116-137%KO Drain Punch 2x 116-137%KO View Medicham builds →
Beautifly BugFlying	D
TM Move Moves U-turnTM89 Damage vs Poochyena U-turn 2x 120-141%KO View Beautifly builds →

Platinum Evolution

Poochyena evolves into Mightyena. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. The evolved forms gain up to 200 total stats over Poochyena. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms

#261Poochyena

Level 18

#262Mightyena

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Poochyena

Dark

Mightyena

Dark

70+35

ATK

90+35

DEF

70+35

SP.ATK

60+30

SP.DEF

60+30

SPE

70+35

BST

220D-Tier

420C-Tier+200

ROLE

Balanced

TYPE

Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Poochyena easily with 131 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Astonish, Covet, Fire Fang and 7 more to offspring.

Egg Groups

Ground

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

15 cycles·3,855 steps

Quick~4 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

10moves

Breed With (best first)

Platinum Poochyena Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Moves

Without breeding, Poochyena misses out on Astonish and Covet. That's 10 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Crunch and Dark Pulse, with coverage across 9 types rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Tackle

—3510035Normal

Lv 5

Howl

———40Normal

Lv 9

Sand Attack

D—10015Ground

Lv 13

Bite

D6010025Dark

Lv 17

Odor Sleuth

———40Normal

Lv 21

Roar-6

C——20Normal

Lv 25

Swagger

——9015Normal

Lv 29

Assurance

—5010010Dark

Lv 33

Scary Face

D—9010Normal

Lv 37

Taunt

C—10020Dark

Lv 41

Embargo

——10015Dark

Lv 45

Take Down

—908520Normal

Lv 49

Sucker Punch+1

D801005Dark

Lv 53

Crunch

C8010015Dark

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

——10015Normal

TM78

Captivate

——10020Normal

TM79

Dark Pulse

D8010015Dark

TM28

Dig

D8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM63

Embargo

——10015Dark

TM58

Endure+4

———10Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM23

Iron Tail

D1007515Steel

TM83

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

TM66

Payback

D5010010Dark

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM05

Roar-6

C——20Normal

HM06

Rock Smash

D4010015Fighting

TM43

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM30

Shadow Ball

D8010015Ghost

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM49

Snatch+4

———10Dark

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM11

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM12

Taunt

C—10020Dark

TM46

Thief

—6010025Dark

TM41

Torment

——10015Dark

TM06

Toxic

C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg

Astonish

—3010015Ghost

Egg

Covet

—6010025Normal

Egg

Fire Fang

D659515Fire

Egg

Ice Fang

D659515Ice

Egg

Leer

——10030Normal

Egg

Me First

———20Normal

Egg

Poison Fang

D5010015Poison

Egg

Sucker Punch+1

D801005Dark

Egg

Thunder Fang

D659515Electric

Egg

Yawn

D——10Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

Tutor

Snore

D4010015Normal

Tutor

Spite

——10010Ghost

Tutor

Sucker Punch+1

D801005Dark

Tutor

Uproar

—9010010Normal

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Body Slam

D8510015Normal

Gen 3

Counter-5

D—10020Fighting

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Gen 3

Psych Up

———10Normal

Platinum Poochyena Locations

You won't find Poochyena walking around in the overworld. It shows up exclusively through the PokeRadar, with 1 locations where you can trigger the encounter. These become available in mid-game encounter areas.

Best Locations to Catch Poochyena in Platinum

Route 214

Using PokeRadar Lv.20-22 Route

UncommonMid

Poochyena Guide

Get Poochyena to Mightyena at level 18. At 220 BST, Poochyena is just the starting point.
Level 18 gets you Mightyena. Quick enough that Poochyena barely slows you down.
In Platinum, Poochyena does the job early-game if you need a Dark type on your team. Evolve it into Mightyena before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
You can find Poochyena in Platinum. The Locations section has the full breakdown of routes and encounter details. It also appears in 13 other games across the series.

Game Availability

Poochyena first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 14 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Pineco Bug	D
Available Moves Moves Bug BiteLv. 9 Rock SmashHM06 Damage vs Poochyena Bug Bite 2x 87-103%KO Rock Smash 2x 39-47% View Pineco builds →
Anorith RockBug	D
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Brick BreakTM31 Rock SmashHM06 Damage vs Poochyena Brick Break 2x 92-111%KO Rock Smash 2x 53-63% View Anorith builds →
Kricketot Bug	D
Upcoming Move Moves Bug BiteLv. 16 Learns Bug Bite at Level 16 View Kricketot builds →

Heracross BugFighting	B
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Brick BreakTM31 Rock SmashHM06 Damage vs Poochyena Focus Punch 2x 382-450%KO Brick Break 2x 192-228%KO Rock Smash 2x 106-126%KO View Heracross builds →
Pineco Bug	D
Available Moves Moves Bug BiteLv. 9 Rock SmashHM06 Damage vs Poochyena Bug Bite 2x 96-114%KO Rock Smash 2x 44-52% View Pineco builds →
Combee BugFlying	D
Available Move Moves Bug BiteLv. 13 Damage vs Poochyena Bug Bite 2x 66-78% View Combee builds →
Burmy Bug	D
Available Move Moves Bug BiteLv. 15 Damage vs Poochyena Bug Bite 2x 60-72% View Burmy builds →
Caterpie Bug	D
Available Move Moves Bug BiteLv. 15 Damage vs Poochyena Bug Bite 2x 66-78% View Caterpie builds →

Heracross BugFighting	B
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Brick BreakTM31 Rock SmashHM06 Damage vs Poochyena Focus Punch 2x 377-445%KO Brick Break 2x 192-227%KO Rock Smash 2x 106-126%KO View Heracross builds →
Machoke Fighting	C
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Brick BreakTM31 Vital ThrowLv. 25 RevengeLv. 22 Damage vs Poochyena Focus Punch 2x 316-373%KO Brick Break 2x 160-189%KO Vital Throw 2x 152-179%KO Revenge 2x 131-155%KO View Machoke builds →
Kricketune Bug	C
Available Moves Moves Leech LifeLv. 14 Brick BreakTM31 Fury CutterLv. 10 Rock SmashHM06 Damage vs Poochyena Leech Life 2x 152-179%KO Brick Break 2x 95-113%KO Fury Cutter 2x 77-92% Rock Smash 2x 52-61% View Kricketune builds →
Medicham FightingPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Brick BreakTM31 Rock SmashHM06 Damage vs Poochyena Focus Punch 2x 218-256%KO Brick Break 2x 110-131%KO Rock Smash 2x 61-73% View Medicham builds →
Pineco Bug	D
Available Moves Moves Bug BiteLv. 9 Rock SmashHM06 Damage vs Poochyena Bug Bite 2x 94-111%KO Rock Smash 2x 44-52% View Pineco builds →

Heracross BugFighting	B
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Close CombatLv. 37 Focus BlastTM52 Brick BreakTM31 Damage vs Poochyena Focus Punch 2x 388-457%KO Close Combat 2x 309-365%KO Focus Blast 2x 144-170%KO Brick Break 2x 197-232%KO View Heracross builds →
Machoke Fighting	C
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Focus BlastTM52 SubmissionLv. 32 Brick BreakTM31 Damage vs Poochyena Focus Punch 2x 324-382%KO Focus Blast 2x 170-201%KO Submission 2x 174-205%KO Brick Break 2x 165-194%KO View Machoke builds →
Scyther BugFlying	C
Available Moves Moves X-ScissorTM81 Brick BreakTM31 U-turnTM89 Silver WindTM62 Damage vs Poochyena X-Scissor 2x 188-222%KO Brick Break 2x 117-139%KO U-turn 2x 165-194%KO Silver Wind 2x 92-109%KO View Scyther builds →
Medicham FightingPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 High Jump KickLv. 32 Focus BlastTM52 Brick BreakTM31 Damage vs Poochyena Focus Punch 2x 217-256%KO High Jump Kick 2x 188-222%KO Focus Blast 2x 191-225%KO Brick Break 2x 109-130%KO View Medicham builds →
Croagunk PoisonFighting	D
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Focus BlastTM52 X-ScissorTM81 Brick BreakTM31 Damage vs Poochyena Focus Punch 2x 219-259%KO Focus Blast 2x 193-228%KO X-Scissor 2x 78-93% Brick Break 2x 113-133%KO View Croagunk builds →

Heracross BugFighting	B
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Close CombatLv. 37 Focus BlastTM52 Brick BreakTM31 Damage vs Poochyena Focus Punch 2x 387-456%KO Close Combat 2x 312-367%KO Focus Blast 2x 144-169%KO Brick Break 2x 195-230%KO View Heracross builds →
Machoke Fighting	C
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Focus BlastTM52 Cross ChopLv. 40 SubmissionLv. 32 Damage vs Poochyena Focus Punch 2x 322-380%KO Focus Blast 2x 168-198%KO Cross Chop 2x 217-255%KO Submission 2x 173-204%KO View Machoke builds →
Medicham FightingPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 High Jump KickLv. 32 Focus BlastTM52 Brick BreakTM31 Damage vs Poochyena Focus Punch 2x 217-255%KO High Jump Kick 2x 186-220%KO Focus Blast 2x 189-223%KO Brick Break 2x 111-131%KO View Medicham builds →
Croagunk PoisonFighting	D
Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Focus BlastTM52 X-ScissorTM81 Brick BreakTM31 Damage vs Poochyena Focus Punch 2x 219-259%KO Focus Blast 2x 193-227%KO X-Scissor 2x 79-94% Brick Break 2x 111-131%KO View Croagunk builds →
Riolu Fighting	D
Obtain MethodIron Island Gift Available Moves Moves Focus PunchTM01 Focus BlastTM52 Drain PunchTM60 Brick BreakTM31 Damage vs Poochyena Focus Punch 2x 240-284%KO Focus Blast 2x 132-156%KO Drain Punch 2x 121-144%KO Brick Break 2x 121-144%KO View Riolu builds →

Scizor BugSteel	A
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves Bullet Punch Superpower U Turn Pursuit Damage vs Poochyena Bullet Punch 114-134%KO Superpower 2x 454-535%KO U Turn 2x 397-468%KO Pursuit 38-45% View Scizor builds →
Forretress BugSteel	B
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves Rapid Spin SpikesHazard Explosion Payback Damage vs Poochyena Rapid Spin 35-41% Explosion 173-204%KO Payback 17-20% View Forretress builds →
Lucario FightingSteel	B
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves Close Combat Extreme Speed Swords Dance Bullet Punch Damage vs Poochyena Close Combat 2x 525-617%KO Extreme Speed 117-137%KO Bullet Punch 88-103%KO View Lucario builds →
Gallade PsychicFighting	C
Recommended Build AbilitySteadfast ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves Close Combat Ice Punch Shadow Sneak Leaf Blade Damage vs Poochyena Close Combat 2x 523-615%KO Shadow Sneak 29-34% View Gallade builds →