Rapidash's built around mixed offense. Speed leads the charge, HP pays for it. Moderately hard to find, worth 2 Speed EVs. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Fiery mane aglow, Rapidash darts like an arrow across the land. This prodigiously swift creature can traverse the vast region of Hisui in a day and a half.
Type-wise, Rapidash takes extra damage from Water, Ground, and Rock. 6 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that. Flash Fire grants an additional Fire immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Rapidash leans offensive (base 100 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
Greninja can KO Rapidash with Surf (145-171%). Garchomp threatens a KO with Earthquake (163-192%).
 Greninja WaterDark | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse65-76% Ice Beam24-28% Surf 2x145-171%KO U Turn14-16% | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x163-192%KO | ||
 Dondozo Water | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnaware ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves View Dondozo builds →
| ||
 Glimmora RockPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityToxicdebris ItemRed Card NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Glimmora builds →Power Gem 2x96-113%KO | ||
 Krookodile GroundDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMoxie ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 2x151-177%KO Knock Off49-58% Close Combat60-71% | ||
Rapidash is the evolved form of Ponyta. Breeding produces Ponyta eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Ponyta gave Rapidash the biggest boost in HP (+15), bringing the total to 500 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Rapidash to get Ponyta eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground egg group.
the remaining moves keeps opponents guessing about Rapidash's real targets. Life Orb provides extra damage on every hit for a health trade while max Attack and Speed EVs and Jolly nature handle the stat profile. Flashfire ties it together.
Best Build
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Flare Blitz
- High Horsepower
- Wild Charge
- Megahorn
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Flare Blitz
- Flame Charge
- Fire Blast
- Morning Sun
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Flare Blitz
- High Horsepower
- Wild Charge
- Megahorn
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Flare Blitz
- Flame Charge
- Fire Blast
- Morning Sun
Recommended Teammates
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
Rapidash's movepool balances level-up moves with TM options. Consistent STAB comes from Flare Blitz and Fire Blast, and Normal and Ground coverage and more keeps opponents from switching in for free. No major gaps here.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Breeding's the move. Ally Switch and Charm give Rapidash 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.
Stall teams hate this. Rapidash can spread damage across 11 types, with Bug and Poison punishing common defensive pivots. STAB from Overheat and Flare Blitz keeps the pressure honest on everything else.
Rapidash develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Megahorn and Fire Blast show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
A few locations for Rapidash with decent spawn rates across mid-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Rapidash in Legends: Arceus
Step 1Catch PonytaHorseshoe PlainsGrassUncommon
Step 2Rapidash ✓Horseshoe PlainsGrassUncommonor evolve from Ponyta (Step 1)
No wild encounters for Rapidash. The 2-stage line runs through Ponyta, which you can catch at solid rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 40 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Rapidash in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Rapidash, start by catching Ponyta through walking encounters at Lv. 13-29. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PonytaRoute 206Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.14-16 Route45%EarlyDayRoute 206Shining PearlGrass Lv.14-16 Route45%EarlyDayRoute 206Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.14-16 Route35%EarlyMorningRoute 206Shining PearlGrass Lv.14-16 Route35%EarlyMorningRoute 206Shining PearlGrass Lv.14-16 Route25%EarlyNightRoute 206Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.14-16 Route25%EarlyNightRoute 211 - WestBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.13 Route10%EarlyRoute 211 - WestShining PearlGrass Lv.13 Route10%EarlyRoute 210 - SouthShining PearlGrass Lv.18-20 Route50%MidDayRoute 210 - SouthBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.18-20 Route50%MidDayRoute 215Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.21-22 Route40%MidDayRoute 215Shining PearlGrass Lv.21-22 Route40%MidDayRoute 214Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.23-24 Route35%MidMorning/dayRoute 214Shining PearlGrass Lv.23-24 Route35%MidMorning/dayRoute 210 - SouthShining PearlGrass Lv.18-20 Route30%MidMorning/nightRoute 210 - SouthBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.18-20 Route30%MidMorning/nightRoute 215Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.21-22 Route30%MidMorningRoute 215Shining PearlGrass Lv.21-22 Route30%MidMorningRoute 214Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.23-24 Route25%MidNightRoute 214Shining PearlGrass Lv.23-24 Route25%MidNightRoute 215Shining PearlGrass Lv.21 Route20%MidNightRoute 215Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.21 Route20%MidNightRoute 211 - EastShining PearlGrass Lv.26-28 Route15%MidMorning/dayRoute 211 - EastBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.26-28 Route15%MidMorning/daySandsear CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.25-29 DesertMidRequires StrengthSandsear CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.25-29 DesertMidRequires StrengthTyphlo CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.25-29 CaveMidRequires StrengthTyphlo CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.25-29 CaveMidRequires StrengthVolcanic CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.25-29 VolcanoMidRequires StrengthVolcanic CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.25-29 VolcanoMidRequires StrengthRoute 211 - EastShining PearlGrass Lv.27-28 Route5%MidNightRoute 211 - EastBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.27-28 Route5%MidNight
Step 2Rapidash ✓
No wild encounters for Rapidash. The 2-stage line runs through Ponyta, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 40 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Rapidash in Sword & Shield
To get Rapidash, start by catching Ponyta through walking encounters at Lv. 34-65. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PonytaGlimwood TangleOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest10%LateSnowstormGlimwood TangleGrass Lv.34-36 Forest10%LateAll WeatherGlimwood TangleOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest10%LateThunderstormGlimwood TangleOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest10%LateIntense SunGlimwood TangleOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest10%LateSnowingGlimwood TangleOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest10%LateSandstormGlimwood TangleOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest10%LateRainingGlimwood TangleOverworld Lv.34-37 Forest10%LateHeavy FogGlimwood TangleOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest10%LateOvercastGlimwood TangleOverworld Lv.34-36 Forest10%LateNormal WeatherOld CemeteryOverworld Lv.60-6510%PostHeavy Fog
Step 2Rapidash ✓
moderate rates across 2 encounter spots for Rapidash. That's the kind of hunt where you pick one location and settle in. Sort by Best below to see where the odds are highest.
Where To Catch Rapidash in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
The path to Rapidash starts with Ponyta at Lv. 33-38 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch PonytaRoute 17Let's Go PikachuGrass Lv.33-38 Route20%LateRoute 17Let's Go EeveeGrass Lv.33-38 Route20%Late
Step 2Rapidash ✓Route 17Let's Go PikachuGrass Lv.33-38 Route5%LateRoute 17Let's Go EeveeGrass Lv.33-38 Route5%Lateor evolve from Ponyta (Step 1)
Don't let Rapidash's 500 base stat total fool you. Flash Fire is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier as a sweeper.
Run Flash Fire on Rapidash. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Rapidash also gets Run Away and Flame Body, but they don't compare. With base 105 Speed, Flash Fire gives Rapidash an edge before opponents can react.
Rapidash fills the sweeper role. It's a physical attacker with base 100 Attack. Base 105 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Best way to handle Rapidash: Priority moves (Mach Punch, Aqua Jet, Ice Shard) bypass its speed. Bulky walls that resist its STAB also shut it down.
Rapidash first appeared in Red & Blue and spans 20 games across 10 generations. It later gained a Galarian form in Generation 8, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShGalarian
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves