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.
Little can stand up to its Psycho Cut
Brave and prideful, this Pokémon dashes airily through the forest, its steps aided by the psychic power stored in the fur on its fetlocks.
Type-wise, Rapidash takes extra damage from Poison, Ghost, and Steel. Dragon moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. Rapidash leans offensive (base 100 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Poison, Ghost, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Psychic |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Dragon |
In Sword & Shield, Amoonguss's Sludge Bomb hits Rapidash for 76-90%. Blacephalon's Shadow Ball also KOs at 131-154%.
 Heatran FireSteel | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
 Amoonguss GrassPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Amoonguss builds →Sludge Bomb 2x76-90% Giga Drain32-38% | ||
 Blacephalon FireGhost | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Blacephalon builds →Shadow Ball 2x131-154%KO Flamethrower73-86% Overheat106-124%KO | ||
 Scizor BugSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch 2x60-71% Knock Off32-38% | ||
 Gengar GhostPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityCursedbody ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Rapidash View Gengar builds →Shadow Ball 2x117-138%KO Sludge Bomb 2x132-155%KO Giga Drain37-43% | ||
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 152 partners from the Ground egg group.
Flare Blitz is the safe click most turns. Choice Band locks Rapidash into it but rewards with raw power at the cost of move flexibility. Jolly nature and max Attack and Speed EVs maximize that first hit. Flashfire helps on the margins.
Best Build
Rapidash best EVs are Attack and Speed
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
Moves
TMs define Rapidash's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Future Sight and Psychic, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 9 types. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
No wild encounters for Galarian 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 ✓
In Sword & Shield, Rapidash has a 500 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a niche pick in Sword & Shield's meta. It works best as a sweeper. Flare Blitz with Choice Band is the standard set.
In Sword & Shield, Rapidash's biggest threats include Gengar (Poison), Misdreavus (Ghost), and Scizor (Steel), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Rapidash's base 105 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.
Run Away is the go-to ability for Rapidash. It ensures success fleeing from wild battles. Its hidden ability Anticipation can work in specific setups. Pastel Veil is the other option. Pick based on what your team needs.
In Sword & Shield, 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.
In Sword & Shield, the 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