Special
Sweeper
105Speed · Fast

Is Rapidash Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

Rapidash with AbilityFlash Fire absorbs Fire moves and hits harder with its own. Speed keeps Rapidash ahead of most threats through the late-game. Handles Erika and contributes against Lorelei. AbilityRun Away is the ability you don't want. Flash Fire transforms Rapidash from a Fire-type into a Fire-immune Fire-type.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEEGSGETGGGGTEBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7PonytaCatchRapidashCatchableGiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Even

Ponyta trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Even
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Even

Ponyta trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.

Even
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
Even
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Good

Ponyta has the type edge here and should clean up Lt. Surge's team.

You Win
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
You Win
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
You Win
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Strong

Ponyta resists most of Erika's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
Easy KO
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
Easy KO
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Good

Ponyta has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Even
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Even
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Ponyta trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
Easy KO
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Tough

Blaine's typing presses Ponyta's defenses.

Even
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Even
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Risky
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Risky
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

Rapidash has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.

You Win
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
You Win
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
Even
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Even
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
You Win
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Good

Rapidash has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.

You Win
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
You Win
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
Even
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
Easy KO
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
You Win
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Rapidash has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

You Win
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
You Win
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
You Win
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
You Win
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
You Win
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Good

Rapidash has the type edge here and should clean up Agatha's team.

You Win
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
You Win
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
You Win
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
You Win
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
Even
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Tough

Lance's team hits Rapidash's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
Even
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
Even
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
Even
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
Risky
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Even

Rapidash trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.

Easy KO
Heracross
Lv 72
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornEarthquakeCounterRock Tomb
Even
Alakazam
Lv 73
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCalm MindReflect
Even
Tyranitar
Lv 72
RockDark
Sand Stream
CrunchEarthquakeThunderboltAerial Ace
Risky
Gyarados
Lv 73
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hydro PumpDragon DanceEarthquakeHyper Beam
Risky
Arcanine
Lv 73
Fire
Intimidate
Extreme SpeedOverheatAerial AceIron Tail
You Win
Venusaur
Lv 75
GrassPoison
Overgrow
Solar BeamSludge BombEarthquakeSunny Day
Catchable
Available after Badge 7
Type
Fire
Tier
B

Catch Rapidash on Kindle Road (walking, Lv 37-40, rare).

View Rapidash locations

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 37)
    • LV 37NormalTake Down9085%20
  • After Erika
    • TM35FireFlamethrower135100%15
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • TM22GrassSolar Beam120100%10
    • HM04NormalStrength80100%15
  • After Giovanni
    • TM50FireOverheat19590%5
    • LV 63FireFire Blast16585%5
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20
Catch Ponyta
Available after Badge 7
Type
Fire
Tier
E

Catch Ponyta on Kindle Road (walking, Lv 31-34, common).

View Ponyta locations

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 31)
    • LV 31NormalTake Down9085%20
  • After Erika
    • TM35FireFlamethrower135100%15
    • TM22GrassSolar Beam120100%10
    • HM04NormalStrength80100%15
    • LV 38PsychicAgility100%30
  • After Giovanni
    • TM50FireOverheat19590%5
    • LV 53FireFire Blast16585%5
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20

How to Get Rapidash in FireRed & LeafGreen

Rapidash shows up in the same Sevii Island areas as Ponyta but at much worse odds. Four encounters in both versions, all rare. You'll see plenty of Ponyta before spotting one.

2 locations to catch Rapidash

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 7

Where To Catch Rapidash in FRLG

To get Rapidash, start by catching Ponyta through walking encounters at Lv. 30-42. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

Rapidash Weakness

Type-wise, Rapidash takes extra damage from Water, Ground, and Rock. It resists 5 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Flash Fire grants an additional Fire immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Rapidash leans offensive (base 100 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.

Rapidash Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Ground, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Rapidash Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score-1
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Rapidash Strong Against

4Strong
4Resisted
0Immune
Score0
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Rapidash

Rapidash Evolutions

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

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Ponyta
Fire
Rapidash
Fire
HP
50
65+15
ATK
85
100+15
DEF
55
70+15
SP.ATK
65
80+15
SP.DEF
65
80+15
SPE
90
105+15
BST
410D-Tier
500C-Tier+90
ROLE
Balanced
Sweeper
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Rapidash to get Ponyta eggs easily using 102 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Charm, Double Kick, Double-Edge and 3 more.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosrhydondewgongarbokquagsirenidorinofarfetchdflaaffy

FRLG Rapidash Best Moveset

105 Speed and 100 Attack on a Fire type where all Fire moves use the Special stat, not the stronger Attack. AbilityFlash Fire absorbs Fire attacks for a damage boost. The moveset fights the type system: high physical power with no physical Fire TermStab to use it. MoveReturn carries the offense instead.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Attacker
Ability
Flash Fire
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Rapidash
Timid+SPE

Rapidash best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Attacker Moveset

  • Fire BlastSTAB
  • Sunny DaySTAB
  • Solar Beam
  • Baton Pass

Moves List

Breeding's the move. Charm and Double Kick give Rapidash options it can't learn any other way, and Normal and Flying coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Overheat and Fire Blast. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Ember
6010025Fire
Lv 1
Growl
D10040Normal
Lv 1
Quick Attack+1
D4010030Normal
Lv 1
Tail Whip
10030Normal
Lv 5
Growl
D10040Normal
Lv 9
Tail Whip
10030Normal
Lv 14
Ember
6010025Fire
Lv 19
Stomp
C6510020Normal
Lv 25
Fire Spin
527015Fire
Lv 31
Take Down
C908520Normal
Lv 38
Agility
C30Psychic
Lv 40
Fury Attack
158520Normal
Lv 50
Bounce
85855Flying
Lv 63
Fire Blast
B180855Fire

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM38
Fire Blast
B180855Fire
TM35
Flamethrower
C14210015Fire
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM23
Iron Tail
C1007515Steel
TM50
Overheat
B210905Fire
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM22
Solar Beam
B12010010Grass
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
B5Fire
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Charm
D10020Normal
Egg
Double Kick
3010030Fighting
Egg
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal
Egg
Flame Wheel
C9010025Fire
Egg
Hypnosis
A6020Psychic
Egg
Thrash
12010020Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Substitute
A10Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
High
HP65
C
Attack100
B
Defense70
C
Sp. Atk80
C
Sp. Def80
C
Speed105
B
Total500
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging60 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.7 m
Weight95.0 kg
Base XP175
Abilities
Run Away
Ensures success fleeing from wild battles.
Flash Fire
Protects against fire moves. Once one has been blocked, the Pokémon's own Fire moves inflict 1.5× damage until it leaves battle.
Flash Fire grants Fire immunity
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Speed training target
Pokedex Entry

It can gallop at a top speed of 150 miles per hour. It can race as fast as a bullet train while ablaze.

Very competitive, this POKéMON will chase anything that moves fast in the hopes of racing it.

Rapidash FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • Rapidash can be caught in the wild at Kindle Road and Mt Ember in Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen.

Game Availability

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.

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