Stats & Training
Everything pushes toward physical damage here. Zangoose's Attack does the work, Defense pays the price. But you're still getting 2 Attack EVs per KO. Moderately hard to find, on a standard growth curve.
Its fur would all stand on end if it smelled a SEVIPER nearby. Its sharp claws tear up its foes.
Its fur would all stand on end if it smelled a SEVIPER nearby. Its sharp claws tear up its foes.
Zangoose Weakness
Zangoose's Normal typing leaves it vulnerable to Fighting. It shrugs off Ghost-type attacks completely. Zangoose leans offensive (base 115 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ghost |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Infernape can KO Zangoose with Close Combat (159-187%).
 Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Zangoose View Infernape builds →Close Combat 2x159-187%KO U Turn31-37% Fire Blast58-68% | ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution
Zangoose doesn't evolve, so breeding's where the action is. You'll find a massive partner pool across one egg group, and eggs are average hatch time. It's got 11 egg moves worth looking into. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Zangoose easily with 131 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Counter, Curse, Disable and 8 more to offspring.
HeartGold & SoulSilver Zangoose Best Moveset
Zangoose's locked into one move per switch-in with Choice Scarf, trading flexibility for speed patching through item lock. Close Combat is the go-to spam option, with the remaining moves keeping switch-ins honest.
Best Build
Zangoose best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- Close Combat
- Thunder Punch
- Ice Punch
- Night Slash
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Zangoose won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 14 types means it always has an effective option. Last Resort and Double-Edge anchor the STAB core.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Zangoose in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Zangoose doesn't appear in HeartGold & SoulSilver. Transfer it from Ruby, Diamond, or Scarlet to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Zangoose is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Catch in the wild in:
Then trade to HeartGold & SoulSilver.
Also found in:
Zangoose Guide
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Zangoose works as a cannon with 458 BST behind it. C-Tier on our list: a niche pick in HeartGold & SoulSilver's meta. Close Combat with Choice Scarf is the standard set.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, watch for Blaziken (Fighting) when using Zangoose. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Immunity prevents poison. That's the one you want on Zangoose. Toxic Boost is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Zangoose is a physical attacker with base 115 Attack. Speed tells the real story. Base 90 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. Fits the cannon role.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, run Close Combat, Thunderpunch, Icepunch, and Nightslash on Zangoose. Close Combat is the most common pick at 25% usage. This set covers the cannon role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Zangoose appears in 15 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through wild encounters.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
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 8SwSh
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