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No. 0038

Ninetales

Fox Pokémon

Ninetales official artwork
Official art

Ninetales is a Fire-type Pokémon, 2× weak to Ground, Rock and Water, with a base stat total of 505. In Pokémon Champions it’s #97 on the Doubles ladder and #176 in Singles, as of Oct 28, 2026.

Height
1.1 m 3′07″
Weight
19.9 kg 43.9 lbs
Base stat total
505 Higher than 73% of Pokémon
Introduced
Gen I Red & Green (JP)
Abilities
Champions#97 Doubles ▼2 · #176 Singles ▲3Usual set Charcoal · Timid · HP 2 / SpA 32 / Spe 32Full set →
The coat of gleaming golden fur is quite magnificent. This species is said to store sacred power in its nine long tails and to live for a millennium.
See all 18 entries

Base stats

HP73148–180256–350
Atk7686–140141–276
Def7585–139139–273
SpA8190–146150–287
SpD100108–167184–328
Spe100108–167184–328
Total505Higher than 73% of Pokémon
HP73Atk76Def75Spe100SpD100SpA81

Ranges in Pokémon Champions at Lv 50: 0 Stat Points with a −10% Stat Alignment to 32 Stat Points with a +10% one (HP has no alignment).Ranges in the main games at Lv 100: 0 IV/EV with a hindering nature to 31 IV/252 EV with a helpful nature. EV yield: 1 SpD, 1 Spe.

Stat calculatorChampions Stat Points & Stat Alignment, or EVs, IVs & nature
Calculate damage →

Type matchups

Weak to

2×
GroundRockWater

Resists

½×
BugFairyFireGrassIceSteel
Takes normal damage from 9 types
NormalFightingFlyingPoisonGhostElectricPsychicDragonDark

With : Fire becomes 0×

Speed tiers

The faster Pokémon moves first each turn, so knowing who you outspeed decides a lot of battles. These are its Speed values at Lv 50 in Pokémon Champions (base Speed 100); Scarf and Tailwind use the Max+ value.

Max+167Max152No SP120Min108Scarf250Tailwind334

At max Speed, Ninetales outspeeds 18 of the 30 most used Pokémon in Champions VGC on Showdown, and ties 2.

Speed at Lv 50 in Pokémon Champions: Ninetales against the 30 most used Pokémon in Champions VGC on Showdown, fastest first
SpeedPokémon
203Mega Garchomp ZModest · 32 SP · #21 on Showdown
200Mega GengarTimid · 32 SP · #26 on Showdown
190Mega Raichu YTimid · 23 SP · #13 on Showdown
189Mega SalamenceTimid · 32 SP · #4 on Showdown
184WhimsicottTimid · 32 SP · #23 on Showdown
178Mega MetagrossJolly · 32 SP · #28 on Showdown
178Mega StaraptorJolly · 32 SP · #29 on Showdown
172SneaslerAdamant · 32 SP · #2 on Showdown
169Mega FloetteTimid · 32 SP · #17 on Showdown
169GarchompJolly · 32 SP · #19 on Showdown
167Ninetales · Max+32 SP, Speed-raising alignment
167Mega Charizard YTimid · 32 SP · #14 on Showdown
167Mega GardevoirTimid · 32 SP · #20 on Showdown
161IndeedeeTimid · 32 SP · #30 on Showdown
156Hisuian ArcanineJolly · 32 SP · #16 on Showdown
152Ninetales · Max32 SP, neutral alignment
150ArchaludonTimid · 32 SP · #9 on Showdown
149GholdengoTimid · 32 SP · #8 on Showdown
143BasculegionJolly · 32 SP · #6 on Showdown
128PelipperTimid · 32 SP · #12 on Showdown
120Ninetales · No SP0 SP, neutral alignment
120VolcaronaBold · 0 SP · #25 on Showdown
105RillaboomAdamant · 0 SP · #1 on Showdown
101MiloticCalm · 0 SP · #15 on Showdown
95SylveonModest · 15 SP · #18 on Showdown
94Female IndeedeeRelaxed · 0 SP · #7 on Showdown
90PolitoedCalm · 0 SP · #22 on Showdown
90SinistchaBold · 0 SP · #24 on Showdown
85ArmarougeQuiet · 0 SP · #27 on Showdown
80IncineroarCareful · 0 SP · #3 on Showdown
80FarigirafBold · 0 SP · #11 on Showdown
70KingambitAdamant · 0 SP · #5 on Showdown
60Mega GolisopodAdamant · 0 SP · #10 on Showdown

Smogon · Showdown Others at their most common Speed investment in Champions VGC (Reg M-C · Doubles, Sep 2026); Pokémon holding a Mega Stone are shown as their Mega.

Abilities

Competitive

Ranked ladder · in-game

Doubles

#97 of 262 used

▼ 2 places since Oct 21
Oct 21Oct 28

Charcoal (34.4%) · (99.1%) · Timid (57.6%) · HP 2 / SpA 32 / Spe 32 (29.3%)

MovesHeat WaveProtectSolar BeamWeather Ball

Singles

#176 of 262 used

▲ 3 places since Oct 21
Oct 21Oct 28

Heat Rock (46.1%) · (95.9%) · Timid (60.6%) · HP 2 / SpA 32 / Spe 32 (21.4%)

MovesSolar BeamEncoreWill-O-WispFlamethrower

Daily usage rank on the Pokémon Champions ladder, updated Oct 28. Battle data provided by Pokémon Champions Battle Data.

Usage over time

Values
Ninetales, Champions VGC on Showdown, Showdown: top players (1760 weighting)
MonthRegulationBattlesShare of teams
Apr 2026Reg M-A3,122,2220.1%
May 2026Reg M-A3,355,6190.1%
Jun 2026Reg M-B1,163,3151.6%
Jul 2026Reg M-B1,764,6860.3%
Aug 2026Reg M-B1,269,2500.6%
Sep 2026Reg M-C1,631,9430.3%

Smogon · Showdown On Showdown

Sep 2026

0.6% of teams · rank #101 · Singles · about 327 teams · 145,642 battles · Sep 2026

Most common build

Ability
Stat Alignment
Timid
Stat Points
32 HP / 2 SpA / 32 Spe
  1. Encore
  2. Healing Wish
  3. Weather Ball
  4. Roar

Each part is the most used on its own, so not every team runs this exact set.

Usage by Showdown level

  • Showdown: all games0.7%
  • Showdown: average player (1500 weighting)0.7%
  • Showdown: competitive (1630 weighting)0.6%
  • Showdown: top players (1760 weighting) thin0.5%

Abilities

  • 99.7%
  • 0.3%

Stat Points

  • Timid 32 HP / 2 SpA / 32 Spe46.7%
  • Timid 1 HP / 32 SpA / 1 SpD / 32 Spe30.7%
  • Timid 32 HP / 2 Def / 32 Spe5.4%
  • Timid 32 SpA / 2 SpD / 32 Spe3.0%

These 4 cover 85.8% of its sets.

Most common partners

Other Showdown formats Scarlet & Violet, with Tera
SV SinglesZUSV DoublesDUUNational DexRU

Evolution

Moves

Level up 3

1Flamethrower10% chance to burn the target.FireSpec90100%15
1Quick AttackUsually goes first.NormalPhys40100%30
1Tail WhipLowers the foe(s) Defense by 1.NormalStatus—100%30

TM / HM / TR 51

TM01Take DownHas 1/4 recoil.NormalPhys9085%20
TM02CharmLowers the target's Attack by 2.FairyStatus—100%20
TM03Fake TearsLowers the target's Sp. Def by 2.DarkStatus—100%20
TM04AgilityRaises the user's Speed by 2.PsychicStatus——30
TM07ProtectPrevents moves from affecting the user this turn.NormalStatus——10
TM17Confuse RayConfuses the target.GhostStatus—100%10
TM24Fire SpinTraps and damages the target for 4-5 turns.FireSpec3585%15
TM25FacadePower doubles if user is burn/poison/paralyzed.NormalPhys70100%20
TM29HexPower doubles if the target has a status ailment.GhostSpec65100%10
TM30Snarl100% chance to lower the foe(s) Sp. Atk by 1.DarkSpec5595%15
TM32SwiftThis move does not check accuracy. Hits foes.NormalSpec60—20
TM38Flame Charge100% chance to raise the user's Speed by 1.FirePhys50100%20
TM41Stored Power + 20 power for each of the user's stat boosts.PsychicSpec20100%10
TM42Night ShadeDoes damage equal to the user's level.GhostSpec—100%15
TM47EndureUser survives attacks this turn with at least 1 HP.NormalStatus——10
TM49Sunny DayFor 5 turns, intense sunlight powers Fire moves.FireStatus——5
TM54PsyshockDamages target based on Defense, not Sp. Def.PsychicSpec80100%10
TM55DigDigs underground turn 1, strikes turn 2.GroundPhys80100%10
TM59Zen Headbutt20% chance to make the target flinch.PsychicPhys8090%15
TM62Foul PlayUses target's Attack stat in damage calculation.DarkPhys95100%15
TM66Body Slam30% chance to paralyze the target.NormalPhys85100%15
TM70Sleep TalkUser must be asleep. Uses another known move.NormalStatus——10
TM85RestUser sleeps 2 turns and restores HP and status.PsychicStatus——5
TM92ImprisonNo foe can use any move known by the user.PsychicStatus——10
TM94Dark Pulse20% chance to make the target flinch.DarkSpec80100%15
TM103SubstituteUser takes 1/4 its max HP to put in a substitute.NormalStatus——10
TM107Will-O-WispBurns the target.FireStatus—85%15
TM114Shadow Ball20% chance to lower the target's Sp. Def by 1.GhostSpec80100%15
TM118Heat Wave10% chance to burn the foe(s).FireSpec9590%10
TM119Energy Ball10% chance to lower the target's Sp. Def by 1.GrassSpec90100%10
TM122EncoreTarget repeats its last move for its next 3 turns.NormalStatus—100%5
TM125Flamethrower10% chance to burn the target.FireSpec90100%15
TM129Calm MindRaises the user's Sp. Atk and Sp. Def by 1.PsychicStatus——20
TM130Helping HandOne adjacent ally's move power is 1.5× this turn.NormalStatus——20
TM132Baton PassUser switches, passing stat changes and more.NormalStatus——40
TM140Nasty PlotRaises the user's Sp. Atk by 2.DarkStatus——20
TM141Fire Blast10% chance to burn the target.FireSpec11085%5
TM152Giga ImpactUser cannot move next turn.NormalPhys15090%5
TM157OverheatLowers the user's Sp. Atk by 2.FireSpec13090%5
TM163Hyper BeamUser cannot move next turn.NormalSpec15090%5
TM165Flare BlitzHas 33% recoil. 10% chance to burn. Thaws user.FirePhys120100%15
TM168Solar BeamCharges turn 1. Hits turn 2. No charge in sunlight.GrassSpec120100%10
TM171Tera BlastIf Terastallized: Phys. if Atk > SpA, type = Tera.NormalSpec80100%10
TM172RoarForces the target to switch to a random ally.NormalStatus——20
TM177SpiteLowers the PP of the target's last move by 4.GhostStatus—100%10
TM193Weather BallPower doubles and type varies in each weather.NormalSpec50100%10
TM195Burning Jealousy100% burns a target that had a stat rise this turn.FireSpec70100%5
TM202Pain SplitShares HP of user and target equally.NormalStatus——20
TM203Psych UpCopies the target's current stat stages.NormalStatus——10
TM204Double-EdgeHas 33% recoil.NormalPhys120100%15
TM215Scorching Sands30% chance to burn the target. Thaws target.GroundSpec70100%10

Egg moves 8

EggBaby-Doll EyesLowers the target's Attack by 1.FairyStatus—100%30
EggFlailMore power the less HP the user has left.NormalPhys—100%15
EggFlame Charge100% chance to raise the user's Speed by 1.FirePhys50100%20
EggHealing WishUser faints. Next hurt Pokémon is fully healed.PsychicStatus——10
EggHowlRaises the user's and ally's Attack by 1.NormalStatus——40
EggHypnosisCauses the target to fall asleep.PsychicStatus—60%20
EggMementoLowers target's Attack, Sp. Atk by 2. User faints.DarkStatus—100%10
EggRoarForces the target to switch to a random ally.NormalStatus——20

Biology

Ninetales is a fox with golden fur and nine tails. It evolves from Vulpix via use of an object called a "Fire Stone". It can understand human speech, use its psychic power to control minds, and curse anyone who mistreats it.

According to legends, nine saints reincarnated as Ninetales, and each of its tails has a different ability.

Design & origin

Created by Atsuko Nishida to add more cute Pokémon to the series, Ninetales was modeled after a fox, and its design is inspired by the nine-tailed fox of East Asian myth. Its Japanese name, Kyukon, comes from the Japanese words "kyu" (nine) and "kon" (legend).

Forms

Alolan Ninetales

IceFairy
BST 505

DebutGen VII · Sun & Moon

Alolan Ninetales evolves from Alolan Vulpix via an "Ice Stone". Its different design is explained by its adaptation to the "chilly mountain air" it lives in.

Adapted from Wikipedia: List of generation VII Pokémon, Ninetales · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited.

Polls & views

Each line is one source, as it published it. Polls counted every form under its species.

Pokédex entries

Fox Pokémon
Kanto · Red & Green (JP)
Color
Yellow
Grassland
Pal Park area
Field
Kanto#038Original Johto#126Original Hoenn#154Updated Johto#128Updated Unova#249New Hoenn#161Original Alola#254Original Ula’ula#126Updated Alola#331Updated Ula’ula#152Let’s Go Kanto#038Galar#069Hisui#169Kitakami#038Blueberry#158
  1. The coat of gleaming golden fur is quite magnificent. This species is said to store sacred power in its nine long tails and to live for a millennium.

    Legends: Arceus
  2. It is said to live 1,000 years, and each of its tails is loaded with supernatural powers.

    Sword
  3. According to an enduring legend, nine noble saints were united and reincarnated as this Pokémon.

    Let’s Go, Pikachu! · Let’s Go, Eevee!
  4. The flickering flames it spews from its mouth leave its opponents hypnotized. Then, this extremely intelligent Pokémon attacks.

    Ultra Moon
  5. It is vindictive and relentless by nature. Those who cross it even once will be cursed for a thousand years, along with their descendants.

    Ultra Sun
  6. Said to live for a thousand years, this Pokémon uses its supernatural abilities to manipulate fire. It can burn its prey to a crisp as it pleases.

    Moon
  7. Legend has it that this mystical Pokémon was formed when nine saints coalesced into one.

    Sun
  8. Each of its nine tails is imbued with supernatural power, and it can live for a thousand years.

    Black 2 · White 2
  9. Its nine tails are said to be imbued with a mystic power. It can live for a thousand years.

    Diamond · Pearl · Platinum · Black · White
  10. It has nine long tails and fur that gleams gold. It is said to live for 1,000 years.

    FireRed · X
  11. It has long been said that each of the nine tails embody an enchanted power. A long-lived NINETALES will have fur that shines like gold.

    Emerald
  12. Legend has it that NINETALES came into being when nine wizards possessing sacred powers merged into one. This Pokémon is highly intelligent - it can understand human speech.

    Sapphire · Alpha Sapphire
  13. NINETALES casts a sinister light from its bright red eyes to gain total control over its foe’s mind. This Pokémon is said to live for a thousand years.

    Ruby · Omega Ruby
  14. It is said to live a thousand years, and each of its tails is loaded with supernatural powers.

    Crystal
  15. Its nine beautiful tails are filled with a wondrous energy that could keep it alive for 1,000 years.

    Silver · SoulSilver
  16. Some legends claim that each of its nine tails has its own unique type of special mystical power.

    Gold · HeartGold
  17. According to an enduring legend, 9 noble saints were united and reincarnated as this Pokémon.

    Yellow
  18. Very smart and very vengeful. Grabbing one of its many tails could result in a 1000-year curse.

    Red · Blue · LeafGreen · Y · Shield

Names around the world

English
Ninetales
Japanese
キュウコン
Japanese (romaji)
Kyukon
Korean
나인테일
Chinese (Traditional)
九尾
Chinese (Simplified)
九尾
French
Feunard
German
Vulnona
Spanish
Ninetales
Italian
Ninetales

Sprites

Artwork and 3D models

Generation IX · animated models

Generation VIII · animated models

Gen VII · Gen VI · Gen V

Generation IV

Generation III

Generation II

Generation I

Training

1 SpD, 1 Spe
75 ≈9.8% with a Poké Ball at full HP
70
177
Medium

Breeding

Field
♂ 25%♀ 75%
20 egg cycles ≈5,355 steps (Gen IV–VII)

Where to find

Evolves from Vulpix: Use Fire Stone.

Sword: The Crown Tundra 5 areas
  • Ballimere Lake (Max Den E)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 45–60
  • Ballimere Lake (Max Den F)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 45–60
  • Giant's Bed (Max Den B)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 45–60
  • Giant's Bed (Max Den T)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 45–60
  • Snowslide Slope (Max Den H)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 45–60
Sword: The Isle of Armor 4 areas
  • Challenge Beach (Max Den B)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 55–60
  • Fields of Honor (Max Den I)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 55–60
  • Loop Lagoon (Max Den C)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 55–60
  • Potbottom Desert (Max Den B)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 55–60
Shield 1 area
  • Giant's Cap (Max Den B)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 45–60
Sword 7 areas
  • Dusty Bowl (Max Den G)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 35–60
  • Giant's Cap (Max Den B)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 35–60
  • Hammerlocke Hills (Max Den D)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 25–60
  • Lake of OutrageWalking in the overworld · Lv 55–60
  • Lake of Outrage (Max Den C)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 25–60
  • Stony Wilderness (Max Den C)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 35–60
  • Stony Wilderness (Max Den G)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 35–60
Let’s Go, Eevee! 2 areas
  • Road 7Walking in the overworld · Lv 22–27
  • Road 8Walking in the overworld · Lv 22–27
Y 1 area
  • Friend Safari (Fire)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 30
X 1 area
  • Friend Safari (Fire)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 30
White 2 1 area
  • Abundant ShrineWalking in rustling grass · Lv 36
Black 2 1 area
  • Abundant ShrineWalking in rustling grass · Lv 36
White 1 area
  • Abundant ShrineWalking in rustling grass · Lv 50
Black 1 area
  • Abundant ShrineWalking in rustling grass · Lv 50

Locations cover Red & Blue to Sword & Shield (with its DLC) and Let’s Go. We don’t have them yet for Legends: Arceus, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Scarlet & Violet and Legends: Z-A.