Stats & Training
The stat budget goes to damage. Sp. Atk and Speed carry the offense, Defense doesn't even come close. A Dark Pokemon on a slow 1.25M XP grind, worth 2 Sp. Atk EVs per KO.
Long ago, people imagined its eerie howls to be the call of the grim reaper.
Long ago, people imagined its eerie howls to be the call of the grim reaper.
Houndoom Weakness
Water, Fighting, Ground, and Rock moves hit Houndoom for super-effective damage. The upside? Psychic-type moves can't touch it at all. With 6 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Flash Fire grants an additional Fire immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Houndoom's special bulk (base 80 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Fighting, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Ghost, Dark, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
 Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Onix builds →Rock Throw 2x41-49% Rock Smash 2x22-29% | ||
 Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Omanyte builds →Water Gun 2x41-49% Rock Smash 2x20-24% | ||
 Surskit BugWater | D | |
 Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Aerodactyl builds →Rock Tomb 2x82-97% Rock Smash 2x38-45% | ||
Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Lunatone builds →Rock Tomb 2x54-63% Rock Throw 2x42-51% | ||
Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Solrock builds →Rock Tomb 2x75-89% Rock Throw 2x63-76% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x46-55% Rock Throw 2x39-46% Rock Smash 2x21-25% | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Omanyte builds →Rock Tomb 2x42-51% Water Pulse 2x54-63% Water Gun 2x35-42% Rock Smash 2x21-25% | ||
 Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x195-230%KO Focus Blast 2x67-80% Earthquake 2x88-104%KO Brick Break 2x100-118%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x76-89% Rock Slide 2x56-67% Rock Tomb 2x46-54% Rock Throw 2x40-48% | ||
 Medicham FightingPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Medicham builds →Focus Punch 2x132-156%KO Focus Blast 2x78-93% Brick Break 2x67-80% Drain Punch 2x67-80% | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Omanyte builds →Rock Slide 2x54-64% Brine 2x56-67% Rock Tomb 2x43-51% Water Pulse 2x54-64% | ||
 Kabuto RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Kabuto builds →Rock Slide 2x84-99% Rock Tomb 2x67-80% Water Pulse 2x37-45% Mud Shot 2x23-28% | ||
 Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Toxicroak builds →Focus Punch 2x203-239%KO Focus Blast 2x100-118%KO Earthquake 2x91-109%KO Dig 2x73-87% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x195-230%KO Focus Blast 2x67-80% Earthquake 2x88-104%KO Dig 2x70-83% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x76-89% Dig 2x60-70% Rock Slide 2x56-67% Rock Tomb 2x46-54% | ||
Medicham FightingPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Medicham builds →Focus Punch 2x132-156%KO Focus Blast 2x78-93% Brick Break 2x67-80% Drain Punch 2x67-80% | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Omanyte builds →Rock Slide 2x54-64% Brine 2x56-67% Rock Tomb 2x43-51% Water Pulse 2x54-64% | ||
Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Toxicroak builds →Focus Punch 2x197-232%KO Focus Blast 2x98-116%KO Earthquake 2x88-105%KO Dig 2x71-85% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x190-224%KO Focus Blast 2x66-78% Earthquake 2x86-101%KO Submission 2x103-122%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x71-84% Dig 2x57-68% Rock Slide 2x55-65% Rock Tomb 2x43-51% | ||
Medicham FightingPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Medicham builds →Focus Punch 2x128-151%KO High Jump Kick 2x112-132%KO Focus Blast 2x76-89% Brick Break 2x66-78% | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Omanyte builds →Rock Slide 2x50-59% Brine 2x55-65% Rock Tomb 2x41-49% Water Pulse 2x52-62% | ||
Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Toxicroak builds →Focus Punch 2x197-232%KO Focus Blast 2x96-113%KO Earthquake 2x88-104%KO Dig 2x71-84% | ||
 Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x109-129%KO Surf 2x76-91% Dig 2x87-103%KO Rock Slide 2x54-64% | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x188-222%KO Focus Blast 2x64-76% Earthquake 2x84-99% Submission 2x103-121%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x71-83% Dig 2x57-68% Rock Slide 2x53-63% Rock Tomb 2x43-50% | ||
Medicham FightingPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Medicham builds →Focus Punch 2x126-149%KO High Jump Kick 2x109-129%KO Focus Blast 2x72-86% Brick Break 2x64-76% | ||
Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Toxicroak builds →Focus Punch 2x195-230%KO Focus Blast 2x93-110%KO Earthquake 2x88-103%KO Dig 2x70-83% | ||
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x107-127%KO Muddy Water 2x75-89% Surf 2x75-89% Dig 2x85-101%KO | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x185-218%KO Focus Blast 2x63-75% Cross Chop 2x125-148%KO Earthquake 2x84-98% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x70-82% Dig 2x55-66% Rock Slide 2x52-61% Rock Tomb 2x41-49% | ||
Medicham FightingPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Medicham builds →Focus Punch 2x125-148%KO High Jump Kick 2x109-129%KO Focus Blast 2x71-84% Brick Break 2x63-75% | ||
Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Toxicroak builds →Focus Punch 2x203-240%KO Focus Blast 2x97-115%KO Earthquake 2x90-107%KO Dig 2x73-86% | ||
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x113-133%KO Muddy Water 2x78-92% Surf 2x78-92% Dig 2x90-106%KO | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x194-229%KO Focus Blast 2x65-77% Cross Chop 2x131-154%KO Earthquake 2x87-103%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x72-85% Dig 2x58-69% Rock Slide 2x55-65% Rock Tomb 2x44-52% | ||
Medicham FightingPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Medicham builds →Focus Punch 2x131-154%KO High Jump Kick 2x113-133%KO Focus Blast 2x74-88% Brick Break 2x67-79% | ||
In Diamond & Pearl, Azelf can KO Houndoom with Explosion (144-170%). Infernape threatens a KO with Close Combat (223-263%).
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Azelf builds →Explosion144-170%KO U Turn41-48% | ||
 Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Infernape builds →Close Combat 2x223-263%KO U Turn43-51% Fire Blast23-27% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityKeeneye ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 Swampert WaterGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Swampert builds →Earthquake 2x156-184%KO Ice Beam12-14% Waterfall 2x125-147%KO | ||
Diamond & Pearl Evolution
Evolved from Houndour. Houndoom is the final form in this two-stage line. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. HP grew the most through evolution (+30 over Houndour), and Houndoom peaks at 500 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Houndoom to get Houndour eggs easily using 131 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Beat Up, Counter, Fire Fang and 9 more.
Diamond & Pearl Houndoom Best Moveset
the remaining moves is what separates a good sweep from a wasted boost. After Nasty Plot, Houndoom threatens a wide range with max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs and Life Orb backing every hit.
Best Build
Houndoom best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Sucker Punch
- Fire Blast
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Without breeding, Houndoom misses out on Beat Up and Counter. That's 12 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Overheat and Fire Blast, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Houndoom in Diamond & Pearl
Houndoom is only available through the PokeRadar in this game. No standard wild encounters here. 2 spots are listed below with details on how to trigger them. These become available in mid-game encounter areas.
Where To Catch Houndoom in Diamond & Pearl
Step 1Obtain Houndour
Step 2Houndoom ✓Route 215Using PokeRadar Lv.20-22 Route22%MidRoute 214Using PokeRadar Lv.24 RouteUncommonMidor evolve from Houndour (Step 1)
Houndoom Guide
In Diamond & Pearl, Flash Fire changes the entire equation for Houndoom. The 500 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as an attacker. Dark Pulse with Life Orb is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Diamond & Pearl, but Houndoom does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Houndoom hits 600 BST.
Flash Fire is what you want on Houndoom. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Early Bird, Unnerve) work on paper but Flash Fire is what makes Houndoom worth using.
Base 95 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Houndoom is a special attacker with base 110 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as an attacker.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Gold & Silver, Houndoom has appeared in 17 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
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 6ORASMega
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