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.
In a Houndoom pack, the one with its horns raked sharply toward the back serves a leadership role. These Pokémon choose their leader by fighting among themselves.
In a Houndoom pack, the one with its horns raked sharply toward the back serves a leadership role. These Pokémon choose their leader by fighting among themselves.
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 |
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, Garchomp can KO Houndoom with Earthquake (195-229%). Tyranitar threatens a KO with Stone Edge (246-290%). Breloom deals 79-93% with Mach Punch.
 Garchomp DragonGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x195-229%KO | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Tyranitar builds →Stone Edge 2x246-290%KO Pursuit25-29% Crunch49-58% Superpower 2x197-232%KO | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemMiracleseed NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Breloom builds →Bullet Seed12-14% Mach Punch 2x79-93% | ||
 Gastrodon WaterGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityStormdrain ItemLeftovers NatureQuiet Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Gastrodon builds →Scald 2x80-94% | ||
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire 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 200 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Beat Up, Counter, Destiny Bond and 11 more.
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Houndoom Best Moveset
double STAB gives Houndoom answers even while choice-locked. Choice Scarf provides speed patching through item lock, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs with Flashfire mean every prediction that lands hits hard.
Best Build
Houndoom best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Doubles Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Snarl
- Beat Up
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
Recommended Teammates
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dark Pulse
- Nasty Plot
- Sludge Bomb
- Destiny Bond
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Without breeding, Houndoom misses out on Beat Up and Counter. That's 14 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Overheat and Fire Blast, with coverage across 9 types rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Houndoom in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
No wild encounters for Houndoom in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire. Bring Houndour over from Gold, Crystal, or Scarlet, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
Houndoom Guide
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, Flash Fire changes the entire equation for Houndoom. The 500 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as an attacker. Snarl with Choice Scarf is the standard set.
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, Houndoom can Mega Evolve into Mega Houndoom. That's 600 BST, up from 500. The stat redistribution often changes its best role. Mega Stone required, one per battle.
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