Is Houndoom Good in Platinum Playthrough?
Houndour evolves at level 24, almost instantly after catching. Dark/Fire handles Fantina's Ghost gym, Gardenia, Byron, Candice, and Aaron. AbilityFlash Fire absorbs Fire hits. Flint's all-Fire E4 means Dark/Fire faces a mirror, but the Dark coverage still earns its keep.
Houndour trades roughly evenly with Roark's team.
Houndour has the type edge here and should clean up Gardenia's team.
Houndour has the type edge here and should clean up Fantina's team.
Houndour trades roughly evenly with Maylene's team.
Houndoom has the type edge here and should clean up Crasher Wake's team.
Houndoom has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.
Houndoom resists most of Candice's coverage and hits back hard.
Houndoom trades roughly evenly with Volkner's team.
Houndoom has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.
Houndoom has the type edge here and should clean up Bertha's team.
Houndoom trades roughly evenly with Flint's team.
Houndoom has the type edge here and should clean up Lucian's team.
Houndoom trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.
Catch Houndour on Route 214 (walking, Lv 23-24, common).
- After Fantina
- TM38FireFire Blast16585%5
- TM22GrassSolar Beam120100%10
- LV 30FireFire Fang9895%15
- After Maylene
- TUTORDarkSucker Punch105100%5
- TM85PsychicDream Eater100100%15
- LV 43FireFlamethrower135100%15
- LV 48DarkCrunch120100%15
- After Volkner
- TM79DarkDark Pulse120100%15
Your Houndour should hit Level 24 before you reach Crasher Wake, at typical leveling pace.
- After Fantina
- TM38FireFire Blast16585%5
- TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
- TM22GrassSolar Beam120100%10
- After Maylene
- TUTORDarkSucker Punch105100%5
- TM68NormalGiga Impact15090%5
- LV 48FireFlamethrower135100%15
- After Volkner
- TM79DarkDark Pulse120100%15
- LV 54DarkCrunch120100%15
How to Get Houndoom in Platinum
Can't catch Houndoom directly. Start with Houndour at decent rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 24. The 2-stage line from Houndour to Houndoom is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Houndoom in Pt
The path to Houndoom starts with Houndour at Lv. 23-28 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch HoundourRoute 214Lv.23-24GrassRate 25%DayRoute 214Lv.23-24GrassRate 15%Morning/nightValor LakefrontLv.27-28GrassRate 10%NightValor LakefrontLv.28GrassRate 10%Morning/day
Step 2Houndoom ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Houndoom egg.
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)
What is Houndoom Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Houndoom
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Geodude builds →Focus Punch 2x104-122%KO Rock Throw 2x57-67% | ||
 Psyduck Water | D | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Psyduck builds →Focus Punch 2x80-94% Water Gun 2x31-37% | ||
 Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
 Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
 Piplup Water | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Piplup builds →Brick Break 2x41-49% Bubble 2x20-24% | ||
 Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x235-277%KO Rock Tomb 2x53-64% | ||
 Monferno FireFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chimchar (Route 201 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Monferno builds →Focus Punch 2x162-191%KO Rock Tomb 2x38-45% | ||
 Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Aerodactyl builds →Rock Tomb 2x73-86% Rock Smash 2x38-45% | ||
 Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Bibarel builds →Focus Punch 2x115-136%KO Water Pulse 2x42-50% Rollout 2x26-30% | ||
 Prinplup Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Piplup (Route 201 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Prinplup builds →Bubble Beam 2x58-68% Brick Break 2x48-58% Rock Tomb 2x33-39% | ||
 Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x227-267%KO Earthquake 2x102-120%KO Rock Slide 2x77-92% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x227-267%KO Earthquake 2x102-120%KO Rock Slide 2x77-92% | ||
Monferno FireFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chimchar (Route 201 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Monferno builds →Focus Punch 2x153-181%KO Rock Slide 2x53-63% | ||
 Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x190-224%KO Earthquake 2x86-101%KO Rock Slide 2x65-77% | ||
 Gliscor Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Gliscor builds →Earthquake 2x123-145%KO Brick Break 2x61-72% Rock Slide 2x61-72% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x233-274%KO Earthquake 2x104-123%KO Rock Slide 2x79-94% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x233-274%KO Earthquake 2x104-123%KO Rock Slide 2x79-94% | ||
 Rampardos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Oreburgh City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Rampardos builds →Focus Punch 2x197-232%KO Rock Slide 2x149-176%KO Earthquake 2x132-155%KO | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x195-230%KO Earthquake 2x88-104%KO Rock Slide 2x66-79% | ||
Monferno FireFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chimchar (Route 201 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Monferno builds →Focus Punch 2x163-191%KO Rock Slide 2x55-66% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x233-274%KO Earthquake 2x104-123%KO Rock Slide 2x79-94% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x233-274%KO Earthquake 2x104-123%KO Rock Slide 2x79-94% | ||
Rampardos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Oreburgh City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Rampardos builds →Focus Punch 2x197-232%KO Rock Slide 2x149-176%KO Earthquake 2x132-155%KO | ||
Machoke Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Machoke builds →Focus Punch 2x195-230%KO Earthquake 2x88-104%KO Rock Slide 2x66-79% | ||
Monferno FireFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chimchar (Route 201 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Monferno builds →Focus Punch 2x163-191%KO Dig 2x60-70% Rock Slide 2x55-66% | ||
 Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chimchar (Route 201 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Infernape builds →Focus Punch 2x195-229%KO Earthquake 2x87-103%KO Rock Slide 2x66-77% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x224-265%KO Earthquake 2x101-119%KO Rock Slide 2x76-89% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x224-265%KO Earthquake 2x101-119%KO Rock Slide 2x76-89% | ||
 Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Toxicroak builds →Focus Punch 2x197-232%KO Earthquake 2x88-104%KO Rock Slide 2x66-79% | ||
Rampardos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Oreburgh City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Rampardos builds →Focus Punch 2x191-225%KO Rock Slide 2x145-171%KO Earthquake 2x129-151%KO Surf 2x41-49% | ||
Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chimchar (Route 201 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Infernape builds →Focus Punch 2x191-225%KO Earthquake 2x86-102%KO Rock Slide 2x65-77% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x223-263%KO Earthquake 2x99-117%KO Rock Slide 2x75-89% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x223-263%KO Earthquake 2x99-117%KO Rock Slide 2x75-89% | ||
Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Toxicroak builds →Focus Punch 2x195-230%KO Earthquake 2x88-103%KO Rock Slide 2x66-78% | ||
Rampardos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Oreburgh City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Rampardos builds →Focus Punch 2x188-222%KO Rock Slide 2x143-169%KO Earthquake 2x126-148%KO Surf 2x40-47% | ||
Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chimchar (Route 201 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Infernape builds →Focus Punch 2x200-236%KO Earthquake 2x89-105%KO Rock Slide 2x68-80% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x234-276%KO Earthquake 2x105-124%KO Rock Slide 2x79-93% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x234-276%KO Earthquake 2x105-124%KO Rock Slide 2x79-93% | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x163-192%KO Brick Break 2x81-96% Rock Slide 2x81-96% Surf 2x49-57% | ||
Toxicroak PoisonFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Toxicroak builds →Focus Punch 2x204-240%KO Earthquake 2x91-108%KO Rock Slide 2x69-81% | ||
Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Chimchar (Route 201 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Infernape builds →Focus Punch 2x201-237%KO Earthquake 2x90-106%KO Stone Edge 2x90-106%KO | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Gallade builds →Focus Punch 2x235-277%KO Earthquake 2x104-123%KO Stone Edge 2x104-123%KO | ||
Rampardos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Oreburgh City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Rampardos builds →Head Smash 2x300-352%KO Focus Punch 2x200-235%KO Earthquake 2x133-157%KO Surf 2x41-49% | ||
 Palkia WaterDragon | S | |
Obtain MethodSpear Pillar Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Palkia builds →Surf 2x122-144%KO Focus Punch 2x151-178%KO Earth Power 2x77-91% Stone Edge 2x101-119%KO | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Heracross builds →Focus Punch 2x235-277%KO Earthquake 2x104-123%KO Stone Edge 2x104-123%KO | ||
In Platinum, Jirachi's Body Slam hits Houndoom for 51-60%. Heatran threatens a KO with Explosion (98-115%). Azelf's Explosion also KOs at 144-170%.
S | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySerenegrace ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Jirachi builds →Body Slam51-60% U Turn43-50% | ||
S | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Heatran builds →Explosion98-115%KO Fire Blast25-29% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Azelf builds →Explosion144-170%KO U Turn41-48% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityClearbody ItemLum Berry NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Houndoom View Metagross builds →Earthquake 2x164-192%KO Explosion204-240%KO | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityKeeneye ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
Houndoom Evolutions
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.
Pt Houndoom Best Moveset
95 Speed lets the moveset act before most targets, and 110 Sp. Atk powers special Dark and Fire attacks at dangerous levels. AbilityFlash Fire turns incoming Fire into a free Sp. Atk boost. 50 Defense is the one crack.
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 List
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 9 types rounding things out.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
The flames it breathes when angry contain toxins. If they cause a burn, it will hurt forever.
Houndoom Platinum Guide
In Platinum, 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 Platinum, 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) 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 mixed attacker with base 90 Attack and 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 6, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves