Pokemon GO Ninetales: Ultimate Guide for 2024
Ninetales is a popular Fire-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 2,279, Ninetales is a viable option for Great League PvP battles where its unique typing and moveset can shine.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Ninetales in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.
π Table of Contents
π Ninetales Base Stats & Overview
Ninetales (#038) is a Fire-type Pokemon from Generation 1.
| Base Stats | |
|---|---|
| Attack | 169 |
| Defense | 190 |
| Stamina | 177 |
| Total Stats | 536 |
| Max CP | 2,279 |
| Buddy Distance | 3 km |
With 169 Attack, 190 Defense, and 177 Stamina, Ninetales has a total stat product of 536. While not the highest in any single stat, Ninetales’s balanced stats make it versatile in various battle situations.
βοΈ Best Moveset for Ninetales
Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Ninetales’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Ninetales for raids, gym battles, or PvP.
Best Raid & Gym Moveset
For PvE content like raids and gym battles, you want moves that maximize DPS (Damage Per Second). The best Fire-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.
β’ Fast Move: Best Fire-type fast move
β’ Charged Move: Best Fire-type charged move
Best PvP Moveset
In PvP battles, energy generation and coverage moves become more important. You’ll want a fast move that charges energy quickly and charged moves that provide good type coverage.
β’ Fast Move: High energy generation move
β’ Charged Move 1: STAB move for consistent damage
β’ Charged Move 2: Coverage move for countering weaknesses
π― Ninetales Type Effectiveness
Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Ninetales effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Fire-type Pokemon, Ninetales has specific strengths and weaknesses.
β οΈ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)
Ninetales is weak to: Water, Ground, Rock-type moves. When battling against Ninetales, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.
- Water – Deals increased damage
- Ground – Deals increased damage
- Rock – Deals increased damage
π‘οΈ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)
Ninetales resists: Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy-type moves. This means Ninetales takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.
- Fire – Reduced damage
- Grass – Reduced damage
- Ice – Reduced damage
- Bug – Reduced damage
- Steel – Reduced damage
- Fairy – Reduced damage
π Ninetales PvP Analysis
Ninetales can be used in Pokemon GO’s GO Battle League PvP battles. Here’s how it performs in each league:
Great League (1500 CP Limit)
With a max CP of 2,279, Ninetales would need to be under-leveled for Great League. Check if the stats at 1500 CP are competitive before investing resources.
Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)
Ninetales fits well in Ultra League with a max CP of 2,279. It can compete effectively against the meta threats in this league.
Master League (No CP Limit)
Ninetales is generally not recommended for Master League due to its lower max CP (2,279). Focus on other leagues instead.
βοΈ Ninetales Raid Guide
Ninetales is primarily used as a raid attacker rather than a raid boss. Here’s how to use it effectively in raids:
Using Ninetales in Raids
When using Ninetales as a raid attacker:
- Best against raid bosses weak to Fire-type moves
- Power up to at least level 30-35 for decent performance
- Ensure you have the optimal moveset for maximum DPS
π― Best Counters for Ninetales
Whether you’re battling Ninetales in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Ninetales:
Top Counter Pokemon
The best counters exploit Ninetales’s weaknesses to Water, Ground, Rock-type moves:
| Pokemon | Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Kyogre | Water | Best Water attacker with Waterfall + Hydro Pump |
| Swampert | Water/Ground | Mud Shot + Hydro Cannon is devastating |
| Gyarados | Water/Flying | Accessible and powerful Water attacker |
| Garchomp | Dragon/Ground | Mud Shot + Earth Power deals massive damage |
| Groudon | Ground | Legendary with Precipice Blades |
| Excadrill | Ground/Steel | High Ground DPS |
Counter Strategy Tips
- Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Ninetales
- Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
- Watch for Coverage Moves: Ninetales may have moves that counter its own counters
- Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks
π How to Get Ninetales in Pokemon GO
There are several ways to obtain Ninetales in Pokemon GO:
- Wild Encounters: Ninetales can spawn in the wild, especially in areas matching its type
- Eggs: May hatch from 3km eggs
- Evolution: Evolve from its pre-evolution using Candy
- Raids: Occasionally appears in raid battles
- Research Tasks: Complete field research for a chance to encounter
- Trading: Trade with friends
Shiny Ninetales
Yes, Shiny Ninetales is available in Pokemon GO! The shiny variant has a different coloration and is highly sought after by collectors. The shiny rate for wild encounters is approximately 1 in 500, though this can be boosted during special events like Community Days or Spotlight Hours.
Ninetales Evolution
Check the PokΓ©dex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.
β Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ninetales good in Pokemon GO?
Ninetales has a max CP of 2,279, which makes it more suitable for Great League PvP or as a collector’s Pokemon. It can still be useful in specific situations where its typing is advantageous.
What is Ninetales’s best moveset?
The best moveset for Ninetales depends on your use case. For raids and gyms, prioritize high DPS Fire-type moves for STAB bonus. For PvP, focus on moves with good energy generation and coverage options.
What are Ninetales’s weaknesses?
Ninetales is weak to Water, Ground, Rock-type moves. When battling Ninetales, use Pokemon with these attack types for maximum effectiveness.
Can Ninetales be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Yes, Shiny Ninetales is available in Pokemon GO. Keep catching Ninetales for a chance at the shiny variant!
What is Ninetales’s max CP?
Ninetales’s maximum CP is 2,279 at level 50 with perfect 15/15/15 IVs. At level 40, the max CP is approximately 2,073.
π‘ Pro Tips for Using Ninetales
Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Ninetales’s potential in Pokemon GO:
1. IV Optimization
For raids and gym battles, prioritize Ninetales with high Attack IVs (15 Attack is ideal). The Attack stat contributes most to damage output in PvE content.
For PvP battles, the ideal IVs depend on the league:
- Great League: Look for low Attack, high Defense and HP (0/15/15 is often ideal)
- Ultra League: Similar to Great League, optimize for stat product under 2500 CP
- Master League: Perfect 15/15/15 IVs are best since there’s no CP cap
2. Power Up Priority
Before investing Stardust and Candy into Ninetales, consider:
- Do you have enough resources? (Powering to level 50 costs 296,000 Stardust and 296 Candy)
- Will this Pokemon fill a gap in your battle team?
- Are there better alternatives for the same role?
- Do you have the optimal moveset or need Elite TMs?
3. Team Composition
Ninetales works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Fire type weak to Water, Ground, consider adding team members that resist these types.
4. Weather Considerations
Take advantage of weather boosts:
- When catching: Weather-boosted Ninetales spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
- When battling: Weather that boosts Fire moves increases your damage output
- When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather
π Ninetales in the Pokemon Franchise
Ninetales first appeared in Generation 1 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Ninetales’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.
In Pokemon GO, Ninetales was introduced as part of the Generation 1 Pokemon rollout. Being a Generation 1 Pokemon, Ninetales has been available since the game’s launch in July 2016.
π How Ninetales Compares
Let’s see how Ninetales stacks up against other Fire-type Pokemon:
| Stat | Ninetales | Type Average | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack | 169 | ~180 | ββ |
| Defense | 190 | ~160 | ββ |
| Stamina | 177 | ~170 | ββ |
| Max CP | 2,279 | ~2,500 | β |
π― Conclusion
Ninetales is a versatile Fire-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 2,279 and solid base stats (169/190/177), it can shine in Great League PvP where its unique typing and moveset options provide interesting strategic possibilities.
Remember to:
- Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
- Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
- Build a team that covers Ninetales’s weaknesses
- Take advantage of weather boosts when possible
For more Pokemon guides and the complete Pokedex, visit our Pokemon GO Database. Check out our PvP Rankings for the current meta and Raid Guides for battle strategies.
Last updated: January 2026. Information based on the latest Pokemon GO game data.