Growlithe in Pokemon GO – Stats, Moves, PvP Tips & More

Growlithe is a popular Fire-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 1,243, Growlithe 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 Growlithe in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.

📊 Growlithe Base Stats & Overview

Growlithe (#058) is a Fire-type Pokemon from Generation 1.

Base Stats
Attack	136
Defense	93
Stamina	146
Total Stats	375
Max CP	1,243
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 136 Attack, 93 Defense, and 146 Stamina, Growlithe has a total stat product of 375. While not the highest in any single stat, Growlithe’s balanced stats make it versatile in various battle situations.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Growlithe

Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Growlithe’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Growlithe 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%.

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.

🎯 Growlithe Type Effectiveness

Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Growlithe effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Fire-type Pokemon, Growlithe has specific strengths and weaknesses.

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

Growlithe is weak to: Water, Ground, Rock-type moves. When battling against Growlithe, 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

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

Growlithe resists: Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy-type moves. This means Growlithe 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

🏆 Growlithe PvP Analysis

Growlithe 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)

Growlithe can reach its full potential in Great League since its max CP (1,243) is at or below the 1500 CP limit. This makes it a viable option if its typing and moveset align with the current meta.

Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)

With a max CP of 1,243, Growlithe may struggle in Ultra League against bulkier opponents with higher stat products.

Master League (No CP Limit)

Growlithe is generally not recommended for Master League due to its lower max CP (1,243). Focus on other leagues instead.

⚔️ Growlithe Raid Guide

Growlithe is primarily used as a raid attacker rather than a raid boss. Here’s how to use it effectively in raids:

Using Growlithe in Raids

When using Growlithe 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

🎯 Best Counters for Growlithe

Whether you’re battling Growlithe in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Growlithe:

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Growlithe’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

1. Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Growlithe
2. Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
3. Watch for Coverage Moves: Growlithe may have moves that counter its own counters
4. Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks

📍 How to Get Growlithe in Pokemon GO

There are several ways to obtain Growlithe in Pokemon GO:

• Wild Encounters: Growlithe 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 Growlithe

Yes, Shiny Growlithe 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.

Growlithe Evolution

Check the Pokédex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Growlithe

Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Growlithe’s potential in Pokemon GO:

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Growlithe 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 Growlithe, 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

Growlithe 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 Growlithe 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

📚 Growlithe in the Pokemon Franchise

Growlithe first appeared in Generation 1 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Growlithe’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.

In Pokemon GO, Growlithe was introduced as part of the Generation 1 Pokemon rollout. Being a Generation 1 Pokemon, Growlithe has been available since the game’s launch in July 2016.

📊 How Growlithe Compares

Let’s see how Growlithe stacks up against other Fire-type Pokemon:

Stat	Growlithe	Type Average	Rating
Attack	136	~180	⭐
Defense	93	~160	⭐
Stamina	146	~170	⭐
Max CP	1,243	~2,500	⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Growlithe is a versatile Fire-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 1,243 and solid base stats (136/93/146), 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 Growlithe’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.

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