Competitive Information for Houndoom [Ruby/Sapphire]
Dark / Fire
Abilities:
This Pokemon's sleep counter drops by 2 instead of 1.
This Pokemon's Fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one Fire move; Fire immunity.
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Note: Pokemon with the Flash Fire ability are immune to Fire attacks.
Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Houndoom? These builds are optimized for Ruby/Sapphire Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Ruby/Sapphire metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Discover Houndoom, a lit Pokémon with Dark and Fire attributes! It's a sight to see Houndoom out in the 3rd generation battlefield. It is weak to Fighting, Ground, Rock, and Water-typed attacks. Delve into Houndoom's movesets below and strategize for victory!
Item: Leftovers / Lum Berry
Ability: Early Bird
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 8 Hp / 252 SpA / 168 SpD / 80 Spe
Moveset:
- Fire Blast
- Crunch
- Pursuit / Beat Up
- Will-O-Wisp
In single battles, Houndoom is known as a sensational Special Tank. It's primary goal is to absorb special attacks and counter with decent force. Before Generation IV, a move's damage category was determined by its type. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Houndoom last longer regaining it's life every turn. With Early Bird, Houndoom's sleep counter drops by 2 instead of 1. With a Lum Berry equipped to it, Houndoom cures itself if it has a non-volatile status or is confused then the Lum Berry gets consumed.
◆ Crunch is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Pursuit is a special STAB-boosted 40-base power Dark-type move (power doubles if the targeted foe is switching out).
◆ Beat Up is a special STAB-boosted 10-base power Dark-type move (all healthy allies aid in damaging the target).
◆ Will-O-Wisp is a status move (burns the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/caae5
Item: Shell Bell / Choice Band
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Double-Edge / Return
- Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Ball
- Mud-Slap
Houndoom proves to be an exceptional Physical Sweeper for single battles. This moveset design focuses to overwhelm foes with forceful physical attacks. Prior to Generation IV, a move's damage category was determined by its type. Choice Band will increase the damage of Houndoom's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. The Shell Bell item option is to help Houndoom recover from the recoil damage it may take from Double-Edge. With Flash Fire, Houndoom's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity.
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Sludge Bomb is a physical 90-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Shadow Ball is a physical 80-base power Ghost-type move (20% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Mud-Slap is a physical 20-base power Ground-type move (100% chance to lower the target's accuracy by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/cbae5
Item: Charcoal
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Overheat / Flamethrower
- Crunch / Bite
- Solar Beam
- Will-O-Wisp
Houndoom proves to be a pretty decent Special Sweeper for single battles. It's meant to take down the opponent's team with destructive special attacks. In the old days prior to Generation IV, a move's damage category was determined by its type. With Flash Fire, Houndoom's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity. With a Charcoal equipped to it, Houndoom's fire-type attacks have 1.1x power.
◆ Flamethrower is a special STAB-boosted 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
◆ Crunch is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Bite is a special STAB-boosted 60-base power Dark-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Solar Beam is a special 120-base power Grass-type move (charges turn 1. Hits turn 2. No charge in sunlight).
◆ Will-O-Wisp is a status move (burns the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/ccae5
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Houndoom? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Ruby/Sapphire Double Battles. The VGC is the ultimate test of strategy and skill, and these movesets and EVs are designed to excel against multiple opponents at once while providing essential support to your team. Dominate the Ruby/Sapphire metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Item: Shell Bell / Choice Band
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Double-Edge / Return
- Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Ball
- Mud-Slap
For those intense double battles, Houndoom is a stunning Physical Sweeper. It was designed to overwhelm foes with destructive physical attacks. In the old days before Generation IV, a move's damage category was determined by its type. Choice Band will increase the damage of Houndoom's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. The Shell Bell item option is to help Houndoom recover from the recoil damage it may take from Double-Edge. With Flash Fire, Houndoom's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity.
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Sludge Bomb is a physical 90-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Shadow Ball is a physical 80-base power Ghost-type move (20% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Mud-Slap is a physical 20-base power Ground-type move (100% chance to lower the target's accuracy by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/daae5
Item: Charcoal
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Overheat / Flamethrower
- Crunch / Bite
- Solar Beam
- Will-O-Wisp
Prepare for double battles with Houndoom as a wonderful Special Sweeper. It's meant to take down the opponent's team with potent special moves. Back before Generation IV, a move's damage category was determined by its type. With Flash Fire, Houndoom's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity. With a Charcoal equipped to it, Houndoom's fire-type attacks have 1.1x power.
◆ Flamethrower is a special STAB-boosted 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
◆ Crunch is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Bite is a special STAB-boosted 60-base power Dark-type move (30% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Solar Beam is a special 120-base power Grass-type move (charges turn 1. Hits turn 2. No charge in sunlight).
◆ Will-O-Wisp is a status move (burns the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/dbae5
Movepool
Want to know what moves Houndoom can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by type, category, accuracy, and power. Moves in bold get the same-type attack bonus (STAB) when used by Houndoom.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Houndoom can perform in Ruby/Sapphire. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive RS Move and Ability Combos for Houndoom
- Moves: Sunny day + Solar beam
- Moves: Endure + Reversal
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Substitute + Reversal
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Protect, Snatch
- Moves that inflict status: Will-O-Wisp, Toxic
Moves that boost Houndoom's stats
- Howl
- Rage
Most notable and possible best moves for Houndoom
- Beat Up
- Crunch
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power Grass
- Hidden Power Ice
- Howl
- Protect
- Pursuit
- Rest
- Taunt
- Toxic
- Will-O-Wisp
Common Effort Values for Houndoom in Ruby and Sapphire
- Modest Nature ( 8/0/0/252/168/80/ )
- Timid Nature ( 4/0/0/252/0/252/ )
- Optimize Houndoom's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire
Usage Data
Explore the latest analytical usage data for this Pokémon from various VGC and online competitions. We use this data to develop our strategies and movesets. The data is categorized by competition and skill level: top-ranking trainers, mid-level players, and entry-level players.
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Here are the best movesets for Houndoom. Top rated Houndoom Ruby/Sapphire movesets. You can find Houndoom builds Ruby/Sapphire. Houndoom movesets Ruby/Sapphire are listed here. VGC Houndoom Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Houndoom in Ruby/Sapphire along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution