Competitive Information for Arcanine [Sword/Shield]
Fire
Abilities:
Note: Pokemon with the Flash Fire ability are immune to Fire attacks.
Movesets for Singles
What is a good competitive moveset for Arcanine? These builds have been optimized for Pokemon competing in Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs have been specifically calibrated to deal the most amount of damage to the largest group of potentially common opponents and typing threats for the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
Arcanine is an astounding Fire-typed Pokemon. It's not-uncommon to see Arcanine show up as a Sword/Shield opponent. This Pokemon deserves to see more play in the meta. Arcanine is weak to Ground, Rock, and Water-typed attacks.
Item: Sitrus Berry / Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 244 Hp / 12 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Extreme Speed
- Protect
- Safeguard
- Will-O-Wisp / Flare Blitz
Support Arcanine (Popular/Trending)
Arcanine is a marvelous Support for single battles. The Sitrus Berry will restore 1/4th of Arcanine's max HP when it reaches below half health and gets consumed. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Arcanine last longer regaining it's life every turn. With Intimidate, on switch-in Arcanine lowers the attack of adjacent opponents by 1 stage.
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Arcanine this turn).
◆ Safeguard is a status move (for 5 turns, protects Arcanine's party from status).
◆ Will-O-Wisp is a status move (burns the target).
◆ Flare Blitz is a physical STAB-boosted 120-base power Fire-type move (has 33% recoil. 10% chance to burn. Thaws Arcanine).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is10a3b
Item: Sitrus Berry / Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
EVs: 244 Hp / 4 Def / 4 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Snarl
- Protect
- Safeguard
- Will-O-Wisp / Flamethrower
Physical Sweeper Arcanine (Popular/Trending)
Arcanine is a remarkable Physical Sweeper for single battles. The purpose of this moveset is to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. The Sitrus Berry will restore 1/4th of Arcanine's max HP when it reaches below half health and gets consumed. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Arcanine last longer regaining it's vitality every turn. With Intimidate, on switch-in Arcanine lowers the attack of adjacent opponents by 1 stage.
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Arcanine this turn).
◆ Safeguard is a status move (for 5 turns, protects Arcanine's party from status).
◆ Will-O-Wisp is a status move (burns the target).
◆ Flamethrower is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is11a3b
Item: Shell Bell / Eject Pack
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Flare Blitz / Fire Fang
- Close Combat
- Wild Charge / Double-Edge
- Outrage
Physical Sweeper Arcanine (Flash Fire)
Arcanine is a decent Physical Sweeper for single battles. It's designed to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. The Shell Bell item option is to help Arcanine recover from the recoil damage it may take from Double-Edge, Flare Blitz and Wild Charge. With Flash Fire, Arcanine's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity. Wild Charge was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Eject Pack equipped to it, if Arcanine's stat stages are lowered, it switches to a chosen ally then the Eject Pack gets consumed.
◆ Fire Fang is a physical STAB-boosted 65-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn. 10% chance to flinch).
◆ Close Combat is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Arcanine's defense and special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Wild Charge is a physical 90-base power Electric-type move (has 1/4 recoil).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Outrage is a physical 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Arcanine afterwards).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is12a3b
Item: Throat Spray / Life Orb
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Burn Up / Overheat
- Hyper Voice / Hyper Beam
- Dragon Pulse / Dragon Breath
- Scorching Sands / Mud-Slap
Special Sweeper Arcanine (Flash Fire)
Arcanine is an extraordinary Special Sweeper for single battles. It's meant to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Throat Spray activates when a Pokemon uses a sound-based move (in this case Hyper Voice) and raises Arcanine's special attack stat by 2 stages. Life Orb boosts the power of Arcanine's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Flash Fire, Arcanine's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity.
◆ Overheat is a special STAB-boosted 130-base power Fire-type move (lowers your Arcanine's special attack by 2 stages).
◆ Hyper Voice is a special 90-base power Normal-type move (no additional effect. Hits adjacent foes).
◆ Hyper Beam is a special 150-base power Normal-type move (Arcanine cannot move next turn).
◆ Dragon Pulse is a special 85-base power Dragon-type move that deals a substantial amount of damage.
◆ Dragon Breath is a special 60-base power Dragon-type move (30% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Scorching Sands is a special 70-base power Ground-type move (30% chance to burn the target. Thaws target).
◆ Mud-Slap is a special 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/is13a3b
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 Atk
Moveset:
- Bulldoze
- Flame Charge
- Close Combat
- Aerial Ace
Arcanine Physical Tank (Doggie Style)
Arcanine is a remarkable Physical Tank for single battles. It attempts to take a decent amount of physical hits while dealing some decent damage. Life Orb boosts the power of Arcanine's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Flash Fire, Arcanine's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity.
◆ Flame Charge is a physical STAB-boosted 50-base power Fire-type move (100% chance to raise your Arcanine's speed by 1 stage).
◆ Close Combat is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Arcanine's defense and special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Aerial Ace is a physical 60-base power Flying-type move (this move does not check accuracy).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is14a3b
Item: Assault Vest
Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
EVs: 72 Hp / 252 Atk / 184 Spe
Moveset:
- Wild Charge
- Flare Blitz
- Close Combat
- Extreme Speed
Arcanine Physical Sweeper (Assaultcanine)
Arcanine is pretty popular Physical Sweeper for single battles. It was designed to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. With Intimidate, on switch-in Arcanine lowers the attack of adjacent opponents by 1 stage. Assault Vest allows Arcanine to survive most Water attacks like Scald, Surf and Hydro Pump, and KO right back with Wild Charge. If he doesn't KO, then Extreme Speed will do the job. I used to have Life Orb as his item, but a suggestion for Assault Vest seemed like a better choice.With a Assault Vest equipped to it, Arcanine's sp. Def is 1.5x, but it can only select damaging moves.
◆ Flare Blitz is a physical STAB-boosted 120-base power Fire-type move (has 33% recoil. 10% chance to burn. Thaws Arcanine).
◆ Close Combat is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Arcanine's defense and special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Extreme Speed is a physical priority-increased 80-base power Normal-type move (nearly always goes first).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is15a3b
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Flare Blitz
- Close Combat
- Extreme Speed
- Morning Sun
Flash Fire Arcanine
Arcanine is a pretty decent Physical Sweeper for single battles. It's purpose is to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Life Orb boosts the power of Arcanine's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Flash Fire, Arcanine's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity.
◆ Close Combat is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Arcanine's defense and special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Extreme Speed is a physical priority-increased 80-base power Normal-type move (nearly always goes first).
◆ Morning Sun is a status move (heals your Arcanine by a weather-dependent amount).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is16a3b
Movesets for Doubles
What is a good doubles moveset for Arcanine? These builds have been optimized for Sword/Shield Double Battles. They have movesets and EVs specifically calibrated to generally work best versus multiple Pokemon at once as well as helping to support other team members and allys in the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
Item: Sitrus Berry
Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 212 Hp / 52 Def / 4 SpA / 20 SpD / 220 Spe
Moveset:
- Flamethrower
- Bulldoze
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect
Doubles Support Arcanine (Popular VGC)
Arcanine is a remarkable Support for double battles. This particular build was popular during past competitions. The Sitrus Berry will restore 1/4th of Arcanine's max HP when it reaches below half health and gets consumed. With Intimidate, on switch-in Arcanine lowers the attack of adjacent opponents by 1 stage.
◆ Bulldoze is a physical 60-base power Ground-type move (100% chance lower adjacent Pokemon speed by 1 stage).
◆ Will-O-Wisp is a status move (burns the target).
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Arcanine this turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/id10a3b
Item: Shell Bell / Eject Pack
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Flare Blitz / Fire Fang
- Close Combat
- Outrage
- Wild Charge / Bulldoze
Doubles Physical Sweeper Arcanine (Flash Fire)
Arcanine is an extraordinary Physical Sweeper for double battles. This moveset attempts to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. The Shell Bell item option is to help Arcanine recover from the recoil damage it may take from Flare Blitz and Wild Charge. With Flash Fire, Arcanine's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity. Wild Charge or Bulldoze are added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Eject Pack equipped to it, if Arcanine's stat stages are lowered, it switches to a chosen ally then the Eject Pack gets consumed.
◆ Fire Fang is a physical STAB-boosted 65-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn. 10% chance to flinch).
◆ Close Combat is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Arcanine's defense and special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Outrage is a physical 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Arcanine afterwards).
◆ Wild Charge is a physical 90-base power Electric-type move (has 1/4 recoil).
◆ Bulldoze is a physical 60-base power Ground-type move (100% chance lower adjacent Pokemon speed by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/id11a3b
Item: Throat Spray / Life Orb
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Heat Wave / Burn Up
- Hyper Voice / Hyper Beam
- Snarl
- Dragon Pulse / Dragon Breath
Doubles Special Sweeper Arcanine (Flash Fire)
Arcanine is a phenomenal Special Sweeper for double battles. It's purpose is to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Throat Spray activates when a Pokemon uses a sound-based move (in this case Hyper Voice or Snarl) and increases Arcanine's special attack stat by 2 stages. Life Orb boosts the power of Arcanine's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Flash Fire, Arcanine's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity.
◆ Burn Up is a special STAB-boosted 130-base power Fire-type move (Arcanine's fire type becomes typeless; must be fire).
◆ Hyper Voice is a special 90-base power Normal-type move (no additional effect. Hits adjacent foes).
◆ Hyper Beam is a special 150-base power Normal-type move (Arcanine cannot move next turn).
◆ Snarl is a special 55-base power Dark-type move (100% chance to lower the foes special attack by 1 stage).
◆ Dragon Pulse is a special 85-base power Dragon-type move that deals a considerable amount of damage.
◆ Dragon Breath is a special 60-base power Dragon-type move (30% chance to paralyze the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/id12a3b
Movepool
Wondering what moves can Arcanine learn? Here is the list of moves this Pokemon can learn in this selected generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by move type, category, accuracy, and power. Bolded moves will gain the same-type attack bonus (STAB) if this Pokemon uses them.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Arcanine can perform in Sword/Shield. 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 SS Move and Ability Combos for Arcanine
- Moves: Sunny day + Solar beam
- Moves: Safeguard + Outrage
- Moves: Safeguard + Thrash
- Moves: Endure + Reversal
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Substitute + Reversal
- Ability: Intimidate + Move: Will-o-wisp
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Protect, Extreme Speed, Helping Hand
- Moves that Break Screens: Psychic Fangs
- Moves that inflict status: Toxic, Will-O-Wisp, Scorching Sands
Moves that boost Arcanine's stats
- Agility
- Curse
- Flame Charge
- Howl
- Skull Bash
Most notable and possible best moves for Arcanine
- Bulldoze
- Burn Up
- Close Combat
- Dig
- Extreme Speed
- Flamethrower
- Flare Blitz
- Heat Wave
- Helping Hand
- Howl
- Morning Sun
- Protect
- Reflect
- Rest
- Safeguard
- Scorching Sands
- Snarl
- Teleport
- Toxic
- Wild Charge
- Will-O-Wisp
Common Effort Values for Arcanine in Sword and Shield
- Timid Nature ( 244/0/0/0/12/252 )
- Timid Nature ( 244/0/4/4/4/252 )
- Optimize Arcanine's EV spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
Related Videos
Here are various how-to-use and competitive moveset analysis video guides for Arcanine in Sword/Shield. These featured videos will most likely contain additional strategies and combos not listed on our site. Disclaimer: All videos belong to their respective owners along with the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the videos. They belong solely to the author and not to us.
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Here are the best movesets for Arcanine. Top rated Arcanine Sword/Shield movesets. You can find Arcanine builds Sword/Shield. Arcanine movesets Sword/Shield are listed here. VGC Arcanine Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Arcanine in Sword/Shield along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution