Competitive Information for Growlithe [Sword/Shield]
Fire
Abilities:
This Pokemon's Fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one Fire move; Fire immunity.
On switch-in, this Pokemon lowers the Attack of opponents by 1 stage.
This Pokemon's Attack is raised by 1 stage after it is damaged by a Dark-type move.
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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 Growlithe? These builds are optimized for Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sword/Shield metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Get ready to meet Growlithe, the first-rate Fire-typed Pokémon! Growlithe is not a Pokémon anyone usually expects to see on the battlefield. The LC tier (Little Cup) is where it shines. It is weak to Ground, Rock, and Water-typed attacks. Ready to elevate your game with Growlithe's movesets? They're right below!
Item: Shell Bell / Eject Pack
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Flare Blitz / Fire Fang
- Wild Charge / Double-Edge
- Close Combat
- Outrage
Growlithe excels as a spectacular Physical Sweeper during single battles. It's primary goal is to take down the opponent's team with formidable physical attacks. The Shell Bell item option is to help Growlithe recover from the recoil damage it may take from Double-Edge, Flare Blitz and Wild Charge. With Flash Fire, Growlithe'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 Growlithe'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).
◆ 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).
◆ Close Combat is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Growlithe's defense and special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Outrage is a physical 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Growlithe afterwards).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/maa3a
Item: Throat Spray / Life Orb
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Burn Up / Overheat
- Dragon Breath
- Round / Snore
- Snarl
When it comes to single battles, Growlithe shines as a superb Special Sweeper. It was designed to crush rivals using heavy-hitting special moves. Throat Spray activates when a Pokemon uses a sound-based move (in this case Round or Snore) and raises Growlithe's special attack stat by 2 stages. Life Orb boosts the power of Growlithe's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Flash Fire, Growlithe'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 Growlithe's special attack by 2 stages).
◆ Dragon Breath is a special 60-base power Dragon-type move (30% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Round is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if others used round this turn).
◆ Snore is a special 50-base power Normal-type move (Growlithe must be asleep. 30% chance to flinch target).
◆ Snarl is a special 55-base power Dark-type move (100% chance to lower the foes special attack by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mba3a
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Growlithe? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sword/Shield 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 Sword/Shield metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Item: Shell Bell / Eject Pack
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Flare Blitz / Fire Fang
- Wild Charge / Double-Edge
- Close Combat
- Outrage
Taking on double battles? Growlithe is a stunning Physical Sweeper. The purpose of this moveset is to overwhelm foes with overwhelming physical moves. The Shell Bell item option is to help Growlithe recover from the recoil damage it may take from Double-Edge, Flare Blitz and Wild Charge. With Flash Fire, Growlithe'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 Growlithe'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).
◆ 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).
◆ Close Combat is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Growlithe's defense and special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Outrage is a physical 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Growlithe afterwards).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/naa3a
Item: Throat Spray / Life Orb
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Heat Wave / Burn Up
- Snarl
- Dragon Breath
- Round / Snore
Growlithe makes an a pretty decent Special Sweeper in double battles. It was designed to overwhelm foes with forceful special attacks. Throat Spray activates when a Pokemon uses a sound-based move (in this case Snarl or Round) and boosts Growlithe's special attack stat by 2 stages. Life Orb boosts the power of Growlithe's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Flash Fire, Growlithe'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 (Growlithe's fire type becomes typeless; must be fire).
◆ Snarl is a special 55-base power Dark-type move (100% chance to lower the foes special attack by 1 stage).
◆ Dragon Breath is a special 60-base power Dragon-type move (30% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Round is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if others used round this turn).
◆ Snore is a special 50-base power Normal-type move (Growlithe must be asleep. 30% chance to flinch target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/nba3a
Movepool
Want to know what moves Growlithe can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sword/Shield 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 Growlithe.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Growlithe 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 Growlithe
- 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, Helping Hand, Protect
- Moves that Break Screens: Psychic Fangs
- Moves that inflict status: Will-O-Wisp, Toxic
Moves that boost Growlithe's stats
- Agility
- Curse
- Flame Charge
- Howl
- Skull Bash
Most notable and possible best moves for Growlithe
- Howl
- Protect
- Reflect
- Rest
- Snarl
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Growlithe in Sword and Shield
- Adamant Nature ( 0/252/0/0/0/252 )
- Modest Nature ( 0/0/0/252/0/252 )
- Jolly Nature ( 0/252/0/0/0/252 )
- Timid Nature ( 0/0/0/252/0/252 )
- Bold Nature ( 252/0/252/0/0/4 )
- Calm Nature ( 252/0/0/0/252/4 )
- Relaxed Nature ( 252/0/88/0/168/0 )
- Sassy Nature ( 252/0/4/0/252/0 )
- Optimize Growlithe's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
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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