Competitive Information for Ninetales [Sword/Shield]
Fire
Abilities:
Movesets for Singles
What is a good competitive moveset for Ninetales? 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.
VenusaurCharizardMoltres-GalarGarchompRaichuLandorus-TherianCrobatArcheopsUrshifuWhimsicott
Ninetales is a stupendous Fire-typed Pokemon. It's a pretty regular sight to see Ninetales out in the 8th generation battlefield. Ninetales is weak to Ground, Rock, and Water-typed attacks.
Item: Eject Pack / Focus Sash
Ability: Drought
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Solar Beam
- Heat Wave / Overheat
- Hypnosis / Extrasensory
- Protect / Round
Special Sweeper Ninetales (Popular/Trending)
Ninetales is an outstanding Special Sweeper. It is primarily designed to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Ninetales from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Drought changes the weather to Intense Sunlight when Ninetales is sent out onto the field. This help boosts all fire attacks while the Sunlight remains active.
♦ Heat Wave is a special STAB-boosted 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the foes).
♦ Overheat is a special STAB-boosted 130-base power Fire-type move (lowers your Ninetales's special attack by 2 stages).
♦ Hypnosis is a status move (causes the target to fall asleep).
♦ Extrasensory is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Ninetales this turn).
♦ Round is a special 60-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if others used round this turn).
Item: Heat Rock / Shell Bell
Ability: Drought
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 12 Hp / 252 Atk / 244 Spe
Moveset:
- Flare Blitz / Flame Charge
- Double-Edge / Body Slam
- Foul Play / Payback
- Zen Headbutt
Physical Sweeper Ninetales (Drought)
Ninetales is a remarkable Physical Sweeper. The purpose of this moveset is to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Drought changes the weather to Intense Sunlight when Ninetales is sent out onto the field. This help boosts all fire attacks while the Sunlight remains active.
♦ Flame Charge is a physical STAB-boosted 50-base power Fire-type move (100% chance to raise your Ninetales's speed by 1 stage).
♦ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
♦ Body Slam is a physical 85-base power Normal-type move (30% chance to paralyze the target).
♦ Foul Play is a physical 95-base power Dark-type move (uses target's attack stat in damage calculation).
♦ Payback is a physical 50-base power Dark-type move (power doubles if your Ninetales moves after the target).
♦ Zen Headbutt is a physical 80-base power Psychic-type move (20% chance to flinch the target).
Item: Heat Rock / Eject Pack
Ability: Drought
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 12 Hp / 252 SpA / 244 Spe
Moveset:
- Overheat / Weather Ball
- Solar Beam / Energy Ball
- Psyshock / Extrasensory
- Shadow Ball
Special Sweeper Ninetales (Drought)
Ninetales is pretty popular Special Sweeper. It is primarily designed to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Drought changes the weather to Intense Sunlight when Ninetales is sent out onto the field. This help boosts all fire attacks while the Sunlight remains active.
♦ Weather Ball is a special 50-base power Normal-type move (power doubles and type varies in each weather).
♦ Solar Beam is a special 120-base power Grass-type move (charges turn 1. hits turn 2. no charge in sunlight).
♦ Energy Ball is a special 90-base power Grass-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
♦ Psyshock is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (damages target based on defense, not special defense).
♦ Extrasensory is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Shadow Ball is a special 80-base power Ghost-type move (20% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Drought
Nature: Quiet (+SpA, -Spe)
EVs: 123 Hp / 141 Def / 246 SpA
Moveset:
- Nasty Plot
- Toxic
- Solar Beam
- Flamethrower
Ninetales Special Tank (Dirty Dozen)
Ninetales is a decent Special Tank. It is primarily designed to take a hefty amount of hits from special attacks while dealing some decent damage. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Ninetales last longer regaining it's it's vitality every turn. Drought changes the weather to Intense Sunlight when Ninetales is sent out onto the field. This help boosts all fire attacks while the Sunlight remains active.
♦ Toxic is a status move (badly poisons the target; Note: Poison types can't miss with Toxic).
♦ Solar Beam is a special 120-base power Grass-type move (charges turn 1. hits turn 2. no charge in sunlight).
♦ Flamethrower is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
Item: Air Balloon
Ability: Drought
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 248 Hp / 12 SpA / 248 Spe
Moveset:
- Dark Pulse
- Calm Mind
- Fire Blast
- Solar Beam
Ninetales Support (Seen Gooder)
Ninetales is an extraordinary Support. Air Balloon makes the holder ungrounded, which means Ninetales is immune to Ground-type moves until the balloon pops when hit by a damaging move. Drought changes the weather to Intense Sunlight when Ninetales is sent out onto the field. This help boosts all fire attacks while the Sunlight remains active.
♦ Calm Mind is a status move (raises your Ninetales's special attack and special defense by 1 stage).
♦ Fire Blast is a special STAB-boosted 110-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
♦ Solar Beam is a special 120-base power Grass-type move (charges turn 1. hits turn 2. no charge in sunlight).
Item: Safety Goggles
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Nasty Plot
- Energy Ball
- Dark Pulse
- Fire Blast
Ninetales Special Sweeper (Nasty Burn)
Ninetales is an interesting Special Sweeper. It's primary goal is to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. With Flash Fire, Ninetales's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity. This set is targeted towards working with my Alolan Ninetales set Veil Attacker. That is the reason for it having Safety Goggles, so it doesn't take damage from the snow storm. I decided not to use its HA because while it gives access to Solar Beam, it removes or is removed by Alolan Ninetales Hail. If used in singles instead of doubles replace the ability with drought and the item with life orb.
♦ Energy Ball is a special 90-base power Grass-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
♦ Dark Pulse is a special 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Fire Blast is a special STAB-boosted 110-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
Item: Sitrus Berry
Ability: Drought
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Psyshock
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Solar Beam
Ninetales Special Sweeper (Desert Queen)
Ninetales is a sensational Special Sweeper. This moveset attempts to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Drought changes the weather to Intense Sunlight when Ninetales is sent out onto the field. This help boosts all fire attacks while the Sunlight remains active.
♦ Nasty Plot is a status move (raises your Ninetales's special attack by 2 stages).
♦ Fire Blast is a special STAB-boosted 110-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
♦ Solar Beam is a special 120-base power Grass-type move (charges turn 1. hits turn 2. no charge in sunlight).
Movesets for Doubles
What is a good doubles moveset for Ninetales? 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.
VenusaurCharizardMoltres-GalarGarchompRaichuLandorus-TherianCrobatArcheopsUrshifuWhimsicott
Item: Heat Rock / Shell Bell
Ability: Drought
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 12 Hp / 252 Atk / 244 Spe
Moveset:
- Flare Blitz / Flame Charge
- Double-Edge / Body Slam
- Foul Play / Payback
- Zen Headbutt
Doubles Physical Sweeper Ninetales (Drought)
Ninetales is an outstanding Physical Sweeper. It is primarily designed to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Drought changes the weather to Intense Sunlight when Ninetales is sent out onto the field. This help boosts all fire attacks while the Sunlight remains active.
♦ Flame Charge is a physical STAB-boosted 50-base power Fire-type move (100% chance to raise your Ninetales's speed by 1 stage).
♦ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
♦ Body Slam is a physical 85-base power Normal-type move (30% chance to paralyze the target).
♦ Foul Play is a physical 95-base power Dark-type move (uses target's attack stat in damage calculation).
♦ Payback is a physical 50-base power Dark-type move (power doubles if your Ninetales moves after the target).
♦ Zen Headbutt is a physical 80-base power Psychic-type move (20% chance to flinch the target).
Item: Heat Rock / Life Orb
Ability: Drought
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 12 Hp / 252 SpA / 244 Spe
Moveset:
- Heat Wave / Incinerate
- Solar Beam / Energy Ball
- Psyshock / Extrasensory
- Shadow Ball
Doubles Special Sweeper Ninetales (Drought)
Ninetales is an awesome Special Sweeper. It's meant to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Life Orb boosts the power of Ninetales's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. Drought changes the weather to Intense Sunlight when Ninetales is sent out onto the field. This help boosts all fire attacks while the Sunlight remains active.
♦ Incinerate is a special STAB-boosted 60-base power Fire-type move (destroys the foes berry/gem).
♦ Solar Beam is a special 120-base power Grass-type move (charges turn 1. hits turn 2. no charge in sunlight).
♦ Energy Ball is a special 90-base power Grass-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
♦ Psyshock is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (damages target based on defense, not special defense).
♦ Extrasensory is a special 80-base power Psychic-type move (10% chance to flinch the target).
♦ Shadow Ball is a special 80-base power Ghost-type move (20% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Drought
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 144 Hp / 252 SpA / 112 Spe
Moveset:
- Toxic
- Sunny Day
- Fire Blast / Flamethrower
- Solar Beam
Ninetales Special Tank (Solar Ninetales*)
Ninetales is pretty popular Special Tank. It's primary goal is to take a considerable amount of hits from special attacks while dealing some decent damage. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Ninetales last longer regaining it's healthiness every turn. Drought changes the weather to Intense Sunlight when Ninetales is sent out onto the field. This help boosts all fire attacks while the Sunlight remains active. While Ninetales normally has no business staying in on either Tyranitar or Politoed, a well-timed Sunny Day can actually force them out! Not only is the opponent's attempt to change the weather negated, but SolarBeam no longer has a charge-up period. Should the opponent be foolish enough to keep their weather inducer in, their cold-blooded creature will be instantly vaporized by a super effective SolarBeam. With sufficient entry hazard support, Ninetales can back the opposing weather inducer into a tight corner. Either stay in and eat a SolarBeam, or switch out and take massive damage.
♦ Sunny Day is a status move (for 5 turns, intense sunlight powers fire moves).
♦ Fire Blast is a special STAB-boosted 110-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
♦ Flamethrower is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
♦ Solar Beam is a special 120-base power Grass-type move (charges turn 1. hits turn 2. no charge in sunlight).
Movepool
Wondering what moves can Ninetales 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 Ninetales 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 Ninetales
- Moves: Sunny Day + Solar Beam
- Moves: Mimic + Imprison
- Moves: Swagger + Foul play
- Moves: Swagger + Psych Up
- Moves: Endure + Flail
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Pain Split + Toxic
- Moves: Pain Split + Will-O-Wisp
- Moves: Stored Power + Psych Up
- Ability: Drought + Item: Heat Rock
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Item: Blunder Policy + Move: Inferno
- Moves with Priority: Quick Attack, Endure, Protect, Baby-Doll Eyes
Most notable and possible best moves for Ninetales
- Baby-Doll Eyes
- Extrasensory
- Fake Tears
- Flamethrower
- Foul Play
- Heat Wave
- Hypnosis
- Overheat
- Protect
- Round
- Scorching Sands
- Shadow Ball
- Solar Beam
- Will-O-Wisp
Common Effort Values for Ninetales in Sword and Shield
- Timid Nature ( 4/0/0/252/0/252 )
- Timid Nature ( 4/0/180/68/4/252 )
- Optimize Ninetales's EV spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
Related Videos
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