Competitive Information for Houndoom [X/Y]
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.
While this Pokemon is active, it prevents opposing Pokemon from using their Berries.
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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 X/Y Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the X/Y metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Get ready to meet Houndoom, the first-rate Dark and Fire-typed Pokémon! It's a sight to see Houndoom out in the 6th generation battlefield. It is weak to Fighting, Ground, Rock, and Water-typed attacks. Curious about Houndoom's movesets? Check our suggestions listed below!
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Band
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Foul Play / Crunch
- Double-Edge / Return
- Fire Fang / Flame Charge
- Thunder Fang
Houndoom is a spectacular Physical Sweeper to use for single battles. It is primarily designed to crush rivals using brute physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Houndoom from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out (usually Flame Charge to boost Houndoom for the following turns). 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. With Flash Fire, Houndoom's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity.
◆ Crunch is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Fire Fang is a physical STAB-boosted 65-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn. 10% chance to flinch).
◆ Flame Charge is a physical STAB-boosted 50-base power Fire-type move (100% chance to raise your Houndoom's speed by 1 stage).
◆ Thunder Fang is a physical 65-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze. 10% chance to flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/iaae5
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Specs
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Overheat / Flamethrower
- Foul Play / Dark Pulse
- Sludge Bomb
- Hyper Voice / Hyper Beam
Taking on single battles? Houndoom is pretty popular Special Sweeper. The objective of this moveset is to crush rivals using forceful special attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Houndoom from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Houndoom's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Flash Fire, Houndoom's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity.
◆ Flamethrower is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
◆ Foul Play is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Dark-type move (uses target's attack stat in damage calculation).
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Sludge Bomb is a special 90-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ 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 (Houndoom cannot move next turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/ibae5
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Quiet (+SpA, -Spe)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 SpA
Moveset:
- Flame Charge
- Pursuit
- Super Fang
- Fire Blast
Houndoom excels as a marvelous Mixed Sweeper during single battles. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Houndoom last longer regaining it's HP every turn. With Flash Fire, Houndoom's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity.
◆ Pursuit is a physical STAB-boosted 40-base power Dark-type move (if a foe is switching out, hits it at 2x power).
◆ Super Fang is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (does damage equal to 1/2 target's current hp).
◆ Fire Blast is a special STAB-boosted 110-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/icae5
Item: White Herb
Ability: Unnerve
Nature: Quiet (+SpA, -Spe)
EVs: 27 Hp / 236 SpA / 247 SpD
Moveset:
- Nasty Plot
- Dark Pulse
- Overheat
- Fire Blast
Dominating single battles, Houndoom is an incredible Special Tank. It's primary goal is to take a good amount of hits from special attacks while dealing some decent damage. White Herb will reset Houndoom's negative stat changes once (specifically for when it uses Overheat). With Unnerve, while Houndoom is active it prevents opposing pokemon from using their berries.
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Overheat is a special STAB-boosted 130-base power Fire-type move (lowers your Houndoom'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).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/idae5
Item: Focus Band
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Quiet (+SpA, -Spe)
EVs: 240 Hp / 15 Def / 240 SpA / 15 SpD
Moveset:
- Nasty Plot
- Dark Pulse
- Dream Eater / Flamethrower
- Fire Blast
For those intense single battles, Houndoom is a first-rate Special Tank. This moveset is tailored to take a considerable amount of hits from special attacks while dealing some decent damage. With Flash Fire, Houndoom's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity. With a Focus Band equipped to it, Houndoom has a 10% chance to survive an attack that would ko it with 1 hp.
◆ Dark Pulse is a special STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Dream Eater is a special 100-base power Psychic-type move (Houndoom gains 1/2 hp inflicted. Sleeping target only).
◆ Flamethrower is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
◆ Fire Blast is a special STAB-boosted 110-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/ieae5
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Houndoom? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive X/Y 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 X/Y metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Band
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Foul Play / Crunch
- Double-Edge / Return
- Fire Fang / Flame Charge
- Thunder Fang
When it comes to double battles, Houndoom shines as a notable Physical Sweeper. This configuration strives to overwhelm foes with devastating physical moves. Focus Sash helps protect Houndoom from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out (usually Flame Charge to boost Houndoom for the following turns). 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. With Flash Fire, Houndoom's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity.
◆ Crunch is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Fire Fang is a physical STAB-boosted 65-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn. 10% chance to flinch).
◆ Flame Charge is a physical STAB-boosted 50-base power Fire-type move (100% chance to raise your Houndoom's speed by 1 stage).
◆ Thunder Fang is a physical 65-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze. 10% chance to flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/jaae5
Item: Focus Sash / Choice Specs
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Heat Wave / Incinerate
- Hyper Voice / Hyper Beam
- Foul Play / Snarl
- Sludge Bomb
Houndoom stands out as a phenomenal Special Sweeper in double battles. This moveset is designed to crush rivals using formidable special attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Houndoom from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Houndoom's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. With Flash Fire, Houndoom's fire attacks do 1.5x damage if hit by one fire move; fire immunity.
◆ Incinerate is a special STAB-boosted 60-base power Fire-type move (destroys the foes berry/gem).
◆ 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 (Houndoom cannot move next turn).
◆ Foul Play is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Dark-type move (uses target's attack stat in damage calculation).
◆ Snarl is a special STAB-boosted 55-base power Dark-type move (100% chance to lower the foes special attack by 1 stage).
◆ Sludge Bomb is a special 90-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/jbae5
Movepool
Want to know what moves Houndoom can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon X/Y 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 X/Y. 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 XY Move and Ability Combos for Houndoom
- Moves: Sunny day + Solar beam
- Moves: Swagger + Foul play
- Moves: Endure + Reversal
- Moves: Swagger + Punishment
- 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
- Item: Blunder Policy + Move: Inferno
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Protect, Snatch, Feint, Sucker Punch
- Moves that inflict status: Will-O-Wisp, Toxic
Moves that boost Houndoom's stats
- Flame Charge
- Howl
- Nasty Plot
- Rage
Most notable and possible best moves for Houndoom
- Destiny Bond
- Howl
- Protect
- Rest
- Snarl
- Taunt
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Houndoom in X and Y
- 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 Houndoom's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon X and Y
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 X/Y movesets. You can find Houndoom builds X/Y. Houndoom movesets X/Y are listed here. VGC Houndoom Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Houndoom in X/Y along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution