Best Fire Type Pokemon

Picking the best Fire type Pokemon is hard because the type is strong almost everywhere. Fire type Pokemon hit Grass, Ice, Bug and Steel for double damage, and they take half damage from six types, Fairy and Steel included.

Every generation has also handed players a Fire starter, which is why so many people end up with a favorite. (Fire has always been the dramatic one. We say this with love.)

This list ranks 15 of the 81 Fire type Pokemon by how many different players named each one as their favorite or best Fire type. Let's get into the countdown:

Best Fire Type Pokemon

#15

Ho-Oh

Ho-Oh may be based on the legend of the phoenix, specifically the Fenghuang, the immortal phoenix of China from which it takes its name. The resurrection theme goes beyond the name, since Ho-Oh had a hand in resurrecting Suicune, Raikou and Entei. Its Pokedex entry says its feathers glow in seven colors depending on the angle of the light, and that these feathers are said to bring happiness to the bearers. (We have kept a pigeon feather in a drawer for years. Nothing yet.)

It is the only legendary Pokemon on this list, and its base stat total of 680 is the highest of the 15. Its Attack is 130, and its Special Defense, which blunts special attacks, is 154. Every Pokemon also has an ability, a passive effect that works on its own in battle, and Ho-Oh's Pressure makes any move that targets it cost one extra PP (PP is how many times a move can be used). Its hidden ability (a rarer ability some Pokemon can have), Regenerator, heals it for a third of its max HP when it switches out, which suits a bird that rises from its own ashes.

It gets called the best Fire type outright, and sometimes a god among them.

#14

Cinderace

Cinderace seems to be based on a rabbit or hare with elements from association football (soccer) players. As the Fire starter of Galar, it may also nod to the fact that association football started in England. Raboot evolves into it at level 35. Its Pokedex entry says it gets pumped up when cheered on, but if it starts showboating, it could put itself in a tough spot. (A striker with an ego problem. The sport has never seen this before.)

Its Speed of 119 is the highest on this list (Speed decides who attacks first in a turn), and its Attack is 116. Its ability, Blaze, makes its Fire moves hit 1.5× as hard once its HP drops to a third or less. Its hidden ability, Libero, changes its type to the type of the attack it just used, and the name may be a reference to the libero, a versatile position in football.

#13

Emboar

Emboar is based on a boar and looks much like a wild boar with elements of a British Saddleback in a wrestling singlet. It may also be based on Zhu Bajie, a pig demon from a classic Chinese novel. Its Fighting type might be a reference to war pigs, more specifically incendiary pigs, a form of ancient warfare reported by a couple of Greek military writers. (We read that sentence twice. It means what you think it means.)

Pignite evolves into it at level 36, and its Pokedex category is Mega Fire Pig Pokemon. Its entry says it has mastered fast and powerful fighting moves and grows a beard of fire. It has an HP of 110 and an Attack of 123, and its hidden ability, Reckless, makes recoil moves (moves that also hurt the user) 1.2× as strong.

It was the third Fire starter in a row to end up Fire / Fighting, after Blaziken and Infernape. The design has held up anyway, and the Shiny version (a rare alternate-color version of a Pokemon) gets singled out as one of the best-looking Fire types.

#12

Chandelure

Chandelure appears to combine an ornate chandelier with the folkloric idea of wandering spirit-flames. Its blue-violet flames, placed where candles would be, mirror traditional Japanese depictions of ghostly fire known as hitodama. Its Pokedex entry says that in homes illuminated by Chandelure instead of lights, funerals were a constant occurrence, or so it's said. (Interior design with consequences.)

Lampent evolves into it with a Dusk Stone, an evolution item. Its Special Attack of 145 is the highest on this list (Special Attack powers special moves like Flamethrower). Flash Fire, one of its abilities, protects it from Fire moves, and once one has been blocked, its own Fire moves hit 1.5× as hard. Its other ability, Flame Body, gives it a 30% chance of burning any Pokemon that touches it. Its hidden ability, Infiltrator, lets it get past defensive moves such as Reflect and Light Screen.

#11

Incineroar

Incineroar is based on a tiger and shares elements with a professional wrestler. Its category, Heel Pokemon, and its Dark type bring to mind a heel, a wrestler who embodies vice. Its Pokedex entry says its rough and aggressive behavior is its most notable trait, but the way it helps out small Pokemon shows it has a kind side as well. That hidden soft side could allude to kayfabe, the wrestling tradition of keeping the act going outside the ring. (A villain who is secretly nice to kids. We have seen this documentary.)

Torracat evolves into it at level 34. Its HP is 95 and its Attack is 115. Its hidden ability, Intimidate, lowers the opponent's Attack one stage the moment it enters battle (a stage is one step up or down for a stat during a battle).

It is a common answer for the best Fire starter of all.

#10

Flareon

Flareon has traits from several mammals. Its long ears, orange coloration and fluffy tail may come from foxes such as the red fox, while its body shape and fluffy mane may be based on lions or cat breeds like the Norwegian Forest cat and the Maine Coon. Eevee evolves into it with a Fire Stone. Its Pokedex entry says flames burn within a saclike organ inside it, and when it inhales, they reach a mighty 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. (We get warm walking to the fridge.)

Its Attack of 130 ties Ho-Oh for the best on this list, but its Speed is 65. Its hidden ability, Guts, raises its Attack to 1.5× when it has a major status ailment such as a burn or poison.

Battlers have called it a weak pick. It still gets chosen, often in the same breath as Ninetales.

Houndoom

Houndoom seems to be based on the legends of hellhounds and possibly Cerberus of Greek mythology. Its horns and pointed tail resemble common depictions of the devil, and the bands around its ankles resemble shackles. Its build and coloration are similar to a Dobermann. Its Pokedex entry says it is identifiable by its eerie howls, and people a long time ago thought it was the grim reaper and feared it.

Houndour evolves into it at level 24. Its Special Attack is 110 and its Speed is 95. One of its abilities, Early Bird, makes sleep pass twice as quickly, which is a strange gift for something dressed as the end of the world. (An early riser from the underworld. We have worked with this person.) Its other ability is Flash Fire, and its hidden ability, Unnerve, stops opposing Pokemon from eating their held Berries.

Ninetales

Ninetales is based on a fox, possibly a red fox, and the kitsune of Japanese legend, which are said to have many tails and supernatural powers such as the ability to breathe fire. It may draw on the kyūbi no kitsune in particular, whose fur turns white-gold after it has lived for 1,000 years and gains its ninth tail. The Pokedex agrees and says it stores sacred power in its nine long tails and lives for a millennium.

Vulpix evolves into it with a Fire Stone. Its Speed and Special Defense are both 100. Its ability, Flash Fire, protects it from Fire moves and powers up its own after it blocks one. Its hidden ability, Drought, summons strong sunlight as soon as it enters battle. (A thousand years and a personal sun. We cannot keep a houseplant alive.)

Cyndaquil

Cyndaquil appears to be based on an echidna with traits of tenrecs, such as its long snout and having little to no tail. It could also be based on the Hinezumi, a fire mouse from Chinese myth that lives in volcanoes and shares Cyndaquil's species name in Japanese. Its category is Fire Mouse Pokemon. Its Pokedex entry says it is usually curled into a ball due to its timid disposition, though it harbors tremendous firepower. (Timid with tremendous firepower is also how we would describe our group chat.)

It evolves into Quilava at level 14 and stands 0.5 m tall. Its base stat total of 309 ties Charmander for the lowest on this list, and it makes the top 15 as a first-stage starter. Its ability is Blaze, and its hidden ability is Flash Fire.

Nobody picks it for the numbers. It wins on being cute, and a few go as far as calling it the best Pokemon there is.

Charmander

Charmander was designed as a lizard, and its name points to the salamander, an amphibian that folklore often treats as a fire spirit able to survive extreme heat. Its bipedal design resembles a baby theropod dinosaur. Its Pokedex entry says a flame has burned at the tip of its tail since it was born, and its life would end if the flame were to go out. (No pressure. Literally none, it would like to avoid rain.)

It evolves into Charmeleon at level 16. It is 0.6 m tall and weighs 8.5 kg. Its ability is Blaze, and its hidden ability, Solar Power, raises its Special Attack to 1.5× in strong sunlight but costs it an eighth of its max HP after each turn.

Charmander makes this list on its own, separate from Charizard at number one. Plenty of players name it as their favorite Fire type, and one sums it up as "50% cute and 50% Cool".

Typhlosion

Typhlosion has a body shape similar to badgers and wolverines, while the flames on its body closely resemble porcupine quills. It may also be based on volcanoes, which shows in its category, Volcano Pokemon, and its triangular volcano-like shape while standing up. Its newest Pokedex entry, from Hisui, says it is said to purify lost, forsaken souls with its flames and guide them to the afterlife.

Quilava evolves into it at level 36. Its stats are identical to Charizard's, from its HP of 78 to its Speed of 100, which makes the gap between the two in this ranking a matter of taste. (Same stats, different friend groups. High school all over again.) Its ability is Blaze, and its hidden ability is Flash Fire.

The design splits people more than most on this list. Some say it looks bad or does not look like a Fire starter at all, while the ones who started with it keep a soft spot for it.

Arcanine

Arcanine may be based on the shisa or komainu, mythical creatures that resemble a mix of lions and dogs, or more precisely the Chinese guardian lion. Its stripes and coloration are reminiscent of tigers. Its Pokedex category is Legendary Pokemon, even though it is not a legendary Pokemon. Its entry says that despite its bulk, it deftly feints every which way and all but dances around its opponents. (A 155 kg dog that dances. We would buy a ticket.)

Growlithe evolves into it with a Fire Stone. Its base stat total of 555 is second only to Ho-Oh on this list, with an Attack of 110 and a Speed of 95. Its abilities are Intimidate and Flash Fire, and its hidden ability, Justified, raises its Attack one stage when a Dark move hits it.

Blaziken

Blaziken is based on a chicken, possibly the Shamo chicken, and its feathery legs resemble those of a Cochin chicken. It may also be based on the basan, a legendary fire-breathing chicken of Japanese folklore. Its Fighting type may draw on Muay Thai fighters, since its official artwork depicts a typical flying knee. Its Pokedex entry says it can easily clear a 30-story building in one leap. (We take the elevator to the second floor.)

Combusken evolves into it at level 36. It has an Attack of 120 and a Special Attack of 110, and it was the first Fire starter to end up Fire / Fighting. Its ability is Blaze, and its hidden ability, Speed Boost, raises its Speed one stage after each turn, which turns a slow start into a fast finish.

Several players call it their favorite Pokemon ever, or a close second, and for at least one it was a first starter back in 2002.

Infernape

Infernape appears to be based on a monkey with some elements of a chimpanzee. The gold in its design may be linked to Sun Wukong, the Monkey King of the same Chinese novel, and the gold marking on its chest recalls his gold headband. That makes it and Emboar two Fire starters drawn from the same book. It may also be based on Hanuman, who was granted immunity to fire. Its Pokedex entry says it shrouds itself in flame and battles as if engaged in dance. (We also battle as if engaged in dance. We are no longer invited to weddings.)

Monferno evolves into it at level 36. Its Attack and Special Attack are both 104 (Attack powers physical moves, Special Attack powers special ones), and its Speed is 108. Its hidden ability, Iron Fist, makes punching moves 1.2× as strong.

Much of the love comes from Sinnoh, the Gen IV region, and the games and anime set there.

Charizard

Charizard may be based on European dragons, which are heavily associated with fire in European folklore, and it may also take inspiration from lizards and the mythical salamander. It is a Fire and Flying type, though, and the dragon look only reached its typing with Mega Charizard X, its Fire / Dragon Mega Evolution (a stronger form it takes for the rest of a battle). (Decades of looking like a dragon before the paperwork came through. We relate.)

Charmeleon evolves into it at level 36. Its Pokedex entry says its wings can carry it close to an altitude of 4,600 feet and that it blows out fire at very high temperatures. Its Special Attack is 109 and its Speed is 100. Its ability is Blaze, and its hidden ability is Solar Power.

More players named it as their favorite Fire type than any other, nearly twice as many as Infernape at number two. Most of them write the name and move on, and one asks that nobody tell Infernape.

Conclusion

Fire type Pokemon take double damage from Ground, Rock and Water attacks, and Fire starters still take over this list. Nine of the 15 entries come from Fire starter lines, covering seven of the nine, and only Fennekin's and Fuecoco's lines miss out. Three of them, Blaziken, Infernape and Emboar, share a Fighting half that resists Rock, which cancels one of the three weak spots.

The rest belong to Pokemon players found on their own, like a cursed chandelier and a dog with a legendary job title. (We relate most to Cyndaquil. Timid, curled up, still somehow on the list.)

If your favorite didn't make it, the full list of Fire type Pokemon has all 81, and the type chart shows what each pairing covers.

Fire Type Pokemon FAQ

What is the best Fire type Pokemon?

Charizard. More players name it as their favorite Fire type than any other.

How many Fire type Pokemon are there?

There are 81 Fire type Pokemon in the National Pokedex.

Is Arcanine a legendary Pokemon?

No. Arcanine is not a legendary Pokemon, even though its Pokedex category is Legendary Pokemon. It evolves from Growlithe with a Fire Stone.

Best Fire Type Pokemon

Best Fire Type Pokemon

Ho-Oh

Cinderace

Emboar

Chandelure

Incineroar

Flareon

Houndoom

Ninetales

Cyndaquil

Charmander

Typhlosion

Arcanine

Blaziken

Infernape

Charizard

Conclusion

Fire Type Pokemon FAQ

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