Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Arcanine
Say it: AR-kuh-nine
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Arcanine is the Legendary Pokémon (the species name, not a raid legendary) — Fire from Growlithe. In Pokémon GO, Fire moves help against Grass, Bug, Ice, and Steel foes, but Water, Ground, and Rock hit Fire hard. Catch Growlithe/Arcanine from the wild, eggs, raids, or events. Hisuian Arcanine is a separate Fire / Rock form. There is no Mega for Arcanine in GO.
Say it: AR-kuh-nine
Arcanine (#059) is a Fire Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the final form of Kanto Growlithe. Trainers use it as a flexible Fire attacker and Great/Ultra League option with Fire Fang / Snarl + Flamethrower / Wild Charge / Scorching Sands. Against Arcanine, lead with Water, Ground, or Rock. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Arcanine is a Fire-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0059. Use the Fire type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Fire Fang + Flamethrower / Fire Blast for Fire DPS; Snarl + Wild Charge / Scorching Sands / Psychic Fangs for PvP coverage. Shadow Arcanine is a strong Fire DPS pick — remove Frustration before investing. Hisuian Arcanine is a different typing — see that page. No Community Day exclusive is required for Kanto Arcanine.
Type matchups
- Fire moves hit Grass, Ice, Bug, and Steel hard.
When Arcanine is your opponent, Water, Ground, Rock hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 227
- Defense
- 166
- Stamina
- 207
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Primal Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse — Primal lobby boost
- 2. Shadow Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse
- 3. Mega Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 4. Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse
- 5. Shadow Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 6. Shadow Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 7. Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 8. Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 9. Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 10. Samurott · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 11. Gyarados · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Tail
- 12. Empoleon · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 2. Gyarados · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Tail
- 3. Vaporeon · beats Water
Water Gun + Aqua Tail
- 4. Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 5. Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 6. Clawitzer · beats Water
Water Gun + Crabhammer
- 7. Floatzel · beats Water
Water Gun + Aqua Jet
- 8. Seismitoad · beats Water
Mud Shot + Hydro Pump
- 9. Carracosta · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Pump
- 10. Blastoise · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 11. Wailord · beats Water
Water Gun + Surf
- 12. Golisopod · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Jet
Recommended moves
Game Master “moves in GO” lists Arcanine’s always-available TM pool. No Community Day exclusive is required for a functional Fire kit.
Fast
- Fire Fang · Standard
Fire STAB / default
- Snarl · Standard
Dark energy / PvP
- Thunder Fang · Standard
Electric spice
Charged
- Flamethrower · Standard
Fire nuke
- Fire Blast · Standard
Fire backup
- Wild Charge · Standard
Electric coverage
- Scorching Sands · Standard
Ground coverage
- Crunch · Standard
Dark coverage
- Psychic Fangs · Standard
Psychic coverage
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- fire fang
- snarl
- thunder fang
Charged
- fire blast
- wild charge
- crunch
- flamethrower
- psychic fangs
- scorching sands
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #407 of 954 · CP 1471
Fire Fang + Wild Charge
- Ultra League · rank #284 of 747 · CP 2467
Fire Fang + Wild Charge
- Master League · rank #171 of 1023 · CP 3425
Fire Fang + Wild Charge
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
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Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
Raid attacker roles
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.