Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Houndoom
Say it: HOWN-doom
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Houndoom is the Dark Pokémon — Dark and Fire from Houndour. In Pokémon GO it is a Dark/Fire attacker and can Mega Evolve into Mega Houndoom. Dark helps against Psychic and Ghost; Fire helps against Grass, Bug, Ice, and Steel. Water, Ground, Fighting, and Rock punish it. Foul Play from Houndour Community Day (or an Elite TM) is a key Dark charged move. Evolve Houndour or catch Houndoom from events.
Say it: HOWN-doom
Houndoom (#229) is a Dark / Fire Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the final form of Houndour. Trainers use it as a Dark/Fire attacker with Snarl / Fire Fang + Foul Play / Crunch / Flamethrower / Fire Blast. Against Houndoom, lead with Water, Ground, Fighting, 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
Houndoom is a Dark / Fire-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0229. Use the Dark/Fire type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Priority Community Day move: Foul Play (Elite Charged TM if you missed Houndour CD). Snarl + Foul Play is the Dark kit; Fire Fang + Flamethrower for Fire. Shadow Houndoom is the raid DPS lean — remove Frustration before investing. Mega Houndoom for Dark raid days.
Type matchups
- Dark moves hit Psychic and Ghost hard.
- Fire moves hit Grass, Ice, Bug, and Steel hard.
When Houndoom is your opponent, Water, Fighting, Ground, Rock hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →Mega Evolution
Houndoom can Mega Evolve into Mega Houndoom (still Dark / Fire). Mega Evolution uses Candy plus Mega Houndoom Energy, boosts Dark attackers in the raid lobby, and only one Mega or Primal can be active at a time. Shadow Houndoom cannot Mega Evolve — purify first if you want the Mega.
Full Mega Evolution guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 224
- Defense
- 144
- Stamina
- 181
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 the always-available TM pool. Foul Play is a Houndour Community Day exclusive — Elite TM if you missed the event.
Fast
- Snarl · Standard
Dark energy / default
- Fire Fang · Standard
Fire STAB
Charged
- Foul Play · Community Day / Elite TM
Best Dark nuke
- Crunch · Standard
Dark alternate
- Flamethrower · Standard
Fire nuke
- Fire Blast · Standard
Fire alternate
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
- snarl
- fire fang
Charged
- crunch
- fire blast
- foul play
- flamethrower
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #667 of 954 · CP 1468
Fire Fang + Fire Blast
- Ultra League · rank #448 of 747 · CP 2484
Fire Fang + Fire Blast
- Master League · rank #433 of 1023 · CP 2979
Fire Fang + Fire Blast
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
Raid attacker roles
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 13: Raid Counters — Mega, Primal & Ultra Beasts
…igon Bite Brutal Swing Dark/ Dragon Non- shadow; more durable than Shadow version 10 Mega Houndoom Snarl Foul Play Dark/Fire Dark Mega boost for lobby ⚠ Moveset Warnings: - Shadow Ball var…
- Ch. 17: Rocket Leaders & Giovanni
…--| | 1 (catch) | **Amaura** (Rock / Ice) | | 2 | Flygon · Blastoise · Ferrothorn | | 3 | Houndoom · Steelix · Milotic | **Suggested team:** Lucario (Force Palm / Aura Sphere) · Mamoswine …
- 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.
Related species
Also named in the same guide chapters (text only).