The Best Fire Pokemon, Ranked

Highlights

• Fire-type Pokemon, like Rapidash, not only have great attack and speed but also offer nostalgia for older fans of the franchise.
• Many Fire-type Pokemon, such as Ninetales, have strong special attack, special defense, and speed, making them versatile in battle.
• Unique Fire-type Pokemon, like Turtonator, offer defensive strengths, such as Shell Armor, making them a valuable asset in competitive battling.

Fire-type Pokemon stand as some of the most popular in the entire franchise, with tons of representation and a reputation for being among the strongest in the games. Ever since the days of Charmander, the Fire-type starter has been a popular choice with budding young trainers eager to start their Pokemon journey. Plenty of powerful non-starters have helped shape the way fans feel about these red-hot Pokemon.

Be it starters, legendaries, or anything in between, Fire types are well-represented in the Pokemon universe. A good Water-type can neutralize even the strongest of the bunch, so trainers have to get creative when considering certain match-ups. The best Fire-type Pokemon can circumvent these weaknesses in some way or another, which is why they’re so popular with fans. There might be many options out there for trainers to explore, but these will always be the best Fire Pokemon.

Updated May 31, 2024 by Ben Painter: One of the first Pokemon that gamers can select as their first partner Pokemon is a Fire-type. These include Charmander, Chimchar, and the latest one, Fuecoco. It is safe to say that Fire Pokemon hold a special place in many trainer’s hearts.

The type is very useful in the games, strong against Bug, Grass, Steel, and Ice-types which add a lot to different battle strategies. With 97 Fire Pokemon to choose from, some stand out above the rest. This update adds five more of the fiery creatures and gives more context to each one to explain why they are the best of the bunch.

38 Rapidash

Fire-type

• Generation: 1
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Red & Blue
• Best Nature: Jolly
• Weak To: Ground (2x), Rock (2x), Water (2x)

The original 151 Pokemon are always preferred to older fans due to nostalgia. When it comes to fire types, there aren’t too many to choose from out of the Kanto ‘mons. Rapidash is certainly one to select here though.

With fantastic attack and speed, a Jolly nature helps to boost those stats and is capable of hitting hard and fast with STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves such as Flame Wheel and Flare Blitz. Rapidash should have received a Pegasus-inspired Mega Evolution. Perhaps the horse will receive one in the next entry in the Pokemon franchise, Pokemon Legends Z-A.

Rapidash’s Base Stats:

37 Ninetales

Fire-type

• Generation: 1
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Red & Blue
• Best Nature: Timid
• Weak To: Ground (2x), Rock (2x), Water (2x)

Another iconic Pokemon in Ninetales, the fiery fox was inspired by the kitsune of Japanese legend, and it lives up to that in the games. Gamers will need to give Vulpix a Fire Stone to use this Pokemon in one of their playthroughs.

Stats-wise, it is solid across the board with a focus on special attack, special defense, and speed. Flamethrower or Fire Blast are the ideal moves to use on Ninetales to get the best out of their skills. Out of its abilities, there are two great ones. Flash Fire boosts its Fire moves by 50% if hit by a Fire move, and Drought, which gives it some help against Water types.

Ninetales’ Base Stats:

36 Blacephalon

Fire/Ghost-type

• Generation: 7
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Best Nature: Timid
• Weak To: Ground (2x), Rock (2x), Ghost (2x), Water (2x), Dark (2x)

Just looking at this Pokemon does not scream that it is a Fire-type, but it actually is and, just like all the Ultra Beasts, they are weird, even for Pokemon. Blacephalon shines in special attack and attack, but it is also very fast. The Timid nature is the best way to go.

Its signature move, Mind Blown, is epic as it can deal 150 damage, but it also takes damage equal to half of its maximum HP rounded up. Shadow Ball, Will-O-Wisp, and Calm Mind make up for a beast of a moveset. What lets this Pokemon down is its really low defense, HP, and its five weaknesses.

Blacephalon’s Base Stats:

35 Scovillain

Fire/Grass-type

• Generation: 9
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
• Best Nature: Mild
• Weak To: Flying (2x), Poison (2x), Rock (2x)

Fans were crying out for a Fire/Grass-type Pokemon, as before Scovillain, the type combination had never been used. Although some Pokefans were not overly impressed by the design of the coveted Fire/Grass ‘mon, it is still a decent and useable Pokemon in the game.

Scovillain is a mixed attacker with equal attack and defense. It can be used to take down a wide variety of foes with their differing defense stats. Along with its pre-evolution, Capsakid, no other Pokemon has this typing, which gives it some bonus points when discussing the best Fire-type Pokemon.

Scovillain’s Base Stats:

34 Turtonator

Fire/Dragon-type

• Generation: 7
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Best Nature: Calm
• Weak To: Ground (2x), Rock (2x), Dragon (2x)

Even though dragons famously breathe fire, Turtonator is the only non-legendary or Mega Evolution Fire/Dragon-type. This alone is a great reason that it should be featured among the best Fire-type Pokemon.

Defensively, this Pokemon is amazing, but its offense isn’t great. It is a much better special attacker, however, and can smash opponents with a Flamethrower or Dragon Pulse. Its ability Shell Armor means Turtonator cannot be struck with any critical hits, which is always a worry, especially if a gamer is playing a Nuzlocke.

Turtonator’s Base Stats:

33 Torkoal

Fire-type

• Generation: 3
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire
• Best Nature: Timid
• Weak To: Ground (2x), Rock (2x), Water (2x)

Made famous in the anime as one of Ash’s Pokemon in the Hoenn region, Torkoal, the flaming turtle, is a beast to use. With its ability of Drought capable of weakening Water moves, it can also tank hits with its whopping defense stat.

It can also deal decent attacks and special attacks. However, this Pokemon is so slow that there is no way that it will come first in any battle. It can learn the awesome move Shell Smash, which decreases defenses and increases attacks and speed. Shell Smash, Drought with Protect, and Leftovers make Torkoal a significant force in competitive battling.

Torkoal’s Base Stats:

32 Emboar

Fire/Fighting-type

• Generation: 5
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Black & White
• Best Nature: Adamant
• Weak To: Flying (2x), Ground (2x), Water (2x), Psychic (2x)

Emboar gets a bad rep among the Pokemon community for being the third Fire/Fighting starter Pokemon in a row, but this is unfair criticism as the flaming hog is an amazing Pokemon in the games.

Capable of hitting hard with physical and special moves, it is also a tank with 110 HP, it has its uses in the games, and it deserves its place as one of the best Fire types in the franchise. Emboar evolves from Pignite at level 36 and is the final form of the cute little piglet Tepig. That is a good enough reason to be on this list.

Emboar’s Base Stats:

31 Darmanitan

Fire-type (Standard Mode), Fire/Psychic-type (Zen Mode)

• Generation: 5
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Black & White
• Best Nature: Jolly
• Weak To:
  • Standard Mode: Ground (2x), Rock (2x), Water (2x)
  • Zen Mode: Ground (2x), Rock (2x), Ghost (2x), Water (2x), Dark (2x)

The Orangutan Pokemon is a decent one to use in Pokemon, but its usefulness increases when it has the ability of Zen Mode. This allows it to switch forms in battle when its HP is below 50%. This greatly improves its defenses and special attacks. The user essentially has two Pokemon in one.

The Zen Mode gains the Psychic typing, which will grant STAB to Psychic moves. Learning the move Psychic by TM will be awesome thanks to Zen Mode Darmanitan’s solid special attack stat. Otherwise, Darmanitan is still great, with fantastic attack, HP, and speed.

30 Talonflame

Fire/Flying-type

• Generation: 6
• Game Introduced:Pokemon X & Y
• Best Nature: Adamant
• Weak To: Rock (4x), Water (2x), Electric (2x)

Gen 6 brought gamers Talonflame, it was amazing to see the regional bird have the Fire typing which was a first for its time as before they had solely been Normal/Flying.

His speed is so impressive and with a perfect ability of Flame Body which burns opponents on contact, gamers have got an awesome Pokemon and one of the best Fire types. What lets Talonflame down is its 4x weakness to Rock types, one Rock Slide, and it is down, avoid them at all costs.

Talonflame’s Base Stats:

29 Rotom (Heat Form)

Fire/Electric-type

• Generation: 4
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Platinum
• Best Nature: Timid
• Weak To: Rock (2x), Water (2x)

Surprisingly this Pokemon is still the only Fire/Electric type Pokemon in the entire franchise, that alone makes this Pokemon one of the best fire types. Rotom Heat is solid defensively, so it could be used as a decent wall competitively, with just two weaknesses to take advantage of.

Rotom is a unique Pokemon, capable of changing its type through different forms, and the Fire-type Pokemon benefit greatly from this electric brother. Water types should run in fear of this fiery Pokemon, capable of hitting back with an STAB Discharge.

Rotom (Heat Form) Base Stats:

28 Incineroar

Fire/Dark-type

• Generation: 7
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Best Nature: Jolly
• Weak To: Fighting (2x), Rock (2x), Water (2x), Ground (2x)

Gamers thought they had four Fire/Fighting starters in a row, but Incineroar was given the Dark secondary typing, his gimmick is that he is a dirty wrestler, which is an interesting concept.

Incineroar is an impressive Pokemon with its Dark and Fire moves, make sure they are physical to make use of his high attack stat. Anime will know this Pokemon as being one of Ash’s most successful, part of the only team that actually won the Pokemon league. He has four weaknesses to keep an eye on but shockingly Incineroar can learn Thunder Punch to counter any pesky Water types.

Incineroar’s Base Stats:

27 Infernape

Fire/Fighting-type

• Generation: 4
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
• Best Nature: Jolly
• Weak To: Flying (2x), Ground (2x), Water (2x), Psychic (2x)

Generation 4 brought fans three solid starter Pokemon and their final evolutions are some of the best in the whole franchise. Infernape certainly is that category, despite the fact it was the second Fire/Fighting starter in a row. It was the following one that really annoyed fans.

Infernape can make handy work of enemy Rock types with its powerful Close Combat. It has coverage against water and ground with Grass Knot and can also learn U-Turn and Shadow Claw to combat Psychic types. It can even learn Rock Slide to deal with Flying types. The fire ape has it all and, with its impressive stats, it is one of the best Fire-type Pokemon.

Infernape’s Base Stats:

26 Chi-Yu

Fire/Dark-type

• Generation: 9
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
• Best Nature: Timid
• Weak To: Fighting (2x), Rock (2x), Water (2x), Ground (2x)

New to the Pokemon franchise, Chi-Yu is a legendary Pokemon and a member of the Treasures of Ruin. On the surface of it, Ch-Yu does not look like a Fire-type, more like a Water-type with its goldfish design.

But this ‘mon is actually Fire and Dark type, a really cool typing, the Ruinous Pokemon’s stats are impressive and gamers should not underestimate its size. However, with four weaknesses there is a lot of work that needs to be done, it can learn Psychic but that only covers one weakness out of four.

Chi-Yu’s Base Stats:

25 Paldean Tauros (Blaze Breed)

Fighting/Fire-type

• Generation: 9
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
• Best Nature: Adamant
• Weak To: Flying (2x), Ground (2x), Water (2x), Psychic (2x)

When Tauros was introduced way back in Generation 1 in Pokemon Red & Blue it was received as an amazing Pokemon but as years went by the Normal-Type needed something else to help boost its popularity.

This came in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet when it received not one, but three new forms and one of those is a Fire-type the Paldean Blaze Breed of Tauros which is exclusive to Pokemon Scarlet. A black Tauros with fiery red accents is an awesome Pokemon and deserving of its ranking as one of thebest Fire types.

Paldean Tauros’ Base Stats:

24 Salazzle

Poison/Fire-type

• Generation: 7
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Best Nature: Timid
• Weak To: Ground (4x), Rock (2x), Water (2x), Psychic (2x)

Getting Salazzle takes a little bit of trial and error, as it can only evolve from a female Salandit. Trainers who do put in the time to hunt one down will be rewarded with one of the best Fire-type Pokemon after a little bit of training.

Salazzle is a great glass cannon, as it doesn’t have much going for it aside from its Speed and Special Attack. That shouldn’t be an issue for trainers as long as they use it situationally and in the right matchups. While it does have quite a few weaknesses, Salazzle is also resistant to eight different types. Given how low its Defense and Special Defense are, neither is likely to matter all that much.

Salazzle’s Base Stats:

23 Camerupt

Fire/Ground-type

• Generation: 3
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire
• Best Nature: Calm
• Weak To: Ground (2x), Water (4x)

If Mega Evolutions were still a featured mechanic in the mainline games, Camerupt would likely rank higher. Regardless, it still stands as one of the best Fire-type Pokemon trainers can recruit into their party.

Camerupt won’t win any races, but it has average defensive stats and can deal a fair amount of Physical and Special damage. Most of its most powerful moves get STAB, so trainers can be sure that they’re going into battle with a great asset regardless of what kind of build they favor.

Camerupt’s Base Stats:

22 Pyroar

Fire/Normal-type

• Generation: 6
• Game Introduced:Pokemon X & Y
• Best Nature: Timid
• Weak To: Ground (2x), Fighting (2x), Rock (2x), Water (2x)

Longevity might not be Pyroar’s strong suit in battle, but the Fire/Normal type has other uses that trainers can capitalize on. With middling defensive stats, Pyroar is best suited as a glass cannon. It does have a fairly high base HP stat, but virtually no defense.

Pyroar’s learnset allows trainers to take advantage of its high Special Attack stat, with tons of great moves to choose from. Its Fire/Normal typing gives it immunity to Ghost-types while it’s also resistant to six different types including Fairy.

Pyroar’s Base Stats:

21 Chandelure

Fire/Ghost-type

• Generation: 5
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Black & White
• Best Nature: Modest
• Weak To: Ground (2x), Rock (2x), Ghost (2x), Water (2x), Dark (2x)

Chandelure is a unique Pokemon that many trainers would be thrilled to have in their party. There aren’t many like this Ghost/Fire-type in the franchise, and having it at hand during a given battle could be just what trainers need to turn the tide.

Its various weaknesses might scare some trainers off, but Chandelure more than makes up for that with its immunity to Normal and Fighting-type moves and seven different resistances. You won’t find many Pokemon like this, so those in search of a reliable Fire-type should snag it if the opportunity presents itself.

Chandelure’s Base Stats:

20 Houndoom

Fire/Dark-type

• Generation: 2
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Gold & Silver
• Best Nature: Timid
• Weak To: Ground (2x), Fighting (2x), Rock (2x), Water (2x)

First introduced in the second generation, Houndoom was one of the new Dark-type Pokemon introduced at the time. A Dark/Fire-type, Houndoom remains a solid option for trainers looking to add what might be one of the best Fire-type Pokemon in the series.

Mega Houndoom outshines the original in both design and stat distribution. But that shouldn’t take away from Houndoom’s effectiveness in battle. Its high Special Attack allows it to capitalize off of its learnset, and it should serve as a well-balanced Fire-type option for players to add one to the mix.

Houndoom’s Base Stats:

19 Delphox

Fire/Psychic-type

• Generation: 6
• Game Introduced:Pokemon X & Y
• Best Nature: Modest
• Weak To: Ground (2x), Water (2x), Rock (2x), Dark (2x), Ghost (2x)

Fennekin starts as a pure Fire-type that gains a unique Fire/Psychic-typing when it evolves into Delphox. Most Fire-type starters that do take on a second type usually end up Fire/Fighting. This makes Delphox a desirable choice for any trainer looking to try something new.

High special attack and speed are what make Delphox such an asset on the battlefield. Though not quite a glass cannon, Delphox possesses mediocre defense but compensates for it with fantastic special defense. Moves like Future Sight, Flamethrower, and Fire Blast all get STAB alongside a bevy of others. So trainers have plenty of options when it comes to the Kalos starter.

Delphox’s Base Stats: