#0228

Houndour

Best moveset, PvP rankings, counters & stats for Pokemon GO.

Max CP 1,395 Feint Attack + Flamethrower Sunny Fog
Houndour Pokemon GO sprite

Houndour is a Dark/Fire-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO, originally from the Johto region (#228, Generation 2). With a max CP of 1,395 and base stats of 152/83/128 (Atk/Def/Sta), Houndour has a total stat product of 363.

Houndour is weak to Fighting, Ground, Rock, Water-type moves. It resists Psychic, Dark, Fire, Ghost, Grass, Ice, Steel-type attacks. Houndour is a 3.0 km buddy Pokemon.

Stats

Max CP
1,395
Lv.40: 1,234 Lv.50: 1,395
Attack 152
Defense 83
Stamina 128
Total 363
Buddy 3.0 km Gen 2 · Johto 2nd Move: 50,000 Dust · 50 Candy

Moves

Fast Moves

Fire
Ember STAB
10
DPS
10.0 PWR 10 EN 1.0s DUR 10 EPS Sunny
Dark
11
DPS
11.0 PWR 10 EN 1.0s DUR 10 EPS Fog

Charged Moves

Dark
Crunch STAB Buff
21.7
DPS
65.0 PWR 33 EN 3.0s DUR
Dark
Dark Pulse STAB
26.7
DPS
80.0 PWR 50 EN 3.0s DUR
Fire
32.5
DPS
65.0 PWR 50 EN 2.0s DUR

Best Moveset Analysis

Among fast moves, the highest DPS option is Feint Attack (11 DPS), while Ember generates energy the fastest (10 EPS).

Raid Guide

Houndour as Raid Boss

Not Currently in Raids

Houndour is not currently available as a raid boss. When Houndour returns to raids, here are the best counters to defeat it. A 100% IV Houndour from raids would have 705 CP at level 20, or 881 CP at level 25 with weather boost.

View full raid guide →

Best Counters to Beat Houndour

Houndour is weak to Fighting, Ground, Rock, Water-type moves, so counters with these move types will deal the most damage.

How to Get Houndour

Houndour can be encountered in the wild in Pokemon GO.

A Shadow version of Houndour is available from Team GO Rocket. Shadow Houndour knows Frustration as its charged move, which can be removed with a Charged TM. Purifying costs 3,000 Stardust and 3 Candy, and the purified form learns Return. Walking Houndour as your buddy earns 1 candy every 3.0 km. It also earns 15 Mega Energy per km when you have Mega Evolved it before.

To Mega Evolve Houndour, you need Mega Energy. The initial Mega Evolution requires 200 Mega Energy, with subsequent Mega Evolutions costing less based on your Mega Level. You can earn Houndour's Mega Energy by completing Mega Raids, walking Houndour as your buddy (15 Mega Energy per km after the first Mega Evolution), or through special research tasks and events.

Houndour Catch CP

These are the possible CP values when encountering Houndour in different scenarios. The range shows minimum (lowest IV floor) to maximum (100% perfect IV).

Wild Catch
Level 1–30
28 – 1,067 CP
Wild (Weather Boost)
Level 1–35
28 – 1,155 CP
Raid Catch
Level 20
671 – 723 CP
Raid (Weather Boost)
Level 25
835 – 899 CP
Egg Hatch
Level 20
671 – 723 CP
Research Encounter
Level 15
507 – 546 CP
GO Battle League
Level 20
671 – 723 CP

A 100% IV Houndour from raids or eggs will show 705 CP at level 20. If you see this number, don't hesitate — it's a perfect catch!

Trainer Tips

Houndour is a Dark/Fire-type Pokemon with a stat total of 363. With its high Attack stat (152), Houndour is best suited for offensive roles in both raids and PvP.

Watch out for Fighting, Ground, Rock, Water-type moves when using Houndour. These types deal super effective damage that can cut into Houndour's performance.

Houndour's moves get a damage boost in Sunny and Fog weather. Take advantage of weather conditions to maximize your DPS in raids and gym battles.

Unlocking a second charged move costs 50,000 Stardust and 50 Candy. With 3 charged moves available, a second move gives Houndour much better coverage in PvP battles.

Should I Invest in Houndour?

Power-Up Costs

Level 20 → 40 (Standard)
135,000 Stardust
15 Candy
Level 40 → 50 (XL Candy)
0 Stardust
0 XL Candy
Total (20 → 50)
135,000 Stardust

Verdict

Collector's Pick
Houndour is a Dark/Fire-type Pokemon with base stats of 152/83/128 (Atk/Def/Sta) and a max CP of 1,395. While it doesn't currently rank among the top raid attackers or PvP contenders, every Pokemon has its place in a trainer's collection. Houndour may shine during specific events, in limited-format cups, or when new moves are added in future updates. For now, hold onto a good IV specimen but save your Stardust and Candy for more impactful investments unless you're a dedicated fan of this Pokemon.

Shadow vs Regular: Shadow Houndour deals 20% more damage but takes ~20% more. For raids, Shadow is generally the better investment. For PvP, evaluate matchups carefully — the bulk loss can be significant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best moveset for Houndour in Pokemon GO?
Houndour has multiple viable movesets depending on the battle format. The ideal moveset varies based on whether you are using Houndour for raids, gym battles, or PvP — check the moves section above for a full breakdown of each move's DPS, energy cost, and coverage.
What are Houndour's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?
Houndour is weak to Fighting, Ground, Rock, Water-type moves. On the other hand, Houndour resists Psychic, Dark, Fire, Ghost, Grass, Ice, Steel-type attacks, so avoid using those types against it. To counter Houndour effectively in raids and gyms, build a team using its weakest type matchups and pick attackers that have STAB moves of those types.
What is Houndour's max CP in Pokemon GO?
Houndour's maximum CP is 1,395 at level 50 (with XL Candy), or 1,234 at level 40. Reaching level 50 requires XL Candy, which is only available to trainers level 31 and above — earning XL Candy involves catching, hatching, transferring, and walking Pokemon. Houndour's CP is calculated from its base stats: 152 Attack, 83 Defense, and 128 Stamina. Powering up from level 40 to 50 requires a significant investment of XL Candy and Stardust, so plan your resources carefully. A 100% IV Houndour caught from raids or eggs (level 20) will have 705 CP, or 881 CP with weather boost (level 25).
What CP is a 100% IV Houndour?
A perfect 15/15/15 IV Houndour has the following CP at key levels: 529 CP at level 15 (research encounters), 705 CP at level 20 (raid and egg catches), 881 CP at level 25 (weather-boosted raids), and 1,395 CP at level 50 fully powered up. If you catch a perfect IV Houndour, it is worth investing Stardust and Candy to power it up, especially if Houndour ranks well in raids or PvP. A 100% IV (also called a "hundo") is the rarest IV combination, so tag and favorite it to make sure you don't accidentally transfer it.
Is Shadow Houndour better than regular?
Shadow Houndour deals 20% more damage than its regular counterpart but also takes 20% more damage. For raids, Shadow Houndour is generally better due to the higher DPS output. For PvP, it depends on the matchup — the extra damage taken can be a significant drawback in extended battles where survivability matters. Shadow Houndour comes with Frustration, which should be replaced with a Charged TM before powering up.
How to get Houndour in Pokemon GO?
Houndour can be found in the wild, though it may be rare depending on your biome and current events. Houndour can also be obtained through trading with other trainers.
Can Houndour be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Shiny Houndour's availability depends on whether Niantic has released its shiny form. Not all Pokemon have their shiny forms available yet. Check the current events page and Community Day announcements for any updates on shiny Houndour availability and boosted shiny rates during special events.

Max CP per Level

L1 17 CP
L5 166 CP
L10 352 CP
L15 529 CP
L20 705 CP
L25 881 CP
L30 1,058 CP
L35 1,146 CP
L40 1,234 CP
L50 1,395 CP

Pokedex Info

Pokedex Number #228
Generation Gen 2
Region Johto
Height 0.61 m
Weight 10.80 kg
Buddy Distance 3.0 km
Tradable Yes
2nd Charged Move 50,000 Dust / 50 Candy
Shadow Move Frustration
Purified Move Return
Purification Cost 3,000 Dust / 3 Candy
Mega Energy (Buddy) 15 / km