Ninetales (Japanese: キュウコン Kyukon) is a Fire-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
It evolves from Vulpix when exposed to a Fire Stone.
In Alola, Ninetales has a regional variant that is Ice/Fairy. It evolves from Alolan Vulpix when exposed to an Ice Stone.
Biology
Ninetales is a fox-like, quadruped Pokémon covered in thick, luxurious golden-white fur. It has a small mane of thicker fur around its neck and a long, fluffy crest atop its head. It has slender legs with three-toed paws and nine, long tails with pale orange tips. It has red eyes, pointed ears, and a triangular black nose.
While intelligent enough to easily understand human speech, Ninetales is a very vengeful Pokémon that has been known to curse those who mistreat it. It can live for 1,000 years due to the energy within its nine tails, each of which is said to have a different mystical power. Flames spewed from its mouth can hypnotize an opponent and its gleaming red eyes that are said to give it the ability to control minds. The anime has shown that it can swim. Being the result of an evolution via evolutionary stone, Ninetales is rarely found in the wild, though they can be found in grasslands.
In the Alola region, Ninetales has a different appearance. Its coat is pale blue, and its fur is more flowing and wispier. This tips of its tails and crest, as well as the lower halves of its legs, are white. The crest on its head is longer and its nine tails are less distinct from each other. Finally, it has larger eyes, which are blue, and small tufts of fur in front of its ears.
Alolan Ninetales lives on Alola's snow-capped Mount Lanakila, which is considered by some to be holy ground. As such, it is revered as a sacred messenger or deity. Alolan Ninetales has a gentle temperament, and is known to aid lost humans in distress, though this is primarily done to keep them out of its territory. It will punish any threat to its pack of Vulpix. It can produce ice crystals from its fur, which it can use for both offense and defense. The ice crystals can act as a shield or form balls that can be fired like bullets with enough force to shatter rock.[1]
In the anime
Alolan Ninetales in the anime
Major appearances
A Ninetales appeared in Riddle Me This, under the ownership of Blaine. It was used against Ash in their first Gym battle, where it battled Squirtle and won before being recalled when Charizard was sent out. It reappeared in a flashback in Volcanic Panic.
A Ninetales appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back, under the ownership of Neesha. It was one of the Pokémon that were captured and cloned by Mewtwo. The Ninetales clone is seen again in Mewtwo Returns.
A Ninetales appeared in Beauty and the Breeder, under the ownership of Zane. It was used in a Pokémon breeding competition and competed against Suzie's Vulpix. Ninetales was later among the contestants' Pokémon targeted by Team Rocket.
A very old Ninetales appeared in Just Waiting On A Friend, where it befriended Brock, who bore a resemblance to her long-lost master. This Ninetales created all sorts of illusions, including one of a woman through which it spoke.
A Ninetales appeared in Mystery on a Deserted Island!. It evolved from a Vulpix that belonged to a Pirate. Ninetales was seen guarding the treasure that Ash, his friends, and Alexa were searching for on the Deserted Island.
Alolan Ninetales debuted in Getting a Jump on the Competition!, under the ownership of Cerah. She used it during the Pokémon Sled Jump Games.
Minor appearances
Ninetales debuted in the banned episode EP038.
Ninetales made its English dub debut in The Battling Eevee Brothers during the evolution party in Stone Town.
A Ninetales appeared as an image in the Japanese version of The Ultimate Test.
A Ninetales appeared in Pikachu's Vacation as one of the Pokémon seen at the Pokémon Theme Park.
A Ninetales made a cameo appearance in Misty Meets Her Match, under the ownership of Rudy. It was one of the Pokémon seen at the Trovita Gym.
A Ninetales appeared in The Power of One.
An injured Ninetales appeared in A Bite to Remember, under the care of Katrina.
A Ninetales appeared in All Things Bright and Beautifly!, under the ownership of a Pokémon Coordinator competing in the Rustboro Contest.
Multiple Ninetales appeared in the opening sequence of Destiny Deoxys.
A Ninetales appeared in Deceit and Assist, under the ownership of a Coordinator competing in the Hoenn Grand Festival.
Two Ninetales appeared in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew. One was seen during the opening intro of the movie, while the other was under the ownership of a Trainer participating in the Rota tournament.
A Coordinator's Beedrill appeared in What I Did for Love!.
A Coordinator's Beedrill appeared in Thinning the Hoard!.
A Ninetales appeared in a flashback in Mutiny in the Bounty! as one of J's captured Pokémon.
A Performer's Ninetales appeared in a video in Performing with Fiery Charm!.
Two Ninetales appeared in Alola, Kanto!. The first appeared in a fantasy, while Snowy walked up to the other at Professor Oak's Laboratory and bonded with it.
An Alolan Ninetales appeared in a fantasy in Showering the World with Love!.
A Trainer's Alolan Ninetales appeared during a flashback in The Dealer of Destruction!, where it was battling another Trainer's Machamp on Mount Lanakila.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP169
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Ninetales
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Ash's Pokédex
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Ninetales, the Fox Pokémon. The evolved form of Vulpix. It has nine tails and a shining golden fleece. Ninetales are said to live very long lives.
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EP232
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Ninetales
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Ash's Pokédex
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Ninetales, the Fox Pokémon. Ninetales is the evolved form of Vulpix. Each of its tails contains a different mystical power.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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BW135
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Ninetales
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Ash's Pokédex
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Ninetales, the Fox Pokémon and the evolved form of Vulpix. With its nine tails and thick golden coat, Ninetales is said to live a thousand years.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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SM060
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Ninetales
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Rotom Pokédex
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Ninetales, Alola Form. The Fox Pokémon. An Ice and Fairy type. This peaceful Pokémon is known to rescue people from treacherous mountain accidents.
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In the manga
Alolan Ninetales in Pokémon Adventures
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
In A Tale of Ninetales, a Ninetales was caught by Blue and is used in his Gym.
A Ninetales under the control of a Team Rocket Grunt attacked Gold and Silver in Piloswine Whine, but was easily defeated.
A Ninetales appeared in The Last Battle XIII as one of the Pokémon sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.
Courtney has a Ninetales that evolved from a Vulpix prior to Adding It Up with Plusle & Minun II.
A Ninetales appeared in a flashback as one of the Pokémon trained by the International Police in Innocent Scientist.
An Alolan Ninetales debuted in the Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc, where it was seen on Mount Lanakila.
In the Pokémon Battle Frontier manga
- Main article: Enta's Ninetales
Enta's Vulpix evolved into a Ninetales in Final Battle: Versus The Salon Maiden.
In the Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All manga
A Ninetales appeared in GDZ29, where it evolved from a Vulpix.
In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team manga
In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team, the Curse of Ninetales is the reason why main character Ginji was transformed into a Torchic.
In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga
Koga sent out Ninetales to participate in the No. 1 Pokémon Contest in Aim to be the No. 1 Pokémon!.
In the Pokémon Zensho manga
Blaine's Ninetales was seen in the Cinnabar Gym when Satoshi entered it.
In the TCG
- Main article: Ninetales (TCG)
Game data
NPC appearances
- Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ninetales cast a curse on a human that would turn it into a Pokémon, bringing on many natural disasters. The player is blamed for this and travels to the home of Ninetales at the top of Mt. Freeze to learn the truth. Ninetales appears again when Gengar wishes to make right what he did to Gardevoir. He gives Gengar the 9-Tail Crest and sends him and the player to Murky Cave.
- Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon: Ninetales returns, asking the player to visit its hideout at the Forest of Fairies. Upon arrival, the player will connect with both Ninetales and Absol.
Pokédex entries
Ninetales
Generation I
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Kanto #038
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Red(ENG)
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Very smart and very vengeful. Grabbing one of its many tails could result in a 1000-year curse.
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Blue
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Yellow
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According to an enduring legend, 9 noble saints were united and reincarnated as this Pokémon.
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Stadium
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It is extremely vindictive. It is said to lay a 1,000-year long curse if its tail is pulled as a joke.
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Generation II
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Johto #126
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Gold
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Some legends claim that each of its nine tails has its own unique type of special mystic power.
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Silver
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Its nine beautiful tails are filled with a wondrous energy that could keep it alive for 1,000 years.
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Crystal
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It is said to live a thousand years, and each of its tails is loaded with supernatural powers.
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Stadium 2
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Some legends claim that each of its nine tails has its own unique type of special mystic power.
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Generation III
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Hoenn #154
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Kanto #038
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Ruby
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Ninetales casts a sinister light from its bright red eyes to gain total control over its foe's mind. This Pokémon is said to live for a thousand years.
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Sapphire
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Legend has it that Ninetales came into being when nine wizards possessing sacred powers merged into one. This Pokémon is highly intelligent - it can understand human speech.
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Emerald
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It has long been said that each of the nine tails embody an enchanted power. A long-lived Ninetales will have fur that shines like gold.
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FireRed
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It has nine long tails and fur that gleams gold. It is said to live for 1,000 years.
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LeafGreen
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Very smart and very vengeful. Grabbing one of its many tails could result in a 1,000-year curse.
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Generation IV
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Sinnoh #—
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Johto #128
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Diamond
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Its nine tails are said to be imbued with a mystic power. It can live for a thousand years.
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Pearl
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Platinum
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HeartGold
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Some legends claim that each of its nine tails has its own unique type of special mystic power.
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SoulSilver
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Its nine beautiful tails are filled with a wondrous energy that could keep it alive for 1,000 years.
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Generation V
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Unova B2W2: #249
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Black
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Its nine tails are said to be imbued with a mystic power. It can live for a thousand years.
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White
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Black 2
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Each of its nine tails is imbued with supernatural power, and it can live for a thousand years.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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Kalos #—
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Hoenn #161
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X
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It has nine long tails and fur that gleams gold. It is said to live for 1,000 years.
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Y
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Very smart and very vengeful. Grabbing one of its many tails could result in a 1,000 year curse.
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Omega Ruby
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Ninetales casts a sinister light from its bright red eyes to gain total control over its foe's mind. This Pokémon is said to live for one thousand years.
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Alpha Sapphire
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Legend has it that Ninetales came into being when nine wizards possessing sacred powers merged into one. This Pokémon is highly intelligent—it can understand human speech.
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Generation VII
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Alola SM: #254
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Alola USUM: #331
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Kanto #038
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Sun
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Legend has it that this mystical Pokémon was formed when nine saints coalesced into one.
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Moon
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Said to live for a thousand years, this Pokémon uses its supernatural abilities to manipulate fire. It can burn its prey to a crisp as it pleases.
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Ultra Sun
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It is vindictive and relentless by nature. Those who cross it even once will be cursed for a thousand years, along with their descendants.
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Ultra Moon
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The flickering flames it spews from its mouth leave its opponents hypnotized. Then, this extremely intelligent Pokémon attacks.
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Let's Go Pikachu
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According to an enduring legend, nine noble saints were united and reincarnated as this Pokémon.
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Let's Go Eevee
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Alolan Ninetales
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VII.
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Generation VII
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Alola SM: #254
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Alola USUM: #331
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Kanto #038
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Sun
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It creates drops of ice in its coat and showers them over its enemies. Anyone who angers it will be frozen stiff in an instant.
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Moon
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Possessing a calm demeanor, this Pokémon was revered as a deity incarnate before it was identified as a regional variant of Ninetales.
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Ultra Sun
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The reason it guides people all the way down to the mountain's base is that it wants them to hurry up and leave.
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Ultra Moon
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Some said that deities visited mountains where Ninetales live, so in times long past, no one was allowed to go into those mountains.
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Let's Go Pikachu
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It lives on mountains perpetually covered in snow and is revered as a deity incarnate. It appears draped in a blizzard.
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Let's Go Eevee
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Game locations
In side games
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Generation II
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This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
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In events
Held items
Stats
Base stats
Ninetales
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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73
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133 - 180
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256 - 350
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76
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72 - 140
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141 - 276
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75
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72 - 139
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139 - 273
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81
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77 - 146
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150 - 287
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100
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94 - 167
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184 - 328
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100
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94 - 167
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184 - 328
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Total: 505
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
- Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
- This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 100.
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Alolan Ninetales
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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73
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133 - 180
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256 - 350
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67
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64 - 130
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125 - 256
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75
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72 - 139
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139 - 273
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81
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77 - 146
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150 - 287
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100
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94 - 167
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184 - 328
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109
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102 - 177
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200 - 348
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Total: 505
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
- Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Ninetales
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Alolan Ninetales
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
Ninetales
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninetales
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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Alolan Ninetales
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninetales
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Ninetales
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninetales
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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Alolan Ninetales
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninetales
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Ninetales
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninetales
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations
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Alolan Ninetales
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninetales
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Ninetales
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninetales
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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Alolan Ninetales
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninetales
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Ninetales
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninetales
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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Alolan Ninetales
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninetales
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Ninetales
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Ninetales in Generation VII
- Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
- Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Ninetales in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninetales
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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Alolan Ninetales
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Ninetales in Generation VII
- Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
- Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Ninetales in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninetales
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Ninetales
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- A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Ninetales can be tutored the move in that game
- A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Ninetales cannot be tutored the move in that game
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninetales
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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Alolan Ninetales
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- A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Ninetales can be tutored the move in that game
- A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Ninetales cannot be tutored the move in that game
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninetales
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Ninetales
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninetales
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations
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Alolan Ninetales
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninetales
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninetales
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Ninetales
Side game data
Ninetales
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Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Group:
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Poké Assist:
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Field move:
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(Burn ×4)
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Browser entry R-172
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While protecting itself with a ghostly ring of fire, it breaths streams of fire to attack.
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Alolan Ninetales
Evolution
Ninetales
Alolan Ninetales
Sprites
Trivia
Origin
Ninetales is based on a red fox and also the kitsune of Japanese legend, which have many tails, extremely long lifespans, and can breathe fire. After living a long time, kitsune take on spirit forms, which may explain why Ninetales can learn Ghost-type moves. In particular, Ninetales is based on the 九尾の狐 kyūbi no kitsune, a kitsune of advanced age whose fur has turned silver-gold, and, upon gaining its ninth tail, has gained powers equivalent to a deity, bearing omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience.
Alolan Ninetales seems to be based on the Arctic fox.
Name origin
Ninetales is a combination of nine and tales, which itself may combine tails and fairy tales, from the Japanese myth it is based on. It may also reference the cat o' nine tails whip, which was historically used in military punishments.
Kyukon is a combination of 九 kyū (nine) and 恨 kon (grudge, from the curse it may cast on its foes), kon kon (the sound foxes make), コンロ konro (gas stove), or ko, an alternate reading of 狐 kitsune (fox). Alternatively, it can be read as 旧恨 kyūkon (old grudge).
In other languages
Language
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Title
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Meaning
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Japanese
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キュウコン Kyukon
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Possibly from 九 kyū and 恨 kon or コンコン kon
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French
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Feunard
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From feu, renard and neuf
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Spanish
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Ninetales
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Same as English name
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German
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Vulnona
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From Vulpes and nona
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Italian
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Ninetales
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Same as English name
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Korean
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나인테일 Ninetail
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From nine and tail
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Mandarin Chinese
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九尾 Jiǔwěi
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Literally means "Nine tails"
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Cantonese Chinese
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九尾 Gáuméih
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Literally means "Nine tails"
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More languages
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Hindi
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नाइनटेल्स Ninetails
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Transcription of English name
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Lithuanian
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Devinuodegė
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Translation of English name
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Russian
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Найнтэйлс Naynteyls
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Transcription of English name
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Related articles
Notes
External links