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Arcanine VGC Builds & Stats

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Arcanine

Arcanine

FIRE
HP
90
Atk
110
Def
80
SpA
100
SpD
80
Spe
95
Forms / Variants
Arcanine HisuiArcanine Hisui

Weaknesses

  • GROUND2x
  • ROCK2x
  • WATER2x

Best Nature

Jolly 2/32/0/0/0/32

Best Moveset

  1. ProtectNORMALStatus17.0%
  2. Flare BlitzFIREPhysical15.3%
  3. Extreme SpeedNORMALPhysical15.1%
  4. Will-O-WispFIREStatus11.3%

Best Ability / Item

IntimidateSitrus BerrySitrus Berry
Build Arcanine in Team BuilderView all Arcanine teams

Arcanine technical VGC usage sections

Top Moves

  • #1

    Protect

    NORStatus

    This move enables the user to protect itself from all attacks. Its chance of failing rises if it is used in succession.

    16.98%
  • #2

    Flare Blitz

    FIRPhysical120 BP

    The user cloaks itself in fire and charges the target to inflict damage. This also damages the user quite a lot and may leave the target with a burn.

    15.25%
  • #3

    Extreme Speed

    NORPhysical80 BP

    The user charges the target at blinding speed. This move always goes first.

    15.10%
  • #4

    Will-O-Wisp

    FIRStatus

    The user shoots a sinister flame at the target to inflict a burn.

    11.33%
  • #5

    Snarl

    DARSpecial55 BP

    The user yells as if it's ranting about something, which lowers the Sp. Atk stats of opposing Pokémon.

    9.46%
  • #6

    Heat Wave

    FIRSpecial95 BP

    The user attacks by exhaling hot breath on opposing Pokémon. This may also leave them with a burn.

    4.69%
  • #7

    Wild Charge

    ELEPhysical90 BP

    The user shrouds itself in electricity and smashes into its target. This also damages the user a little.

    4.07%
  • #8

    Close Combat

    FIGPhysical120 BP

    The user fights the target up close, inflicting damage without guarding itself. This also lowers the user's Defense and Sp. Def stats.

    3.31%
  • #9

    Play Rough

    FAIPhysical90 BP

    The user attacks by playing rough with the target. This may also lower the target's Attack stat.

    2.37%
  • #10

    Morning Sun

    NORStatus

    The user restores its own HP. The amount of HP regained varies with the weather.

    2.36%
  • #11

    Other

    15.08%

Top Natures

  • #1

    Jolly 2/32/0/0/0/32

    14.57%
  • #2

    Adamant 2/32/0/0/0/32

    7.78%
  • #3

    Adamant 32/32/0/0/0/2

    5.47%
  • #4

    Modest 22/0/0/19/0/25

    3.96%
  • #5

    Timid 2/0/0/32/0/32

    2.77%
  • #6

    Adamant 13/32/0/0/0/21

    2.50%
  • #7

    Bold 32/0/32/2/0/0

    2.47%
  • #8

    Careful 32/2/0/0/32/0

    1.98%
  • #9

    Timid 32/0/0/0/2/32

    1.57%
  • #10

    Timid 31/0/11/0/6/18

    1.49%
  • #11

    Other

    55.44%

Top Abilities

  • #1

    Intimidate

    When the Pokémon enters a battle, it intimidates opposing Pokémon and makes them cower, lowering their Attack stats.

    71.98%
  • #2

    Justified

    When the Pokémon is hit by a Dark-type attack, its Attack stat is boosted by its sense of justice.

    15.72%
  • #3

    Flash Fire

    If hit by a Fire-type move, the Pokémon absorbs the flames and uses them to power up its own Fire-type moves.

    12.29%

Top Items

  • #1
    Sitrus Berry

    Sitrus Berry

    Held: Consumed at 1/2 max HP to recover 1/4 max HP.

    48.07%
  • #2
    Leftovers

    Leftovers

    Held: Restores 1/16 (6.25%) holder’s max HP at the end of each turn.

    16.19%
  • #3
    Charcoal

    Charcoal

    Held: Fire-Type moves from holder do 20% more damage.

    8.31%
  • #4
    Passho Berry

    Passho Berry

    Held: Consumed when struck by a super-effective Water-type attack to halve the damage.

    5.91%
  • #5
    Life Orb

    Life Orb

    Held: Holder’s moves inflict 30% extra damage, but cost 10% max HP.

    4.96%
  • #6
    Expert Belt

    Expert Belt

    Held: Holder’s Super Effective moves do 20% extra damage.

    3.39%
  • #7
    Wide Lens

    Wide Lens

    Held: Provides a 1/10 (10%) boost in accuracy to the holder.

    1.96%
  • #8
    Focus Sash

    Focus Sash

    Held: Holder survives any single-hit attack at 1 HP if at max HP, then the item is consumed.

    1.84%
  • #9
    Shuca Berry

    Shuca Berry

    Held: Consumed when struck by a super-effective Ground-type attack to halve the damage.

    1.68%
  • #10
    Lum Berry

    Lum Berry

    Held: Consumed to cure any status condition or confusion.

    1.56%
  • #11

    Other

    6.13%

Top Teammates

  • #1
    WhimsicottWhimsicott
    GRAFAI
    TeamsBuilder
    10.16%
  • #2
    GarchompGarchomp
    DRAGRO
    TeamsBuilder
    8.88%
  • #3
    KingambitKingambit
    DARSTE
    TeamsBuilder
    5.21%
  • #4
    SinistchaSinistcha
    GRAGHO
    TeamsBuilder
    4.31%
  • #5
    SylveonSylveon
    FAI
    TeamsBuilder
    4.18%
  • #6
    MiloticMilotic
    WAT
    TeamsBuilder
    3.56%
  • #7
    Tyranitar-MegaTyranitar-Mega
    ROCDAR
    TeamsBuilder
    3.29%
  • #8
    Metagross-MegaMetagross-Mega
    STEPSY
    TeamsBuilder
    2.72%
  • #9
    Rotom-WashRotom-Wash
    ELEWAT
    TeamsBuilder
    2.69%
  • #10
    Raichu-Mega-YRaichu-Mega-Y
    ELE
    TeamsBuilder
    2.68%
  • #11

    Other

    52.32%

Teams with Arcanine

KlefkiTyranitar MegaVenusaur MegaAnnihilapeSinistchaArcanine
See details
Venusaur MegaTyranitar MegaAnnihilapeSinistchaArcanineKlefki
See details
Raichu Mega YStaraptor MegaSylveonFarigirafArcanineKingambit
See details
WhimsicottSamurott-HisuiRaichu Mega YGarchompArcanineFroslass Mega
See details
SimipourPinsir MegaArcanineDecidueyeGarganaclLucario
See details
WhimsicottSamurott-HisuiRaichu Mega YGarchompArcanineFroslass Mega
See details
Venusaur MegaTyranitar MegaAnnihilapeSinistchaArcanineKlefki
See details
Staraptor MegaGarchompArcanineFarigirafSylveonRotom-Wash
See details
Raichu Mega YKingambitFarigirafStaraptor MegaArcanineSylveon
See details
Lycanroc-DuskArcanineUmbreonZoroark-HisuiNinetales-AlolaSylveon
See details
Meta Discussion

What do you think of Arcanine in the current meta?

Join competitive metagame discussions, recommended builds, ideal partners, and counters for Arcanine on the MetaVGC forum.

View discussion on the forum

How to use Arcanine in the current VGC format?

**To use Arcanine effectively in the current VGC format, leverage its Fire type typing and build around its top-performing movesets.** Arcanine appears as a prominent choice in the current Pokémon Champions format, with usage data pulled from competitive teams, tournament results and Showdown-ready pastes tracked by MetaVGC. This page brings together its most common moveset, nature, ability, item, teammates and type weaknesses so you can judge where Arcanine fits in a VGC team.

The most common build highlights Intimidate, Sitrus Berry and Jolly 2/32/0/0/0/32. Its frequent moves include Protect, Flare Blitz, Extreme Speed, Will-O-Wisp, Snarl, and Heat Wave. Treat those choices as a data-backed starting point: they show what players are bringing, while EV spreads, Tera Type and the final move slot should still respond to your expected matchups.

Defensively, Arcanine has important weaknesses to ground 2x, rock 2x, water 2x. That matters during teambuilding because a strong composition needs ways to cover those attacks without giving up offensive pressure. Partners such as Whimsicott, Garchomp, Kingambit, Sinistcha, and Sylveon appear often because they can add positioning, type coverage, speed control or safer switches into common checks.

MetaVGC tracks recent teams using Arcanine. Open the Arcanine teams page to compare complete structures, copy Showdown pastes and see how players combine Arcanine with other Pokémon in the active format.

Frequently Asked Questions about Arcanine in VGC

What is the best moveset for Arcanine?

The best moveset for Arcanine in the current competitive meta typically features the moves Protect, Flare Blitz, Extreme Speed, Will-O-Wisp.

How to counter Arcanine in Champions?

In the Pokémon Champions meta, Arcanine can be countered by exploiting its weaknesses (ground 2x, rock 2x, water 2x) and using effective check/counter teams.

What is the best item for Arcanine?

The best item for Arcanine is typically Sitrus Berry, based on high-level tournament and ladder stats.

Where does the competitive VGC data for Arcanine come from?

Usage statistics and battle data compiled from Pokémon Showdown usage reports and official Play! Pokémon VGC tournament results.

External sources cited: Pokémon Showdown | Play! Pokémon