Ninetales

The Fox Pokémon
#038 - Ninetales
Pre-Evolve	Vulpix
Debut	Pokémon: Red Version Pokémon: Green Version
Species Info
Type	+
Height	1.1 m (3'07")
Weight	19.9 kg (43.9 lbs.)
Color	Yellow
Gender Ratio	1♂ : 3♀
Ability	Flash Fire
Hidden Ability	Drought
Egg Group	Ground
Icon		Sprite
		File:038sprite.png
Footprint
30px
Base Statistics
Hit Points	73	Speed	100
Attack	76	Sp. Attack	81
Defense	75	Sp. Defense	100
Training Info
Catch Rate	075	Hatch Steps	5,120
Base Exp.	178	Effort Points	Spe
Happiness	70		SpD
To Lv.100	Normal

Kanto #	Johto #	Hoenn #	Sinnoh #
< 038 >	< 126 >	< 154 >
Unova #	Johto (IV) #
	< 128 >

Ninetales is the glamorous evolved form of Vulpix introduced in the first generation Pokémon games.

Information

Ninetales evolves from Vulpix when exposed to a Fire Stone, with fur that gleams gold and nine long tails. An enduring legend claims that nine noble saints or wizards united and were reincarnated as this Pokémon. Ninetales are known for their intelligence as well as their vindictiveness, as grabbing one of their tails are said to result in a thousand-year curse being placed on the perpetrator. Ninetales itself is said to live for a thousand years due to the mysterious energies within its tails. Some legends tell that each tail contains a different power.

They are smart enough that they can comprehend human speech. They can also emit a red light from their eyes which gives them total control over their opponents' mind.

Appearances

Mainstream Games

In the color versions, it can only be obtained through evolution. The exception is Pokémon: Black and White Versions, where Ninetales have a rare chance of appearing in rustling grass at Abundant Shrine.

Other Games

In Pokémon Pinball and Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, Ninetales could only be obtained through evolution. In Pokémon Trozei!, it could be found at Endless Level 6, Endless Level 11, Forever Level 55 and Mr. Who's Den.

Within Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red and Blue Rescue Teams, a Ninetales could only be obtained through evolution, although the curse of the Ninetales is part of the premise behind the game. This Ninetales's attempt to curse a greedy trainer was foiled by his Gardevoir taking the hit, but in return Ninetales cursed the greedy trainer to be reborn as a Pokémon, which would be accompanied by natural disasters. Within the game, the player character is a trainer transformed into a Pokémon, which leads Gengar to spread rumors that the player is the greedy trainer and to blame for the natural disasters. It eventually turns out that Gengar is in fact the cursed human. This non-playable Ninetales lives atop Mt. Freeze and, when visited by the group with Gengar, gives Gengar the Crest-o-Ninetales so that he could go to the Murky Cave for redemption.

In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Darkness, Ninetales could be found on the tenth through twentieth floors of Treeshroud Forest. In Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, they appeared at Almia Castle, and in Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs they could be found at Odd Temple. Ninetales also appeared in Pokémon Rumble, where it showed up at Fiery Furnace. In PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure, one appeared at the Lava Zone.

Other Appearances

Other Media

• Within the Pokémon anime, Ninetales have appeared throughout the series under various trainers. It was featured as one of Blaine's Pokémon and took out Ash's Squirtle easily, but it was recalled when Ash brought out Charizard. Ninetales was also among the Pokémon captured and cloned by Mewtwo in the movie and specials was featured in. A later Johto-era episode featured a Ninetales that used illusions to create a woman whom she spoke through to lure Brock into staying with her due to his resemblance to her deceased master.
• In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Red and Blue competed over catching a Ninetales during the '"Red/Blue/Green arc, with Blue ultimately claiming it. It was part of his team, but seldom used and has since become part of his secondary team that stays behind to take on gym challengers in Blue's absence. Ninetales was also one of the main Pokémon of the Team Magma Admin Courtney.

Trivia

• Ninetales is based on various fox-related Japanese legends such as that of the nine-tailed fox. Its name of course is a play on its number of tails, with the use of "tales" also referring to the number of legends relating to it. Its name also evokes "cat-o-nine-tails", which is a name for a whip.