Arcanine Evolution and Locations Guide: 2026 Walkthrough

This walkthrough serves as your primary wiki and trophy guide for managing Arcanine, updated by Quinn Collins in 2026 for In Game News. To effectively add this Fire-type Pokémon to your team, follow these steps: 1) Acquire a Growlithe, 2) Obtain a Fire Stone, 3) Use the Fire Stone on Growlithe to trigger evolution, and 4) Train your Arcanine to optimize its base stats. Whether you are playing classic titles or the latest entries, this guide covers the essential data required to master the species.

How to Evolve Growlithe into Arcanine in 2026

The evolution process for Arcanine remains consistent across most generations of the franchise. To evolve Growlithe, you must expose it to a Fire Stone. This process is final, meaning once your Growlithe becomes an Arcanine, it will not evolve further. This rule also applies to the Hisuian form of Growlithe, which requires the same item to reach its final evolution.

For players utilizing Pokémon HOME to transfer their creatures, ensure you have the appropriate evolution stones ready in your inventory. If you are struggling to locate these items, consider checking our Pokémon coverage for specific item farming locations. Remember that Arcanine possesses a gender ratio of 75% male and 25% female, with a catch rate of 75 (17.5%).

Where to Find Arcanine in Pokémon Games

Finding Arcanine often requires evolving a Growlithe, but certain titles offer wild encounters or specific methods for acquisition. In the original Generation 1 games, Arcanine is obtained by evolving Growlithe in Pokémon Red, while players of Pokémon Blue must trade for it. In Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, you can find the Pokémon on Routes 7 and 8 or in Vermillion City.

In more recent titles such as Pokémon Sword and Shield, Arcanine can be found in the Giant's Cap, Lake of Outrage, Dusty Bowl, and Stony Wilderness through Max Raid Battles. For Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, players can encounter Arcanine in South Province: Area Four and North Province: Area Two, or through five-star Tera Raid Battles. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Hisuian Arcanine is found via massive mass outbreaks in the Cobalt Coastlands.

Special Cases and Regional Variants

Hisuian Arcanine differs from the standard form by being a Fire/Rock type. It retains the same evolution requirement as the Kantonian variant. If you are playing titles like Pokémon Colosseum, released in 2004 for the Nintendo GameCube, note that Arcanine is primarily available through trading. For those playing the niche title Pokémon Pokopia, you must construct a Mini Museum Pokopia habitat or a Magma Fishing Spot to obtain the Pokémon. The museum requires three seats, a pedestal or exhibition stand, and a large lost relic, while the fishing spot requires a fishing rod, a seat, and one unit of lava.

Arcanine Base Stats and Combat Performance

Understanding the base stat total for Arcanine is essential for competitive play. Arcanine boasts a high base HP of 90 and a base Attack of 110. These stats scale as the Pokémon levels up, making it a reliable physical attacker. Its EV yield is two points in the Attack stat, which is helpful for players looking to optimize their training regimens.

Regarding abilities, Arcanine can possess Intimidate or Flash Fire. Its hidden ability is Justified. Hisuian Arcanine, conversely, features the Rock Head ability. These traits define how you should approach team building. For more insights on optimizing your roster, see our gaming guides.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The standard Arcanine is a pure Fire-type, while the Hisuian Arcanine is a dual Fire/Rock type. This typing significantly changes its defensive profile. Players should be aware that Arcanine belongs to the Field egg group. When choosing movesets, prioritize high-damage physical moves to take advantage of its 110 base Attack stat. Because Arcanine is a final evolution, it is often a staple for trainers who value high-speed, high-damage output in their party.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I evolve Growlithe into Arcanine in 2026?
You can evolve Growlithe into Arcanine by exposing it to a Fire Stone in most Pokémon titles.

What is the base stat total for Arcanine?
Arcanine features a base HP of 90 and a base Attack of 110, which grow as you level the Pokémon up.

Where to find Arcanine in Pokémon games?
Arcanine is primarily obtained by evolving Growlithe, though it can be found in specific locations like the Giant's Cap in Pokémon Sword and Shield or via Tera Raid Battles in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.