Pokémonhas one of the largest, most passionate fan-bases of any video game series in the world. It’s one of thebest turn-based JRPGs for first-timers, so it’s where many of us cut our teeth on the genre. With certain players being followers from the launch of Pokémon Red/Blue and others jumping in as recently as Scarlet/Violet, opinions on favorite Pokémon among fans can vary widely.
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Wolves have been present in the series from the very beginning. But how do these wild canines stack up against each other?
This ranking will tackle this question as best as possible with Pokémon being rated based on multiple factors; overall design, cool factor, and use in battle.
An important note is that clearly domesticated dog Pokémon have been omitted, as this list focuses on wild wolves. Sorry, Stoutland and Dachsbun: You are dogs that are fed kibble twice a day and sleep in your owners' beds.
Let the debates begin!
15Electrike
DroolShocker
First Appears In
Generation 3
Base Attack
Final Learned Move
Thunder - 110 Damage
First up is Electrike, a third-generation electric wolf-like creature. While the design of the character here is fine and inoffensive, it’s also just pretty boring compared to the following wolves on the list.
Base stats for Electrike are bad, and while it can learn some strong moves if you decide to keep it in this unevolved first form, the real moves come in this Pokémon’s next stage.
14Mightyena
Having A Laugh
Play Rough - 90 Damage
Another Pokémon with a pretty basic feeling design and inspiration, Mightyena is pretty much just a black and gray hyena. Yes, a hyena is technically neither canine nor feline, but of any animal-type in the Pokémon sub-genre, wolf still makes the most sense here.
As an evolved form, Mightyena has decent base stats. However, things don’t ever get too exciting move-set wise in this evolved form, leaving Mightyena in the “basic and mostly forgettable” tier of the wolf list.
13Rockruff
Give Him Some Time
Generation 7
Stone Edge - 100 Damage
Rockruff’s nearly objectivey adorable design bumps it up to 13th, but it’s ultimately another Stage 1 Pokémon that doesn’t bring anything special to the table. Rockruff and its second form are both rock-type Pokémon and are the only wolves in the series to have this distinction.
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If kept unevolved, Rockruff does eventually get a decent enough move-set, including the powerful rock move Stone Edge. However, the fun of this Pokémon really comes in its 3 different evolution options, which we’ll get into much later.
12Poochyena
Laugh It Up, Fuzzball
The first form of the previously mentioned Mightyena, Poochyena, has a much better overall design, which is why this Pokémon is designated higher on the list despite being unevolved.
Poochyena’s overall rank-able attributes are sadly capped off by knowing that its second form is average. Regardless, if kept in its first form, it has a fun, hyena puppy design that is a fine enough wolf addition to a trainer’s Pokédex.
11Houndour
It’s Not A Phase, Mom
Generation 2
Inferno - 100 Damage
The first form of two Pokémon that are as metal as they come without actually being metal types, Houndour slots in next. It boasts the energy of a middle-schooler that just got into its first “screamo” band, and I love it for that.
If kept unevolved, this dark/fire Pokémon can eventually learn a pretty powerful fire-type move in Inferno. Sadly, this move also has a fairly low hit-rate in comparison to other Pokémons' strongest learned moves, so the odds of Houndour being in your final top 6 lineup are low.
10Houndoom
Death Metal Dog
Graduating from screamo and now only interested in the most technical of death metal, Houndoom is the evolved form of Houndour and has grown some intense horns in the process just to prove that it’s not messing around anymore.
The design here is a little on the nose (or snout), even featuring a skull necklace and metal anklets, but Houndoom has proved its deserved metal vibe by now.
Houndoom’s base attack stat is solid, and it can learn a robust combination of dark/fire moves that makes it useful in the earlier stages of Pokémon games if you’re looking for a dual-type to add to the party. Still, there are better dark and fire wolves still to come, though Houndoom can at least learn thebest dark-type move in the game, Nasty Plot.
Unlimited Aura
Generation 4
Reversal - Up to 200 Damage Depending on Opponent HP
Next up is Riolu, who has solid base stats for a Stage 1 Pokémon. His evolved form (coming soon) is one of the most beloved in the Pokémon franchise, so it’s no wonder that Riolu also has a design and style that’s well-loved on its own, too. It’s cute, but it’ll also punch you in the nose if you get too close.
If kept unevolved, Riolu can eventually learn Reversal, which can be an absolutely devastating move if used properly. It’s a fighting-type move that quickly scales in damage output as the opponent’s HP gets lower and lower.
8Growlithe
Grows Into A Legend
Generation 1
Flare Blitz - 120 Damage
One of the most well-liked Generation 1 Pokémon to this day, Growlithe and its evolved form have been representing the wolves in the series to a very high degree from the beginning. Growlithe’s tiger-striped wolf puppy design is iconic, and it has a gnarly mohawk to tie everything together.
Compared to any other Stage 1 wolf on the list, Growlithe almost always eventually becomes the strongest. It only evolves with a Fire Stone, so trainers usually end up spending a lot of time with Growlithe until the stone is acquired.
Even more importantly, its evolved form, Arcanine, doesn’t learn moves through leveling in certain games in the series, so it becomes vital to develop Growlithe as much as possible before eventually choosing to evolve it.
7Manectric
CoolShocker
Electric Terrain - 50% Boost to Electric Moves for 5 Turns
While Electrike featured a fairly generic-looking design, Manectric is anything but boring and features a unique look compared to a lot of other wolf Pokémon. Manectric is described as shy, but can summon thunderclouds overheard during battles, which is clearly awesome.
These thunderclouds are put to good use, as Manectric’s final learned move is Electric Terrain, which boosts the effect of electric-type moves by 50% for the next 5 turns. Launching a devastating electric move like Thunder after buffing with Electric Terrain makes Manectric a force in the right situation.
Here Comes The Doom
Perish Song - Opponent Will Faint In 3 Turns
While Absol’s actual real world animal inspiration is up for debate, it makes most sense to group it into the canine/wolf category. Absol can sense danger, which gives it interesting lore implications as people in the world of Pokémon consider it to be a harbinger of destruction.
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Absol has a very high base attack stat, which is great since it’s a one-stage Pokémon that does not evolve. Additionally, its final learned move, Perish Song, can be used to strategically conquer many a foe, as it will make your opponent’s Pokémon immediately faint 3 turns after casting.
