Flareon vs. Arcanine in Pokémon GO: A Fiery Face-Off
So, you’re wrestling with the age-old question: In Pokémon GO, is Flareon or Arcanine the superior Fire-type Pokémon? Let’s cut straight to the chase. Arcanine emerges as the generally better choice in most scenarios within Pokémon GO. While Flareon boasts a higher Attack stat on paper, Arcanine’s superior movepool versatility, slightly better bulk (Defense and HP), and access to valuable moves like Wild Charge and Extreme Speed grant it greater utility in raids, gyms, and especially PvP battles. Arcanine’s balanced stat distribution and move options make it a more reliable and adaptable fighter overall. Think of it this way: Flareon hits like a truck, but Arcanine hits consistently hard and can actually steer the truck.
Delving Deeper: Why Arcanine Edges Out Flareon
Let’s break down the reasons why Arcanine generally outshines Flareon in the world of Pokémon GO.
Stat Distribution & Combat Power (CP)
While Flareon possesses a higher base Attack stat, Arcanine’s stat distribution is more balanced. Arcanine has decent Attack but a far better Defense and HP, making it a solid choice.
Movepool Versatility: The Key Differentiator
Arcanine truly shines because of its diverse movepool. It can learn a variety of Fast Moves and Charged Moves that provide coverage against a wider range of opponents. This means Arcanine can handle different gym defenders and raid bosses much more effectively. Flareon suffers from a limited and often suboptimal movepool. While it can dish out impressive Fire-type damage with moves like Fire Spin and Overheat, it lacks the coverage and versatility to be a consistently reliable choice.
PvP Performance: Arcanine’s Niche
In Player vs. Player (PvP) battles, Arcanine gains a significant edge. Access to moves like Wild Charge (Electric-type) and Crunch (Dark-type) allows it to threaten opponents who resist Fire-type attacks. This coverage is crucial for winning matchups and applying shield pressure. Flareon’s reliance on Fire-type moves leaves it vulnerable to common Pokémon types like Water, Rock, and Ground.
Availability and Ease of Acquisition
While both Pokémon require evolving from their pre-evolutions (Eevee for Flareon, Growlithe for Arcanine), Growlithe tends to be slightly more common in certain biomes, making Arcanine potentially easier to acquire and power up for some players. However, this depends heavily on local spawn rates.
Is Flareon Completely Useless? Not Exactly!
Don’t write off Flareon entirely! It still has its uses.
Raw Fire-Type Damage
Flareon’s high Attack stat makes it a decent choice for dishing out raw Fire-type damage, especially against Pokémon weak to Fire. If you’re facing a Bug-type or Grass-type raid boss and need a quick and readily available Fire-type attacker, Flareon can fill that role.
Cost-Effectiveness
Flareon is an Eeveelution, meaning it doesn’t require Rare Candies to power up. This makes it a relatively cost-effective option for players who are short on Rare Candies.
Legacy Movesets
If you happen to have a Flareon with a legacy moveset (a move that is no longer available through normal gameplay), it might have some niche value in certain situations.
Conclusion: Arcanine is the More Versatile Choice
In the final analysis, while Flareon can pack a punch, Arcanine’s better movepool versatility, more balanced stats, and greater utility in PvP battles make it the superior Fire-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO for most players. Choose Arcanine if you want a reliable, adaptable, and well-rounded fighter. If you simply need raw Fire-type damage on a budget, Flareon can still serve a purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Arcanine one of the strongest Pokémon overall in Pokémon GO?
No, while Arcanine is a strong Fire-type attacker, it doesn’t rank among the absolute strongest Pokémon overall. Pokémon like Rayquaza, Mewtwo, and Shadow Mewtwo boast significantly higher stats and more powerful movesets. However, Arcanine is a very good non-legendary option.
2. How do I get Arcanine in Pokémon GO?
You obtain Arcanine by evolving Growlithe using 50 Growlithe Candy. Growlithe can be found in the wild, often in areas with warm climates or near fire stations (in real life).
3. What is the best moveset for Arcanine in Pokémon GO?
The optimal moveset for Arcanine depends on whether you’re using it for raids/gyms or PvP.
- Raids/Gyms: Fire Fang (Fast Move) and Wild Charge (Charged Move)
- PvP: Snarl (Fast Move) and Wild Charge (Charged Move). Crunch is a good second Charged Move.
4. What is the best moveset for Flareon in Pokémon GO?
For maximum Fire-type damage, the best moveset for Flareon is Fire Spin (Fast Move) and Overheat (Charged Move).
5. Is Arcanine a Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
No, Arcanine is not a Legendary Pokémon. It is a regular Pokémon that evolves from Growlithe. The game mentions it as “legendary” only because of chinese lore.
6. Can Arcanine Mega Evolve in Pokémon GO?
Currently, Arcanine cannot Mega Evolve in Pokémon GO. While there are fan concepts for a Mega Arcanine, it is not an official feature in the game.
7. Is Flareon the worst Eeveelution in Pokémon GO?
While opinions vary, Flareon is often considered one of the weaker Eeveelutions in Pokémon GO due to its limited movepool and lack of a distinct niche. However, it still has its uses as a readily available Fire-type attacker.
8. Is Arcanine better than Charizard in Pokémon GO?
It depends on the context. Charizard can Mega Evolve, giving it a significant power boost. However, without Mega Evolution, Arcanine has a more versatile movepool, making it useful in more situations.
9. What are Arcanine’s weaknesses in Pokémon GO?
Arcanine is weak to Water, Rock, and Ground-type attacks.
10. What are Flareon’s weaknesses in Pokémon GO?
Flareon is also weak to Water, Rock, and Ground-type attacks.
11. Which Eeveelution is the strongest in Pokémon GO?
There is no single “strongest” Eeveelution, as each excels in different areas. Umbreon is excellent in PvP, Espeon is a powerful Psychic-type attacker, and Sylveon is a strong Fairy-type.
12. Is it worth powering up Flareon in Pokémon GO?
It depends. If you need a Fire-type attacker on a budget and don’t have access to stronger options, powering up Flareon can be worthwhile. However, if you have access to Pokémon like Reshiram, Moltres, or even Arcanine, they are generally better investments.
13. Why is Arcanine so popular in Pokémon?
Arcanine is popular due to its cool design, its status as a strong and reliable Pokémon in various games, and its lore as a “Legendary Pokémon” (in a descriptive, not gameplay, sense). It’s been a fan favorite since the original games.
14. What is the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
Rarity changes over time with events and releases, but generally, Mythical Pokémon (like Mew and Celebi) and region-exclusive Pokémon are considered among the rarest. Shiny versions of rare Pokémon are also highly sought after.
15. Where can I learn more about the science of learning through games?
The Games Learning Society (https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/) is an excellent resource for exploring the intersection of games and education. The GamesLearningSociety.org provides research, articles, and community forums to delve deeper into this fascinating field.