A Guide to the Best Fire-Type Pokémon in Diamond and Pearl

Choosing a Fire-type Pokémon in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (and their remakes, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl) can be a surprisingly limited affair, but fret not, aspiring trainer! While the options are slim compared to other generations, there are definitely viable choices depending on your team composition and battling style. The clear standout, and generally considered the best, is Infernape, the final evolution of the Chimchar starter. Its dual Fire/Fighting typing, combined with high Attack and Special Attack stats, excellent Speed, and a diverse movepool makes it a formidable opponent both in-game and competitively. However, other options like Rapidash can fill a niche role. Your best bet would be Infernape in terms of sheer power.

Deep Dive into Diamond and Pearl Fire-Types

Why Infernape Reigns Supreme

Infernape’s dominance stems from several factors. Firstly, its access to both Fire and Fighting-type moves allows it to cover a wide range of opponents. Secondly, its stats are incredibly well-rounded, making it a versatile offensive threat. Moves like Flare Blitz, Close Combat, Earthquake, and Mach Punch give it the tools to deal with almost any situation. Finally, Chimchar is obtainable right from the start, which is a big advantage.

Rapidash: The Speedy Alternative

If you didn’t pick Chimchar, or you simply want a different Fire-type option, Rapidash is your next best choice. It’s much faster than Infernape. Its pure Fire-typing means it lacks Infernape’s weaknesses to Flying, Psychic, Water, and Ground-type attacks, but also misses out on the Fighting-type coverage. Rapidash relies on its Speed stat to outpace opponents and deal damage with moves like Flare Blitz, Wild Charge (BDSP), and Hypnosis.

Considering Other Options

It’s important to note that Diamond and Pearl lack a diverse range of Fire-types. Unless you’re trading or transferring Pokémon from other games, your options are essentially limited to these two. While some may consider importing Fire-types from other games if possible in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, this guide focuses on the Pokémon natively available.

Building a Team Around Your Fire-Type

When selecting a Fire-type Pokémon, consider how it fits into your overall team strategy. If you need a fast, hard-hitting offensive threat, Rapidash might be the better choice. If you need a versatile attacker with good coverage, Infernape is the way to go. Think about your team’s weaknesses and resistances and choose a Fire-type that complements your existing Pokémon. Games are best when you are learning! Check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for how to improve learning through gaming.

FAQs: All Your Fire-Type Diamond and Pearl Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions to further illuminate the topic of Fire-type Pokémon in Diamond and Pearl.

1. Are there any other Fire-type Pokémon besides Infernape and Rapidash obtainable early in Diamond and Pearl?

No, unfortunately, the Chimchar line and Ponyta/Rapidash are the only Fire-type Pokémon available until you unlock the National Pokédex.

2. How does Magmortar compare to Infernape and Rapidash?

Magmortar isn’t available until the post-game and requires trading, making it less accessible. While it has a high Special Attack, its low Speed and Defense make it less reliable than Infernape. It doesn’t offer any significant advantage over Infernape.

3. Is it worth using a Fire-type Pokémon in Diamond and Pearl, given the limited selection?

Absolutely! Fire-type moves are essential for dealing with Grass, Bug, Ice, and Steel-type Pokémon. Having a strong Fire-type on your team provides valuable coverage.

4. What are the best movesets for Infernape?

A popular moveset for Infernape includes:

• Flare Blitz (Fire-type, high power, recoil)
• Close Combat (Fighting-type, high power, lowers defenses)
• Earthquake (Ground-type, great coverage)
• Mach Punch (Fighting-type, priority move)

Alternatively, a Special Attacking set could include:

• Flamethrower (Fire-type, reliable STAB)
• Vacuum Wave (Fighting-type, priority)
• Nasty Plot (stat boost)
• Grass Knot (for Water/Ground types)

5. What are the best movesets for Rapidash?

A good moveset for Rapidash:

• Flare Blitz (Fire-type, high power, recoil)
• Wild Charge (Electric-type, high power, recoil – BDSP only)
• Hypnosis (Status condition)
• Megahorn (Bug-type, high power, coverage)

6. How can I improve my Fire-type Pokémon’s effectiveness?

• EV training: Focus on Attack and Speed for physical attackers like Rapidash, or Special Attack and Speed for a special attacker like Infernape.
• Held items: Choice Band, Life Orb, or Expert Belt can boost damage output.
• Nature: A Jolly (+Speed, -Special Attack) or Adamant (+Attack, -Special Attack) nature is beneficial for Rapidash. For Infernape, a Naive (+Speed, -Special Defense) or Hasty (+Speed, -Defense) is preferable.

7. Are there any good TM moves for Fire-type Pokémon in Diamond and Pearl?

Yes! TM38 Fire Blast is a powerful Fire-type move. TM35 Flamethrower is a more reliable, slightly weaker alternative. TM52 Focus Blast is a good special Fighting move.

8. How does the Elite Four impact my Fire-type choice?

The Elite Four in Diamond and Pearl don’t heavily favor Fire-type weaknesses. However, Infernape’s Fighting-type moves are useful against Aaron’s Steel-types and Bertha’s Rock-types.

9. Is it viable to use both Infernape and Rapidash on the same team?

While possible, it’s generally not recommended due to type overlap. Your team might become vulnerable to types that resist both Fire and Fighting.

10. Does weather (Sunny Day, Rain Dance) affect Fire-type moves?

Yes! Sunny Day boosts Fire-type move damage by 50%, while Rain Dance reduces it by 50%.

11. What about other Fire-type Pokémon available via trading or transfer?

If trading or transferring is an option, Pokémon like Charizard, Arcanine, and Houndoom become viable options. But consider the time needed to level them up after the main game’s progress with Infernape.

12. Is a Special Attack-focused Infernape viable?

Yes! While less common, a Special Attack-focused Infernape can be effective with moves like Flamethrower, Focus Blast, and Vacuum Wave. This build is more reliable than a physical Rapidash.

13. How do I deal with Water-type Pokémon when using a Fire-type?

Include Electric or Grass-type Pokémon on your team to counter Water-types. Examples include Electivire, Jolteon, Roserade, and Leafeon.

14. Are there any Hidden Abilities that significantly impact Infernape or Rapidash?

No, Hidden Abilities are not readily available in Diamond and Pearl without extensive effort that may require manipulation of game mechanics and/or other third party tools.

15. What are some good team compositions that include Infernape?

A well-rounded team could include:

• Infernape (Fire/Fighting): Your main Fire and Fighting-type coverage.
• Garchomp (Dragon/Ground): A powerful sweeper with great coverage.
• Roserade (Grass/Poison): For Water and Electric-type coverage.
• Gyarados (Water/Flying): Versatile and strong, covers Ground and Rock weaknesses.
• Lucario (Fighting/Steel): A strong special attacker with good coverage.
• Electivire (Electric): Provides Electric-type coverage and counters Water types.

Choosing the right Fire-type is crucial for success in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. While the options are limited, understanding their strengths and weaknesses will help you build a winning team.