When to Evolve Your Ice Vulpix: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’ve got your hands on a frosty Alolan Vulpix and you’re itching to evolve it into the majestic Alolan Ninetales. The good news is, unlike some Pokémon that require specific levels or friendship levels to evolve, evolving Alolan Vulpix is remarkably straightforward. You can evolve your Alolan Vulpix as soon as you obtain an Ice Stone. There’s no level requirement. Once you give it the Ice Stone, bam, Alolan Ninetales. However, the optimal time to evolve it comes down to strategy and preference, which we’ll explore in detail.

Why the Ice Stone is Key

Unlike its Fire-type counterpart, which evolves using a Fire Stone, Alolan Vulpix exclusively evolves with an Ice Stone. This crucial item triggers the transformation, changing your adorable ice fox into a powerful Ice/Fairy-type Pokémon. The real decision isn’t when it can evolve, but whether or not it should evolve immediately.

Factors to Consider Before Evolving

While you can evolve Alolan Vulpix right away, consider these factors:

• Movepool Acquisition: Vulpix learns certain moves through leveling up. Evolving it too early might mean missing out on some desirable moves that it learns in its Vulpix form.

• Competitive Strategy: Knowing your goals for using Alolan Ninetales will influence your decision. Some players prefer the raw power of Ninetales immediately, while others value specific movesets gained by leveling up Vulpix first.

• Game Availability and Convenience: How easy is it to obtain an Ice Stone in your current game? If they’re readily available, there’s less pressure to hold off on evolving.

Understanding Movepools: Vulpix vs. Ninetales

A primary concern when deciding when to evolve any Pokemon is the movepool. Both Alolan Vulpix and Alolan Ninetales learn different moves at different levels, and some moves are exclusive to each form. Research which moves are important to you and when they are learned. Does Vulpix learn the move earlier than Ninetales? Or vice versa? Weigh these options before making the transformation.

Strategic Considerations: In-Game vs. Competitive

• In-Game Playthrough: If you’re just playing through the main story, evolving early can give you a significant power boost. Alolan Ninetales is a strong Pokémon that can help you breeze through battles.

• Competitive Battling: In competitive battles, the right moveset is everything. Consider what role you want Ninetales to play on your team. Do you want it to be a fast special attacker? A support Pokémon with Aurora Veil? Plan your evolution timing accordingly. The Games Learning Society explores strategic game play and the impact that game design has on learning. Check out the resources on GamesLearningSociety.org to find out more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Evolving Ice Vulpix

1. What level does Alolan Vulpix evolve?

Alolan Vulpix doesn’t evolve at a specific level. It evolves when you use an Ice Stone on it, regardless of its current level.

2. Where can I find Ice Stones?

The locations of Ice Stones vary between Pokémon games. Check your specific game’s guide or online resources for information. They are often found in icy areas, given as rewards for completing tasks, or purchasable from specific vendors.

3. Is Alolan Ninetales stronger than Alolan Vulpix?

Yes, Alolan Ninetales is significantly stronger than Alolan Vulpix. It has higher base stats, making it a more effective battler.

4. What are the best moves for Alolan Ninetales?

The best moves for Alolan Ninetales depend on its role in your team. However, some popular choices include Blizzard, Moonblast, Aurora Veil, and Nasty Plot.

5. Does Alolan Ninetales learn any Ice-type moves after evolving?

Yes, Alolan Ninetales can learn Ice-type moves after evolving, typically through leveling up or using TMs/TRs (Technical Machines/Technical Records).

6. Is it rare to find an Alolan Vulpix?

The rarity of Alolan Vulpix depends on the specific game. In some games, it’s relatively common, while in others, it can be quite rare, requiring specific conditions or locations to encounter.

7. Can I breed Alolan Vulpix?

Yes, you can breed Alolan Vulpix by leaving it (or its evolution, Alolan Ninetales) at a Pokémon Day Care or Nursery with a compatible Pokémon (usually Ditto).

8. What are Alolan Ninetales’ strengths and weaknesses?

Alolan Ninetales’s Ice/Fairy typing gives it a double resistance to Dragon-type moves and allows it to hit Dragon-types for super-effective damage. However, it’s weak to Fire, Steel, Poison, and Rock.

9. Should I evolve a Shiny Alolan Vulpix immediately?

This is a personal decision. Some players prefer to keep rare shiny Pokémon in their unevolved form as a trophy. However, evolving a Shiny Alolan Vulpix gives you a Shiny Alolan Ninetales, a very cool and powerful Pokémon.

10. How does weather affect Alolan Vulpix and Ninetales?

Alolan Vulpix and Ninetales benefit from hail (or snow in some games). Alolan Vulpix possesses the ability Snow Cloak, which raises its Evasion by 20% during hail. Also, Alolan Ninetales can have the ability Snow Warning, which summons hail when it enters the battle.

11. Can I get Alolan Vulpix in every Pokémon game?

No, Alolan Vulpix is not available in every Pokémon game. It is primarily found in games that feature the Alola region (e.g., Pokémon Sun and Moon, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon) or have included it as part of updates or special events (e.g., Pokémon GO, Pokémon Sword and Shield).

12. What’s the difference between Kantonian Vulpix and Alolan Vulpix?

Kantonian Vulpix is a Fire-type Pokémon, while Alolan Vulpix is an Ice-type Pokémon. They have different appearances, stats, and movepools. Kantonian Vulpix evolves into Ninetales with a Fire Stone, and Alolan Vulpix evolves into Alolan Ninetales with an Ice Stone.

13. Is Alolan Ninetales good in competitive Pokémon?

Yes, Alolan Ninetales can be effective in competitive Pokémon, especially in formats where its Ice/Fairy typing and ability to set up Aurora Veil are valuable. However, it’s not a top-tier threat and requires careful team building and strategy.

14. Can Alolan Ninetales learn Aurora Veil?

Yes, Alolan Ninetales can learn Aurora Veil. This move halves the damage taken by your team for five turns in hail, making it a valuable support move in competitive battles.

15. Does evolving Alolan Vulpix affect its Hidden Ability?

No, evolving Alolan Vulpix will not change its Hidden Ability. If your Alolan Vulpix has a Hidden Ability like Snow Warning, Alolan Ninetales will retain that ability after evolution.

The Verdict: Evolve When You’re Ready

Ultimately, the decision of when to evolve your Alolan Vulpix is yours. There isn’t a definitive “best” time. Consider your personal play style, your team composition, and your goals for the Pokémon. Get to know the moves and consider when the pokemon learns them. If you are an experienced player with a long term strategy, consider the long-term implications of waiting to evolve your Pokemon. If you are a more casual gamer, the best strategy might be to evolve Alolan Vulpix as soon as you have access to an Ice Stone, or once you are sure you have all of the moves it needs. Enjoy your journey with this awesome Pokemon, no matter the path you take!