Vulpix: How to Evolve It Into Ninetales (Fire and Alolan Forms)

Vulpix is the Fox Pokémon, a Fire-type introduced in the very first generation as National Pokédex number 0037. It is a small four-legged Pokémon known for its curled tails, and it has a second life as Alolan Vulpix, an Ice-type regional form that swaps flames for freezing breath. Both versions evolve exactly once, and the trigger is an evolution stone rather than a level threshold.

Quick answer: Give a standard Vulpix a Fire Stone to evolve it into Ninetales. Give an Alolan Vulpix an Ice Stone to evolve it into Alolan Ninetales (Ice/Fairy).

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Evolution happens the instant you use the correct stone. There is no minimum level, friendship, or held-item requirement.

Image credit: The Pokemon Company (via YouTube/@AggronHD)

How to evolve Vulpix into Ninetales

Vulpix does not evolve by leveling up. You must apply an evolution stone directly from your bag, and the form you have decides which stone works.

Step 1: Confirm which Vulpix you own. A standard Fire-type Vulpix has a red-brown coat and orange tails, while Alolan Vulpix is snowy white with pale blue paws.

Step 2: Open your bag and select the matching stone. Use a Fire Stone on a regular Vulpix or an Ice Stone on an Alolan Vulpix.

Step 3: Choose Vulpix as the target. The evolution animation plays immediately, and the Pokémon becomes Ninetales, confirming the change in its summary screen and Pokédex entry.

If the stone has no effect, you are almost certainly trying to use the wrong one for that form. A Fire Stone will not evolve Alolan Vulpix, and an Ice Stone will not evolve the standard Fire-type.

Vulpix vs Alolan Vulpix evolution lines

The two forms share a Pokédex number but split into completely different evolutions with different typings and stones.

Alolan Vulpix lives on the snow-capped peaks of the Alola region, traveling in small packs called skulks that are guarded by Ninetales. It can be found in the Polar Biome of Blueberry Academy's Terarium, where Alola's environment is recreated. Standard Vulpix prefers grassy plains.

Vulpix abilities and base stats

Both forms share identical base stats and a total of 299, so the difference comes down to typing and abilities. Vulpix leans on Special Attack and Speed at 65 each, with a strong Special Defense to match.

The ability sets differ by form. Standard Vulpix runs Flash Fire with Drought as its Hidden Ability, while Alolan Vulpix runs Snow Cloak with Snow Warning as its Hidden Ability.

Vulpix level-up moves in Scarlet and Violet

The two forms learn entirely separate movesets that match their typing. Fire Vulpix builds toward Flamethrower and Fire Blast, while Alolan Vulpix builds toward Ice Beam and Blizzard. Both lines pick up Ghost-type status moves like Spite and Confuse Ray along the way.

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Evolve before your Vulpix reaches the high-level moves and you will skip them. Ninetales learns far fewer attacks naturally, so it is common to teach the best moves to Vulpix first, then apply the stone.

Alolan Vulpix in Pokémon GO

Alolan Vulpix also appears in Pokémon GO as a separate creature from the standard Fire-type, and it has been featured in event content tied to its snowy origins. Just like in the main games, it evolves into Alolan Ninetales rather than the Fire-type version.

Whether you want the original Fire-type Ninetales or the Ice/Fairy Alolan version, the path is the same simple choice. Match the right stone to the right form, apply it from your bag, and Vulpix evolves on the spot.