Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl return players to Generation 4's Sinnoh region. While some players are familiar with the region and its native Pokemon, others are making their Sinnoh journey for the first time.
Both new and returning players will be on the lookout for good catches in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and every great Pokemon team needs a strong Fire-type. Whether players chose a Fire-type starter or are trying to catch their own in the wild, the Sinnoh region provides tons of great options.
Updated March 28th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is a bit skimpy when it comes to Fire-type Pokemon, leaving many players to snag Infernape as their final evolution of choice. However, thanks to the National Pokedex and some changes over the years, players now have more choices when it comes to heated-up Pokemon to place on their potential competitive team or endgame squad. But what are the best fire-types in Brilliant Diamond and Pearl, and where can players grab them if they want to add them to their lineup? To better answer that question, the following guide has been updated with even more choices.
12 Camerupt
There are a lot of interesting Fire-type Pokemon that fly under the radar for a multitude of reasons. Some of them aren't as iconic in their design, while others are a bit too weak for players to use competitively or on their team towards the endgame. A great example is Camerupt, a dual type Ground and Fire Pokemon that actually shows a lot of promise thanks to its abilities and moveset. It may have a lower base stat total than any of the other Pokemon on this list but it can still be a useful Fire-type for those going through Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Those that want a Camerupt will need to head to Route 227 or Stark Mountain. They can also snag a Numel and evolve it (at level 33). Numel can be found in the same locations.
Camerupt's Stats:
HP: 70
Attack: 100
Special Attack: 105
Defense: 70
Special Defense: 75
Speed: 40
Total: 460
11 Houndoom
Houndoom has a great Attack and Special Attack stat and with a Dual-typing of Dark and Fire, it has an immunity to Psychic-type moves, which proves incredibly useful in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Houndoom is a safe choice for players looking for a strong Fire-type attacker and is useful all the way through to the Elite Four.
Houndoom evolves from Houndour, though an evolved Houndoom can be caught using the Poke Radar on Route 214 and Route 215, and can also be caught in the game's Grand Underground.
Houndoom's Stats:
HP: 75
Attack: 90
Special Attack: 110
Defense: 50
Special Defense: 80
Speed: 95
Total: 500
10 Rapidash
Rapidash is a great choice for players lacking a Fire-type Pokemon, as its Attack and Speed stat will be helpful in most situations. Rapidash's pre-evolution, Ponyta, is also available earlier in the game than most other Fire-type Pokemon, which proves beneficial to early Grass-type opponents like Eterna City's Gardenia.
Ponyta can be caught in tall grass on Route 206, Route 210, Route 211, Route 214, and Route 215. It can also be caught in the Grand Underground and will evolve into Rapidash at level 40. This is a high-level evolution, but players should be aided by Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's always-active Exp. Share.
Rapidash's Stats:
HP: 65
Attack: 100
Special Attack: 80
Defense: 70
Special Defense: 80
Speed: 105
Total: 500
9 Ninetails (Pokemon Shining Pearl Exclusive)
Ninetails is a great all-around Pokemon, with its only real downside being its low HP stat of 73 and its sole Fire-typing. With a high Speed and Special Defense stat though, this Pokemon is still useful. With good a Fire-type move pool, Ninetails comes out as one of the better Fire-type Pokemon and has been loved by players since its Generation 1 debut.
Ninetails evolves from Vulpix, who can be found in the Grand Underground. To evolve Vulpix into Ninetails, players will need a Fire Stone which can be most easily obtained from Mr. Fuego at Fuego Ironworks. After players talk to him for the first time, he will present them with a Fire Stone.
Ninetails' Stats:
HP: 73
Attack: 76
Special Attack: 81
Defense: 75
Special Defense: 100
Speed: 100
Total: 505
8 Flareon
Flareon is an iconic Eevee evolution from Generation 1. Flareon has been a fan favorite ever since its introduction, and this is only helped by its massive Attack stat that can rival even somelegendary Pokemon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Flareon is a sole Fire-type Pokemon who can blast through most opponents in a few turns thanks to its Attack stat and great move pool.
Eevee can be caught by walking in tall grass in Trophy Garden and will require a Fire Stone to be evolved into Flareon. Players can acquire a Fire Stone from Mr. Fuego in Fuego Ironworks.
Flareon's Stats:
HP: 65
Attack: 130
Special Attack: 95
Defense: 60
Special Defense: 110
Speed: 65
Total: 525
7 Blaziken
Blaziken is a Generation 3 Fire-type starter Pokemon. Blaziken is a Dual-type Fire and Fighting Pokemon which proves useful due to the combination's load of resistance it affords Blaziken. With access to great Fire, Fighting, and even some Flying-type moves, Blaziken is extremely versatile.
Torchic, Blaziken's pre-evolution, can be caught in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl'sGrand Underground. Torchic evolves into Combusken at level 16 and Blaziken at level 36.
Blaziken's Stats:
HP: 80
Attack: 120
Special Attack: 110
Defense: 70
Special Defense: 70
Speed: 80
Total: 530
6 Infernape
Infernape is the Sinnoh region's very own Fire-type starter Pokemon. As a Dual Fire and Fighting-type, Infernape has many different options in its arsenal of moves and can fit into many different roles on a player's team. Infernape's usefulness is best highlighted by its high Attack and Special Attack stat.
If players chose not to go with Infernape as their starter Pokemon, it can still be obtained in the game's Grand Underground. Chimchar will evolve into Monferno at level 14 and Infernape at level 36.
Infernape's Stats:
HP: 76
Attack: 104
Special Attack: 104
Defense: 71
Special Defense: 71
Speed: 108
Total: 534
5 Typhlosion
Typhlosion is Generation 2's Fire-type starter Pokemon and has become a fan-favorite. As one of the most powerful Fire-type starters, Typhlosion comes along with well-rounded stats, and a move pool full of enormously powerful moves, like Eruption and Burn Up. Typhlosion is a great choice for players looking for an end-game Fire-type to fill out their party.
Typhlosion's prior evolution, Cyndaquil, can be caught in the game's Grand Underground. It will evolve into Quilava at level 14 and Typhlosion at level 36.
Typhlosion's Stats:
HP: 78
Attack: 84
Special Attack: 109
Defense: 78
Special Defense: 85
Speed: 100
Total: 534
4 Charizard
One of the most well-known Pokemon, Charizard has remained at the top of the list for sought-after Fire-type Pokemon for generations. With a high Speed and Special Attack stat, Charizard is a great asset on any Pokemon team. As a Dual Flying and Fire-type Pokemon, Charizard falls short in its 4X damage weakness to Rock-type moves but with the right moves, players can avoid danger with this Pokemon.
Charmander can be found in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl'sGrand Underground. It will evolve into Charmeleon at level 16 and Charizard at level 36.
Charizard's Stats:
HP: 78
Attack: 84
Special Attack: 109
Defense: 78
Special Defense: 85
Speed: 100
Total: 534
3 Magmortar (Pokemon Shining Pearl Exclusive)
Magmortar has decent stats, but it's the 125 Special Attack stat that sets it apart from most other Pokemon. With a Special Attack stat that can rival many legendary Pokemon, Magmortar is a very useful Pokemon to have on any team. This Pokemon is only available in Pokemon Shining Pearl.
Magmortar's baby form, Magby, can be caught in Pokemon Shining Pearl's Grand Underground. It will evolve into Magmar at level 30 and Magmortar once it is traded while holding the Magmarizer.
Magmortar's Stats:
HP: 75
Attack: 95
Special Attack: 125
Defense: 67
Special Defense: 95
Speed: 83
Total: 540
2 Arcanine (Pokemon Brilliant Diamond Exclusive)
Arcanine is a fearsome Fire-type Pokemon that is full of amazing stats. With an enormous Attack and Special Attack stat, Arcanine is a great filler for the Fire-type slot on any team. With available moves like Burn Up, Fire Blitz, and Flamethrower, Arcanine is a tough opponent for any trainer.
Arcanine's unevolved form, Growlithe, can be caught exclusively in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond's Grand Underground. Growlithe can be evolved using a Fire Stone, which players can get from Mr. Fuego at Fuego Ironworks.
Arcanine's Stats:
HP: 90
Attack: 110
Special Attack: 100
Defense: 80
Special Defense: 80
Speed: 95
Total: 555
1 Heatran
When it comes to Legendary Pokemon, Heatran is often overlooked. Although it maintains a Legendary status, there are some fans out there that have a hard time remembering that the Lava Dome Pokemon even exists when discussing the best Legendary Pokemon available throughout the series. That said, it's a very viable option in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, especially for players that are looking for a Fire-type Pokemon with solid abilities and stats. Its Steel dual-typing also gives it some extra beef, and its abilities will simultaneously boost its power and burn opponents.
Those looking for Heatran will need to head to Stark Mountain and take care of things with Buck. Once players find the Magma Stone with Buck, they'll be able to return to the area that they found the stone and encounter Heatran in its place.
Heatran's Stats:
HP: 90
Attack: 110
Special Attack: 100
Defense: 80
Special Defense: 80
Speed: 95
Total: 555
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are available for the Nintendo Switch.