Fire Pokemon may just be the most popular of thePokemonfranchise — lucky them! They tend to be the cutest of the Pokemon and also have impressive moves. Of course, they’re sadly useless against water, but they have many advantages — bug, grass, steel, and ice will all go down fast when it comes to facing one of the fire Pokemon.
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Although thistype has expanded greatly as the generationshave gone on, the OG fire Pokemon may still be the best. Every one of them that originated in Kanto has something special about them.
Updated on June 10, 2025, by Suzail Ahmad:There are currently nine different generations ofPokemon, which means there is no shortage of variety. The developers always attempt to be at their creative best so as to provide the players with some fascinating designs. Despite there being so many generations, there is a strong sense of nostalgia associated with the first generation of Pokemon; after all, they were the ones who started it all. The first generation has a total of 151 Pokemon, and they have some of the coolest designs in the history of the franchise. Like the other generations, the first generation also has Fire-type Pokemon. TheFirst Gen Fire-typeshave left their mark on the franchise, and they have continued to appear in subsequent games, including Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. However, not all theGen 1 Fire typeshave been included in the new games. So, the list has been updated with information about allGen 1 Fire-type Pokemonand what games they can be obtained in.
12Ponyta
There’s recently been a lot of hype surrounding Ponyta thanks to the Galarian version inSword and Shield.Sadly though, there’s just not much to make this Pokemon stand out or be special next to the other Gen 1 Fire Pokemon.
It’s very adorable and it can hold its own in battle, but next to the other Fire-types, Ponyta is pretty mediocre. Ponyta is still one of the most well-knownGen 1 Fire Pokemon, as its Galarian form just added to its popularity.
Galarian Variant:The Galarian form of Pontya is not a Fire-type; instead, it is a Psychic-type Pokemon. In this form, Ponyta has colorful, fluffy fur on its mane and tail.
11Vulpix
Vulpix has been a fan favorite ever since they were introduced to Brock in the show. It’s easy to see why thisGen 1 Fire Pokemonis so popular, as its design is beautiful. This is especially true with its evolution. But it’s still the first form, and next to the plethora of other Gen 1 Fire Pokemon, it simply doesn’t hold up. That isn’t to say it’s not worth having, though. Against other Pokemon of its own level, especially with a type advantage, it’ll do just fine.
Alolan Form:The Kantonian version of Vulpix is extremely adorable and almost perfect. But, when the Alolan version of the Pokemon came out, the players were bamboozled. SomehowGame Freakmanaged to improve on its original design and make Vulpix even better. The Alolan form of Vulpix is Ice-type, which makes it the complete opposite of the normal form.
10Growlithe
Growlithe is used by Officer Jenny in the anime and is a pretty cool Pokemon to have. Again, it’s the first form, so it’s not exactly perfect when it comes to brute strength but much like Vulpix, it’s still a worthy addition to any Pokemon party — especially if you’re working towards getting its evolution.
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Growlithe is a quick, hard-hittingGen 1 Fire-typethat serves as a great early-game party member. Its evolution is what will draw most trainers to it, though that’s not to say that it doesn’t have its uses as it is.
Hisuian Form:Growlithe gains an additional type inPokemon Legends Arceusand becomes Fire/Rock-type, making it extremely vulnerable to Ground and Water-type moves. The Pokemon is also weak to Fighting and Rock-type attacks.
9Magmar
Magmar is nowhere near as adorable as the lower Pokemon on this list, but it is a little more powerful and a little rarer. It only has one form in Gen 1, so in the early games, there’s not much you can do with it.
Still, it’s made of pure fire, and any Pokemon put up against it who doesn’t have a type advantage is surely going to perish in the flames.
8Charmander
Charmander is the fire starter and absolutely adorable. In the show, it has a very sad origin story (at least, Ash’s does) with an abusive trainer almost causing it to die in the rain. If Charmander’s flame is ever extinguished, it’s in fatal danger, which is worth bearing in mind. Thankfully, this can’t happen in the games.
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It’s not particularly powerful, but it is a great Pokemon to have. It’s a favorite for trainers looking for aGen 1 Fire Pokemon, as it has the highest ceiling of the bunch.
7Charmeleon
Charmeleon is not as adorable as its unevolved form, but it is a little more powerful. It stands as a very good evolution, making it a strong ally to have in battle and giving it the edge on Charmander.
It has a versatile moveset that is good against Pokemon in situations where fire won’t be particularly effective.
6Ninetales
The reason Vulpix is worth having, mainly, is Ninetales. Ninetales is a fox-like Pokemon with some seriously powerful fire moves that will go all out for you in battle.
It’s not themostpowerful but itis,perhaps, one of the most gorgeous and elegant Pokemon in the whole series. Trainers can count on Ninetails to provide their party with some great firepower and it remains one of the most consistent Fire-types of the first generation.
Alolan Form:Based on looks alone, Alolan Ninetaleshas a strong case for being the most gorgeous-looking Pokemon. To evolve Alolan Vulpix into Ninetales, players need to use an Ice-Stone. Instead of being a regular Fire-type, Alolan Ninetails is Ice/Fairy-type.
5Rapidash
Rapidash is a bit of an upgrade from Ninetales in terms of power and beauty. Longtime fans will remember luring this Pokemon out with applesinPokemon Snap.As nice as it is to look at, this Pokemon is also a great option in battle.
If you’re looking for a solid fire addition to a team in terms of pure power, Rapidash isn’t a bad choice. Its speed makes it a great first option to put out in any battle, and fans can always count on it to hit hard.
Galarian Version:Galarian Rapidash is a magnificent Pokemon. It is a Psychic/Fairy-type Pokemon, and honestly, it is not a bad pairing at all. As a fairy type, Galarian Rapidash is completely immune to Dragon-type moves, making it a rather useful Pokemon.
4Arcanine
Arcanine’s Intimidate ability will cut the attack of other Pokemon. One of the strongest fire additions you could have on your team, it’s a pretty awesome Pokemon and will make you feel like a real trainer.
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Arcanine has a great learnset and can really change the tide of a battle, no matter which generation. That’s what makes it one of the bestGen 1 Fire-types.
Hisuian Form:Even in the region of Hisui, Arcanine didn’t fail to impress. When Hisuian Growlithe is exposed to a Fire Stone, it transforms into the magnificent Arcanine. Like itsbase form, Hisuian Arcanineis prone to Ground, Water, Fighting, and Rock-type moves.
3Flareon
Flareon is one of the first generation Eeveelutions and can be obtained by giving Eevee a fire stone. This Pokemon is actually incredibly strong and can be very hard to beat unless there’s a much higher level or a type advantage.
It is also, arguably, the most adorableof all the Eeveelutions. Flareon gets the edge over most other fire Pokemon of its generation.
