--- title: "Cyndaquil (#0155): Stats, Weaknesses, Moves & Lore | pokee.si" url: "https://pokee.si/pokemon/cyndaquil" description: "Cyndaquil (#0155): Fire-type Fire Mouse Pokémon from Johto. Base stat total 309. Abilities: Blaze, Flash Fire. Stats, matchups, evolutions, moves, every Pokédex entry and lore on pokee.si." last_updated: "2026-10-21" publisher: "pokee.si: a Pokédex for families (unofficial fan site)" last_checked: "2026-10-19" --- #0155 · Johto · Generation 2 · starter # Cyndaquil Fire Mouse Pokémon · Fire-type ![Cyndaquil official artwork](https://pokee.si/img/art/155.webp) Cyndaquil is a [Fire](https://pokee.si/types/fire)-type Pokémon, the Fire Mouse Pokémon, number 155 (#0155) in the National Pokédex. It was introduced in Generation 2 and comes from the [Johto](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/johto) region. It is 0.5 m tall and weighs 7.9 kg. Cyndaquil is the Fire Mouse Pokémon, a shy Johto starter that curls into a ball when frightened and, if pushed, bursts into flame along its back. The Pokédex says it harbours tremendous firepower despite its timid nature. ## How to pronounce Cyndaquil Cyndaquil is pronounced **SIN-duh-kwil**. The capital letters show the stressed syllable. Listen to Cyndaquil said out loud: [Listen](https://pokee.si/audio/names/155.mp3) In Japanese it is ヒノアラシ (Hinoarashi). Hear every other name on the [Pokémon pronunciation guide](https://pokee.si/pronounce). ## Lore ### Biology Cyndaquil is a small, bipedal mammal with bluish fur on top and cream fur underneath. Its eyes are usually closed, its snout is long and thin, and its legs are slightly more developed than its short arms. It is 0.5 m tall and weighs 7.9 kg. Four red circles on its back flare into flame, which makes the back look spiny. When Cyndaquil is tired, the Pokédex says the fire sputters with incomplete combustion. ### Behaviour Cyndaquil is timid and usually stays hunched over or curled up. The Pokédex says the flames on its back flare harder when it is angry or startled, and that it uses them to protect itself. Bulbapedia, citing Pokémon Sleep, says it sleeps curled up and sometimes spouts flame from its back in its sleep. ### Habitat The Pokédex habitat is grassland, though Bulbapedia says it is rare in the wild. In Scarlet and Violet it is found in the Polar Biome of The Indigo Disk. ### Powers Cyndaquil's flames power Ember, Flame Wheel, Flame Charge, Lava Plume, Flamethrower, Inferno and, at the top of its move list, Eruption. Its Abilities are Blaze, which strengthens Fire moves when it is low on health, and the hidden Flash Fire, which absorbs Fire attacks. With 60 base Special Attack and 65 base Speed it is a nippy special attacker in the making. ### Name origin Cyndaquil may combine cinder and quill, a porcupine's needle. The Japanese name is Hinoarashi (ヒノアラシ), which Bulbapedia reads as hi (fire) plus yamaarashi (porcupine), and which can also be taken as 'storm of fire'. ### Design inspiration Bulbapedia says Cyndaquil appears to be an echidna with tenrec traits, such as its long snout and almost no tail, and that its closed eyes recall baby porcupines. It may also draw on the hinezumi, a mythical fire mouse said to live in volcanoes. These are fan readings. ### Evolution notes Evolves into Quilava at level 14 (17 in Legends: Arceus), which becomes Typhlosion at level 36, or Hisuian Typhlosion when it evolves in Hisui. ### In the games Professor Elm hands it over in New Bark Town as a Johto first partner in Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold and SoulSilver. It is a first partner again in Legends: Arceus, where Professor Laventon offers it in Jubilife Village, but in Legends: Z-A Tepig takes its place in the Lumiose trio and it cannot be obtained at all. ### In the anime Cyndaquil debuted in 'Don't Touch That 'dile' as one of Professor Elm's three partner Pokémon. Ash caught one in 'Good 'Quil Hunting', and it had to learn not to tire out while waiting for its back flames to light. ### Fun facts - Bulbapedia says no first partner Pokémon was in the Field Egg Group before Cyndaquil. - The HeartGold and SoulSilver intro uses a Cyndaquil sprite with slightly different eyes that is not used anywhere else. - Its Blueberry Pokédex picture shows it battling a Skarmory, which Bulbapedia thinks may nod to Ash's Cyndaquil facing Miki's Skarmory in 'Hot Matches!'. - Among the Fire types introduced in Generation II, Cyndaquil is both the lightest and the shortest. Sources: [Bulbapedia: Cyndaquil (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Cyndaquil_(Pok%C3%A9mon)) · [Serebii: Cyndaquil (Scarlet/Violet Pokédex)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-sv/cyndaquil/) ## Base stats - HP: **39** - Attack: **52** - Defense: **43** - Sp. Atk: **60** - Sp. Def: **50** - Speed: **65** Cyndaquil’s base stat total is **309**. Its highest stat is Speed. ## Type matchups ### What is Cyndaquil weak to? Cyndaquil takes extra damage from [Water](https://pokee.si/types/water) (2×), [Ground](https://pokee.si/types/ground) (2×), [Rock](https://pokee.si/types/rock) (2×) moves. It resists [Fire](https://pokee.si/types/fire) (½×), [Grass](https://pokee.si/types/grass) (½×), [Ice](https://pokee.si/types/ice) (½×), [Bug](https://pokee.si/types/bug) (½×), [Steel](https://pokee.si/types/steel) (½×), [Fairy](https://pokee.si/types/fairy) (½×). ## Evolution ### How does Cyndaquil evolve? Cyndaquil evolves into [Quilava](https://pokee.si/pokemon/quilava) at level 14. The whole family: **Cyndaquil**, [Quilava](https://pokee.si/pokemon/quilava), [Typhlosion](https://pokee.si/pokemon/typhlosion). - [Quilava](https://pokee.si/pokemon/quilava) evolves into [Typhlosion](https://pokee.si/pokemon/typhlosion) (Level 36; Hisuian Typhlosion: Level 36, in Hisui). ## Abilities - [Blaze](https://pokee.si/abilities/blaze): Strengthens Fire moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. - [Flash Fire](https://pokee.si/abilities/flash-fire) (hidden ability): Protects against Fire moves. Once one has been blocked, the Pokémon's own Fire moves inflict 1.5× damage until it leaves battle. ## Moves ### Moves Cyndaquil learns by level up in Scarlet / Violet | Level | Move | Type | Category | Power | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | [Tackle](https://pokee.si/moves/tackle) | Normal | Physical | 40 | | 1 | [Leer](https://pokee.si/moves/leer) | Normal | Status | — | | 6 | [Smokescreen](https://pokee.si/moves/smokescreen) | Normal | Status | — | | 10 | [Ember](https://pokee.si/moves/ember) | Fire | Special | 40 | | 13 | [Quick Attack](https://pokee.si/moves/quick-attack) | Normal | Physical | 40 | | 19 | [Flame Wheel](https://pokee.si/moves/flame-wheel) | Fire | Physical | 60 | | 22 | [Defense Curl](https://pokee.si/moves/defense-curl) | Normal | Status | — | | 28 | [Flame Charge](https://pokee.si/moves/flame-charge) | Fire | Physical | 50 | | 31 | [Swift](https://pokee.si/moves/swift) | Normal | Special | 60 | | 37 | [Lava Plume](https://pokee.si/moves/lava-plume) | Fire | Special | 80 | | 40 | [Flamethrower](https://pokee.si/moves/flamethrower) | Fire | Special | 90 | | 46 | [Inferno](https://pokee.si/moves/inferno) | Fire | Special | 100 | | 49 | [Rollout](https://pokee.si/moves/rollout) | Rock | Physical | 30 | | 55 | [Double-Edge](https://pokee.si/moves/double-edge) | Normal | Physical | 120 | | 58 | [Overheat](https://pokee.si/moves/overheat) | Fire | Special | 130 | | 64 | [Eruption](https://pokee.si/moves/eruption) | Fire | Special | 150 | ### TM moves (33) Cyndaquil can learn 33 moves from TMs in Scarlet / Violet: [Take Down](https://pokee.si/moves/take-down), [Protect](https://pokee.si/moves/protect), [Fire Fang](https://pokee.si/moves/fire-fang), [Fire Spin](https://pokee.si/moves/fire-spin), [Facade](https://pokee.si/moves/facade), [Aerial Ace](https://pokee.si/moves/aerial-ace), [Swift](https://pokee.si/moves/swift), [Flame Charge](https://pokee.si/moves/flame-charge), [Endure](https://pokee.si/moves/endure), [Sunny Day](https://pokee.si/moves/sunny-day), [Dig](https://pokee.si/moves/dig), [Zen Headbutt](https://pokee.si/moves/zen-headbutt), [Body Slam](https://pokee.si/moves/body-slam), [Sleep Talk](https://pokee.si/moves/sleep-talk), [Rest](https://pokee.si/moves/rest), [Iron Head](https://pokee.si/moves/iron-head), [Substitute](https://pokee.si/moves/substitute), [Will-O-Wisp](https://pokee.si/moves/will-o-wisp), [Heat Wave](https://pokee.si/moves/heat-wave), [Flamethrower](https://pokee.si/moves/flamethrower), [Play Rough](https://pokee.si/moves/play-rough), [Reversal](https://pokee.si/moves/reversal), [Fire Blast](https://pokee.si/moves/fire-blast), [Fire Pledge](https://pokee.si/moves/fire-pledge), [Wild Charge](https://pokee.si/moves/wild-charge), [Overheat](https://pokee.si/moves/overheat), [Flare Blitz](https://pokee.si/moves/flare-blitz), [Tera Blast](https://pokee.si/moves/tera-blast), [Roar](https://pokee.si/moves/roar), [Burning Jealousy](https://pokee.si/moves/burning-jealousy), [Double-Edge](https://pokee.si/moves/double-edge), [Temper Flare](https://pokee.si/moves/temper-flare), [Curse](https://pokee.si/moves/curse). Egg moves (6):[Covet](https://pokee.si/moves/covet), [Curse](https://pokee.si/moves/curse), [Double Kick](https://pokee.si/moves/double-kick), [Extrasensory](https://pokee.si/moves/extrasensory), [Howl](https://pokee.si/moves/howl), [Reversal](https://pokee.si/moves/reversal). ## Breeding & training - Gender: 87.5% male, 12.5% female. - Egg groups: Field. - Egg cycles: 20 (steps to hatch, Scarlet/Violet: 2,560). - Catch rate: 45 out of 255. - Base friendship (Gen 8 onward): 50. - Growth rate: Medium Slow (1,059,860 experience points to reach level 100). - Defeating it gives 1 Speed effort value. - Base experience yield: 62. ## Pokédex entries Hails from the Johto region. Though usually curled into a ball due to its timid disposition, it harbors tremendous firepower. *(Legends: Arceus)* Cyndaquil protects itself by flaring up the flames on its back. The flames are vigorous if the Pokémon is angry. However, if it is tired, the flames splutter fitfully with incomplete combustion. *(Ruby, Sapphire, Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire)* It has a timid nature. If it is startled, the flames on its back burn more vigorously. *(Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Black, White, Black 2, White 2, Y)* It is timid, and always curls itself up in a ball. If attacked, it flares up its back for protection. *(Gold, LeafGreen, HeartGold, X)* It usually stays hunched over. If it is angry or surprised, it shoots flames out of its back. *(Silver, FireRed, SoulSilver)* It flares flames from its back to protect itself. The fire burns vigorously if the Pokémon is angry. When it is tired, it sputters with incomplete combustion. *(Emerald)* ## Names around the world - **Japanese**: ヒノアラシ - **Romaji**: Hinoarashi - **French**: Héricendre - **German**: Feurigel - **Spanish**: Cyndaquil - **Italian**: Cyndaquil - **Korean**: 브케인 - **Chinese (Simplified)**: 火球鼠 - **Chinese (Traditional)**: 火球鼠 ## Trivia - Lightest Fire type in Gen 2: 7.9 kg. - Shortest Fire type in Gen 2: 0.5 m. - Taller than 19% of all Pokémon (0.5 m). - Heavier than 23% of all Pokémon (7.9 kg). - Base stat total 309, ranked #821 of 1,025. - One of 81 Fire-type Pokémon (counting dual types). - One of 88 yellow Pokémon. - Number 4 of 100 Pokémon introduced in Generation 2 (Johto). - Part of an evolution family of 3 Pokémon. - Can learn 48 different moves in Scarlet / Violet. - Catch rate 45: about 5.9% per Poké Ball at full health. - Appears in 7 distinct Pokédex entries. ## Sources and fact-checking - Stats, types, abilities, moves, evolutions, forms and Pokédex entries: [PokéAPI](https://pokeapi.co) open game data. - Lore: written by pokee.si in our own words, researched from [Bulbapedia: Cyndaquil (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Cyndaquil_(Pok%C3%A9mon)), [Serebii: Cyndaquil (Scarlet/Violet Pokédex)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-sv/cyndaquil/). - Pronunciation (SIN-duh-kwil): it follows how the English anime, games or official videos say it. **Last checked:** 19 October 2026. Every sentence of the lore was checked against Bulbapedia, Serebii and the game data. ## Explore [Fire-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/fire) · [Cyndaquil vs Chikorita](https://pokee.si/vs/chikorita-vs-cyndaquil) · [Cyndaquil vs Totodile](https://pokee.si/vs/cyndaquil-vs-totodile) · [Johto region guide](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/johto) · [Blaze ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/blaze) · [Flash Fire ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/flash-fire) · [Compare Cyndaquil](https://pokee.si/compare?ids=155) · [Full Pokédex](https://pokee.si/pokedex) · [Type chart](https://pokee.si/types) · [All moves](https://pokee.si/moves) ## Browse similar Pokémon [Gen 2 Fire-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/fire/gen-2) · [Gen 2 Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/pokedex/gen-2) · [Yellow Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/colours/yellow) · [Field egg group](https://pokee.si/egg-groups/field) · [Pokémon that start with C](https://pokee.si/pokemon-names/c) · [Hedgehog and Porcupine Pokémon](https://pokee.si/animals/hedgehog) ← [Meganium](https://pokee.si/pokemon/meganium) | [Quilava](https://pokee.si/pokemon/quilava) → --- Source: https://pokee.si/pokemon/cyndaquil (HTML page). pokee.si is an unofficial fan site and is not affiliated with Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK or The Pokémon Company. 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