The Best Fox Pokemon

Foxes have been part of the Pokémon roster ever since Generation 1. As such, they've accumulated a healthy supply of representation over the years. Ever since "Dexit" happened, it's become a little harder to make theme teams like foxes or monkeys, but platforms like Pokémon Showdown allow you to make any team you want a reality.

So for the love of foxes and all fox-like creatures, I've put together the ultimate all Fox Pokémon team, complete with held items, natures, and movesets.

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  Delphox

  
  
  

  Delphox is the final evolution of the Fire-type Kalos starter and a decent special attacker with high speed. Its physical defense is lacking a bit, so don't expect it to tank many hits. Use it to deal damage in favorable matchups and switch in when predicting resisted moves like Psychic or Fire attacks.

  
  

  Nature: Modest (+ Special Attack / - Attack) EV Spread: 252 Special Attack / 252 Speed / 4 Defense

  Held Item: Choice Specs

  
  
  • Switcheroo - Surprise physical attackers by swapping Choice Specs onto them.
  • Fire Blast
  • Psychic
  • Shadow Ball
  
  

  Real-life inspiration: Delphox is inspired by the kitsune from Japanese folklore, a mythical fox with supernatural powers, often associated with wisdom and magic. Delphox’s design reflects this with its fox-like features, wizardly cloak, and wand, embodying both a magical creature and a sorcerer. The kitsune often possesses multiple tails, symbolizing power and wisdom, which resonates with Delphox’s progression from Fennekin to Braixen, each form becoming more mystical.

  
  
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  Hisuian Zoroark

  
  
  

  Hisuian Zoroark, a Ghost and Normal type, is an undead version of the shadow fox Pokémon from Unova. It’s frail but has unique typing, gaining immunities to both Ghost and Fighting types but losing its Psychic immunity from its Dark-type origin.

  
  

  Nature: Timid (+ Speed / - Attack) EV Spread: 252 Special Attack / 252 Speed / 4 Defense

  Held Item: Life Orb

  
  
  • Bitter Malice or Shadow Ball
  • Nasty Plot
  • Hyper Voice
  • Flamethrower or Knock Off or U-turn
  
  

  Real-life inspiration: Hisuian Zoroark is based on the red fox (*Vulpes vulpes*) but also draws from ghostly folklore. In Japan, foxes are linked to supernatural and spiritual elements, often seen as tricksters or spirits that can shift forms. Hisuian Zoroark's ghostly transformation echoes the yūrei, spirits who return with unresolved feelings, embodying vengeance and sorrow, which is reflected in its Ghost typing and lore of being a tragic, vengeful spirit.

  
  
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  Kantoian Ninetales

  
  
  

  This fox gains a competitive edge with its Drought ability, supporting Sun teams. While Alolan Ninetales might suit some teams better, this squad benefits more from Sun than Hail.

  
  

  Nature: Timid (+ Speed / - Attack) EV Spread: 252 HP / 252 Speed / 4 Special Attack

  Held Item: Leftovers

  
  
  • Confuse Ray
  • Will-O-Wisp
  • Fire Blast
  • Energy Ball
  
  

  Real-life inspiration: Kantoian Ninetales is heavily inspired by the nine-tailed fox from East Asian folklore, particularly the Chinese huli jing, Korean kumiho, and Japanese kitsune. These foxes are often depicted as wise, magical beings with the ability to live for centuries, gaining tails as symbols of their power. Ninetales’ longevity, fire abilities, and spiritual nature align with these mythical foxes.

  
  
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  Espeon

  
  
  

  Espeon serves as the team's cleric, keeping the team healthy with Wish support and providing dual screens for protection. Its shiny variant is one of the most unique with its striking green color.

  
  

  Nature: Timid (+ Speed / - Attack) EV Spread: 252 HP / 252 Speed / 4 Special Attack

  Held Item: Light Clay

  
  
  • Wish
  • Light Screen
  • Psychic
  • Reflect
  
  

  Real-life inspiration: Although not a fox in traditional lore, Espeon has feline and fox-like features and draws on the nekomata, mystical cats from Japanese folklore believed to possess psychic abilities. Espeon's connection to the sun and its Psychic type symbolize intelligence and intuition, characteristics often attributed to foxes in mythology.

  
  
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  Flareon

  
  
  

  Flareon adds much-needed physical strength to the team, making it the best choice for a physical attacker among Eeveelutions. Pairing it with Guts ability allows it to use status ailments to its advantage.

  
  

  Nature: Adamant (+ Attack / - Special Attack) EV Spread: 252 Attack / 252 Speed / 4 Defense

  Held Item: Choice Band

  
  
  • Flare Blitz
  • Iron Tail
  • Facade
  • Superpower
  
  

  Real-life inspiration: Flareon is also inspired by the fox, particularly the fennec fox with its large ears and bushy tail. Its fiery nature and cozy, warm appearance resemble the red fox and the fennec fox, both of which thrive in harsh, warm climates. Flareon's hot breath and high body temperature echo the endurance and adaptability of desert-dwelling foxes.

  
  
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  Thievul

  
  
  

  Thievul, the thieving fox, is a pure Dark-type with stats that aren’t particularly competitive, but its role here emphasizes its tricky nature. It’s not the best battler but adds variety to the team beyond the Eeveelution family.

  
  

  Nature: Modest (+ Special Attack / - Attack) EV Spread: 252 Special Attack / 252 Speed / 4 HP

  Held Item: Wise Glasses

  
  
  • Burning Jealousy
  • Knock Off
  • Dark Pulse
  • Mud Shot
  
  

  Real-life inspiration: Thievul is based on the red fox, known for its cunning and adaptability, often seen as a trickster figure in various cultures. Its association with theft and sneakiness comes from the fox's reputation as a wily creature, often depicted in folklore as a master of disguise and trickery, perfectly suited to Thievul’s Dark typing and thieving moveset.

  
  

These fox Pokémon offer a blend of special and physical roles, bringing the essence of foxes into the Pokémon world with both mystical and mischievous traits.

1. Vulpix - Type: Fire, Region: Kanto
2. Ninetales - Type: Fire, Region: Kanto
3. Eevee - Type: Normal, Region: Kanto
4. Espeon - Type: Psychic, Region: Johto
5. Flareon - Type: Fire, Region: Kanto
6. Zorua - Type: Dark, Region: Unova
7. Zoroark - Type: Dark, Region: Unova
8. Fennekin - Type: Fire, Region: Kalos
9. Braixen - Type: Fire, Region: Kalos
10. Delphox - Type: Fire/Psychic, Region: Kalos

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