At least one Fire-Type Pokémon typically makes it onto a players’ team. Why? First of all, it is one of the options for a starter. It has been like that since game one. Secondly, they are great at fighting Steel, Bug, Ice, and Grass-Types. Thirdly, they have some of the best designs in the game.
A lot of heart goes into the Fire-Type designs in the Pokémon franchise. In fact, a lot of fans can get into heated arguments about which is the best of the best. It is a hot topic! However, we decided to rank our official placement of best Fire-Types based on design. Here they are.
10 Torchic
Torchic is one of the most adorable Fire-Types out there. Out of the starters, it is also one of the cutest! Between its beady eyes, small size, and tiny little features, it is hard not to feel a strong maternal or paternal feeling when you see this little chick.
It doesn’t even really have arms or wings yet! It can only run around and breathe fire. A cruel act of nature, but one that makes it all the more appealing.
9 Houndoom
Houndoom’s design is pretty bold for a game/show that is targeted towards kids, and that is why we love it! It looks like a hellhound! Its tail resembles the devil’s and its own name sounds sinister.
Not only is the design cool for its dark-side, but its a dog! Who doesn’t love dogs? In fact, Houndoom most resembles a Doberman.
8 Braixen
Braixen is one of the many fox-like Pokémon that are out there. The fox designs are many because they are pretty popular. People who love video games and anime tend to love fox-based designs, it’s a simple fact!
What makes Braixen special though is that its a fox with a magic wand. So it is a fox mage, which is pretty cool. Fans tended to prefer Braixen to its evolution, Delphfox. This may because it is cuter this way, which, sadly, is the case for many Pokémon in terms of evolution lines. They often get less pretty on the eyes with each evolution.
7 Chandelure
Chandelure is not just Fire-Type, but Ghost-Type as well. A lot of creativity went behind its typing and design. Looking at it just gives you the vibe of a Gothic and long-abandoned mansion that is haunted.
It manages to be both spooky and cute at the same time. If you don’t find it spooky, then you may have not read its Pokédex entries! It can suck the souls out of people. The best part of all of this? It is half Fire-Type! It is the only Pokémon with a Fire and Ghost-Type combination. Who says all Fire-Types have to be red, and not purple? However, if you prefer red, the shiny Chandelure has red fire instead of purple! That is yet another reason its design is one of the best.
6 Flareon
Flareon is an Eevee evolution, and those Pokémon are known to have some of the best designs in the series. They resemble cats mixed with foxes, which give them big adorable eyes and ears along with (sometimes) fluffy tails.
Flareon is not the strongest, but it has a well-loved design by the fans. It is a fluff-ball! A lot of Fire-Type designs often evoke the destruction and power of fire, while Flareon’s is about warmth and comfort.
5 Rapidash
Unicorns are amazing, so therefore Rapidash’s design is at a high tier. It was already cool as a fire-horse, Ponyta, but the addition to the horn on its head made it even better. It is a classic, having been around since the first generation. The anime creators were major fans of its design too, as it was in the anime opening (despite Ash never catching one).
Even if you are not a fan of unicorns and horses, Rapidash is awesome. Imagine how beautiful (and possibly frightening) one of these would be in real life!
4 Ninetales
Ninetales is gorgeous and elegant. Its design is based off of the Japanese folklore creatures, kitsune. They are fox spirits and the more tails they have, the more powerful they are. Ninetales is said to be the most that kitsune can have, and it means they are very old and have a lot of power.
In that respect, Ninetales is already pretty cool. Based on looks alone, it is beautiful as well. It is the sort of creature you would wish you could pet.
3 Typhlosion
Typhlosion is the second most popular Fire-Type starter. It is from the Johto generation, and a ton of players picked it as their first buddy in the Gold, Silver, and Crystal games. Its design is loosely based on the honey-badger. It is like the mixture of a weasel and bear. Fans loved that the fire on its back can rise and fall, depending on Typhlosion’s mood.
2 Arcanine
Arcanine, the evolved form of Growlithe, is known as the original dog Pokémon. As for what particular dog its design is based on, that is where it gets really interesting. Instead of a particular breed, Arcanine is based on mythical dogs of legend. Some debate is that Arcanine’s look is based on “xiezhi” from Korean and Chinese myth. It is a dog with similarities to tigers and lions. That would certainly explain Arcanine’s mane and stripes!
Besides the design background, who doesn’t want a giant loyal fire-dog? It is big enough to ride!
1 Charizard
Charizard had to be put first, as it has been known as the ultimate Fire-Type since generation one. Fans are nostalgic for this fire breathing dragon, and Nintendo knows it! It has about four different forms now!
Its design is the best because it is a European fire breathing dragon. It is a design that captures the imagination of everyone.
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