cyndaquil
Generation II · #0155 — Fire Mouse Pokémon
Cyndaquil, known as the Fire Mouse Pokémon and bearing the National Pokédex number #155, is a Fire-type Pokémon introduced in Generation II. Standing at just 0.5 meters tall and weighing a mere 7.9 kilograms, this small creature serves as one of the three starter Pokémon available in the Johto region, alongside Chikorita and Totodile. Cyndaquil has maintained its iconic status throughout the franchise, appearing as a starter option in multiple generations including HeartGold and SoulSilver, and even returning as a first partner Pokémon in the ancient Hisui region featured in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. With a base stat total of 309, Cyndaquil represents an accessible entry point for new trainers seeking a Fire-type companion, though its modest stats belie its potential when properly trained and evolved into its powerful final form, Typhlosion.
Base Stats
Height
0.5m
Weight
7.9kg
Category
Fire Mouse Pokémon
Gender
Male 87.5% / Female 12.5%
Color
yellow
Shape
humanoid
Habitat
grassland
Abilities
Strengthens fire moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
Protects against fire moves. Once one has been blocked, the Pokémon's own Fire moves inflict 1.5× damage until it leaves battle.
Cyndaquil Biology & Physical Characteristics
Cyndaquil is a small, bipedal mammalian Pokémon characterized by bluish fur covering its dorsal surface and cream-colored fur on its underside, giving it a distinct color contrast. Its most striking physical feature is the presence of four red circles arranged on its back that can erupt into flames when the Pokémon is threatened or emotionally aroused. With closed eyes and an elongated snout, Cyndaquil's facial structure contributes to its timid appearance. Its limbs are relatively underdeveloped, featuring short arms and slightly more robust legs, each foot equipped with a single claw. The flames produced from Cyndaquil's back serve as both its primary defense mechanism and an indicator of its emotional state, burning with particular intensity when the Pokémon is angry while sputtering with incomplete combustion when fatigued. When calm or not threatened, Cyndaquil can suppress these flames entirely, revealing the smooth red circles beneath its fur.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Cyndaquil Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Cyndaquil exhibits a marked gender bias, with approximately 87.5 percent of individuals being male and only 12.5 percent being female, a ratio common to many Fire-type Pokémon in the Johto region. This significant skew toward males is consistent across all games and generations where Cyndaquil appears. In terms of breeding mechanics, Cyndaquil belongs to the Field egg group, meaning it can breed with other Pokémon sharing this classification, excluding only Pokémon in the Undiscovered egg group. With a base friendship value of 70, Cyndaquil demonstrates moderate loyalty to its trainer, fostering a reasonable bond for cooperative gameplay and breeding purposes. The species exhibits a medium-slow growth rate, requiring considerably more experience points to level up compared to medium-speed Pokémon, which means trainers must invest additional time and effort to develop their Cyndaquil. The hatching process requires 20 egg cycles to complete, translating to approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps depending on the specific game mechanics and held items that influence hatch speed.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm01
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm01
ultra sun ultra moon
tm01
sun moon
tm02
crystal
tm02
gold silver
tm03
crystal
tm03
gold silver
tm04
gold silver
tm04
crystal
tm05
ruby sapphire
tm05
emerald
tm05
gold silver
tm05
crystal
tm05
diamond pearl
tm05
black white
tm05
platinum
tm05
heartgold soulsilver
tm05
firered leafgreen
tm05
black 2 white 2
tm05
omega ruby alpha sapphire
+507 more TMs/HMs
cyndaquil's Evolution Chain
Cyndaquil Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Cyndaquil begins its evolutionary journey at level 14, transforming into Quilava, a more aggressive Fire-type that sheds the timidity of its pre-evolved form and develops a more combative nature. The evolution line culminates at level 36 when Quilava evolves into Typhlosion, a fearsome Fire-type with dramatically enhanced statistics that make it one of the most formidable Johto region final evolutions. In the Hisui region, as featured in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the evolution timeline differs slightly, with Cyndaquil evolving into Quilava at level 17 and then into Hisuian Typhlosion at level 36. This regional variant represents a fascinating divergence, as Hisuian Typhlosion gains a secondary Ghost-type classification, fundamentally altering its type matchups and available move pool compared to its Johto counterpart. The evolution from Cyndaquil to its final forms demonstrates a dramatic increase in base stats, with Attack rising from 52 to 84 (Typhlosion), Special Attack climbing from 60 to 109, and Speed jumping from 65 to 100, transforming the timid Fire Mouse into a competitive powerhouse.
Where to Find
new bark town
johto
+2 more
littleroot town
hoenn
hoenn route 101
hoenn
alola route 3
alola
Cyndaquil Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Cyndaquil exhibits a distinctly timid temperament, as documented across numerous Pokédex entries from various regions. The Pokémon typically maintains a hunched posture, remaining cautious and withdrawn when undisturbed. However, when startled, attacked, or emotionally stimulated, Cyndaquil responds by flaring the flames on its back as a defensive display designed to intimidate potential threats. The intensity of these flames directly correlates with the Pokémon's emotional state and energy levels—when angry, the flames burn vigorously and burn hottest, effectively deterring foes through sheer intimidation. Conversely, when tired or depleted of energy, the flames sputter fitfully, producing incomplete combustion that renders them less effective as a defensive tool. This behavioral pattern suggests that Cyndaquil must conserve its energy reserves to maintain its protective flames effectively. Regarding habitat, Cyndaquil is classified within the Field egg group, indicating its association with terrestrial environments rather than aquatic or specialized ecosystems.
Pokedex Entries
It is timid, and always curls it self up in a ball. If attacked, it flares up its back for protection.
It usually stays hunched over. If it is angry or surprised, it shoots flames out of its back.
The fire that spouts from its back burns hottest when it is angry. The flaring flames intimidate foes.
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.
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.
It usually stays hunched over. If it is angry or surprised, it shoots flames out of its back.
It is timid and always curls itself up in a ball. If attacked, it flares up its back for protection.
It has a timid nature. If it is startled, the flames on its back burn more vigorously.
It is timid, and always curls itself up in a ball. If attacked, it flares up its back for protection.
It usually stays hunched over. If it is angry or surprised, it shoots flames out of its back.
It has a timid nature. If it is startled, the flames on its back burn more vigorously.
It has a timid nature. If it is startled, the flames on its back burn more vigorously.
It is timid and always curls itself up in a ball. If attacked, it flares up its back for protection.
It has a timid nature. If it is startled, the flames on its back burn more vigorously.
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.
Hails from the Johto region. Though usually curled into a ball due to its timid disposition, it harbors tremendous firepower.
Cyndaquil Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Cyndaquil derives from a combination of "cinder" and "quill," referencing both the Pokémon's pyrokinetic nature and the quill-like appearance of its back flames. The Japanese name Hinoarashi combines "hino" (火の, meaning fire) and "arashi" (嵐, meaning storm), evoking imagery of a fiery tempest. This naming convention emphasizes the Pokémon's dual nature as both a small, timid creature and a bearer of dangerous flame. The design itself appears inspired by real-world animals, particularly echidnas or hedgehogs, evidenced by the spined or circular structures on its back that serve as flame-producing organs. The color palette of deep blue paired with cream coloring creates a striking visual contrast, while the hunched posture and closed eyes reinforce the characterization of Cyndaquil as a shy and cautious creature. The four red circles on its back represent distinct flame vents, a design choice that both provides visual interest and clearly communicates the Pokémon's defining characteristic to players at a glance.
Learnable Moves
Cyndaquil can learn 77 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aerial ace | flying | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| burn up | fire | Special | 130 | 100 | 5 |
| burning jealousy | fire | Special | 70 | 100 | 5 |
| captivate | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| covet | normal | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| crush claw | normal | Physical | 75 | 95 | 10 |
| curse | ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
| cut | normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| defense curl | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| detect | fighting | Status | — | — | 5 |
| dig | ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| double kick | fighting | Physical | 30 | 100 | 30 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| ember | fire | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| eruption | fire | Special | 150 | 100 | 5 |
| extrasensory | psychic | Special | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fire blast | fire | Special | 110 | 85 | 5 |
| fire fang | fire | Physical | 65 | 95 | 15 |
| fire pledge | fire | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| fire spin | fire | Special | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| flame burst | fire | Special | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| flame charge | fire | Physical | 50 | 100 | 20 |
| flame wheel | fire | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| flamethrower | fire | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| flare blitz | fire | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| foresight | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| fury swipes | normal | Physical | 18 | 80 | 15 |
| headbutt | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| heat wave | fire | Special | 95 | 90 | 10 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| howl | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| incinerate | fire | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| inferno | fire | Special | 100 | 50 | 5 |
| iron head | steel | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| iron tail | steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| lava plume | fire | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| leer | normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| mimic | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| natural gift | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| nature power | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| overheat | fire | Special | 130 | 90 | 5 |
| play rough | fairy | Physical | 90 | 90 | 10 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| quick attack | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| reversal | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| roar | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rollout | rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| smokescreen | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| submission | fighting | Physical | 80 | 80 | 20 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| swift | normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| tackle | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| temper flare | fire | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| tera blast | normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| thrash | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| wild charge | electric | Physical | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| will o wisp | fire | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| work up | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| zen headbutt | psychic | Physical | 80 | 90 | 15 |
Cyndaquil Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive Pokémon battling, Cyndaquil itself is rarely fielded due to its modest base stat total of 309 and relatively poor defensive capabilities, with Defense at 43 and Special Defense at only 50, both among the lowest in its stats. However, Cyndaquil's abilities present interesting strategic options for specific team compositions. The standard Blaze ability activates when Cyndaquil's health drops to one-third of its maximum, boosting Fire-type move damage by 1.5 times, which can enable clutch KOs in desperate situations. The hidden Flash Fire ability offers superior utility, providing immunity to Fire-type moves while simultaneously increasing the power of Cyndaquil's own Fire-type attacks by 1.5 times when hit by such moves. This creates interesting switch-in opportunities against Fire-type opponents. However, Cyndaquil's low base Speed of 65 and limited movepool restrict its competitive viability as a standalone threat. Competitive players typically consider Cyndaquil only as a proof-of-concept Pokémon for casual play or lower-tier competitive formats, instead advancing immediately to Quilava or Typhlosion for serious competitive endeavors. Its primary value lies in its potential as a starter Pokémon for beginning trainers learning fundamental competitive mechanics.
Commonly Asked Questions About Cyndaquil
What type is Cyndaquil?
Cyndaquil is a fire type Pokemon.
What does Cyndaquil evolve into?
Cyndaquil evolves into quilava, then into typhlosion.
What are Cyndaquil's weaknesses?
Cyndaquil is weak to ground, rock and water type moves.
Where can I find Cyndaquil?
Cyndaquil can be found in new bark town (johto), littleroot town (hoenn) and hoenn route 101 (hoenn) and 1 other locations.
Cyndaquil Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Cyndaquil holds significant cultural prominence within the Pokémon franchise, having been featured as one of the three original Johto region starters in Pokémon Gold and Silver, the games that introduced Generation II and expanded the Pokédex beyond the original 151. The character gained substantial popularity through its appearances in the animated series, most notably as Ash's Cyndaquil, which he obtained during his journey through Johto and evolved into Quilava after a particularly intense battle. This television exposure introduced millions of viewers worldwide to the species during the peak of the anime's cultural relevance in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Cyndaquil's distinctive visual design and timid-yet-fiery personality made it memorable to audiences, contributing to its enduring presence in fan communities and merchandise. The species' return as a starter option in Pokémon Legends: Arceus demonstrated its continued relevance to the franchise, allowing new generations of players to experience this classic Pokémon in a historically reimagined setting. Furthermore, Cyndaquil's cultural footprint extends to competitive trading card game communities, where early Generation II cards featuring the species remain sought-after collectibles by enthusiasts of Pokémon Trading Card Game history.
Where to Find Cyndaquil in Every Pokémon Game
Cyndaquil is available as a starter Pokémon in several key games throughout the franchise's history, most prominently in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, where it represents one of three first partner options in the Johto region. Players can also obtain Cyndaquil as a starter in the remakes Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, which revisit the Johto region with enhanced graphics and mechanics. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Cyndaquil returns as a available starter alongside Rowlet and Oshawott, offering players the opportunity to experience this classic species in the ancient Hisui region. Outside of starter selections, Cyndaquil's availability in other games has been limited, as it is not commonly found in the wild in most Pokédex entries. The species does appear in Pokémon Sword and Shield's Expansion Pass content, specifically within The Indigo Disk DLC, where it is assigned the local Pokédex number 0176, allowing players in the modern generation to obtain this classic Pokémon. Additionally, Cyndaquil has been featured in various Pokémon spin-off titles, mobile games, and special distributions, ensuring that dedicated collectors have multiple avenues for adding this Fire Mouse Pokémon to their collections across different gaming platforms and generations.