houndstone
Generation IX · #0972 — Ghost Dog Pokémon
Houndstone is a Ghost-type Pokémon introduced in Generation IX, representing the evolution of Greavard when leveled up at night starting at level 30. As the Ghost Dog Pokémon, Houndstone holds a remarkable distinction among canine Pokémon—it is considered the most loyal to its master. This unique Pokémon carries a poignant origin story, as it is believed to be the reincarnation of a deeply mourned Pokémon or one that spent years guarding its departed master's gravestone. Standing at 2.0 meters tall but weighing only 15.0 kilograms, Houndstone presents an unusual physiology that defies typical evolutionary growth patterns, being lighter than its pre-evolved form. With a base stat total of 488, Houndstone excels in Attack (101) and Defense (100), establishing itself as a formidable physical wall with respectable special defense at 97.
Base Stats
Height
2.0m
Weight
15.0kg
Category
Ghost Dog Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
white
Shape
quadruped
Abilities
Doubles Speed during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.
Damage from contact moves is halved. Damage from Fire moves is doubled.
Houndstone Biology & Physical Characteristics
Houndstone is a large, skeletal canine Pokémon with an ethereal, haunting appearance befitting its Ghost-type classification. Its most distinctive feature is the massive tombstone-like protuberance crowning its head, which the Pokémon notably dislikes being touched. The creature's body is partially concealed beneath long, shaggy fur in whitish-gray coloring with a light purple base, particularly covering its eyes and hunched back. Remarkably, Houndstone's legs and tail appear to exist independently without attachment to a visible torso, floating in spectral relation to one another—a visual representation of its ghostly nature. Its face displays a prominent, protruding lower jaw, and its feet possess three toes each. This peculiar skeletal-yet-furred composition suggests a Pokémon caught between the physical and spiritual realms, a corporeal manifestation of grief and remembrance transformed into protective form.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Houndstone Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Houndstone maintains a perfectly balanced gender ratio of 50% male and 50% female, allowing for flexible breeding strategies among trainers. The species belongs to the Field Egg Group, which includes a diverse array of Pokémon ranging from terrestrial creatures to various quadrupeds, opening numerous breeding combination possibilities. With a hatch counter of 20 cycles, Houndstone requires approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps to hatch from an egg, placing it in the moderate hatch-time category. The base happiness of 50 indicates that Houndstone begins with a neutral disposition toward its trainer, requiring effort and care to develop the deep bonds the species is famous for. This moderate happiness value makes thematic sense—a Pokémon born from mourning and loss would require genuine connection and companionship to overcome its origins and fully embrace its role as a loyal companion. Breeding Houndstone can yield offspring with varied natures and individual values, allowing competitive trainers and casual players alike to pursue their desired specifications.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm01
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm02
crystal
tm02
gold silver
tm03
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
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
tm05
x y
tm05
xd
tm05
colosseum
tm05
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm05
ultra sun ultra moon
+345 more TMs/HMs
houndstone's Evolution Chain
Houndstone Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Houndstone evolves from Greavard through a unique nighttime evolution mechanic, requiring the player to level up their Greavard to at least level 30 during nighttime hours in-game. This evolution method emphasizes the species' thematic connection to darkness, death, and mourning—concepts intrinsically linked to the night. The transformation sees Greavard develop into a larger, more imposing form with enhanced physical statistics, particularly gaining substantial boosts to Attack and Defense. The tombstone protuberance becomes more prominent during this evolution, becoming the defining physical characteristic of the mature form. Unlike Mega Evolution, which is a temporary transformation, Houndstone's evolution from Greavard is permanent and represents the Pokémon's full maturation as a guardian of the departed. This straightforward evolutionary line maintains thematic consistency throughout, with Greavard serving as the youthful manifestation of loss and Houndstone as the fully-realized protector.
Where to Find
Location data not available for this Pokémon in the database.
Houndstone Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Houndstone spends the majority of its time sleeping in graveyards, often burying itself beneath the earth with only its tombstone-like head visible above ground. This behavior reflects its deep connection to mourning and remembrance, making graveyards its natural domain. The Pokémon predominantly inhabits boreal mountains, where it serves as a guardian of the deceased. According to Pokédex entries, Houndstone's presence in burial grounds is not random—these Pokémon are drawn to places of loss and sorrow, seemingly fulfilling a spiritual duty to those who have passed. Among all dog Pokémon, Houndstone demonstrates unparalleled loyalty to its master, a trait that transcends even the loyalty typically associated with canine Pokémon. This devotion is so profound that it forms the very core of the species' identity, making Houndstone not merely a companion but a faithful guardian, eternally watchful and protective.
Pokedex Entries
Houndstone spends most of its time sleeping in graveyards. Among all the dog Pokémon, this one is most loyal to its master.
A lovingly mourned Pokémon was reborn as Houndstone. It doesn’t like anyone touching the protuberance atop its head.
Houndstone Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The Japanese name Hakadog (ハカドッグ) combines 'haka' (墓, grave/tomb) with 'dog,' directly referencing the Pokémon's spectral canine nature and its connection to burial grounds. The English name Houndstone similarly merges 'hound' with 'stone,' evoking both its dog-like characteristics and the literal tombstone adorning its head. The design philosophy draws heavily from historical practices of mourning dogs and the broader human tradition of marking graves with stone monuments. Conceptually, Houndstone represents the spiritual manifestation of grief itself—a guardian born from loss, eternally devoted to remembrance. The skeletal-yet-furry appearance combines elements of death (skeletal structure) with warmth and loyalty (fur and canine form), creating a haunting paradox that perfectly encapsulates the bittersweet nature of loss and remembrance. The floating limbs and ethereal presentation distinguish it from typical Ghost-type designs, positioning it as a unique representation of spiritual devotion rather than spectral mischief.
Learnable Moves
Houndstone can learn 50 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bite | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| body press | fighting | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| bulldoze | ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| charm | fairy | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| confuse ray | ghost | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| crunch | dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| dig | ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| endeavor | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fire fang | fire | Physical | 65 | 95 | 15 |
| giga impact | normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| growl | normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| headbutt | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| helping hand | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| hex | ghost | Special | 65 | 100 | 10 |
| hyper beam | normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| ice fang | ice | Physical | 65 | 95 | 15 |
| last respects | ghost | Physical | 50 | 100 | 10 |
| lick | ghost | Physical | 30 | 100 | 30 |
| mud shot | ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| night shade | ghost | Special | — | 100 | 15 |
| pain split | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| phantom force | ghost | Physical | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| play rough | fairy | Physical | 90 | 90 | 10 |
| poltergeist | ghost | Physical | 110 | 90 | 5 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psychic fangs | psychic | Physical | 85 | 100 | 10 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| roar | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| sandstorm | rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| scary face | normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| shadow ball | ghost | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snarl | dark | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| stomping tantrum | ground | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| tackle | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| tail whip | normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| tera blast | normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| thunder fang | electric | Physical | 65 | 95 | 15 |
| trick | psychic | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| uproar | normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| will o wisp | fire | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
Houndstone Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive play, Houndstone functions as a reliable physical attacker and physical wall, leveraging its strong Attack (101) and respectable bulk with 100 Defense and 97 Special Defense. Its signature move Last Respects, learned upon evolution, scales in power based on the number of party Pokémon that have been knocked out, making it a potent late-game option in formats where multiple switches occur. Houndstone's ability options provide distinct competitive niches: Sand Rush doubles its Speed during sandstorm, transforming it from a relatively slow physical attacker into a threatening sweeper when sandstorm support is available. The Hidden Ability Fluffy halves damage from contact moves while doubling Fire-type damage, making it a specialization against physical threats while requiring careful play around Fire threats. Its movepool includes valuable options such as Phantom Force for coverage, Play Rough for Fairy-type threats, Crunch for Dark coverage, and access to Dig through TM compatibility. With moderate speed (68 base), Houndstone typically operates best in slower, bulky teams or requires sandstorm support to function at higher speeds, making teambuilding considerations essential for maximizing its competitive potential.
Commonly Asked Questions About Houndstone
What type is Houndstone?
Houndstone is a ghost type Pokemon.
What does Houndstone evolve from?
Houndstone evolved from greavard.
What are Houndstone's weaknesses?
Houndstone is weak to ghost and dark type moves.
Houndstone Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Houndstone resonates deeply within the Pokémon fanbase due to its thematically mature approach to concepts of death, mourning, and eternal loyalty. Unlike typical Ghost-type Pokémon that emphasize spectral mischief or haunting behaviors, Houndstone presents a solemn, respectful narrative—a creature defined not by malevolence but by profound devotion to those who have passed. This philosophical depth has established Houndstone as a favorite among players who appreciate narratively rich Pokémon designs that explore complex emotional themes. The species appears in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's main narrative, contributing to the games' overall emotional depth and thematic sophistication. Its representation as the most loyal of all dog Pokémon has generated significant discussion within the community about the nature of loyalty, loss, and spiritual bonds, making Houndstone a subject of fan art, creative writing, and deeper analytical discussions about Pokémon lore. The species exemplifies Generation IX's willingness to explore darker, more mature themes while maintaining accessibility for younger audiences, elevating Houndstone beyond a mere mechanical unit to a culturally significant addition to the Pokémon canon.
Where to Find Houndstone in Every Pokémon Game
Houndstone becomes available to players in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, where it appears as Pokédex entry #312 in the Paldea region. The species can be encountered through the standard methods of evolution from Greavard when leveled up during nighttime hours at level 30 or higher, making it accessible once players obtain a Greavard and establish appropriate conditions. As Greavard inhabits graveyards and burial grounds throughout the Paldea region, trainers seeking Houndstone must first locate these specific environmental areas and capture or breed Greavard before pursuing evolution. The species is also referenced in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, indicating its continued presence in future Generation IX-related titles. With a catch rate of 60 and appearing in the Paldea Pokédex, Houndstone maintains solid availability without being exceptionally rare, encouraging players of all experience levels to incorporate the Ghost Dog Pokémon into their teams. The nighttime evolution requirement adds a temporal dimension to availability, requiring players to manipulate in-game time or use specific mechanics to achieve evolution, adding a layer of intentionality to acquiring this thematically significant Pokémon.