You should usually evolve Growlithe once it has learned the key moves you want (like Flamethrower and Flare Blitz), then use a Fire Stone so Arcanine can hit hard right away.

Quick Scoop

If you’re wondering when should you evolve Growlithe , the honest answer is: after it learns its best level‑up moves , not just “as soon as possible.”

Because Arcanine learns very few moves by level compared to Growlithe, most players delay evolution so they don’t miss out on powerful Fire and coverage moves.

Think of it like waiting to promote a rookie star on your team until they’ve learned all the plays – once they’re Arcanine, they’re a monster, but they stop learning much on their own.

Core Idea: Get the Moves First

Across games and forum discussions, a pattern shows up again and again.

  • Growlithe learns strong level‑up moves like Flamethrower, Crunch, Outrage, and Flare Blitz that Arcanine often does not learn by level.
  • Arcanine is more about stats and then relying on TMs, tutors, or re-learners for moves.
  • Many players recommend waiting until:
    • Flamethrower (often mid‑30s to around 50 depending on game), then evolve so Arcanine can also learn Extreme Speed in some gens.
* Or all the way to Flare Blitz, usually around level 45, then evolve.

So a common “sweet spot” answer people give is:

  • Wait until Growlithe learns Flamethrower and/or Flare Blitz , then evolve with a Fire Stone right after.

Different Views From Players

Public Q&A sites and forum threads disagree a bit, but they circle the same logic.

  1. “Wait for all the good moves” camp
    • Keep Growlithe until:
      • Flamethrower (mid‑30s–50, depending on game).
   * Outrage around low‑40s.

   * Flare Blitz around 45.

 * Then evolve and use move tutors/relearners for Extreme Speed on Arcanine.
  1. “Flamethrower, then evolve” camp
    • Some trainers say just wait until Flamethrower then evolve immediately.
 * This gives you a strong Fire move early, and Arcanine’s boosted stats make the rest of the game easier.
  1. “Evolve ASAP, don’t sweat it” camp
    • A few players evolve Growlithe as soon as they get a Fire Stone and rely on TMs for coverage.
 * This is more about speed-running or casual play where min‑maxing moves isn’t as important.

Game‑Dependent Nuances (Including PokĂ©mon GO)

Different games tweak the level‑up lists and tutor options, so the “perfect” level shifts a bit.

  • Older mainline games (like Crystal, FireRed, Black 2):
    • Advice often focuses on waiting until Growlithe learns Flamethrower (around high 40s in some gens) so Arcanine can also learn Extreme Speed when you evolve right then.
  • Newer mainline games:
    • Move re-learners make it easier: you can level Growlithe to get Flare Blitz, evolve, then use the relearner for Extreme Speed.
  • PokĂ©mon GO:
    • Here, “when should you evolve Growlithe” is more about:
      • Having enough candy,
      • Good IVs,
      • And timing around events or bonuses.
* Guides emphasize team synergy and waiting until you have a Growlithe with strong stats before evolving, rather than level‑up moves.

Simple Practical Rules

If you just want a usable rule of thumb and not a spreadsheet:

  • For mainline games (standard Growlithe):
    • Keep Growlithe until it learns Flamethrower at least.
* If you’re patient and can handle a weaker mid‑game, wait until **Flare Blitz** (around level 45) and then evolve.
  • Use move re-learners/tutors to grab Extreme Speed on Arcanine if your game offers that.
  • For PokĂ©mon GO:
    • Evolve once you have a high‑IV Growlithe and enough candy, ideally during events with bonuses or good move availability.

Example:
If your Growlithe is level 30 in a typical mainline game, many trainers would level it into the 40s for Flamethrower and Flare Blitz, then evolve with a Fire Stone so your Arcanine starts its life already stacked with powerful moves.

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Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.