The Teal Mask is the first part of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet's Expansion Pack. It released a handful of new Pokemon and evolutions as well as bringing back Pokemon from previous generations. Two Pokemon that made the cut are Vulpix and Ninetales.
These Fire-type Fox Pokemon could not be found in the base game of Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet. With the Teal Mask, they're officially compatible and can be transferred from other Pokemon games. For those that want their own Vulpix, they should start by looking in the Kitakami area.
Where to Get Vulpix
Vulpix can be found on Reveler's Road, which is the east path from Mossui Town. Players will need to go through Reveler's Road to reach the second sign in The Teal Mask questline with Kieran, so they can catch a Vulpix along the way. If they've already completed this part of the quest, then just follow the east path out of Mossui Town and start looking near the path.
Players are going to want to sneak up on Vulpix, as it's a timid Pokemon and will take off the moment it spots someone. By pressing the B-button, players can crouch, making it much easier to approach Pokemon without alerting them. If Vulpix does spot them, just throw the lead Pokemon at it with the ZR-button before it can get away.
There's a Fairy-type Tera Vulpix that wanders the area between the path of Reveler's Road and the river.
Fire-type Vulpix has three weaknesses: Ground, Water, and Rock-type. Despite this, players may want to refrain from targeting its Type Weakness, as it can lead to the Vulpix accidentally being KO'd. If a Quick Ball fails, it may be easier to inflict a status ailment on Vulpix before throwing a Great Ball.
How to Evolve Vulpix (How to Get Ninetales)
To evolve Vulpix into Ninetales, players need to use a Fire Stone. These can be picked up around the Paldea Region. They'll appear as golden sparkles on the ground, but they can also be bought for 3000 at Delibird Presents. For the Evolutionary Stones to appear in stock, players will need to have three Gym Badges.
Once Vulpix becomes Ninetales, it won't learn any new moves upon leveling up. To change its moves, go into Ninetales' Summary and Remember Moves. There, its moveset can be equipped with whatever it could potentially learn as a Vulpix.
More Information About Ninetales
Ninetales doesn't gain an additional Typing, so it has the same effectiveness and weaknesses that it had as a Vulpix. As the opposite to Arcanine, Ninetales has low Attack and moderate Special Attack, but amazing Special Defense and Speed. As such, it works better as a Special Attacker than it does a Physical Attacker. Having it with moves like Flamethrower instead of Flame Charge is generally preferred, as not only is Flamethrower stronger, but it's also a Special Attack, meaning it will calculate Ninetales' Special instead of its Attack stat.
Here are its base stat totals:
|
HP |
73 |
|---|---|
|
Attack |
76 |
|
Special Attack |
81 |
|
Defense |
75 |
|
Special Defense |
100 |
|
Speed |
100 |
|
Total |
505 |
Even though it's a Fire-type, Ninetales can learn different moves via TMs that can give it Type coverage. One TM to consider is Energy Ball, a Grass-type move that can potentially give Ninetales coverage against all of its Type Weaknesses (with some exceptions). It can also learn Calm Mind, which will raise its Special Attack and Special Defense in battle. There's also Dark Pulse and Shadow Ball, Dark and Ghost-type moves respectively that are effective against Ghost and Psychic-types.
While Ninetales can be used as a Special Attacker/Battler, it can learn moves that inflict status ailments, making it a good staller in battle. Confuse Ray and Will-O-Wisp can inflict Confusion and Burn, making Ninetales a frustrating opponent.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.