There aren’t a whole lot of fox Pokemon throughout the franchise, but those that make up the numbers are incredible, adorable, and powerful.
Honestly, if it’s fluffy, cunning, and looks like it would steal your lunch money through different eras of grade school, it’s on my team. But ranking them? That’s tricky.
How do you compare a thousand-year-old, ethereal beast with a little, orange baby who steals other Pokemon’s food? Someone has to do the impossible, and today, that someone is me diving into every single fox Pokemon throughout the franchise. And yes, count on your favorites being judged.
6
Fennekin, Braixen, and Delphox
#653, #654, and #655
I’ve always really liked Fennekin, Braixen, and Delphox, but put them so low on the list because, well, they just don’t compare to the others on here.
The three foxes mix their fiery personalities with psychic depth as a unique Fire/Psychic-type, which is only shared with Armorouge and Zen Mode Unovan Darmanitan. I also love that their design closely resembles kitsunes from Japanese myth.
Outside of the mainline games, they’ve gained tons of popularity, such as Delphox being a playable fighter in the short-lived Pokken Tournament.
In the anime, Serena’s storyline involves her partner Pokemon, Fennekin, who becomes a major character in Pokemon the Series: XY. Honestly, its design is made for the anime, being so expressive, cool, and silly all at the same time.
5
Nickit and Thievul
#827 and #828
I really like the designs of both Nickit and Thievul because I feel as though they encompass the saying ‘sneaky fox.’
The two-evolution pair are thieves who steal food from others, even having developed a downward-turning tail to wipe away any footprints they might leave at the scene of the crime. Design-wise, Thievul is probably the pick of the pair, with its mask, moustache, and gloves, ready to rob rare jewellery in the blink of an eye.
I may be a little biased, as I grew to love Nickit after having them serve as a member of my party in Pokemon Sword. But, I think it’s a pretty underrated Pokemon that adds a real, bona fide fox to the Pokemon lineup that rivals Vulpix and Ninetales in design.
4
Zorua and Zoroark
#570 and #571
Zorua and Zoroark remind me a lot of Riolu and Lucario in how the player base treated them. The two aren’t legendary or mythical Pokemon, per se, but in Pokemon Black & White, they were event-exclusive, and considered rare.
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Like the Fennekin evolutionary line, Zorua and Zoroark are also based on the kitsune myth. Also in the same vein, Zoroark is popular outside the mainline games, being a playable Pokemon in Pokemon UNITE after getting a Unite license.
But they don’t just look the part, they are functional party members, too. Not only because of their unique illusion ability, but due to their strong special attack, and brilliant Hisuian variant. So good, in fact, that it gets its own entry.
3
Hisuian Zorua and Zoroark
#570 and #571
The Hisuian versions of Zorua and Zoroark rank this high mainly because I personally love their design and colors way better than the original.
These two Pokemon are also the only ones in the franchise that are Normal/Ghost-type, though it makes sense when you think about their tragic backstory in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Zorua were unable to survive in the Hiqui region and died, being reborn in their new Ghost form. Hence the puppy-eyes on this Hisuian design.
Much like the original duo, if you break its illusion, it’s a lot easier to deal with. But, with newfound immunity to Ghost, fighting and normal, it’s a Pokemon that will keep opponents guessing.
2
Vulpix and Ninetales
#37 and #38
The original Vulpix and Ninetales have a very special place in my heart, especially since they were among the first 151 Pokemon introduced when the games were first released.
For Vulpix in particular, its involvement in the show as Brock’s partner Pokemon only endeared this gorgeous creature to me more, and allowed Vulpix to become more of a household name where Pokemon are concerned.
However, competitively, Ninetales is the star of the show where the duo is concerned, offering speed and attacking prowess. All for the cost of a mere Fire Stone.
But, as you might have guessed, a certain modern regional variant just about pips them to top spot.
1
Alolan Vulpix and Ninetales
#37 and #38
The Alolan versions of Vulpix and Ninetales take the top spot because of their gorgeous design and the fact that they are the, quite literal, polar opposites from the originals.
Instead of being a Fire-type, this evolutionary chain has come to adapt to the Alola region’s snowy peaks to become an Ice-type, changing their coats to flowy white ones. However, the classy aesthetic of this pokemon species remains.
Vulpix will still use its breath to change its surroundings to a more comfortable temperature to get cozy while it sleeps. As for Ninetales, it’s still considered a local legend, being native to Mount Lanakila, where Necrozma can be spotted the first time you visit in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
Plus, as the cherry atop the cake, Alolan Ninetales is a superb support Pokemon thanks to its Aurora Veil ability.
So, grab one of these, and make use of Light Screen and Reflect to see first-hand why they occupy the top spot.
