Pokemo Best Fire Moves, Ranked

Summary

• Fire moves with high damage & secondary effects like burning are popular and effective in battles.
• Specific fire moves have unique effects such as recoil damage, trapping opponents, and stat boosts.
• Key moves like Overheat, Blast Burn, and Blue Flare offer big damage at the cost of drawbacks.

Fire-type moves, along with Fire-type Pokemon, have been one of the most favored types among Pokemon players since generation 1. The reason for this is quite simple: Fire is one of the best types when it comes to delivering a devastating amount of damage to an opposing Pokemon.

In addition to generally high damage output, many fire-based attacks also carry the chance of burning the opponent. Burned Pokemon take damage each round (similar to being poisoned) and do only half the damage when using physical attacks. The main complaints about fire attacks are the lower-than-average accuracy and the low PP counts.

Updated January 6th, 2025, by Ben Painter: Fire-type moves are one of the more powerful move types in Pokemon. On average, this move type does more damage than most other Pokemon types. There are so many great Fire-type moves that deciding the best can be difficult. This list helps gamers to not only identify the best Fire moves but also why they are the best. This list has been updated to add seven new fiery moves to the roster that gamers should look at using when playing a Pokemon game.

39

Mind Blown

Deals Incredibly High Damage, But The User Takes Damage As Well

• Power: 150
• Accuracy: 100
• PP: 5
• Category: Special

Mind Blown is a move that’s best used when a knock-out blow is needed to quickly end a fight. This move is incredibly powerful; the trade-off for this power is that the user takes recoil damage with each use. The recoil damage is equal to half the maximum hit points of the user. This means the user can only use this move twice before fainting.

Mind Blown is best used on Pokemon with a lot of hit points, to make using this attack worth taking the recoil damage. This move should never be used on a Pokemon that’s lost more than half its hit points. It’s also wise to teach a Pokemon with Mind Blown in its moveset a move that restores hit points, assuming players want to keep the Pokemon in the battle.

38

Shell Trap

Retaliates When Hit By A Physical Attack

• Power: 150
• Accuracy: 100
• PP: 5
• Category: Special

Shell Trap is a bit of a gamble when it’s used, but if the gamble pays off, it’s bad news for the opposing Pokemon. Shell Trap sets a trap at the start of the turn. If, during the turn, the user is hit with a Physical attack, the Shell Trap retaliates against the opponent. This retaliatory attack deals incredibly high damage.

The gamble with this move is that if the opponent uses any move other than a Physical attack, the Shell Trap is wasted. Because of this, this move is best reserved for Pokemon that don’t typically use Special Attacks, like Fighting-type Pokemon.

37

Blazing Torque

A No-Frills Damaging Move

• Power: 80
• Accuracy: 100
• PP: 10
• Category: Physical

This move doesn’t burn the target, make them flinch, or lower defenses. This move only deals damage to the target — and nothing else. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it certainly isn’t good either. On the bright side, this move doesn’t damage the user, or lower the user’s stats.

Blazing Torque has a respectable 80 power rating, an accuracy of 100, and a PP count of 10. This puts it somewhere in the middle in terms of damage for Fire-type moves. That’s why it’s ranked so low. It’s a good attack move, but nobody will ever call it great.

36

Fiery Dance

Does Damage; Possibly Gives A Stat Boost

• Power: 80
• Accuracy: 100
• PP: 10
• Category: Special

Despite being ranked so low, Fiery Dance is a powerful move that can improve future damage. The power rating of this move is 80, which is okay. At least Fiery Dance’s accuracy is 100, and it has a PP count of 10. There are many Fire-type moves with similar stats, but this move can provide a useful stat boost.

With each use of this move, there is a 50% chance the user’s Special Attack is raised by one stage. This makes Fiery Dance a great starter move. If the user gets the stat boost, switch to a stronger attack move for the next attack; just make sure it uses Special Attack and not Attack for damage.

35

Fire Spin

Traps The Opponent While Dealing Damage

• Power: 35
• Accuracy: 85
• PP: 15
• Category: Special

This move’s power rating of 35 is rather low, but Fire Spin makes up for it in other ways. Targets are trapped for four to five turns. This prevents the target from being switched for another Pokemon, and the target takes damage every turn that they’re trapped. Fire Spin’s accuracy is 85, and it has a PP count of 15.

When used by Pokemon that are weak against Fire-type moves, Fire Spin can be devastatingly effective. The low power rating gets boosted, and the target can’t run from battle. Pokemon with high HP and few weaknesses are good candidates to learn this move. Fire Spin can take a few turns to defeat the opponent, and the user will need to be able to survive for four to five turns.

34

Flame Burst

A Solid Move That Works Well In Double Battles

• Power: 70
• Accuracy: 100
• PP: 15
• Category: Special

Like with most Fire-type moves there is an additional effect other than dealing damage, and Flame Burst thrives when there is more than one enemy Pokemon to hit. To the target, it will deal 70 Power’s worth of Special damage, but then it hits up to two Pokemon adjacent to the target equal to 1/16 of their respective maximum HP.

Double Battles, Triple Battles, and Totem Fights will be the best way to use this move, as it can chip away at those pesky little support ‘mons. This move is mainly reserved for Fire types, but via breeding, Electrike and Stunky can learn this move for some great coverage.

33

Will-O-Wisp

Automatically Burns The Target

• Power: N/A
• Accuracy: 85
• PP: 15
• Category: Status

This move has a 100% chance of burning the target. Unfortunately, its accuracy rating is 85 so there will be occasional misses. Burning the opponent gives it a debilitating condition that gives the player’s Pokemon the advantage. Burned Pokemon suffer a loss of one-eighth of their maximum hit points in damage every turn, as well as a drop to their Attack.

This is a smart move to try when the opposing trainer might switch out a critically hurt Pokemon. Either it will burn the target before it can be switched, or it will hit the new Pokemon and lowers its Attack before it gets to use a move.

32

Inferno

Automatically Burns, But Only If It Hits

• Power: 100
• Accuracy: 50
• PP: 5
• Category: Special

Inferno is a hit-or-miss move — literally. After trying this move in battle a few times, reality sets in. Inferno has an accuracy of 50, so it misses a lot. This situation isn’t made any better by the fact its PP count is only 5. At least it has a high power rating of 100.

It misses a lot, yes, but there is a reason Inferno just made this list. Inferno burns the target automatically if it hits. Most Fire-type attacks that cause burning only give a 10%-30% chance (depending on the move) of inflicting the burning ailment on the target. With Inferno, this occurs 100% of the time — provided the attack hits.

31

Burning Jealousy

Increased Effectiveness Against Opponents With A Stat Boost

• Power: 70
• Accuracy: 100
• PP: 5
• Category: Special

Burning Jealousy is a Special attack obtained only through Isle of Armor Move Tutors. In terms of raw stats, the move has an admittedly underwhelming 70-base power and a low PP count. However, this move is greater than the raw damage it deals with, as its secondary effect is potentially game-changing.

If used, any opponent that used a stat-boosting move will receive a guaranteed burn and take serious damage. In terms of stopping a sweep right in its tracks, bulkier Fire-types and some other odd Pokemon can absolutely make use of it to ruin a physical sweeper’s Sunny Day. It also still deals damage even if the enemy doesn’t have a stat boost, meaning there isn’t much risk to using it. This attack provides a utility that’s lacking in most Fire-type attacks.

30

Overheat

Deals Incredible Damage…At A Cost

• Power: 130
• Accuracy: 90
• PP: 5
• Category: Special

Overheat is a great finishing move, though it’s not one players will want to use early in a fight. The reason is the penalty that comes with using the move: a two-stage drop in Special Attack. Overheat is a Special attack move. So, its penalty will weaken every subsequent use.

The 130 power makes it great for use as a finisher. This will allow players to save moves like Fire Blast and Flamethrower for future fights. The 90 accuracy is good enough to use with confidence, and the 5-PP count lasts longer than one would think due to the move being used, at most, once or twice per fight.

29

Fire Punch

The Standard Physical Fire Move That Can Be Learned By Other Types

• Power: 75
• Accuracy: 100
• PP: 15
• Category: Physical

Fire Punch is a unique move in the sense it can be learned by a variety of Pokemon, ranging from a whole host of types. Most notably, the Fighting-type Hitmonchan prides itself on punching moves like this one, along with Ice Punch and Thunder Punch.

Based on that, there is nothing too special about the move: it deals a respectable 75 damage, is 100% accurate, and has a nice amount of PP too. Just a solid Fire move for a lot of Pokemon to learn to boost their move coverage. A largely unknown fact is that it can be used in Pokemon Contests to improve the score if used with Ice Punch or Thunder Punch in a row.

28

Eruption

More Hit Points Equals More Damage

• Power: 150
• Accuracy: 100
• PP: 5
• Category: Special

This move is different from Overheat in that it’s a move that players will want to use at the start of a fight. The reason is simple, the power rating of this move drops when the user’s health is lower. It’s best to start with a couple of rounds of Eruption, then pick another move when the Pokemon’s health has been lowered.

Eruption seems a bit gimmicky; however, it is well worth using thanks to its high power of 150, and its accuracy of 100. A PP count of 5 is a bit of a hindrance, but this can be increased to eight.

27

Mystical Fire

Deals Damage And Lowers The Target’s Special Attack

• Power: 75
• Accuracy: 100
• PP: 10
• Category: Special

Players wanting a Fire-type move they can use to defeat Pokemon that rely on Special Attack-type moves will want to teach their Fire Pokemon Mystical Fire. Each hit from this move lowers the target’s Special Attack in one stage. This will make the opponent’s Special attacks do less damage, or force them to use Physical attacks.

Mystical Fire’s power of 75 could be higher. The 100 accuracy and 10 PP count make this move last through areas like gyms, where the player might be forced to fight a series of opponents.

26

Fire Fang

Can Make The Target Flinch

• Power: 65
• Accuracy: 95
• PP: 15
• Category: Physical

Fire Fang is a great all-around Fire-type attack. It has a power rating of 65, an accuracy of 95, and a PP count of 15. The 65 power is a bit on the lower side, but this move has a couple of status ailments it can inflict on the target. The accuracy of 95 isn’t a problem – it is very rare to miss with Fire Fang.

This move has a 10% chance of making the target flinch if the user attacks before the opponent. This move also has a 10% chance of burning the target – and yes the target can be struck with both ailments from one attack. So, yeah, it would be nice if the damage potential was higher, but at least Fire Fang might force the opponent to skip a round and give them a debilitating status ailment.

25

Heat Crash

Best Used By Heavy Pokemon

• Power: N/A
• Accuracy: 100
• PP: 10
• Category: Physical

Heat Crash is in the line of attacks that has its base power determined by weight, along with the Steel-type Heavy Slam. The move stayed an exclusive technique for Tepig’s evolutionary line until Pokemon Sword & Shield. The move did still return, but it is now available for a whole selection of Pokemon, even if many aren’t actually Fire types.

The best user of this attack would have to be Coalossal, who gets a STAB bonus and can usually get the maximum base power of 120. Copperajah may be able to use it even more effectively, with its weight absolutely guaranteeing the maximum damage. Any Pokemon that can use Heavy Slam can also use Heat Crash with the same level of effectiveness, giving heavy friends a slightly better type of coverage.

24

Burn Up

Burns Bright, But Causes The Candle To Go Out – Forever

• Power: 130
• Accuracy: 100
• PP: 5
• Category: Special

This attack has a massive 130 base power, 100 accuracy, and a reasonable 5 PP. Originally, it was given to Typhlosion as a special technique but could be given to other Pokemon through breeding. In Sword and Shield, a few other Pokemon were given Burn Up as a technique, which is interesting to see.

However, there is one huge drawback: the move erases the Fire-typing of its user. A Pokemon like Centiskorch will become a pure Bug-type, and Arcanine becomes no type at all. This can have its uses, but getting rid of STAB attacks can be a detriment in many cases. However, in terms of reliable raw power, this attack has the stats of a legendary technique and is available to more than just legendaries. For those willing to take the risk, Burning Up may be a solid option.

23

Temper Flare

Gamers Will Want This Move To Miss

• Power: 75
• Accuracy: 100
• PP: 10
• Category: Physical

A pretty standard move at the onset, but if Temper Flare misses due to status effects like paralysis or being asleep, then its power will double when it does hit on the next turn. A very fitting move that is triggered by the Pokemon’s frustration with not being able to land its attacks.

If this move misses from protection moves, like Protect, then the power will not be doubled. This a brand-new move for Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. No ‘mons learn this move via level-up and must be taught via TM, but there are a lot of Fire Pokemon who can be taught the move.

22

Torch Song

Raises Special Attack With Each Use

• Power: 80
• Accuracy: 100
• PP: 10
• Category: Special

Generation 9 added a few great Fire-type moves to the game and Torch Song is one of those few. This move has a decent power of 80, an accuracy of 100, and a PP count of 10. Those stats aren’t too remarkable and are about equal to Flamethrower’s stats.

Whereas Flamethrower has a chance of burning the target. Torch Song raises the user’s Special Attack. This ensures that every future use of Torch Song will do more damage. The damage can start getting ridiculous after four consecutive uses. For now, only one Pokemon, Skeledirge, can learn Torch Song.

21

Pyro Ball

A Cinderace-Exclusive Move That Can Burn The Target

• Power: 120
• Accuracy: 90
• PP: 5
• Category: Physical

Pyro Ball is the signature move of Cinderace, the Fire-type starter in Galar. The attack has a 120 base power and a mostly reliable accuracy, along with a chance to apply a burn. For a Pokemon with as high of a base attack as Cinderace, this move is absolutely a trump card. It’s equivalent to using the Jecht Shot in Final Fantasy 10‘s Blitzball mini-game and is just as reliable.

Going forward, it would be interesting to see if Pyro Ball becomes a technique learned by other Pokemon. A lot of signature moves have a habit of being distributed out to other Pokemon eventually, and something as powerful as Pyro Ball could make some waves. It’s one of the best Fire-type moves in the whole series for having all of the strengths with none of the downsides of other, equally powerful moves.

20

Searing Shot

High Damage And A Moderate Chance To Burn The Target

• Power: 100
• Accuracy: 100
• PP: 5
• Category: Special

Searing Shot and Pyro Ball are very similar moves. This move has a power of 100, an accuracy of 100, and a PP count of 5. It does a little less damage than Pyro Ball but is also slightly more accurate. Both moves also have a chance of burning the opponent. The biggest difference between the two moves is that Pyro Ball is a Physical attack, and Searing Shot is a Special attack.

The deciding factor in placing Searing Shot ahead of Pyro Ball comes down to the burning effect it can inflict on the opponent. Searing Shot has a 30% chance of burning, whereas Pyro Ball only has a 10% chance of burning. The only Pokemon that can learn this move is Victini.