The Pokémon of January 23rd, 2025 is…
#229 Houndoom
“Houndoom (Japanese: ヘルガー Hellgar) is a dual-type Dark/Fire Pokémon introduced in Generation II.
It evolves from Houndour starting at level 24.
Houndoom can Mega Evolve into Mega Houndoom using the Houndoominite.
Houndoom is a quadrupedal, canine Pokémon with black fur, a long orange snout, and an orange underbelly. It has small red eyes and a black nose. Around its neck is a white band with a small skull-shaped pendant on its throat. There are two white bands on each of its ankles, as well as three rib-like ridges on its back. Houndoom has a long, skinny tail with a triangular tip and three clawed toes on each paw. Atop its head is a pair of long, curved gray horns. These horns are smaller on the female than the male. Unlike its pre-Evolution, it does not have discernable ears.
Houndoom live in packs. The one with its horns raked sharply towards the back serves a leadership role. Leadership is determined by fights within the pack. It is believed that Houndoom dreams about this leadership role while it sleeps. Its gut is full of toxins, which are used to create unique fire mixed with poison. This gives Houndoom’s fire a foul odor and the burns it inflicts will never heal. After finishing off its prey, Houndoom divides it evenly among its pack. Houndoom appears near rough terrain areas. Its howling induces shivering in other Pokémon, and often sends them scurrying back to their nests. In the past, people thought Houndoom’s howl came from the grim reaper. Houndoom usually breathes fire when it is angry. As mentioned in Pokémon Sleep, Houndoom is known to rarely breathe out flames while it sleeps.
Houndoom can Mega Evolve into Mega Houndoom.
As Mega Houndoom, the ridges on its back thicken, and it gains additional bone-like rings around the base of its tail. The rings on its tail have small spikes on top resembling vertebrae. The ridge at the base of Mega Houndoom’s neck is longer and curves forward towards its shoulders. Instead of a band with a skull pendant, there is a large, toothed structure around its neck. This bone-like formation has two large spikes on either side and three pointed teeth on the bottom. Mega Houndoom’s horns now point straight up with a small, outward curve in the middle. The two bands on its hind legs have vanished, and those on its forelegs are broken in the front.
Its claws are a dark red due to its ability to generate more heat, which causes pain to Mega Houndoom. Finally, the tip of its tail is now split down the middle. When it Mega Evolves, its entire body generates heat. Its fiery breath is now powerful enough to burn foes into ashes.“-Bulbapedia.
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