Best 9 Pokemon Wolves and 1 Bonus Wolf for 2024

There are many weird and wonderful characters that make up the Pokemon collection.

Some are generic animals, some a crazy hybrid, some enhanced versions of the creature they try to mimic and then some are pure fantasy.

It has been long argued which are the wolves within the Pokemon collection throughout the Generations.

Visit any Pokemon forum and you’ll almost certainly see a discussion on the topic.

Wolves are sly, fierce and unrelenting creatures, which I assume is a reason why wolves within the Pokemon Universe are so sought after and revered.

From the obvious wolves such as Arcanine to the not so obvious we rank the best 9 Pokemon wolves and give one bonus wolf that we feel we may have a case to include in this list, but hear us out first.

Whether this particular Pokemon could be a wolf or large vicious canine case could of course be argued, but debate is a plenty in the Pokemon world.

Some Pokemon wolves are very alpha led, like wolves in the wild are, and as such can be tamed easily for good trainers. 

A wolf such as Mightyena will fit this category nicely.

Here is a run down of the very best Pokemon wolves, including our bonus wolf!

Mightyena

As already mentioned, Mightyena is an alpha led wolf and responds well to good dominant alpha trainers.

This is one of Mightyena’s main appeals.

Though poor weak trainers will not gain Mightyena’s trust and obedience, which doesn’t end well, for those of you who have played Pokemon Ruby on the GBA will know.

Mightyena evolves from Poochyena and was introduced in Generation III as a Dark-type Pokemon.

This Pokemon wolf wasn’t the first set of Dark-types of course, these were introduced in Generation II in Pokemon Gold and Silver way back in 1999.

It’s three abilities are:

There are only 11 other Pokemon characters with the Moxie hidden ability.

Mightyena’s total base stats are equal to 420, with its most powerful ability being Attack at 90. 

It also has a HP of 110, meaning Mightyena can stand toe to toe with most standard Pokemon adversaries.

It isn’t in the top 50% of all round ability Pokemon but it’s a worthy character to have.

Arcanine

Arcanine has very wolf-like features and evolves from Hisuian Growlithe, and is a fire-type Pokemon from way back in the first generation.

This Pokemon is usually sought after due its furious nature and its higher than average HP of 150.

Its category type of Legendary Pokemon tricks many newbies into believing they have found a rare and valuable playing card, or are invincible against other Pokemon, but the reality is the Legendary category simply is a category name devised in Generation I, not that Arcanine is Legendary amongst all Pokemon.

That isn’t to say players don’t want Arcanine in their collection!

Arcanine’s abilities are:

Only 5 other Pokemon have the Justified hidden ability as part of the player’s arsenal, although another 5 Pokemon have this as a standard ability.

Its base stats are an impressive 550, with its most powerful ability being Attack at 110.

Arcanine is a powerful wolf Pokemon to capture and train, albeit training Arcanine is a slow methodical process.

Manectric

Manectric has incredible wolf-like features, from the piercing eyes to sculpted pointed hair.

Introduced into Pokemon in Generation 3 it became a popular Pokemon due to its striking appearance despite its Attack and Defense lacking compared to other wolf Pokemon.

I use ‘its’ due to the exact split in gender of 50% male and 50% female.

Manectric is of the electric-type in which there are fewer in number compared to other Pokemon types.

Just 86 Pokemon in total are electric-type, and only a small number of trainers specialize in training this special variant of Pokemon, such as Wattson. 

Manectric’s abilities are:

Only two Pokemon have Minus as a special ability, with a further three Pokemon having Minus as a standard ability.

Minus is a rare ability to have, and its total base stat are just 475, although Mega Manectric is at 575. 

Both versions have a HP of just 70.

Special Attack and Speed are two of Manectric’s strongest abilities.

Lycanroc

The wolf-like Pokemon Lycanroc wasn’t introduced until later in the Pokemon timeline, in Generation 7.

What is even more remarkable and rare about Lycanroc is that it only evolves from Rockruff under certain conditions.

Lycanroc will only be evolved depending on the time of day, as well as its current Ability.

Its true classification is a Wolf Pokemon, so its type can not be up for debate.

There are often mixed reviews about Lycanroc online and within the gaming community if you delve deep enough.

On one hand, aggressive players love Lycanroc’s Speed and Attack, but it is let down by a much weaker defense, which makes capturing and training this type of Pokemon suitable for the right type of player.

Lycanroc has unique abilities depending on the version evolved, and this is dependent on the time of day the evolution happened.

If it evolved during the day then its HP range across the strengths change accordingly.

Lycanroc’s Abilities included:

All three forms, Midday, Dusk and Midnight, have a total base points of 487 but the Midnight Form has a slightly higher HP of 85 compared to Midday and Dusk’s HP of 75.

Which version is preferable to the player is dependent on the way they like to play.

Those who desire aggression and speed would probably opt for the Dusk Form, whereas those who prefer a more defensive strategy would opt for the Midnight Form.

Zamazenta

Zamazenta is one of the latest wolf Pokemon to appear.

It materialized during Generation VIII.

Zamazenta is a very sought after Pokemon due to its fierce nature plus very high HP and total strength values, especially the Crowned Shield form version.

This wolf Pokemon is a Warrior type, which should tell you all you need to know as to why it is so wanted as part of a Pokemon collection.

Strangely enough, unlike all of the other wolf Pokemon, Zamazenta has no gender, and has just one ability to speak of.

Despite this Zamazenta is an incredibly formidable opponent, and very tough to beat.

Zamazenta’s ability is:

In fact, Zamazenta is the ONLY Pokemon with Dauntless Shield as an ability, it’s that rare!

Speed is its greatest asset with 138 points, and attack second strongest asset, meaning it is a perfect wolf Pokemon character for players that enjoy battling hard and fast.

Poochyena

Poochyena is an original wolf before it evolves into another Pokemon we feature in this list, Mightyena.

This Dark-type Pokemon was introduced to the Pokemon world in Generation III.

As an original it isn’t particularly strong or fearful, although of course as we know he tries to be, but when Poochyena evolves into Mightyena things become a little different of course.

It’s small of course but incredibly feisty and will take a nip out of anything that moves.

Hence why it’s known as a Bite Pokemon!

Small but loyal Poochyena is sought after due to its determination, plus also that this Pokemon evolves into Mightyena with its Moxie hidden ability.

Poochyena’s abilities are:

Like all wolves, Poochyena is nimble and quick, and as you can see from its abilities it makes a great Pokemon to battle when speed and fast feet are needed.

Despite speed playing a large part in its abilities it is its strength which is Poochyena’s greatest asset

Electrike

Electrike is another original wolf Pokemon from Generation III.

It is another Pokemon on this list that evolves into a further wolf Pokemon that is also featured, namely Manectric.

Electrike is an adaptable battler and its secret is the jolts used within its hind legs to give a powerful acceleration.

Incredibly useful for combat, plus a very healthy Speed stat and Special Attack stat make Electrike difficult for opponents.

Although it’s pretty obvious to state this given this Pokemon’s name, Electrike is an Electric-type of Pokemon.

Electrike’s abilities are:

Only Electrike, and the Pokemon it evolves into, Manectric, have Minus as a hidden ability, although five other Pokemon have Minus as a standard ability.

This wolf Pokemon’s Speed and Special Attack are impressive for an original Pokemon, with a 65 score on both stats.

Rockruff

Although this original Pokemon character has very cute puppy canine features, the reason for the inclusion here is that Rockruff evolves into Lycanroc, which is also featured in this list for its wolf-like characteristics.

Rockruff is an obedient Pokemon with the right trainer, and easy to train, and comes with decent Attack and Speed stats.

There are three different versions of Pokemon it evolves into.

All are Lycanroc, but there is a Midday version, a Dusk version and a Midnight version depending on the time of day Rockruff evolves.

Rockruff’s abilities are:

Just 7 other Pokemon have the Steadfast hidden ability, although a further 8 have Steadfast as a standard ability.

For speed and attack Lycanroc will serve very well, and evolving into Lycanroc is an added bonus for wolf Pokemon fans.

Zacian

Zacian is a Warrior-type Pokemon with very striking wolf type features, and appears in just one title, Pokemon Sword and Shield that can be played on the Nintendo Switch, and of course found in the Pokemon Trading Card Game.

Zacian is also one of the rare 18.5% of Pokemon that do not evolve.

Produced in Generation 8, this Pokemon hasn’t been around as long as the others of course but is often very sought after for his loyalty, ferociousness, grace in movement and incredible speed.

Despite a less than expected HP for such a formidable creature, especially considering his scars and noticeable tear in ear from a past battle, players are excited to capture Zacian as part of their Pokemon.

Zacian’s ability is:

In fact, Zacian is the only Pokemon with the Intrepid Sword ability.

Despite only one ability, it is a very powerful one. Its strength is in its Speed and Attack, which are two great assets for players who like to go full on attack mode.

The artwork on the Pokemon TCG cards is incredible and worth including for this alone.

Bonus Wolf Pokemon: Mabosstiff

At the very start of this article I hinted at a bonus wolf Pokemon outside the usual collection.

Mabosstiff is typically argued to be a canine, a Tibetan Dog in actual fact, but Tibetan dogs have unusual characteristics, large size and a wild nature that can make them more wolf-like in appearance than dog-like.

It evolves from Maschiff, a feisty canine, but the evolution adds a fire, an unyielding loyalty and fangs that can be intimidating, especially to children, despite its friendly and protective nature.

This doesn’t make Mabosstiff typically wolf based, as these do not have a protective side towards families, but equally its size, dominance and striking looks can make Mabosstiff appear and act more wolf-like than canine-like.

Mabosstiff’s abilities are:

Only 6 other Pokemon have the Stakeout ability as a hidden ability, and only a further 2 have as a standard ability.

Mabosstiff’s most significant strength is within his Attack, and has an average HP for its size.

Although it can be argued all day long that Mabosstiff is a canine, its menacing look, teeth, strength, and ferociousness certainly are characteristics of many wolf Pokemon in the Pokemon World.