Fuecoco: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fire-Type Starter Pokémon

Fuecoco, the Fire-type starter Pokémon from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, has captured the hearts of trainers with its charming design and potential in battle. This article provides a detailed look into Fuecoco's evolution, moveset, strengths, and strategies for trainers looking to make the most of this fiery companion.

Introduction

Fuecoco, a Fire-type Pokémon introduced in Generation IX, is a popular choice for trainers embarking on their journey through the Paldea region. With its unique design resembling a chili pepper-shaped crocodile, Fuecoco is both adorable and powerful. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about Fuecoco, from its initial stats and moves to its evolutions and battle strategies.

Fuecoco's Origins and Design

Fuecoco, known as Hogator in Japanese, is a Fire-type Pokémon that largely resembles a crocodile and a dinosaur. Its shape and coloration resemble that of a chili pepper and ghost pepper, befitting of its Fire typing. Fuecoco may originate from the Spanish words fuego (fire) and cocodrilo (crocodile). It has a red pepper-shaped body, short arms with three claws, and two legs with black toe claws. Two yellow stems extend from its head, with yellow patches on its belly and tail.

According to its official description, Fuecoco is laidback and lives at its own pace. It enjoys eating and will rush towards any food it sees. The square scales on its stomach and back absorb external heat, converting it into fire energy. These scales are always warm and can reach intense temperatures. Due to its small flame sac, Fuecoco constantly leaks flame energy.

Encountering and Obtaining Fuecoco

Fuecoco is one of the three starter Pokémon offered to trainers at the beginning of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Director Clavell presents Fuecoco, Sprigatito, and Quaxly as options. After selecting your starter Pokémon, you will not be able to obtain the other two starters without trading.

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When Pokémon HOME's Version 3.0 Update is live, you can receive a Hidden Ability Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly in the mobile version of Pokémon HOME by linking Pokémon HOME to Pokémon Scarlet or Violet.

Fuecoco's Evolution Line

Fuecoco's evolution line consists of three stages:

Fuecoco: The base form, a Fire-type Pokémon.
Crocalor: Evolves from Fuecoco at level 16.
Skeledirge: Evolves from Crocalor at level 36.

Fuecoco

Type: Fire
Base Stats: HP 67, Attack 45, Defense 59, Sp. Attack 63, Sp. Defense 40, Speed 36
Abilities: Blaze (When HP is below 1/3rd its maximum, power of Fire-type moves is increased by 50%.)
Hidden Ability: Unaware (Foe’s stat modifications are ignored.)

Fuecoco starts out strong and can grow into a truly exceptional Pokémon with the right guidance from its trainer. It has great HP and Defense stats and an even more impressive Special Attack. It should already know Tackle, Leer, and Ember. It will also learn Round at lvl. 7, Bite at lvl. 12, and Incinerate at lvl. 15.

Crocalor

Type: Fire
Evolves: From Fuecoco at level 16
Base Stats: HP 81, Attack 55, Defense 78, Sp. Attack 90, Sp. Defense 58, Speed 49

Fuecoco evolves into Crocalor at level 16. This taller, slightly chonkier croc's big teeth have finally grown in, but it now has a flame in the shape of an egg on its head. This, coupled with the wreath of embers around its brow, creates a shape that's fairly reminiscent of a sombrero.

Crocalor learns Snarl at lvl. 24, Roar at 28, and Flamethrower at 32.

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Skeledirge

Type: Fire/Ghost
Evolves: From Crocalor at level 36
Base Stats: HP 104, Attack 75, Defense 100, Sp. Attack 110, Sp. Defense 75, Speed 66

Sprigatito and Quaxly grow increasingly more humanoid in their evolutions, but Fuecoco goes in the opposite direction. Its final evolution, Skeledirge, is essentially a big red and white crocodile that breathes fire and has a tiny bird made of flame that lives on its head and seems to have hatched from Crocalor's egg. According to its "Scarlet" pokédex entry, this bird hatched when the egg gained a soul (which is awfully metaphysical for a "Pokémon" game), and it shapeshifts when Skeledirge sings.

Once it reaches this final evolutionary stage, its base stats jump up. Skeledirge learns its first Ghost-Type move, Shadow Ball, at lvl. 38, then it learns Hyper Voice at lvl. 42, Will-O-Wisp and Hex at 47, Fire Blast at 58, and finally Overheat at lvl. 64.

The dual Fire/Ghost Type matchup that it gains in its final form is a natural powerhouse that would make an excellent foundation for any Pokémon team, but this is improved even further by its natural Blaze ability, which gives it an additional 50% boost to special attacks when using a Fire-Type move - which is what a majority of its attacks consist of.

Level-Up Moves

Fuecoco learns the following moves in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet at the levels specified:

Level 1: Tackle
Level 1: Leer
Level 1: Ember
Level 7: Round
Level 12: Bite
Level 15: Incinerate
Level 24 (as Crocalor): Snarl
Level 28 (as Crocalor): Roar
Level 32 (as Crocalor): Flamethrower
Level 38 (as Skeledirge): Shadow Ball
Level 42 (as Skeledirge): Hyper Voice
Level 47 (as Skeledirge): Will-O-Wisp
Level 47 (as Skeledirge): Hex
Level 58 (as Skeledirge): Fire Blast
Level 64 (as Skeledirge): Overheat

Egg Moves

Fuecoco learns the following moves via breeding or picnics in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet:

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Details and compatible parents can be found on the Fuecoco gen 9 learnset page.

TM Moves

Fuecoco and its evolutions can learn a variety of moves through Technical Machines (TMs). These moves can provide valuable coverage and strategic options in battle.

Battle Strategies for Fuecoco and its Evolutions

Fuecoco and its evolutions have access to a lot of different moves - both those acquired through organic growth and via TMs - and there are a few different builds players can try to implement. It serves best as a Special Attack powerhouse though. This is why players should be careful to always favor Special moves over Physical ones. Status moves like Sunny Day and Will-O-Wisp can make great additions if players want more utility in their battle style.

Special Attacker Build

Nature: Modest (Boosts Special Attack, lowers Attack)
Moves:
- Flamethrower/Fire Blast (high damage, STAB)
- Shadow Ball (coverage against Ghost and Psychic types, STAB for Skeledirge)
- Hyper Voice (strong Normal-type move for coverage)
- Will-O-Wisp (burns the opponent, reducing their Attack)

Fuecoco is a special attacker, so it is recommended to use a Fuecoco with the Modest nature which boosts its Special Attack stat.

Tera Types

Tera+STAB Attacker: Pokemon who stack their Tera Type damage boost with STAB to get a 2x damage boost for one type.
Tera Boost Coverage: Pokemon who use a Tera Type different from their main types to get a 1.5x boost in a new typing for greater coverage.
Weakness Protection: Pokemon who use a Tera Type to reduce or remove one of their critical weaknesses.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths: Fuecoco also gives you type advantage over Pokemon that have fewer weaknesses such as Steel. It also resists Fairy-type unlike the other starter types.
Weaknesses: Shinx is great against Water-type Pokemon which Fuecoco is weak against. After evolving into Gyarados, this Pokemon will become indispensable for taking out Rock-type Pokemon that Fuecoco is weak to.

Notable Moves

Flamethrower: The user attacks opposing Pokémon with fire.
Fire Blast: The target is scorched with an intense blast of fire.
Overheat: The user attacks the target with all its might. The recoil from this move harshly lowers the user's Sp. Atk stat.
Shadow Ball: The user hurls a shadowy blob at the target. This may also lower the target's Sp. Def stat.
Will-O-Wisp: The user shoots a sinister flame at the target to inflict a burn.
Hyper Voice: The user lets loose a horribly echoing shout with the power to inflict damage.
Torch Song: Cloaking itself in flame, the user attacks the target. The user's Sp. Atk stat is boosted.

Additional Information

External heat is absorbed by the square scales on Fuecoco's stomach and back, then converted into fire energy.
Roy, one of the main characters of Pokemon Horizons: The Series encounters and befriends a Fuecoco who eventually becomes his partner.
Paldean Wooper evolves at level 20, is very hard to take out, and can learn support moves such as Yawn, making it very useful for taking down Gym Leaders.

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