Alolan Ninetales Guide: Builds and Best Items

The best guide on how to play Alolan Ninetales in Pokemon UNITE for Nintendo Switch and Mobile. Check here for the best builds, Held and Battle items, movesets, as well as the latest nerfs, buffs, counters, matchups, and more!

Alolan Ninetales Latest Nerfs & Buffs (12/5)

Version 1.13.1.2 Patch Notes (December 5 Update)

Alolan Ninetales Move Changes (December 5)
Aurora Veil	• HP regeneration from enhanced attacks used within range of the move increased by 100%. • Damage reduced from 30% to 35%.
Aurora Veil +	• HP regeneration from enhanced attacks used within range of the move increased by 100%. • Damage reduced by 35% → 40%.

Alolan Ninetales Basic Info

Alolan Ninetales
	Tier Rating: Role: Attacker Attack Type: Ranged Damage Type: Special Difficulty: Intermediate Cost: 8000 / 460
"Alolan Ninetales uses moves that freeze its opponents in ice, making them unable to move or attack."

Pokemon Unite Tier List

Alolan Ninetales Best Lanes

Top	Jungle	Bottom

Tips & Strategies for Every Lane

Strengths and Weaknesses

Best Builds for Alolan Ninetales

Alolan Ninetales Builds
Freeze-Burst Build
Boosted Attack Build	-

The Best Build for Alolan Ninetales is the one with the gold crown!

Freeze-Burst Build

Freeze-Burst Build
Moveset			Held Items
Avalanche Blizzard			Wise Glasses Choice Specs Slick Spoon
Battle Item
Eject Button
Item Effects (at Level 30)			Recommended Lane
Sp. Atk: +108 HP: +210			Top Lane Bot Lane
Emblem Color Combination			Target Emblem Stats
Green x6 White x4			Positive Stats: • Sp. Atk Free Negative Stats: • Attack • Defense • Sp. Def • Critical-Hit Rate
Note: The emblem color and stats here are suggestions only. The builds are still viable even without the suggested emblems.

Freeze-Burst Build Explanation

Freeze-Burst Build Damage Test

Since the build is centered on Blizzard and Avalanche, equipping items that will maximize their damage is the ideal item combination.

Out of all the item combination, Wise Glasses, Choice Specs, and Slick Spoon will be the best for the build. The item combination provides a constant damage boost throughout a match without the need to do extra tasks like stacking and using a Unite Move to maximize damage.

As for alternatives, replacing Wise Glasses with Energy Amplifier would be the ideal choice. The item combination had the best results overall. However, it does require Alolan Ninetales to use Snow Globe first to gain the maximum damage boost.

Boosted Attack Build

Boosted Attack Build
Moveset			Held Items
Dazzling Gleam Aurora Veil			Muscle Band Rapid-Fire Scarf Slick Spoon
Battle Item
X Attack
Item Effects (at Level 30)			Recommended Lane
Attack: +27 Sp. Atk: +30 Attack Speed: +16.50% HP: +210			Top Lane Bot Lane
Emblem Color Combination			Target Emblem Stats
Green x6 White x4			Positive Stats: • HP • Sp. Atk Free Negative Stats: • Attack • Defense • Sp. Def
Note: The emblem color and stats here are suggestions only. The builds are still viable even without the suggested emblems.

Boosted Attack Build Explanation

Boosted Attack Build Damage Test

Since the build focuses on Alolan Ninetales' Boosted Attacks, equipping items that will maximize their damage output is the ideal item combination.

Out of all the item combinations, Muslce Band, Rapid-Fire Scarf, and Slick Spoon will produce the best outcome for the build. Although the item combination did not generate the highest damage, its result is decent enough to still deal significant damage. Moreover, the massive attack speed bonus from Rapid-Fire Scarf will be more benefitial for the build in the long run.

As for alternatives, replacing Sick Spoon with Focus Band would be the ideal option. The item combination sacrifices damage for durability, allowing Alolan Ninetales to trade blows more efficiently. Focus Band also goes well with Aurora Veil's damage reduction effect.

Alolan Ninetales Best Items & Moveset

Best Held Items

Item	Explanation
Exp. Share	Exp. Share works great when playing Alolan Ninetales as a support, giving it extra mobility via increased movement speed on top of Aurora Veil.
Buddy Barrier	Buddy Barrier improves Alolan Ninetales' durability through increased HP. It also works well with its Unite Move, giving some protection during fights.
Energy Amplifier	Energy Amplifier gives Alolan Ninetales a large damage boost whenever it uses Snow Globe. It also makes its recharge rate faster.
Focus Band	Focus Band improves Alolan Ninetales' durability through increased defenses, and provides a reliable survivability tool during intense fights.
Wise Glasses	Wise Glasses boosts Alolan Ninetales' Sp. Atk. stat, increasing its moves' damage output.
Muscle Band	Muscle Band improves Alolan Ninetales' standard attacks via increased damage and attack speed. It also synergizes well with Aurora Veil's boosted attack effect.
Choice Specs	Choice Specs works similarly to Wise Glasses, boosting Alolan Ninetales' moves' damage.
Rapid-Fire Scarf	Rapid-Fire Scarf synergizes with Alolan Ninetales' Boosted Attacks and Aurora Veil, allowing it to quickly trigger Snow Warning's freeze effect.
Slick Spoon	Slick Spoon improves Alolan Ninetales' burst damage by ignoring a portion of its target's Sp. Def. stat, especially against high durability Pokemon. It also provides increased Sp. Atk. and HP, which are essential to the Pokemon.

List of Held Items

Best Battle Items

Item	Explanation
Eject Button	Eject Button adds more mobility on top of the leap from Aurora Veil, allowing Alolan Ninetales to easily catch up to fleeing enemies or create enough distance when escaping.
X Attack	X Attack works well with the increased attack speed and boosted attacks from Aurora Veil, improving Alolan Ninetales' damage output while the buff is active.

List of Battle Items

Best Moveset

Move	Explanation
Blizzard	Blizzard is a strong, area-of-effect disabling move. When paired with Avalanche, both moves turn into a more powerful combo.
Avalanche	Avalanche when paired with Blizzard gives Alolan Ninetales a high-burst, disabling combo useful in teamfights.

This moveset gives Alolan Ninetales a strong disabling combo with high burst damage. Avalanche's wall allows Alolan Ninetales to easily trigger Blizzard's exploding effect, dealing more damage in the area.

When choosing Avalanche, it's best to pair it with Blizzard due to their natural synergy. This turns Alolan Ninetales into a traditional Sp. Atk, burst-damage caster.

On the other hand, when going for Dazzling Gleam, it's best paired with Aurora Veil since Alolan Ninetales will rely mostly on its Boosted Attacks for damage. Having a move that stuns enemies immediately when they get hit allows the Pokemon to keep them in place as it throws its Boosted Attacks.

Which Moveset Do You Think is Best for Alolan Ninetales?

Why is it the best? Let us know in the comments!

Previous Poll Result

How to Play Alolan Ninetales

Jump to Section
Get to Level 4 Fast
Attack from a Safe Distance
Be Aware of the Ice Symbol Above Enemies
Get Avalanche and Blizzard for Burst Damage
Get Aurora Veil and Dazzling Gleam for Flexibility
Use your Unite Move to Weaken Opponents

Get to Level 4 Fast

At the start of the match, focus on farming wild Pokemon and leveling up to level 4 so you can get your first primary move. Once you learn the move, you can start to put pressure on the enemies.

Attack from a Safe Distance

Being fragile, it's best for Alolan Ninetales to fight from a distance. With its range, you can fight against Pokemon who rely heavily on melee attacks. Try to team up with a Defender or All-Rounder and shave off the enemy's HP through your standard attack or Avalanche.

Be Aware of the Ice Symbol Above Enemies

You can put a Pokemon in a Frozen state by accumulating the icy mark that appears whenever Alolan Ninetales attacks an opponent. You can fill up that gauge by hitting an opponent with any of the following moves/abilities:

• Hitting an opponent with a Boosted Attack
• Any skill other than Aurora Veil
• Alolan Ninetales' passive ability, Snow Warning
• Activate Unite Move
• Attack an enemy 4 times

Note that during Aurora Veil, Standard Attacks become strengthened and you can freeze the opponent in 4 hits.
Snow Warning: Alolan Ninetales Passive Effect and Cooldown

Get Avalanche and Blizzard for Burst Damage

If you want to play Alolan Ninetales as a traditional Sp. Atk Pokemon, always get Avalanche and Blizzard as your primary moveset, giving you massive burst damage tools.

Use Avalanche First Before Blizzard

Your burst damage combo should always start with Avalanche before Blizzard, allowing you to shove enemies towards Avalanche's ice wall with Blizzard. This also lets Blizzard explode near the ice wall and trigger its second effect.

Shove Enemies Towards Objects

You can also utilize the objects scattered in the map by shoving enemies towards them and trapping enemies using your combo.

Get Aurora Veil and Dazzling Gleam for Flexibility

Getting Aurora Veil and Dazzling Gleam gives you some flexibility. You can either play as a support or a standard attack damage dealer.

Equip Exp. Share for Support

If you want to play as a support, always get Exp. Share as a core item, then build around it.

Exp. Share Effect and How to Get

Equip Muscle Band for Damage

If you want to play offensively, always equip Muscle Band, then build around it. The item also works well with Aurora Veil's Boosted Attack effect.

Muscle Band Effect and How to Get

Utilize the Leap Mechanic

Aurora Veil's leap mechanic is useful in various situations, such as leaping over walls, chasing or escaping enemies, and repositioning.

It's important to note that the field generated by the move appears where you land after leaping. Knowing this is useful when saving allies.

Use Snow Globe to Weaken Opponents

Use Alolan Ninetales' Unite move to finish off an opponent with low HP. Since its radial attack is centered on Alolan Ninetales, it's best to use it in the middle of a clash, finishing off those with low HP while weakening the others for your teammates to finish off.

Snow Globe: Alolan Ninetales Unite Move Effect and Cooldown

Progression and Leveling Guide

Top or Bottom Lane Guide

Alolan Ninetales Combos

Quick Push and Freeze Combos

Quick Push and Freeze Combo
► ► ~
Powder Snow ► Icy Wind ► Standard Attack ~
This is Alolan Ninetales' early game freezing combo. Start with Powder Snow followed directly by an Icy Wind. If you managed to get a couple of Snow Warning triggers on the target, they will be frozen for a short time, allowing you to beat them down with Standard Attacks.

Instant Freeze Combo

Instant Freeze Combo
►
Avalanche ► Blizzard
This is a burst combo that leaves opponents disabled and heavily damaged. Always start with Avalanche and cast in behind at your targets to create a wall. After the ice wall appears, immediately follow up with Blizzard, knocking enemies back towards the wall and freezing them. If the targets hit the wall, the move will deal bonus damage.

High Sustain Veil Combo

High Sustain Veil Combo
► ►
Aurora Veil ► Dazzling Gleam ► Standard Attack
This combo focuses on Standard Attacks and survivability by taking advantage of Aurora Veil's buffs. Start by engaging opponents with the small hop from Aurora Veil. After landing, use Dazzling Gleam to stun the opponents. Use this short time to reposition Alolan Ninetales within the zone while using your Standard Attacks to deal constant Boosted Attack damage.

Sustained Damage Combo

Sustained Damage Combo
► ► ► ~
Aurora Veil ► Snow Globe ► Dazzling Gleam ► Standard Attack ~
This combo is similar to the High Sustain Combo, but uses Alolan Ninetale's Unite Move as a finisher. Start by engaging the fight with Aurora Veil. When Alolan Ninetales lands, activate Snow Globe to deal massive AoE damage and weaken your opponents. Follow it up with a Dazzling Gleam while constantly using Standard Attack.

Matchups & Counters for Alolan Ninetales

Alolan Ninetales Matchups

Matchup Notes
Hard Counter	Even Matchup	Easy Matchup
1. The chart is based on our own experience playing Alolan Ninetales. 2. Pokemon within each tier are unordered 3. Any Pokemon not shown here are still under investigation.

Hard Counter With Quick Damage Bursts

Alolan Ninetales struggles with high mobility Pokemon that can also burst it downs. Its moves take a bit of time to take full effect so make sure to use them once you get a chance.

Best Counters

Pokemon	Explanation
Lucario	Rating: ★★★★★ • Can mitigate Alolan Ninetales' initial burst damage with Steadfast. • Can exploit stationary targets by bursting them down with Close Combat.
Greninja	Rating: ★★★★★ • Outdamages Alolan Ninetales with Surf or Water Shuriken. • Easy to miss because of effective dash moves.
Absol	Rating: ★★★★ • Can quickly shut down Alolan Ninetales with its combos. • Has high mobility and easily catches up to its enemies with Night Slash and Pursuit.
Talonflame	Rating: ★★★★ • Has high mobility with high burst damage that can easily knock down Alolan Ninetales. • Can dodge Alolan Ninetales' moves, and dive directly toward it using Fly.
Dragonite	Rating: ★★★★ • Has superior burst capabilities with Hyper Beam. • Has stun effects with Outrage that can offset what Alolan Ninetales' freeze moves.

Even Matchups for Alolan Ninetales

Take advantage of Alolan Ninetales Freeze mechanic to get an edge while brawling with opponents. You would want to employ hit and run tactics to slowly whittle down your targets HP. Lead them to narrow areas where you can push them towards walls with Blizzard or tip the scales by recovering HP with Aurora Veil.

Burst Down with Damage or Status Negating Moves

Pokemon with Damage/Status Negating Moves
How to Beat
• Maintain your distance and kite them with your Standard Attacks. Only get aggressive when they are at half HP. • Use Dazzling Gleam to deal extra damage on top of boosted attacks generated by Aurora Veil.

Bait and Counter

Pokemon with Burst Capabilities
How to Beat
• Bait out or disrupt their initial burst moves with Dazzling Gleam. • When pitted in a brawl, it is best to keep pushing as runny away and turning your back will always result in a loss. • Burst them down once their moves are on cooldown.

Avoid Long Range 1v1's

Pokemon with Long Range Attacks
How to Beat
• Do not engage when they are too far. Wait for them to get aggressive and charge so you can get a clear shot with you moves. • It is best to have a Defender or All-Rounder ally to initiate the fight for an easy take down. • Freeze or burst them down if they are within your range, or if their moves are on cooldown.

Counter with Freeze

Pokemon with Crowd Control Moves
How to Beat
• Utilized your ranged attacks by kiting them from afar. Enhance your attacks with Aurora Veil for constant pressure. • Disengage or burst them down with Dazzling Gleam if they are within your range, or if their moves are on cooldown. • Block their path with Avalanche.

Easy Matchups for Alolan Ninetales

Pokemon that cannot counter or quickly burst down Alolan Ninetales are easy targets. Make use of Dazzling Gleam for quick and easy stuns or Aurora Veil for constant pressure.

Disrupt Movement with Slow

Pokemon That Rely on Momentum
How to Beat
• Disrupt and slow their approach with Dazzling Gleam or Blizzard while you kite them down. • Snow Warning triggers partnered up with Aurora Veil are enough to disrupt enemy combos. Follow up with boosted attacks, and disengage when needed.

Freeze and Burst Down

Pokemon that are Susceptible to Burst
How to Beat
• One Avalanche + Blizzard combo will be enough to make them play defensively. • Their damage is low enough to keep up with HP recovery from Aurora Veil.

Best Teammates for Alolan Ninetales

Pokemon	Explanation
Mr. Mime Snorlax Tsareena	Aggressive Frontliners
	Pokemon that can take the frontlines give room for Alolan Ninetales to freely deal damage from behind them. They can tank and deal damage while Alolan Ninetales constantly freezes enemies, allowing them and the Pokemon to benefit from each other. They can also use disabling moves like Heavy Slam and Confusion in conjuction with Alolan Ninetales' own to stun-lock groups of enemies during fights.
Cinderace Garchomp	Standard Attack Damage Dealers
	Pokemon who rely mostly on their Standard Attacks to deal damage can take advantage of Alolan Ninetales' freezing capabilities. Alolan Ninetales can constantly freeze enemies to allow them to freely hit targets or set up moves like Pyro Ball and Dragon Rush. The Pokemon can also deal enough burst damage to make it easier for them to knock out targets.
Pikachu Machamp Mamoswine	Disablers
	Having other Pokemon that have disabling moves as Alolan Ninetales' teammates is benefitial for the entire team. Chaining together moves like Thunderbolt and Icicle Crash with Alolan Ninetales' disabling moves can devastate the entire enemy team during fights, especially when they get caught off guard. The combined damage these moves deal coupled with their stun duration should be more than enough to quickly dwindle the enemy's numbers and win the fight.

Looking for teammates to synergize with you? Head over to our Friend Request Board to find other trainers to join you in your grind or just to hang out with!

Friend Request Board

Alolan Ninetales Moves

Move Slot 1 (R)

Powder Snow (Lv. 1 or 3)	Move Type: Area Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 5s Starting Damage: 279 Final Damage: 340
Attacks with a chilly gust of powdery snow, decreasing the movement speed of opposing Pokemon for a short time when it hits.
Dazzling Gleam (Lv. 4) Upgrade Lv. 11	Move Type: Hindrance Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 7.5s Starting Damage: 481 Final Damage: 1131
Attacks with a powerful cone of blinding light, leaving opposing Pokémon unable to act when this move hits. Upgrade: Increases damage dealt and the length of time opposing Pokemon are unable to act
Avalanche (Lv. 4) Upgrade Lv. 11	Move Type: Area Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 8s Starting Damage: 584 Initial damage: 292, Explosion damage: 292 Final Damage: 1324 Initial hit: 662, Explosion damage: 662
Attacks with a gush of chilly ice toward the designated area. The ice forms a wall that cannot be passed through on land. After a short time, this wall melts and collapses, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon in the area of effect. Upgrade: Also decreases the movement speed of opposing Pokemon for a short time when this move hits.

Move Slot 2 (ZR)

Icy Wind (Lv. 1 or 3)	Move Type: Ranged Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 8s Starting Damage: 542 271 x 2 Final Damage: 842 421 x 2
Breathes wind in a straight line, dealing damage, pushing them back, and slowing Movement Speed of enemies hit.
Aurora Veil (Lv. 6) Upgrade Lv. 13	Move Type: Buff Damage Type: Status Cooldown: 13s Starting Damage: N/A Final Damage: N/A
Has the user leap to the designated location and create an aurora around itself that reduces damage received by the user and ally Pokemon in the area of effect. While the user is insde the aurora, its movement speed is increased and its basic attacks become boosted attacks. These boosted attacks restore the user's HP when they deal damage. Upgrade: Increases damage reduction when in the field.
Blizzard (Lv. 6) Upgrade Lv. 13	Move Type: Ranged Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 8s Starting Damage: 2674 Initial damage: 382, Knockback damage: 764, Explosion damage: 191 x 8 Final Damage: 5349 Initial damage: 764, Knockback damage: 1529, Explosion damage: 382x 8
Summons a howling blizzard in two blasts in front of the user. The first blast deals damage to opposing Pokémon in the area of effect and decreases their movement speed for a short time. The second blast deals damage to opposing Pokémon in the area of effect and shoves them. If the second blast hits an obstacle, it also deals damage to opposing Pokémon near the point of impact. Upgrade: Increases damage dealt by this move.

Unite Moves (ZL)

Snow Globe (Lv. 9)	Move Type: Area Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 112s Starting Damage: 1986 Final Damage: 3055
Attacks with chilly snow and ice, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon in the area of effect when it hits. Deals damage to opposing Pokemon that are frozen.

Standard Attack

Standard Attack	Becomes a boosted attack with every third attack. When this boosted attack hits, it deals damage to nearby opposing Pokemon and decreases their movement speed for a short time.

Ability (Passive)

Snow Warning	All Evolution Stages Causes snow to fall on an enemy, dealing damage to it and decreasing their movement speed for a short time. Boosted attacks and moves (except Aurora Veil) sling snow, and hitting the same target with snow multiple times will freeze it for a short time.

Alolan Ninetales Stats & Evolutions

Alolan Ninetales Evolutions

1st Evolution	Final Evolution
Alolan Vulpix (Lv. 1)	Alolan Ninetales (Lv. 4)

Alolan Ninetales Stats

Attack Damage is the damage of the Basic Attack as tested against the Training Dummy.

Alolan Ninetales In-Game Stat Listings

Offense	Endurance	Mobility	Scoring	Support

Alolan Ninetales Skins (Holowear)

Holowear
Sacred Style Zirco Trading: 2499	Checkered Style Zirco Trading: 400
Theater Style Zirco Trading: 1050	Tuxedo Style Event: UNITE Club Membership
Holiday Style Zirco Trading: 1050

All Pokemon Skins (Holowear)

Alolan Ninetales Character Spotlight

Alolan Ninetales Achievements

Snow Warning Achievement

Snow Warning
Pokemon	Move
Alolan Ninetales	Snow Warning
Mission: In a single batlle, freeze Pokemon from the opposing team with Snow Warning 8 or more times (5/10/20 battles total)
Medals & Points	Rewards
Beginner 5	Aeos Ticket x100
Expert 5	Aeos Coin x300
Master 10	Holowear Ticket x3

List of Attacker Pokemon Achievements

Pokemon UNITE Related Guides

List of All Pokemon

All Pokemon Guides and Builds

Best Build for Each Pokemon

Pokemon Roster
Absol	Aegislash	Alolan Ninetales	Azumarill
Blastoise	Blaziken	Blissey	Buzzwole
Chandelure	Charizard	Cinderace	Clefable
Comfey	Cramorant	Crustle	Decidueye
Delphox	Dodrio	Dragapult	Dragonite
Duraludon	Eldegoss	Espeon	Garchomp
Gardevoir	Gengar	Glaceon	Goodra
Greedent	Greninja	Hoopa	Inteleon
Lapras	Leafeon	Lucario	Machamp
Mamoswine	Meowscarada	Mega Mewtwo X	Mega Mewtwo Y
Mew	Mimikyu	Mr. Mime	Pikachu
Sableye	Scizor	Slowbro	Snorlax
Sylveon	Talonflame	Trevenant	Tsareena
Tyranitar	Umbreon	Urshifu	Wigglytuff
Venusaur	Zacian	Zeraora	Zoroark

Upcoming Pokemon

Upcoming Pokemon
Metagross December 26, 2023

Top 5 Master Rank Picks & Win Rate

Pokemon	Tier	Most Played %	Average Win %
Mew		21.5%	74.21%
Inteleon		13.8%	72.89%
Blaziken		12.3%	71.63%
Hoopa		10.8%	77.86%
Zacian		6.2%	76.50%

Top Picked Pokemon Per Role

Attacker	All- Rounder	Supporter	Defender	Speedster
Mew	Blaziken	Hoopa	Umbreon	Zoroark

Master Rank: Top Ranked Win Rates

Pokemon by Role

All Pokemon Roles
Attackers		All-Rounders		Defenders
Speedsters			Supporters

Pokemon by Characteristics

Attack Type
Melee Pokemon	Ranged Pokemon
Physical Pokemon	Special Pokemon
Stat Rankings
HP Ranking	Defense Ranking
Sp. Def. Ranking	Basic Attack Ranking