Cyndaquil is a small, bipedal Pokémon with bluish fur on top of its body, and a milky color on the underside. Cyndaquil seems to be a composite of features from the echidna and the shrew. The echidna features are the flames from its back, while its general body shape is shrew-like. Its eyes are often closed and it has a long, thin snout. It lacks claws on its forelimbs, but has a single claw on each hind foot. Cyndaquil is usually timid by nature and often curls into a ball when intimidated. It has four red spots on its back from which its flames erupt. Cyndaquil is capable of defending itself using these flames. The fire grows more powerful as Cyndaquil becomes more angry or defensive. Though rare in the wild, few can be found living on grasslands.
Ash Ketchum captured a Cyndaquil in Good 'Quil Hunting. During its early days on Ash's team, Cyndaquil was easily tired-out (e.g. waiting a while for the flames on its back to ignite so it could use Fire-type attacks). Eventually, Cyndaquil overcame its shortcomings. Ash left his Cyndaquil, along with the rest of his Johtoteam (save for Pikachu), at Professor Oak's lab when he set out for Hoenn. Later, Ash called Cyndaquil back into his party for the Sinnoh League in An Old Family Blend!. It evolved into Quilava after a battle with Team Rocket's mecha.
In An Egg Scramble!, Dawn defeated Lyra in a battle, winning an Egg. Shortly after, the Egg hatched into a Cyndaquil. It later evolved into a Quilava in SS024.
Professor Elm owned a Cyndaquil that was kept in his lab and first appeared in Murkrow Row. He joined Gold's team to rescue the Totodile stolen by the thief Silver and was named Exbo for the explosive flames on his back. He later evolved into a Quilava and a Typhlosion.
In the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga
During the first chapter of the series, Cyndaquil was shown as one of the Pokémon Professor Elm was giving away.
When released from a Poké Ball, Cyndaquil will aim a Flamethrower diagonally towards the ground in one direction. It is one of the easiest Pokémon to avoid, however. It can also be knocked off the screen.
Trophy information
Cyndaquil frighten easily, so they're often found curled up in balls. When threatened, they flare the flames on their backs to drive off enemies. Cyndaquil was one of the three Pokémon that Trainers could choose from at the beginning of Pokémon Silver, Gold, and Crystal. No one knows if their eyes are open.
Cyndaquil is not a Poké Ball item anymore. It is only a trophy.
Trophy information
"A Fire Mouse Pokémon. It's a timid creature that often curls up into a ball. When threatened, it flares up the flames on its back to scare off enemies. When it's angry, it can produce powerful flames, but when it's tired, it has trouble producing fire and suffers from incomplete combustion. When it levels up, it evolves into Quilava. Its squinty eyes are adorable."
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire: Hitting Cyndaquil will knock it back. After a few hits, Cyndaquil will be knocked into the Egg stand and the flame on its back will start heating the Egg. Hitting Cyndaquil one more time will cause the Egg to hatch and the player will have a chance to catch the newly hatched Pokémon.
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Cyndaquil protects itself by flaring up the flames on its back. The flames are vigorous if the Pokémon is angry. However, if it is tired, the flames sputter fitfully with incomplete combustion.
It flares flames from its back to protect itself. The fire burns vigorously if the Pokémon is angry. When it is tired, it sputters with incomplete combustion.
Cyndaquil protects itself by flaring up the flames on its back. The flames are vigorous if the Pokémon is angry. However, if it is tired, the flames sputter fitfully with incomplete combustion.
Cyndaquil is the only Fire-type starter Pokémon that retains a pure Fire type throughout its entire evolutionary line.
Cyndaquil and Chimchar are the only two starter Pokémon which evolve at level 14, the rest evolving at level 16 or 18.
As all starter Pokémon are in the Medium Slow experience group, Cyndaquil and Chimchar are the fastest starter Pokémon to evolve.
Origin
Its appearance is based on the echidna, but it also has traits of shrews, and tenrecs, such as its long snout, and its closed eyes may be a reference to baby honey badgers, as its fully evolved form is based on one. When its fire is lit, the fire resembles the quills of the porcupine.
Name origin
Cyndaquil is a combination of cinder (ashes) and quill (referring to needle-like hairs).
Hinoarashi may be a combination of 火 hi (fire) and 山荒 yama-arashi (porcupine). It can be taken to mean 火の嵐 hi no arashi (storm of fire).
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
For other sprites and images, please see Cyndaquil images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
