Ninetales is a notable sweeper thanks to its access to Nasty Plot, excellent coverage options, and good Speed tier. Nasty Plot lets Ninetales break through bulky walls such as Clefairy with its powerful Fire Blast and clean weakened teams. Energy Ball targets Water-types like Poliwrath and Cramorant and Ground-types like Rhydon, Piloswine, and Stunfisk. Scorching Sands is Ninetales's best move against Qwilfish and opposing Fire-types like Rapidash and Coalossal.

Ninetales fits on balance and offense teams as a mid- and late-game wallbreaker and revenge killer. Wallbreaking partners such as Rotom and Thwackey complement Ninetales; Rotom is able to threaten Water-types and safely bring in Ninetales with Volt Switch, while Thwackey is able to handle specially defensive walls like Pyukumuku and Miltank that wall Ninetales. In return, they benefit from its ability to handle Tangela. Grass-types like Tangela and Gourgeist-S are also good partners, handling problematic foes like Stunfisk and Piloswine. Knock Off absorbers such as Uxie, Cofagrigus, and Qwilfish are necessary to preserve Heavy-Duty Boots and prevent Ninetales from being worn down by entry hazards; Uxie and Cofagrigus can also take on revenge killers such as Kangaskhan and Choice Scarf Sawk, while Qwilfish can provide entry hazard support to wear down foes like Piloswine and Poliwrath. Cleaners such as Calm Mind Klinklang and Alcremie can take advantage of Ninetales's wallbreaking to set up and clean late-game.