The Kanto Trio: A Strategic Choice
Choosing your first Pokémon in the Kanto region is a rite of passage. This single decision between Bulbasaur, the Grass/Poison-type Seed Pokémon; Charmander, the Fire-type Lizard Pokémon; and Squirtle, the Water-type Tiny Turtle Pokémon, significantly shapes your journey to the Indigo Plateau. Each one presents a unique set of advantages and disadvantages, particularly in the early stages of Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow.
Objectively, Bulbasaur provides the smoothest learning curve. Its Grass typing gives it a super-effective advantage against Brock's Rock/Ground-type Pokémon in Pewter City and Misty's Water-type Pokémon in Cerulean City. This makes the initial hours of the game considerably less challenging for new players.
- Bulbasaur offers the easiest start, with type advantages over the first two Gym Leaders, Brock and Misty.
- Charmander faces early challenges but evolves into the powerful Charizard, a late-game powerhouse.
- Squirtle provides a balanced experience, with a good matchup against the first gym and solid performance throughout the game.
- Pokémon
- Bulbasaur
- Type
- Grass, Poison
- Total stats
- 318
- Pokémon
- Charmander
- Type
- Fire
- Total stats
- 309
- Pokémon
- Squirtle
- Type
- Water
- Total stats
- 314
| Pokémon | Type | Total stats |
|---|---|---|
| Bulbasaur | Grass, Poison | 318 |
| Charmander | Fire | 309 |
| Squirtle | Water | 314 |
Gen 1 Starters At a Glance
TYPE EFFECTIVENESS
Difficulty Curve and Long-Term Potential
On the other end of the spectrum is Charmander. While its final evolution, Charizard, is an iconic and powerful Fire/Flying-type, its journey is the most arduous. Charmander is weak against the first two Gyms and doesn't gain a significant advantage until later in the game. Squirtle sits comfortably in the middle. It performs well against Brock and holds its own against most other challenges, making it a reliable and well-rounded choice for any trainer. Ultimately, the 'best' starter depends on your preferred playstyle: an easy start, a challenging build-up to a powerful endgame, or a balanced path. To see how they stack up side-by-side, use our comparison tool below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 'best' starter the same in the remakes, FireRed and LeafGreen?
Largely, yes. The core type matchups against the Kanto Gym Leaders remain the same, so Bulbasaur still has the easiest start. However, the updated mechanics, expanded movepools, and the introduction of Abilities in Generation 3 can slightly alter their overall viability and strategic use throughout the game.