Mid-stage Pokemon like Charmeleon rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Charizard, which is where the real potential kicks in. Can go either physical or special depending on the set. A longtime staple going back to Gen 1.
You won't find a real weakness in Charmeleon's stat line. It's well-rounded for the Flame Pokemon, and what it does with that depends on moveset and items. Yields 2 Sp. Atk and Speed EVs, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
In the rocky mountains where Charmeleon live, their fiery tails shine at night like stars.
Charmeleon Weakness
AvgWater, Ground, and Rock-type moves hit Charmeleon for super-effective damage. It resists 6 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely.
Charmeleon sits between Charmander and Charizard in this three-stage line. Not the final form yet. For breeding, average hatch time with plenty of partners via two egg groups. So far, Sp.Atk got the biggest boost (+20 from Charmander). The final form adds another 129 stats on top.
How to Evolve
Breed with Charmeleon to get Charmander eggs easily using 72 partners from the Dragon and Monster egg groups.
the remaining moves is what separates a good sweep from a wasted boost. After Dragon Dance, Charmeleon threatens a wide range with flexible EVs EVs and Eviolite backing every hit.
Best Build
Best Charmeleon Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Flamethrower
- Dragon Claw
- Thunder Punch
Recommended Teammates
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Charmeleon's coverage across 8 types all comes from technical machines, built on top of Overheat and Flare Blitz for same-type damage. Flamethrower and Inferno are the payoff moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Charmeleon's coverage across 9 types all comes from technical machines, built on top of Overheat and Flare Blitz for same-type damage. Flamethrower and Dragon Rush are the payoff moves.
Without breeding, Charmeleon misses out on Air Cutter and Ancient Power. That's 14 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Overheat and Flare Blitz, with coverage across 9 types rounding things out.
Need something that threatens multiple types? Charmeleon's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Overheat and Flare Blitz gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Charmeleon can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Transfer Charmander from Red, Yellow, or Brilliant Diamond and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Charmeleon can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Transfer Charmander from Red, Yellow, or Brilliant Diamond and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
No wild encounters for Charmeleon. The 2-stage line runs through Charmander, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 16 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Charmeleon in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Charmander is your first catch on the way to Charmeleon. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 58-63 across 6 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch CharmanderSandsear CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostDesertPost-gameSandsear CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostDesertPost-gameTyphlo CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameTyphlo CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameVolcanic CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostVolcanoPost-gameVolcanic CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostVolcanoPost-game
Step 2Charmeleon ✓
Charmeleon isn't available in the wild in Sword & Shield. Start by transferring Charmander from Red, Yellow, or Brilliant Diamond. The evolution path from Charmander to Charmeleon is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Charmeleon in Sword & Shield
Step 1Obtain Charmander
Step 2Charmeleon ✓
At 405 BST, Charmeleon is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Charizard before bringing it to any serious fight.
Watch for Starmie (Water), Golem (Ground), and Aerodactyl (Rock) when using Charmeleon. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.
Charmander evolves into Charmeleon at level 16. Charmeleon evolves into Charizard at level 36. Charmeleon is a middle-stage evolution in the Charmander line.
Blaze strengthens fire moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less — that's the one you want on Charmeleon. Solar Power is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Charmeleon is a special attacker with base 80 Sp. Atk. But the speed tells the real story — base 80 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many.
Charmeleon appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Present since Red & Blue, Charmeleon appears in 21 games spanning 9 generations. Gen 1 originals like Charmeleon have the longest track record of availability in the series.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A