Bulbasaur Best Moveset
Grass/Poison pre-evolution at 65 Sp. Atk and 45 Speed. The moveset can't compete at these numbers. Evolve through to Venusaur for AbilityChlorophyll under sun and 100 Sp. Atk that functions on a real team. Tera Grass or Tera Fire under sun depending on what coverage the team needs.
Bulbasaur was a niche pick at best in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow), rarely seen in standard play. This marked Bulbasaur's competitive debut. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 65.
Utility Moveset
- Razor Leaf
- Sleep Powder
- Body Slam
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Bulbasaur was a niche pick at best in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal), rarely seen in standard play. Bulbasaur maintained its position from the previous generation.
Support Moveset
- Sleep Powder
- Giga Drain
- Swords Dance
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
Bulbasaur saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). This was Bulbasaur's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Overgrow with Leftovers, favoring a Careful nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Bulbasaur best EVs are Sp. Def
Support Moveset
- Leech Seed
- Toxic
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
Recommended Teammates
Bulbasaur saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Bulbasaur maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Overgrow with Focus Sash, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Tank Moveset
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Energy Ball
- Solar Beam
Recommended Teammates
Bulbasaur saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Bulbasaur maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Chlorophyll with Starfberry, favoring a Jolly nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Razor Leaf
- Solar Beam
- Sweet Scent
- Leech Seed
Recommended Teammates
Bulbasaur was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Overgrow with Leftovers, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Sludge Bomb
- Energy Ball
- Petal Dance
- Sleep Powder
Recommended Teammates
Bulbasaur was a niche pick at best in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM), rarely seen in standard play. Bulbasaur maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Overgrow with Eviolite, favoring a Quiet nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Solar Beam
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Energy Ball
Recommended Teammates
Bulbasaur was a niche pick at best in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP), rarely seen in standard play. Bulbasaur maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Chlorophyll with Life Orb, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Sludge Bomb
- Weather Ball
- Giga Drain
- Substitute
Recommended Teammates
Bulbasaur was a niche pick at best in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A), rarely seen in standard play. Bulbasaur maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Overgrow with Eviolite, favoring a Impish nature.
Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Trailblaze
Recommended Teammates
Bulbasaur Weakness
Fire, Ice, Flying, and Psychic moves hit Bulbasaur for super-effective damage. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Standard number of weaknesses for the Grass/Poison typing.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ice, Flying, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Water, Electric, Fighting, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass |
What is Bulbasaur Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Bulbasaur
Arcanine can KO Bulbasaur with Flare Blitz (111-131%). Weavile's Ice Shard hits Bulbasaur for 41-48%. Staraptor deals 59-69% with Double-Edge.
 Arcanine Fire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Arcanine builds →Extreme Speed25-29% Flare Blitz 2x111-131%KO | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Weavile builds →Knock Off32-38% Ice Shard 2x41-48% | ||
 Staraptor Normal | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityReckless ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Staraptor builds →Close Combat19-23% U Turn23-27% Double Edge59-69% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemEviolite NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Mienfoo builds →Knock Off19-22% U Turn20-24% High Jump Kick18-22% | ||
D | ||
Recommended Build AbilityOvercoat ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves View Vullaby builds →
| ||
Evolution
Three stages ahead. Bulbasaur grows into Ivysaur, then pushes on to Venusaur. Check the evolution methods below. For breeding, average hatch time with plenty of partners via two egg groups. The evolved forms gain up to 207 total stats over Bulbasaur. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur appears at moderate rates across 2 spots in endgame routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
moderate rates for Bulbasaur across 1 locations in endgame routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
12 encounter spots for Bulbasaur at moderate rates starting from endgame routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Bulbasaur in BDSP
To get Bulbasaur, start by catching Bulbasaur through walking encounters at Lv. 58-63. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
No wild encounters for Bulbasaur in Sword & Shield. Bring Bulbasaur over from Red & Blue, Yellow, or Legends: Z-A, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Bulbasaur in SwSh
Step 1Bulbasaur ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave Ivysaur with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Bulbasaur egg.CARTRIDGE TRADEAvailableCatch in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl via Walking · Swampy Cave · After National Dex obtained, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Red & BlueNot TradeableAppears in Red & Blue via Gift · Pallet Town · Starter Pokémon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom YellowNot TradeableAppears in Yellow via Gift · Cerulean City · Requires high Pikachu friendship. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Gift · Pallet Town · Starter Pokémon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Gift · Pallet Town · Gift from Professor Oak (post-Red). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom X & YNot TradeableAppears in X & Y via Gift · Lumiose City · Gift from Professor Sycamore. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon via Walking · Route 2 · Island Scan; Friday. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Ivysaur
Step 3Evolve into Venusaur
Base Stats
An unusually even spread gives Bulbasaur flexibility. Sp. Atk barely edges ahead. But HP isn't far off. Tough to catch and follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve. Yields 1 Sp. Atk EV.
There is a plant seed on its back right from the day this Pokémon is born. The seed slowly grows larger.
Bulbasaur Guide
You can run Bulbasaur through the first few routes without issues. 318 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Ivysaur as fast as you can.
Game Availability
One of the original 151, Bulbasaur has appeared in 21 games — nearly every mainline game. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves