Mid-stage Pokemon like Bulbasaur rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Venusaur, which is where the real potential kicks in. An original Gen 1 pick. Only weak to Fire, Ice, Flying, and Psychic.
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.
It can go for days without eating a single morsel. In the bulb on its back, it stores energy.
Bulbasaur Weakness
VulnerableFire, Ice, Flying, and Psychic-type moves hit Bulbasaur for super-effective damage. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Standard number of weaknesses for the Grass/Poison typing.
Three stages ahead. Bulbasaur grows into Ivysaur, then pushes on to Venusaur. Check the evolution methods below. For breeding, average hatch time with no compatible partners via two egg groups. The evolved forms gain up to 207 total stats over Bulbasaur.
How to Evolve
Breed Bulbasaur easily from the Plant and Monster egg groups.
The recommended build leans into Bulbasaur's strengths as a special attacker. Wide Lens provides extra utility, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs back that up. Chlorophyll rounds out the package.
Best Build
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Bulbasaur. TMs unlock Normal and Dragon coverage and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Solar Beam and Sludge Bomb into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Bulbasaur appears at moderate rates across 4 spots in early-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Best Locations
Bulbasaur's encounter pool splits between Let's Go Eevee and Let's Go Pikachu. You've got 4 gift and walking spots at Lv. 7-12 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.
Bulbasaur is meant to evolve into Ivysaur. At 318 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Watch for Arcanine (Fire), Lapras (Ice), and Aerodactyl (Flying) when using Bulbasaur. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Psychic-type attackers are also a problem.
Bulbasaur evolves into Ivysaur at level 16. Bulbasaur is the base form in a 3-stage evolutionary line.
Chlorophyll is what you want on Bulbasaur. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Overgrow) work on paper but Chlorophyll is what makes Bulbasaur worth using.
Base 45 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Bulbasaur is leaning toward the special side (base 65 Sp. Atk). Defensively? Fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Bulbasaur appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
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.
- 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