Is Bulbasaur Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?
Picking Bulbasaur in the remake means your rival finishes with Charizard as his ace. That matters less than it sounds. Bulbasaur's line handles Brock, Misty, Surge, and Giovanni before the Championship ever starts. AbilityOvergrow kicks in at low health and turns tight fights into wins. The same four gym advantages from the originals, now with a safety net.
Bulbasaur resists most of Brock's coverage and hits back hard.
Ivysaur resists most of Misty's coverage and hits back hard.
Ivysaur has the type edge here and should clean up Lt. Surge's team.
Erika's typing presses Ivysaur's defenses.
Venusaur trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.
Venusaur trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.
Venusaur trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.
Venusaur has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.
Venusaur resists most of Lorelei's coverage and hits back hard.
Venusaur has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.
Agatha's team hits Venusaur's weaknesses hard.
Venusaur trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.
Venusaur trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.
Bulbasaur is available as a starter at Lv 5.
- LV 20GrassRazor Leaf8395%25
- After Erika
- TM36PoisonSludge Bomb135100%10
- TM19GrassGiga Drain113100%10
- TM06PoisonToxic—90%10
- HM04NormalStrength80100%15
- LV 46GrassSolar Beam180100%10
- After Giovanni
- TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- Post-Game
- TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
Your Bulbasaur should hit Level 16 before you reach Misty, at typical leveling pace.
- STARTING (Lv 16)
- LV 16GrassSleep Powder—75%15
- After Erika
- TM36PoisonSludge Bomb135100%10
- TM19GrassGiga Drain113100%10
- TM06PoisonToxic—90%10
- HM04NormalStrength80100%15
- After Giovanni
- TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- LV 56GrassSolar Beam180100%10
- Post-Game
- TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
Your Ivysaur should hit Level 32 before you reach Koga, at typical leveling pace.
- STARTING (Lv 32)
- LV 32GrassSleep Powder—75%15
- After Erika
- TM36PoisonSludge Bomb135100%10
- TM19GrassGiga Drain113100%10
- TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
- After Giovanni
- TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
- TM26GroundEarthquake100100%10
- LV 65GrassSolar Beam180100%10
- Post-Game
- TUTORGrassFrenzy Plant22590%5
- TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
- TM42NormalFacade70100%20
How to Get Bulbasaur in FireRed & LeafGreen
Choose Bulbasaur from Professor Oak in Pallet Town at level 5. One of three starters, and picking it locks out Charmander and Squirtle for the rest of the game.
1 location to catch Bulbasaur
How to Obtain Bulbasaur in FRLG
Step 1Bulbasaur ✓
Step 2Evolve into IvysaurBREEDINGAvailableLeave Venusaur with a compatible partner at the Four Island Pokemon Day Care to receive a Ivysaur egg. Requires the Rainbow Pass to access Four Island.HOME TRANSFERNot TradeablePokemon HOME on Switch FireRed & LeafGreen is permanently deposit-only — once it launches, Ivysaur can be sent from this game into HOME, but never transferred in.
Step 3Evolve into Venusaur
Bulbasaur Weakness
Fire, Ice, Flying, and Psychic moves hit Bulbasaur for super-effective damage. 4 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 |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
What is Bulbasaur Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Bulbasaur
 Charmander Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift | ||
 Pidgey Normal | D | |
 Kadabra Psychic | C | |
 Charmeleon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Charmeleon builds →Ember 2x49-60% Aerial Ace 2x49-58% | ||
 Butterfree Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Butterfree builds →Aerial Ace 2x62-73% Confusion 2x44-53% | ||
 Zubat Poison | D | |
 Spearow Normal | C | |
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Charmeleon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Charmeleon builds →Ember 2x49-60% Aerial Ace 2x49-58% | ||
Butterfree Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Butterfree builds →Aerial Ace 2x62-73% Confusion 2x44-53% | ||
Zubat Poison | D | |
Spearow Normal | C | |
 Flareon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) | ||
 Golbat Poison | C | |
Charmeleon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Charmeleon builds →Flamethrower 2x107-126%KO Aerial Ace 2x46-54% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
 Fearow Normal | C | |
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x187-220%KO | ||
Golbat Poison | C | |
Flareon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) | ||
 Dodrio Normal | B | |
Charmeleon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Charmeleon builds →Flamethrower 2x109-128%KO Aerial Ace 2x48-56% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x182-215%KO | ||
 Charizard Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Charizard builds →Overheat 2x196-231%KO Fly 2x99-117%KO | ||
Flareon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) | ||
 Hypno Psychic | C | |
 Exeggutor GrassPsychic | B | |
 Moltres Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodMt Ember Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Moltres builds →Overheat 2x227-268%KO Fly 2x117-138%KO | ||
Kadabra Psychic | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x187-220%KO | ||
Charizard Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Charizard builds →Overheat 2x202-238%KO Fly 2x102-120%KO | ||
 Articuno Ice | B | |
Obtain MethodSeafoam Islands Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Articuno builds →Ice Beam 2x123-145%KO Fly 2x102-120%KO | ||
Flareon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) | ||
 Ho-oh Fire | S | |
Obtain MethodNavel Rock Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Ho-oh builds →Overheat 2x204-240%KO Fly 2x145-170%KO Psychic 2x88-104%KO | ||
 Deoxys Psychic | A | |
Obtain MethodBirth Island Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Deoxys builds →Psycho Boost 2x266-313%KO Ice Beam 2x120-141%KO Aerial Ace 2x94-111%KO | ||
 Mewtwo Psychic | S | |
Obtain MethodCerulean Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Mewtwo builds →Psychic 2x176-207%KO Fire Blast 2x155-183%KO Ice Beam 2x123-145%KO Aerial Ace 2x73-85% | ||
 Lugia Psychic | S | |
Obtain MethodNavel Rock Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Lugia builds →Psychic 2x112-132%KO Fly 2x107-126%KO Ice Beam 2x79-93% | ||
Moltres Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodMt Ember Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Moltres builds →Overheat 2x227-267%KO Fly 2x116-137%KO | ||
In FireRed & LeafGreen, Arcanine can KO Bulbasaur with Overheat (131-155%). Gardevoir threatens a KO with Psychic (98-116%). Doduo's Drill Peck also KOs at 150-177%.
 Arcanine Fire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemLeftovers NatureLonely Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Arcanine builds →Extreme Speed65-77% Overheat 2x131-155%KO | ||
 Gardevoir PsychicFairy | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTrace ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Gardevoir builds →Psychic 2x98-116%KO Thunderbolt16-19% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityEarlybird ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Bulbasaur View Doduo builds →Drill Peck 2x150-177%KO Double Edge112-132%KO | ||
Bulbasaur Evolutions
Three stages ahead. Bulbasaur grows into Ivysaur, then pushes on to Venusaur. Check the evolution methods below. For breeding, average hatch time with a decent partner pool 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
Breeding
Breed Bulbasaur easily with 35 breeding partners from the Plant and Monster egg groups. Pass egg moves like Charm, Curse, Grass Whistle and 5 more to offspring.
FRLG Bulbasaur Best Moveset
Grass/Poison pre-evolution with AbilityOvergrow boosting Grass moves at low HP. Two evolutions from Venusaur where the moveset gains competitive relevance. Stats below any useful threshold here.
Best Build
Bulbasaur best EVs are Sp. Def
Support Moveset
- Leech Seed
- Toxic
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Don't skip the egg moves. Bulbasaur picks up Charm and Curse only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Solar Beam and Petal Dance while Normal and Fighting coverage adds range.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
There is a plant seed on its back right from the day this POKéMON is born. The seed slowly grows larger.
A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this POKéMON.
Bulbasaur FireRed & LeafGreen Guide
Bulbasaur is the easiest starter for FireRed & LeafGreen if you want a Grass/Poison Pokemon on your team. Bulbasaur trivializes the first two gyms. Vine Whip walks through Brock and Misty. Sleep Powder is a free win-button vs tough trainers, and Razor Leaf carries the Surge and Erika stretch. Sabrina is the worst matchup, so switch to a teammate. Koga and Blaine are manageable with Solar Beam in sun. Razor Leaf hits Lorelei's Cloyster hard, and Earthquake (Giovanni TM) covers Lance's Charizard.
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