The Seed Pokemon. Bulbasaur's Grass/Poison typing gives it an early edge against Brock and Misty, making it Red & Blue's most forgiving starter.
318HP45Attack49Defense49Speed45Sp.Def65Sp.Atk65
Bulbasaur
Ivysaur
Venusaur
Weak to
Mixed
Balanced
45Speed · Slow

Is Bulbasaur Good in Red & Blue Playthrough?

Bulbasaur is the easiest starter to pick for the early game. Type advantage against both Brock and Misty means the first two gyms are almost free. Still useful against Giovanni and contributes against Lorelei. Falls off a bit against the Psychic-heavy late game, but never becomes dead weight.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTGETEEESGSTEEBulbasaurStarterBrockGym 1IvysaurEvolveMistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4VenusaurEvolveKogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4BlueChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Tough

Brock's typing presses Bulbasaur's defenses.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Avoid
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleScreechBide
Misty
Gym 2
Good

Ivysaur has the type edge here and should clean up Misty's team.

You Win
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleWater Gun
Even
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
TackleWater GunBubble Beam
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Even

Ivysaur trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
TackleScreechSonic Boom
You Win
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Thunder ShockGrowlThunder WaveQuick Attack
Even
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Thunder ShockGrowlThunderbolt
Erika
Gym 4
Tough

Erika's typing presses Ivysaur's defenses.

Risky
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Razor LeafWrapPoison PowderSleep Powder
Risky
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
ConstrictBind
Risky
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Petal DancePoison PowderMega DrainSleep Powder
Koga
Gym 5
Even

Venusaur trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.

Even
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
TackleSmogSludgeSmokescreen
Even
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
DisablePoison GasMinimizeSludge
Even
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
TackleSmogSludgeSmokescreen
Risky
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludgeToxicSelf Destruct
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Venusaur trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
DisablePsybeamRecoverPsychic
Even
Mr Mime
Lv 37
Psychic
Soundproof
ConfusionBarrierLight ScreenDouble Slap
Risky
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
Poison PowderLeech LifeStun SporePsybeam
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsywaveReflect
Blaine
Gym 7
Even

Venusaur trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.

Even
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
EmberLeerTake DownAgility
Even
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
Tail WhipStompGrowlFire Spin
Risky
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
Tail WhipStompGrowlFire Spin
Risky
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
RoarEmberFire BlastTake Down
Giovanni
Gym 8
Strong

Venusaur resists most of Giovanni's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
StompTail WhipFury AttackHorn Drill
Easy KO
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
GrowlDigSand AttackSlash
You Win
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ScratchTail WhipBody SlamPoison Sting
You Win
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
TackleHorn AttackPoison StingThrash
Easy KO
Rhydon
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
StompTail WhipFissureHorn Drill
Lorelei
Elite Four
Good

Venusaur has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.

Easy KO
Dewgong
Lv 54
WaterIce
Thick Fat
GrowlAurora BeamRestTake Down
Easy KO
Cloyster
Lv 53
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SupersonicClampAurora BeamSpike Cannon
Easy KO
Slowbro
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
GrowlWater GunWithdrawAmnesia
Even
Jynx
Lv 56
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapIce PunchBody SlamThrash
You Win
Lapras
Lv 56
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Body SlamConfuse RayBlizzardHydro Pump
Bruno
Elite Four
Strong

Venusaur resists most of Bruno's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 53
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowRageSlamHarden
You Win
Hitmonchan
Lv 55
Fighting
Keen Eye
Ice PunchThunder PunchMega PunchCounter
You Win
Hitmonlee
Lv 55
Fighting
Limber
Jump KickFocus EnergyHigh Jump KickMega Kick
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowRageSlamHarden
You Win
Machamp
Lv 58
Fighting
Guts
LeerFocus EnergyFissureSubmission
Agatha
Elite Four
Tough

Agatha's team hits Venusaur's weaknesses hard.

Avoid
Gengar
Lv 56
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayNight ShadeHypnosisDream Eater
Risky
Golbat
Lv 56
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
SupersonicConfuse RayWing AttackHaze
Avoid
Haunter
Lv 55
GhostPoison
Levitate
Confuse RayNight ShadeHypnosisDream Eater
Risky
Arbok
Lv 58
Poison
Intimidate
BiteGlareScreechAcid
Avoid
Gengar
Lv 60
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayNight ShadeToxicDream Eater
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Venusaur trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
Even
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
AgilitySlamDragon RageHyper Beam
Even
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
AgilitySlamDragon RageHyper Beam
Even
Aerodactyl
Lv 60
RockFlying
Rock Head
SupersonicBiteTake DownHyper Beam
Risky
Dragonite
Lv 62
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
AgilitySlamBarrierHyper Beam
Blue
Champion
Even

Venusaur trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

Risky
Pidgeot
Lv 61
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
WhirlwindWing AttackSky AttackMirror Move
Even
Alakazam
Lv 59
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsychicReflect
Easy KO
Rhydon
Lv 61
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Tail WhipFury AttackHorn DrillLeer
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 61
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
BarrageHypnosisStomp
Even
Gyarados
Lv 63
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
Risky
Charizard
Lv 65
FireFlying
Blaze
RageSlashFire BlastFire Spin

Starter

Starter Pokemon
Type
GrassPoison
Tier
F

Bulbasaur is available as a starter at Lv 5.

View Bulbasaur locations

Evolve Bulbasaur to Ivysaur

Level 16
Type
GrassPoison
Tier
E

Bulbasaur evolves into Ivysaur at Level 16. Your Bulbasaur should hit Level 16 before you reach Misty, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves

  • STARTING (Lv 16)
    • LV 16GrassVine WhipPower 53Accuracy 100%PP 10
  • After Misty
    • TM08NormalBody SlamPower 85Accuracy 100%PP 15S.S. Anne
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM10NormalDouble-EdgePower 100Accuracy 100%PP 15Rocket Hideout
    • TM09NormalTake DownPower 90Accuracy 85%PP 20Silph Co.
  • After Erika
    • LV 30GrassRazor LeafPower 83Accuracy 95%PP 25
    • LV 46GrassSleep PowderPower —Accuracy 75%PP 15
    • LV 54GrassSolar BeamPower 180Accuracy 100%PP 10

Evolve Ivysaur to Venusaur

Level 32
Type
GrassPoison
Tier
E

Ivysaur evolves into Venusaur at Level 32. Your Ivysaur should hit Level 32 before you reach Koga, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves

  • STARTING (Lv 32)
    • LV 32GrassRazor LeafPower 83Accuracy 95%PP 25
  • After Misty
    • TM08NormalBody SlamPower 85Accuracy 100%PP 15S.S. Anne
  • After Lt. Surge
  • After Koga
    • LV 55GrassSleep PowderPower —Accuracy 75%PP 15
    • LV 65GrassSolar BeamPower 180Accuracy 100%PP 10

How to Get Bulbasaur in Red & Blue

Starter gift from Professor Oak in Pallet Town at level 5. Pick Bulbasaur and you give up Charmander and Squirtle. No wild Bulbasaur turns up anywhere in Red or Blue.

1 location to catch Bulbasaur

How to Obtain Bulbasaur in RB

  1. Ivysaur
    Step 2Evolve into Ivysaur
  2. Venusaur
    Step 3Evolve into Venusaur

Bulbasaur Weakness

Bug, Fire, Ice, Flying, and Psychic moves hit Bulbasaur for super-effective damage. Bug hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses.

Bulbasaur Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Bug
2x (Weak)Fire, Ice, Flying, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)Water, Electric, Fighting
0.25x (Resist)Grass
Gen I Type Chart
  • Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
  • Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
  • Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split

What is Bulbasaur Weak Against

Fragile
5Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score-7
4xCritical
¼xResist
0xImmune
None

What is Bulbasaur Strong Against

5Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+4
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Bulbasaur

Pidgey
Pidgey
NormalFlying
D
D

Bulbasaur Evolutions

You'll evolve Bulbasaur into Venusaur the traditional way. This Grass/Poison type doesn't breed despite having a chain ahead. The evolved forms gain up to 207 total stats over Bulbasaur. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Bulbasaur
GrassPoison
Ivysaur
GrassPoison
Venusaur
GrassPoison
HP
45
60+15
80+20
ATK
49
62+13
82+20
DEF
49
63+14
83+20
SP.ATK
65
80+15
100+20
SP.DEF
65
80+15
100+20
SPE
45
60+15
80+20
BST
318F-Tier
405E-Tier+87
525E-Tier+120
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Attacker
TYPE
Utility
Special
Mixed
Breeding not available · Introduced in Gen 2

RB Bulbasaur Best Moveset

Starter Grass/Poison type heading toward Venusaur. MoveSleep Powder exists in the movepool but the stats behind it are too low to matter competitively. Evolve first.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Bulbasaur
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Razor LeafSTAB
  • Sleep PowderSTAB
  • Body Slam
  • Swords Dance

Moves List

Level-up moves are just the starting point for Bulbasaur. TMs unlock Normal coverage and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Solar Beam and Razor Leaf into something with actual range.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
D—10040Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 7
Leech Seed
A—9010Grass
Lv 13
Vine Whip
A6710025Grass
Lv 20
Poison Powder
——7535Poison
Lv 27
Razor Leaf
B829525Grass
Lv 34
Growth
D——20Normal
Lv 41
Sleep Powder
B—7515Grass
Lv 48
Solar Beam
A18010010Grass

TM Moves

All 15 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM34D——10Normal
TM08
Body SlamS.S. Annebadge 2
B8510015Normal
HM01
CutS.S. Annebadge 2
—509530Normal
TM32
Double TeamSafari Zonebadge 3
———15Normal
TM10
Double-EdgeRocket Hideoutbadge 3
D12010015Normal
TM21D6010010Grass
TM31
MimicSaffron Citybadge 5
D——10Normal
TM20
RageRoute 15badge 3
D2010020Normal
TM33
ReflectKanto Power Plantbadge 3
C——20Psychic
TM44
RestS.S. Annebadge 2
C——10Psychic
TM22
Solar BeamPokémon Mansionbadge 6
A18010010Grass
TM50
SubstituteRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
TM03
Swords DanceSilph Co.badge 5
A——30Normal
TM09
Take DownSilph Co.badge 3
D908520Normal
TM06A—9010Poison

Tutor Moves

Bulbasaur can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP45
D
Attack49
D
Defense49
D
Sp. Atk65
C
Sp. Def65
C
Speed45
D
Total318
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height0.7 m
Weight6.9 kg
Base XP64
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+1SpDSpe
Special Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this POKéMON.

Pokemon Red / Pokemon Blue

Bulbasaur Red & Blue Guide

  • For Red & Blue, 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.

Explore

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