Charmander Best Moveset
Fire pre-evolution at 60 Sp. Atk and 65 Speed. The moveset has nothing competitive to offer. Evolve through to Charizard for 109 Sp. Atk with AbilitySolar Power boosting special damage under sun at the cost of HP each turn.
Charmander saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This was Charmander's competitive peak. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 50.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Fire Spin
- Ember
- Fire Blast
Recommended Teammates
Charmander saw minimal competitive use in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal). Charmander maintained its position from the previous generation.
Utility Moveset
- Fire Blast
- Belly Drum
- Rock Slide
- Return
Recommended Teammates
Charmander saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). Charmander maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Blaze with Salacberry, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Dragon Dance
- Double Edge
- Dragon Claw
Recommended Teammates
Charmander saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Charmander maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Blaze with Life Orb, favoring a Adamant nature.
Utility Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Thunder Punch
- Fire Punch
- Crunch
Recommended Teammates
Charmander saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Charmander maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Blaze with Life Orb, favoring a Jolly nature.
Utility Moveset
- Crunch
- Belly Drum
- Dragon Claw
- Flame Charge
Recommended Teammates
Charmander saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Charmander maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Blaze with Focus Sash, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Flare Blitz
- Flame Charge
- Outrage
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Charmander saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Charmander maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Blaze with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Utility Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Thunder Punch
- Hidden Power Grass
- Flare Blitz
Recommended Teammates
Charmander saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Charmander maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Blaze with Nothing, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Body Slam
- Brick Break
- Acrobatics
- Ancient Power
Recommended Teammates
Charmander saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Charmander maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Solarpower with Flameplate, favoring a Mild nature.
Special Attacker Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Facade
- Flare Blitz
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Charmander Weakness
Charmander is weak to Water, Ground, and Rock. With 6 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Standard number of weaknesses for the Fire typing.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
What is Charmander Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Charmander
Urshifu can KO Charmander with Close Combat (290-342%). Excadrill threatens a KO with Earthquake (365-430%). Rhyperior's Earthquake also KOs at 375-441%.
 Urshifu FightingDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnseenfist ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Charmander View Urshifu builds →Close Combat290-342%KO Close Combat290-342%KO | ||
 Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySandrush ItemAir Balloon NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Charmander View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x365-430%KO Rapid Spin61-72% | ||
 Rhyperior GroundRock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolidrock ItemAssault Vest NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Charmander View Rhyperior builds →Earthquake 2x375-441%KO Stone Edge 2x375-441%KO | ||
Evolution
Three stages ahead. Charmander grows into Charmeleon, then pushes on to Charizard. Check the evolution methods below. For breeding, average hatch time with plenty of partners via two egg groups. Evolving adds up to 225 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Charmander
A few locations for Charmander with moderate rates across endgame routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Charmander in SV
Step 1Charmander ✓Savanna BiomeLv.50-80Overworld
Step 2Evolve into CharmeleonBREEDINGAvailableLeave Charizard with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Charmeleon egg.
Step 3Evolve into Charizard
moderate rates across 1 locations for Charmander in endgame routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Charmander in LZA
- Step 1Charmander ✓Wild Zone 20Lv.53-54OverworldLegends: Z-A
- Step 2Evolve into Charmeleon
- Step 3Evolve into Charizard
6 encounter spots for Charmander 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 Charmander in BDSP
To get Charmander, start by catching Charmander through walking encounters at Lv. 58-63. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Charmander ✓Sandsear CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-gameTyphlo CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameVolcanic CaveLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Evolve into Charmeleon
Step 3Evolve into Charizard
Charmander can't be caught in Sword & Shield. Transfer Charmander from Red & Blue, Yellow, or Legends: Z-A and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Charmander in SwSh
Step 1Charmander ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave Charmeleon with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Charmander egg.CARTRIDGE TRADEAvailableCatch in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl via Walking · Sandsear 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 · Route 24. 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 3 · Island Scan; Sunday. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Charmeleon
Step 3Evolve into Charizard
Base Stats
Speed and Sp. Atk carry most of Charmander's stat budget. HP's the obvious dump stat. Tough to catch and yields 1 Speed EV. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
It has a preference for hot things. When it rains, steam is said to spout from the tip of its tail.
Charmander Guide
You can run Charmander through the first few routes without issues. 309 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Charmeleon as fast as you can.
Game Availability
One of the original 151, Charmander 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