What does Charmander evolve into?

Charmander becomes Charmeleon at level 16, then Charizard at level 36. Straight three-stage line with no branching.

At what level does Charmander evolve?

Charmander evolves into Charmeleon at level 16. Early evolution, you'll hit it before the third gym in most games.

Should I use Charmander?

For HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.

Where can you catch Charmander?

Charmander is catchable in HeartGold & SoulSilver. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 20 other games across the series.

Charmander - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Utility

Balanced

DTier

65Speed · Below Avg

Stats & Training

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.

Base Stats

Avg

HP39

Attack52

Defense43

Sp. Atk60

Sp. Def50

Speed65

Total309

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging45 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Slow1.06M XP

Height0.6 m

Weight8.5 kg

Base XP62

Abilities

Blaze

Strengthens fire moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.

Solar PowerHANot in game

Increases Special Attack to 1.5× but costs 1/8 max HP after each turn during strong sunlight.

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1

Speed training source

Pokedex Entries

The flame on its tail shows the strength of its life force. If it is weak, the flame also burns weakly.

Charmander Weakness

Charmander is weak to Water, Ground, and Rock. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Standard number of weaknesses for the Fire typing.

Charmander Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Water, Ground, Rock
0.5x (Resist)	Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel

Type ChartAvg

3Weak

5Resist

0Immune

Score-1

Gen IV Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Water Ground Rock

½xResist

Fire Grass Ice Bug Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

None

STAB (4)

Grass Ice Bug Steel

How to Beat Charmander in HeartGold & SoulSilver (Best Counters)

Gyarados WaterFlying	A
Obtain MethodLake Of Rage Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Aqua TailLv. 35 SurfHM03 WaterfallHM07 WhirlpoolHM05 Damage vs Charmander Aqua Tail 2x 208-245%KO Surf 2x 103-123%KO Waterfall 2x 186-219%KO Whirlpool 2x 43-52% View Gyarados builds →
Lapras WaterIce	C
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 WaterfallHM07 BrineLv. 37 Water PulseLv. 14 Damage vs Charmander Surf 2x 137-161%KO Waterfall 2x 137-161%KO Brine 2x 98-116%KO Water Pulse 2x 92-110%KO View Lapras builds →
Whiscash WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves Aqua TailLv. 39 SurfHM03 WaterfallHM07 Mud BombLv. 14 Damage vs Charmander Aqua Tail 2x 142-168%KO Surf 2x 126-148%KO Waterfall 2x 126-148%KO Mud Bomb 2x 92-110%KO View Whiscash builds →
Qwilfish WaterPoison	C
Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 WaterfallHM07 BrineLv. 33 Water GunLv. 13 Damage vs Charmander Surf 2x 98-116%KO Waterfall 2x 147-174%KO Brine 2x 73-87% Water Gun 2x 46-55% View Qwilfish builds →
Graveler RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeLv. 33 DigTM28 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 11 Damage vs Charmander Earthquake 2x 183-216%KO Dig 2x 147-174%KO Rock Tomb 2x 112-132%KO Rock Throw 2x 92-110%KO View Graveler builds →

HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution

Three stages ahead. Charmander grows into Charmeleon, then pushes on to Charizard. Check the evolution methods below. For breeding, average hatch time with a decent partner pool via two egg groups. Evolving adds up to 225 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms

#004Charmander

Level 16

#005Charmeleon

Level 36

#006Charizard

Stat Comparison 3 Stages

Charmander

Fire

Charmeleon

Fire

Charizard

FireFlying

58+19

78+20

ATK

64+12

84+20

DEF

58+15

78+20

SP.ATK

80+20

109+29

SP.DEF

65+15

85+20

SPE

80+15

100+20

BST

309D-Tier

405D-Tier+96

534B-Tier+129

ROLE

Balanced

Sweeper

TYPE

Utility

Special

Breeding

Easy

Breed Charmander easily with 30 breeding partners from the Dragon and Monster egg groups. Pass egg moves like Ancient Power, Beat Up, Belly Drum and 10 more to offspring.

Egg Groups

DragonMonster

Gender

♂87.5%♀12.5%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

13moves

Breed With (best first)

HeartGold & SoulSilver Charmander Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Moves

Flamethrower and Fire Blast bring the raw damage. But Charmander also picks up coverage across 11 types from TMs, making it tough to find a safe switch. You're not locked into one angle here.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Growl

——10040Normal

Lv 1

Scratch

—4010035Normal

Lv 7

Ember

—4010025Fire

Lv 10

Smokescreen

——10020Normal

Lv 16

Dragon Rage

——10010Dragon

Lv 19

Scary Face

D—9010Normal

Lv 25

Fire Fang

D659515Fire

Lv 28

Slash

—7010020Normal

Lv 34

Flamethrower

C9510015Fire

Lv 37

Fire Spin

—357015Fire

TM Moves

TM40

Aerial Ace

D60—20Flying

TM45

Attract

——10015Normal

TM31

Brick Break

D7510015Fighting

TM78

Captivate

——10020Normal

HM01

Cut

—509530Normal

TM28

Dig

D8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM02

Dragon Claw

D8010015Dragon

TM58

Endure+4

———10Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM38

Fire Blast

C120855Fire

TM35

Flamethrower

C9510015Fire

TM56

Fling

——10010Dark

TM01

Focus Punch-3

C15010020Fighting

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM23

Iron Tail

D1007515Steel

TM83

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

TM50

Overheat

C140905Fire

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM80

Rock Slide

D759010Rock

HM06

Rock Smash

D4010015Fighting

TM39

Rock Tomb

D609510Rock

TM43

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM65

Shadow Claw

D7010015Ghost

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

HM04

Strength

D8010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM11

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM75

Swords Dance

C——30Normal

TM06

Toxic

C—8510Poison

TM61

Will-O-Wisp

C—7515Fire

Egg Moves

Egg

Ancient Power

D601005Rock

Egg

Beat Up

——10010Dark

Egg

Belly Drum

D——10Normal

Egg

Bite

D6010025Dark

Egg

Counter-5

D—10020Fighting

Egg

Crunch

D8010015Dark

Egg

Dragon Dance

C——20Dragon

Egg

Dragon Rush

—1007510Dragon

Egg

Flare Blitz

C12010015Fire

Egg

Metal Claw

—509535Steel

Egg

Outrage

C12010010Dragon

Egg

Rock Slide

D759010Rock

Egg

Swords Dance

C——30Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Fire Punch

D7510015Fire

Tutor

Fury Cutter

—109520Bug

Tutor

Headbutt

D7010015Normal

Tutor

Heat Wave

C1009010Fire

Tutor

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

Tutor

Snore

D4010015Normal

Tutor

Swift

—60—20Normal

Tutor

Thunder Punch

D7510015Electric

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Body Slam

D8510015Normal

Gen 3

Defense Curl

———40Normal

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 3

Dynamic Punch

D100505Fighting

Gen 3

Mega Kick

—120755Normal

Gen 3

Mega Punch

—808520Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Gen 3

Rage

D2010020Normal

Gen 3

Seismic Toss

D—10020Fighting

How to Get Charmander in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Charmander is a gift in this game. Pick it up at Pallet Town — no wild encounters or spawn rates to deal with. The details below cover exactly when it becomes available.

Best Locations to Catch Charmander in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Pallet Town

SoulSilverGift from NPC Lv.5 City

CommonEarly

Gift from Professor Oak (post-Red)

Pallet Town

HeartGoldGift from NPC Lv.5 City

CommonEarly

Gift from Professor Oak (post-Red)

Charmander Guide

Charmander becomes Charmeleon at level 16, then Charizard at level 36. Straight three-stage line with no branching.
Charmander evolves into Charmeleon at level 16. Early evolution, you'll hit it before the third gym in most games.
For HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.
Charmander is catchable in HeartGold & SoulSilver. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 20 other games across the series.

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

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Whiscash WaterGround	C
Available Move Moves Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Charmander Mud-Slap 2x 36-43% View Whiscash builds →
Buizel Water	C
Available Move Moves Water GunLv. 6 Damage vs Charmander Water Gun 2x 54-64% View Buizel builds →
Totodile Water	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Move Moves Water GunLv. 6 Damage vs Charmander Water Gun 2x 43-54% View Totodile builds →

Lapras WaterIce	C
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Water PulseLv. 14 Water GunLv. 1 Damage vs Charmander Water Pulse 2x 93-112%KO Water Gun 2x 65-77% View Lapras builds →
Whiscash WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves Mud BombLv. 14 Rock TombTM39 Water GunLv. 10 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Charmander Mud Bomb 2x 93-112%KO Rock Tomb 2x 63-74% Water Gun 2x 58-70% Mud-Slap 2x 35-42% View Whiscash builds →
Qwilfish WaterPoison	C
Available Move Moves Water GunLv. 13 Damage vs Charmander Water Gun 2x 47-56% View Qwilfish builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 9 Damage vs Charmander Rock Tomb 2x 70-84% Rock Throw 2x 58-70% View Onix builds →
Slowpoke WaterPsychic	D
Obtain MethodSlowpoke Well Surfing Available Move Moves Water GunLv. 11 Damage vs Charmander Water Gun 2x 40-49% View Slowpoke builds →

Lapras WaterIce	C
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Water PulseLv. 14 Water GunLv. 1 Damage vs Charmander Water Pulse 2x 94-112%KO Water Gun 2x 65-76% View Lapras builds →
Whiscash WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves Mud BombLv. 14 Rock TombTM39 Water GunLv. 10 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Charmander Mud Bomb 2x 94-112%KO Rock Tomb 2x 67-78% Water Gun 2x 59-71% Mud-Slap 2x 33-41% View Whiscash builds →
Qwilfish WaterPoison	C
Available Moves Moves Water GunLv. 13 RolloutLv. 17 Damage vs Charmander Water Gun 2x 49-59% Rollout 2x 39-47% View Qwilfish builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 9 Damage vs Charmander Rock Tomb 2x 69-82% Rock Throw 2x 59-71% View Onix builds →
Slowpoke WaterPsychic	D
Obtain MethodSlowpoke Well Surfing Available Move Moves Water GunLv. 11 Damage vs Charmander Water Gun 2x 39-47% View Slowpoke builds →

Lapras WaterIce	C
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 Water PulseLv. 14 Water GunLv. 1 Damage vs Charmander Surf 2x 139-165%KO Water Pulse 2x 94-111%KO Water Gun 2x 65-77% View Lapras builds →
Whiscash WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 Mud BombLv. 14 Water PulseLv. 22 Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Charmander Surf 2x 127-150%KO Mud Bomb 2x 94-111%KO Water Pulse 2x 85-102%KO Rock Tomb 2x 63-74% View Whiscash builds →
Qwilfish WaterPoison	C
Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 Water GunLv. 13 RolloutLv. 17 Damage vs Charmander Surf 2x 102-121%KO Water Gun 2x 48-58% Rollout 2x 37-45% View Qwilfish builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 9 Damage vs Charmander Dig 2x 85-102%KO Rock Tomb 2x 65-77% Rock Throw 2x 56-68% View Onix builds →
Buizel Water	C
Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 DigTM28 Rock TombTM39 Water GunLv. 6 Damage vs Charmander Surf 2x 106-126%KO Dig 2x 73-87% Rock Tomb 2x 56-68% Water Gun 2x 48-58% View Buizel builds →

Lapras WaterIce	C
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 Water PulseLv. 14 Water GunLv. 1 WhirlpoolHM05 Damage vs Charmander Surf 2x 134-158%KO Water Pulse 2x 92-109%KO Water Gun 2x 61-73% Whirlpool 2x 54-65% View Lapras builds →
Whiscash WaterGround	C
Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 Mud BombLv. 14 Water PulseLv. 22 Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Charmander Surf 2x 123-146%KO Mud Bomb 2x 89-105%KO Water Pulse 2x 82-97% Rock Tomb 2x 61-73% View Whiscash builds →
Qwilfish WaterPoison	C
Available Moves Moves SurfHM03 Water GunLv. 13 WhirlpoolHM05 RolloutLv. 17 Damage vs Charmander Surf 2x 96-114%KO Water Gun 2x 45-53% Whirlpool 2x 41-49% Rollout 2x 36-43% View Qwilfish builds →
Graveler RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 11 RolloutLv. 22 Damage vs Charmander Dig 2x 141-166%KO Rock Tomb 2x 107-126%KO Rock Throw 2x 89-105%KO Rollout 2x 54-65% View Graveler builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves DigTM28 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 9 Damage vs Charmander Dig 2x 82-97% Rock Tomb 2x 65-77% Rock Throw 2x 54-65% View Onix builds →

Empoleon WaterSteel	B
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemFocus Sash NatureModest Moves Ice Beam Hydro Pump Grass Knot Aqua Jet Damage vs Charmander Ice Beam 38-45% Hydro Pump 2x 280-330%KO Aqua Jet 2x 62-73% View Empoleon builds →
Gliscor GroundFlying	B
Recommended Build AbilityHypercutter ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves EarthquakeSTAB RoostRecovery TauntUtility Ice Fang Damage vs Charmander Earthquake 2x 184-216%KO Ice Fang 20-23% View Gliscor builds →
Aerodactyl RockFlying	B
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves Earthquake Stealth Rock TauntUtility Stone Edge Damage vs Charmander Earthquake 2x 166-195%KO Stone Edge 2x 249-293%KO View Aerodactyl builds →