Mixed
Balanced
309Low
65Moderate
DTier

Charmander sits at the start of its evolution line — not yet at full power, but that changes fast. Most trainers push through to Charizard as fast as possible. Known as the Lizard Pokemon. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets.

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
309Avg
HP39
F
Attack52
D
Defense43
D
Sp. Atk60
C
Sp. Def50
D
Speed65
C
Total309
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Charmander yields +1 Spe
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Details
Catch45ChallengingMedium Slow1.06M XP0.6m / 2'00"8.5kg / 18.7 lbs62Base XP
Pokedex Entries

The fire on the tip of its tail is a measure of its life. If the Pokémon is healthy, its tail burns intensely.

Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl

Charmander Weakness

Avg

Charmander is weak to Water, Ground, and Rock-type moves. With 6 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Standard number of weaknesses for the Fire typing.

4xCriticali
None
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
3Weak
6Resist
0Immune
Scorei0
Stealth Rock25% on switch
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
BlazeStrengthens fire moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
Solar PowerHAIncreases Special Attack to 1.5× but costs 1/8 max HP after each turn during strong sunlight.

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.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Charmander
Fire
Charizard
FireFlying
HP
39
58+19
78+20
ATK
52
64+12
84+20
DEF
43
58+15
78+20
SP.ATK
60
80+20
109+29
SP.DEF
50
65+15
85+20
SPE
65
80+15
100+20
BST
309D-Tier
405D-Tier+96
534B-Tier+129
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Sweeper
TYPE
Utility
Special
Special
Breeding
Easy

Breed Charmander easily with 65 breeding partners from the Dragon and Monster egg groups. Pass egg moves like Ancient Power, Belly Drum, Bite and 5 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
8moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradoscharizardkingdrasceptileflygonmiloticnoivernvenusaurblastoisemeganiumferaligatrampharos

Find one free turn for Dragon Dance and Charmander can run through teams. Adamant nature leans physical, Solarpower supports the sweep, and the remaining moves stops anything from walling it cleanly.

Best Build

Utility
Ability
Solarpower
Item
Choice ScarfSPEED
Nature
Adamant+ATK
EVs

Best Charmander Moveset

  • FlamethrowerSTAB
  • Ancient Power
  • Dragon Dance
  • Dragon Pulse

Recommended Teammates

Egg moves make a real difference. Charmander gets Ancient Power and Belly Drum exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 9 types rounds out the picture alongside Overheat and Flare Blitz.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
10040Normal
Lv 1
Scratch
4010035Normal
Lv 4
Ember
4010025Fire
Lv 8
Smokescreen
10020Normal
Lv 12
Dragon Breath
6010020Dragon
Lv 17
Fire Fang
659515Fire
Lv 20
Slash
7010020Normal
Lv 24
Flamethrower
9010015Fire
Lv 28
Scary Face
10010Normal
Lv 32
Fire Spin
358515Fire
Lv 36
Inferno
100505Fire
Lv 40
Flare Blitz
12010015Fire

TM Moves

Src
TM66
Body Slam
8510015Normal
TM222
Breaking Swipe
6010015Dragon
TM58
Brick Break
7510015Fighting
TM108
Crunch
8010015Dark
TM55
Dig
8010010Ground
TM78
Dragon Claw
8010015Dragon
TM100
Dragon Dance
20Dragon
TM115
Dragon Pulse
8510010Dragon
TM44
Dragon Tail-6
609010Dragon
TM47
Endure+4
10Normal
TM25
Facade
7010020Normal
TM57
False Swipe
4010040Normal
TM141
Fire Blast
110855Fire
TM08
Fire Fang
659515Fire
TM144
Fire Pledge
8010010Fire
TM67
Fire Punch
7510015Fire
TM24
Fire Spin
358515Fire
TM38
Flame Charge
5010020Fire
TM125
Flamethrower
9010015Fire
TM165
Flare Blitz
12010015Fire
TM43
Fling
10010Dark
TM158
Focus Blast
120705Fighting
TM192
Focus Punch-3
15010020Fighting
TM118
Heat Wave
959010Fire
TM130
Helping Hand+5
20Normal
TM31
Metal Claw
509535Steel
TM156
Outrage
12010010Dragon
TM157
Overheat
130905Fire
TM07
Protect+4
10Normal
TM85
Rest
5Psychic
TM172
Roar-6
20Normal
TM86
Rock Slide
759010Rock
TM36
Rock Tomb
609515Rock
TM06
Scary Face
10010Normal
TM61
Shadow Claw
7010015Ghost
TM70
Sleep Talk
10Normal
TM103
Substitute
10Normal
TM49
Sunny Day
5Fire
TM32
Swift
6020Normal
TM88
Swords Dance
20Normal
TM01
Take Down
908520Normal
TM207
Temper Flare
7510010Fire
TM171
Tera Blast
8010010Normal
TM68
Thunder Punch
7510015Electric
TM193
Weather Ball
5010010Normal
TM107
Will-O-Wisp
8515Fire

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Ancient Power
601005Rock
Egg
Belly Drum
10Normal
Egg
Bite
6010025Dark
Egg
Counter-5
10020Fighting
Egg
Dragon Rush
1007510Dragon
Egg
Dragon Tail-6
609010Dragon
Egg
Iron Tail
1007515Steel
Egg
Metal Claw
509535Steel

Tutor Moves

Charmander can't learn any Tutor moves

Charmander doesn't appear in Scarlet & Violet. Transfer it from Red, Yellow, or Brilliant Diamond to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.

Charmander is not available as a wild encounter in this game.

Also found in:

  • Charmander is meant to evolve into Charmeleon. At 309 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.

  • Charmander's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Rhydon (Ground), and Golem (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.

  • Charmander evolves into Charmeleon at level 16. Charmander is the base form in a 3-stage evolutionary line.

  • Blaze is the go-to ability for Charmander. It strengthens fire moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. Its hidden ability Solar Power can work in specific setups.

  • At base 65 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Charmander is a mixed attacker — base 52 Attack and 60 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Fragile — can't afford to take many hits.

  • Charmander appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.

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.