Utility
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

It has a preference for hot things. When it rains, steam is said to spout from the tip of its tail.

Sword

From the time it is born, a flame burns at the tip of its tail. Its life would end if the flame were to go out.

Shield

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 60 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)
gyaradoscharizardkingdraflygonmiloticnoivernvenusaurblastoisenidokingrhyperioraltariascrafty

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.

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

Flamethrower and Inferno bring the raw damage. But Charmander also picks up coverage across 10 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 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
TM78
Acrobatics
5510015Flying
TM31
Attract
10015Normal
TM37
Beat Up
10010Dark
TR01
Body Slam
8510015Normal
TM43
Brick Break
7510015Fighting
TR32
Crunch
8010015Dark
TM15
Dig
8010010Ground
TR47
Dragon Claw
8010015Dragon
TR51
Dragon Dance
20Dragon
TR62
Dragon Pulse
8510010Dragon
TR26
Endure+4
10Normal
TM39
Facade
7010020Normal
TM94
False Swipe
4010040Normal
TR15
Fire Blast
110855Fire
TM68
Fire Fang
659515Fire
TM03
Fire Punch
7510015Fire
TM13
Fire Spin
358515Fire
TR02
Flamethrower
9010015Fire
TR55
Flare Blitz
12010015Fire
TM59
Fling
10010Dark
TR36
Heat Wave
959010Fire
TM41
Helping Hand+5
20Normal
TR31
Iron Tail
1007515Steel
TM01
Mega Kick
120755Normal
TM
Mega Punch
808520Normal
TR24
Outrage
12010010Dragon
TR43
Overheat
130905Fire
TM25
Protect+4
10Normal
TM21
Rest
10Psychic
TM22
Rock Slide
759010Rock
TM48
Rock Tomb
609515Rock
TM76
Round
6010015Normal
TM26
Scary Face
10010Normal
TM65
Shadow Claw
7010015Ghost
TR27
Sleep Talk
10Normal
TM24
Snore
5010015Normal
TR20
Substitute
10Normal
TM34
Sunny Day
5Fire
TM40
Swift
6020Normal
TM
Swords Dance
20Normal
TM05
Thunder Punch
7510015Electric
TM46
Weather Ball
5010010Normal
TM38
Will-O-Wisp
8515Fire
TR85
Work Up
30Normal

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
Metal Claw
509535Steel
Egg
Wing Attack
6010035Flying

Tutor Moves

Charmander can't learn any Tutor moves

Charmander doesn't appear in Sword & Shield. 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.

Catch in the wild in:

Then trade to Sword & Shield.

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 leaning toward the special side (base 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.