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.
The flame at the tip of its tail makes a sound as it burns. You can only hear it in quiet places.
Charmander Weakness
AvgCharmander is weak to Water, Ground, and Rock-type moves. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Standard number of weaknesses for the Fire typing.
- 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
Charmander evolves into Charizard, but can't breed. At 309 stats as a Fire type, evolution is the only path. Evolving adds up to 225 stat points total.
How to Evolve
For an attacker, Charmander wants flexible EVs EVs and an item. The a nature nature tilts toward balanced duty, and an ability contributes without taking a move slot.
Best Build
Best Charmander Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Fire Spin
- Ember
- Fire Blast
Recommended Teammates
TMs carry this one. Charmander learns Fire Blast and Flamethrower naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Fighting and beyond give it real matchup play.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Charmander is handed to you at Route 24. No encounter rates or random spawns involved, so there's nothing to grind. Check the location details below for the exact conditions to trigger it.
Best Locations
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 evolves into Charmeleon at level 16. Charmander is the base form in a 3-stage evolutionary line.
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.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A