The Lizard Pokemon. Charmander needs an import into Emerald, but the payoff is S-Tier Charizard with access to Emerald's exclusive Battle Frontier tutors.
Ability 1BlazeAbility 1Strengthens Fire moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
309HP39Attack52Defense43Speed65Sp.Def50Sp.Atk60
Charmander
Charmeleon
Charizard
Weak to
Special
Balanced
65Speed · Below Avg

Is Charmander Good in Emerald Playthrough?

Import from FireRed or LeafGreen. Charmander's line reaches Charizard for strong E4 contributions against Glacia and Sidney. AbilityBlaze boosts Fire at low HP. The catch is Wallace's Water Champion team at the end. Fire is a tough sell for Emerald's final fight.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTGEEEETTEEGTBRoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7JuanGym 8CharmanderTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Tough

Roxanne's team hits Charmander's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
BlockHardenTackleRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Good

Charmander has the type edge here and should clean up Brawly's team.

You Win
Machop
Lv 16
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopLow KickSeismic TossBulk Up
Even
Meditite
Lv 16
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Focus PunchLight ScreenReflectBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 19
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustVital ThrowReversalBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Charmander trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSparkSelf DestructShock Wave
You Win
Electrike
Lv 20
Electric
Static
Shock WaveLeerQuick AttackHowl
You Win
Magneton
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicShock WaveThunder WaveSonic Boom
Risky
Manectric
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveShock WaveHowl
Flannery
Gym 4
Even

Charmander trades roughly evenly with Flannery's team.

Even
Numel
Lv 24
FireGround
Oblivious
OverheatTake DownMagnitudeSunny Day
Even
Slugma
Lv 24
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Camerupt
Lv 26
FireGround
Magma Armor
OverheatTackleSunny DayAttract
Risky
Torkoal
Lv 29
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatSunny DayBody SlamAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Charmander trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

You Win
Spinda
Lv 27
Normal
Own Tempo
Teeter DancePsybeamFacadeEncore
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 27
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFacadeEncoreFeint Attack
Even
Linoone
Lv 29
Normal
Pickup
SlashBelly DrumFacadeHeadbutt
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
CounterYawnFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Charmander trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

You Win
Swablu
Lv 29
NormalFlying
Natural Cure
Perish SongMirror MoveSafeguardAerial Ace
Easy KO
Tropius
Lv 29
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayAerial AceSolar BeamSynthesis
Risky
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
You Win
Skarmory
Lv 31
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Avoid
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Tough

Tate & Liza's team hits Charmander's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Claydol
Lv 41
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
EarthquakeAncient PowerPsychicLight Screen
Even
Xatu
Lv 41
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
PsychicSunny DayConfuse RayCalm Mind
Risky
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Risky
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Juan
Gym 8
Tough

Juan's team hits Charmander's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Luvdisc
Lv 41
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Avoid
Whiscash
Lv 41
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 43
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Risky
Crawdaunt
Lv 43
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
Water PulseCrabhammerTauntLeer
Avoid
Kingdra
Lv 46
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
Water PulseDouble TeamIce BeamRest
Sidney
Elite Four
Even

Charmander trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.

Even
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarDouble EdgeSand AttackCrunch
You Win
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
TormentDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
You Win
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Risky
Crawdaunt
Lv 48
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
SurfSwords DanceStrengthFacade
Risky
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceRock SlideSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Charmander trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

Even
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseProtect
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallGrudgeWill O WispFeint Attack
Even
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallDouble TeamNight ShadeFeint Attack
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicThunderboltFacade
Risky
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamRock SlideEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Good

Charmander has the type edge here and should clean up Glacia's team.

You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamHailIce Ball
You Win
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchIcy WindIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDouble EdgeHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallExplosionHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamIce BeamSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Tough

Drake's team hits Charmander's weaknesses hard.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectDouble Edge
Risky
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Double EdgeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Risky
Kingdra
Lv 53
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenDragon DanceSurfBody Slam
Risky
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathEarthquake
Avoid
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawRock SlideCrunch
Wallace
Champion
Bad

Wallace's Pokemon outpace and outclass Charmander here.

Avoid
Wailord
Lv 57
Water
Water Veil
Rain DanceWater SpoutDouble EdgeBlizzard
Risky
Tentacruel
Lv 55
WaterPoison
Clear Body
ToxicHydro PumpSludge BombIce Beam
Risky
Ludicolo
Lv 56
WaterGrass
Swift Swim
Giga DrainSurfLeech SeedDouble Team
Avoid
Whiscash
Lv 56
WaterGround
Oblivious
EarthquakeSurfAmnesiaHyper Beam
Avoid
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon DanceEarthquakeHyper BeamSurf
Avoid
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverSurfIce BeamToxic

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
Fire
Tier
E

Charmander cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.

View Charmander locations

How to Get Charmander in Emerald

Charmander is absent from Emerald entirely. You will need to trade one in, since the Kanto fire starter never made the Hoenn cut. Torchic covers that role for new saves.

How to Obtain Charmander in E

  1. Charmander
    Step 1Charmander ✓
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    Available
    Catch in FireRed & LeafGreen via Gift · Pallet Town · Starter Pokémon, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Red & Blue via Gift · Pallet Town · Starter Pokémon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Yellow
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Yellow via Gift · Route 24. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears 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 APPEARANCE
    from X & Y
    Not Tradeable
    Appears 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 APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears 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.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee via Gift · Route 24 · 50 Pokémon caught. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Charmeleon
    Step 2Evolve into Charmeleon
  3. Charizard
    Step 3Evolve into Charizard

How to Get Shiny Charmander in Emerald

Charmander is one of Oak's three Kanto starters and never appears in Emerald; reset for the shiny in FireRed or LeafGreen before claiming it, then trade the sparkling lizard across. See every game where Shiny Charmander can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Charmander in EmeraldNormal
Shiny Charmander in Emerald Shiny
Color ShiftRed
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Charmander Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

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
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Ground, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Charmander Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
5Resist
0Immune
Score-1
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Charmander Strong Against

4Strong
4Resisted
0Immune
Score0
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Charmander

Kyogre
Kyogre
Water
S
Groudon
Groudon
Ground
S
Swampert
Swampert
WaterGround
S
Walrein
Walrein
IceWater
C
Rhydon
Rhydon
GroundRock
B

Charmander Evolutions

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
Charmander
#004Charmander
16
Transfer Only
Charmeleon
#005Charmeleon
36
Transfer Only
Charizard
#006Charizard
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
309E-Tier
405E-Tier+96
534S-Tier+129
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Sweeper
TYPE
Utility
Special
Special

Breeding

Easy

Breed Charmander easily with 27 breeding partners from the Dragon and Monster egg groups. Pass egg moves like Ancient Power, Beat Up, Belly Drum 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)
gyaradoscharizardkingdrasceptileflygonmiloticvenusaurblastoisenidokingmeganiumferaligatrampharos

E Charmander Best Moveset

Fire pre-evolution two evolutions from Charizard. AbilityBlaze boosts Fire at low HP. Stats too low for any moveset to matter competitively. Evolve as soon as possible.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Blaze
Item
Salac BerryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Charmander
HardyNEUTRAL

Charmander best EVs are Speed and Sp. Atk

EVs

Utility Moveset

  • FlamethrowerSTAB
  • Dragon Dance
  • Double Edge
  • Dragon Claw

Moves List

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

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
D—10040Normal
Lv 1
Scratch
D4010035Normal
Lv 7
Ember
—6010025Fire
Lv 13
Smokescreen
——10020Normal
Lv 19
Rage
—2010020Normal
Lv 25
Scary Face
——9010Normal
Lv 31
Flamethrower
B14210015Fire
Lv 37
Slash
D7010020Normal
Lv 43
Dragon Rage
——10010Dragon
Lv 49
Fire Spin
—527015Fire

TM Moves

All 23 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40D60—20Flying
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM31
Brick BreakSootopolis Citynot until badge 7
A7510015Fighting
TM28
DigRoute 114badge 3
D6010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM02
Dragon ClawMeteor Fallsnot until badge 8
A8010015Dragon
TM42D7010020Normal
TM38
Fire BlastLilycove Department Storebadge 5
C180855Fire
TM35
FlamethrowerMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
B14210015Fire
TM01
Focus Punch-3Route 115badge 5
C15010020Fighting
TM21
FrustrationPacifidlog Townbadge 5
D—10020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM23
Iron TailMeteor Fallsnot until badge 8
D1007515Steel
TM50A210905Fire
TM17C——10Normal
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
HM06D2010015Fighting
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
HM04—8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Ancient Power
D601005Rock
Egg
Beat Up
D—10010Dark
Egg
Belly Drum
C——10Normal
Egg
Bite
D6010025Dark
Egg
Dragon Dance
B——20Dragon
Egg
Outrage
C12010010Dragon
Egg
Rock Slide
D759010Rock
Egg
Swords Dance
C——30Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
Tutor
Counter-5
D—10020Fighting
Tutor
Defense Curl
D——40Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
A12010015Normal
Tutor
Dynamic Punch
D100505Fighting
Tutor
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Tutor
Fire Punch
D11210015Fire
Tutor
Fury Cutter
—109520Bug
Tutor
Mega Kick
D120755Normal
Tutor
Mega Punch
—808520Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D——10Normal
Tutor
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
Tutor
Rock Slide
D759010Rock
Tutor
Seismic Toss
D—10020Fighting
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D——10Normal
Tutor
Snore
—4010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
A——10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D—9015Normal
Tutor
Swift
—60—20Normal
Tutor
Swords Dance
C——30Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP39
F
Attack52
D
Defense43
D
Sp. Atk60
C
Sp. Def50
D
Speed65
C
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.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Speed training source
Pokedex Entry

The flame that burns at the tip of its tail is an indication of its emotions. The flame wavers when CHARMANDER is happy, and blazes when it is enraged.

Pokemon Emerald

Charmander Emerald Guide

  • No. Charmander isn't catchable in Emerald. Pick it as your starter in FireRed or LeafGreen, then trade it over.

  • In Emerald, Charmander has 309 BST and evolves into Charmeleon. Compare the two forms before you give either one a team slot.

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.

Explore

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