You won't find a real weakness in Charmeleon's stat line. It's well-rounded for the Flame Pokemon, and what it does with that depends on moveset and items. Yields 2 Sp. Atk and Speed EVs, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
In the rocky mountains where Charmeleon live, their fiery tails shine at night like stars.
In the rocky mountains where Charmeleon live, their fiery tails shine at night like stars.
Water, Ground, and Rock moves hit Charmeleon for super-effective damage. It resists 6 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
Landorus's Sludge Bomb hits Charmeleon for 39-46%. Gyarados threatens a KO with Waterfall (127-149%). Hippowdon's Earthquake also KOs at 108-127%.
 Landorus Ground | S | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Charmeleon View Landorus builds →Sludge Bomb39-46% | ||
 Gyarados Water | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Charmeleon View Gyarados builds →Waterfall 2x127-149%KO Earthquake 2x105-124%KO | ||
 Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Charmeleon View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x108-127%KO | ||
 Toxapex PoisonWater | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves View Toxapex builds →
| ||
 Garganacl Rock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPurifyingsalt ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves View Garganacl builds →
| ||
Charmeleon sits between Charmander and Charizard in this three-stage line. Not the final form yet. For breeding, average hatch time with plenty of partners via two egg groups. So far, Sp.Atk got the biggest boost (+20 from Charmander). The final form adds another 129 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Charmeleon to get Charmander eggs easily using 72 partners from the Dragon and Monster egg groups.
the remaining moves is what separates a good sweep from a wasted boost. After Dragon Dance, Charmeleon threatens a wide range with flexible EVs and Eviolite backing every hit.
Best Build
Charmeleon best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Will O Wisp
- Rock Slide
- Flamethrower
- Dragon Pulse
Recommended Teammates
Utility Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Fire Punch
- Outrage
- Iron Tail
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Tail
- Fire Punch
- Flare Blitz
- Dragon Dance
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Will O Wisp
- Rock Slide
- Flamethrower
- Dragon Pulse
Recommended Teammates
Utility Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Fire Punch
- Outrage
- Iron Tail
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Tail
- Fire Punch
- Flare Blitz
- Dragon Dance
Recommended Teammates
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Charmeleon's coverage across 8 types all comes from technical machines, built on top of Overheat and Flare Blitz for same-type damage. Flamethrower and Inferno are the payoff moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Charmeleon's coverage across 9 types all comes from technical machines, built on top of Overheat and Flare Blitz for same-type damage. Flamethrower and Dragon Rush are the payoff moves.
Without breeding, Charmeleon misses out on Air Cutter and Ancient Power. That's 14 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Overheat and Flare Blitz, with coverage across 9 types rounding things out.
Need something that threatens multiple types? Charmeleon's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Overheat and Flare Blitz gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Charmeleon can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Transfer Charmander from Red, Yellow, or Brilliant Diamond and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Charmeleon can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Transfer Charmander from Red, Yellow, or Brilliant Diamond and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
No wild encounters for Charmeleon. The 2-stage line runs through Charmander, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 16 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Charmeleon in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Charmander is your first catch on the way to Charmeleon. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 58-63 across 6 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch CharmanderSandsear CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 DesertPostPost-gameSandsear CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 DesertPostPost-gameTyphlo CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameTyphlo CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameVolcanic CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 VolcanoPostPost-gameVolcanic CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 VolcanoPostPost-game
Step 2Charmeleon ✓
Charmeleon isn't available in the wild in Sword & Shield. Start by transferring Charmander from Red, Yellow, or Brilliant Diamond. The evolution path from Charmander to Charmeleon is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Charmeleon in Sword & Shield
Step 1Obtain Charmander
Step 2Charmeleon ✓
At 405 BST, Charmeleon is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Charizard before bringing it to any serious fight.
Watch for Starmie (Water), Golem (Ground), and Aerodactyl (Rock) when using Charmeleon. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.
Charmander evolves into Charmeleon at level 16. Charmeleon evolves into Charizard at level 36. Charmeleon is a middle-stage evolution in the Charmander line.
Blaze strengthens fire moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. That's the one you want on Charmeleon. Solar Power is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Charmeleon is a special attacker with base 80 Sp. Atk. Speed tells the real story. Base 80 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.
Present since Red & Blue, Charmeleon appears in 21 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Charmeleon have the longest track record of availability in the series.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves