Charmeleon Best Moveset
80 Sp. Atk at 80 Speed on Fire. The moveset is functional but outclassed by everything at this stat level. One evolution from Charizard where AbilitySolar Power makes the special damage genuinely threatening under sun.
Charmeleon saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This marked Charmeleon's competitive debut. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 65.
Utility Moveset
- Fire Blast
- Flamethrower
- Fire Spin
- Ember
Recommended Teammates
Fire pre-evolution with 80 Sp. Atk in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Borderline at the bottom. Decent Special attack for a middle-stage Pokemon.
Utility Moveset
- Fire Blast
- Double Edge
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Recommended Teammates
Dragon Dance in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire) gave Charmeleon a setup move. 80 Attack after a boost was modest but usable before Charizard took over.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Fire Blast
- Brick Break
- Hidden Power Ghost
- Belly Drum
Recommended Teammates
Charmeleon sat at D-Tier in Gen IV. This was Charmeleon's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Blaze with Leftovers, favoring a Adamant nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Charmeleon best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Thunder Punch
- Crunch
- Fire Punch
- Dragon Dance
Recommended Teammates
Charmeleon saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). This was a decline from D-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Solarpower with Choice Scarf, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Hidden Power Grass
- Will O Wisp
- Fire Blast
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Charmeleon saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Charmeleon maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Blaze with Nothing, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Fire Fang
- Fire Punch
- Dragon Claw
- Fire Blast
Recommended Teammates
Charmeleon saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Charmeleon maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Solarpower with Eviolite, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Pulse
- Overheat
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power Grass
Recommended Teammates
Charmeleon saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Charmeleon maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Solarpower with Life Orb, favoring a Hardy nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Overheat
- Focus Punch
- Counter
- Fling
Recommended Teammates
Charmeleon saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Charmeleon maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Blaze with Eviolite, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Will O Wisp
- Rock Slide
- Flamethrower
- Dragon Pulse
Recommended Teammates
Charmeleon Weakness
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 |
What is Charmeleon Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Charmeleon
Gyarados can KO Charmeleon with Waterfall (113-133%). Terrakion's Stone Edge also KOs at 132-155%.
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Charmeleon View Gyarados builds →Waterfall 2x113-133%KO Earthquake 2x95-111%KO Ice Fang15-18% | ||
 Landorus Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves View Landorus builds →
| ||
 Terrakion RockFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Charmeleon View Terrakion builds →Close Combat79-93% Stone Edge 2x132-155%KO Earthquake 2x88-104%KO | ||
Evolution
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
How to Get Charmeleon
No wild encounters for Charmeleon. The 3-stage chain runs through Charmander, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 36 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Charmeleon in SV
Step 1Catch CharmanderSavanna BiomeLv.50-80Overworld
Step 2Charmeleon ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave Charizard with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Charmeleon egg.
Step 3Evolve into Charizard
No wild encounters for Charmeleon. The 3-stage chain runs through Charmander, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 36 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Charmeleon in LZA
- Step 1Catch CharmanderWild Zone 20Lv.53-54OverworldLegends: Z-A
- Step 2Charmeleon ✓
- Step 3Evolve into Charizard
No wild encounters for Charmeleon. The 3-stage chain runs through Charmander, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 36 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Charmeleon in BDSP
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 CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-gameTyphlo CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameVolcanic CaveLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Charmeleon ✓
Step 3Evolve into Charizard
Charmeleon isn't available in the wild in Sword & Shield. Start by transferring Charmander from Red & Blue, Yellow, or Legends: Z-A. The evolution path from Charmander to Charmeleon is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Charmeleon in SwSh
Step 1Obtain CharmanderBREEDINGAvailableLeave Charmeleon with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Charmander egg.CARTRIDGE TRADEAvailableCatch in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl via Walking · Sandsear Cave · After National Dex obtained, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Red & BlueNot TradeableAppears in Red & Blue via Gift · Pallet Town · Starter Pokémon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom YellowNot TradeableAppears in Yellow via Gift · Route 24. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Gift · Pallet Town · Starter Pokémon. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears 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 APPEARANCEfrom X & YNot TradeableAppears 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 APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears 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.
Step 2Charmeleon ✓
Step 3Evolve into Charizard
Base Stats
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.
It has a barbaric nature. In battle, it whips its fiery tail around and slashes away with sharp claws.
Charmeleon Guide
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.
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 mixed attacker with base 64 Attack and 80 Sp. Atk. Speed tells the real story. Base 80 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.
For a casual playthrough, Charmeleon works as a placeholder. Fire coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Charizard. That's where the stats start mattering.
Game Availability
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 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves