Living in Charizard's shadow, Charmeleon doesn't pick up enough from Gold & Silver's new mechanics at D-Tier to stand on its own.
405HP58Attack64Defense58Speed80Sp.Def65Sp.Atk80
Charmander
Charmeleon
Charizard
Weak to
Special
Balanced
80Speed · Above Avg

Is Charmeleon Good in Gold & Silver Playthrough?

A traded Charmander levels through Charmeleon quickly. Evolves into Charizard at 36, same as always.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGSEGTSGTEESGTTEEEGEGTFalknerGym 1BugsyGym 2WhitneyGym 3MortyGym 4ChuckGym 5JasmineGym 6PryceGym 7ClairGym 8SurgeGym 9SabrinaGym 10ErikaGym 11JanineGym 12MistyGym 13BrockGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16CharmeleonTradeWillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4LanceChamp*
Falkner
Gym 1
Good

Charmeleon has the type edge here and should clean up Falkner's team.

You Win
Pidgey
Lv 7
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud Slap
Even
Pidgeotto
Lv 9
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud SlapGust
Bugsy
Gym 2
Strong

Charmeleon resists most of Bugsy's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Metapod
Lv 14
Bug
Shed Skin
TackleString ShotHarden
Easy KO
Kakuna
Lv 14
BugPoison
Shed Skin
Poison StingString ShotHarden
Even
Scyther
Lv 16
BugFlying
Swarm
Quick AttackLeerFury Cutter
Whitney
Gym 3
Even

Charmeleon trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.

You Win
Clefairy
Lv 18
Normal
Cute Charm
Double SlapMimicEncoreMetronome
Even
Miltank
Lv 20
Normal
Thick Fat
RolloutAttractStompMilk Drink
Morty
Gym 4
Good

Charmeleon has the type edge here and should clean up Morty's team.

You Win
Gastly
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
LickSpiteMean LookCurse
You Win
Haunter
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisMimicCurseNight Shade
Even
Gengar
Lv 25
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
HypnosisShadow BallMean LookDream Eater
You Win
Haunter
Lv 23
GhostPoison
Levitate
SpiteMean LookMimicNight Shade
Chuck
Gym 5
Tough

Chuck's team hits Charmeleon's weaknesses hard.

Even
Primeape
Lv 27
Fighting
Vital Spirit
LeerRageKarate ChopFury Swipes
Avoid
Poliwrath
Lv 30
WaterFighting
Water Absorb
HypnosisMind ReaderSurfDynamic Punch
Jasmine
Gym 6
Strong

Charmeleon resists most of Jasmine's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Easy KO
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Easy KO
Steelix
Lv 35
SteelGround
Rock Head
ScreechSunny DayRock ThrowIron Tail
Pryce
Gym 7
Good

Charmeleon has the type edge here and should clean up Pryce's team.

Even
Seel
Lv 27
Water
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
You Win
Dewgong
Lv 29
WaterIce
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
Easy KO
Piloswine
Lv 31
IceGround
Oblivious
Icy WindFury AttackMistBlizzard
Clair
Gym 8
Tough

Clair's team hits Charmeleon's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveSurfSlamDragon Breath
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveThunderboltSlamDragon Breath
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveIce BeamSlamDragon Breath
Avoid
Kingdra
Lv 40
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenSurfHyper BeamDragon Breath
Lt. Surge
Gym 9
Even

Charmeleon trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Raichu
Lv 44
Electric
Static
Thunder WaveQuick AttackThunderboltThunder
Even
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
Easy KO
Magneton
Lv 40
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Lock OnDouble TeamSwiftZap Cannon
Even
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
Even
Electabuzz
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder PunchLight ScreenThunder
Sabrina
Gym 10
Even

Charmeleon trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Espeon
Lv 46
Psychic
Synchronize
Sand AttackQuick AttackSwiftPsychic
Even
Mr Mime
Lv 46
Psychic
Soundproof
BarrierReflectBaton PassPsychic
Even
Alakazam
Lv 48
Psychic
Synchronize
RecoverFuture SightPsychicReflect
Erika
Gym 11
Strong

Charmeleon resists most of Erika's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Tangela
Lv 42
Grass
Chlorophyll
Vine WhipBindGiga DrainSleep Powder
Easy KO
Jumpluff
Lv 41
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Mega DrainLeech SeedCotton SporeGiga Drain
Easy KO
Victreebel
Lv 46
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisAcidRazor Leaf
Easy KO
Bellossom
Lv 46
Grass
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisPetal DanceSolar Beam
Janine
Gym 12
Good

Charmeleon has the type edge here and should clean up Janine's team.

Even
Crobat
Lv 36
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
ScreechSupersonicConfuse RayWing Attack
Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
Easy KO
Ariados
Lv 33
BugPoison
Swarm
Scary FaceGiga DrainString ShotNight Shade
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 39
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ForesightDouble TeamGustPsychic
Misty
Gym 13
Tough

Misty's team hits Charmeleon's weaknesses hard.

Avoid
Golduck
Lv 42
Water
Damp
SurfDisablePsych UpPsychic
Risky
Quagsire
Lv 42
WaterGround
Damp
SurfAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance
Even
Lapras
Lv 44
WaterIce
Water Absorb
SurfPerish SongBlizzardRain Dance
Avoid
Starmie
Lv 47
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SurfConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam
Brock
Gym 14
Tough

Brock's team hits Charmeleon's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Graveler
Lv 41
RockGround
Rock Head
Defense CurlRock SlideRolloutEarthquake
Risky
Rhyhorn
Lv 41
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackScary FaceEarthquakeHorn Drill
Risky
Omastar
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
BiteSurfProtectSpike Cannon
Risky
Onix
Lv 44
RockGround
Rock Head
BindRock SlideBideSandstorm
Risky
Kabutops
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
SlashSurfEndureGiga Drain
Blaine
Gym 15
Even

Charmeleon trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.

Even
Magcargo
Lv 45
FireRock
Magma Armor
CurseSmogFlamethrowerRock Slide
Even
Magmar
Lv 45
Fire
Flame Body
Thunder PunchFire PunchSunny DayConfuse Ray
Risky
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
Quick AttackFire SpinFury AttackFire Blast
Blue
Gym 16
Even

Charmeleon trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

Even
Pidgeot
Lv 56
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
Quick AttackWhirlwindWing AttackMirror Move
Even
Alakazam
Lv 54
Psychic
Synchronize
DisableRecoverPsychicReflect
Risky
Rhydon
Lv 56
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackSandstormRock SlideEarthquake
Avoid
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
TwisterHydro PumpRain DanceHyper Beam
You Win
Exeggutor
Lv 58
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayLeech SeedEgg BombSolar Beam
Risky
Arcanine
Lv 58
Fire
Intimidate
RoarSwiftFlamethrowerExtreme Speed
Will
Elite Four
Even

Charmeleon trades roughly evenly with Will's team.

Even
Xatu
Lv 40
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
You Win
Jynx
Lv 41
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapLovely KissIce PunchPsychic
You Win
Exeggutor
Lv 41
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
ReflectLeech SeedEgg BombPsychic
Risky
Slowbro
Lv 41
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
CurseAmnesiaBody SlamPsychic
Even
Xatu
Lv 42
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
Koga
Elite Four
Good

Charmeleon has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

Easy KO
Ariados
Lv 40
BugPoison
Swarm
Double TeamSpider WebBaton PassGiga Drain
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 41
BugPoison
Shield Dust
SupersonicGustPsychicToxic
Easy KO
Forretress
Lv 43
BugSteel
Sturdy
ProtectSwiftExplosionSpikes
You Win
Muk
Lv 42
Poison
Stench
MinimizeAcid ArmorSludge BombToxic
Even
Crobat
Lv 44
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Double TeamQuick AttackWing AttackToxic
Bruno
Elite Four
Even

Charmeleon trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.

Even
Hitmontop
Lv 42
Fighting
Intimidate
PursuitQuick AttackDigDetect
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 42
Fighting
Limber
SwaggerDouble KickHigh Jump KickForesight
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 42
Fighting
Keen Eye
Thunder PunchIce PunchFire PunchMach Punch
Risky
Onix
Lv 43
RockGround
Rock Head
BindEarthquakeSandstormRock Slide
Even
Machamp
Lv 46
Fighting
Guts
Rock SlideForesightVital ThrowCross Chop
Karen
Elite Four
Good

Charmeleon has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.

You Win
Umbreon
Lv 42
Dark
Synchronize
Sand AttackConfuse RayFeint AttackMean Look
Easy KO
Vileplume
Lv 42
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidMoonlightPetal Dance
You Win
Gengar
Lv 45
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
LickSpiteCurseDestiny Bond
You Win
Murkrow
Lv 44
DarkFlying
Insomnia
Quick AttackWhirlwindPursuitFeint Attack
Risky
Houndoom
Lv 47
DarkFire
Early Bird
RoarPursuitFlamethrowerCrunch
Lance
Champion
Tough

Lance's team hits Charmeleon's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Gyarados
Lv 44
WaterFlying
Intimidate
FlailRain DanceSurfHyper Beam
Risky
Dragonite
Lv 47
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveTwisterThunderHyper Beam
Risky
Dragonite
Lv 47
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveTwisterBlizzardHyper Beam
Risky
Aerodactyl
Lv 46
RockFlying
Rock Head
Wing AttackAncient PowerRock SlideHyper Beam
Risky
Charizard
Lv 46
FireFlying
Blaze
FlamethrowerWing AttackSlashHyper Beam
Risky
Dragonite
Lv 50
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Fire BlastSafeguardOutrageHyper Beam

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
Fire
Tier
E

Charmeleon 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. Alternatively, transfer the pre-evolution and level it up to Lv 16.

View Charmeleon locations

How to Get Charmeleon in Gold & Silver

You evolve into Charmeleon, you don't catch it. Charmander grows up at level 16. Since the only Charmander is Oak's post-game gift, expect this one late.

How to Obtain Charmeleon in GS

  1. Charmander
    Step 1Obtain Charmander
    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 FireRed & LeafGreen via Gift · Pallet Town · Starter Pokémon. 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.
  2. Charmeleon
    Step 2Charmeleon ✓
  3. Charizard
    Step 3Evolve into Charizard

How to Get Shiny Charmeleon in Gold & Silver

Charmeleon skips Gold and Silver along with the rest of its family, so a shiny one only reaches your box after a trade from a game where the Charmander line actually appears. See every game where Shiny Charmeleon can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Charmeleon in Gold & SilverNormal
Shiny Charmeleon in Gold & Silver Shiny
Color ShiftRed
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Charmeleon Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Charmeleon Weakness

Water, Ground, and Rock moves hit Charmeleon for super-effective damage. The Fire typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Not too many gaps in the chart, 3 weaknesses to account for.

Charmeleon Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Ground, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel
Gen II Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
  • Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def

What is Charmeleon Weak Against

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

What is Charmeleon Strong Against

4Strong
4Resisted
0Immune
Score0
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Charmeleon

Marowak
Marowak
Ground
B
B
Rhydon
Rhydon
GroundRock
B
Suicune
Suicune
Water
B
Tyranitar
Tyranitar
RockDark
S

Charmeleon Evolutions

Charmeleon sits between Charmander and Charizard in this three-stage line. Not the final form yet. For breeding, average hatch time with a small partner pool 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

3 Forms
Charmander
#004Charmander
16
Transfer Only
Charmeleon
#005Charmeleon
36
Transfer Only
Charizard
#006Charizard
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Charmeleon
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
534A-Tier+129
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Sweeper
TYPE
Utility
Special
Special

Breeding

Easy

Breed with Charmeleon to get Charmander eggs easily using 13 partners from the Dragon and Monster egg groups. Notable egg moves include Ancient Power, Beat Up, Belly Drum and 3 more.

Egg Groups
DragonMonster
Gender
♂87.5%♀12.5%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradoscharizardkingdravenusaurblastoisenidokingmeganiumferaligatrampharosslowbrorhydonslowking

GS Charmeleon Best Moveset

Moderate Sp. Atk behind MoveFire Blast at passable power, but every evolved Fire-type outperforms it. Middle-stage stats on a typing that still faces Water and Rock everywhere. Charizard is one evolution away.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Charmeleon
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Fire BlastSTAB
  • Double Edge
  • RestRecovery
  • Sleep Talk

Moves List

Without breeding, Charmeleon misses out on Ancient Power and Beat Up. That's 6 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Fire Blast and Flamethrower, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Ember
—6010025Fire
Lv 1
Growl
D—10040Normal
Lv 1
Scratch
—4010035Normal
Lv 7
Ember
—6010025Fire
Lv 13
Smokescreen
D—10020Normal
Lv 20
Rage
—2010020Normal
Lv 27
Scary Face
——9010Normal
Lv 34
Flamethrower
C14210015Fire
Lv 41
Slash
D7010020Normal
Lv 48
Dragon Rage
——10010Dragon
Lv 55
Fire Spin
—527015Fire

TM Moves

24 of 28 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45D—10015Normal
HM01
CutIlex Forestbadge 1
—509530Normal
TM40
Defense CurlMt. Mortarnot until badge 8
D——40Normal
TM28
DigNational Parkbadge 2
D6010010Ground
TM32———15Normal
TM24
Dragon BreathPrize for defeating Clairnot until badge 8
D6010020Dragon
TM01
Dynamic PunchPrize for defeating Chuckbadge 5
D100505Fighting
TM20
Endure+4Burned Towerbadge 4
D——10Normal
TM38
Fire BlastGoldenrod Game Cornerbadge 2
B180855Fire
TM48C11210015Fire
TM49
Fury CutterPrize for defeating Bugsybadge 2
—109520Bug
TM02D7010015Normal
TM10D6010015Normal
TM23D1007515Steel
TM31D2010010Ground
TM17C——10Normal
TM44
RestIce Pathnot until badge 7
B——10Psychic
TM08
Rock SmashRoute 36badge 3
D2010015Fighting
TM35
Sleep TalkItem ball in the Goldenrod Underground Warehouse, the storage area linked to the Dept Store basementnot until badge 7
B——10Normal
TM13
SnoreMoomoo Farmbadge 3
—4010015Normal
HM04
StrengthOlivine Citybadge 4
D8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny DayGift on Radio Tower 3F after Team Rocket is cleared outnot until badge 7
C——5Fire
TM34
SwaggerOlivine Lighthousebadge 4
C—8515Normal
TM39
SwiftUnion Cavebadge 1
D60—20Normal
TM06C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Ancient Power
D601005Rock
Egg
Beat Up
——10010Dark
Egg
Belly Drum
C——10Normal
Egg
Bite
D6010025Dark
Egg
Outrage
C12010010Dragon
Egg
Rock Slide
A759010Rock

Tutor Moves

Charmeleon can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP58
D
Attack64
C
Defense58
D
Sp. Atk80
C
Sp. Def65
C
Speed80
C
Total405
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.1 m
Weight19.0 kg
Base XP142
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+1SpDSpe+1
Special Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

It is very hotheaded by nature, so it constantly seeks opponents. It calms down only when it wins.

It has a barbaric nature. In battle, it whips its fiery tail around and slashes away with sharp claws.

Charmeleon Gold & Silver Guide

  • In Gold & Silver, Charmeleon has 405 BST and evolves into Charizard. Compare the two forms before you give either one a team slot.

  • In Gold & Silver, use Charmeleon as a balanced. Special attacks are the main output. Speed is middling,

Game Availability

Present since Red & Blue, Charmeleon appears in 21 games spanning 9 generations. Gen 1 originals like Charmeleon have the longest track record of availability in the series.

Explore

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