Utility
Balanced
318Low
45Very Slow
DTier

Chikorita sits at the start of its evolution line — not yet at full power, but that changes fast. Most trainers push through to Meganium as fast as possible. 5 type weaknesses to keep in mind. Known as the Leaf Pokemon.

You won't find a real weakness in Chikorita's stat line. It's well-rounded for the Leaf Pokemon, and what it does with that depends on moveset and items. Yields 1 Sp. Def EV, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.

Base Stats
318Avg
HP45
D
Attack49
D
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk49
D
Sp. Def65
C
Speed45
D
Total318
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Chikorita yields +1 SpD
HPAtkDefSpASpD+1Spe
Details
Catch45ChallengingMedium Slow1.06M XP0.9m / 2'11"6.4kg / 14.1 lbs64Base XP
Pokedex Entries

A sweet aroma gently wafts from the leaf on its head. It is docile and loves to soak up sunrays.

Heart Gold

Its pleasantly aromatic leaf has the ability to check humidity and temperature.

Soul Silver

Chikorita Weakness

Fragile

Chikorita is weak to Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, and Bug-type moves. The Grass typing picks up 4 resistances to work with.

Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCriticali
None
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
5Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Scorei-6
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
OvergrowStrengthens grass moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
Leaf GuardHAProtects against major status ailments during strong sunlight.

Chikorita kicks off a three-stage evolution line through Bayleef all the way to Meganium. For breeding, average hatch time with a decent partner pool via two egg groups. Evolving adds up to 207 stat points total.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Chikorita
Grass
Bayleef
Grass
HP
45
60+15
80+20
ATK
49
62+13
82+20
DEF
65
80+15
100+20
SP.ATK
49
63+14
83+20
SP.DEF
65
80+15
100+20
SPE
45
60+15
80+20
BST
318D-Tier
405D-Tier+87
525C-Tier+120
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Utility
Mixed
Breeding
Easy

Breed Chikorita easily with 45 breeding partners from the Plant and Monster egg groups. Pass egg moves like Ancient Power, Aromatherapy, Body Slam and 9 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
PlantMonster
Gender
87.5%12.5%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
12moves
Breed With (best first)
venusaurmeganiumtorterraroseradecharizardblastoisenidokingferaligatrampharossceptileswampertludicolo

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Breeding opens up real options for Chikorita. Ancient Power and Aromatherapy come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Leaf Storm and Solar Beam and Normal and Steel coverage and more.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
10040Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
3510035Normal
Lv 6
Razor Leaf
559525Grass
Lv 9
Poison Powder
7535Poison
Lv 12
Synthesis
5Grass
Lv 17
Reflect
20Psychic
Lv 20
Magical Leaf
6020Grass
Lv 23
Natural Gift
10015Normal
Lv 28
Sweet Scent
10020Normal
Lv 31
Light Screen
30Psychic
Lv 34
Body Slam
8510015Normal
Lv 39
Safeguard
25Normal
Lv 42
Aromatherapy
5Grass
Lv 45
Solar Beam
12010010Grass

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM09
Bullet Seed
1010030Grass
TM78
Captivate
10020Normal
HM01
Cut
509530Normal
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM58
Endure+4
10Normal
TM53
Energy Ball
8010010Grass
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
TM70
Flash
10020Normal
TM21
Frustration
10020Normal
TM19
Giga Drain
6010010Grass
TM86
Grass Knot
10020Grass
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM23
Iron Tail
1007515Steel
TM16
Light Screen
30Psychic
TM83
Natural Gift
10015Normal
TM17
Protect+4
10Normal
TM33
Reflect
20Psychic
TM44
Rest
10Psychic
TM27
Return
10020Normal
TM20
Safeguard
25Normal
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM82
Sleep Talk
10Normal
TM22
Solar Beam
12010010Grass
TM90
Substitute
10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
5Fire
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM75
Swords Dance
30Normal
TM06
Toxic
8510Poison

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Ancient Power
601005Rock
Egg
Aromatherapy
5Grass
Egg
Body Slam
8510015Normal
Egg
Counter-5
10020Fighting
Egg
Flail
10015Normal
Egg
Grass Whistle
5515Grass
Egg
Ingrain
20Grass
Egg
Leaf Storm
140905Grass
Egg
Leech Seed
9010Grass
Egg
Nature Power
20Normal
Egg
Vine Whip
4510015Grass
Egg
Wring Out
1005Normal

Tutor Moves

Src
Tutor
Ancient Power
601005Rock
Tutor
Fury Cutter
109520Bug
Tutor
Headbutt
7010015Normal
Tutor
Magic Coat+4
15Psychic
Tutor
Mud-Slap
2010010Ground
Tutor
Seed Bomb
8010015Grass
Tutor
Snore
4010015Normal
Tutor
Synthesis
5Grass
Tutor
Worry Seed
10010Grass

Transfer Moves

Src
Gen 3
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
10Normal

No searching required for Chikorita. You receive it at New Bark Town from an NPC. No wild encounters exist in this game, so just head to the right spot when you're ready and it's yours.

Best Locations

New Bark Town
SoulSilverGift from NPCLv.5LimitedEarlyCityStarter choice
MODERATE
New Bark Town
HeartGoldGift from NPCLv.5LimitedEarlyCityStarter choice
MODERATE
  • At 318 BST, Chikorita is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Bayleef before bringing it to any serious fight.

  • Chikorita's biggest threats include Charizard (Fire), Cloyster (Ice), and Nidoking (Poison), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Flying and Bug-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.

  • Chikorita evolves into Bayleef at level 16. Chikorita is the base form in a 3-stage evolutionary line.

  • Overgrow is the go-to ability for Chikorita. It strengthens grass moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. Its hidden ability Leaf Guard can work in specific setups.

  • Chikorita is leaning toward the physical side (base 49 Attack). But the speed tells the real story — base 45 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go.

  • Chikorita appears in 17 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.

Debuting in Gold & Silver, Chikorita appears in 17 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.