Ivysaur only exists in Gold & Silver through a traded or bred Bulbasaur. The Sp.Atk/Sp.Def split hasn't helped this mid-stage much.
405HP60Attack62Defense63Speed60Sp.Def80Sp.Atk80
Bulbasaur
Ivysaur
Venusaur
Weak to
Mixed
Balanced
60Speed · Below Avg

Is Ivysaur Good in Gold & Silver Playthrough?

Trade-only. If you're leveling a traded Bulbasaur, Ivysaur passes through quickly on the way to Venusaur. No reason to linger at this stage.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadETGEGGSTEETTGSEETTGETFalknerGym 1BugsyGym 2WhitneyGym 3MortyGym 4ChuckGym 5JasmineGym 6PryceGym 7ClairGym 8SurgeGym 9SabrinaGym 10ErikaGym 11JanineGym 12MistyGym 13BrockGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16IvysaurTradeWillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4LanceChamp*
Falkner
Gym 1
Even

Ivysaur trades roughly evenly with Falkner's team.

Even
Pidgey
Lv 7
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud Slap
Risky
Pidgeotto
Lv 9
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud SlapGust
Bugsy
Gym 2
Tough

Bugsy's typing presses Ivysaur's defenses.

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

Ivysaur has the type edge here and should clean up 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
Even

Ivysaur trades roughly evenly with Morty's team.

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

Ivysaur has the type edge here and should clean up Chuck's team.

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

Ivysaur has the type edge here and should clean up Jasmine's team.

You Win
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
You Win
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
You Win
Steelix
Lv 35
SteelGround
Rock Head
ScreechSunny DayRock ThrowIron Tail
Pryce
Gym 7
Strong

Ivysaur resists most of Pryce's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
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 Ivysaur'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
Risky
Kingdra
Lv 40
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenSurfHyper BeamDragon Breath
Lt. Surge
Gym 9
Even

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

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

Ivysaur 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
Tough

Erika's typing presses Ivysaur's defenses.

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

Janine's team hits Ivysaur's weaknesses hard.

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

Ivysaur has the type edge here and should clean up Misty's team.

You Win
Golduck
Lv 42
Water
Damp
SurfDisablePsych UpPsychic
Easy KO
Quagsire
Lv 42
WaterGround
Damp
SurfAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance
You Win
Lapras
Lv 44
WaterIce
Water Absorb
SurfPerish SongBlizzardRain Dance
You Win
Starmie
Lv 47
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SurfConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam
Brock
Gym 14
Strong

Ivysaur resists most of Brock's coverage and hits back hard.

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

Ivysaur trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.

You Win
Magcargo
Lv 45
FireRock
Magma Armor
CurseSmogFlamethrowerRock Slide
Risky
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

Ivysaur trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

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

Will's team hits Ivysaur's weaknesses hard.

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

Koga's team hits Ivysaur's weaknesses hard.

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

Ivysaur has the type edge here and should clean up 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
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 43
RockGround
Rock Head
BindEarthquakeSandstormRock Slide
Even
Machamp
Lv 46
Fighting
Guts
Rock SlideForesightVital ThrowCross Chop
Karen
Elite Four
Even

Ivysaur trades roughly evenly with Karen's team.

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

Lance's team hits Ivysaur's weaknesses hard.

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

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
GrassPoison
Tier
E

Ivysaur 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 Ivysaur locations

How to Get Ivysaur in Gold & Silver

Evolution only. Bulbasaur hits level 16 and becomes Ivysaur, so there is nothing to catch on the map. You start the chain with Oak's post-Champion gift or breed your own.

How to Obtain Ivysaur in GS

  1. Bulbasaur
    Step 1Obtain Bulbasaur
    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 · Cerulean City · Requires high Pikachu friendship. 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 2 · Island Scan; Friday. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Ivysaur
    Step 2Ivysaur ✓
  3. Venusaur
    Step 3Evolve into Venusaur

How to Get Shiny Ivysaur in Gold & Silver

Ivysaur has no home in Gold or Silver, since the Bulbasaur line skips Johto entirely, so its shiny form has to arrive by trade from a game that actually offers it. See every game where Shiny Ivysaur can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Ivysaur in Gold & SilverNormal
Shiny Ivysaur in Gold & Silver Shiny
Color ShiftGreen
Shiny TierC Tier Shiny

Shiny Ivysaur Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Ivysaur Weakness

Type-wise, Ivysaur takes extra damage from Fire, Ice, Flying, and Psychic. The Grass/Poison typing picks up 4 resistances to work with.

Ivysaur Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Fire, Ice, Flying, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)Water, Electric, Fighting
0.25x (Resist)Grass
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 Ivysaur Weak Against

Vulnerable
4Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score-3
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
0xImmune
None

What is Ivysaur Strong Against

4Strong
2Resisted
0Immune
Score+2
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Ivysaur

Ho-Oh
Ho-Oh
FireFlying
S
Lugia
Lugia
PsychicFlying
S
B
Entei
Entei
Fire
B
Kadabra
Kadabra
Psychic
C

Ivysaur Evolutions

Ivysaur sits between Bulbasaur and Venusaur in this three-stage line. Not the final form yet. For breeding, average hatch time with a decent partner pool via two egg groups. HP has grown the most so far (+15), but there's still another 120 stats to gain in the final evolution. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Bulbasaur
#001Bulbasaur
16
Transfer Only
Ivysaur
#002Ivysaur
32
Transfer Only
Venusaur
#003Venusaur
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Bulbasaur
GrassPoison
Ivysaur
GrassPoison
Venusaur
GrassPoison
HP
45
60+15
80+20
ATK
49
62+13
82+20
DEF
49
63+14
83+20
SP.ATK
65
80+15
100+20
SP.DEF
65
80+15
100+20
SPE
45
60+15
80+20
BST
318F-Tier
405E-Tier+87
525A-Tier+120
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Attacker
TYPE
Utility
Special
Mixed

Breeding

Easy

Breed with Ivysaur to get Bulbasaur eggs easily using 23 partners from the Grass and Monster egg groups. Notable egg moves include Charm, Light Screen, Petal Dance and 3 more.

Egg Groups
GrassMonster
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)
venusaurmeganiumcharizardblastoisenidokingferaligatrampharosslowbrorhydonslowkingjumpluffparasect

GS Ivysaur Best Moveset

Improved over Bulbasaur but every stat still falls short of competitive thresholds. MoveSleep Powder provides utility and MoveRazor Leaf adds modest damage. Venusaur's stat line is the destination.

Best Build

Experimental
Support
Ability
Unknown
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Ivysaur
HardyNEUTRAL

Support Moveset

  • Sleep PowderSTAB
  • Leech SeedSTAB
  • SynthesisRecovery
  • Razor LeafSTAB

Moves List

The egg pool carries weight here. Charm and Light Screen aren't available any other way for Ivysaur, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Solar Beam and Petal Dance for solid options.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
D—10040Normal
Lv 1
Leech Seed
B—9010Grass
Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 4
Growl
D—10040Normal
Lv 7
Leech Seed
B—9010Grass
Lv 10
Vine Whip
—6710025Grass
Lv 15
Poison Powder
D—7535Poison
Lv 15
Sleep Powder
B—7515Grass
Lv 22
Razor Leaf
B829525Grass
Lv 29
Sweet Scent
——10020Normal
Lv 38
Growth
C——20Normal
Lv 47
Synthesis
B——5Grass
Lv 56
Solar Beam
B18010010Grass

TM Moves

18 of 23 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45D—10015Normal
HM01
CutIlex Forestbadge 1
—509530Normal
TM40
Defense CurlMt. Mortarnot until badge 8
D——40Normal
TM32———15Normal
TM20
Endure+4Burned Towerbadge 4
D——10Normal
HM05D—7020Normal
TM49
Fury CutterPrize for defeating Bugsybadge 2
—109520Bug
TM19C1121005Grass
TM02D7010015Normal
TM10D6010015Normal
TM31D2010010Ground
TM17C——10Normal
TM44
RestIce Pathnot until badge 7
C——10Psychic
TM35
Sleep TalkItem ball in the Goldenrod Underground Warehouse, the storage area linked to the Dept Store basementnot until badge 7
C——10Normal
TM13
SnoreMoomoo Farmbadge 3
—4010015Normal
TM22
Solar BeamRoute 27not until badge 8
B18010010Grass
TM11
Sunny DayGift on Radio Tower 3F after Team Rocket is cleared outnot until badge 7
C——5Fire
TM34
SwaggerOlivine Lighthousebadge 4
C—8515Normal
TM12——10020Normal
TM06C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Charm
D—10020Normal
Egg
Light Screen
C——30Psychic
Egg
Petal Dance
B18010020Grass
Egg
Razor Wind
—807510Normal
Egg
Safeguard
D——25Normal
Egg
Skull Bash
—10010010Normal

Tutor Moves

Ivysaur can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP60
C
Attack62
C
Defense63
C
Sp. Atk80
C
Sp. Def80
C
Speed60
C
Total405
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.0 m
Weight13.0 kg
Base XP142
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+1SpD+1Spe
Special Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

Exposure to sunlight adds to its strength. Sunlight also makes the bud on its back grow larger.

If the bud on its back starts to smell sweet, it is evidence that the large flower will soon bloom.

Ivysaur Gold & Silver Guide

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

  • In Gold & Silver, Ivysaur plays as a balanced. Not the fastest, so pick your spots carefully.

Game Availability

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

Explore

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