Squirtle Best Moveset
Water pre-evolution at 50 Sp. Atk and 43 Speed. The moveset can't function in any competitive context. Evolve through to Blastoise for 85 Sp. Atk with AbilityTorrent boosting Water damage at low HP.
Squirtle saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This was Squirtle's competitive peak. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 50.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Hydro Pump
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Skull Bash
Recommended Teammates
Squirtle saw minimal competitive use in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal). Squirtle maintained its position from the previous generation.
Utility Moveset
- Hidden Power Dark
- Seismic Toss
- Ice Punch
- Blizzard
Recommended Teammates
Squirtle saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). Squirtle maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Torrent with Sitrus Berry, favoring a Impish nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Counter
- Hydro Pump
- Surf
- Flail
Recommended Teammates
Squirtle saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Squirtle maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Torrent with Leftovers, favoring a Rash nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Surf
- Aqua Jet
- Hydro Pump
Recommended Teammates
Squirtle saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Squirtle maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Torrent with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Scald
- Haze
- Rapid Spin
Recommended Teammates
Squirtle saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Squirtle maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Torrent with Eviolite, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Aura Sphere
- Hydro Pump
- Scald
- Blizzard
Recommended Teammates
Squirtle saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Squirtle maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Torrent with Leftovers, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Attacker Moveset
- Aqua Jet
- Waterfall
- Aqua Tail
- Hail
Recommended Teammates
Squirtle saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Squirtle maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Torrent with Focus Sash, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Shell Smash
- Aqua Jet
- Brick Break
- Waterfall
Recommended Teammates
Squirtle saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Squirtle maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Raindish with Focus Sash, favoring a Hardy nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Aqua Jet
- Ice Beam
- Rain Dance
- Rapid Spin
Recommended Teammates
Squirtle Weakness
Squirtle's Water typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric and Grass. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Just 2 weak spots to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
What is Squirtle Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Squirtle
Rillaboom can KO Squirtle with Wood Hammer (320-376%). Regieleki threatens a KO with Volt Switch (99-117%).
 Rillaboom Grass | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityGrassy Surge ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Squirtle View Rillaboom builds →Knock Off58-68% U Turn62-73% Wood Hammer 2x320-376%KO | ||
 Regieleki Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTransistor ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Squirtle View Regieleki builds →Volt Switch 2x99-117%KO Rapid Spin16-20% Rapid Spin16-20% Volt Switch 2x99-117%KO | ||
Evolution
Three stages ahead. Squirtle grows into Wartortle, then pushes on to Blastoise. Check the evolution methods below. For breeding, average hatch time with plenty of partners via two egg groups. The evolved forms gain up to 216 total stats over Squirtle. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Squirtle
Squirtle appears at moderate rates across 2 spots in endgame routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Squirtle appears at moderate rates across 1 spots in endgame routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
6 encounter spots for Squirtle at moderate rates starting from endgame routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Squirtle in BDSP
To get Squirtle, start by catching Squirtle through walking encounters at Lv. 58-63. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
No wild encounters for Squirtle in Sword & Shield. Bring Squirtle over from Red & Blue, Yellow, or Legends: Z-A, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Squirtle in SwSh
Step 1Squirtle ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave Wartortle with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Squirtle egg.CARTRIDGE TRADEAvailableCatch in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl via Walking · Fountainspring 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 · Vermilion City · Defeat Lt. Surge. 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 · Seaward Cave · Island Scan; Monday. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Wartortle
Step 3Evolve into Blastoise
Base Stats
An unusually even spread gives Squirtle flexibility. Defense barely edges ahead. But Speed isn't far off. Tough to catch and follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve. Yields 1 Defense EV.
When it retracts its long neck into its shell, it squirts out water with vigorous force.
Squirtle Guide
You can run Squirtle through the first few routes without issues. 314 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Wartortle as fast as you can.
Game Availability
One of the original 151, Squirtle has appeared in 21 games — nearly every mainline game. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.
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