The Tiny Turtle Pokemon. Squirtle beats Brock with ease and stays useful against most Kanto Gyms, making it Red & Blue's safest starter overall.
300HP44Attack48Defense65Speed43Sp.Def50Sp.Atk50
Squirtle
Wartortle
Blastoise
Weak to
Special
Balanced
43Speed · Very Slow

Is Squirtle Good in Red & Blue Playthrough?

The smoothest starter experience in Red and Blue. Water typing gives you answers to Rock, Ground, and Fire threats throughout the entire game, and Squirtle is tough enough to survive hits that would KO the other starters at this stage. You won't have many fights where Squirtle feels like the wrong choice.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSTGTGESSESGEGSquirtleStarterBrockGym 1WartortleEvolveMistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4BlastoiseEvolveKogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4BlueChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Strong

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

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleScreechBide
Other strong Pokemon you can catch and use for Gym 1
Misty
Gym 2
Tough

Misty's typing presses Wartortle's defenses.

Risky
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleWater Gun
Risky
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
TackleWater GunBubble Beam
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Good

Wartortle has the type edge here and should clean up Lt. Surge's team.

You Win
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
TackleScreechSonic Boom
You Win
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Thunder ShockGrowlThunder WaveQuick Attack
Even
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Thunder ShockGrowlThunderbolt
Erika
Gym 4
Tough

Erika's team hits Wartortle's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Razor LeafWrapPoison PowderSleep Powder
Even
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
ConstrictBind
Risky
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Petal DancePoison PowderMega DrainSleep Powder
Koga
Gym 5
Good

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

You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
TackleSmogSludgeSmokescreen
You Win
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
DisablePoison GasMinimizeSludge
You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
TackleSmogSludgeSmokescreen
Even
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludgeToxicSelf Destruct
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Blastoise trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
DisablePsybeamRecoverPsychic
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 37
Psychic
Soundproof
ConfusionBarrierLight ScreenDouble Slap
Even
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
Poison PowderLeech LifeStun SporePsybeam
Even
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsywaveReflect
Blaine
Gym 7
Strong

Blastoise resists most of Blaine's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
EmberLeerTake DownAgility
Easy KO
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
Tail WhipStompGrowlFire Spin
Easy KO
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
Tail WhipStompGrowlFire Spin
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
RoarEmberFire BlastTake Down
Giovanni
Gym 8
Strong

Blastoise resists most of Giovanni's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
StompTail WhipFury AttackHorn Drill
Easy KO
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
GrowlDigSand AttackSlash
Easy KO
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ScratchTail WhipBody SlamPoison Sting
Easy KO
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
TackleHorn AttackPoison StingThrash
Easy KO
Rhydon
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
StompTail WhipFissureHorn Drill
Lorelei
Elite Four
Even

Blastoise trades roughly evenly with Lorelei's team.

Even
Dewgong
Lv 54
WaterIce
Thick Fat
GrowlAurora BeamRestTake Down
Even
Cloyster
Lv 53
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SupersonicClampAurora BeamSpike Cannon
Even
Slowbro
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
GrowlWater GunWithdrawAmnesia
Even
Jynx
Lv 56
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapIce PunchBody SlamThrash
Even
Lapras
Lv 56
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Body SlamConfuse RayBlizzardHydro Pump
Bruno
Elite Four
Strong

Blastoise resists most of Bruno's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 53
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowRageSlamHarden
You Win
Hitmonchan
Lv 55
Fighting
Keen Eye
Ice PunchThunder PunchMega PunchCounter
You Win
Hitmonlee
Lv 55
Fighting
Limber
Jump KickFocus EnergyHigh Jump KickMega Kick
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowRageSlamHarden
You Win
Machamp
Lv 58
Fighting
Guts
LeerFocus EnergyFissureSubmission
Agatha
Elite Four
Good

Blastoise has the type edge here and should clean up Agatha's team.

Even
Gengar
Lv 56
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayNight ShadeHypnosisDream Eater
You Win
Golbat
Lv 56
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
SupersonicConfuse RayWing AttackHaze
You Win
Haunter
Lv 55
GhostPoison
Levitate
Confuse RayNight ShadeHypnosisDream Eater
You Win
Arbok
Lv 58
Poison
Intimidate
BiteGlareScreechAcid
Even
Gengar
Lv 60
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayNight ShadeToxicDream Eater
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Blastoise trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Risky
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
Even
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
AgilitySlamDragon RageHyper Beam
Even
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
AgilitySlamDragon RageHyper Beam
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 60
RockFlying
Rock Head
SupersonicBiteTake DownHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 62
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
AgilitySlamBarrierHyper Beam
Blue
Champion
Good

Blastoise has the type edge here and should clean up Blue's team.

You Win
Pidgeot
Lv 61
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
WhirlwindWing AttackSky AttackMirror Move
Even
Alakazam
Lv 59
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsychicReflect
Easy KO
Rhydon
Lv 61
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Tail WhipFury AttackHorn DrillLeer
Risky
Gyarados
Lv 61
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 63
Fire
Intimidate
RoarEmberLeerTake Down
Risky
Venusaur
Lv 65
GrassPoison
Overgrow
Razor LeafGrowthMega DrainSolar Beam

Starter

Starter Pokemon
Type
Water
Tier
E

Squirtle is available as a starter at Lv 5.

View Squirtle locations

Evolve Squirtle to Wartortle

Level 16
Type
Water
Tier
E

Squirtle evolves into Wartortle at Level 16. Your Squirtle should hit Level 16 before you reach Misty, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves

Evolve Wartortle to Blastoise

Level 36
Type
Water
Tier
C

Wartortle evolves into Blastoise at Level 36. Your Wartortle should hit Level 36 before you reach Koga, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Squirtle in Red & Blue

The third Pallet Town starter, handed over by Professor Oak at level 5. Choose Squirtle and the other two are gone for good. No wild ones exist in either version.

1 location to catch Squirtle

How to Obtain Squirtle in RB

  1. Wartortle
    Step 2Evolve into Wartortle
  2. Blastoise
    Step 3Evolve into Blastoise

Squirtle Weakness

Squirtle's Water typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric and Grass. Few weaknesses and 3 resistances make the typing clean. Just 2 weak spots to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.

Squirtle Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice
Gen I Type Chart
  • Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
  • Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
  • Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split

What is Squirtle Weak Against

Avg
2Weak
3Resist
0Immune
Score-1
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Squirtle Strong Against

3Strong
3Resisted
0Immune
Score0
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Squirtle

Pikachu
Pikachu
Electric
C
Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur
GrassPoison
C

Squirtle Evolutions

A Water type with 300 stats, Squirtle has a chain leading to Blastoise. Breeding won't work. The evolved forms gain up to 230 total stats over Squirtle. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Squirtle
Water
HP
44
59+15
79+20
ATK
48
63+15
83+20
DEF
65
80+15
100+20
SP.ATK
50
65+15
85+20
SP.DEF
64
80+16
105+25
SPE
43
58+15
78+20
BST
314E-Tier
405E-Tier+91
530C-Tier+125
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Utility
Mixed
Breeding not available · Introduced in Gen 2

RB Squirtle Best Moveset

Water pre-evolution with 65 Special. MoveSurf at reduced power heading toward Blastoise. Blastoise puts that Special stat and bulk to real competitive use.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Squirtle
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Hydro PumpSTAB
  • SurfSTAB
  • Ice Beam
  • Skull Bash

Moves List

Level-up moves are just the starting point for Squirtle. TMs unlock Normal and Dark coverage and more and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Hydro Pump and Surf into something with actual range.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 1
Tail Whip
——10030Normal
Lv 8
Bubble
—3010030Water
Lv 15
Water Gun
A6010025Water
Lv 22
Bite
D6010025Normal
Lv 28
Withdraw
D——40Water
Lv 35
Skull Bash
B10010010Normal
Lv 42
Hydro Pump
B180805Water

TM Moves

All 24 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM34D——10Normal
TM14
BlizzardPokémon Mansionbadge 6
A110905Ice
TM08
Body SlamS.S. Annebadge 2
A8510015Normal
TM11A9710020Water
TM18
Counter-5Celadon Department Storebadge 3
D—10020Fighting
TM32
Double TeamSafari Zonebadge 3
———15Normal
TM10
Double-EdgeRocket Hideoutbadge 3
D12010015Normal
TM13B9510010Ice
TM05
Mega KickCeladon Department Storebadge 3
D120755Normal
TM01
Mega PunchMt. Moonbadge 1
D808520Normal
TM31
MimicSaffron Citybadge 5
D——10Normal
TM20
RageRoute 15badge 3
D2010020Normal
TM33
ReflectKanto Power Plantbadge 3
C——20Psychic
TM44
RestS.S. Annebadge 2
C——10Psychic
TM19
Seismic TossRoute 25badge 1
D—10020Fighting
TM40
Skull BashSafari Zonebadge 4
B10010010Normal
HM04
StrengthFuchsia Citybadge 4
—8010015Normal
TM17
SubmissionCeladon Department Storebadge 3
D808025Fighting
TM50
SubstituteRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
HM03
SurfSafari Zonebadge 4
B14210015Water
TM09
Take DownSilph Co.badge 3
D908520Normal
TM06C—9010Poison
TM12
Water GunMt. Moonbadge 1
A6010025Water

Tutor Moves

Squirtle can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP44
D
Attack48
D
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk50
D
Sp. Def50
D
Speed43
D
Total300
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height0.5 m
Weight9.0 kg
Base XP63
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe
Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

After birth, its back swells and hardens into a shell. Powerfully sprays foam from its mouth.

Pokemon Red / Pokemon Blue

Squirtle Red & Blue Guide

  • For Red & Blue, you can run Squirtle through the first few routes without issues. 300 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.

Explore

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