The Tiny Turtle Pokemon. Officer Jenny gives you Squirtle in Vermilion City after the Thunder Badge, a solid mid-game Water type pickup.
300HP44Attack48Defense65Speed43Sp.Def50Sp.Atk50
Squirtle
Wartortle
Blastoise
Weak to
Special
Balanced
43Speed · Very Slow

Is Squirtle Good in Yellow Playthrough?

Officer Jenny hands you Squirtle in Vermilion City after you beat Lt. Surge. Three gyms deep before your first Water-type changes how the early game plays compared to Red and Blue. Squirtle catches up fast though, and Blastoise is worth the later start.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSTTTGEGGESGEEBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3SquirtleGiftWartortleEvolveErikaGym 4BlastoiseEvolveKogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4BlueChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Strong

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

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 10
RockGround
Rock Head
Tackle
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleScreechBindBide
Misty
Gym 2
Tough

Misty's typing presses Squirtle's defenses.

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

Lt. Surge's team hits Squirtle's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Raichu
Lv 28
Electric
Static
ThunderboltMega PunchMega KickGrowl
Erika
Gym 4
Tough

Erika's team hits Wartortle's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Tangela
Lv 30
Grass
Chlorophyll
ConstrictBindMega DrainVine Whip
Risky
Weepinbell
Lv 32
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Razor LeafSleep PowderStun SporeAcid
Risky
Gloom
Lv 32
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Petal DanceStun SporeSleep PowderAcid
Koga
Gym 5
Good

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

You Win
Venonat
Lv 44
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicTackleSleep PowderPsychic
You Win
Venonat
Lv 46
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicPsybeamSupersonicPsychic
You Win
Venonat
Lv 48
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicDouble EdgeSleep PowderPsychic
Even
Venomoth
Lv 50
BugPoison
Shield Dust
Leech LifeDouble TeamPsychicToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Blastoise trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Abra
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
Flash
Risky
Kadabra
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
KinesisRecoverPsychicPsywave
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
PsywaveRecoverPsychicReflect
Blaine
Gym 7
Good

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

You Win
Ninetales
Lv 48
Fire
Flash Fire
FlamethrowerTail WhipQuick AttackConfuse Ray
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
StompGrowlFire SpinTake Down
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 54
Fire
Intimidate
FlamethrowerFire BlastReflectTake Down
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

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

Easy KO
Dugtrio
Lv 50
Ground
Sand Veil
DigSand AttackFissureEarthquake
You Win
Persian
Lv 53
Normal
Limber
ScreechDouble TeamFury SwipesSlash
You Win
Nidoqueen
Lv 53
PoisonGround
Poison Point
EarthquakeTail WhipThunderDouble Kick
You Win
Nidoking
Lv 55
PoisonGround
Poison Point
EarthquakeLeerThunderDouble Kick
Easy KO
Rhydon
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Rock SlideFury AttackHorn DrillEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Even

Blastoise trades roughly evenly with Lorelei's team.

Even
Dewgong
Lv 54
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Bubble BeamAurora BeamRestTake Down
Even
Cloyster
Lv 53
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SupersonicClampIce BeamSpike Cannon
Risky
Slowbro
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
PsychicSurfWithdrawAmnesia
Even
Jynx
Lv 56
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapIce PunchLovely KissThrash
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 SlideScreechSlamDig
You Win
Hitmonchan
Lv 55
Fighting
Keen Eye
Ice PunchThunder PunchFire PunchDouble Team
You Win
Hitmonlee
Lv 55
Fighting
Limber
Double KickMega KickHigh Jump KickDouble Team
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock SlideScreechSlamEarthquake
You Win
Machamp
Lv 58
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopStrengthSubmission
Agatha
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Gengar
Lv 56
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RaySubstituteLickMega Drain
You Win
Golbat
Lv 56
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
SupersonicToxicWing AttackLeech Life
You Win
Haunter
Lv 55
GhostPoison
Levitate
Confuse RayLickHypnosisDream Eater
You Win
Arbok
Lv 58
Poison
Intimidate
WrapGlareScreechAcid
Even
Gengar
Lv 60
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayPsychicHypnosisDream 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
Thunder WaveSlamThunderboltHyper Beam
Even
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
Bubble BeamWrapIce BeamHyper Beam
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 60
RockFlying
Rock Head
Wing AttackSwiftFlyHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 62
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
BlizzardFire BlastThunderHyper Beam
Blue
Champion
Even

Blastoise trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

Easy KO
Sandslash
Lv 61
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashPoison StingEarthquakeFury Swipes
Even
Alakazam
Lv 59
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsychicKinesis
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 61
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
BarrageHypnosisStompLeech Seed
You Win
Ninetales
Lv 61
Fire
Flash Fire
Confuse RayTail WhipQuick AttackFire Spin
Even
Magneton
Lv 63
Electric
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltThunder WaveSwiftScreech
Risky
Vaporeon
Lv 65
Water
Water Absorb
Aurora BeamMistQuick AttackHydro Pump

Gift

Available after Badge 3
Type
Water
Tier
E

Squirtle is given to you as a gift in Vermilion City at Lv 10. Officer Jenny in Vermilion City gives you a Squirtle after you defeat Lt. Surge and earn the Thunderbadge. She found it causing trouble around town.

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 Erika, 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 Yellow

Beat Lt. Surge and an officer in Vermilion City rewards you with Squirtle at level 10. Just the one copy, so make it count.

1 location to catch Squirtle

Badge 3

How to Obtain Squirtle in Y

  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
Ivysaur
Ivysaur
GrassPoison
C
Bellsprout
Bellsprout
GrassPoison
D
Oddish
Oddish
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

Y Squirtle Best Moveset

Water typing is one of the best available, but 65 Special can't exploit it. MoveSurf barely scratches anything fully evolved. Two evolutions from Blastoise, and even that endpoint sits mid-tier at best.

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

Shoots water at prey while in the water. Withdraws into its shell when in danger.

Pokemon Yellow

Squirtle Yellow Guide

  • For Yellow, 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

Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Want to tell us more?
What was most useful?
What could be improved?
Thanks for your feedback