BEST YELLOW POKEMON
Game Notes
Yellow shares Gen 1's mechanics with Red and Blue, but your team options shift. Pikachu's your mandatory starter and it can't evolve, so it falls off hard in the late game. The upside? You get Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle as freebies during the story, which changes team building entirely. Same Psychic-dominated meta, same Speed crit system, different tools to work with.
Pokemon Spotlight
Snorlax
160 HP paired with 110 Attack means Snorlax takes hits and dishes them back harder. Amnesia doubles Special in one turn, and Body Slam threatens paralysis with every contact. Rest heals to full. In Yellow, nothing tanks and retaliates like Snorlax does.
View page detailsSnorlax — S Tier, 540 BST
160 HP paired with 110 Attack means Snorlax takes hits and dishes them back harder. Amnesia doubles Special in one turn, and Body Slam threatens paralysis with every contact. Rest heals to full. In Yellow, nothing tanks and retaliates like Snorlax does.
Mewtwo
Nothing in Yellow's roster competes with 154 Special and 130 Speed. The unified Special stat handles both offense and defense, and Psychic type has no real answers. Bug moves do minimal damage, and a well-known Gen 1 glitch lets Psychic ignore Ghost immunity entirely.
View page detailsMewtwo — S Tier, 680 BST
Nothing in Yellow's roster competes with 154 Special and 130 Speed. The unified Special stat handles both offense and defense, and Psychic type has no real answers. Bug moves do minimal damage, and a well-known Gen 1 glitch lets Psychic ignore Ghost immunity entirely.
Exeggutor
Sleep Powder followed by Psychic from 125 Special closes games in Yellow. Grass/Psychic gives it resistances to Water, Ground, and Electric that other Psychic types lack. It hits hard, absorbs common attacks, and puts threats to sleep before they touch it.
View page detailsExeggutor — S Tier, 530 BST
Sleep Powder followed by Psychic from 125 Special closes games in Yellow. Grass/Psychic gives it resistances to Water, Ground, and Electric that other Psychic types lack. It hits hard, absorbs common attacks, and puts threats to sleep before they touch it.
- #1MewtwoPsychicSPECIALHP106Atk110Def90SpA154SpD90Spe130Amnesia–Psychic90Recover–Ice Beam90HP106Atk110Def90SpA154SpD90Spe130
- #2
MewPsychicSPECIALHP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100Soft-Boiled–Swords Dance–Earthquake100Explosion250HP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100 - #3SnorlaxNormalPHYSICALHP160Atk110Def65SpA65SpD110Spe30Body Slam85Rest–Self-Destruct200Earthquake100HP160Atk110Def65SpA65SpD110Spe30
- #4ExeggutorGrassPsychicSPECIALHP95Atk95Def85SpA125SpD75Spe55Psychic90Explosion250Mega Drain40HP95Atk95Def85SpA125SpD75Spe55
- #5
StarmieWaterPsychicSPECIALHP60Atk75Def85SpA100SpD85Spe115Thunder Wave–Blizzard110Psychic90Thunderbolt90HP60Atk75Def85SpA100SpD85Spe115 - #6
AlakazamPsychicSPECIALHP55Atk50Def45SpA135SpD95Spe120Psychic90Recover–Thunder Wave–Seismic Toss–HP55Atk50Def45SpA135SpD95Spe120 - #7
GengarGhostPoisonPHYSICALHP60Atk65Def60SpA130SpD75Spe110Hypnosis–Explosion250Thunderbolt90Psychic90HP60Atk65Def60SpA130SpD75Spe110 - #8
TaurosNormalPHYSICALHP75Atk100Def95SpA40SpD70Spe110Body Slam85Hyper Beam150Earthquake100Blizzard110HP75Atk100Def95SpA40SpD70Spe110 
RhydonGroundRockPHYSICALHP105Atk130Def120SpA45SpD45Spe40Earthquake100Rock Slide75Body Slam85Substitute–HP105Atk130Def120SpA45SpD45Spe40
ChanseyNormalPHYSICALHP250Atk5Def5SpA35SpD105Spe50Soft-Boiled–Thunder Wave–Ice Beam90Thunderbolt90HP250Atk5Def5SpA35SpD105Spe50
- #9
ZapdosElectricMIXEDHP90Atk90Def85SpA125SpD90Spe100Drill Peck80Thunderbolt90Thunder Wave–Agility–HP90Atk90Def85SpA125SpD90Spe100 - #10
CloysterWaterIceSPECIALHP50Atk95Def180SpA85SpD45Spe70Explosion250Clamp35Blizzard110Rest–HP50Atk95Def180SpA85SpD45Spe70 - #11
JolteonElectricSPECIALHP65Atk65Def60SpA110SpD95Spe130Thunderbolt90Thunder Wave–Double Kick30Pin Missile25HP65Atk65Def60SpA110SpD95Spe130 - #12
JynxIcePsychicSPECIALHP65Atk50Def35SpA115SpD95Spe95Lovely Kiss–Blizzard110Psychic90Rest–HP65Atk50Def35SpA115SpD95Spe95
- #13
DragoniteDragonMIXEDHP91Atk134Def95SpA100SpD100Spe80Wrap15Hyper Beam150Blizzard110Agility–HP91Atk134Def95SpA100SpD100Spe80 - #14
ArticunoIceMIXEDHP90Atk85Def100SpA95SpD125Spe85Blizzard110Agility–Hyper Beam150Ice Beam90HP90Atk85Def100SpA95SpD125Spe85 - #15
MoltresFireMIXEDHP90Atk100Def90SpA125SpD85Spe90Fire Blast110Agility–Fire Spin35Hyper Beam150HP90Atk100Def90SpA125SpD85Spe90 - #16
ArcanineFireSPECIALHP90Atk110Def80SpA100SpD80Spe95Body Slam85Fire Blast110Hyper Beam150Rest–HP90Atk110Def80SpA100SpD80Spe95 - #17
GyaradosWaterMIXEDHP95Atk125Def79SpA60SpD100Spe81Hyper Beam150Hydro Pump110Blizzard110Body Slam85HP95Atk125Def79SpA60SpD100Spe81 - #18
LaprasWaterIceSPECIALHP130Atk85Def80SpA85SpD95Spe60Thunderbolt90Blizzard110Confuse Ray–Sing–HP130Atk85Def80SpA85SpD95Spe60 - #19
CharizardFireMIXEDHP78Atk84Def78SpA109SpD85Spe100Earthquake100Fire Blast110Swords Dance–Hyper Beam150HP78Atk84Def78SpA109SpD85Spe100 - #20
VaporeonWaterSPECIALHP130Atk65Def60SpA110SpD95Spe65Rest–Acid Armor–Hydro Pump110Ice Beam90HP130Atk65Def60SpA110SpD95Spe65 - #21
FlareonFireSPECIALHP65Atk130Def60SpA95SpD110Spe65Body Slam85Hyper Beam150Fire Blast110Quick Attack40HP65Atk130Def60SpA95SpD110Spe65 - #22
AerodactylRockPHYSICALHP80Atk105Def65SpA60SpD75Spe130Fire Blast110Hyper Beam150Double-Edge120Substitute–HP80Atk105Def65SpA60SpD75Spe130 - #23
MachampFightingPHYSICALHP90Atk130Def80SpA65SpD85Spe55Earthquake100Body Slam85Submission80Low Kick–HP90Atk130Def80SpA65SpD85Spe55 - #24
PinsirBugPHYSICALHP65Atk125Def100SpA55SpD70Spe85Swords Dance–Hyper Beam150Submission80Bind15HP65Atk125Def100SpA55SpD70Spe85
- #33
BlastoiseWaterSPECIALHP79Atk83Def100SpA85SpD105Spe78Blizzard110Hydro Pump110Body Slam85Surf90HP79Atk83Def100SpA85SpD105Spe78 - #34
VenusaurGrassPoisonMIXEDHP80Atk82Def83SpA100SpD100Spe80Razor Leaf55Sleep Powder–Leech Seed–Body Slam85HP80Atk82Def83SpA100SpD100Spe80 - #35
TentacruelWaterPoisonMIXEDHP80Atk70Def65SpA80SpD120Spe100Wrap15Blizzard110Toxic–Surf90HP80Atk70Def65SpA80SpD120Spe100 - #36
PoliwrathWaterFightingMIXEDHP90Atk95Def95SpA70SpD90Spe70Hypnosis–Submission80Ice Beam90Surf90HP90Atk95Def95SpA70SpD90Spe70 - #37
NidoqueenPoisonGroundPHYSICALHP90Atk92Def87SpA75SpD85Spe76Earthquake100Thunderbolt90Blizzard110Body Slam85HP90Atk92Def87SpA75SpD85Spe76 - #38
NidokingPoisonGroundPHYSICALHP81Atk102Def77SpA85SpD75Spe85Earthquake100Rock Slide75Thunderbolt90Ice Beam90HP81Atk102Def77SpA85SpD75Spe85 - #39
NinetalesFireSPECIALHP73Atk76Def75SpA81SpD100Spe100Fire Blast110Body Slam85Toxic–Reflect–HP73Atk76Def75SpA81SpD100Spe100 - #40
GolduckWaterSPECIALHP80Atk82Def78SpA95SpD80Spe85Blizzard110Hydro Pump110Surf90Ice Beam90HP80Atk82Def78SpA95SpD80Spe85 - #41
RapidashFireSPECIALHP65Atk100Def70SpA80SpD80Spe105Fire Spin35Body Slam85Stomp65Fire Blast110HP65Atk100Def70SpA80SpD80Spe105 - #42
MukPoisonPHYSICALHP105Atk105Def75SpA65SpD100Spe50Explosion250Acid Armor–Sludge65Body Slam85HP105Atk105Def75SpA65SpD100Spe50 
ScytherBugPHYSICALHP70Atk110Def80SpA55SpD80Spe105Swords Dance–Slash70Hyper Beam150Quick Attack40HP70Atk110Def80SpA55SpD80Spe105
MagmarFireSPECIALHP65Atk95Def57SpA100SpD85Spe93Fire Blast110Body Slam85Confuse Ray–Submission80HP65Atk95Def57SpA100SpD85Spe93
NidorinaPoisonPHYSICALHP70Atk62Def67SpA55SpD55Spe56Blizzard110Body Slam85Poison Sting15Ice Beam90HP70Atk62Def67SpA55SpD55Spe56
GrowlitheFireSPECIALHP55Atk70Def45SpA70SpD50Spe60Reflect–Bite60Body Slam85Flamethrower90HP55Atk70Def45SpA70SpD50Spe60
SeelWaterSPECIALHP65Atk45Def55SpA45SpD70Spe45Surf90Body Slam85Double-Edge120Bubble Beam65HP65Atk45Def55SpA45SpD70Spe45
EeveeNormalPHYSICALHP55Atk55Def50SpA45SpD65Spe55Body Slam85Toxic–Reflect–Sand Attack–HP55Atk55Def50SpA45SpD65Spe55
PsyduckWaterSPECIALHP50Atk52Def48SpA65SpD50Spe55Blizzard110Counter–Hydro Pump110Surf90HP50Atk52Def48SpA65SpD50Spe55
CharmanderFireSPECIALHP39Atk52Def43SpA60SpD50Spe65Flamethrower90Fire Spin35Ember40Fire Blast110HP39Atk52Def43SpA60SpD50Spe65
VenonatBugPoisonPHYSICALHP60Atk55Def50SpA40SpD55Spe45Reflect–Psychic90Mega Drain40Double-Edge120HP60Atk55Def50SpA40SpD55Spe45
BellsproutGrassPoisonMIXEDHP50Atk75Def35SpA70SpD30Spe40Solar Beam120Sleep Powder–Razor Leaf55Vine Whip45HP50Atk75Def35SpA70SpD30Spe40
DratiniDragonSPECIALHP41Atk64Def45SpA50SpD50Spe50Thunder Wave–Body Slam85Blizzard110Thunderbolt90HP41Atk64Def45SpA50SpD50Spe50
HorseaWaterSPECIALHP30Atk40Def70SpA70SpD25Spe60Hydro Pump110Blizzard110Surf90HP30Atk40Def70SpA70SpD25Spe60
EkansPoisonPHYSICALHP35Atk60Def44SpA40SpD54Spe55Wrap15Mega Drain40Substitute–Rock Slide75HP35Atk60Def44SpA40SpD54Spe55- #66
DittoNormalPHYSICALHP48Atk48Def48SpA48SpD48Spe48Transform–HP48Atk48Def48SpA48SpD48Spe48
Pokemon Comparison
FAQ
Same top tier as Red and Blue for the most part. Alakazam still dominates with 135 Special and no real Psychic counters. The difference is you can run all three starters, giving you more team flexibility early on. Nidoking from Mt. Moon is still one of the best picks in the game. Starmie and Tauros round out the top tier for the same reasons they dominate Red and Blue.
No. Your starter Pikachu refuses the Thunder Stone and won't evolve into Raichu. You're stuck with base 55 Speed and 50 Special, which gets outclassed fast. Pikachu is usable through Misty and Lt. Surge, but falls behind by the midgame. You can catch a different Pikachu at the Power Plant and evolve that one, but the starter stays as-is.
Bulbasaur comes from a woman in Cerulean City when your Pikachu's friendship is high enough. Charmander is on Route 24 north of Cerulean, given by a trainer who can't take care of it anymore. Squirtle comes from Officer Jenny in Vermilion City after you beat Lt. Surge. All three are free, so you can build a team around multiple starters without trading.
Weedle, Kakuna, and Beedrill aren't in the wild. Ekans, Arbok, Meowth, and Persian are gone too since they belong to Team Rocket (you fight Jessie and James instead of random grunts). Jynx moves to a different location, and Raichu only shows up at the Power Plant. None of these are major losses for a playthrough since better options exist for every slot.
The first gym is tougher since Pikachu can't touch Brock's Rock/Ground types. You need to grab a Mankey on Route 22 for Low Kick or catch Nidoran early for Double Kick. After Brock, the difficulty evens out. Having all three starters actually makes the mid-game easier than Red and Blue since you're less dependent on random encounters to fill type coverage.
Pikachu (mandatory), Nidoking from Mt. Moon, then pick up Bulbasaur and Squirtle when they become available. Add Alakazam from trade-evolving Kadabra, and Snorlax from one of the two blocking Routes 12 and 16. Swap in Arcanine if you want Fire coverage instead of Grass. No major type gaps with this squad.
Pikachu's Electric moves do nothing to Brock's Rock/Ground Pokemon. Your best bet is Mankey from Route 22, whose Low Kick destroys Brock's team. Butterfree with Confusion also works if you grind Caterpie early. Some players brute-force it with Pikachu's Slam, but that takes longer than just catching a counter.
GAME AVAILABILITY
- Gen IY
Yellow151 Pokemon - Gen IRB
Red & Blue151 Pokemon - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver251 Pokemon - Gen IIC
Crystal251 Pokemon - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire202 Pokemon - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen151 Pokemon - Gen IIIE
Emerald202 Pokemon - Gen IVPt
Platinum210 Pokemon - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver256 Pokemon - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl151 Pokemon - Gen VBW
Black & White156 Pokemon - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2301 Pokemon - Gen VIXY
X & Y457 Pokemon - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire211 Pokemon - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon403 Pokemon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon302 Pokemon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee153 Pokemon - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield400 Pokemon - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus242 Pokemon - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl151 Pokemon - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet400 Pokemon - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A364 Pokemon - Gen XWW
Winds & Waves51 Pokemon