Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen starts you with a choice of Bulbasaur (Grass and Poison), Charmander (Fire) and Squirtle (Water). We would pick Bulbasaur: it has the edge on Brock, Misty and Lt. Surge.
The pick matters most at the start. Your rival picks a starter that depends on yours, so we left the rival out and looked at the first three Gyms. The sections below show how each starter does.
Bulbasaur has the easiest start
Bulbasaur is a Grass and Poison type. It evolves into Ivysaur at level 16 and into Venusaur at level 32. Venusaur is a Grass and Poison type with 525 base stats in total.
In Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, it starts with Tackle, gets Vine Whip at level 10 and picks up Razor Leaf at level 20.
Bulbasaur has the edge on Brock, Misty and Lt. Surge, and no early fight is a clear problem for it. Its matchup score is 7 across 7 opposing Pokemon.
Squirtle is the middle pick
Squirtle is a Water type. It evolves into Wartortle at level 16 and into Blastoise at level 36. Blastoise is a Water type with 530 base stats in total.
In Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, it starts with Tackle, gets Bubble at level 7 and gets Water Gun at level 13.
Squirtle has the edge on Brock and Misty and has a hard time against Lt. Surge. Its matchup score is 1 across 7 opposing Pokemon.
Charmander has the hardest start
Charmander is a Fire type. It evolves into Charmeleon at level 16 and into Charizard at level 36. Charizard is a Fire and Flying type with 534 base stats in total.
In Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, it starts with Growl and Scratch, gets Ember at level 7 and gets Metal Claw at level 13.
Charmander has a hard time against Misty, and no early fight gives it a clear edge. Its matchup score is -2 across 7 opposing Pokemon.
The three starters side by side
| Starter | Type | Final form | Base stats | Matchup score | |---|---|---|---|---| | Bulbasaur | Grass and Poison | Venusaur | 525 | 7 | | Charmander | Fire | Charizard | 534 | -2 | | Squirtle | Water | Blastoise | 530 | 1 |
Bulbasaur is the pick for FireRed and LeafGreen
Bulbasaur has the highest matchup score at 7, ahead of Squirtle at 1 and Charmander at -2. The score only covers the early game. Venusaur has 525 base stats in total, and the other two final forms have 530 and 534.
(For the record, picking the cutest one is also a strategy.)
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen starters FAQ
What is the best starter in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen?
Bulbasaur. It has the best matchup score for the early fights.
Can you get the other starters?
Not at the start. Trading with another player is the usual way to get the other two.
