Pokemon Red and Blue 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. We looked at your rival's first battle and the first three Gyms. The sections below show how each starter does.
Bulbasaur has the easiest start
The Grass and Poison type Bulbasaur is one of the choices. 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.
At the start it starts with Growl and Tackle and learns Vine Whip at level 13.
If you take Bulbasaur, your rival Blue answers with a level 5 Charmander.
Bulbasaur has the edge on Brock, Misty and Lt. Surge and has a hard time against your rival Blue. Its matchup score is 6 across 8 opposing Pokemon.
Squirtle is the middle pick
The Water type Squirtle is one of the choices. It evolves into Wartortle at level 16 and into Blastoise at level 36. Blastoise is a Water type with 530 base stats in total.
At the start it starts with Tackle and Tail Whip, gets Bubble at level 8 and picks up Water Gun at level 15.
If you take Squirtle, your rival Blue answers with a level 5 Bulbasaur.
Squirtle has the edge on Brock and has a hard time against your rival Blue and Lt. Surge. Its matchup score is -1 across 8 opposing Pokemon.
Charmander has the hardest start
The Fire type Charmander is one of the choices. 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.
At the start it starts with Growl and Scratch, picks up Ember at level 9 and learns Rage at level 22.
If you take Charmander, your rival Blue answers with a level 5 Squirtle.
Charmander has a hard time against your rival Blue, Brock and Misty, and no early fight gives it a clear edge. Its matchup score is -7 across 8 opposing Pokemon.
The three starters side by side
| Starter | Type | Final form | Base stats | Matchup score | |---|---|---|---|---| | Bulbasaur | Grass and Poison | Venusaur | 525 | 6 | | Charmander | Fire | Charizard | 534 | -7 | | Squirtle | Water | Blastoise | 530 | -1 |
Bulbasaur is the pick for Red and Blue
Bulbasaur has the highest matchup score at 6, ahead of Squirtle at -1 and Charmander at -7. The score only covers the early game. Venusaur has 525 base stats in total, and the other two final forms have 530 and 534.
(Our team ran this one past a group chat and got no consensus.)
For the same three across the whole generation, see the starters of generation 1.
Pokemon Red and Blue starters FAQ
What is the best starter in Pokemon Red and Blue?
Our pick is Bulbasaur, which has the highest matchup score.
Can you get the other starters?
No, not at the start. Another game or another player usually supplies them.
