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Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen are back on the Nintendo Switch, released just in time for the 30th anniversary of the franchise. Even if you’re familiar with the original games, you might want to reconsider your starter choice for a better gameplay experience.
You can choose to start easy or go for more of a challenge, as long as you look cool doing it. We’ll go over the advantages and disadvantages of selecting Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle as your starter so you can pick the best Pokémon for your playstyle.
All Starters, Explained
Choosing your starter in FireRed & LeafGreen is one of the most important decisions in the game, especially since your team options are limited. Unlike newer Pokémon games with hundreds of choices, your starter will heavily influence your team and strategy.
Should You Choose Bulbasaur?
Bulbasaur is a very strong early-game option because its Grass type has an advantage against the first two gyms, which feature Water and Rock Pokémon. It evolves into Ivysaur at level 16, then Venusaur at level 32, which is a versatile Pokémon with useful moves like Giga Drain and Sludge Bomb for healing and offense.
Overall, Bulbasaur offers a clear benefit early on and remains useful throughout the game. Venusaur, in particular, can tackle many battles and evolves four levels earlier than Charizard and Blastoise, making it an efficient choice. While it might lack the flash of Charizard or the pop of Blastoise, Venusaur can be crucial in various battles.
Keep in mind, Venusaur might struggle in the later gyms—namely Fire, Psychic, and Ground types—but it remains a solid option against the first five gyms.
Should You Choose Charmander?
Charmander is a fan favorite, even though it’s the weakest of the three when it comes to early-game strength. It’s a slow starter but has strong potential in the later stages due to its Fire typing. Few powerful Fire Pokémon are available in FireRed and LeafGreen, which makes Charmander and its evolutions like Charmeleon at level 16 and Charizard at level 36 highly valuable.
Charmander suffers from a significant weakness to Rock-type moves, which deal quadruple damage, making battles against certain foes tough. However, it has access to moves like Ember and Flamethrower, which are helpful for most of the early game. Its speed is superior among the starters, often letting it attack first and finish fights faster.
Should You Choose Squirtle?
Squirtle strikes a good middle ground. It has decent stats and is advantageous against Brock’s Rock Pokémon, while also being capable against Misty’s Water Pokémon early on. It evolves into Wartortle at level 16 and then Blastoise at level 36, which boasts balanced offensive and defensive stats, making it a versatile and reliable choice.
Squirtle is especially useful for the late game, becoming stronger with its evolution just in time for battles against Blaine and Giovanni. It tends to focus on Special attacks, and with Pokémon like Lapras and other Water types available, Squirtle can teach Surf for utility. Blastoise, in particular, offers impressive battle boosts and utility with a well-rounded stat profile.
Which Starters Are the Best Overall?
The best starter depends on your gameplay style:
- Bulbasaur is great for early-game ease, especially in the first two gyms.
- Charmander is powerful mid- and late-game, with strong offensive potential.
- Squirtle offers a balanced approach, excelling in the late game.
If you’re playing for the first time or want to optimize your team, Bulbasaur is recommended. Its early advantage, utility throughout the game, and ability to fit into most teams make it a solid pick. Venusaur’s early evolution and diverse moves make it especially advantageous as you progress.
In the end, every starter has its strengths, so pick based on your preferred style—whether you want a strong early lead, a powerful mid-game, or balanced utility for the long haul.
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