Bulbasaur vs Charmander
Bulbasaur has the higher base stat total (318 vs 309), Charmander is faster (base Speed 65 vs 45), and Charmander’s Fire moves hit Bulbasaur for 2×, while Bulbasaur’s own types do 1× damage to Charmander.
Kanto starters at their first stage: two of the three Pokémon offered at the start of the Generation 1 games.
Base stats side by side
| Stat | Bulbasaur | Charmander |
|---|---|---|
| HP | 45 (higher) | 39 |
| Attack | 49 | 52 (higher) |
| Defense | 49 (higher) | 43 |
| Sp. Atk | 65 (higher) | 60 |
| Sp. Def | 65 (higher) | 50 |
| Speed | 45 | 65 (higher) |
| Total | 318 (higher) | 309 |
| Bulk | 159 (higher) | 132 |
Who has the edge?
Charmander is faster (65 vs 45 base Speed), has the higher Attack (52 vs 49), and hits Bulbasaur for 2× with its Fire moves, but Bulbasaur has the higher Sp. Atk (65 vs 60) and has more bulk, counting HP, Defense and Sp. Def together (159 vs 132).
Bulbasaur is ahead on
- has the higher Sp. Atk (65 vs 60)
- has more bulk, counting HP, Defense and Sp. Def together (159 vs 132)
Charmander is ahead on
- is faster (65 vs 45 base Speed)
- has the higher Attack (52 vs 49)
- hits Bulbasaur for 2× with its Fire moves
This compares base numbers and the type chart; it does not predict a winner. A real battle also depends on level, nature and EVs, the moves each one knows (a Pokémon does not always learn a move of its own type), held items, weather and terrain, and abilities (Bulbasaur: Overgrow, Chlorophyll; Charmander: Blaze, Solar Power), so either one can come out ahead.
Who moves first?
At Level 50 with 252 Speed EVs, 31 IVs and a neutral nature, Bulbasaur has 97 Speed and Charmander has 117, so Charmander moves first when both use moves of the same priority and no item, ability, status or stat change gets in the way.
| Speed | Bulbasaur | Charmander |
|---|---|---|
| Base Speed | 45 | 65 |
| Level 50, 252 EVs, neutral nature | 97 | 117 |
Type matchup, both ways
Bulbasaur (Grass/Poison) attacking Charmander
Grass ½×, Poison 1×. Using only its own types, Bulbasaur hits Charmander for ½× with Grass moves (not very effective) and 1× with Poison moves (normal damage).
Charmander (Fire) attacking Bulbasaur
Fire 2×. Using only its own type, Charmander hits Bulbasaur for 2× with Fire moves (super effective).
What hits each one for 2× or more
- Bulbasaur: Fire 2× (super effective), Ice 2× (super effective), Flying 2× (super effective), Psychic 2× (super effective).
- Charmander: Water 2× (super effective), Ground 2× (super effective), Rock 2× (super effective).
The multipliers come from the 18×18 type chart; what a Pokémon can actually use depends on the moves it learns.
Abilities
Bulbasaur
- Overgrow. Strengthens Grass moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
- Chlorophyll (hidden ability). Doubles Speed during strong sunlight.
Charmander
- Blaze. Strengthens Fire moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
- Solar Power (hidden ability). Increases Special Attack to 1.5× but costs 1/8 max HP after each turn during strong sunlight.
Size, generation and evolution
Bulbasaur is taller (0.7 m vs 0.6 m for Charmander), and Charmander is heavier (8.5 kg vs 6.9 kg for Bulbasaur).
| Detail | Bulbasaur | Charmander |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 0.7 m | 0.6 m |
| Weight | 6.9 kg | 8.5 kg |
| Generation | 1 (Kanto) | 1 (Kanto) |
| Evolution line | Bulbasaur → Ivysaur → Venusaur | Charmander → Charmeleon → Charizard |
Bulbasaur (#0001) is a Grass/Poison-type Seed Pokémon from Kanto, first seen in Generation 1, a starter Pokémon. Its evolution line is Bulbasaur → Ivysaur → Venusaur.
Charmander (#0004) is a Fire-type Lizard Pokémon from Kanto, first seen in Generation 1, a starter Pokémon. Its evolution line is Charmander → Charmeleon → Charizard.
Keep exploring
- Open Bulbasaur and Charmander in the Compare tool
- Bulbasaur and Charmander Pokédex pages
- Grass/Poison weaknesses · Fire type
- Speed tiers