Bulbasaur vs Squirtle
Bulbasaur has the higher base stat total (318 vs 314), Bulbasaur is faster (base Speed 45 vs 43), and Bulbasaur’s Grass moves hit Squirtle for 2×, while Squirtle’s own types do only ½× to Bulbasaur.
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 | Squirtle |
|---|---|---|
| HP | 45 (higher) | 44 |
| Attack | 49 (higher) | 48 |
| Defense | 49 | 65 (higher) |
| Sp. Atk | 65 (higher) | 50 |
| Sp. Def | 65 (higher) | 64 |
| Speed | 45 (higher) | 43 |
| Total | 318 (higher) | 314 |
| Bulk | 159 | 173 (higher) |
Who has the edge?
Bulbasaur is faster (45 vs 43 base Speed), has the higher Attack (49 vs 48), has the higher Sp. Atk (65 vs 50), hits Squirtle for 2× with its Grass moves, and resists Squirtle’s own-type moves (½× at best), but Squirtle has more bulk, counting HP, Defense and Sp. Def together (173 vs 159).
Bulbasaur is ahead on
- is faster (45 vs 43 base Speed)
- has the higher Attack (49 vs 48)
- has the higher Sp. Atk (65 vs 50)
- hits Squirtle for 2× with its Grass moves
- resists Squirtle’s own-type moves (½× at best)
Squirtle is ahead on
- has more bulk, counting HP, Defense and Sp. Def together (173 vs 159)
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; Squirtle: Torrent, Rain Dish), 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 Squirtle has 95, so Bulbasaur moves first when both use moves of the same priority and no item, ability, status or stat change gets in the way.
| Speed | Bulbasaur | Squirtle |
|---|---|---|
| Base Speed | 45 | 43 |
| Level 50, 252 EVs, neutral nature | 97 | 95 |
Type matchup, both ways
Bulbasaur (Grass/Poison) attacking Squirtle
Grass 2×, Poison 1×. Using only its own types, Bulbasaur hits Squirtle for 2× with Grass moves (super effective) and 1× with Poison moves (normal damage).
Squirtle (Water) attacking Bulbasaur
Water ½×. Using only its own type, Squirtle hits Bulbasaur for ½× with Water moves (not very 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).
- Squirtle: Electric 2× (super effective), Grass 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.
Squirtle
- Torrent. Strengthens Water moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
- Rain Dish (hidden ability). Heals for 1/16 max HP after each turn during rain.
Size, generation and evolution
Bulbasaur is taller (0.7 m vs 0.5 m for Squirtle), and Squirtle is heavier (9 kg vs 6.9 kg for Bulbasaur).
| Detail | Bulbasaur | Squirtle |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 0.7 m | 0.5 m |
| Weight | 6.9 kg | 9 kg |
| Generation | 1 (Kanto) | 1 (Kanto) |
| Evolution line | Bulbasaur → Ivysaur → Venusaur | Squirtle → Wartortle → Blastoise |
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.
Squirtle (#0007) is a Water-type Tiny Turtle Pokémon from Kanto, first seen in Generation 1, a starter Pokémon. Its evolution line is Squirtle → Wartortle → Blastoise.
Keep exploring
- Open Bulbasaur and Squirtle in the Compare tool
- Bulbasaur and Squirtle Pokédex pages
- Grass/Poison weaknesses · Water type
- Speed tiers