Charmander vs Squirtle
Squirtle has the higher base stat total (314 vs 309), Charmander is faster (base Speed 65 vs 43), and Squirtle’s Water moves hit Charmander for 2×, while Charmander’s own types do only ½× to Squirtle.
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 | Charmander | Squirtle |
|---|---|---|
| HP | 39 | 44 (higher) |
| Attack | 52 (higher) | 48 |
| Defense | 43 | 65 (higher) |
| Sp. Atk | 60 (higher) | 50 |
| Sp. Def | 50 | 64 (higher) |
| Speed | 65 (higher) | 43 |
| Total | 309 | 314 (higher) |
| Bulk | 132 | 173 (higher) |
Who has the edge?
Squirtle has more bulk, counting HP, Defense and Sp. Def together (173 vs 132), resists Charmander’s own-type moves (½× at best), and hits Charmander for 2× with its Water moves, but Charmander is faster (65 vs 43 base Speed), has the higher Attack (52 vs 48), and has the higher Sp. Atk (60 vs 50).
Charmander is ahead on
- is faster (65 vs 43 base Speed)
- has the higher Attack (52 vs 48)
- has the higher Sp. Atk (60 vs 50)
Squirtle is ahead on
- has more bulk, counting HP, Defense and Sp. Def together (173 vs 132)
- resists Charmander’s own-type moves (½× at best)
- hits Charmander for 2× with its Water 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 (Charmander: Blaze, Solar Power; 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, Charmander has 117 Speed and Squirtle has 95, 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 | Charmander | Squirtle |
|---|---|---|
| Base Speed | 65 | 43 |
| Level 50, 252 EVs, neutral nature | 117 | 95 |
Type matchup, both ways
Charmander (Fire) attacking Squirtle
Fire ½×. Using only its own type, Charmander hits Squirtle for ½× with Fire moves (not very effective).
Squirtle (Water) attacking Charmander
Water 2×. Using only its own type, Squirtle hits Charmander for 2× with Water moves (super effective).
What hits each one for 2× or more
- Charmander: Water 2× (super effective), Ground 2× (super effective), Rock 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
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.
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
Charmander is taller (0.6 m vs 0.5 m for Squirtle), and Squirtle is heavier (9 kg vs 8.5 kg for Charmander).
| Detail | Charmander | Squirtle |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 0.6 m | 0.5 m |
| Weight | 8.5 kg | 9 kg |
| Generation | 1 (Kanto) | 1 (Kanto) |
| Evolution line | Charmander → Charmeleon → Charizard | Squirtle → Wartortle → Blastoise |
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.
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 Charmander and Squirtle in the Compare tool
- Charmander and Squirtle Pokédex pages
- Fire type · Water type
- Speed tiers