Kanto first partner Pokémon

The Kanto first partner Pokémon are the trio of PokémonBulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle[1]—chosen by Trainers at the start of their journey in Kanto. These are traditionally given out by Professor Oak and are to be used to battle the first wild Pokémon that the Trainer encounters.

The Kanto first partner Pokémon in Pokémon Journeys: The Series

In official contexts, the group is referred to descriptively in several ways, including "Kanto first partner Pokémon"[2], "Kanto's first partner Pokémon"[1], "first partner Pokémon from the Kanto region"[3], and more. However, there are many places where this group is clearly delineated such that it does not include Pikachu or Eevee—who are also first partner Pokémon from Kanto-based games—such as "Pikachu and all three Kanto first partner Pokémon"[4] or an explicit list[1].

For information about Pikachu and Eevee in other Kanto-based games, see Pikachu (Yellow) and Partner Pokémon (Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!).

List of Kanto first partner Pokémon and their Evolutions

Forms

The fully evolved Kanto first partner Pokémon each have at least one Mega Evolution, with Charizard having two Mega Evolutions, and a Gigantamax form.

Mega Evolutions
Gigantamax forms

In the core series games

Availability

As first partner

In these games, the player obtains their first partner Pokémon at level 5.

Game(s) First partner Location/Acquisition Other effects
RGB/RB Bulbasaur Professor Oak's Laboratory: after attempting to leave Pallet Town Blue chooses: Charmander
Charmander Blue chooses: Squirtle
Squirtle Blue chooses: Bulbasaur
FRLG Bulbasaur Professor Oak's Laboratory: after attempting to leave Pallet Town Blue chooses: Charmander
Roaming Pokémon: Entei
Charmander Blue chooses: Squirtle
Roaming Pokémon: Suicune
Squirtle Blue chooses: Bulbasaur
Roaming Pokémon: Raikou

Other methods

Game(s) Pokémon Location/Acquisition Other effects
Y Bulbasaur Cerulean City: received from a girl if the partner Pikachu's friendship is 147 or higher None
Charmander Route 24: from a boy if the player has caught at least 50 Pokémon None
Squirtle Vermilion City: from Officer Jenny if the player has caught at least 60 Pokémon None
HGSS Bulbasaur Charmander Squirtle Professor Oak's Laboratory: from Professor Oak after defeating Red (choose one) None
XY Bulbasaur Charmander Squirtle Lumiose City: from Professor Sycamore after defeating him None
Ivysaur Charmeleon Wartortle Friend Safari None
USUM Bulbasaur Charmander Squirtle Melemele Island: Island Scan None
PE Bulbasaur Cerulean City: from a a girl if the player has caught at least 30 Pokémon None
Charmander Route 24: from a boy if the player has caught at least 50 Pokémon None
Squirtle Vermilion City: from Officer Jenny if the player has caught at least 60 Pokémon None
SwSh CharmanderDynamax icon.png Postwick: in Leon's room after defeating him None
SwSh (IA) BulbasaurDynamax icon.png Master Dojo: after clearing Mustard's first trial (choose one) Honey's team will include: Blastoise
SquirtleDynamax icon.png Honey's team will include: Venusaur
SwSh (CT) Ivysaur Charmeleon Wartortle Dynamax Adventures None
BDSP Bulbasaur Charmander Squirtle Grand Underground: in the wild, after obtaining the National Pokédex None
SV (ID) Bulbasaur Charmander Squirtle Terarium (Coastal Biome/Savanna Biome/Canyon Biome): in the wild, after upgrading the biomes through the League Club Room None

Base stat comparison

Pokémon HP Attack Defense Sp. Attack Sp. Defense Speed Total
Bulbasaur
45
49
49
65
65
45
318
Ivysaur
60
62
63
80
80
60
405
Venusaur
80
82
83
100
100
80
525
Mega Venusaur
80
100
123
122
120
80
625
Charmander
39
52
43
60
50
65
309
Charmeleon
58
64
58
80
65
80
405
Charizard
78
84
78
109
85
100
534
Mega Charizard X
78
130
111
130
85
100
634
Mega Charizard Y
78
104
78
159
115
100
634
Squirtle
44
48
65
50
64
43
314
Wartortle
59
63
80
65
80
58
405
Blastoise
79
83
100
85
105
78
530
Mega Blastoise
79
103
120
135
115
78
630

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Duel

In Pokémon Duel, all Kanto first partner Pokémon and their evolutions received figures.

Charmander (4)Uncommon
Charmander
Squirtle (39)Uncommon
Squirtle
Charizard (50)EX
Charizard
Bulbasaur (64)Uncommon
Bulbasaur
Venusaur (93)EX
Venusaur
Blastoise (101)EX
Blastoise
Wartortle (162)Common
Wartortle
Ivysaur (199)Common
Ivysaur
Charmeleon (255)Common
Charmeleon
Mega Venusaur (275)UX
Mega Venusaur
Mega Charizard X (276)UX
Mega Charizard X
Mega Charizard Y (277)UX
Mega Charizard Y
Mega Blastoise (278)UX
Mega Blastoise
Shiny Charizard (630)EX
Shiny Charizard
Shiny Mega Charizard X (639)UX
Shiny Mega Charizard X
Shiny Mega Charizard Y (640)UX
Shiny Mega Charizard Y

Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, all three Kanto first partner Pokémon can be caught and encountered along with their Evolutions. When the player first starts the game, they have the option to choose either Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle as their first capture.

Pokémon Trading Card Game

In the Pokémon Trading Card Game video game, each of the three starter decks is based on one of the Kanto first partner Pokémon. They are listed in this order: Charmander & Friends Deck, Squirtle & Friends Deck, and Bulbasaur & Friends Deck. Each deck includes the three evolutionary stages of the respective first partner Pokémon.

Pokémon Masters EX

In Pokémon Masters EX, the player character chooses an Egg that hatches into one of the Kanto first partner Pokémon in the Egg Pokémon tutorial, which they form a sync pair with. After this, the player can form more sync pairs with the Kanto first partner Pokémon by receiving Eggs from Professor Bellis, which may hatch into one of the Kanto first partner Pokémon.

Several other characters form sync pairs with the Kanto first partner Pokémon or their evolutions. Professor Sycamore & Bulbasaur can be obtained through the Trainer Lodge, while the others can be obtained through various sync pair scouts.

Dex Trainer NDex Pokémon Type Weakness Role EX role Base potential Availability
#084 VSRed Sygna Masters.png Sygna Suit
Red
#0006 MastersIcon0006.png Charizard
Bag Charizardite X Sprite.png Mega Charizard X
Fire
FireIC Masters.png
Rock
RockIC Masters.png
Masters Special Strike.png Masters Tech.png ★★★★★☆EX Ticket Scout (after Victory Road)
Poké Fair Sync Pair Scout
#001 VSScottieBettie Masters.png Scottie & Bettie #0003 MastersIcon0003.png Bulbasaur → Ivysaur → Venusaur
Grass
GrassIC Masters.png
Fire
FireIC Masters.png
Masters Physical Strike.png ★★★ Pokémon Egg
#001 VSScottieBettie Masters.png Scottie & Bettie #0006 MastersIcon0006.png Charmander → Charmeleon → Charizard
Fire
FireIC Masters.png
Water
WaterIC Masters.png
Masters Special Strike.png ★★★ Pokémon Egg
#001 VSScottieBettie Masters.png Scottie & Bettie #0009 MastersIcon0009.png Squirtle → Wartortle → Blastoise
Water
WaterIC Masters.png
Grass
GrassIC Masters.png
Masters Special Strike.png ★★★ Pokémon Egg
#065 VSBlue Sygna Masters.png Sygna Suit
Blue
#0009 MastersIcon0009.png Blastoise
Bag Blastoisinite Sprite.png Mega Blastoise
Water
WaterIC Masters.png
Electric
ElectricIC Masters.png
Masters Support.png ★★★★★☆EX Ticket Scout (after Victory Road)
Poké Fair Sync Pair Scout
#076 VSLeaf Sygna Masters.png Sygna Suit
Leaf
#0003 MastersIcon0003 f.png Venusaur
Bag Venusaurite Sprite.png Mega Venusaur
Grass
GrassIC Masters.png
Psychic
PsychicIC Masters.png
Masters Tech.png ★★★★★☆EX Ticket Scout (after Victory Road)
Poké Fair Sync Pair Scout
#118 VSLeon Masters.png Leon #0006 MastersIcon0006.png Charizard Master Sync Pair Mark Masters.png Dynamax icon.png
Gigantamax
Fire
FireIC Masters.png
Electric
ElectricIC Masters.png
Masters Special Strike.png Masters Support.png ★★★★★☆EX Master Fair Sync Pair Scout
#116 VSSycamore Masters.png Professor Sycamore #0001 MastersIcon0001.png Bulbasaur
Grass
GrassIC Masters.png
Psychic
PsychicIC Masters.png
Masters Special Strike.png ★★★★☆☆EX Trainer Lodge Friendship Level 100
#084 VSRed Masters.png Red #0003 MastersIcon0003.png Venusaur Dynamax icon.png Buddy Move Icon Masters.png
Grass
GrassIC Masters.png
Fire
FireIC Masters.png
Masters Field.png Masters Special Strike.png ★★★★★☆EX Mix Sync Pair Scout
#065 VSBlue Classic Masters.png Classic
Blue
#0006 MastersIcon0006.png Charizard Dynamax icon.png Buddy Move Icon Masters.png
Fire
FireIC Masters.png
Water
WaterIC Masters.png
Masters Field.png Masters Special Strike.png ★★★★★☆EX Mix Sync Pair Scout
#076 VSLeaf Masters.png Leaf #0009 MastersIcon0009.png Blastoise Dynamax icon.png Buddy Move Icon Masters.png
Water
WaterIC Masters.png
Grass
GrassIC Masters.png
Masters Field.png Masters Special Strike.png ★★★★★☆EX Mix Sync Pair Scout

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, the Kanto first partner Pokémon can be selected as the hero and their partner, with the only exceptions being Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity and the three Japan-exclusive WiiWare games. The trio's evolved forms can also be recruited in the games out of the main character roles.

Pokémon Rumble series

In the Pokémon Rumble series, all three Kanto first partner Pokémon can be caught and encountered along with their Evolutions.

Pokémon Shuffle

In Pokémon Shuffle, all three Kanto first partner Pokémon can be caught and encountered along with their Evolutions. They can also undergo Mega Evolution.

Dex# NDex Icon Pokémon Type Attack Power Max
Raise Max Level RML
Initial
Skill
Skill Swapper.png Alternate
Skill(s)
Amelia icon.png Amelia
icons
Lv 1 Max
#001 #0001 Shuffle001.png Bulbasaur Grass 40 125 20 Power of 4 Mega Boost+ 0
#001 #0001 Shuffle001Winking.png Bulbasaur
Winking
Grass 40 90 5 Block Smash+ N/A 1
#002 #0002 Shuffle002.png Ivysaur Grass 50 100 5 Vitality Drain N/A 1
#003 #0003 Shuffle003.png Venusaur Grass 60 135 20 Vitality Drain N/A 2
#004 #0004 Shuffle004.png Charmander Fire 40 125 20 Power of 4 Mega Boost+ 0
#004 #0004 Shuffle004Winking.png Charmander
Winking
Fire 40 90 5 Barrier Bash+ N/A 1
#005 #0005 Shuffle005.png Charmeleon Fire 50 100 5 Burn N/A 1
#006 #0006 Shuffle006.png Charizard Fire 60 135 20 Burn Unity Power 2
#006 #0006 Shuffle006S.png Charizard
Shiny
Flying 60 105 5 Nosedive N/A 3
#007 #0007 Shuffle007.png Squirtle Water 40 125 20 Power of 4 Mega Boost+ 0
#007 #0007 Shuffle007Winking.png Squirtle
Winking
Water 40 90 5 Rock Break+ N/A 1
#008 #0008 Shuffle008.png Wartortle Water 50 100 5 Stabilize N/A 0
#009 #0009 Shuffle009.png Blastoise Water 60 135 20 Stabilize+ N/A 2
List # Pokémon Type Description/Notes Gauge Max
Mega Speedups MSU
Default Maxed
003 Venusaur Mega Venusaur Grass Erases all Pokémon in the five columns to the left and right. 12 9 3 Mega Speedups
006 Charizard Mega Charizard X Dragon Erases all Pokémon in an X-shaped pattern.
  • Charizard begins as a  Fire -type before Mega Evolving.
16 3 13 Mega Speedups
Charizard Shiny Mega Charizard X Dragon Erases Pokémon and disruptions around two spots you tap.
  • Erases five tiles in a + shape surrounding each spot. Does not activate if the foe is defeated. Only gives 3 seconds to tap. Can erase fewer than 2. (maximum 10 icons erased)
  • Shiny Charizard begins as a  Flying -type before Mega Evolving.
20 5 15 Mega Speedups
Charizard Mega Charizard Y Fire Erases all Pokémon in a Y-shaped pattern. 13 10 3 Mega Speedups
Charizard Shiny Mega Charizard Y Flying Erases a jagged line of Pokémon vertically.
  • Actually erases two jagged lines of Pokémon vertically. These lines cannot cross. (maximum 12 icons erased)
11 6 5 Mega Speedups
009 Blastoise Mega Blastoise Water Erases all Pokémon within two spaces of the match.
  • If more icons of this Pokémon are adjacent to the match, then for each additional icon, one more Pokémon is erased in that direction.
12 8 4 Mega Speedups

Pokémon Sleep

In Pokémon Sleep, the three Kanto first partner Pokémon can be obtained by filling their Friendship Points after a sleep session.

Pokémon UNITE

In Pokémon UNITE, the three Kanto first partner Pokémon have Unite licenses and can be played as in Unite Battles. While Charizard and Venusaur were included in the base game, Blastoise was added to the game on September 1, 2021. Charizard additionally is one of the Pokémon that Trainers can select first, with Erbie having its Unite license as one of the options the player can take from him after completing the game's tutorial.

Super Smash Bros. series

Pokémon Trainer and his Pokémon in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the Pokémon Trainer has a team of different evolutionary stages of Kanto first partner Pokémon: Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard.

Pokkén Tournament

Blastoise is a playable Battle Pokémon in Pokkén Tournament DX for the Nintendo Switch version. Blastoise was added as part of Battle Pack DLC on March 23, 2018. Charizard was also a playable in all versions.

In animation

A poster on Ash Ketchum's bedroom wall depicting the Kanto first partner Pokémon in Pokémon the Series
The Kanto first partner Pokémon in Pokémon Evolutions

Pokémon the Series

Over the course of Pokémon the Series, Professor Oak has given away three of the Kanto first partner Pokémon, two of which were to new Trainers. Gary Oak and May both received a Squirtle, and Gilbert began his journey with a Bulbasaur. Despite not having known to handout a Charmander, Professor Oak has been shown with all three first partner Pokémon in his possession. Professor Oak has also given out a Pikachu to Ash when he was late to his pick up his first partner Pokémon and had missed out on receiving one of the usual three choices.

It is revealed in Pokémon the Series: XY that Professor Sycamore gave Shauna, Tierno and Trevor a Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Charmander respectively, and in the Mega Evolution Specials that Alain was given a Charmander as well.

Pokémon Origins

In Pokémon Origins, Red's main Pokémon is his first partner, a Charmander he received from Professor Oak. It eventually evolves into Charizard and becomes able to Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard X through a Key Stone and Charizardite X Red received as a thank-you gift from Mr. Fuji.

I Choose You!

I Choose You!, a movie that started a separate continuity from the main Pokémon the Series continuity, focused on the developing friendship between Ash and the Pikachu he received from Professor Oak. In this continuity, Gary also started with a Squirtle, while the Oak's Bulbasaur and Charmander were revealed to have been picked by alternate versions of Marina and Tierno, respectively.

Pokémon Evolutions

In Pokémon Evolutions, although Professor Oak doesn't hand out any of the Kanto first partner Pokémon in this series, he is shown to have them in his possession.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

In Pokémon Adventures, Professor Oak is shown to give Pokémon to Trainers he thinks are especially talented, gifting Charmander to his grandson Blue and Bulbasaur to Red. Professor Oak also possessed a Squirtle that was stolen by Green.

Professor Sycamore is also shown to be in possession of the Kanto first partner Pokémon. While Squirtle and Bulbasaur remain under his care, he gave Charmander to X.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

In Pokémon Pocket Monsters, Professor Oak is depicted distributing the choice of one out of three first partner Pokémon - Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle - to Pokémon Trainers as they begin their journeys, much like in other media. Green chooses Charmander as his first partner Pokémon, and while Red was offered the choice as well, he decided to keep a Clefairy that he met on his way to Professor Oak's lab as his first partner instead.

Pokémon Zensho

In Pokémon Zensho, much like in the Pokémon Red and Green games on which the manga was based, Professor Oak offers Satoshi and Shigeru their choice of one out of three first partner Pokémon - Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle. Satoshi chooses Charmander, while Shigeru chooses Squirtle, leaving Bulbasaur with Professor Oak.

Trivia

Retro Mail

References

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