Pokemon Fire Red's Top Fighter Starter

Selecting your first Pokémon in the world of Pocket Monsters marks not only the beginning of an adventure but also a key strategic decision that can influence your entire gameplay experience. Each of the three starter Pokémon offers distinct traits and benefits. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the FireRed starters and help you decide which one offers the best chance for a strong start.

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Squirtle Bulbasaur Charmander Choosing Your First Pokémon: Which One Should Join Your Journey? 0 0 Leave a Comment

Squirtle

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Squirtle resembles a small turtle, with a tough shell that serves multiple functions. It can withdraw into its shell for protection or rest, and its aerodynamic shape and grooves help it swim swiftly. It also fires precise jets of water from its mouth. While it's a Water type, it adapts well to life on land.

Squirtle tends to have a calm disposition, though it can display a stubborn streak. Training it is generally more challenging than training Bulbasaur, but easier than Charmander.

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It's an excellent choice for beginners due to its solid Defense and well-rounded stats. Squirtle gives you an early advantage by easily defeating Brock's Rock types and holding its own against Misty's team. Its final evolution, Blastoise, boasts powerful Water attacks, high survivability, and access to Surf—handy both in battles and for exploration.

Key strengths include its Torrent ability, which boosts Water moves when its health is low, and the hidden ability Rain Dish, which gradually restores HP during rainy weather.

On the downside, Squirtle faces challenges against Grass and Electric types, particularly in gym battles against Erika and Lt. Surge. Its offensive power is lower compared to Charmander, and its Speed stat leaves room for improvement.

Bulbasaur

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Bulbasaur is a dual Grass/Poison type. This small, four-legged Pokémon has a large head and a unique plant bulb on its back. The bulb stores solar energy, enabling Bulbasaur to go days without eating in harsh conditions. As it absorbs more light, the bulb grows heavier, eventually triggering its evolution into Ivysaur.

Bulbasaur is a great option for those starting their Pokémon journey. With balanced stats, it performs reliably in many situations. Its typing gives it an edge against early Gym Leaders like Brock and Misty.

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Its Leech Seed move saps the opponent’s health over time, while Vine Whip uses flexible vines to strike foes or assist in climbing. These vines can lift objects heavier than Bulbasaur itself. Its hidden ability, Chlorophyll, doubles its Speed in sunny weather, giving it a tactical advantage when it counts.

However, Bulbasaur is susceptible to Fire, Ice, Psychic, and Flying attacks, making matchups against Charmander and others risky. It's not particularly fast, so it may not always strike first. In later stages, its evolved forms retain these weaknesses, and their offensive output may fall short compared to Charizard or Blastoise.

Charmander

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Charmander is a Fire-type lizard Pokémon. The flame on its tail reflects its mood and health—it burns brightly when strong, dims when tired, wavers with joy, and flares in anger. Legend says that if this flame goes out, so does Charmander's life. That said, a healthy Charmander’s flame will not extinguish, even in the rain.

While Charmander is one of the most popular starters, it can be tricky early on. It boasts high Attack and Speed, and its Fire moves work well against Grass, Ice, Bug, and Steel types. As it evolves into Charizard, it gains access to stronger attacks and even Mega Evolution.

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Still, it faces disadvantages in the first Gyms: Brock’s Rock types resist Fire moves, and Misty’s Water Pokémon can overwhelm it quickly. Its Defense is also on the lower side, leaving it exposed in tougher fights.

Despite a rocky beginning, Charmander grows into a powerful teammate. If you're willing to push through early setbacks, this Pokémon becomes one of your strongest assets.

Choosing Your First Pokémon: Who to Take on Your Journey?

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Each of the three starters offers distinct pros and cons, so your ideal choice depends on your preferred playstyle. For a smooth beginning, choose Bulbasaur. If you enjoy overcoming early challenges, pick Charmander. And if you value all-around balance, Squirtle is a solid pick.

In our view, Bulbasaur offers the most comfortable early-game experience. It handles the first two Gyms with ease thanks to its Grass typing. Unlike Charmander, which struggles initially, Bulbasaur performs reliably from the start. With good Defense and Stamina, it’s durable in battle and well suited even for newcomers. It proves its value early and stays relevant throughout the game.

Every starter brings something special to your team, affecting your battling strategy and playstyle. Consider not only the early hurdles but also your long-term game plan. The final decision hinges on the qualities you value most in a partner. Whatever you decide, this choice will set the tone for your entire Pocket Monsters adventure.