18 March 2026

Your Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Starter Has a Major Consequence (And One Option is Much Worse Than the Others)

By newsgame

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen on Switch and Switch 2 have been a smashing success. Perhaps due to the nostalgia for older games of veteran players or the fact that newcomers never got to experience these games first-hand, the result is the same, and the sales charts for Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen speak for themselves. It’s also interesting to note how these Gen 3 Kanto remakes ended up having so much more weight to them than other titles in the series, and a big example comes from the three starters. The most iconic in the series, it’s hard to deny the impact Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle had on the franchise, but it’s more than just that.

The best starter in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, for example, is not so easily picked. Most players prefer Bulbasaur for a big advantage early on and a bulky, powerful presence in the late game due to moves like Leech Seed, Toxic, Synthesis, and Razor Leaf. Regardless of your personal preference, these games actually make the choice of your starter very significant, to the point that it influences even what Legendaries you encounter in the post-game. However, one consequence of this choice is often neglected, and while it may not be as all-encompassing as whether you get Raikou, Suicune, or Entei, it can dramatically reshape your playthrough.

pokemon firered and leafgreen what to use master ball on

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen: What You Should Use the Master Ball on Depends Entirely on Which Starter You Picked

The Pokemon that FireRed and LeafGreen players should use their Master Ball on depends on which starter they choose at the start of the game.

One of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen’s Starters is Worse Than The Others

Pokemon TCG Fan Shares Incredible Gen 1 Collection

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen‘s best teams usually end up featuring the same three or four critters, as Kanto does have 151 Pokemon, but only a few are realistically the best options overall within a given type or for a given strategy. Yet, the starter you pick ends up influencing your rival’s teambuilding choices, which is not much of a problem throughout the game, but it can be at the end of it, when you face your rival as the Champion immediately after the Elite Four.

Balance the critic averages

Easy (6)Medium (8)Hard (10)

The Champion’s team keeps some regulars across the board, but the core changes. This can be a massive issue if you’re underleveled, inexperienced with the series, or if you’re trying a Nuzlocke run. Technically, Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen players beat the Elite Four with bad teams quite often and still have a good time, but if you want to optimize your picks, Charmander may be the worst. The Champion’s teams are as follows:

If you pick Bulbasaur: Pidgeot (lv. 59), Alakazam (lv. 57), Rhydon (lv. 59), Exeggutor (lv. 59), Gyarados (lv. 61), and Charizard (lv. 63)
If you pick Squirtle: Pidgeot (lv. 59), Alakazam (lv. 57), Rhydon (lv. 59), Gyarados (lv. 59), Arcanine (lv. 61), and Venusaur (lv. 63)
If you pick Charmander: Pidgeot (lv. 59), Alakazam (lv. 57), Rhydon (lv. 59), Arcanine (lv. 59), Exeggutor (lv. 61), and Blastoise (lv. 63)

One of the main things to notice is that picking Bulbasaur will grant the Champion a team with three weaknesses to Rock (Charizard’s being 4x), a 4x weakness to Water and Grass with Rhydon, and a 4x weakness to Electric with Gyarados. With Squirtle, something similar happens, but not to the same extent. In the case of Charmander, the combination of Arcanine, Exeggutor, and Blastoise makes the typing more effective and deadly, not to mention the fact that the only 4x weakness in this specific case is Exeggutor’s Bug weakness. Unless you’re using Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen‘s Nidoking with Megahorn, Exeggutor can be a problem, while also setting up Light Screen or putting your Pokemon to sleep with Sleep Powder.

Why Charmander Can Make Your Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Run Harder

Not only is Charmander the weakest starter in the early game, being weak to both Rock-types in Brock’s Gym and Water-types in Misty’s Gym, but it never really shines in any of the main fights. The only place where Charizard or its pre-evolutions can dominate is Erika’s Grass-type Gym, but elsewhere, these critters don’t really have a strong matchup. On top of that, none of the Elite Four in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen has a good team for Charizard:

Lorelei has four Water-type Pokemon (Dewgong lv. 52, Cloyster lv. 51, Slowbro lv. 52, and Lapras lv. 54) and then a lv. 54 Jynx, which would be the only more “ideal” time to use Charizard.
Bruno has two Onix and three Fighting-type Pokemon (Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee, and Machamp), but the first Onix, Hitmonchan, and Machamp all know Rock Tomb, which can one-shot Charizard due to its 4x weakness to Rock.
Agatha’s team is the most neutral for Charizard, but it’s not a favorable matchup either.
Lance has Gyarados, two Dragonair, and a Dragonite (which all resist Fire), and then Aerodactyl (which can one-shot Charizard with Ancient Power).
Finally, the Champion’s only Pokemon that is favorable to use Charizard against is the Grass-type Exeggutor, but if you don’t one-shot it, it can put up Light Screen for itself and Blastoise, or put your Charizard to sleep and then use Light Screen or Egg Bomb.

Generally speaking, none of the Fire-type Pokemon in Kanto have amazing match-ups in the main Gym, E4, and rival/Champion battles.

In the case of Squirtle and Bulbasaur, the Champion’s team is more manageable overall, and some mons can easily be one-shot by certain moves. Charizard doesn’t have this luxury, and you’ll have to have a good team overall or overlevel the Champion quite a bit.