#001 Bulbasaur

#001 Bulbasaur

Height0.7 m(2'04")
Weight6.9 kg(15.2 lbs)
Gender87.5%12.5%
Gen 1

Bulbasaur's Detailed Stats

Lv
StatBaseLv
EVsIVsTotal
HP 45
231
Attack 49
134
Defense 49
134
Sp. Atk 65
166
Sp. Def 65
166
Speed 45
126
957
Type Effectiveness

Bulbasaur Abilities

When this Pokemon has 1/3 or less of its HP remaining, its Grass-type moves inflict 1.5x as much regular damage.

This Pokemon's Speed is doubled during strong sunlight. This bonus does not count as a stat modifier.

View Bulbasaur Competitive StrategySets, counters, usage stats, tier placement, and team building guides

Bulbasaur Moves

Category
Type
MoveTypeCat.PowAccMethodDescription
Tacklenormalphysical40100Level 1A physical attack in which the user charges and slams into the target with its whole body.
Growlnormalstatus100Level 1The user growls in an endearing way, making opposing Pokemon less wary. This lowers their Attack stats.
Vine Whipgrassphysical45100Level 3The target is struck with slender, whiplike vines to inflict damage.
GrowthnormalstatusLevel 6The user's body grows all at once, boosting the Attack and Sp. Atk stats.
Leech Seedgrassstatus90Level 9A seed is planted on the target. It steals some HP from the target every turn.
Razor Leafgrassphysical5595Level 12Sharp-edged leaves are launched to slash at opposing Pokemon. Critical hits land more easily.
Poison Powderpoisonstatus75Level 13The user scatters a cloud of poisonous dust that poisons the target.
Sleep Powdergrassstatus75Level 13The user scatters a big cloud of sleep-inducing dust around the target.
Seed Bombgrassphysical80100Level 18The user slams a barrage of hard-shelled seeds on the target from above.
Take Downnormalphysical9085Level 21A reckless, full-body charge attack for slamming into the target. This also damages the user a little.
Sweet Scentnormalstatus100Level 24A sweet scent that harshly lowers opposing Pokemon's evasiveness.
SynthesisgrassstatusLevel 27The user restores its own HP. The amount of HP regained varies with the weather.
Worry Seedgrassstatus100Level 30A seed that causes worry is planted on the target. It prevents sleep by making the target's Ability Insomnia.
Power Whipgrassphysical12085Level 33The user violently whirls its vines or tentacles to harshly lash the target.
Solar Beamgrassspecial120100Level 36In this two-turn attack, the user gathers light, then blasts a bundled beam on the next turn.
Giga Draingrassspecial75100TMA nutrient-draining attack. The user's HP is restored by half the damage taken by the target.
Sludge Bombpoisonspecial90100TMUnsanitary sludge is hurled at the target. This may also poison the target.
Earth Powergroundspecial90100TMThe user makes the ground under the target erupt with power. This may also lower the target's Sp. Def stat.
Energy Ballgrassspecial90100TMThe user draws power from nature and fires it at the target. This may also lower the target's Sp. Def stat.
Venoshockpoisonspecial65100TMThis move's power doubles if the target is poisoned.
ProtectnormalstatusTMEnables the user to evade all attacks. Its chance of failing rises if it is used in succession.
Sunny DayfirestatusTMThe user intensifies the sun for five turns, powering up Fire-type moves. It lowers the power of Water-type moves.
RestpsychicstatusTMThe user goes to sleep for two turns. This fully restores the user's HP and heals any status conditions.
SubstitutenormalstatusTMThe user creates a substitute for itself using some of its HP. The substitute serves as the user's decoy.
Facadenormalphysical70100TMThis attack move doubles its power if the user is poisoned, burned, or paralyzed.
Sleep TalknormalstatusTMThe user randomly uses one of the moves it knows. This move can only be used while the user is asleep.
Grass Knotgrassspecial100TMThe user snares the target with grass and trips it. The heavier the target, the greater the move's power.
Weather Ballnormalspecial50100TMThis attack move varies in power and type depending on the weather.
Body Slamnormalphysical85100TMThe user drops onto the target with its full body weight. This may also leave the target with paralysis.
Swords DancenormalstatusTMA frenetic dance to uplift the fighting spirit. This sharply raises the user's Attack stat.
Double-Edgenormalphysical120100TMA reckless, life-risking tackle in which the user rushes the target. This also damages the user quite a lot.
AmnesiapsychicstatusTMThe user temporarily empties its mind to forget its concerns. This sharply raises the user's Sp. Def stat.
EndurenormalstatusTMThe user endures any attack with at least 1 HP. This move's chance of failing rises if used in succession.
Magical Leafgrassspecial60TMThe user scatters curious leaves that chase the target. This attack never misses.
Bullet Seedgrassphysical25100TMThe user forcefully shoots seeds at the target two to five times in a row.
Grass Pledgegrassspecial80100TMA column of grass hits the target. When used with its water equivalent, its power increases and a swamp appears.
Frenzy Plantgrassspecial15090TutorThe user slams the target with the roots of an enormous tree. The user can't move on the next turn.
Leaf Stormgrassspecial13090EggThe user whips up a storm of leaves around the target. The attack's recoil harshly lowers the user's Sp. Atk stat.
CurseghoststatusEggA move that works differently for the Ghost type than for all other types. Lowers Speed but raises Attack and Defense.
IngraingrassstatusEggThe user lays roots that restore its HP on every turn. Because it's rooted, it can't switch out.
Grassy TerraingrassstatusEggThe user turns the ground to grass for five turns. This restores the HP of Pokemon on the ground a little every turn and powers up Grass-type moves.
Petal Dancegrassspecial120100EggThe user attacks the target by scattering petals for two to three turns. The user then becomes confused.
Charmfairystatus100EggThe user gazes at the target rather charmingly, making it less wary. This harshly lowers the target's Attack stat.
Toxicpoisonstatus90EggA move that leaves the target badly poisoned. Its poison damage worsens every turn.
AmnesiapsychicstatusEggThe user temporarily empties its mind to forget its concerns. This sharply raises the user's Sp. Def stat.
Sludgepoisonspecial65100EggUnsanitary sludge is hurled at the target. This may also poison the target.

Bulbasaur Sprites

Pokedex Entries
Red

A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this Pokemon.

Blue

A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this Pokemon.

Yellow

It can go for days without rest. It grows from an unknown seed planted on its back at birth.

Gold

The seed on its back is filled with nutrients. The seed grows steadily larger as its body grows.

Silver

It carries a seed on its back right from birth. As it grows older, the seed also grows larger.

Bulbasaur Name Origin
BulbaFrom 'bulb', referring to the plant bulb on its back
saurFrom Greek 'sauros' (lizard), used for dinosaurs

What Is Bulbasaur Based On?

Bulbasaur is based on a combination of a frog or young dinosaur with a plant bulb growing on its back. Its design blends reptilian and amphibian features with botanical elements, making it unique among starter Pokemon as the only Gen 1 starter inspired by both an animal and a plant.

Frog / ToadThe squat body, wide mouth, and four-legged stance resemble a frog or toad. Some fans see similarities to the Surinam toad, which carries eggs on its back.
DicynodontGame Freak designer Atsuko Nishida confirmed Bulbasaur was based on a 'strange animal with a plant on its back' – likely referencing synapsids (prehistoric reptile-like creatures).
Rafflesia / Corpse LilyThe bulb on its back evolves into a rafflesia-like flower upon reaching Venusaur. Rafflesia is the world's largest flower, native to Southeast Asia.
Onion / Plant BulbThe name 'Bulbasaur' directly references a plant bulb. The seed on its back grows throughout its evolution line, eventually blooming.
In Other Languages

Bulbasaur's Japanese name is Fushigidane (フシギダネ). Here are all the official names for Bulbasaur across different languages:

JapaneseフシギダネFushigidane
GermanBisasam
FrenchBulbizarre
SpanishBulbasaur
ItalianBulbasaur
Korean이상해씨Isanghaessi
Chinese (Simplified)妙蛙种子Miàowāzhǒngzǐ
Chinese (Traditional)妙蛙種子Miàowāzhǒngzǐ

Bulbasaur Breeding

Egg Groups
Hatch Time5,120 steps(20 cycles)
Gender DifferencesNone

Bulbasaur can breed with Ditto to produce another Bulbasaur. It can also breed with any compatible Pokemon in the Monster or Grass egg groups. Since Bulbasaur has an 87.5% male / 12.5% female gender ratio, breeding with Ditto is often the easiest method to obtain one.

Misc Data
Catch Rate45
Base Friendship50
Growth RateMedium Slow
Base Experience64

How to Get Bulbasaur

Bulbasaur is a starter Pokemon that can also be found in the wild in some games. Here is how to obtain Bulbasaur in every game where it is available:

Regional Pokedex Numbers
GameMethodLocationDetails
Red/BlueStarterPallet TownChoose from Prof. Oak as your first Pokemon
YellowGiftCerulean CityNPC in a house near the Pokemon Center gives it to you if your Pikachu is happy
Gold/Silver/CrystalUnavailableMust trade from Red/Blue/Yellow or Pokemon Stadium 2
Ruby/Sapphire/EmeraldUnavailableMust trade from FireRed/LeafGreen
FireRed/LeafGreenStarterPallet TownChoose from Prof. Oak at the start of the game
Diamond/Pearl/PlatinumUnavailableMust transfer from FireRed/LeafGreen via Pal Park
HeartGold/SoulSilverGiftPallet TownProf. Oak gives you one after obtaining all 16 badges
Black/WhiteUnavailableMust transfer via Poke Transfer from Gen IV games
X/YGiftLumiose CityProf. Sycamore gives you a Kanto starter after Lumiose gym
Omega Ruby/Alpha SapphireUnavailableMust trade from X/Y or transfer via Pokemon Bank
Sun/MoonUnavailableMust transfer via Pokemon Bank
Let's Go Pikachu/EeveeGiftCerulean CityWoman in a house gives it to you if you've caught 30+ Pokemon
Sword/ShieldWildIsle of Armor (DLC)Found in Fields of Honor, Soothing Wetlands, Forest of Focus
Brilliant Diamond/Shining PearlUnavailableMust transfer via Pokemon HOME
Legends: ArceusUnavailableNot available in this game
Scarlet/VioletWildThe Teal Mask (DLC)Found in Kitakami region – Mossfell Confluence, Crystal Pool area
FAQ
First Partner Pokemon

About Bulbasaur

Bulbasaur is a Grass/Poison-type Pokemon introduced in Generation 1. With a Base Stat Total (BST) of 318, Bulbasaur is classified as a Seed Pokemon and is part of the Bulbasaur → Ivysaur → Venusaur evolution line.

In competitive play, Bulbasaur is placed in the LC tier where it holds a 8.42% usage rate. Its key abilities are Overgrow and Chlorophyll, which allow it to function as both an offensive pivot and a sun sweeper. Bulbasaur is weak to Fire, Ice, Flying, Psychic-type moves, so trainers should plan around these vulnerabilities.

Bulbasaur can learn 53 moves across Level-up, TM, Tutor, and Egg methods. Its most popular competitive moves include Giga Drain, Sludge Bomb, Sleep Powder, Synthesis. Standing at 0.7m tall and weighing 6.9kg, Bulbasaur has been a fan favorite since its debut in the Kanto region games.