Kanto first partner Pokémon
The Kanto first partner Pokémon are the trio of Pokémon—Bulbasaur, 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.
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) or 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 | 
|
Professor Oak's Laboratory: after attempting to leave Pallet Town | Blue chooses: 
|
|
|
Blue chooses: 
| ||
|
|
Blue chooses:
| ||
| FRLG |
|
Professor Oak's Laboratory: after attempting to leave Pallet Town | Blue chooses: Roaming Pokémon: 
|
|
|
Blue chooses: Roaming Pokémon: 
| ||
|
|
Blue chooses: Roaming Pokémon: 
|
Other methods
| Game(s) | Pokémon | Location/Acquisition | Other effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y |
|
Cerulean City: received from a girl if the partner Pikachu's friendship is 147 or higher | None |
|
|
Route 24: from a boy if the player has caught at least 50 Pokémon | None | |
|
|
Vermilion City: from Officer Jenny if the player has caught at least 60 Pokémon | None | |
| HGSS |
|
Professor Oak's Laboratory: from Professor Oak after defeating Red (choose one) | None |
| XY |
|
Lumiose City: from Professor Sycamore after defeating him | None |
  
|
Friend Safari | None | |
| USUM |
|
Melemele Island: Island Scan | None |
| PE |
|
Cerulean City: from a a girl if the player has caught at least 30 Pokémon | None |
|
|
Route 24: from a boy if the player has caught at least 50 Pokémon | None | |
|
|
Vermilion City: from Officer Jenny if the player has caught at least 60 Pokémon | None | |
| SwSh | 
|
Postwick: in Leon's room after defeating him | None |
| SwSh (IA) |
|
Master Dojo: after clearing Mustard's first trial (choose one) | Honey's team will include: 
|
|
|
Honey's team will include: 
| ||
| SwSh (CT) |
|
Dynamax Adventures | None |
| BDSP |
|
Grand Underground: in the wild, after obtaining the National Pokédex | None |
| SV (ID) |
|
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
45
|
49
|
49
|
65
|
65
|
45
|
318 |
 |
60
|
62
|
63
|
80
|
80
|
60
|
405 |
 |
80
|
82
|
83
|
100
|
100
|
80
|
525 |
 |
80
|
100
|
123
|
122
|
120
|
80
|
625 |
 |
39
|
52
|
43
|
60
|
50
|
65
|
309 |
 |
58
|
64
|
58
|
80
|
65
|
80
|
405 |
 |
78
|
84
|
78
|
109
|
85
|
100
|
534 |
 |
78
|
130
|
111
|
130
|
85
|
100
|
634 |
 |
78
|
104
|
78
|
159
|
115
|
100
|
634 |
 |
44
|
48
|
65
|
50
|
64
|
43
|
314 |
 |
59
|
63
|
80
|
65
|
80
|
58
|
405 |
 |
79
|
83
|
100
|
85
|
105
|
78
|
530 |
 |
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.
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 | 
|
Sygna Suit Red |
#0006 | 
|
Charizard♂  Mega Charizard X
|
Fire
|
Rock
|
|
★★★★★☆EX | Ticket Scout (after Victory Road) Poké Fair Sync Pair Scout | |
| #001 | 
|
Scottie & Bettie | #0003 | 
|
Bulbasaur → Ivysaur → Venusaur♂ |
Grass
|
Fire
|
|
★★★ | Pokémon Egg | |
| #001 |
|
Scottie & Bettie | #0006 |
|
Charmander → Charmeleon → Charizard♂ |
Fire
|
Water
|
|
★★★ | Pokémon Egg | |
| #001 |
|
Scottie & Bettie | #0009 | 
|
Squirtle → Wartortle → Blastoise♂ |
Water
|
Grass
|
|
★★★ | Pokémon Egg | |
| #065 | 
|
Sygna Suit Blue |
#0009 |
|
Blastoise♂  Mega Blastoise
|
Water
|
Electric
|
|
★★★★★☆EX | Ticket Scout (after Victory Road) Poké Fair Sync Pair Scout | |
| #076 | 
|
Sygna Suit Leaf |
#0003 | 
|
Venusaur♀  Mega Venusaur
|
Grass
|
Psychic
|
|
★★★★★☆EX | Ticket Scout (after Victory Road) Poké Fair Sync Pair Scout | |
| #118 | 
|
Leon | #0006 |
|
Charizard♂  Gigantamax |
Fire
|
Electric
|
|
★★★★★☆EX | Master Fair Sync Pair Scout | |
| #116 | 
|
Professor Sycamore | #0001 | 
|
Bulbasaur♂ |
Grass
|
Psychic
|
|
★★★★☆☆EX | Trainer Lodge Friendship Level 100 | |
| #084 | 
|
Red | #0003 |
|
Venusaur♂  |
Grass
|
Fire
|
|
★★★★★☆EX | Mix Sync Pair Scout | |
| #065 | 
|
Classic Blue |
#0006 |
|
Charizard♂ |
Fire
|
Water
|
|
★★★★★☆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 RML
|
Initial Skill |
 AlternateSkill(s) |
 Ameliaicons | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lv 1 | Max | |||||||||
| #001 | #0001 | 
|
Bulbasaur | Grass | 40 | 125 | 20 | Power of 4 | Mega Boost+ | 0 |
| #001 | #0001 | 
|
Bulbasaur Winking |
Grass | 40 | 90 | 5 | Block Smash+ | N/A | 1 |
| #002 | #0002 | 
|
Ivysaur | Grass | 50 | 100 | 5 | Vitality Drain | N/A | 1 |
| #003 | #0003 | 
|
Venusaur | Grass | 60 | 135 | 20 | Vitality Drain | N/A | 2 |
| #004 | #0004 | 
|
Charmander | Fire | 40 | 125 | 20 | Power of 4 | Mega Boost+ | 0 |
| #004 | #0004 | 
|
Charmander Winking |
Fire | 40 | 90 | 5 | Barrier Bash+ | N/A | 1 |
| #005 | #0005 | 
|
Charmeleon | Fire | 50 | 100 | 5 | Burn | N/A | 1 |
| #006 | #0006 | 
|
Charizard | Fire | 60 | 135 | 20 | Burn | Unity Power | 2 |
| #006 | #0006 | 
|
Charizard Shiny |
Flying | 60 | 105 | 5 | Nosedive | N/A | 3 |
| #007 | #0007 | 
|
Squirtle | Water | 40 | 125 | 20 | Power of 4 | Mega Boost+ | 0 |
| #007 | #0007 | 
|
Squirtle Winking |
Water | 40 | 90 | 5 | Rock Break+ | N/A | 1 |
| #008 | #0008 | 
|
Wartortle | Water | 50 | 100 | 5 | Stabilize | N/A | 0 |
| #009 | #0009 | 
|
Blastoise | Water | 60 | 135 | 20 | Stabilize+ | N/A | 2 |
| List # | Pokémon | Type | Description/Notes | Gauge | Max MSU
| ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Default | Maxed | ||||||
| 003 | 
|
Mega Venusaur | Grass | Erases all Pokémon in the five columns to the left and right. | 12 | 9 | 3
|
| 006 | 
|
Mega Charizard X | Dragon | Erases all Pokémon in an X-shaped pattern.
|
16 | 3 | 13
|
|
Shiny Mega Charizard X | Dragon | Erases Pokémon and disruptions around two spots you tap.
|
20 | 5 | 15
| |
|
Mega Charizard Y | Fire | Erases all Pokémon in a Y-shaped pattern. | 13 | 10 | 3
| |
|
Shiny Mega Charizard Y | Flying | Erases a jagged line of Pokémon vertically.
|
11 | 6 | 5
| |
| 009 | 
|
Mega Blastoise | Water | Erases all Pokémon within two spaces of the match.
|
12 | 8 | 4
|
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
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
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
- The Kanto first partner Pokémon have several unique distinctions.
- They are the first trio of first partners to have received Mega Evolutions and Gigantamax forms.
- They can be obtained in the most games of all first partner Pokémon, as they have appeared in 20 core series games in Japan (19 internationally).
- They are the only first partner Pokémon where all of the members appear in more than one regional Pokédex: Kanto's, Johto's, Unova’s, and Kalos's.
- The Charmander line also appears by itself in the Galar regional Pokédex, while the Bulbasaur and Squirtle lines appear in the Isle of Armor regional Pokédex.
- They are the only ones to have all been owned by both Ash and one of his friends at some point in their evolutionary lines: May owns a Venusaur and a Wartortle, while Kiawe owns a Charizard.
- They are also the only full set of first partners that Ash has obtained where every member was owned by a previous Trainer.
- In Generation III, the Kanto first partner Pokémon are featured in the background of the Retro Mail.
- Prior to Pokémon Yellow, individually obtaining all Kanto first partner Pokémon and their evolutionary forms would require nine saved games of Pokémon Red or Blue (Japanese Red, Green, or Blue). This was the largest group of mutually exclusive Pokémon in the history of the core series games.
- The Bulbasaur line is the only one of the first partner Pokémon family to have the Poison-type.
- Additionally, this first partner line is also the only one to have each member appear at least once in the Super Smash Bros. series.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Power Up with the Pin Bags: Pokémon Pixel Pin Collector Collection at the Pokémon Center | Pokemon.com (archived)
- ↑ PUMA × Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle & Pikachu Puma White Jersey T-Shirt - Adult | Pokémon Center Official Site (archived)
- ↑ Pokémon TCG: TAG TEAM Generations Premium Collection | Pokemon.com (archived)
- ↑ Pokémon Center × Fossil: Kanto First Partners Black Leather Bronson Card Case | Pokémon Center Official Site (archived)
