- Best Pokemon in Pokemon LeafGreen: Bulbasaur earns S-tier for the smoothest early Gyms, with Nidoking, Jolteon, Lapras, and Snorlax as universal core picks.
- Starter tiers: Bulbasaur (S), Squirtle (A), Charmander (A) — all three can complete the full story.
- Guaranteed gifts: Eevee in Celadon City and Lapras in Silph Co. are free and cover major types.
- Elite Four key: Ice coverage from Lapras is the strongest answer to Lance's Dragon team.
- Post-game prize: Mewtwo at Lv. 70 in Cerulean Cave is the most powerful catch in the game.
Pokemon LeafGreen Best Pokemon: Starter Tier Rankings
Every LeafGreen playthrough begins with the same decision at Pallet Town: Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle. The Nintendo Switch re-release keeps the original 2004 balance intact, so these rankings apply to both the GBA classic and the current 2026 version. All three starters can finish the game — the tiers below reflect how smoothly each one carries you through Kanto's eight Gyms.
| Starter | Tier | Final Evolution | Early Game | Standout Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulbasaur | S | Venusaur (Grass/Poison) | Excellent | Type advantage over Brock's Rock team and Misty's Water team |
| Squirtle | A | Blastoise (Water) | Very Good | Dependable defenses plus reliable Surf coverage all game |
| Charmander | A | Charizard (Fire/Flying) | Challenging | Powerful late-game offense once it reaches Charizard |
Bulbasaur dominates the opening stretch. Its Grass typing beats Brock's Rock/Ground roster and Misty's Water team back to back, giving you the easiest path through the first two badges. Squirtle offers a balanced experience: strong against Brock and useful against Ground, Rock, and Fire opponents throughout Kanto, though Misty and Lt. Surge are not favorable matchups.
Charmander starts slow. Brock is difficult without help, Misty is unfavorable, and Rock-type attacks stay dangerous even after evolution. The payoff is Charizard, a strong Fire/Flying attacker that dismantles Erika's Grass Gym and many Bug and Grass encounters across Kanto.
Charmander players should catch supporting Pokemon — such as an early Nidoran — before challenging Brock. Squirtle players should prepare a Ground-type answer for Lt. Surge's Electric Gym in Vermilion City.
Core Team Picks That Fit Any Starter
The best Pokemon in LeafGreen are not always rare encounters. Four species stand out because they are practical to obtain during a normal playthrough and cover the exact type spread the Elite Four demands.
Nidoking (Poison/Ground)
- Obtained early as Nidoran
- Ground typing blanks Electric attacks from Lt. Surge
- Broad TM compatibility for flexible coverage
- Weak to Water, Ice, Ground, and Psychic
Jolteon (Electric)
- Evolves from the guaranteed Eevee in Celadon City
- Very high Speed with strong Electric output
- Excellent answer to Water and Flying opponents
- Cannot touch Ground-types with Electric moves
Lapras (Water/Ice)
- Free gift from a Silph Co. employee in Saffron City
- Water and Ice coverage in one slot
- Ice attacks are critical against Lance's Dragons
- Joins relatively late in the story
Snorlax (Normal)
- Two static encounters after obtaining the Poke Flute
- Very high HP with strong physical attack
- Learns a wide range of coverage moves
- Low Speed and a Fighting weakness
| Pokemon | Type | Availability | Main Team Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nidoking | Poison/Ground | Early game | Ground immunity vs Lt. Surge, flexible TM attacker |
| Jolteon | Electric | Mid game (Eevee gift) | Fast Electric coverage for Water and Flying foes |
| Lapras | Water/Ice | Late mid game (Silph Co. gift) | Ice answer to Lance's Dragon team |
| Snorlax | Normal | Mid game (Poke Flute) | High-HP bulk with wide coverage moves |
Eevee and Lapras are one-time guaranteed gifts — Eevee from the Celadon Mansion area and Lapras from a Silph Co. employee. Both are obtained during the main story, so pick them up before leaving Celadon City and Saffron City.
Best Full Teams by Starter Choice
A complete six-Pokemon roster needs answers for Psychic, Ground, Flying, Water, Fire, Grass, and the rival's fully evolved starter. These teams use only Pokemon obtainable in a single LeafGreen playthrough, with no rare hunting required.
| Starter | Recommended Team | Coverage Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Bulbasaur | Venusaur, Nidoking, Jolteon, Lapras, Snorlax, Dodrio | Grass, Ground, Electric, Water, Ice, Normal, Flying |
| Squirtle | Blastoise, Nidoking, Jolteon, Snorlax, Dodrio, Kadabra | Water, Ground, Electric, Normal, Flying, Psychic |
| Charmander | Charizard, Nidoking, Vaporeon, Raichu, Snorlax, Exeggutor | Fire, Flying, Ground, Water, Electric, Grass, Psychic |
Each roster is built around the same spine: Nidoking for Ground coverage, an Electric-type for Water and Flying threats, Snorlax for bulk, and a starter evolution as the offensive anchor. The final slots adapt to your starter's gaps — Charmander teams add Vaporeon for Water coverage, while Squirtle teams slot in Kadabra for Psychic pressure.
Match your coverage against the Elite Four before entering Indigo Plateau:
| Elite Four Member | Specialty | Best Answers |
|---|---|---|
| Lorelei | Ice/Water | Electric attacks; Fighting coverage for Jynx |
| Bruno | Fighting/Rock | Psychic or Flying vs Fighting; Water or Grass vs Onix |
| Agatha | Ghost/Poison | Psychic and Ground; carry status healing items |
| Lance | Dragon | Ice attacks above all; Electric for Gyarados |
Kadabra only becomes Alakazam through trading. On the current Switch release, trading works through local wireless between nearby systems instead of the original Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable, so plan a trading partner if you want the fully evolved Psychic line.
Best Legendary Pokemon in LeafGreen
For raw power, nothing in LeafGreen matches the legendary roster. Mewtwo is the strongest catch in the game, while the three Kanto birds each fill a coverage slot at Lv. 50.
| Pokemon | Type | Level | Location | How to Reach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Articuno | Ice/Flying | 50 | Seafoam Islands | Requires Surf and Strength to redirect the currents |
| Zapdos | Electric/Flying | 50 | Power Plant | Surf east from Route 10 |
| Moltres | Fire/Flying | 50 | Mt. Ember, One Island | Sevii Islands visit after defeating Blaine |
| Mewtwo | Psychic | 70 | Cerulean Cave | Champion title, National Pokedex, and Network Machine quest |
| Roaming Beast | Electric/Fire/Water | 50 | Roams Kanto | Your starter choice decides which one appears |
The roaming legendary follows a simple rule tied to your Pallet Town decision: choosing Squirtle releases Raikou, choosing Bulbasaur releases Entei, and choosing Charmander releases Suicune. Only one beast appears per save file, and it attempts to flee on contact, so bring a trapping move such as Mean Look or plan to use the Master Ball.
Every fixed legendary is a single encounter per save file. Save directly before each battle, bring a large supply of Ultra Balls, and use Sleep or Paralysis to improve catch rates. The Master Ball is best saved for Mewtwo or the roaming beast.
Team Building Roadmap: Five Steps to the Pokemon League
Follow this progression to assemble a balanced team without backtracking or rare encounters. Each step lines up with a natural story milestone, from Pallet Town through the Sevii Islands detour.
Choose Your Starter and Plan Around Weak Gyms
Pick your Pallet Town starter and note the Gyms where it struggles. Charmander players need support for Brock and Misty, while Squirtle players should plan a Ground-type for Lt. Surge.
Catch Nidoran Early
Add a Nidoran to your party in the opening hours and develop it toward Nidoking. Its Ground typing and broad TM compatibility carry it through the entire story.
Collect the Guaranteed Gifts
Claim Eevee in Celadon City and evolve it with a Thunder Stone for Jolteon, then receive Lapras from the Silph Co. employee in Saffron City after clearing Team Rocket.
Catch Snorlax With the Poke Flute
After rescuing Mr. Fuji in Pokemon Tower, use the Poke Flute to wake the Snorlax blocking Route 12 and Route 16. Catch at least one for unmatched bulk.
Buy Game Corner TMs Before Indigo Plateau
Exchange Game Corner Coins for Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, and Shadow Ball to close any coverage gaps, then stock Full Restores and Revives for the Elite Four.
Best Team Milestones:
- Choose a starter at Pallet Town
- Catch the Nidoking line early
- Claim Eevee in Celadon City
- Receive Lapras at Silph Co.
- Catch a Snorlax with the Poke Flute
- Buy Ice Beam and Thunderbolt TMs
- Save before every legendary encounter
A team built on this roadmap enters the Pokemon League around Lv. 50-55 with coverage for every Elite Four specialty. Keep healing items in reserve for the Champion, whose final roster adapts to your rival's starter choice.
Best Pokemon FAQ
Q: What is the best starter in Pokemon LeafGreen?
Bulbasaur ranks highest because its Grass typing beats both Brock's Rock team and Misty's Water team, making the opening Gyms significantly easier. Squirtle and Charmander both remain fully capable of completing the story, so the gap is about early comfort rather than viability.
Q: What is the strongest Pokemon in LeafGreen?
Mewtwo is the strongest catch in the game, encountered at Lv. 70 in Cerulean Cave. Reaching it requires becoming Champion, obtaining the National Pokedex, and completing Celio's Ruby and Sapphire Network Machine quest in the Sevii Islands.
Q: What is the best team for the LeafGreen Elite Four?
A starter evolution, Nidoking, Jolteon, Lapras, Snorlax, and one flexible slot covers every Elite Four specialty. Ice coverage from Lapras is essential against Lance's Dragon team, while Jolteon handles Lorelei's Water-heavy roster.
Q: Which Pokemon should get the Master Ball?
Mewtwo and the roaming legendary are the best Master Ball targets. Mewtwo is a difficult Lv. 70 catch, and the roaming beast flees on contact, making both far harder to secure than the fixed Kanto birds.
For the full battle-by-battle breakdown, visit the official Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen page or browse the National Pokedex to plan your remaining coverage slots.