PokéBonk Starters: Bulbasaur vs Charmander vs Squirtle
Which first partner should you pick? A side-by-side comparison of the three starters from their level-1 stats and kits.
Quick answer
Bulbasaur for recovery while you move, Squirtle for an armor-and-shield cushion, Charmander for a faster, Fire-focused opening. This is a first-partner recommendation from kits and starting stats, not a full-run ranking.
| Bulbasaur | Charmander | Squirtle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | Healer | Fiery Assault | Defender |
| Type | Grass / Poison | Fire | Water |
| Starting move | Vine Whip (arcing physical strike) | Ember (special projectile) | Water Gun (special projectile) |
| Move damage / cooldown | 20 / 0.8 s | 15 / 0.9 s | 15 / 0.9 s |
| Max HP | 108 | 104 | 108 |
| Armor | 9 | 8 | 26 |
| Shield | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Regeneration / s | 2.0 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| Movement speed | 102% | 107% | 102% |
| Pick it for | Recovery | Speed and Fire damage | Initial protection |
Bulbasaur — recovery
Synthesis adds regeneration and healing, and Grass hits heal a little. Vine Whip targets the closest enemy with an arcing strike and a chance to root. A forgiving pick for learning to move and survive.
Charmander — speed and Fire
The fastest of the three with the lowest defense. Ember is a projectile, so positioning matters more. Best once you are comfortable dodging.
Squirtle — protection
Starts with 26 armor and a 20-point shield, which absorbs early mistakes. The armor value shown in the pause menu already includes its passive.
Can I get the others?
Yes. The selection screen says the other two can join later after completing their challenges and capturing them in a run. Your first choice does not lock you out.
Stats are level-1 values on Classic / Normal from public testing of Beta v0.5.5. Move values are tooltip numbers, not measured damage per second, and may change with updates.
Frequently asked questions
Which starter is best for beginners in PokéBonk?
Bulbasaur is the most forgiving: 2.0 regeneration per second and healing from Grass hits. Choose Squirtle for the most starting protection (26 armor, 20 shield).
Can I unlock Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur later?
Yes. The selection screen says the other two can join after you complete their challenges and capture them in a run.
Which starter is fastest?
Charmander, with 107% movement speed versus 102% for the other two.
Sources & verification
Facts on this page come from public testing of the game (Beta v0.5.5–v0.6.2), checked in-game and written up in our own words. The game is now v0.6.4 and details may have changed; we have not re-verified every number. Spotted a mistake? hello@pokebonkwiki.com
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