Charmander is the generation one fire type starter that most players probably picked, and it's the one that the Pokemon Company seems to have picked too. Charmander, and especially its evolution Charizard, are incredibly popular and very well represented in Pokemon media.
About Charmander
| First appearance in anime | In the Original Series episode ‘Charmander - The Stray Pokémon’ | |
| First appearance in game | Red, Green, and Blue | |
| Region | Kanto | |
| Evolution | Charmander-->Charmeleon --> Charizard | |
| 1st Evo level | 16 | |
| 2nd Evo level | 36 | |
| Pokedex Entry | It has a preference for hot things. When it rains, steam is said to spout from the tip of its tail. | From the time it is born, a flame burns at the tip of its tail. Its life would end if the flame were to go out. |
Charmander’s Base Stats
| HP | 39 |
| Attack | 52 |
| Defense | 43 |
| Sp. Attack | 60 |
| Ap. Defense | 50 |
| Speed | 65 |
Appearance
Charmander is a lizard-like creature which is almost entirely a bright red-orange color with only its hazel eyes and yellow stomach breaking up its color. Its short pointed tail has a small flame bursting from the tip.
Behavior
Charmander is a very emotional Pokemon, with its tail flame changing in intensity depending on what it's feeling. Though it seems to lean more towards anger and aggression in its emotions. When it's angry or threatened, the flame gets much larger.
Prominence
Below you can see where Charmander has been prominently featured in different roles throughout the anime series.
Ash’s Charmander
Ash first encounters his Charmander in episode 011 of the original series Charmander - The Stray Pokemon. This popular and memorable Pokemon was left behind by a trainer named Damien and eventually picked up by Ash. In its travels with Ash, it evolved into a Charmeleon and eventually into Charizard.
Trevor’s Charmander
Ash’s rival Trevor owned a Charmander that first appeared in the X and Y season of the anime with episode 039. It then evolved into a Charmeleon in episode 086, A Legendary Photo Op!. Finally, it was shown as a Charizard during episode 125, A League of His own!
Zippo
In the original series episode 078 A Friend In Deed, we were introduced to Richie and his Charmander he nicknamed Zippo. We were able to see Zippo evolve into a Charmeleon in episode 221, A Parent Trapped!.
Where to Find Charmander?
Below you can find where Charmander can be captured or encountered.
In Pokemon Sun
In the original installments of Pokemon Sun and Moon, you cannot obtain a Charmander other than through trade. With Ultra Sun and Moon, you can find Charmander spawning on Route 3 (Island Scan) on Sundays. You will need to accumulate 100 points from scanning QR codes and then the Pokemon will be available to you.
In Pokemon Sword
Once you become the champion, Leon leaves a Charmander for you at his house in Postwick. You can only obtain this Charmander once per save file. Charmander can also spawn naturally in Hammerlocke Hills.
In Pokemon Let’s Go
There are many different locations to find Charmander in the Let’s Go games. You can find Charmander on Route 3, 4, and Rock Tunnel. You can also get a Charmander once per save file from Route 24.
In Pokemon Fire Red
In Pokemon Fire Red, the only way to obtain a Charmander is to pick Charmander as your starter Pokemon. You can of course trade from generation to generation, but Charmander does not spawn in the wild and cannot be found at any other location in this game. You will have to pick between Squirtle, Charmander, and Bulbasaur.
In Pokemon Yellow
Similar to Fire Red, you will need to pick Charmander as your starting Pokemon if you want it. It does not appear naturally in any other location and you will need to trade if you do not pick Charmander here.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Being only a fire type, Charmander has simple to remember resistances and weaknesses. It’s strong against fire, grass, ice, bug, steel, and fairy type and when hit by these moves, Charmander takes 50% damage. It’s weak against water, ground, and rock type moves and when hit by these moves, Charmander takes double damage from these moves.
Ash’s Charmander
Charmander’s first appearance in the anime is in the form of Ash’s Charmander. Being a wild Pokemon before being caught, Ash’s Charmander starts out as sort of an antagonist of the episode it appears in. Though after being caught, Ash’s Charmander warms up to him and gets more friendly, until it evolves into a Charizard.
Charizard
After training a Charmander to level 16, then the subsequently evolved Charmeleon to level 36, it will evolve into Charizard. Charizard is one of the most popular Pokemon ever, being given ample attention from both fans and the Pokemon Company. Charizard is also very powerful. Many competitive Pokemon teams will feature Charizard even after all these years of new additions to the choices. For Charizard, such a powerful and beloved Pokemon, to evolve from such a humble salamander Pokemon like Charmander, is impressive.
Best Moveset for Charmander
While Charmander is weak in its stats and could evolve to be more powerful, there are still good options for its moveset.
| Slash | Will-O-Wisp |
| Flamethrower | Iron Tail |
How to Catch Charmander in Pokemon Go?
Being a fire type, Charmander is found where other fire types appear. While slightly rare, hanging around residential areas and in places with a dry climate will eventually let you see a few Charmanders.
Trivia
Old versions of Charmander’s design featured spikes on the Pokemon’s back.
Niue, an Island Country in the South Pacific Ocean, made a commemorative one dollar coin featuring Charmander on it.
Charmander and Cyndiquil have the exact same base stats, and this continues through both their evolution lines.
FAQs
Is Charmander a rare Pokemon?
In most games, Charmander is just above being a common Pokemon. Most starters are rare but not so rare that you might never see them in a playthrough.
What is Charmander’s Hidden Ability?
Charmander’s Hidden Ability is Solar Power, an ability which boosts a Pokemon’s Special Attack by 50% when in harsh sunlight. However when out of the sunlight, the Pokemon loses 12.5% of its health every turn.
Is Charmander a Dragon?
Even though Charizard has a dragon-inspired design, it nor any of its pre-evolutions are dragon types and Charmander is more salamander-like than dragon-like.
What is a 1995 Charmander card worth?
This rare Pokemon trading card printed in 1995 is so rare and so coveted that its worth almost $2000
Conclusion
Charmander is an easy favorite for many, especially older fans. It has a long history and its evolution Charizard has even more history of being beloved. And despite its low stats, evolving it keeps it viable even in the highest level of Pokemon battling.
