Charmander (Pokémon)

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Charmander
ヒトカゲ Hitokage

Artwork from FR/LG
National Dex #004
Johto Dex #229
Hoenn Dex #206
Sinnoh Dex #—
Fiore Browser R-140
Almia Browser R-137
Type Fire
Species Lizard Pokémon
Height 2′00″ (0.6m)
Weight 18.7 lbs. (8.5kg)
Ability Blaze
Egg groups Monster
Dragon
Time to hatch 5,120 steps
Effort yield 1 Spd
Exp. yield 65 base exp.
Lv100 at 1,059,860 exp.
Gender 12.5% ♀ / 87.5% ♂
Pokédex color Red
Catch rate 45

Charmander (Japanese: ヒトカゲ Hitokage) is a Fire-type Pokémon. Along with Bulbasaur and Squirtle, it is one of three starter Pokémon the player receives at the beginning of Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, FireRed, and LeafGreen.

Charmander comes with the ability Blaze, which increases the power of Fire-type attacks by 50% once the Pokémon has less than one-third of its maximum HP.

Charmander evolves via level, into Charmeleon starting at Level 16, then into Charizard starting at Level 36.

Contents

Biology

Physiology

Charmander is a reptilian creature resembling a bipedal salamander with some dinosaur qualities. Its most notable feature is the flame burning on the tip of its tail, which is there even at birth. It is said that if this flame goes out, the Pokémon dies, although this has never happened in the anime, manga, or video games. It could perhaps be distantly related to some Dragon-type Pokémon, and also Magmar, due to both Pokémon possessing a flame at the tips of their tails, but Charmander seems to only be closely related to its evolutions.

Despite the small size of its claws, they should be regarded with caution, since even they are strong and sharp enough that a Charmander can learn to use Slash.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Charmander can breathe fire, which allows them to use a wide range of Fire-type attacks. However, the strength of these are very closely connected to the strength and health of the Charmander, since it draws on the life force which fuels the flame on its tail to fuel the flames of its attacks. With time, it can learn powerful Fire-type techniques like Flamethrower and Fire Blast. It can even learn to breathe the blue flames of Dragon Rage, but Charmander can only use this move in the Second Generation games and beyond. It can also use the flame on its tail to attack by swinging it about. However, these attacks are usually weaker than those from the flames Charmander breathes.

Behavior

Charmander is easily the most mild-mannered of its evolution line. Its health and emotions can be easily read by paying attention to the flame on the tip of its tail. For example, if the flame grows suddenly, the Charmander is probably angered, and perhaps even using a Rage attack. It is scarce in the wild. Most are domestic Pokémon, raised to be distributed as starters by Professor Oak. As such, they are regarded as well-behaved Pokémon. It is often regarded as the most difficult Pokémon to start with because it has a disadvantage against the first two Gym Leaders in Kanto (Brock and Misty).

There are some who choose it anyway under the impression that it is stronger than Bulbasaur or Squirtle. However, while a Charmander can certainly grow to be a very powerful Pokémon, its strength in battle is very closely connected to its condition and health. Therefore, like a real fire, it must be tended to regularly and not strained or neglected. Most trainers shouldn't have a problem with this, though impatient ones who expect it to be very strong right off the bat will have severe difficulty raising this Pokémon. In Charmander the Stray Pokémon, a trainer named Damian abandoned his completely because of this. They are also stubbornly loyal. In that same episode, Charmander wouldn't move from the rock, because Damian told it to wait. Ash had to carry it because it refused to move, even in the rain.

Habitat

Charmander is rarely found in the wild. Sometimes they can gather in extremely hot areas, such as active volcanoes. They can also thrive in craggy mountains. They also dwell in rocky-heated Crags and caves along the coast of the Sevii Islands.Their final evolution, Charizard, also inhabits the Charicific Valley or near mountain chains. However they are found far more often in the ownership of trainers.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Their diet is the usual omnivorous diet of a Pokémon. The few places where Charmander can be seen in the wild, they usually hunt and gather in small packs, and will call others over if any sort of food is found.

In the anime

Ash's Charmander
Ash's Charmander

In Charmander the Stray Pokémon, Ash, Misty, and Brock came across a Charmander which had been abandoned by its trainer, Damian, who only cared about strong Pokémon. At first, Charmander refused to leave the spot it was at, waiting for Damian to return. However, when a rainstorm picked up, Charmander grew ill and Ash took it to a Pokémon Center. Charmander realized that Damian was no good, and joined up with Ash. It has since evolved into Charmeleon and then Charizard.

Ritchie owned a Charmander named "Zippo" which debuted in A Friend In Deed. Sometime before the Whirl Islands story arc, Zippo evolved into a Charmeleon.

In Journey to the Starting Line, Gilbert was intended to start his journey as a Pokémon Trainer, but the trio of Kanto Starter Pokémon were scared off when Ash's Tauros stampeded through Professor Oak's house. Professor Oak, Tracey, Delia and Gilbert split up in order to find the three missing Pokémon. The Charmander was the first one to be found. Tracey attempted to save the Salamander Pokémon from falling in a river, but Mimey saved both of them by using Psychic to lift them on to dry land.

A Charmander also stars in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters out of the Gate! as the leader of Team Go-Getters.

In the manga

In Pokémon PiPiPi Adventure, the sickly trainer Peanut has an abrasive Charmander who is always getting into fights with other Pokémon.

In Pokémon Zensho, Satoshi is given a Charmander as his starter Pokémon, while Shigeru chooses a Squirtle.

In the Pocket Monsters manga, Green (the rival) has a mischievous Charmander that goes along with whatever his trainer wants him to do. It tends to be very antagonistic toward Red's Clefairy.

Ash's Charmander is shown once or twice in the Electric Tale of Pikachu. Oddly enough, it appears to be an entirely different Charmander than the one owned by Damian, as Damian and his Charmander were reunited.

Pokémon Special

Charmander debuted in the first round of the Red, Green & Blue chapter, A Glimpse of the Glow, as one of Green's first Pokémon, likely received from his grandfather Professor Oak. It has since evolved into Charmeleon and then Charizard, and is part of his Gym team.

In the TCG

Main article: Charmander (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

Gen Game Pokédex entry
I Red Obviously prefers hot places. When it rains, steam is said to spout from the tip of its tail.
Blue
Yellow The flame at the tip of its tail makes a sound as it burns. You can only hear it in quiet places.
Stadium Even the newborns have flaming tails. Unfamiliar with fire, babies are said to accidentally burn themselves.
II Gold The flame on its tail shows the strength of its life force. If it is weak, the flame also burns weakly.
Silver The flame on its tail indicates Charmander's life force. If it is healthy, the flame burns brightly.
Crystal If it's healthy, the flame on the tip of its tail will burn vigorously, even if it gets a bit wet.
Stadium 2 The flame on its tail shows the strength of its life force. If it is weak, the flame also burns weakly.
III Ruby The flame that burns at the tip of its tail is an indication of its emotions. The flame wavers when Charmander is enjoying itself. If the Pokémon becomes enraged, the flame burns fiercely.
Sapphire The flame that burns at the tip of its tail is an indication of its emotions. The flame wavers when Charmander is enjoying itself. If the Pokémon becomes enraged, the flame burns fiercely.
Emerald The flame that burns at the tip of its tail is an indication of its emotions. The flame wavers when Charmander is happy, and blazes when it is enraged.
FireRed 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.
LeafGreen It has a preference for hot things. When it rains, steam is said to spout from the tip of its tail.
IV Diamond The fire on the tip of its tail is a measure of its life. If healthy, its tail burns intensely.
Pearl The fire on the tip of its tail is a measure of its life. If healthy, its tail burns intensely.

Game locations

Gen Game Rarity Location
I Pokémon Red and Blue One Starter Pokémon from Professor Oak in Pallet Town
Pokémon Yellow One Recieved from a trainer on Route 24
II Pokémon Gold and Silver None Trade
Pokémon Crystal None Trade
III Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire None Trade
Pokémon Emerald None Trade
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen One Starter Pokémon from Professor Oak in Pallet Town
Pokémon Colosseum None Trade
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness None Trade
IV Pokémon Diamond and Pearl None Pal Park
Pal Park Field


In side games

Game Location
Pokémon Stadium Gym Leader Castle
Pokémon Snap Volcano
Pokémon Channel Mt. Snowfall
Pokémon Trozei Huge Storage 5
Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Starter Pokémon
Fiery Field (5F-8F)
Pokémon Ranger Jungle Relic
Pokémon Ranger Batonnage Ranger School
Volcano Cave

Base stats

HP: 39
 
Attack: 52
 
Defense: 43
 
Special: 50
 
SpAtk: 60
 
SpDef: 50
 
Speed: 65
 

The Special stat was used only in Generation I; it was later split into Special Attack and Special Defense.

Type effectiveness

Weakness Resistance

In Generation I, the effectiveness of Ice-type moves is 100.

Learnset

Charmander is capable of learning the following moves.
Moves in bold are damage moves to which STAB apply. Moves in Italics aren't STAB for Charmander, but are for some/all evolutions.

By leveling up

Generation I
Level Move Type
Start Scratch Normal
Growl Normal
9 Ember Fire
15 Leer Normal
22 Rage Normal
30 Slash Normal
38 Flamethrower Fire
49 Fire Spin Fire
Generation II
Level Move Type
Start Scratch Normal
Growl Normal
7 Ember Fire
13 Smokescreen Normal
19 Rage Normal
25 Scary Face Normal
31 Flamethrower Fire
37 Slash Normal
43 Dragon Rage Dragon
49 Fire Spin Fire
Generation III
Level Move Type
Start Scratch Normal
Growl Normal
7 Ember Fire
13 Smokescreen Normal
19 Rage Normal
25 Scary Face Normal
31 Flamethrower Fire
37 Slash Normal
43 Dragon Rage Dragon
49 Fire Spin Fire
Generation IV
Level Move Type Cat.
Start Scratch Normal Physical
Growl Normal Status
7 Ember Fire Special
10 Smokescreen Normal Status
16 Dragon Rage Dragon Special
19 Scary Face Normal Status
25 Fire Fang Fire Physical
28 Slash Normal Physical
34 Flamethrower Fire Special
37 Fire Spin Fire Special

By TM/HM

Generation I
# Move Type
TM01 Mega Punch Normal
TM03 Swords Dance Normal
TM05 Mega Kick Normal
TM06 Toxic Poison
TM08 Body Slam Normal
TM09 Take Down Normal
TM10 Double-Edge Normal
TM17 Submission Fighting
TM18 Counter Fighting
TM19 Seismic Toss Fighting
TM20 Rage Normal
TM23 Dragon Rage Dragon
TM28 Dig Ground
TM31 Mimic Normal
TM32 Double Team Normal
TM33 Reflect Psychic
TM34 Bide Normal
TM38 Fire Blast Fire
TM39 Swift Normal
TM40 Skull Bash Normal
TM44 Rest Psychic
TM50 Substitute Normal
HM01 Cut Normal
HM04 Strength Normal
Generation II
# Move Type
TM01 DynamicPunch Fighting
TM02 Headbutt Normal
TM03 Curse Unknown
TM06 Toxic Poison
TM08 Rock Smash Fighting
TM10 Hidden Power Normal
TM11 Sunny Day Fire
TM13 Snore Normal
TM17 Protect Normal
TM20 Endure Normal
TM21 Frustration Normal
TM23 Iron Tail Steel
TM24 DragonBreath Dragon
TM27 Return Normal
TM28 Dig Ground
TM31 Mud-Slap Ground
TM32 Double Team Normal
TM34 Swagger Normal
TM35 Sleep Talk Normal
TM38 Fire Blast Fire
TM39 Swift Normal
TM40 Defense Curl Normal
TM44 Rest Psychic
TM45 Attract Normal
TM48 Fire Punch Fire
TM49 Fury Cutter Bug
HM01 Cut Normal
HM05 Flash Normal
Generation III
# Move Type
TM01 Focus Punch Fighting
TM02 Dragon Claw Dragon
TM06 Toxic Poison
TM10 Hidden Power Normal
TM11 Sunny Day Fire
TM17 Protect Normal
TM21 Frustration Normal
TM23 Iron Tail Steel
TM27 Return Normal
TM28 Dig Ground
TM31 Brick Break Fighting
TM32 Double Team Normal
TM35 Flamethrower Fire
TM38 Fire Blast Fire
TM40 Aerial Ace Flying
TM42 Facade Normal
TM43 Secret Power Normal
TM44 Rest Psychic
TM45 Attract Normal
TM50 Overheat Fire
HM01 Cut Normal
HM04 Strength Normal
HM06 Rock Smash Fighting
Generation IV
# Move Type Cat.
TM01 Focus Punch Fighting Physical
TM02 Dragon Claw Dragon Physical
TM06 Toxic Poison Status
TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special
TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status
TM17 Protect Normal Status
TM21 Frustration Normal Physical
TM23 Iron Tail Steel Physical
TM27 Return Normal Physical
TM28 Dig Ground Physical
TM31 Brick Break Fighting Physical
TM32 Double Team Normal Status
TM35 Flamethrower Fire Special
TM38 Fire Blast Fire Special
TM40 Aerial Ace Flying Physical
TM42 Facade Normal Physical
TM43 Secret Power Normal Physical
TM44 Rest Psychic Status
TM45 Attract Normal Status
TM50 Overheat Fire Special
TM53 Fling Dark Physical
TM61 Will-O-Wisp Fire Status
TM65 Shadow Claw Ghost Physical
TM75 Swords Dance Normal Status
TM78 Captivate Normal Status
TM82 Rock Slide Rock Physical
TM82 Sleep Talk Normal Status
TM83 Natural Gift Normal Physical
TM87 Swagger Normal Status
TM90 Substitute Normal Status
HM01 Cut Normal Physical
HM04 Strength Normal Physical
HM06 Rock Smash Fighting Physical

By breeding

Move Type Cat. Father
AncientPower Rock Special Cranidos, Rampardos
Shieldon, Bastiodon
Beat Up* Dark Physical Ekans, Arbok
Nidoran♂, Nidorino, Nidoking
Belly Drum Normal Status Snorlax
Bite Dark Physical Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise
Ekans, Arbok
Gyarados
Totodile, Croconaw, Feraligatr
Larvitar, Pupitar, Tyranitar
Loudred, Exploud
Seviper
Bagon, Shelgon, Salamence
Turtwig, Grotle, Torterra
Crunch Dark Physical Arbok
Snorlax
Totodile, Croconaw, Feraligatr
Larvitar, Pupitar, Tyranitar
Exploud
Seviper
Bagon, Shelgon, Salamence
Turtwig, Grotle, Torterra
Garchomp
Dragon Dance Dragon Status Horsea, Seadra, Kingdra
Gyarados
Dratini, Dragonair, Dragonite
Altaria
Dragon Rush Dragon Physical Dratini, Dragonair, Dragonite
Gible, Gabite, Garchomp
Flare Blitz Fire Physical Charizard
Metal Claw Steel Physical Aron, Lairon, Aggron
Outrage Dragon Physical Dratini, Dragonair, Dragonite
Rock Slide Rock Physical Larvitar, Pupitar, Tyranitar
Swords Dance* Normal Status Cubone, Marowak
Rhyhorn, Rhydon, Rhyperior
*Indicates moves only available through chain breeding.

By tutoring

Move Type Cat. Version
Body Slam Normal Physical FR LG E
Counter Fighting Physical FR LG E
Double-Edge Normal Physical FR LG E
Mega Kick Normal Physical FR LG E
Mega Punch Normal Physical FR LG E
Mimic Normal Status FR LG E
Rock Slide Rock Physical FR LG E
Seismic Toss Fighting Physical FR LG E
Substitute Normal Status FR LG E
Swords Dance Normal Status FR LG E