PokeBonk starters are Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle: the three League Pokemon you can play from your first run. Each one has a fixed four-move kit, a passive and an Ultimate that grows as it evolves into Venusaur, Charizard or Blastoise during a run.
By our Kit Score, Bulbasaur is the strongest of the three. All three can clear Viridian Forest on Normal, so pick the play style you like and read the PokeBonk guide for your first run.
PokeBonk starters compared
| Starter | Kit | Passive | Ultimate | Max HP | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulbasaur | Vine Whip, Razor Leaf, Sleep Powder, Solar Beam | Synthesis | Furious Roots | 108 | A (52.2) |
| Charmander | Ember, Fire Spin, Flamethrower, Fire Blast | Sea of Flames | Rising Blaze | 104 | C (27.2) |
| Squirtle | Water Gun, Bubble, Rapid Spin, Hydro Pump | Torrent Shell | Shell Whirlpool | 108 | A (51.2) |
Bulbasaur in PokeBonk
Bulbasaur starts with Vine Whip and learns Razor Leaf, Sleep Powder, and Solar Beam at levels 2, 4 and 7. Its passive, Synthesis: +1.5 regen and +25% healing. Your Grass attacks heal you a little (0.4% of HP per hit, up to 5 times per second). It evolves at level 24 into Ivysaur and level 41 into Venusaur.
Charmander in PokeBonk
Charmander starts with Ember and learns Fire Spin, Flamethrower, and Fire Blast at levels 2, 4 and 7. Its passive, Sea of Flames: Below 40% HP, +40% damage. +10% Fire damage. It evolves at level 24 into Charmeleon and level 44 into Charizard.
Squirtle in PokeBonk
Squirtle starts with Water Gun and learns Bubble, Rapid Spin, and Hydro Pump at levels 2, 4 and 7. Its passive, Torrent Shell: +15 armor and +20 shield. Below 40% HP, +40% damage. It evolves at level 24 into Wartortle and level 44 into Blastoise.
Which PokeBonk starter is best?
Squirtle is the safest: its passive adds +15 armor and +20 shield, and its Bubble burst clears small Pokemon fast. Bulbasaur heals itself through Synthesis and roots enemies with Vine Whip, so it forgives mistakes. Charmander gains +40% damage below 40% HP, which rewards risky play but punishes new players. Our tier list ranks them Bulbasaur (A), Squirtle (A), and Charmander (C).
Starters are only the beginning. PokeBonk unlock guide shows how to add the other 76 Pokemon to your League, and the tier list shows which are worth chasing.
PokeBonk starters FAQ
What is the best starter in PokeBonk?
Bulbasaur has the highest Kit Score of the three, but all three clear the first map. Squirtle is the most forgiving for new players.
Can you change your starter in PokeBonk?
Yes. All three starters stay in your League, so you can pick any of them before each run.
When does Charmander evolve in PokeBonk?
into Charmeleon at level 24 and into Charizard at level 44, by player level in the run.