As a long-time Pokémon fan, I think a lot of us still feel a huge connection to the very first 151 Pokémon. Growing up with the original games and watching Ash on TV really made those Pokémon special. Even though they aren’t always the best choices for competitive battling, we still love them! Game Freak has even updated a few of them over time, keeping them relevant. But let’s be honest, we all have our favorites… so what are the strongest Pokémon from Generation 1?
Pokemon like Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur, and Mewtwo are instantly recognizable, and most of these classic first-generation Pokemon – with the exception of Pikachu – can be valuable additions to any team. Let’s take a look back and rank the top 20 Pokemon from Generation 1.
20. Pidgeot (#0018)
Everybody’s Go-To Flying Pokemon
- Type: Normal/Flying
- Best Moves: Hurricane, Quick Attack, Roost, U-Turn
- Level It Evolves: Level 18 then 36
- Location In Red & Blue: Evolve from Pidgeotto
- Pidgey: Routes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 24, and 25
In any Pokémon game, Flying-type Pokémon are valuable because they’re completely immune to Ground-type attacks. Pidgeot is a particularly good choice, and it’s easy to obtain in the original games. It starts as the small Pokémon Pidgey and evolves into the impressive Pidgeot at level 36.
In the original Pokémon games, Pidgeot was a top-tier Flying-type attacker, even though Kanto offered several strong choices in that category. Pidgeot also became popular because it was one of Ash’s Pokémon, and fans remember when he released it back into the wild, hoping to reunite with it someday. What many fans may not realize is that, after twenty years, Ash actually kept his promise and brought Pidgeot back to his team.
Pidgeot’s Base Stats:
| Normal | Mega | |
| HP: | 83 | 83 |
| Attack: | 80 | 80 |
| Defense: | 75 | 80 |
| Sp. Atk: | 70 | 135 |
| Sp. Def: | 70 | 80 |
| Speed: | 101 | 121 |
| Total: | 479 | 579 |
19. Vaporeon, Jolteon & Flareon (#0134/#0135/#136)
Three Of A Kind
- Type:
- Vaporeon: Water
- Jolteon: Electric
- Flareon: Fire
- Best Moves:
- Vaporeon: Surf, Dig, Acid Armor, Last Resort
- Jolteon: Thunderbolt, Dig, Thunder Wave, Last Resort
- Flareon: Flamethrower, Dig, Smog, Last Resort
- Level It Evolves:
- Vaporeon: Water Stone
- Jolteon: Thunder Stone
- Flareon: Fire Stone
- Location In Red & Blue: Evolve from Eevee
- Eevee: Received from a person in Celadon Mansion (Eevee)
Eevee is special because it can evolve into many different kinds of Pokémon. While newer games have added even more options, in the original Pokémon Red & Blue games, Eevee could only become three different forms: Vaporeon (a Water-type), Jolteon (an Electric-type), and Flareon (a Fire-type).
In the original games, players get just one Eevee, meaning they have to choose carefully which form it will evolve into. Each of Eevee’s evolutions – known as Eeveelutions – has unique strengths and weaknesses, so trainers need to consider what their team needs and the challenges they might face. No matter which evolution they pick, they’ll end up with a powerful Pokémon boasting 525 base stats.
Base Stats:
| Vaporeon | Jolteon | Flareon | |
| HP: | 130 | 65 | 65 |
| Attack: | 65 | 65 | 130 |
| Defense: | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| Sp. Atk: | 110 | 110 | 95 |
| Sp. Def: | 95 | 95 | 110 |
| Speed: | 65 | 130 | 65 |
| Total: | 525 | 525 | 525 |
18. Arcanine (#0059)
Not Charizard Or Moltres, But A Fantastic Gen 1 Fire Pokemon
- Type: Fire
- Best Moves: Flamethrower, Take Down, Extremespeed, Thunder Fang
- Level It Evolves: When exposed to a Fire Stone
- Location In Red & Blue: Evolve from Growlithe
- Growlithe: Route 7, 8 and Pokemon Mansion (Red Only)
Arcanine is a classic and recognizable Pokémon from the very first generation. It’s a Fire-type known for being a key Pokémon used by Blaine, the Gym Leader of Cinnabar Island. You’ll also see it used by your rival, both in the Pokémon Red and Blue games, and in the anime series by Gary Oak.
Arcanine is a powerful Pokémon in battle, known for its speed and ability to use both physical and special attacks effectively. It can quickly defeat opponents with strong Fire-type moves and has access to the priority move Extremespeed, letting it attack before others. However, Arcanine is directly available in the Red and FireRed versions of the game. Players of Blue or LeafGreen will instead find Rapidash, which isn’t quite as powerful.
Arcanine’s Base Stats:
| HP: | 90 |
|---|---|
| Attack: | 110 |
| Defense: | 80 |
| Sp. Atk: | 100 |
| Sp. Def: | 80 |
| Speed: | 95 |
| Total: | 555 |
17. Venusaur (#0003)
The Original Grass Pokemon Starter
- Type: Grass/Poison
- Best Moves: Leech Seed, Petal Blizzard, Toxic, Sludge Bomb
- Level It Evolves: Level 16 then 32
- Location In Red & Blue: Evolve from Ivysaur
- Bulbasaur: Given by Professor Oak
Venusaur, the evolved form of the Grass-type starter Bulbasaur from the original Pokemon Red and Blue games, is a strong choice for any Pokemon team. It boasts high special attack and defense, allowing it to deal significant damage with moves like Solar Beam, Frenzy Plant, and Petal Blizzard. Beyond its powerful attacks, Venusaur excels at using a diverse range of status moves, including Poison Powder, Sleep Powder, Sunny Day, and Synthesis.
Venusaur, a Grass and Poison type Pokémon, is normally weak to Fire, Psychic, Flying, and Ice attacks. However, when it Mega Evolves, it gains the ability Thick Fat, which makes it immune to Fire and Ice-type moves. Mega Venusaur is incredibly powerful, with significantly boosted stats, most notably a huge increase to its physical defense.
Venusaur’s Base Stats:
| Normal | Mega | |
| HP: | 80 | 80 |
| Attack: | 82 | 100 |
| Defense: | 83 | 123 |
| Sp. Atk: | 100 | 122 |
| Sp. Def: | 100 | 120 |
| Speed: | 80 | 80 |
| Total: | 525 | 625 |
16. Charizard (#0006)
The Most Popular Original Starter Pokemon
- Type: Fire/Flying
- Mega Charizard X: Fire/Dragon
- Mega Charizard Y: Fire/Flying
- Best Moves: Flamethrower, Air Slash, Dragon Breath, Will-O-Wisp
- Level It Evolves: Level 16 then 36
- Location In Red & Blue: Evolve from Charmeleon
- Charmander: Given by Professor Oak
Charizard is a consistently popular Pokémon, though some fans feel it receives special treatment from the developers. Despite any criticism, it remains a beloved and powerful Fire-type choice for many players.
Man, I remember the early days of Pokemon! There was only one Dragon-type evolutionary line back in Gen 1 – Dragonite. A lot of us always thought Charizard should have been a Dragon-type, it just fit so well! And finally, in Pokemon X & Y, they listened! Mega Charizard X gave us exactly what we wanted – a Dragon-type Charizard!
Charizard’s Base Stats:
| Normal | Mega X | Mega Y | |
| HP: | 78 | 78 | 78 |
| Attack: | 84 | 130 | 104 |
| Defense: | 78 | 111 | 78 |
| Sp. Atk: | 109 | 130 | 159 |
| Sp. Def: | 85 | 85 | 115 |
| Speed: | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Total: | 534 | 634 | 634 |
15. Blastoise (#0009)
The Best Original Starter Pokemon
- Type: Water
- Best Moves: Protect, Rain Dance, Hydro Pump, Flash Cannon
- Level It Evolves: Level 16 then 36
- Location In Red & Blue: Evolve from Wartortle
- Squirtle: Given by Professor Oak
Blastoise is a popular Pokémon known for its impressive design and strong performance in the anime. Its powerful water cannons and high special attack make it a formidable opponent, especially with moves like Hydro Pump, which can easily defeat enemies. Blastoise also excels defensively, using its large shell for protection.
This Pokémon is only weak to Grass and Electric attacks, but it resists four other types, making it a tough opponent in battle. Its durability is a big reason why it’s become such a beloved choice for new trainers.
Blastoise’s Base Stats:
| Normal | Mega | |
| HP: | 79 | 79 |
| Attack: | 83 | 103 |
| Defense: | 100 | 120 |
| Sp. Atk: | 85 | 135 |
| Sp. Def: | 105 | 115 |
| Speed: | 78 | 78 |
| Total: | 530 | 630 |
14. Machamp (#0068)
A Pokemon That Really Packs A Punch
- Type: Fighting
- Best Moves: Cross Chop, Strength, Bulk Up, Substitute
- Level It Evolves: Level 28 then traded
- Location In Red & Blue: Evolve from Machoke
- Machop: Rock Tunnel, Victory Road
Machamp was the first truly strong Fighting-type Pokémon, and it was a key part of many teams in the original Red and Blue games. It was also the signature Pokémon of Bruno, one of the Elite Four. Because Fighting-types only had two weaknesses in those games, and were the only type that could effectively counter Normal-type Pokémon, they were incredibly valuable.
Machoke was a really hard-to-get Pokémon in the early days. You needed to trade a Machoke with another player to evolve it, which was tough without cheats. Back then, unless you had a friend or sibling with their own Game Boy, getting a trade done felt nearly impossible.
Machamp’s Base Stats:
| HP: | 90 |
|---|---|
| Attack: | 130 |
| Defense: | 80 |
| Sp. Atk: | 65 |
| Sp. Def: | 85 |
| Speed: | 55 |
| Total: | 505 |
13. Chansey (#0113)
The Ultimate Pokemon Wall
- Type: Normal
- Best Moves: Softboiled, Take Down, Sing, Light Screen
- Level It Evolves: N/A (in Generation 1)
- Location In Red & Blue: Safari Zone, Cerulean Cave
Chansey are lovable, pink Pokémon known for being kind and supportive. Despite their gentle nature, they can be surprisingly tough opponents when protecting themselves or others. They’re famous for having an incredibly high amount of health, making them one of the most durable Pokémon in the series.
Chansey is vulnerable to Physical attacks. While it has a lot of health, its Physical Defense is actually quite low – one of the lowest in the game – making it weak against those types of attacks. This is especially true if an opponent is using Special attacks.
Chansey’s Base Stats:
| HP: | 250 |
|---|---|
| Attack: | 5 |
| Defense: | 5 |
| Sp. Atk: | 35 |
| Sp. Def: | 105 |
| Speed: | 50 |
| Total: | 450 |
12. Articuno, Zapdos & Moltres (#0144,#01445,#0146)
The Legendary Birds Are Still, Well, Legends
- Type:
- Articuno: Ice/Flying
- Zapdos: Electric/Flying
- Moltres: Fire/Flying
- Best Moves:
- Articuno: Ice Beam, Hurricane, Roost, Reflect
- Zapdos: Thunder Wave, Roost, Rain Dance, Thunder
- Moltres: Sunny Day, Hurricane, Roost, Flamethrower
- Level It Evolves: N/A
- Location In Red & Blue:
- Articuno: Seafoam Islands (Only One)
- Zapdos: Power Plant (Only One)
- Moltres: Victory Road (Only One)
Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres used to be considered top-tier Pokémon, but they aren’t quite as powerful compared to newer generations. When they were first released in the original 151 Pokémon, they had impressive stats – 485 for Articuno, 490 for Zapdos, and 495 for Moltres. They were strong attackers and among the best Pokémon of their types at the time.
Today, these three Pokémon have improved stats, each with a base stat total of 580. They’ve also gotten new Galarian forms, unique to the region.
The Legendary Bird Trio’s Base Stats:
| Articuno | Zapdos | Moltres | |
| HP: | 90 | 90 | 90 |
| Attack: | 90 | 90 | 100 |
| Defense: | 100 | 85 | 90 |
| Sp. Atk: | 95 | 125 | 125 |
| Sp. Def: | 125 | 90 | 85 |
| Speed: | 85 | 100 | 90 |
| Total: | 580 | 580 | 580 |
Who’s That Character? 
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Results
High Score: 0 —
11. Exeggutor (#0103)
Three Heads Are Better Than One
- Type: Grass/Psychic
- Best Moves: Leech Seed, Psychic, Leaf Storm, Reflect
- Level It Evolves: When exposed to a Leaf Stone
- Location In Red & Blue: Evolve from Exeggcute
- Exeggcute: Safari Zone
When Red, Blue, and Yellow first came out in the late 90s, some players didn’t choose Exeggutor because of its unusual look. Exeggcute wasn’t particularly strong, and there were plenty of other Pokémon that players found more appealing, either because they looked cooler or had more powerful attacks. However, Exeggutor was actually quite good, with a high overall stat total (455) and access to strong moves thanks to its unique type combination.
Despite being weak to Ice-type moves, Exeggutor was still powerful enough to defeat many strong Pokémon.
Exeggutor’s Base Stats:
| HP: | 95 |
|---|---|
| Attack: | 95 |
| Defense: | 85 |
| Sp. Atk: | 125 |
| Sp. Def: | 75 |
| Speed: | 55 |
| Total: | 530 |
Read More
- Forza Horizon 6: Find the Ohtani Treasure Chest Location
- LEGO Batman Legacy of the Dark Knight Batcave Minikits & WayneTech Caches
- Diablo 4 Best Loot Filter Codes
- NTE Drift Guide (& Best Car Mods for Drifting)
- USD RUB PREDICTION
- Boruto: Ikemoto Has Already Hinted At Sasuke’s New Eye After Return
- Deltarune Chapter 1 100% Walkthrough: Complete Guide to Secrets and Bosses
- Top 10 Must-Watch Isekai Anime on Crunchyroll Revealed!
- USD CNY PREDICTION
- Cookie Run Kingdom Timeline of Fate Update Guide
2026-05-26 20:13