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Which Starter Should You Pick in PokéBonk?
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Side-by-side comparison
Bulbasaur
#001- Passive · Synthesis
- +1.5 regeneration and +25% healing; Grass hits heal a little HP.
- Starting move · Vine Whip
- Grass · Physical · close-range strike that can root
- Signature fusion
- Flower Beam (Razor Leaf + Solar Beam)
The most forgiving pick: you heal while you learn to move.
Charmander
#004- Passive · Sea of Flames
- +10% Fire damage; +40% damage while below 40% HP.
- Starting move · Ember
- Fire · Special · projectile that burns
- Signature fusion
- Fiery Whirlwind (Fire Spin + Flamethrower)
The aggressive pick that rewards risky low-HP play.
Squirtle
#007- Passive · Torrent Shell
- +15 armor and +20 shield; +40% damage while below 40% HP.
- Starting move · Water Gun
- Water · Special · projectile that soaks
- Signature fusion
- Hydro Spiral (Rapid Spin + Hydro Pump)
The safest margin for mistakes thanks to armor and shield.
Bulbasaur — the comfortable choice
Synthesis gives passive regeneration and boosts all healing, and Grass hits trickle HP back. That buffer forgives positioning mistakes, which is exactly what a first run needs. Vine Whip is short range, so stay close to the edge of the horde instead of fleeing far away.
Its signature fusion, Flower Beam, combines Razor Leaf and Solar Beam — a reason to level both of those to max in longer runs.
Charmander — the glass cannon
Sea of Flames adds Fire damage and a big damage boost below 40% HP. Ember applies Burned, which feeds the Steam, Inferno and Poison Gas reactions. Charmander rewards players who are comfortable dancing at low health; pairing it with defensive items early keeps runs alive.
Signature fusion: Fiery Whirlwind (Fire Spin + Flamethrower).
Squirtle — the tank
Torrent Shell grants flat armor and a shield on top of the same low-HP damage spike. Armor follows armor ÷ (armor + 45), so Squirtle’s starting armor already shaves a meaningful chunk off every hit. Water Gun soaks enemies, setting up Electrocuted and instant freezes.
Signature fusion: Hydro Spiral (Rapid Spin + Hydro Pump).
Unlocking the others
Your first choice is not permanent. New League members unlock by completing their challenge and then catching them during a run. Catching weakened Alphas also adds Support Alphas for that run.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best starter in PokéBonk for beginners?
Bulbasaur, because its passive regeneration and healing cover early mistakes.
Which starter has the most defense?
Squirtle: its passive adds flat armor and a shield.
Can I get all three starters?
Yes. The other two unlock by completing their challenge and capturing them in a run.
Related guides
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