Best Starter Pokémon in Pokémon Infinite Fusion: Which One Should You Pick?

The single most important decision in your Pokémon Infinite Fusion run happens about five minutes in: which starter Pokémon do you pick? Here is the short answer. Bulbasaur is the best starter in Pokémon Infinite Fusion for beginners — it dominates the early gyms, tanks hits all game, and evolves into Venusaur, one of the strongest starter evolutions in any Pokémon game. But there is more to the story: Charmander becomes an absolute monster in the late game once Charizard unlocks, and Squirtle is the safe, balanced middle ground that almost never lets you down.

This guide breaks down everything you need to choose: your full list of starter Pokémon options at the start of the game, complete stats and evolution lines for Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, a gym-by-gym matchup analysis, the best fusions involving each starter, and our picks for beginners, Nuzlocke players, and anyone who just wants to have fun. Quick note: pokemon-infinitefusions.site is an unofficial fan guide. We are not affiliated with Nintendo, Game Freak, or the creators of Pokémon Infinite Fusion.

Your Starter Pokémon Options in Pokémon Infinite Fusion

When you first walk into Professor Oak’s lab in Pallet Town, the game gives you more starter choices than you might expect. Understanding the full menu helps you make the right call.

• Kanto starters (the classic trio): Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle. This is the default choice, and the one this guide focuses on.
• Other regional sets: You can pick the Johto starters (Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile), the Hoenn starters (Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip), the Sinnoh starters (Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup), or the Kalos starters (Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie).
• Randomized starters: Let the game surprise you with a random pick. If you do not like the roll, interact with the plant next to the table in Oak’s lab six times to reroll them without restarting.
• Custom starter: Once you have beaten the game at least once, you can start a new run with a custom starter of your choice.
• Secret name starters: Entering certain player names gives you a special starter. “Ash” gives you Pikachu (with Eevee as your rival’s starter), “Gary” gives you Eevee, and there are more surprises hidden in the map of secrets.

One thing to know: whatever you pick, your rival Blue fuses the two starters you left behind and battles you with that fusion right away. Picking the classic Kanto trio means Blue fights you with a fusion of the other two — a sneak peek at just how wild Infinite Fusion’s fusion system gets. If you have not installed the game yet, you can download Pokémon Infinite Fusion and start your journey in minutes. The current version is 6.7.2, so make sure your download is up to date.

Bulbasaur — The Best Starter for Beginners

If you are playing Pokémon Infinite Fusion for the first time, pick Bulbasaur. It is not even close. Bulbasaur makes the hardest part of the game — the first few gyms — feel easy, and its final evolution, Venusaur, stays useful all the way through the Elite Four. When people search for the best starter Pokémon in Infinite Fusion, Bulbasaur is the answer they are usually looking for.

Bulbasaur Stats and Evolution Line

• Bulbasaur (Grass): 45 HP / 49 Attack / 49 Defense / 65 Sp. Attack / 65 Sp. Defense / 45 Speed (BST 318). Evolves at level 16.
• Ivysaur (Grass/Poison): 60 HP / 62 Attack / 63 Defense / 80 Sp. Attack / 80 Sp. Defense / 60 Speed (BST 405). Evolves at level 32.
• Venusaur (Grass/Poison): 80 HP / 82 Attack / 83 Defense / 100 Sp. Attack / 100 Sp. Defense / 80 Speed (BST 525).
• Abilities: Overgrow (boosts Grass moves when weakened) — Hidden Ability: Chlorophyll (doubles Speed in sunlight).

Venusaur’s base stat spread is the key: 100/100 defenses with 100 Special Attack means it is a wall and an attacker at the same time. Very few Pokémon give you that combination for free. Overgrow turns close games into comebacks, and Chlorophyll gives Venusaur a second identity as a sun sweeper with the move Growth, which boosts both attacking stats by two stages in sunlight.

Bulbasaur in the Early Game

Here is where Bulbasaur earns its reputation. The first two Kanto gyms are Brock (Rock) and Misty (Water) — and Grass is super effective against both. While Charmander players are struggling and looking for backup, Bulbasaur players are breezing through with Vine Whip and Razor Leaf. Bulbasaur also handles Lt. Surge’s Electric types well since Grass resists Electric, and it stays strong against the Water types that fill the early routes.

The Poison typing that arrives with Ivysaur is another quiet blessing. Poison gives you super effective hits against Erika’s Grass gym later on, and the Poison secondary adds valuable Fighting and Fairy resistances. In Infinite Fusion’s version of Kanto, where wild fusions can be unpredictable, Venusaur’s five resistances (Water, Electric, Grass, Fighting, Fairy) cover an enormous share of dangerous matchups.

Bulbasaur in the Late Game

Venusaur does not fall off. It walls Misty’s rematches, handles the Ground types on the late routes, and its status movepool — Sleep Powder, Stun Spore, Leech Seed, Toxic — cripples Elite Four teams one switch-in at a time. Against Bruno’s Rock types and Giovanni’s Ground types, Venusaur’s Grass STAB shines. Its only genuinely bad Elite Four matchup is Lorelei’s Ice types, where you should switch out. Venusaur also has a Mega Evolution (Mega Venusaur with Thick Fat, which halves Fire and Ice damage), making it even harder to break.

Bulbasaur Strengths and Weaknesses

• Strengths: Dominates the first three gyms; incredible defensive typing; status moves for days; self-healing with Giga Drain and Leech Seed; Chlorophyll sun sets; legendary fusion material.
• Weaknesses: Slow at 80 base Speed; weak to Fire, Flying, Ice, and Psychic; struggles against Sabrina’s Psychic types; Blastoise and Charizard both outspeed and hit hard against it.

Bottom line: if you want the smoothest possible ride from Pallet Town to the Champion, Bulbasaur is your pick. It also happens to be part of one of the most famous fusions in the game — but more on that below.

Charmander — The Late-Game Powerhouse

Charmander is the high-risk, high-reward starter. It has the toughest start of the three — Brock’s Rock types and Misty’s Water types both beat Fire — but if you survive the early game, you are rewarded with Charizard: a 109 base Special Attack, 100 base Speed flier that outspeeds and nukes most of the Elite Four. In the great Bulbasaur vs Charmander vs Squirtle debate, Charmander is the pick for players who love raw offense and spectacular fusions.

Charmander Stats and Evolution Line

• Charmander (Fire): 39 HP / 52 Attack / 43 Defense / 60 Sp. Attack / 50 Sp. Defense / 65 Speed (BST 309). Evolves at level 16.
• Charmeleon (Fire): 58 HP / 64 Attack / 58 Defense / 80 Sp. Attack / 65 Sp. Defense / 80 Speed (BST 405). Evolves at level 36.
• Charizard (Fire/Flying): 78 HP / 84 Attack / 78 Defense / 109 Sp. Attack / 85 Sp. Defense / 100 Speed (BST 534).
• Abilities: Blaze (boosts Fire moves when weakened) — Hidden Ability: Solar Power (boosts Special Attack in sunlight at the cost of HP).

Charizard’s stat line tells the whole story: 109 Special Attack and 100 Speed make it the fastest and hardest-hitting of the three fully evolved Kanto starters. The Fire/Flying typing is a double-edged sword. The Flying secondary gives Charizard immunity to Ground and a 4x weakness to Rock — yes, Stealth Rock takes a quarter of its health. But Fire/Flying also gives it a huge offensive toolkit: Fire Blast, Air Slash, Solar Beam combos with Sunny Day, and even physical options like Flare Blitz and Dragon Claw.

Charmander in the Early Game

Let us be honest: the first stretch is rough. Charmander is weak to Brock’s Rock types and Misty’s Water types, which means you cannot solo the opening the way Bulbasaur can. The classic solution is to catch a Grass or Electric type early — the early routes have plenty of options — and let your team carry Charmander until it evolves. Once Charmeleon evolves into Charizard at level 36, everything changes.

The good news: Charmander players do have one early bright spot. Erika’s Grass gym in Celadon City is a dream matchup, and Fire hits the Steel and Bug types you meet in the mid-game. You can preview how your Charizard fusions will look later using the Pokémon fusion tool — it is worth browsing the sprite gallery to stay motivated through the rough patches.

Charmander in the Late Game

This is Charmander’s promised land. Charizard shreds Erika’s Grass types, Lorelei’s Ice types, and Bruno’s Fighting types (Flying is super effective against Fighting). It struggles against Blaine’s Fire types, Giovanni’s Ground/Rock types, and Lance’s Rock-covered Dragonite, but its speed and power let it punch holes in almost any team. Charizard also has two Mega Evolutions — Mega Charizard X (Fire/Dragon with Tough Claws) and Mega Charizard Y (Drought, which sets sun automatically) — giving it more Mega options than any other starter in the game.

Charmander Strengths and Weaknesses

• Strengths: Fastest and strongest of the three final evolutions; incredible offensive typing; two Mega Evolutions; Solar Power sun sets; some of the flashiest fusion designs in the game.
• Weaknesses: Brutal early game against Brock and Misty; 4x Rock weakness (Stealth Rock is painful); frail defenses at 78/78; needs team support early.

Bottom line: pick Charmander if you are an experienced player who wants the most explosive late game and the coolest fusions — and if you are willing to suffer a little for it.

Squirtle — The Safe, Balanced Pick

Squirtle is the starter that never has a bad moment. It is not the best at anything specific, but it is good at everything: strong enough for the early game, tanky enough for the late game, and one of the most reliable fusion materials in Infinite Fusion. If the Bulbasaur vs Charmander vs Squirtle question makes you freeze, Squirtle is the answer that keeps every option open.

Squirtle Stats and Evolution Line

• Squirtle (Water): 44 HP / 48 Attack / 65 Defense / 50 Sp. Attack / 64 Sp. Defense / 43 Speed (BST 314). Evolves at level 16.
• Wartortle (Water): 59 HP / 63 Attack / 80 Defense / 65 Sp. Attack / 80 Sp. Defense / 58 Speed (BST 405). Evolves at level 36.
• Blastoise (Water): 79 HP / 83 Attack / 100 Defense / 85 Sp. Attack / 105 Sp. Defense / 78 Speed (BST 534).
• Abilities: Torrent (boosts Water moves when weakened) — Hidden Ability: Rain Dish (restores HP in rain).

Blastoise’s 100 Defense and 105 Special Defense make it the tankiest of the three final evolutions by a wide margin. Pure Water is also a quietly excellent defensive typing: only two weaknesses (Electric and Grass) with four resistances (Fire, Water, Ice, Steel). Blastoise will not sweep teams by itself, but it absorbs hits that would flatten its teammates and hits back with reliable Water STAB like Surf and Hydro Pump, plus coverage like Ice Beam for Dragon types.

Squirtle in the Early Game

Squirtle sits comfortably between the other two. It beats Brock’s Rock types with Water Gun and Bubble, it is neutral against Misty’s Water types (a mirror match you can win with better bulk), and it handles the early-game Fire types that show up on the routes. Squirtle’s strong Defense also means it survives wild fusion encounters that would threaten a frail Charmander.

Squirtle in the Late Game

Blastoise’s best moments come in the late game. It dominates Blaine’s Fire gym and Giovanni’s Ground types, and its bulk lets it stall out dangerous opponents across the Elite Four. Ice Beam coverage gives it a real answer to Lance’s Dragon types, which neither Venusaur nor Charizard can claim. Blastoise’s Mega Evolution (Mega Blastoise with Mega Launcher, which boosts pulse and aura moves) turns Water Pulse and Aura Sphere into genuine threats. The Rain Dish hidden ability also pairs beautifully with rain teams.

Squirtle Strengths and Weaknesses

• Strengths: Best defenses of the trio; no bad gym matchups; excellent HM user potential (Surf, Strength, Waterfall); Mega Launcher Mega Evolution; Rain Dish synergy.
• Weaknesses: Lowest offensive stats of the three; 78 Speed is mediocre; cannot sweep the way Charizard can; needs setup or teammates to break stall.

Bottom line: pick Squirtle if you want a dependable tank that is useful in every battle, or if you are building a team where your starter plays a supporting role instead of carrying.

Starter vs Gym Leader: Who Wins Each Matchup

Here is the honest gym-by-gym breakdown for the Kanto gyms in Pokémon Infinite Fusion. “Best pick” means which starter has the easiest time, not which one is unusable.

• Brock (Pewter, Rock): Bulbasaur and Squirtle both dominate — Grass and Water are super effective against Rock. Charmander suffers badly. Winner: Bulbasaur or Squirtle.
• Misty (Cerulean, Water): Bulbasaur crushes Water types with Grass STAB. Squirtle goes neutral. Charmander struggles. Winner: Bulbasaur.
• Lt. Surge (Vermilion, Electric): Bulbasaur resists Electric and hits back with Ground-coverage seeds. Squirtle is neutral. Charizard takes neutral damage too, but 78/78 defenses make it risky. Winner: Bulbasaur.
• Erika (Celadon, Grass): Charmander finally gets its revenge — Fire melts Grass teams. Bulbasaur’s Poison typing gives it a neutral edge here too. Winner: Charmander.
• Koga (Fuchsia, Poison): None of the three has a clear advantage. Psychic and Ground coverage from your team matters more than your starter. Winner: even.
• Sabrina (Saffron, Psychic): A tough gym for all starters — Venusaur is weak to Psychic. Bring a Dark or Ghost type instead. Winner: none — bring backup.
• Blaine (Cinnabar, Fire): Squirtle walls and sweeps Fire teams effortlessly. Bulbasaur is weak to Fire, Charizard goes neutral. Winner: Squirtle.
• Giovanni (Viridian, Ground): Venusaur’s Grass STAB and Blastoise’s Water STAB both punish Ground types. Charizard is immune to Ground thanks to Flying, but must watch out for Rock coverage. Winner: Bulbasaur or Squirtle.

Against the Elite Four the picture evens out: Charizard dominates Lorelei’s Ice types and Bruno’s Fighting types, Blastoise’s Ice Beam answers Lance’s Dragons, and Venusaur grinds down almost everything with status. The full gym leader breakdown lives in our guide, but the takeaway is simple — Bulbasaur wins the early game, Squirtle wins the late gyms, and Charizard wins the Elite Four.

The Best Starter Fusions in Infinite Fusion

In Infinite Fusion, your starter is not just a team member — it is some of the best fusion material in the game. Here are the standout fusions built from each starter. You can preview every combination and its stats on the fusion calculator before you commit your DNA splicers.

• Venustoise (Venusaur + Blastoise): The most famous starter fusion in the game. Water/Grass bulk with devastating special coverage. If you ever catch the other starter in the wild, this fusion is worth building.
• Venusaur + Gengar: Special attacking monster with Ghost coverage that fixes Venusaur’s Psychic weakness problem.
• Charizard + Alakazam: Absurd speed and special attack in one fusion. One of the strongest offensive fusions you can build.
• Charizard + Gengar: Fire/Ghost coverage with elite speed — a nightmare for Sabrina’s gym.
• Charizard + Dragonite: Dragon/Flying power with genuine bulk. A late-game team anchor.
• Blastoise + Tyranitar: Rock/Water bulk that sets sandstorm and shrugs off hits.
• Blastoise + Ampharos: Water/Electric coverage that deletes Flying and Water types alike.

Remember that fusions combine the base stats, typing, movepools, and abilities of both Pokémon — your starter’s final evolution gives you elite-level material either way. That is one reason there is no truly wrong choice: every starter evolves into something that fuses beautifully.

Which Starter Should You Pick? Our Recommendations

Pick Bulbasaur if You Are a Beginner

New to Pokémon Infinite Fusion, or new to Pokémon in general? Bulbasaur is the answer. It solos the hardest part of the early game, forgives mistakes with its bulk and healing, and Venusaur stays relevant forever. The early game in Infinite Fusion is tougher than the original games thanks to wild fusions — you want every advantage, and Bulbasaur is the biggest one available.

Pick Squirtle if You Want Consistency

If you like balanced teams where every member does a job, Squirtle is your pick. Blastoise is the only starter that is good against Blaine, Giovanni, and Lance while being decent everywhere else. It is also the best choice if your starter is going to be a defensive pivot rather than a sweeper — and it is fantastic fusion material for rain teams.

Pick Charmander if You Love Offense

Experienced players who know how to build a team around a frail sweeper will get the most out of Charmander. The early game will hurt, but Charizard pays you back with interest: two Mega Evolutions, the highest stats of the trio, and the coolest fusions in the game. If your team already has a wall or two lined up, Charmander is the perfect centerpiece.

What About a Nuzlocke Run?

For Nuzlocke runs — where fainted Pokémon are gone forever — Bulbasaur is the safest starter by a mile. Its early-game dominance means fewer deaths when your team is weakest, and Venusaur’s bulk means fewer deaths late. Squirtle is a solid second choice. Charmander in a Nuzlocke is a bold move: it can work, but the early game is genuinely dangerous.

Can You Get All Three Starters?

Yes — and you should. Here is how:

• Cerulean City trade: An NPC in the Cerulean City Pokémon Center trades you a Kanto starter based on your original pick. If you picked Bulbasaur, you get Squirtle in exchange for any Grass type. Picked Charmander? You get Bulbasaur for any Fire type. Picked Squirtle? You get Charmander for any Water type. You only need to complete one trade in Viridian, Pewter, Vermilion, or Celadon first.
• Viridian River: Later in the game, you can catch starter Pokémon in the wild at Viridian River, accessed through the Hidden Forest. Walk into the trees left of the house on Route 16, follow the southern path, and listen for the fleeing Pokémon sound. Up to three starters can spawn at once — one of each type.

So do not agonize too much. Your starter choice shapes the first third of the game, but a determined player ends up with all three. Check the Infinite Fusion dex to see every starter and their fusion combinations before you decide.

Building a Team Around Your Starter

Your starter is only one of six team slots, so plan around it. Whatever you pick, cover its weaknesses early: Bulbasaur wants a Fire or Flying type for Bugs and Ice; Charmander needs a Grass or Electric partner for Brock and Misty; Squirtle appreciates a Grass type for Electric coverage.

• Bulbasaur teams: Add a Fire type (for Ice and Bug), a Psychic resist, and a fast revenge killer. Venusaur handles the rest.
• Charmander teams: Early priorities are a Water or Grass type for the first two gyms and a Rock resist. Charizard appreciates Stealth Rock removal support in the late game.
• Squirtle teams: Add a Grass or Electric type for Electric and Water coverage, plus a fast special attacker to make up for Blastoise’s low Speed.

Use the team builder to sketch out your full six-Pokémon squad before you invest training time — seeing your type coverage visually makes gaps obvious. And if you are still deciding between the trio, the fusion calculator shows you exactly what each starter’s best fusions look like, stats and all.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best starter in Pokémon Infinite Fusion?

For most players, Bulbasaur is the best starter in Pokémon Infinite Fusion. It dominates the early gyms, evolves into the bulky and versatile Venusaur, and its Grass/Poison typing covers more matchups than any other starter. That said, Charmander has the highest ceiling thanks to Charizard’s offense, and Squirtle is the most consistent all-rounder.

Which starter should I pick if it is my first playthrough?

Pick Bulbasaur. The first two gyms are Rock and Water, which Grass beats easily, and Venusaur’s bulk forgives beginner mistakes. You will have a much smoother first run than with Charmander, which struggles badly in the same stretch.

Can I change my starter after picking it?

You cannot change your original pick directly, but you can get the other Kanto starters later. An NPC in the Cerulean City Pokémon Center trades you one of the other starters for any Pokémon of your starter’s primary type, and you can catch starters in the wild at Viridian River later in the game.

Is Charmander worth the rough early game?

If you are an experienced player — absolutely. Charizard has 109 base Special Attack and 100 Speed, two Mega Evolutions, and some of the best fusions in the game. Just catch a Grass or Electric type early to survive Brock and Misty, and Charmander will pay you back tenfold by the Elite Four.

What happens to the starters I do not pick?

Your rival Blue takes the two starters you left behind, fuses them together, and battles you with that fusion before you leave Oak’s lab. It is one of the most memorable moments in the game — and a great early look at how powerful fusions can be.

Are there starters other than the Kanto trio?

Yes. At the start of the game you can also pick the Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, or Kalos starter sets, choose randomized starters, or unlock a custom starter after beating the game once. Entering certain player names also gives secret starters — “Ash” gets you Pikachu, and “Gary” gets you Eevee.

Which starter is best for a Nuzlocke run?

Bulbasaur, by a wide margin. Its early-game dominance protects your team when deaths are most likely, and Venusaur’s 100/100 defenses keep deaths rare late. Squirtle is the safe second choice; Charmander is high-risk and best left to confident Nuzlocke veterans.

Final Verdict

Bulbasaur is the best starter for beginners, Squirtle is the best starter for consistency, and Charmander is the best starter for players chasing maximum power — and the good news is that every choice evolves into elite fusion material. Pick the one that matches your playstyle, grab the other two later, and have fun fusing them.