Special
Balanced
45Speed · Slow

Is Chikorita Good in Crystal Playthrough?

Crystal's hardest starter choice hasn't changed from Gold and Silver. Grass typing struggles against Falkner, Bugsy, and Morty. The difference in Crystal is the move tutor: MoveFlamethrower and MoveIce Beam don't help Chikorita directly, but they make other team members stronger around it. Meganium still needs the team to carry its bad matchups.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTEEEEGGTGEEEGSEEETGEChikoritaStarterFalknerGym 1BugsyGym 2BayleefEvolveWhitneyGym 3MortyGym 4ChuckGym 5MeganiumEvolveJasmineGym 6PryceGym 7ClairGym 8SurgeGym 9SabrinaGym 10ErikaGym 11JanineGym 12MistyGym 13BrockGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16WillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4
Falkner
Gym 1
Tough

Falkner's team hits Chikorita's weaknesses hard.

Even
Pidgey
Lv 7
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud Slap
Risky
Pidgeotto
Lv 9
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud SlapGust
Bugsy
Gym 2
Even

Chikorita trades roughly evenly with Bugsy's team.

Even
Metapod
Lv 14
Bug
Shed Skin
TackleString ShotHarden
Even
Kakuna
Lv 14
BugPoison
Shed Skin
Poison StingString ShotHarden
Risky
Scyther
Lv 16
BugFlying
Swarm
Quick AttackLeerFury Cutter
Whitney
Gym 3
Even

Bayleef trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.

You Win
Clefairy
Lv 18
Fairy
Cute Charm
Double SlapMimicEncoreMetronome
Even
Miltank
Lv 20
Normal
Thick Fat
RolloutAttractStompMilk Drink
Morty
Gym 4
Even

Bayleef trades roughly evenly with Morty's team.

Even
Gastly
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
LickSpiteMean LookCurse
Even
Haunter
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisMimicCurseNight Shade
Risky
Gengar
Lv 25
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
HypnosisShadow BallMean LookDream Eater
Even
Haunter
Lv 23
GhostPoison
Levitate
SpiteMean LookMimicNight Shade
Chuck
Gym 5
Even

Bayleef trades roughly evenly with Chuck's team.

Even
Primeape
Lv 27
Fighting
Vital Spirit
LeerRageKarate ChopFury Swipes
You Win
Poliwrath
Lv 30
WaterFighting
Water Absorb
HypnosisMind ReaderSurfDynamic Punch
Jasmine
Gym 6
Good

Meganium has the type edge here and should clean up Jasmine's team.

You Win
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
You Win
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Even
Steelix
Lv 35
SteelGround
Rock Head
ScreechSunny DayRock ThrowIron Tail
Pryce
Gym 7
Good

Bayleef has the type edge here and should clean up Pryce's team.

You Win
Seel
Lv 27
Water
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
You Win
Dewgong
Lv 29
WaterIce
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
You Win
Piloswine
Lv 31
IceGround
Oblivious
Icy WindFury AttackMistBlizzard
Clair
Gym 8
Tough

Clair's team hits Meganium's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveSurfSlamDragon Breath
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveThunderboltSlamDragon Breath
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveIce BeamSlamDragon Breath
Even
Kingdra
Lv 40
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenSurfHyper BeamDragon Breath
Lt. Surge
Gym 9
Good

Meganium has the type edge here and should clean up Lt. Surge's team.

You Win
Raichu
Lv 44
Electric
Static
Thunder WaveQuick AttackThunderboltThunder
Even
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
Even
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
You Win
Magneton
Lv 40
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Lock OnDouble TeamSwiftZap Cannon
You Win
Electabuzz
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder PunchLight ScreenThunder
Sabrina
Gym 10
Even

Meganium trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Espeon
Lv 46
Psychic
Synchronize
Sand AttackQuick AttackSwiftPsychic
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 46
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierReflectBaton PassPsychic
Even
Alakazam
Lv 48
Psychic
Synchronize
RecoverFuture SightPsychicReflect
Erika
Gym 11
Even

Meganium trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.

Even
Tangela
Lv 42
Grass
Chlorophyll
Vine WhipBindGiga DrainSleep Powder
Even
Jumpluff
Lv 41
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Mega DrainLeech SeedCotton SporeGiga Drain
Risky
Victreebel
Lv 46
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisAcidRazor Leaf
Even
Bellossom
Lv 46
Grass
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisPetal DanceSolar Beam
Janine
Gym 12
Even

Meganium trades roughly evenly with Janine's team.

Risky
Crobat
Lv 36
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
ScreechSupersonicConfuse RayWing Attack
Risky
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
Risky
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
You Win
Ariados
Lv 33
BugPoison
Swarm
Scary FaceGiga DrainString ShotNight Shade
Even
Venomoth
Lv 39
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ForesightDouble TeamGustPsychic
Misty
Gym 13
Good

Meganium has the type edge here and should clean up Misty's team.

You Win
Golduck
Lv 42
Water
Damp
SurfDisablePsych UpPsychic
Easy KO
Quagsire
Lv 42
WaterGround
Damp
SurfAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance
You Win
Lapras
Lv 44
WaterIce
Water Absorb
SurfPerish SongBlizzardRain Dance
Even
Starmie
Lv 47
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SurfConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam
Brock
Gym 14
Strong

Meganium resists most of Brock's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Graveler
Lv 41
RockGround
Rock Head
Defense CurlRock SlideRolloutEarthquake
Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 41
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackScary FaceEarthquakeHorn Drill
Easy KO
Omastar
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
BiteSurfProtectSpike Cannon
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 44
RockGround
Rock Head
BindRock SlideBideSandstorm
Easy KO
Kabutops
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
SlashSurfEndureGiga Drain
Blaine
Gym 15
Even

Meganium trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.

You Win
Magcargo
Lv 45
FireRock
Magma Armor
CurseSmogFlamethrowerRock Slide
Even
Magmar
Lv 45
Fire
Flame Body
Thunder PunchFire PunchSunny DayConfuse Ray
Risky
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
Quick AttackFire SpinFury AttackFire Blast
Blue
Gym 16
Even

Meganium trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

Risky
Pidgeot
Lv 56
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
Quick AttackWhirlwindWing AttackMirror Move
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 54
Psychic
Synchronize
DisableRecoverPsychicReflect
Easy KO
Rhydon
Lv 56
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackSandstormRock SlideEarthquake
Even
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
TwisterHydro PumpRain DanceHyper Beam
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 58
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayLeech SeedEgg BombSolar Beam
Risky
Arcanine
Lv 58
Fire
Intimidate
RoarSwiftFlamethrowerExtreme Speed
Will
Elite Four
Even

Meganium trades roughly evenly with Will's team.

Risky
Xatu
Lv 40
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
Even
Jynx
Lv 41
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapLovely KissIce PunchPsychic
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 41
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
ReflectHypnosisEgg BombPsychic
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 41
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
CurseAmnesiaBody SlamPsychic
Risky
Xatu
Lv 42
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
Koga
Elite Four
Tough

Koga's team hits Meganium's weaknesses hard.

You Win
Ariados
Lv 40
BugPoison
Swarm
Double TeamSpider WebBaton PassGiga Drain
Even
Venomoth
Lv 41
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsychicGustSupersonicToxic
Avoid
Forretress
Lv 43
BugSteel
Sturdy
ProtectSwiftExplosionSpikes
Risky
Muk
Lv 42
Poison
Stench
MinimizeAcid ArmorSludge BombToxic
Risky
Crobat
Lv 44
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Double TeamQuick AttackWing AttackToxic
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Meganium has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

Even
Hitmontop
Lv 42
Fighting
Intimidate
DigCounterTriple KickQuick Attack
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 42
Fighting
Limber
SwaggerDouble KickHigh Jump KickForesight
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 42
Fighting
Keen Eye
Thunder PunchIce PunchFire PunchMach Punch
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 43
RockGround
Rock Head
SandstormDragon BreathRock SlideEarthquake
Even
Machamp
Lv 46
Fighting
Guts
Rock SlideForesightVital ThrowCross Chop
Karen
Elite Four
Even

Meganium trades roughly evenly with Karen's team.

You Win
Umbreon
Lv 42
Dark
Synchronize
Sand AttackConfuse RayFeint AttackMean Look
Even
Vileplume
Lv 42
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporePetal DanceAcidMoonlight
Even
Gengar
Lv 45
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
LickSpiteCurseDestiny Bond
Even
Murkrow
Lv 44
DarkFlying
Insomnia
Quick AttackWhirlwindPursuitFeint Attack
Risky
Houndoom
Lv 47
DarkFire
Early Bird
RoarPursuitFlamethrowerCrunch
Starter
Starter Pokemon
Type
Grass
Tier
F

Chikorita is available as a starter at Lv 5.

View Chikorita locations

Recommended Moves
    • LV 8GrassRazor Leaf8395%25
  • After Falkner
    • TM02NormalHeadbutt70100%15
    • HM01NormalCut5095%30
  • After Whitney
    • TM13NormalSnore50100%15
    • LV 29NormalBody Slam85100%15
  • After Jasmine
    • TM23SteelIron Tail10075%15
    • TM10NormalHidden Power60100%15
    • LV 50GrassSolar Beam180100%10
Evolve Chikorita to Bayleef
Level 16
Type
Grass
Tier
E

Your Chikorita should hit Level 16 before you reach Whitney, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 16)
    • LV 16GrassRazor Leaf8395%25
  • After Falkner
    • TM02NormalHeadbutt70100%15
  • After Whitney
    • HM04NormalStrength80100%15
    • TM13NormalSnore50100%15
    • LV 31NormalBody Slam85100%15
  • After Jasmine
    • TM23SteelIron Tail10075%15
    • TM10NormalHidden Power60100%15
    • LV 55GrassSolar Beam180100%10
Evolve Bayleef to Meganium
Level 32
Type
Grass
Tier
A

Your Bayleef should hit Level 32 before you reach Jasmine, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 32)
    • LV 32GrassRazor Leaf8395%25
    • LV 32NormalBody Slam85100%15
  • After Falkner
    • TM02NormalHeadbutt70100%15
  • After Whitney
    • HM04NormalStrength80100%15
    • TM13NormalSnore50100%15
  • After Jasmine
    • TM23SteelIron Tail10075%15
    • TM10NormalHidden Power60100%15
    • LV 61GrassSolar Beam180100%10

How to Get Chikorita in Crystal

Chikorita is handed to you at New Bark Town. No encounter rates or random spawns involved, so there's nothing to grind. Check the location details below for the exact conditions to trigger it.

How to Obtain Chikorita in C

  1. Chikorita
    Step 1Chikorita
    New Bark Town
    Lv.5Gift from NPC
    Limited
    Starter choice
  2. Bayleef
    Step 2Evolve into Bayleef
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave Meganium with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Bayleef egg.
  3. Meganium
    Step 3Evolve into Meganium

Chikorita Weakness

Chikorita is weak to Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, and Bug. The Grass typing picks up 4 resistances to work with. That's a lot of weak spots to cover so team support is important.

Chikorita Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug
0.5x (Resist)Water, Electric, Grass, Ground
Gen II Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
  • Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def

What is Chikorita Weak Against

Fragile
5Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score-6
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Chikorita Strong Against

3Strong
7Resisted
0Immune
Score-4

Best Pokemon Against Chikorita

Chikorita Evolutions

Chikorita kicks off a three-stage evolution line through Bayleef all the way to Meganium. For breeding, average hatch time with a decent partner pool via two egg groups. Evolving adds up to 207 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Chikorita
Grass
Bayleef
Grass
HP
45
60+15
80+20
ATK
49
62+13
82+20
DEF
65
80+15
100+20
SP.ATK
49
63+14
83+20
SP.DEF
65
80+15
100+20
SPE
45
60+15
80+20
BST
318D-Tier
405D-Tier+87
525C-Tier+120
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Utility
Mixed

Breeding

Easy

Breed Chikorita easily with 23 breeding partners from the Plant and Monster egg groups. Pass egg moves like Ancient Power, Counter, Flail and 3 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Gender
87.5%12.5%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
venusaurmeganiumcharizardblastoisenidokingferaligatrampharosslowbrorhydonslowkingjumpluffivysaur

C Chikorita Best Moveset

Grass starter at pre-evolution stats facing Fire and Ice coverage everywhere. MoveRazor Leaf and defensive screens exist in the movepool. Meganium provides the bulk that makes the Grass support role function.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Chikorita
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Body Slam
  • SynthesisRecovery
  • Giga DrainSTAB
  • Leech SeedSTAB

Moves List

Breeding opens up real options for Chikorita. Ancient Power and Counter come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Solar Beam and Giga Drain and Normal and Steel coverage and more.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
D10040Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 8
Razor Leaf
D829525Grass
Lv 12
Reflect
C20Psychic
Lv 15
Poison Powder
D7535Poison
Lv 22
Synthesis
S5Grass
Lv 29
Body Slam
S8510015Normal
Lv 36
Light Screen
C30Psychic
Lv 43
Safeguard
D25Normal
Lv 50
Solar Beam
C18010010Grass

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
D10015Normal
TM03
Curse
C10Ghost
HM01
Cut
509530Normal
TM43
Detect+4
D5Fighting
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM20
Endure+4
D10Normal
HM05
Flash
D7020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM19
Giga Drain
S1121005Grass
TM02
Headbutt
D7010015Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
D6010015Normal
TM23
Iron Tail
D1007515Steel
TM31
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM35
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM13
Snore
4010015Normal
TM22
Solar Beam
C18010010Grass
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM34
Swagger
C8515Normal
TM12
Sweet Scent
10020Normal
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Ancient Power
D601005Rock
Egg
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Egg
Flail
D10015Normal
Egg
Leech Seed
S9010Grass
Egg
Swords Dance
C30Normal
Egg
Vine Whip
6710025Grass

Tutor Moves

Chikorita can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP45
D
Attack49
D
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk49
D
Sp. Def65
C
Speed45
D
Total318
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height0.9 m
Weight6.4 kg
Base XP64
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpD+1Spe
Special Defense training source
Pokedex Entry

It loves to bask in the sunlight. It uses the leaf on its head to seek out warm places.

Pokemon Crystal

Chikorita Crystal Guide

  • In Crystal, For a casual playthrough, Chikorita works as a placeholder. Grass coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Bayleef. That's where the stats start mattering.

Game Availability

Debuting in Gold & Silver, Chikorita appears in 17 games across 9 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.

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