Mixed
Balanced
60Speed · Below Avg

Is Ivysaur Good in Yellow Playthrough?

Picks up where Bulbasaur left off, but since you get Bulbasaur later in Yellow, Ivysaur doesn't spend much time on the team before evolving. Venusaur at 32 is still worth reaching.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTGTTEETGGGTEEBrockGym 1MistyGym 2BulbasaurGiftIvysaurEvolveSurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4VenusaurEvolveKogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4BlueChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Tough

Brock's typing presses Bulbasaur's defenses.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 10
RockGround
Rock Head
Tackle
Avoid
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleScreechBindBide
Misty
Gym 2
Good

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

You Win
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleWater Gun
Even
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
TackleWater GunHardenBubble Beam
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Tough

Lt. Surge's typing presses Ivysaur's defenses.

Risky
Raichu
Lv 28
Electric
Static
ThunderboltMega PunchMega KickGrowl
Erika
Gym 4
Tough

Erika's typing presses Ivysaur's defenses.

Risky
Tangela
Lv 30
Grass
Chlorophyll
BindVine WhipMega DrainConstrict
Risky
Weepinbell
Lv 32
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Razor LeafStun SporeSleep PowderWrap
Risky
Gloom
Lv 32
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Petal DanceAcidSleep PowderStun Spore
Koga
Gym 5
Even

Venusaur trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.

Even
Venonat
Lv 44
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicTackleSleep PowderPsychic
Even
Venonat
Lv 46
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicPsybeamSupersonicPsychic
Even
Venonat
Lv 48
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicDouble EdgeSleep PowderPsychic
Risky
Venomoth
Lv 50
BugPoison
Shield Dust
Leech LifeDouble TeamPsychicToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Venusaur trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

You Win
Abra
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
Flash
Even
Kadabra
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
KinesisRecoverPsychicPsywave
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
PsywaveRecoverPsychicReflect
Blaine
Gym 7
Tough

Blaine's team hits Venusaur's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Ninetales
Lv 48
Fire
Flash Fire
FlamethrowerTail WhipQuick AttackConfuse Ray
Risky
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
StompGrowlFire SpinTake Down
Risky
Arcanine
Lv 54
Fire
Intimidate
FlamethrowerFire BlastReflectTake Down
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

Venusaur has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.

You Win
Dugtrio
Lv 50
Ground
Sand Veil
DigSand AttackFissureEarthquake
Even
Persian
Lv 53
Normal
Limber
ScreechDouble TeamFury SwipesSlash
Even
Nidoqueen
Lv 53
PoisonGround
Poison Point
EarthquakeTail WhipThunderDouble Kick
Even
Nidoking
Lv 55
PoisonGround
Poison Point
EarthquakeLeerThunderDouble Kick
Easy KO
Rhydon
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Rock SlideFury AttackHorn DrillEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Good

Venusaur has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.

You Win
Dewgong
Lv 54
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Bubble BeamAurora BeamRestTake Down
Easy KO
Cloyster
Lv 53
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SupersonicClampIce BeamSpike Cannon
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
PsychicSurfWithdrawAmnesia
Risky
Jynx
Lv 56
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapIce PunchLovely KissThrash
You Win
Lapras
Lv 56
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Body SlamConfuse RayBlizzardHydro Pump
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

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

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 53
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock SlideScreechSlamDig
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 55
Fighting
Keen Eye
Ice PunchThunder PunchFire PunchDouble Team
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 55
Fighting
Limber
Double KickMega KickHigh Jump KickDouble Team
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock SlideScreechSlamEarthquake
Even
Machamp
Lv 58
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopStrengthSubmission
Agatha
Elite Four
Tough

Agatha's team hits Venusaur's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Gengar
Lv 56
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RaySubstituteLickMega Drain
Risky
Golbat
Lv 56
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
SupersonicToxicWing AttackLeech Life
Risky
Haunter
Lv 55
GhostPoison
Levitate
Confuse RayLickHypnosisDream Eater
Even
Arbok
Lv 58
Poison
Intimidate
WrapGlareScreechAcid
Avoid
Gengar
Lv 60
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayPsychicHypnosisDream Eater
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Venusaur trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
Even
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveSlamThunderboltHyper Beam
Even
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
Bubble BeamWrapIce BeamHyper Beam
Even
Aerodactyl
Lv 60
RockFlying
Rock Head
Wing AttackSwiftFlyHyper Beam
Risky
Dragonite
Lv 62
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
BlizzardFire BlastThunderHyper Beam
Blue
Champion
Even

Venusaur trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

Easy KO
Sandslash
Lv 61
Ground
Sand Veil
EarthquakeSlashPoison StingFury Swipes
Even
Alakazam
Lv 59
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamPsychicKinesisRecover
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 61
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
BarrageHypnosisStompLeech Seed
You Win
Magneton
Lv 63
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltThunder WaveScreechSwift
Risky
Ninetales
Lv 61
Fire
Flash Fire
Fire SpinTail WhipQuick AttackConfuse Ray
Risky
Flareon
Lv 65
Fire
Flash Fire
FlamethrowerQuick AttackSmogFire Spin
Gift Bulbasaur
Available after Badge 2
Type
GrassPoison
Tier
F

Bulbasaur is given to you as a gift on Cerulean City at Lv 10. Requires high Pikachu friendship. A girl in a house near the Pokemon Center in Cerulean City will give you her Bulbasaur if your Pikachu has high enough friendship. Raise friendship by walking with Pikachu and winning battles.

View Bulbasaur locations

Recommended Moves
    • LV 13GrassVine Whip68100%25
  • After Misty
    • TM08NormalBody Slam85100%15
    • LV 27GrassRazor Leaf8395%25
  • After Erika
    • TM21GrassMega Drain60100%15
    • TM10NormalDouble-Edge120100%15
    • LV 41GrassSleep Powder75%15
    • LV 48GrassSolar Beam180100%10
  • After Koga
    • TM09NormalTake Down9085%20
Evolve Bulbasaur to Ivysaur
Level 16
Type
GrassPoison
Tier
E

Your Bulbasaur should hit Level 16 before you reach Lt. Surge, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 16)
    • LV 16GrassVine Whip68100%25
  • After Misty
    • TM08NormalBody Slam85100%15
    • LV 30GrassRazor Leaf8395%25
  • After Erika
    • TM21GrassMega Drain60100%15
    • TM10NormalDouble-Edge120100%15
    • LV 46GrassSleep Powder75%15
  • After Koga
    • TM09NormalTake Down9085%20
    • LV 54GrassSolar Beam180100%10
Evolve Ivysaur to Venusaur
Level 32
Type
GrassPoison
Tier
E

Your Ivysaur should hit Level 32 before you reach Koga, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 32)
    • LV 32GrassRazor Leaf8395%25
  • After Misty
    • TM08NormalBody Slam85100%15
  • After Erika
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • TM10NormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • After Koga
    • TM06PoisonToxic90%10
    • TM09NormalTake Down9085%20
    • LV 55GrassSleep Powder75%15
    • LV 65GrassSolar Beam180100%10

How to Get Ivysaur in Yellow

Can't catch Ivysaur directly. Start with Bulbasaur at solid rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 32. The 3-stage chain from Bulbasaur to Ivysaur is where the leveling time goes.

How to Obtain Ivysaur in Y

  1. Bulbasaur
    Step 1Catch Bulbasaur
    Cerulean City
    Lv.10Gift from NPC
    Rate 100%
    Requires high Pikachu friendship
  2. Ivysaur
    Step 2Ivysaur
  3. Venusaur
    Step 3Evolve into Venusaur

Ivysaur Weakness

Type-wise, Ivysaur takes extra damage from Bug, Fire, Ice, Flying, and Psychic. Watch out for Bug attacks, those deal 4x damage. The Grass/Poison typing picks up 4 resistances to work with.

Ivysaur Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Bug
2x (Weak)Fire, Ice, Flying, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)Water, Electric, Fighting
0.25x (Resist)Grass
Gen I Type Chart
  • Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
  • Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
  • Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split

What is Ivysaur Weak Against

Fragile
5Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score-7
4xCritical
¼xResist
0xImmune
None

What is Ivysaur Strong Against

5Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+4
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Ivysaur

Ivysaur Evolutions

This Grass/Poison-type links Bulbasaur to Venusaur. Ivysaur has 405 stats but sits in the Undiscovered egg group. HP has grown the most so far (+15), but there's still another 120 stats to gain in the final evolution. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Bulbasaur
GrassPoison
Ivysaur
GrassPoison
Venusaur
GrassPoison
HP
45
60+15
80+20
ATK
49
62+13
82+20
DEF
49
63+14
83+20
SP.ATK
65
80+15
100+20
SP.DEF
65
80+15
100+20
SPE
45
60+15
80+20
BST
318D-Tier
405C-Tier+87
525C-Tier+120
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Attacker
TYPE
Utility
Special
Mixed
Breeding not available · Introduced in Gen 2

Y Ivysaur Best Moveset

Sits between Bulbasaur and Venusaur in every stat that matters, with 80 Special for modest MoveRazor Leaf damage and MoveSleep Powder for one free setup turn. The moves work at reduced power, and Venusaur does everything harder.

Best Build

Experimental
Support
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Ivysaur
HardyNEUTRAL

Support Moveset

  • Razor LeafSTAB
  • Sleep PowderSTAB
  • Mega DrainSTAB
  • Leech SeedSTAB

Moves List

Most of Ivysaur's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Solar Beam and Razor Leaf, but Normal and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
D10040Normal
Lv 1
Leech Seed
B9010Grass
Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 7
Leech Seed
B9010Grass
Lv 13
Vine Whip
D6710025Grass
Lv 22
Poison Powder
7535Poison
Lv 30
Razor Leaf
S829525Grass
Lv 38
Growth
A20Normal
Lv 46
Sleep Powder
B7515Grass
Lv 54
Solar Beam
A18010010Grass

TM Moves

TM
TM34
Bide+1
D10Normal
TM08
Body Slam
A8510015Normal
HM01
Cut
509530Normal
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM10
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
TM21
Mega Drain
B6010010Grass
TM31
Mimic
D10Normal
TM20
Rage
D2010020Normal
TM33
Reflect
C20Psychic
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM22
Solar Beam
A18010010Grass
TM50
Substitute
C10Normal
TM03
Swords Dance
C30Normal
TM09
Take Down
D908520Normal
TM06
Toxic
A9010Poison

Egg Moves

Ivysaur doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Ivysaur can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP60
C
Attack62
C
Defense63
C
Sp. Atk80
C
Sp. Def80
C
Speed60
C
Total405
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.0 m
Weight13.0 kg
Base XP142
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+1SpD+1Spe
Special Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

The bulb on its back grows by drawing energy. It gives off an aroma when it is ready to bloom.

Pokemon Yellow

Ivysaur Yellow Guide

  • At 405 BST, Ivysaur is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Venusaur before bringing it to any serious fight.

  • In Yellow, Ivysaur's biggest threats include Scyther (Bug), Charizard (Fire), and Cloyster (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Scyther is the most dangerous since Bug moves deal 4x damage. Flying and Psychic-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.

  • Ivysaur is a mixed attacker with base 62 Attack and 80 Special. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often.

  • In Yellow, For a casual playthrough, Ivysaur works as a placeholder. Grass/Poison coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Venusaur. That's where the stats start mattering.

  • For Yellow, the core moveset is Razorleaf, Sleep Powder, Megadrain, and Leech Seed. Razorleaf leads at 0% usage. This set covers the balanced role with a mix of damage and utility.

Game Availability

Present since Red & Blue, Ivysaur appears in 21 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Ivysaur have the longest track record of availability in the series.

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