Generation I
Best Team for Pokémon Blue
Pokémon Blue shares Kanto's geography with Red but swaps a few version exclusives — Vulpix instead of Growlithe, Sandshrew instead of Ekans, Magmar instead of Electabuzz. Squirtle is the recommended starter for the most comfortable early game in the series.
Recommended Team
Blastoise
Water — Starter
Squirtle is the easiest of the three starters through the first half of the game. Blastoise's Surf and Ice Beam combination handles most of the Kanto gym leaders and the Elite Four without needing a specialist for either role.
Alternatives
Starmie
If you chose Charmander or Bulbasaur instead, Staryu on the Cerulean shore fills the Water slot and adds Psychic coverage — strictly more versatile than Blastoise if you already have Ground for Surf.
Vaporeon
Water Stone on the Celadon Mansion Eevee; bulkier than Starmie with high HP, though slower. A solid Blastoise alternative if you want more staying power and less reliance on Staryu.
Starmie
Water / Psychic — All-Rounder
Staryu on the Cerulean City shore; Water Stone into Starmie gives you the fastest Water type in Kanto with Psychic coverage on top. It's technically redundant with Blastoise on Water, but Psychic carries the Elite Four so it earns its slot.
Alternatives
Poliwrath
Poliwhirl on Routes 22–25 via Water Stone; adds Fighting-type coverage alongside Water and is more physically oriented — worth considering if you want a different coverage angle than Psychic.
Hypno
Drowzee on Route 11; if you want Psychic coverage without running two Water types, Hypno is bulkier than Kadabra and covers the same mid-game role without a trade.
Jolteon
Electric — Speed Sweeper
The Celadon Mansion gives you an Eevee; a Thunder Stone from Celadon Dept. Store makes it Jolteon, the fastest Electric type in Kanto. It punishes Water and Flying types before they can act.
Alternatives
Raichu
Pikachu on Routes 2–3; Thunder Stone into Raichu covers Electric without spending the Eevee gift — useful if you'd rather save it for Vaporeon in the Water slot.
Electrode
Power Plant (requires Surf); faster than Jolteon but hits softer. A fallback option if the Eevee is already committed elsewhere.
Nidoking
Poison / Ground — Coverage Attacker
Route 22 Nidoran♂ evolved with a Moon Stone; learns Earthquake for Rock/Steel, plus Surf and Thunderbolt for near-complete type coverage and HM duty. One of the most efficient team slots in Gen 1.
Alternatives
Nidoqueen
Nidoran♀ is right next to Nidoran♂ on Route 22; same coverage role with a slight Defense edge — pick whichever gender you find first.
Rhydon
The first Pokémon ever designed by Game Freak and Giovanni's signature for a reason — Rhydon's HP, Attack, and Defense are absurd, and it can learn Surf despite being Rock/Ground. A great alternative if you want to run something a little different.
Lapras
Water / Ice — Bulky Support
Gift from Silph Co. after clearing the building; Lapras provides Surf HM and Ice Beam to handle Lance's Dragon types in the Elite Four. Having three Water types might seem redundant but Lapras earns it through sheer bulk and Ice coverage.
If two Water types already feel like too much, drop Starmie and put Kadabra in its slot for the Psychic coverage — Lapras alone handles Surf duty.
Alternatives
Cloyster
Shellder via Good Rod on the coast; Water Stone into Cloyster trades bulk for 180 Defense — one of the hardest physical walls in the game with the same Water/Ice typing.
Dewgong
Seafoam Islands on the path to Cinnabar; naturally available on the late-game route and provides Water/Ice without needing a Stone evolution.
Kadabra
Psychic — Special Sweeper
Catch an Abra near Cerulean City (they Teleport away immediately, so use a Pokéball on the first turn); Kadabra's Special and Speed are the highest of any non-legendary Psychic type you can get without a trade.
Kadabra can't evolve into Alakazam without trading. It doesn't matter — Kadabra's stats are already elite and it sweeps the Elite Four as-is.
Alternatives
Hypno
Drowzee on Route 11; bulkier than Kadabra with more HP and Defense — slower but harder to kill. Better if you find Abra's Teleport too annoying to catch.
Jynx
Trade a Poliwhirl in Cerulean City for Jynx; Ice/Psychic typing in one slot handles both Lance's Dragons and the Psychic-heavy Elite Four, covering two late-game threats simultaneously.
Starter Comparison
Blastoise
WaterMediumHandles Brock cleanly with Water Gun; no hard counters through the gym challenge; Ice Beam dismantles Lance's Dragon lineup
The most consistent choice in Kanto. No spectacular early wins but no disasters either — Blastoise carries Surf, Ice Beam, and Bite for solid neutral coverage all game. The best pick if you want a reliable foundation.
Venusaur
Grass / PoisonEasySuper-effective against Brock and Misty; Razor Leaf handles the first four gyms without support
A sleeper pick that most people write off as the boring choice. Bulbasaur sweeps the first two gyms without breaking a sweat, and Venusaur's stall game with Leech Seed and Giga Drain is genuinely underrated. There are easy answers to Fire and Flying threats — don't let people talk you out of it.
Charizard
Fire / FlyingHardWeak against Brock and Misty; dominates from Erika (gym 4) onward with Flamethrower, Fly, and Slash
The hardest start — Charmander actively loses the first two gyms and needs a Mankey on Route 22 just to survive Brock. Charizard in the late game is genuinely powerful, but only pick this if you know what you're signing up for.
Tips & Notes
- →
Grab a Mankey on Route 22 regardless of your starter — Low Kick at level 9 wrecks Onix and makes Brock manageable for any team. Karate Chop at 15 combined with Focus Energy starts landing crits regularly, and Thrash at 46 one-shots most things in the late game.
- →
Kadabra can't evolve to Alakazam without trading, but its stats are strong enough to carry the story.
- →
Starmie and Blastoise overlap on Water type — feel free to swap Starmie for something with Fire or Ground coverage if the redundancy bothers you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best team for Pokémon Blue?
The recommended team for Pokémon Blue is: Blastoise, Starmie, Jolteon, Nidoking, Lapras, Kadabra. Pokémon Blue shares Kanto's geography with Red but swaps a few version exclusives — Vulpix instead of Growlithe, Sandshrew instead of Ekans, Magmar instead of Electabuzz. Squirtle is the recommended starter for the most comfortable early game in the series.
What starter should I choose in Pokémon Blue?
Blastoise (Water — Starter): Squirtle is the easiest of the three starters through the first half of the game. Blastoise's Surf and Ice Beam combination handles most of the Kanto gym leaders and the Elite Four without needing a specialist for either role.
What tips should I know for Pokémon Blue?
Grab a Mankey on Route 22 regardless of your starter — Low Kick at level 9 wrecks Onix and makes Brock manageable for any team. Karate Chop at 15 combined with Focus Energy starts landing crits regularly, and Thrash at 46 one-shots most things in the late game. Kadabra can't evolve to Alakazam without trading, but its stats are strong enough to carry the story. Starmie and Blastoise overlap on Water type — feel free to swap Starmie for something with Fire or Ground coverage if the redundancy bothers you.
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