Highlights
- Grass-type Pokemon have important type advantages, such as being effective against Water-types.
- Players should consider the power and strength (and cuteness) of Grass-type Pokemon when choosing which ones to add to their team.
- Abilities and Movesets play an important role in determining the best Gen 1 Grass-types, as does how easily the Pokemon can be obtained.
Grass Pokemon are often overlooked in the Pokemon franchise. It's hard to imagine why, other than the type seeming a little common and basic. After all, grass Pokemon have some very important type advantages — for example, players will need a good one to take down a water Pokemon, and they're much easier to find than Electric-types.
Jokemon: The Silliest Looking Pokemon In The Franchise, Ranked
There's been plenty of questionable Pokemon designs over the years, but some of them are just downright silly.
Grass types make for a good addition to just about any team, so why not save a slot for one of them? A trainer playing the Gen One games will want to think about which awesome Grass-type Pokemon can be found in Kanto. It's important to consider the power and strength of each and, for those who care about cosmetics, perhaps think a little about how cute they are too.
Updated on June 2, 2024, by Chad Thesen: This article has been updated for the purpose of adding information relating to alternate forms of existing entries on this list. Each entry has also had its abilities added alongside descriptions of what those abilities are capable of. It is worth noting that these abilities were added in Generation 3, and will not be present in the original Red and Blue — but are present in the remakes Firered and Leafgreen.
14 Paras
Base Stat Total: 285
Paras' Stats | |
---|---|
HP | 35 |
Attack | 70 |
Defense | 55 |
Special Attack | 45 |
Special Defense | 55 |
Speed | 25 |
- Where to Find Paras in Pokemon Red & Blue: Mt. Moon or the Safari Zone
Paras is distinctly unimpressive — sorry, Paras! Although it might do the job against a lower-level Pokemon, especially a water one, it's a very common Pokemon that won't give players any extremely great advantages in battle that can't be found elsewhere. Catch one to register it in the Pokedex, but then leave it in the PC box or trade it for candy.
Paras does have access to some useful moves such as Stun Spore, Giga Drain, and Sludge Bomb. It also gets the amazing ability that is Effect Spore, having a chance of giving the opponent the statuses Sleep, Paralysis, and Poison just by attacking it physically.
Abilities | |
---|---|
Effect Spore | Contact with the Pokemon may inflict poison, sleep, or paralysis on the attacker. |
Dry Skin (Gen 4 onwards) | Restores the Pokemon's HP in rain or when it is hit by Water-type moves. Reduces HP in harsh sunlight, and increases the damage received from Fire-type moves. |
Damp (Hidden( | The Pokemon dampens its surroundings, preventing all Pokemon from using explosive moves such as Self-Destruct. |
13 Bellsprout
Base Stat Total: 300
Bellsprout's Stats | |
---|---|
HP | 50 |
Attack | 75 |
Defense | 35 |
Special Attack | 70 |
Special Defense | 30 |
Speed | 40 |
- Where to Find Bellsprout in Pokemon Red & Blue: Routes 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 24, and 25
Bellsprout is another unimpressive specimen. Those who've played Pokemon Gold & Silver will remember the pain of fighting many of them at the tower in the very first city, and the opportunity to trade one for an Onix — which is worth taking, sorry Bellsprout! Even its voice is kind of annoying.
While Chlorophyll is a good ability, it can only be activated in sunlight, making it very situational. Bellsprout does make good use of moves like Stun Spore, Sludge Bomb, and Giga Drain, though, which can make it an incredibly frustrating Pokemon to come up against in battle.
Abilities | |
---|---|
Chlorophyll | Boosts the Pokemon's Speed stat in harsh sunlight. |
Gluttony (Hidden) | If the Pokemon is holding a Berry to be eaten when its HP is low, it will instead eat the Berry when its HP drops to half or less. |
12 Oddish
Base Stat Total: 320
Oddish's Stats | |
---|---|
HP | 45 |
Attack | 50 |
Defense | 55 |
Special Attack | 75 |
Special Defense | 65 |
Speed | 30 |
- Where to Find Oddish in Pokemon Red & Blue: Routes 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 24, and 25
Oddish is no more impressive than Paras or Bellsprout in terms of power, but it definitely has the edge in terms of how cute it is. The moves it has can be a little more useful too, with the status moves being better than other first grass evolutions. It's a little harder to find in most of the games than Paras or Bellsprout, but worth searching out — especially to evolve it into later evolutions.
Moves like Moonlight, Stun Spore, and Petal Dance are really good for Oddish, but its ability isn't anywhere near as helpful. Its Chlorophyll, just like Belllsprout above. Even so, the status effects that Oddish is able to inflict make it a very useful Pokemon to have on one's team.
Abilities | |
---|---|
Chlorophyll | Boosts the Pokemon's Speed stat in harsh sunlight. |
Run Away (Hidden) | Enables a sure getaway from wild Pokemon. |
11 Exeggcute
Base Stat Total: 325
Exeggcute's Stats | |
---|---|
HP | 60 |
Attack | 40 |
Defense | 80 |
Special Attack | 60 |
Special Defense | 45 |
Speed | 40 |
- Where to Find Exeggcute in Pokemon Red & Blue: Safari Zone
Exeggcute is a dual-type grass/psychic, which makes it a little more useful to have on the team than some of the other Pokemon here. Of course, that doesn't mean it's particularly powerful — it's still the first evolution, and it's literally just a bunch of eggs. It isn't particularly cute either. Shame.
Pokemon: The 25 Best Grass Moves, Ranked
From Strength Sap to Giga Drain and the mighty G-Max Vine Lash, here are some of the best Grass-type moves in the Pokemon series!
For all of its flaws, Exeggcute does have some very strong moves, such as Light Screen, Psychic, and Leech Seed. Its ability is, once again, Chlorophyll. Those searching for the best Gen 1 Grass-type Pokemon will probably want to look elsewhere, but that's not to say that Exeggcute and its evolution can't still be useful in battle.
Abilities | |
---|---|
Chlorophyll | Boosts the Pokemon's Speed stat in harsh sunlight. |
Harvest (Hidden) | May create another Berry after one is used. |
10 Parasect
Base Stat Total: 405
Parasect's Stats | |
---|---|
HP | 60 |
Attack | 95 |
Defense | 80 |
Special Attack | 60 |
Special Defense | 80 |
Speed | 30 |
- Where to Find Parasect in Pokemon Red & Blue: Safari Zone
Parasect is the evolution of Paras, so it's safe to say it's a little more impressive and powerful. The potential moves to learn are much better, and it should be able to take down a water Pokemon of the same level or even a little higher with ease. Parasect, however, is still pretty easy to get and isn't exactly an impressive-looking Pokemon, so it's not worth holding onto. Look for a better option.
Parasect does learn some better moves than its previous form, like Dig, Aerial Ace, and Growth. It also keeps the great ability that is Effect Spore. Wild Parasect can be caught in the Safari Zone, but evolving a Paras is a much easier option. Paras evolves at Level 24, so players shouldn't have to put in too much work, particularly once they have EXP share.
Abilities | |
---|---|
Effect Spore | Contact with the Pokemon may inflict poison, sleep, or paralysis on the attacker. |
Dry Skin (Gen 4 onwards) | Restores the Pokemon's HP in rain or when it is hit by Water-type moves. Reduces HP in harsh sunlight, and increases the damage received from Fire-type moves. |
Damp (Hidden( | The Pokemon dampens its surroundings, preventing all Pokemon from using explosive moves such as Self-Destruct. |
9 Weepinbell
Base Stat Total: 390
Weepinbell's Stats | |
---|---|
HP | 65 |
Attack | 90 |
Defense | 50 |
Special Attack | 85 |
Special Defense | 45 |
Speed | 55 |
- Where to Find Weepinbell in Pokemon Red & Blue: Routes 12, 13, 14, and 15
Weepinbell evolves from Bellsprout and is a middle evolution. Here, we're getting a little more powerful and a little more useful — Weepinbell isn't a terrible choice in battle to go against a mid-level Pokemon. Still, it only ranks around the middle of the list because it's a fairly common grass type and Bellsprout isn't exactly difficult to find or evolve.
Weepinbell makes good use of moves like Stun Spore, Sludge Bomb, and Giga Drain, but once again is limited with the situational ability, Chlorophyll. Weepinbell is catchable in Blue and LeafGreen only. Players can also evolve a Bellsprout to get one, which simply requires leveling the Pokemon up to Level 21 or higher.
Abilities | |
---|---|
Chlorophyll | Boosts the Pokemon's Speed stat in harsh sunlight. |
Gluttony (Hidden) | If the Pokemon is holding a Berry to be eaten when its HP is low, it will instead eat the Berry when its HP drops to half or less. |
8 Gloom
Base Stat Total: 395
Gloom's Stats | |
---|---|
HP | 60 |
Attack | 65 |
Defense | 70 |
Special Attack | 85 |
Special Defense | 75 |
Speed | 40 |
- Where to Find Gloom in Pokemon Red & Blue: Routes 12, 13, 14, and 15
Gloom is another middle evolution, and actually worth having. Gloom has some pretty cool moves and has two evolution options (though one isn't generation one), which gives it the edge over a Pokemon like Weepinbell on this list. It's a bit miserable looking, sure, but that doesn't mean it can't be very useful in battle — especially with some handy status moves.
The 14 Most Powerful Grass-Type Pokemon from the Kanto and Johto Regions
The first two generations of Pokemon games featured some amazing Grass-types. These stood out as the strongest of the bunch.
Gloom does make good use of moves like Stun Spore, Sludge Bomb, and Giga Drain, but sadly, it is once again only given the Chlorophyll ability. Gloom appears on Routes 12, 13, 14, and 15, or, alternatively, players could just evolve an Oddish. Either way, this evolutionary line is well worth investing in for those who have the opportunity to do so.
Abilities | |
---|---|
Stench | By releasing a stench when attacking, the Pokemon may cause the target to flinch. |
Run Away (Hidden) | Enables a sure getaway from wild Pokemon. |
7 Victreebel
Base Stat Total: 480
Victreebel's Stats | |
---|---|
HP | 80 |
Attack | 105 |
Defense | 65 |
Special Attack | 100 |
Special Defense | 60 |
Speed | 70 |
- Where to Find Victreebell in Pokemon Red & Blue: N/A (Evolve Weepinbell by Using a Leaf Stone)
For sheer power alone, Victreebel is pretty high up the pecking order when it comes to the strongest Gen 1 Grass-types. Perhaps known in the show for swallowing James of Team Rocket constantly — er, despite him being its owner — it's a pretty useful grass type to have around for the sheer fact it's a final evolution and therefore, hard to beat in battle unless there's a type advantage.
Victreebel has the same ability and moves as Weepinbell. Additionally, players can only obtain a Victreebel by evolving a Weepinbell, which requires a Leaf Stone. These can be purchased at the Celadon Department Store or found in certain locations around Kanto.
Abilities | |
---|---|
Chlorophyll | Boosts the Pokemon's Speed stat in harsh sunlight. |
Gluttony (Hidden) | If the Pokemon is holding a Berry to be eaten when its HP is low, it will instead eat the Berry when its HP drops to half or less. |
6 Tangela
Base Stat Total: 435
Tangela's Stats | |
---|---|
HP | 65 |
Attack | 55 |
Defense | 115 |
Special Attack | 100 |
Special Defense | 40 |
Speed | 60 |
- Where to Find Tangela in Pokemon Red & Blue: Route 21
Tangela is a grass type that isn't hugely powerful but still useful to have around — and it has some pretty neat lore surrounding it. If it gets caught in something, it can snap off its vines and painlessly regrow them! It's also pretty rare to find in any of the games, including Pokemon GO, which edges it up the list.
Tangela's only ability is Chlorophyll. However, it does have access to solid moves like Sleep Powder, Growth, and Giga Drain. It's far from the best option when it comes to the best Gen 1 Grass-Type Pokemon, though, for those who opt for a Water or Fire-type starter, it's not a bad option to have.
Abilities | |
---|---|
Chlorophyll | Boosts the Pokemon's Speed stat in harsh sunlight. |
Leaf Gaurd (Gen 4 onward) | Prevents status conditions in harsh sunlight. |
Regenerator | The Pokemon has a little of its HP restored when withdrawn from battle. |
5 Exeggutor
Base Stat Total: 520
Exeggutor's Stats | |
---|---|
HP | 95 |
Attack | 95 |
Defense | 85 |
Special Attack | 125 |
Special Defense | 65 |
Speed | 55 |
- Where to Find Exeggutor in Pokemon Red & Blue: N/A (Evolve Exeggcute by Using a Leaf Stone)
Exeggutor has some different forms in the later generations and has always remained a pretty powerful Pokemon. Its dual type gives it some advantages in battle — and, admittedly, some disadvantages, but it's generally still a pretty cool addition to the team and can do some serious damage to an opponent.
Exeggutor has some very strong moves, such as Light Screen, Psychic, and Leech Seed. Unfortunately, the only way to get an Exeggutor is by evolving an Exeggcute, which needs a Leaf Stone. Luckily, Leaf Stones are purchasable at the Celadon Department Store.
Abilities | |
---|---|
Chlorophyll | Boosts the Pokemon's Speed stat in harsh sunlight. |
Frisk (Alolan Form) | When it enters a battle, the Pokemon can check an opposing Pokemon's held item. |
Harvest (Hidden) | May create another Berry after one is used. |
Alternate Forms For Exeggutor
Alolan Form Stats | |
---|---|
HP | 95 |
Attack | 105 |
Defense | 85 |
Special Attack | 125 |
Special Defense | 75 |
Speed | 45 |
4 Bulbasaur
Base Stat Total: 318
Bulbasaur's Stats | |
---|---|
HP | 45 |
Attack | 49 |
Defense | 49 |
Special Attack | 65 |
Special Defense | 65 |
Speed | 45 |
- Where to Find Bulbasaur in Pokemon Red & Blue: Get From Professor Oak in Pallet Town
Starter Pokemon simply have to rank highly among the best Grass-type Pokemon in the Gen 1 games — it's not fair otherwise. Bulbasaur gets looked down upon by those who choose Charmander or Squirtle and is the least popular choice, but it can become pretty powerful and it's also adorable to boot. Remember when it took care of the other Pokemon early in the show and then chose to go with Ash?
More people should give the grass starter a chance. Overgrow is a very good ability, giving Bulbasaur's Grass-type moves a power boost whenever its health is less than 1/3. Bulbasaur can learn some decent moves like Sleep Powder, Giga Drain, and Sludge Bomb.
Abilities | |
---|---|
Overgrow | Powers up Grass-type moves when the Pokemon's HP is low. |
Chlorophyll (Hidden) | Boosts the Pokemon's Speed stat in harsh sunlight. |
3 Ivysaur
Base Stat Total: 405
Ivysaur's Stats | |
---|---|
HP | 60 |
Attack | 62 |
Defense | 63 |
Special Attack | 80 |
Special Defense | 80 |
Speed | 60 |
- Where to Find Ivysaur in Pokemon Red & Blue: N/A (Evolve Bulbasaur by Reaching Level 16)
Ivysaur is the evolution of Bulbasaur and also cute — it's like Bulbasaur, just bigger! Alright, so the design isn't particularly original in comparison to the starter, which gives them about the same place on the list, but it's definitely a step up in terms of battle power and well on the way to the ultimate evolution of the first-gen grass starter.
Ivysaur's moves and abilities are the same as Bulbasaur's. Since Ivysaur is the evolution to a starter in this region players will have to choose the grass starter to acquire one. Of course, it's also possible to acquire Ivysaur through trading, though convincing somebody to part with one of these powerful Gen 1 Grass-types may not be easy.
Abilities | |
---|---|
Overgrow | Powers up Grass-type moves when the Pokemon's HP is low. |
Chlorophyll (Hidden) | Boosts the Pokemon's Speed stat in harsh sunlight. |
2 Vileplume
Base Stat Total: 480
Vileplume's Stats | |
---|---|
HP | 75 |
Attack | 80 |
Defense | 85 |
Special Attack | 100 |
Special Defense | 90 |
Speed | 50 |
- Where to Find Vileplume in Pokemon Red & Blue: N/A (Evolve Gloom by Using a Leaf Stone)
Vileplume is not the only potential evolution from Gloom, but it is the Gen One evolution. It's a powerful Pokemon that can do some real damage to others in battle, especially when it comes to poisoning. The opposing Pokemon might go down really fast if it's facing a Vileplume and gets hit with that damage. Aside from attack power, it's also adorable.
Vileplume's ability (Chlorophyll) and moves (Stun Spore, Sludge Bomb, and Giga Drain) aren't different from those of its pre-evolutions. However, Vileplume cannot be found in the wild. Players need to evolve a Gloom to have one. It evolves by using a Leaf Stone. The Celadon Department Store sells them at a very reasonable price.
Abilities | |
---|---|
Chlorophyll | Contact with the Pokemon may inflict poison, sleep, or paralysis on the attacker. |
Run Away (Hidden) | Enables a sure getaway from wild Pokemon. |
1 Venasaur
Base Stat Total: 525
Venasaur's Stats | |
---|---|
HP | 80 |
Attack | 82 |
Defense | 83 |
Special Attack | 100 |
Special Defense | 100 |
Speed | 80 |
- Where to Find Venusaur in Pokemon Red & Blue: N/A (Evolve Ivysaur by Reaching Level 32)
Level up Bulbasaur high enough, move past Ivysaur, and players will eventually have themselves a Venasaur. Alright, it doesn't look like the cuddliest Pokemon in the world, but it definitely is an intimidating monster to face in battle, and rightly so. Unless there's a type advantage, there aren't many Pokemon that Venasaur would be in trouble against.
While Venasaur has the same ability as its pre-evolutions, it does learn the very strong move Earthquake. This takes the Grass-type starter to the top of the heap. As far as Gen 1 Grass-types go, no Pokemon is stronger than Venasaur, making it a must-catch for any would-be trainer in the Kanto region.
Abilities | |
---|---|
Overgrow | Powers up Grass-type moves when the Pokemon's HP is low. |
Thick Fat (Mega) | The Pokemon is protected by a layer of thick fat, which halves the damage taken from Fire- and Ice-type moves. |
Chlorophyll (Hidden) | Boosts the Pokemon's Speed stat in harsh sunlight. |
Alternate Forms For Venusaur
Mega Stats | |
---|---|
HP | 80 |
Attack | 100 |
Defense | 123 |
Special Attack | 122 |
Special Defense | 120 |
Speed | 80 |
Pokemon: Every Generation's Starter Trio, Ranked
There have been some truly fantastic starter Pokemon over the last 25 years, but some generations definitely shine a lot more brightly than others.