#0004

Charmander

Best moveset, PvP rankings, counters & stats for Pokemon GO.

Max CP 1,108 Scratch + Flamethrower Sunny
Charmander Pokemon GO sprite

Charmander is a Fire-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO, originally from the Kanto region (#4, Generation 1). With a max CP of 1,108 and base stats of 116/93/118 (Atk/Def/Sta), Charmander has a total stat product of 327.

Charmander is weak to Ground, Rock, Water-type moves. It resists Bug, Fairy, Fire, Grass, Ice, Steel-type attacks. Charmander is a 3.0 km buddy Pokemon. Charmander can currently be hatched from 1km eggs.

Stats

Max CP
1,108
Lv.40: 980 Lv.50: 1,108
Attack 116
Defense 93
Stamina 118
Total 327
Buddy 3.0 km Gen 1 · Kanto 2nd Move: 10,000 Dust · 25 Candy

Moves

Fast Moves

Fire
Ember STAB
10
DPS
10.0 PWR 10 EN 1.0s DUR 10 EPS Sunny
Normal
12
DPS
6.0 PWR 4 EN 0.5s DUR 8 EPS Partly Cloudy

Charged Moves

Fire
28
DPS
70.0 PWR 50 EN 2.5s DUR
Fire
Flame Charge STAB Buff
17.5
DPS
70.0 PWR 33 EN 4.0s DUR
Fire
32.5
DPS
65.0 PWR 50 EN 2.0s DUR

Best Moveset Analysis

Among fast moves, the highest DPS option is Scratch (12 DPS), while Ember generates energy the fastest (10 EPS).

Raid Guide

Charmander as Raid Boss

Not Currently in Raids

Charmander is not currently available as a raid boss. When Charmander returns to raids, here are the best counters to defeat it. A 100% IV Charmander from raids would have 560 CP at level 20, or 700 CP at level 25 with weather boost.

View full raid guide →

Best Counters to Beat Charmander

Charmander is weak to Ground, Rock, Water-type moves, so counters with these move types will deal the most damage.

How to Get Charmander

Charmander can be encountered in the wild in Pokemon GO.

Charmander can currently be hatched from 1km eggs, and the hatched Charmander has a chance to be shiny.

A Shadow version of Charmander is available from Team GO Rocket. Shadow Charmander knows Frustration as its charged move, which can be removed with a Charged TM. Purifying costs 3,000 Stardust and 3 Candy, and the purified form learns Return. Walking Charmander as your buddy earns 1 candy every 3.0 km. It also earns 15 Mega Energy per km when you have Mega Evolved it before.

To Mega Evolve Charmander, you need Mega Energy. The initial Mega Evolution requires 200 Mega Energy, with subsequent Mega Evolutions costing less based on your Mega Level. You can earn Charmander's Mega Energy by completing Mega Raids, walking Charmander as your buddy (15 Mega Energy per km after the first Mega Evolution), or through special research tasks and events.

Charmander Catch CP

These are the possible CP values when encountering Charmander in different scenarios. The range shows minimum (lowest IV floor) to maximum (100% perfect IV).

Wild Catch
Level 1–30
22 – 847 CP
Wild (Weather Boost)
Level 1–35
22 – 917 CP
Raid Catch
Level 20
529 – 574 CP
Raid (Weather Boost)
Level 25
658 – 714 CP
Egg Hatch
Level 20
529 – 574 CP
Research Encounter
Level 15
400 – 434 CP
GO Battle League
Level 20
529 – 574 CP

A 100% IV Charmander from raids or eggs will show 560 CP at level 20. If you see this number, don't hesitate — it's a perfect catch!

Trainer Tips

Charmander is a Fire-type Pokemon with a stat total of 327. With its bulk spread of 93 Defense and 118 Stamina, Charmander has solid survivability in battles.

Watch out for Ground, Rock, Water-type moves when using Charmander. These types deal super effective damage that can cut into Charmander's performance.

Charmander's moves get a damage boost in Sunny weather. Take advantage of weather conditions to maximize your DPS in raids and gym battles.

Unlocking a second charged move costs 10,000 Stardust and 25 Candy. With 3 charged moves available, a second move gives Charmander much better coverage in PvP battles.

Should I Invest in Charmander?

Power-Up Costs

Level 20 → 40 (Standard)
135,000 Stardust
15 Candy
Level 40 → 50 (XL Candy)
0 Stardust
0 XL Candy
Total (20 → 50)
135,000 Stardust

Verdict

Collector's Pick
Charmander is a Fire-type Pokemon with base stats of 116/93/118 (Atk/Def/Sta) and a max CP of 1,108. While it doesn't currently rank among the top raid attackers or PvP contenders, every Pokemon has its place in a trainer's collection. Charmander may shine during specific events, in limited-format cups, or when new moves are added in future updates. For now, hold onto a good IV specimen but save your Stardust and Candy for more impactful investments unless you're a dedicated fan of this Pokemon.

Shadow vs Regular: Shadow Charmander deals 20% more damage but takes ~20% more. For raids, Shadow is generally the better investment. For PvP, evaluate matchups carefully — the bulk loss can be significant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best moveset for Charmander in Pokemon GO?
Charmander has multiple viable movesets depending on the battle format. The ideal moveset varies based on whether you are using Charmander for raids, gym battles, or PvP — check the moves section above for a full breakdown of each move's DPS, energy cost, and coverage.
What are Charmander's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?
Charmander is weak to Ground, Rock, Water-type moves. On the other hand, Charmander resists Bug, Fairy, Fire, Grass, Ice, Steel-type attacks, so avoid using those types against it. To counter Charmander effectively in raids and gyms, build a team using its weakest type matchups and pick attackers that have STAB moves of those types.
What is Charmander's max CP in Pokemon GO?
Charmander's maximum CP is 1,108 at level 50 (with XL Candy), or 980 at level 40. Reaching level 50 requires XL Candy, which is only available to trainers level 31 and above — earning XL Candy involves catching, hatching, transferring, and walking Pokemon. Charmander's CP is calculated from its base stats: 116 Attack, 93 Defense, and 118 Stamina. Powering up from level 40 to 50 requires a significant investment of XL Candy and Stardust, so plan your resources carefully. A 100% IV Charmander caught from raids or eggs (level 20) will have 560 CP, or 700 CP with weather boost (level 25).
What CP is a 100% IV Charmander?
A perfect 15/15/15 IV Charmander has the following CP at key levels: 420 CP at level 15 (research encounters), 560 CP at level 20 (raid and egg catches), 700 CP at level 25 (weather-boosted raids), and 1,108 CP at level 50 fully powered up. If you catch a perfect IV Charmander, it is worth investing Stardust and Candy to power it up, especially if Charmander ranks well in raids or PvP. A 100% IV (also called a "hundo") is the rarest IV combination, so tag and favorite it to make sure you don't accidentally transfer it.
Is Shadow Charmander better than regular?
Shadow Charmander deals 20% more damage than its regular counterpart but also takes 20% more damage. For raids, Shadow Charmander is generally better due to the higher DPS output. For PvP, it depends on the matchup — the extra damage taken can be a significant drawback in extended battles where survivability matters. Shadow Charmander comes with Frustration, which should be replaced with a Charged TM before powering up.
How to get Charmander in Pokemon GO?
Charmander can be found in the wild, though it may be rare depending on your biome and current events. It is also available from 1km eggs. Charmander can also be obtained through trading with other trainers.
Can Charmander be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Yes, shiny Charmander is available in Pokemon GO. You can encounter shiny Charmander in the wild, from eggs, research encounters, and raids when it is available as a raid boss. Shiny rates vary by encounter method — raids and Community Day events typically offer boosted shiny rates compared to standard wild encounters. The shiny form has a different color palette, so keep an eye out for the sparkle animation when encountering Charmander.

Max CP per Level

L1 13 CP
L5 132 CP
L10 280 CP
L15 420 CP
L20 560 CP
L25 700 CP
L30 840 CP
L35 910 CP
L40 980 CP
L50 1,108 CP

Pokedex Info

Pokedex Number #4
Generation Gen 1
Region Kanto
Height 0.60 m
Weight 8.50 kg
Buddy Distance 3.0 km
Tradable Yes
2nd Charged Move 10,000 Dust / 25 Candy
Shadow Move Frustration
Purified Move Return
Purification Cost 3,000 Dust / 3 Candy
Egg Distance 1 km · Shiny Eligible
Mega Energy (Buddy) 15 / km