Out of all the Generation I starters available at the beginning of the first Pokemon video games, Squirtle possesses the greatest defensive stats and moves, meaning that this tiny turtle pocket monster is the ideal choice for trainers seeking a partner with the greatest survivability.

This means Squirtle is often the best choice for newcomers to the Gen I games (or the re-makes) as well as those who intend on doing a challenge playthrough of some sort, such as a Nuzlocke run. Though, everyone can train their Squirtle to be a powerful ally as long as they avoid the biggest pitfalls of powering up this Water-type pokemon.

10 Assuming Squirtle Is Weak

Many people claim that out of the 3 Kanto starters, Squirtle is the cutest. This often can lead trainers to believe that it lacks power and is lackluster when compared to Charmander and Bulbasaur, however, this is as far from the truth as possible. Squirtle can tank more hits than either of the other Kanto starters, which directly means that Squirtle can live long enough to dish out more of their own attack as well as saving their trainer some healing items.

9 Not Making Use Of Their Potential Abilities

As with all the Water-type starter pokemon, Squirtle’s most common ability is Torrent. This causes all of this pokemon’s Water-type attacks to become much stronger, for Torrent increases the Attack or Special Attack stats by 50% while Squirtle is under 33% of their max HP. However, they have another great one, as this starter’s hidden ability, Rain Dish, can grant potential as a solid rain team build due to allowing Squirtle to heal 1/16th of their HP while it is raining on the battlefield.

8 Breeding Without Planning

Breeding for better natures and a different ability is not a bad idea for Squirtle trainers, as selective reproduction can grant a more powerful or specialized partner. If one cannot, or is unwilling, to use a Ditto for this process, players should seek out pokemon from the Monster or Water 1 egg groups. While the latter will mostly only benefit offspring Squirtle by passing down primarily Water-type moves, the Monster egg group can be used to breed surprising and powerful techniques onto newborn Squirtles.

7 Misusing Squirtle’s Stats

As mentioned before, Squirtles stats are primarily geared towards their defensive traits, granting them greater longevity, however, they are not just a damage-sponge. This aquatic species can also hit back after tanking hits due to usable Attack and Special Attack stats. Their HP is less than ideal, with their Speed being in the same boat, though these both improve upon evolving.

Squirtle’s Base Stats

  • HP - 44
  • Attack - 48
  • Defense - 65
  • Special Attack - 50
  • Special Defense - 64
  • Speed - 43

6 Missing Out On Great Level-Up Moves

While leveling up, Squirtle will learn somewhat equal amounts of offensive and status moves, with a relatively even split between physical and special attacks, although the majority will be Water-type. This grants players the chance to create whatever build they want, whether it is an offensive, defensive, or supportive one.

Squirtle’s Generation VIII Moveset By Leveling Up

  • Level 1 - Tackle
  • Level 1 - Tail Whip
  • Level 3 - Water Gun
  • Level 6 - Withdraw
  • Level 9 - Rapid Spin
  • Level 12 - Bite
  • Level 15 - Water Pulse
  • Level 15 - Sleep Powder
  • Level 18 - Protect
  • Level 21 - Rain Dance
  • Level 24 - Aqua Tail
  • Level 27 - Shell Smash
  • Level 30 - Iron Defense
  • Level 33 - Hydro Pump
  • Level 36 - Skull Bash

5 Avoiding Needed TM & TR Moves

Although Squirtle’s level-up moves are pretty solid to work with, it would be a huge error to avoid checking out learnable TMs and TRs, as they can grant some tremendously useful coverage attacks as well as very handy status moves. Through them, Squirtle can even learn some mighty Ice, Fighting, Dark, Psychic, and even Dragon-type moves.

Squirtle’s Generation VIII Moveset By TM & TR

  • TM00 - Mega Punch
  • TM01 - Mega Kick
  • TM04 - Ice Punch
  • TM15 - Dig
  • TM21 - Rest
  • TM24 - Snore
  • TM25 - Protect
  • TM27 - Icy Wind
  • TM31 - Attract
  • TM33 - Rain Dance
  • TM35 - Hail
  • TM36 - Whirlpool
  • TM39 - Facade
  • TM41 - Helping Hand
  • TM43 - Brick Break
  • TM45 - Dive
  • TM46 - Weather Ball
  • TM48 - Rock Tomb
  • TM55 - Brine
  • TM59 - Fling
  • TM76 - Round
  • TM94 - False Swipe
  • TR01 - Body Slam
  • TR03 - Hydro Pump
  • TR04 - Surf
  • TR05 - Ice Beam
  • TR06 - Blizzard
  • TR16 - Waterfall
  • TR20 - Substitute
  • TR26 - Endure
  • TR27 - Sleep Talk
  • TR31 - Iron Tail
  • TR45 - Muddy Water
  • TR46 - Iron Defense
  • TR52 - Gyro Ball
  • TR56 - Aura Sphere
  • TR62 - Dragon Pulse
  • TR69 - Zen Headbutt
  • TR84 - Scald
  • TR85 - Work Up

4 Bypassing Squirtle’s Other Move-Learning Methods

There are quite a lot of excellent move choices that are obtainable via leveling up as well as TMs and TRs, however, these are not the only methods to teach a pocket monster battling techniques. Breeding and tutoring can offer a few handy tactics for trainers seeking more specific and niche strategies to implement. Furthermore, transferring a Squirtle from an older Pokemon game can allow them to travel to the present while equipped with some moves that this species otherwise cannot access, though, keep in mind that a few of these older moves will not be usable in battle.

Squirtle’s Generation VIII Moveset By Breeding

  • Aqua Jet
  • Aqua Ring
  • Fake Out
  • Flail
  • Haze
  • Life Dew
  • Mirror Coat
  • Mist
  • Water Spout
  • Yawn

Squirtle’s Generation VIII Moveset By Tutoring

  • Flip Turn (
  • Sword & Shield
  • Expansion Pass)
  • Water Pledge (
  • Sword & Shield
  • )

Squirtle’s Generation VIII Moveset By Transfer From An Older Game

  • Bide (cannot be used in battle)
  • Block
  • Bubble (cannot be used in battle)
  • Bubble Beam
  • Captivate (cannot be used in battle)
  • Celebrate
  • Confide
  • Confusion
  • Counter
  • Curse
  • Defense Curl
  • Double Team
  • Double-Edge
  • Dynamic Punch
  • Focus Punch
  • Follow Me
  • Foresight (cannot be used in battle)
  • Frustration (cannot be used in battle)
  • Headbutt
  • Hidden Power (cannot be used in battle)
  • Hydro Cannon
  • Mimic
  • Mud Sport (cannot be used in battle)
  • Mud-Slap
  • Natural Gift (cannot be used in battle)
  • Outrage
  • Power-Up Punch
  • Rage (cannot be used in battle)
  • Reflect
  • Refresh (cannot be used in battle)
  • Return (cannot be used in battle)
  • Rock Slide
  • Rock Smash
  • Rollout
  • Secret Power (cannot be used in battle)
  • Seismic Toss
  • Strength
  • Submission
  • Swagger
  • Take Down
  • Toxic

3 Evolving Squirtle Too Soon

At level 16, Squirtle will evolve in Wartortle, who will then evolve again into Blastoise once they reach level 36. That is if their trainer lets them change their form, which should not be done right away. It is advised to not evolve one’s Squirtle until they learn most or all of their moves, for after evolving it takes them, and many other pokemon species, much longer to acquire their level-up moves.

The final attack that Squirtle can learn via leveling up is Skull Bash at level 36, however, learning this attack and all others will comparatively take Blastoise much longer, as exemplified by the final evolution of this line learning Skull Bash at level 56.

2 Giving Them Improper Items

While battling wild pokemon and other trainers, it is advised to let one’s ally hold an item to increase their proficiency in a certain area or enhance the desired tactic. Common items used in competitive gameplay can be useful if one is going with an offensive build on their Squirtle (or their evolutions) due to tools like Choice Specs and Choice Band giving enough power to be a certain threat thanks to this evolution line’s versatile movepool, however, recovery items can also be great. Builds focusing on defense and support would do well to hand a Squirtle the popular and useful Leftovers item as well as particular kinds of berries.

1 Battling Aggressively

With all that’s been said so far, it is clear that Squirtle can be a very versatile pokemon that can fill the need of any trainer seeking a solid Water-type. However, focusing purely on attacking will undercut a lot of this species’ power. Having 4 attacks and no status moves are somewhat viable for a Choice build, however, it is far better to let Squirtle boost themselves with moves such as Shell Smash, which greatly surpass the buff given by items while not locking them into a single move.

Other status moves that focus on healing, like Aqua Ring, or defensive ones that increase longevity, such as Iron Defense, can also be great boons in battle, so be sure to give one’s Squirtle a build that lets them flourish in a unique manner instead of copy and pasting a set meant for typical competitive favorites.

NEXT: The 5 Most Popular Starter Pokémon (& The 5 Least)