Choosing Squirtle as your starter in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen eventually gives you one of Kanto’s most balanced Water-type Pokémon—Blastoise. While Blastoise may not dominate the early game like Bulbasaur or become a sweeping attacker like Charizard, it excels as a durable Water-type with strong move coverage and excellent defensive stats.
To get the most out of Blastoise during the Kanto adventure, you need a team that covers its weaknesses and provides balanced offensive and utility options. A well-built team ensures you can defeat Gym Leaders, explore the region efficiently using HMs, and prepare for the Elite Four.
The best team built around Blastoise typically includes:
- Blastoise
- Nidoking
- Dodrio
- Jolteon
- Snorlax
- Arcanine (FireRed) / Ninetales (LeafGreen)
This combination provides excellent type coverage, strong offensive options, and useful overworld abilities, making it one of the most reliable teams for completing the main story.
Blastoise (Water-Type Starter)
Blastoise serves as the team’s core Water-type attacker and defensive wall. It handles Rock, Fire, and Ground Pokémon easily while also providing essential HM utility with Surf.
Recommended Nature: Modest (+Sp. Atk, −Atk)
Best Moveset
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Bite
- Hydro Cannon
Surf acts as Blastoise’s primary attack throughout the game, while Ice Beam gives strong coverage against Dragon-types and Grass Pokémon. Bite provides additional utility against Psychic and Ghost Pokémon. Blastoise’s high defenses allow it to stay in battle long enough to deliver multiple attacks.
Blastoise performs especially well against opponents such as Brock and Blaine, thanks to its strong Water-type moves.
Nidoking (Ground / Poison Powerhouse)
Nidoking is one of the strongest early-to-mid-game Pokémon available in Kanto. If you evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone early, Nidoking gains access to powerful TM moves that provide excellent coverage.
Recommended Nature: Adamant (+Atk, −Sp. Atk)
Best Moveset
- Earthquake
- Sludge Bomb
- Brick Break
- Megahorn
Earthquake allows Nidoking to dominate Electric-type Pokémon such as Lt. Surge’s team. Megahorn gives coverage against Psychic-types, while Sludge Bomb provides strong STAB damage.
Because of its wide movepool, Nidoking can fill many offensive roles in the team.
Dodrio (Fast Flying Attacker)
Dodrio is often overlooked compared to other Flying Pokémon, but it becomes one of the strongest physical attackers in the game. It also serves as the team’s primary Fly HM user.
Recommended Nature: Adamant (+Atk, −Sp. Atk)
Best Moveset
- Drill Peck
- Tri Attack
- Pursuit
- Body Slam
Drill Peck is one of the best Flying-type attacks available in FireRed and LeafGreen. Dodrio’s high Speed allows it to strike first and eliminate threats quickly.
It performs well against Erika’s Grass-type Gym and many late-game opponents.
Jolteon (Electric-Type Speed Sweeper)
The Eevee gift in Celadon City can evolve into Jolteon using a Thunder Stone, giving your team a fast Electric-type attacker.
Jolteon provides an important role: countering Water and Flying Pokémon, especially during late-game battles.
Recommended Nature: Timid (+Speed, −Atk)
Best Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Thunder
- Bite
- Thunder Wave
Thunderbolt serves as Jolteon’s main attack and easily defeats Pokémon such as Gyarados and Lapras. Thunder Wave can slow opponents and support the rest of the team.
Jolteon becomes especially useful against the Elite Four member Lorelei and Champion battles.
Snorlax (Tank and Heavy Hitter)
Snorlax acts as the team’s main defensive tank. With massive HP and Attack stats, it can absorb hits while dealing strong physical damage.
You can encounter Snorlax on Route 12 or Route 16 after waking it using the Poké Flute.
Recommended Nature: Adamant (+Atk, −Sp. Atk)
Best Moveset
- Return
- Shadow Ball
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Return delivers strong physical damage, while Shadow Ball allows Snorlax to handle Ghost and Psychic Pokémon effectively. Rest and Sleep Talk keep Snorlax healthy during long battles.
Snorlax performs well against opponents like Sabrina and Agatha, thanks to its durability and physical power.
Arcanine (FireRed) / Ninetales (LeafGreen)
Your final slot should be a Fire-type Pokémon to counter Grass, Bug, and Ice types.
Depending on your game version:
- FireRed: Arcanine
- LeafGreen: Ninetales
Arcanine (FireRed)
Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Fire Blast
- Extreme Speed
- Aerial Ace
Arcanine stands out because of its powerful Extreme Speed, which always strikes first.
Ninetales (LeafGreen)
Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Fire Blast
- Fire Spin
- Will-O-Wisp
Ninetales focuses more on special attacks and status control.
Both Pokémon add strong Fire coverage and help deal with Grass Pokémon that threaten Blastoise.
Why This Team Works
This team performs well throughout the entire FireRed and LeafGreen story because it provides balanced type coverage.
Key strengths of the team include:
- Strong Water attacker (Blastoise)
- Early-game powerhouse (Nidoking)
- Fast Flying attacker (Dodrio)
- Electric coverage for Water-types (Jolteon)
- Defensive tank (Snorlax)
- Fire-type coverage (Arcanine or Ninetales)
Together, they counter nearly every major threat in Kanto, including Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, and the Champion.
If you start your journey with Squirtle in Pokémon FireRed or LeafGreen, building a team around Blastoise, Nidoking, Dodrio, Jolteon, Snorlax, and Arcanine/Ninetales gives you one of the most reliable story teams in the game.
This lineup covers nearly every type matchup, provides important HM utilities, and includes several powerful attackers capable of handling the toughest battles in Kanto.
With this team, you will be well prepared to defeat the Elite Four and become the Pokémon Champion. Play Now!
