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PARTNER BUILD GUIDE

Bulbasaur build: Vine Whip with defensive support

Use Bulbasaur’s starting Vine Whip as the core of a close-range route, evolve it with Power and combine Harden after earning a Bond. Its mixed typing also leaves room for a later Poison alternative.

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Bulbasaur
GrassPoisonKanto
Vine Whip
Default starting move
1
Bonds for the planned group
2
Moves in the finished group
Starter
Partner availability

Moves, damage categories and recipes

These pieces form the target group. Evolutions and fusions are earned during the run, rather than assumed at the opening.

MoveType and categoryEvolutionRun card
Vine WhipGrass · PhysicalPower WhipPower
HardenNormal · SupportNo evolutionNo recipe required

Each evolving attack needs level 5, its required run card and its own gold evolution choice. When two recipes share a card, one obtained card can meet both prerequisites; it does not automatically evolve both attacks.

Check all move evolution recipes →

From the opening to the completed group

  1. Start with the real opening: Vine Whip

    Keep Vine Whip active and improve its ability to clear enemies before searching for every support piece.

    This partner is among the starter choices.

  2. Develop the attacks and their recipes

    Vine Whip → Power Whip (Power).

    Prioritize the attack handling your current pressure. Permanent upgrades and held items do not replace the evolution card obtained in that run.

  3. Form the group with 1 earned Bonds

    Vine Whip + Harden.

    Join Vine Whip and Harden with the first Bond. Keep that group selected: separate slots do not attack simultaneously.

Positioning and combat decisions

Let the edge of a pack enter your whip’s arc while you keep an open side to retreat into. The active-melee damage reduction helps with ordinary hits, but telegraphed zones still require movement.

The main tradeoff

Bulbasaur’s Special Attack is higher than its physical Attack, while Vine Whip is physical. This route prioritizes its immediate starting attack and melee behavior rather than its strongest damage category.

One held item: compare the benefit

IF FOUND

Assault Vest

Adds 20% damage reduction.

ALTERNATIVE

Shell Bell

Recovers health through damage dealt.

Assault Vest favors damage reduction. Shell Bell instead provides healing through dealt damage; either replaces the other because only one held item can be equipped.

Items are found in chests and from defeated bosses. You can hold only one; finding an alternative means choosing between them, and the recommended drop is not guaranteed.

Base stats and permanent upgrades

90
Base HP
×0.97
Physical Attack
×1.06
Special Attack
97
Base movement speed

These are game base values before account upgrades and run cards. They are not a DPS measurement and do not include target defenses, type matchups or actual landed hits.

  • Permanent upgrades belong to each Pokémon; investing in another partner does not strengthen this one.
  • Strength and Vitality help damage and health; Reflexes and Stride support frequency and movement. Prioritize the problem limiting your next attempt.
  • Ban and Card reroll can shape offers, but do not guarantee a particular card sequence.
Separate permanent upgrades from run effects →

Bulbasaur build questions

Which move does Bulbasaur start with?

Its default opening is Vine Whip. The Starting move upgrade can change a configured opening; this guide describes the default.

How many Bonds does this build need?

1 to combine the 2 planned moves in one group. You can play before completing it, but only the selected slot is active.

Which cards unlock its evolutions?

Power. Each attack must reach level 5 and receive its own gold offer. The support moves in this route do not evolve.

Game data & sources

Sprites: PMD SpriteCollab · CC BY-NC 4.0.

PUT THE BASICS INTO PRACTICE

Ready for your next run?

Choose a partner and put what you have learned into practice.

Open the game