CARD INFORMATION

SUBTYPES:
- Basic
HP: 80
TYPES:
- Grass
EVOLVES TO:
- Ivysaur
WEAKNESSES:
- TYPE: Fire
- VALUE: ×2
RETREATCOST:
- Colorless
- Colorless
RETREAT COST: 2
RARITY: Common
REGULATIONMARK: I

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

NAME: Bind Down
COST:
- Grass
ENERGY COST: 1
DAMAGE: 10
DETAILS: During your opponent's next turn, the Defending Pokémon can't retreat.

MARKET PRICES FOR BULBASAUR 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/11

HIGH	4.99	USD
MID	0.24	USD	TREND
LOW	0.04	USD

Check the latest prices on:

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Bulbasaur makes its appearance in the Mega Evolution set with a modest yet tactically interesting profile.

This Grass-type Basic Pokémon offers players an early-game foundation with strategic utility rather than raw power.

With its ability to restrict opponent movement, Bulbasaur creates opportunities that savvy players can exploit for competitive advantage.

Offensive rating: 4/10

Bulbasaur's offensive capabilities are notably limited, featuring just a single attack, 'Bind Down,' which deals a mere 10 damage for one Grass energy.

The attack's true value lies not in its damage output but in its secondary effect: preventing the opponent's Pokémon from retreating on their next turn.

This retreat-lock mechanic creates tactical opportunities to control board state, but the minimal damage means Bulbasaur struggles to secure knockouts independently.

While this effect synergizes well with trap strategies and can help stall powerful attackers, the low damage-to-energy ratio significantly limits Bulbasaur's offensive efficiency in competitive play.

Survival rating: 5/10

With 80 HP, Bulbasaur sits at a respectable health pool for a Basic Pokémon, allowing it to potentially withstand minor attacks.

However, its Fire weakness is particularly problematic in the current meta where Fire-type attackers are prevalent.

The double retreat cost (2 Colorless energy) further hampers its survival prospects, making it difficult to pivot away from unfavorable matchups without support cards.

Bulbasaur lacks any built-in defensive abilities or damage reduction effects that would enhance its longevity.

While its HP is adequate for early game presence, Bulbasaur remains vulnerable to being eliminated before it can meaningfully contribute to your strategy.

Versatility rating: 4/10

Bulbasaur offers limited versatility within competitive decks.

Its primary strength comes from being a Basic Pokémon that can evolve into Ivysaur and potentially Venusaur, making it a necessary component in evolution chains.

The retreat-locking capability provides tactical utility in certain matchups, particularly against decks that rely on frequent switching.

However, Bulbasaur struggles to perform effectively across different roles - it's not strong enough to be a reliable attacker, lacks supportive abilities for bench sitting, and its single-type focus makes it vulnerable in varied matchups.

Its primary value comes from setting up evolution lines rather than standing on its own merits.

Speed/Setup rating: 7/10

Bulbasaur scores reasonably well for setup speed as a Basic Pokémon that can be played directly to the field and attack on your first turn with just a single Grass energy attachment.

This immediate playability gives it an edge for early game presence.

However, the card lacks any abilities that accelerate its own development or support team strategy.

The true value of Bulbasaur often depends on evolving it quickly to access more powerful forms, requiring additional cards and turns.

While searchable through standard Basic Pokémon support cards like Nest Ball or Quick Ball, Bulbasaur itself doesn't offer any unique search or consistency mechanics.

To maximize Bulbasaur's effectiveness, pair it with cards that can capitalize on its retreat-locking ability or accelerate its evolution path.

Energy acceleration, damage amplification, and evolution support cards are essential companions to overcome Bulbasaur's inherent limitations and transform it into a more viable competitive option.

Perfect Partners examples:

Rare Candy

Bypasses the Ivysaur stage to directly evolve Bulbasaur into Venusaur, significantly accelerating setup time and allowing quicker access to more powerful attacks and abilities from its final evolution form.

Net Ball

Provides consistent access to both Bulbasaur and its Grass Energy requirements, enhancing deck reliability and ensuring you can establish your evolution line efficiently in the early game.

Guzma

Creates powerful synergy with Bulbasaur's Bind Down attack by forcing opponents to switch into unfavorable Pokémon that then become trapped in the active position, creating prime knockout opportunities.

Bulbasaur from the Mega Evolution set serves primarily as an evolutionary stepping stone rather than a standalone competitor.

Its modest 80 HP and single-attack profile limit immediate impact, while the retreat-locking ability offers tactical utility that skilled players can leverage.

The card performs best in decks built around its evolution line or those that can exploit opponent immobility.

Players should view Bulbasaur as an early-game foundation piece - play it quickly, attach energy efficiently, and either evolve it promptly or use its binding capability to create windows of opportunity for your stronger Pokémon.

In the competitive landscape, Bulbasaur requires strategic deck building and careful timing to overcome its inherent limitations and extract maximum value from its tactical niche.