The letter B includes around forty Pokémon in the national Pokédex, spanning from the first to the ninth generation. Some are starters that have become mascots, while others are niche creatures known by name only to competitive players. This overview focuses on the Pokémon starting with B that truly matter in the current ecosystem, considering measurable popularity, competitive relevance, and recent special forms.
Bulbasaur and its lineage: a starter whose popularity remains strong
Among all the Pokémon starting with B, Bulbasaur holds a special place. Data on popular Wikipedia page visits ranks it among the most consulted Pokémon in the Pokédex, regardless of letter. This audience is not solely based on nostalgia for the first generation.
The reason lies partly in its role as the very first Pokémon in the national Pokédex (number 001), which gives it a symbolic status that is hard to displace. Bulbasaur remains the historical entry point of the franchise for millions of players.
Its complete lineage (Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur) has also seen a resurgence of interest thanks to Pokémon GO. Gigantamax Venusaur has been available in the mobile game since late October 2024, through Max Raids. This special form has rekindled the competitive and aesthetic appeal of the entire line, offering a more powerful and visually distinct Venusaur. To discover Pokémon starting with B beyond this lineage, the list proves to be longer and more varied than one might imagine.
Pokémon starting with B and dual types: underestimated tactical profiles
The letter B concentrates a diversity of typings that deserves attention. Several Pokémon in this section of the Pokédex have uncommon type combinations, giving them a specific role in team building.
- Blaziken (Fire/Fighting), a Hoenn starter from the third generation, combines offensive power with extensive type coverage, a sought-after profile in strategic battles.
- Abomasnow (Grass/Ice) has a Mega Evolution and a dual type that gives it both marked weaknesses and exploitable resistances on certain terrains.
- Bastiodon (Rock/Steel), derived from a fossil from the fourth generation, displays an extreme defensive profile, with statistics oriented towards taking hits rather than attacking.
- Scrafty (Dark/Fighting), an evolution of Scraggy introduced in the fifth generation, offers an offensive typing that covers a wide range of opponent weaknesses.
These combinations are not trivial. In a competitive format where team composition relies on type coverage, a Pokémon like Bastiodon can lock down an entire segment of the match defensively. However, its dual type of Rock/Steel makes it extremely vulnerable to Fighting and Ground attacks, limiting its use to formats where these threats are manageable.
Thundurus and the legendaries starting with B: rarity and competitive impact
The letter B includes at least one notable legendary: Thundurus, a member of the trio of genies introduced in the fifth generation. Thundurus is the only pure Flying-type Pokémon among the legendaries of this trio, giving it a unique profile.
Its Therian form (available since the sixth generation) radically alters its statistics and special ability, transforming it from a fast attacker to a Pokémon more focused on special damage. This duality between two forms has earned it a regular presence in official competitive formats.
Legendary Pokémon starting with B remain rare, which enhances their perceived value. The rarity of a legendary directly influences its prestige within the community, regardless of its raw performance in battles.
Pokémon starting with B in Pokémon GO: the filter of mobile playability
The mobile game has reshuffled the deck for several Pokémon starting with B. Creatures deemed mediocre in the main games can become relevant in Pokémon GO thanks to a simplified battle system and unique mechanics (raids, Max Raids, GO Battle League).
Gigantamax Venusaur illustrates this mobile revaluation since its availability in October 2024. Its presence in Max Raids gives it a solid role as a Plant-type raid attacker, accessible to players who may never have used Venusaur in console games.
Feebas, a Water-type Pokémon from the third generation, is another interesting case. Famous for its difficulty of acquisition in the main games (it evolves into Milotic under very specific conditions), it has found a different evolution path in Pokémon GO, based on walking distance. This mechanism has transformed Feebas into a long-term gameplay objective for dedicated players.
Rowlet and recent starters in B: a less visible generation
Rowlet, a Grass/Flying starter from the seventh generation (Alola), is among the Pokémon starting with B that are often overlooked in popularity rankings. Its design and initial typing did not generate the same excitement as Bulbasaur did in its time.
Field feedback diverges on this point: some trainers consider Rowlet one of the best visually designed starters, while others criticize its evolutionary line (Dartrix, Decidueye) for its final typing of Grass/Ghost, which divides opinions. The Grass/Ghost typing of Decidueye remains divisive in the competitive community, as it offers valuable immunities but exposes it to common weaknesses (Dark, Flying, Fire, Ice).
This polarization shows that the status of “top Pokémon in B” largely depends on the criteria used: cultural popularity, competitive viability, design, or accessibility in mobile games. No alphabetical list can settle this question on behalf of the player.
The forty Pokémon grouped under the letter B cover eight generations, with varied typings and very unequal levels of notoriety. Bulbasaur dominates due to its age and presence in Pokémon GO, Blaziken and Bastiodon hold their ground in competitive play, and Thundurus remains the reference legendary for this letter. The rest of the list offers niche profiles that gain value depending on the game format and each trainer’s preferences.