PokeBonk builds: how to play each starter

These PokeBonk builds come from reading what the game itself tells you: passives, Ultimates, card rules and patch notes. We have not run large tests, so there is no tier list of PokeBonk builds here, and anything that is general survivor-game advice is marked as such. If something below stops matching the game, the patch notes (tap the version under the logo) win.

What PokeBonk builds are made of

A run has four layers, and PokeBonk builds are about how they combine:

• Your Pokémon and its passive. Fixed when the run starts.
• Moves. Each move levels up to level 8 and offers random upgrades when it levels. Early on you have limited slots; the Lab can unlock a fourth move slot.
• Items. From Poké Balls on the map, Meowth’s shop and altars. Some items must first be unlocked with Stardust.
• Vitamins and stats. Vitamin slots give extra stats every level.

The game also says bonuses of the same kind add together, while bonuses from different sources multiply. In practice, spreading across different sources usually beats stacking one.

Starter basics for PokeBonk builds

Each starter has its own League passive. Bulbasaur has Photosynthesis: +1.5 regeneration, +25% healing, and Grass hits heal you 0.4% of max HP (up to 5 times per second). Charmander has Sea of Flames: below 40% HP you deal +40% damage, plus +10% Fire damage. Squirtle has Torrent Shell: +15 armor, +20 shield, and +40% damage below 40% HP. The game applies this League passive, not the classic ability listed in its data file. The three also differ in type and Ultimate.

The Ultimate tier follows evolution stage, so evolving matters. The game’s code suggests the first evolution comes around level 24 and the last around level 41 to 44. That is our reading of the code, not something we timed.

Bulbasaur: control and sustain PokeBonk builds

Bulbasaur’s Ultimate is the most defensive of the three because roots hold enemies in place and the second tier heals you for 20%. For Bulbasaur PokeBonk builds, a sensible plan is to lean on your Grass moves for the +10% type bonus and pick cards that add status chance, since rooted or slept enemies set up reactions. When a hit lands on an enemy that already has a status, an extra effect can trigger, with a short cooldown. Status chance on each hit tops out at 100%.

Charmander: burst and area PokeBonk builds

Charmander’s Ultimate leaves burning ground, so area size and damage-over-time help. Burn deals 30% of the hit that caused it each second for 3 seconds, scaled by your status damage stat. For Charmander PokeBonk builds, prefer cards that raise damage and area, and watch your health: the +40% below 40% HP is strong but dangerous, and we do not recommend aiming to stay low on purpose.

Squirtle: crowd-control PokeBonk builds

Squirtle’s whirlpool pulls enemies together, which pairs with area attacks. Water also applies Wet, which sets up the Electrocuted reaction and makes Ice hits freeze instantly, so mixed-type teams of moves can use that. Squirtle is the starter to try if you want PokeBonk builds that combine statuses.

Level-up priorities in PokeBonk builds

These are general survivor-genre habits that fit the game’s rules:

1. Take the move upgrade that matches your main damage. Most PokeBonk builds need one main damage source. Fewer, stronger moves reach level 8 sooner, and two maxed moves can be fused at Bill’s Machine to free a slot.
2. Respect the crit cap. Crit chance stops mattering at 100%, then slowly turns into mega crit chance.
3. Use luck for rarity. Every 100 luck roughly doubles Rare cards and greatly multiplies Legendary ones, and it makes Poké Balls cheaper.
4. Do not buy everything from Meowth. He raises prices if you buy a lot without opening Poké Balls.
5. Archive junk. Once you have Archive slots, items you do not want stop appearing.
6. In Survival, do not rely on speed. Speed-only PokeBonk builds hit a wall. Movement speed above x3 is less effective, and the horde keeps accelerating after the first hour.

Mistakes that ruin PokeBonk builds

• Skipping the type arrows. The in-game help says x2, x0.5 and x0, but the game code (v0.8.13) uses softer numbers: x1.35 when super effective, x0.8 when resisted and x0.5 for classic immunities. Dual types multiply, capped between x0.4 and x1.8.
• Banishing a move upgrade without reading the warning. It will not upgrade again this run.
• Pushing for stats you cannot use, like crit over 100% without wanting mega crits.

For evolution lines and Ultimate names for every family, open the Pokédex and compare PokeBonk builds by Ultimate. To read how the modes differ before you plan PokeBonk builds, see the home page.