The second generation of Pokemon built upon the successes of the first generation. Instead of merely creating one new region, Pokemon's creators combined Johto and Kanto into one comprehensive game. The result was the most detailed Pokemon generation in history.
The Grass-type Pokemon of the second generation aren't extraordinarily powerful due to balancing. Despite this, more than a few make-worthy additions to any lineup. Based on their movesets and stats, it can be deduced which Pokemon are the most powerful. While many are reluctant to use a Grass-type because of its low stats, a Grass-type can add to a robust lineup if utilized properly.
Updated October 26, 2022, by Jerrad Wyche: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are introducing the Pokemon fandom to the 9th Generation of games. For years, Grass-types have been seen as inferior when compared to others, a conversation that started with the original starting Pokemon of the Kanto and Johto regions. It's unclear if the ninth-generation Grass-type starter Sprigatito will change these sentiments. The second generation of Pokemon featured in Pokemon Gold & Silver and their remakes had a plentiful roster of Grass-types worth catching and investing in though, so fans will be hoping that Pokemon Scarlet & Violet do the same.
14 Chikorita
This starter Pokemon of the second generation is a powerful asset. Most players will opt to evolve Chikorita into a Bayleef at level 16 and into a Meganium at level 32. However, it's possible to force Chikorita to not evolve by pressing the B button in the middle of its evolution. As a standalone Pokémon, Chikorita packs a wallop. It can learn powerful moves like Razor Leaf, Body Slam, and Solar Beam.
Chikorita kind of suffers similarly to Charmander from Gen 1, where the typing for the first 2 gyms in the game are not very kind to it, but after that this Pokemon can really shine. It has a nice ability in Overgrow, increasing the damage of Grass-type moves when Chikorita is at 1/3 of its health or less. Due to it being a starter, it is impossible to obtain more of this Pokemon without trading it in from another game.
13 Bellossom
According to Bellossom's Pokemon Gold Pokedex entry, "Bellossom gather at times and appear to dance. They say that the dance is a ritual to summon the sun." This Pokemon loves the sun like most Grass-types. A Grass-type Pokemon can learn Solar Beam by leveling up, which becomes a one-turn move if Sunny Day is activated. Generation II doesn't have as many Grass-types as the other elements, yet Pokémon like Bellossom are a worthy addition to any lineup.
The weather condition of Harsh Sunlight also combines great with Bellosom's ability, Chlorophyll, which doubles its speed stat whenever the sun is out. It can also learn some other useful moves such as Drain Punch, Energy Ball, and Sludge Bomb.
It is quite the journey to get a Bellossom, however. First, players need to catch an Oddish. These are found on Routes 5, 6, 24, and 25, or Ilex Forest, and only at night. It then needs to evolve into Gloom at level 21. Finally, Gloom needs to use a Sun Stone. Fortunately, a Sun Stone can be won if the player scores first place in the Bug Catching Contest at National Park.
12 Bulbasaur
Despite being the least popular of the original starting Pokemon in the series, the Grass-type known as Bulbasaur still holds its own among its peers. Unless players give their Bulbasaur an Everstone though, they won't have it for too long as it evolves into Ivysaur at level 16 and Venusaur at level 32.
Not only does its Overgrow ability power up its Grass-type moves, but its additional Poison-type typing gives it added utility in terms of its overall move set. It also doesn't hurt that its base special attack and special defense ratings are pretty good when compared to other base forms in three-stage evolutionary lines.
11 Jumpluff
It's a blue round Pokemon with a gentle appearance, yet it definitely displays fighting prowess in battle. Starting as a Hoppip, it becomes a Skiploom at level 18. After Skiploom reaches level 27, the second evolutionary process is activated, and a Jumpluff appears.
This third-stage Pokemon receives stat upgrades with each evolution, even if it's not the most powerful Grass-type. It's worth having on one's team mid-game, but not against final trainers like the Elite Four.
Hoppip, Jumpluff's first form, is an incredibly common Pokemon. It can be found on Routes 13, 14, 15, 32, and 33, in the morning or day. Both of its abilities need the sun to function, Chlorophyll doubles Jumpluff's speed, while Leaf Guard blocks status conditions. Jumpluff also has access to some solid moves such as Stun Spore, Solar Beam, and Aerial Ace.
10 Parasect
One would assume that the final form of a two-stage Grass-type evolutionary line would be a beloved or sought-after creature, but Parasect has remained neither. The Bug and Grass-type's base attack happens to be its only one above average, with its one real weakness being its speed.
As the final form of Paras, who evolves at level 24, it's clear that the fungi controlling the creature have fully taken over. In the years since the first and second generations, Bug-type moves have become significantly stronger, which means this dual-type can now utilize both of its types to the fullest as a lesser-owned Gen 2 Grass-type Pokemon.
9 Tangela
Tangela was an often overlooked Pokemon when comparing it to the entirety of the original 151 Pokemon, and even when the second generation of Johto native creatures are thrown in. Fans lost their mind when it received a secondary evolution in the fourth generation of games, but on its own, Tangela is pretty solid as a Grass-type base form.
Its base special attack and defense stats are more than serviceable. In order to evolve it needs to learn the move Ancient Power, which it does at level 24. Tangela may look like a ball of yarn with red shows on, but players shouldn't let its appearance fool them, as it's still a very capable and powerful Grass-type.
8 Bayleef
If players choose Chikorita as their Generation II starting Pokemon, it's a no-brainer decision to evolve it into a Bayleef. It grows in size and power as the Pokemon evolves. As a Grass-type Pokemon, Bayleef is an essential part of any lineup. Although it has fewer base stats than the other Generation II Pokémon, it can still inflict immense damage against Water-types, Ground-types, and Rock-types. Resembling a dinosaur, it has a long neck and leaves around its neck.
Bayleef thankfully keeps the good Overgrow ability, as well as all of the same moves Chikorita had. Reflect and Light Screen are great utility, Iron Tail is a strong but fairly inaccurate Steel move, and Swords Dance can make Bayleeef a huge threat. The same situation from Chikorita applies here though, it's the starter. So, if it wasn't the first pick, players can only get more Bayleef by trading them in from other games.
7 Ivysaur
Sure, people dislike Venusaur from a design perspective when compared to Blastoise and Charizard, but the Grass-type starter from the Kanto region might have the best middle form of the bunch. When Bulbasaur hits level 16 it evolves into a more well-rounded and stronger version of itself that can toe-to-toe with other Grass-type Pokemon of the same level.
Trainers can naturally have their Ivysaur learn effective moves like Take Down and Seed Bomb before it reaches its final form. This doesn't include the long list of stellar TMs such as Sludge Bomb or Toxic that provide use out of Ivysaur's secondary Poison-typing and make it a worthwhile Gen 2 Grass-type Pokemon, despite being introduced and native to the first generation of games.
6 Victreebel
This Generation I Pokemon appears in subsequent generations, including Generation II. Victreebel is a dual-type Grass and Poison Pokemon. It is the third-stage Pokemon in its evolutionary line. To evolve Weepinbell (the second-stage Pokemon) into a Victreebel requires a Leaf Stone. Evolving the Pokemon too early can mean it misses out on learning Slam, a powerful Normal-type move. However, those with a vast collection of TMs need not wait to evolve Weepinbell.
Bellsprout is an extremely common Pokemon much like Hoppip, it can be found on Routes 5, 6, 24, (Kanto) 25, 31, 32, and 44 (Johto). Players can get a Leaf Stone from Picknicker Gina as a gift on Route 34 if players have her number, but only in Crystal and the remakes. They can also get one as a prize from the Bug Catching Contest, but only after they've received the National Dex.
5 Vileplume
Gym Leader Erika uses Vileplume as one of her final Pokemon. According to Vileplume's Pokemon Gold Pokedex, "It has the world's largest petals. With every step, the petals shake out heavy clouds of toxic pollen." Vileplume is a reliable Grass-type to have in one's lineup. Although it isn't capable of learning the most powerful Grass-type moves, it can be taught moves like Giga Drain and Solarbeam with TMs.
The method for players getting a Vileplume is the exact same as Bellossom, except the Gloom will need a Leaf Stone instead of a Sun Stone. It also likes being in the Sun, as its only ability is Chlorophyll.
4 Exeggutor
Judging a Pokemon based on its appearance is often misleading. Exeggutor might not have the most intimidating appearance, but it more than makes up for it in power. This is a dual-type Grass and Psychic Pokémon that can draw moves from both elements. Its most powerful learned move, however, is the Normal-type move Egg Bomb. Only a few Pokémon can learn the coveted Egg Bomb move. Not to be confused by Alolan Exeggutor, Kantonian Exeggutor has a stocky appearance and no visible neck.
Thanks to its Psychic typing, Exeggutor gets some interesting moves such as Psychic, Reflect, and Light Screen. It can also be used in the Sun due to its ability, Chlorophyll. Exeggcute is located on Routes 26, 27, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38. It also needs a Leaf Stone to evolve.
3 Meganium
Kanto Professor Oak and Johto Professor Elm ensure that trainers are well-equipped when starting their journies. The primary way they do this is by providing trainers with a powerful starter Pokemon. If the player was fortunate, Professor Elm gave them a Chikorita, which evolved into a Meganium on its final stage.
This Pokemon's average base stats are lower than its Water and Fire-type counterparts, but in the right scenario, Meganium proves to be an invaluable aid.
Once evolved into Meganium, the Pokemon stays true to its previous forms. Meganium keeps the same ability and moves, but it does learn the powerful move Earthquake while the other 2 don't.
2 Venusaur
Sometimes it's hard to beat the original. In this case, Venusaur is the second most powerful Pokemon of Generation II. As a dual-type Grass and Poison, Venusaur is a well-rounded Pokemon that can learn effective moves like Solar Beam and Razor Leaf. Add in Generation II moves like Giga Drain, and there is no stopping Venusaur. According to Venasaur's Pokemon Silver Pokedex entry, "It is able to convert sunlight into energy. As a result, it is more powerful in the summertime."
Venusaur is capable of learning good moves like Sleep Powder, Earthquake, and Sludge Bomb. It also has the nice Overgrow ability like Meganium's family.
1 Celebi
After Mewtwo and Mew's introduction in Pokemon's first generation, it opened the page for a new mythical Pokemon. Celebi is the guardian of the Illex Forest and the last known Pokemon in the Johto Pokedex. According to Pokemon Gold's Pokedex, "This Pokemon wanders across time. Grass and trees flourish in the forests in which it has appeared."
Based on its stats and moveset, Celebi is the most powerful Generation II Pokemon. By leveling, it learns moves like Magical Leaf, Future Sight, and Leaf Storm. It also has a good ability in Natural Cure, healing status problems whenever players switch it out.
Celebi is quite the interesting one, if players are playing on anything other than the 3DS virtual console release of Gen II, it is impossible to get without hacking. However, if players are playing that version, the event needed to get it will be already baked into the game. The steps to find it are as follows.
- Beat the Pokemon League
- Fly to Goldenrod City and go to the Communication Center and the Nurse will give players the GS Ball.
- Fly to Azalea Town and give the GS Ball to Kurt.
- After giving the Ball to Kurt, need to wait a full real-time day.
- Kurt will give players the GS Ball and they have to bring it to the shrine in Ilex Forest.