Ivysaur are known as the teenage Bulbasaur, which is a pretty adequate comparison. This Pokémon thinks, sorry knows, he is the best at everything. And I mean everything. They are typically stubborn and outright gutsy, which can get them into a lot of trouble. They do tend to calm down a little as they get higher leveled. In fact, I’ve heard many stories that describe Ivysaur looking after the young of other Pokémon. I guess that’s a good skill to have if they want a chance at becoming King of the Forest.

Where to find one

Ivysaur typically live alone or in small family groups with Bulbasaur. They are extremely territorial and spend most of the day roaming their land looking for threats. They’re the easiest of the Bulbasaur evolution line to find in the wild, but its no stroll in the park! Their territories tend to be at the heart of dense forests, a landscape they know intricately. They know all the holes you might trip over, the pointy branches you might be spiked by and the vines you will get tangled in. Despite their bulky build, they move through the forest with as much grace as a Goldeen moves through water and a high-leveled one will have learned to use the environment to their advantage. They are also extremely hardy and it will take a strong, well-trained Pokémon to take them on.

If you can’t tell by the above, catching an Ivysaur in the wild is best left to the intermediate or advanced trainer. Beginners, or the less adventurous of you, will find much more pleasure in raising a Bulbasaur to become an Ivysaur. The evolution level is quite low at 16. This is very achievable with a little training. If you’d rather just skip to the Ivysaur stage, you can get an Ivysaur from breeders, but I’d very much advise not missing out on those early years.

Preparing the home

If you’re raising a Bulbasaur to become an Ivysaur, you will have fewer teething problems when it comes to introducing him to the home. By the time he is level 16, Bulbasaur should be used to you and your routines. However, you may find that he begins to push the boundaries as an Ivysaur. Suddenly, that cupboard where you keep the Pokémon food that your Bulbasaur would never touch is raided by your Ivysaur. He starts fights with others, whereas he used to always get along with the pet Skitty so well. These are all to be expected due to Ivysaur’s territorial urges and should be easy to train out. If you catch him from the wild, he will take a lot longer to adjust.

One other change you will notice is Ivysaur’s activity levels. Bulbasaur will happily lounge for hours on end, but Ivysaur just can’t sit still. It is important that you help Ivysaur expend some of that extra energy. Training for battle is the best way: agility courses, target practice, the whole lot. In fact, I wouldn’t recommend getting a young Ivysasur if you’re just wanting a companion Pokémon. They need to be constantly on the move and will quickly get too zealous in play. If you just have to have a companion Ivysaur, I’d suggest asking at the Pokémon retirement centre. Older Ivysaur are a lot calmer and only need to be exercised a couple times a day.

Similar to Bulbasaur, Ivysaur needs a lot of sun-time. In fact, it needs much more. That fabulous flower on its back needs a lot of sustenance and its high energy levels demand fuel. Make sure Ivysaur has a dedicated area in the garden to sunbathe undisturbed. He won’t want to, mind. You’ll have to be strict with him to make him stay put long enough to recharge fully.

Raising for battle

Ivysaur only has the capacity to learn one new move (Razor Leaf), if evolved from a Bulbasaur at 16 and to a Venusaur at 32. However, Bulbasaur can learn Razorleaf at level 19, so it might be a good idea to delay evolution and teach Bulbasaur this move instead. Otherwise, you’re going to have to wait until Ivysaur is level 31, a big disadvantage. Be careful if catching an Ivysaur in the wild, as he will not be able to learn any of the Bulbasaur-stage moves he didn’t pick up naturally. That means you might be missing out on key strategic elements such as Sleep Powder and Poison Powder, which do not naturally develop to the right strengths needed for using these as moves in battle. If he already knows these moves, you can train them to be more potent.

Ivysaur loves to keep active, which is perfect for training. He is also dexterous and intelligent, two traits that are ideal for developing new strategies. I always found that the best battle ideas came from my Ivysaur, especially when it comes to working the field. You should let Ivysaur have a certain level of independence during a battle and place great trust in his natural instincts. This is not the Pokémon for control freaks, as he will know better than you practically every time.

One area he might be lacking is knowledge of other Pokémon and type advantages. This is where you come in! Teach him all you know about the different Pokémon you spot and discuss with him any strengths and weaknesses. You could hire Ivysaur to coach your other Pokémon, which will help him develop that understanding. He will also enjoy the sense of responsibility.

Keeping Ivysaur happy and healthy

If your Ivysaur does not get enough natural sunlight, he will become weak quickly. This is one Pokémon that is not happy when unwell. They despise it. It is thought by Pokémon behaviourists that wild Ivysaur have a hierarchy with the toughest earning more territory. Therefore, it is vital for your Ivysaur’s physical and mental health that he gets enough nutrients, vitamins and sunlight.

A heat lamp may have been handy for Bulbasaur, but it will be of little use with Ivysaur: there is no chance you’ll get him to sit for long enough under it to have any effect. If you live in a rainy or cloudy area, you might need to seek specialist help. I know a few good sunlight gyms that are designed as a training ground photosynthsising Pokémon. They have these massive sunlight -emulating ceiling fixtures and are designed to trap moisture like a giant greenhouse. Make sure you take plenty of water for yourself, though.

Ivysaur will need help maintaining its flower. He doesn’t have any nerve endings in his leaves (a little like our nails) so you can use regular garden cutters to stop it looking too raggedy. You should include a regular supply of fertiliser in its food, which will give it plenty of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Be prepared for the flower to give off a strong smell. Be careful when visiting forest areas, as Combee, Beedrill and other pollinator Pokémon might end up swamping you.

Overall

Ivysaur is a great battle partner. He is dependable, dedicated and quick-minded. He does need a lot of training and maintenance, but he gives out ten-fold. He will also be acceptable as a working Pokémon, especially as a park ranger or guard. However, I would not recommend keeping an Ivysaur as a companion Pokémon unless you can provide a lot of physical and mental stimulation, or are willing to get a more mature one.

• For a Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur Sonnet, click here (partner website).