You’re standing in the store, or maybe just staring at the eShop screen, and you have to make a choice. It's the same choice we've been making since 1996, but this time, it feels a bit more personal because a literal starter is sitting on the box art. Most people grab the yellow mouse because, well, it’s Pikachu. But if you actually care about your team composition, you need to look at the Pokemon Let's Go Eevee exclusives before you commit.
The version differences in the Kanto remakes aren't just cosmetic. They dictate your entire strategy for the mid-game. Honestly, I think Eevee gets the better end of the deal, even if you lose out on the iconic Arcanine.
The Big Three: Vulpix, Meowth, and Bellsprout
Let’s get into the weeds. If you pick Eevee, you're getting access to the Vulpix line, the Meowth line, and the Bellsprout line. In the original Red and Blue, these were scattered differently, but here, they define the "feel" of the Eevee version.
Vulpix is the big one. While Pikachu players get Growlithe, you get the elegant fire fox. Alolan Vulpix is also tucked into this version via the in-game trades at Pokemon Centers. That’s a massive deal. Having an Ice/Fairy type in a game dominated by Poison and Dragon types is basically a cheat code. You find the hiker in the Celadon City Pokemon Center, swap your Kanto Vulpix, and suddenly you have a Ninetales that looks like it belongs on a winter postcard and hits like a truck.
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Meowth is... well, it's Meowth. You get the standard Kanto version and the sassy Alolan Persian through trades. It’s not going to win you the Master Trainers' matches on its own, but Pay Day is a decent way to farm a little extra cash early on when you're burning through Great Balls.
Then there's Bellsprout. Victreebel is a glass cannon. It’s fast-ish, hits hard with Leaf Blade or Sludge Bomb, and offers a bit more utility than the Oddish line found in the Pikachu version. If you didn't pick Bulbasaur as your "secret" third starter, Victreebel is your go-to Grass type.
Digging Deeper into the Pokemon Let's Go Eevee Exclusives
It doesn't stop with the early-route fluff. The late-game roster for Eevee includes Pinsir, Koffing, and Magmar. This is where things get interesting for competitive players or those trying to fill a specific niche.
Pinsir is a beast. Period. In a game without held items or abilities (mostly), raw stats and move pools matter more than ever. Pinsir’s Attack stat is terrifying. While Pikachu players are stuck with Scyther—who is cool, don't get me wrong—Scyther suffers from a double weakness to Rock that makes the late-game Cinnabar Island and Victory Road segments a nightmare. Pinsir just keeps trucking.
- Koffing and Weezing: Pure Poison types that are surprisingly tanky.
- Magmar: A high-octane Fire type if you’re bored of Ninetales.
- Pinsir: The Bug-type king of Kanto.
Most people forget that the Pokemon Let's Go Eevee exclusives also include the Alolan forms of these specific families. You can't just find an Alolan Meowth in the wild; you have to trade for it with NPCs. If you’re playing the Pikachu version, those NPCs won't even talk to you about those specific trades. You're locked out unless you hit up the Link Trade menu.
Why the "Eevee" Part Matters More Than the Exclusives
We talk about the wild encounters, but we have to talk about the partner Pokemon itself. In this game, your starter Eevee is a statistical anomaly. It has a base stat total of 435, which is huge for an unevolved monster. But the real reason Eevee version wins is the "Tutor Moves."
In Celedon, Fuchsia, and Pewter City, there’s a Tamer who teaches your partner special moves. Eevee gets access to moves of almost every type: Fire (Sizzly Slide), Water (Splishy Splash), Electric (Buzzy Buzz), and even Dark (Baddy Bad). These moves are absurdly overpowered. Baddy Bad, for instance, sets up a Reflect screen automatically. Glitzy Glow sets up Light Screen.
You’re essentially carrying a Swiss Army Knife that can cover any gap left by your version exclusives. If you can't get an Arcanine because you're on the Eevee version, your Eevee can just learn a 90-power Fire move that guarantees a burn. Problem solved.
The Trading Reality Check
Kinda sucks to hear, but you can’t 100% the Pokedex alone. You just can’t. Even with all the Pokemon Let's Go Eevee exclusives, you're still missing Oddish, Sandshrew, Growlithe, Grimer, Mankey, and Scyther.
If you have Pokemon GO on your phone, though, the "exclusive" barrier basically vanishes. You can catch a Growlithe in the park on your way to work, transfer it to the GO Park in Fuchsia City, and catch it in Let's Go Eevee. This is the first time in the history of the franchise where version exclusives are more of a "suggestion" than a hard wall.
However, if you're a purist who wants to play "offline" and "solo," you're going to be leaning heavily on that Pinsir and Ninetales.
Strategizing Your Kanto Run
So, how do you actually build a team around these guys?
Honestly? Don't sleep on Weezing. In a game where everyone and their mother is using a Fairy type or a Grass type, having a bulky Poison type with access to Thunderbolt and Fire Blast (yes, Weezing can learn those) is a massive curveball.
If you’re heading into the Elite Four, your Eevee-exclusive MVP is likely going to be Starmie or Cloyster—wait, those aren't exclusives. My bad. Your MVP will be Ninetales. Specifically, that Alolan Ninetales. It outspeeds almost everything Lance throws at you. One Blizzard or Dazzling Gleam and his Dragonites are toast.
Common Misconceptions About Version Differences
I see this a lot on forums: people think that because Eevee is the "Normal" type, the game is harder. It's actually the opposite. Because the Pokemon Let's Go Eevee exclusives lean more toward utility and varied typing, you have a smoother difficulty curve.
- Arcanine vs. Ninetales: People love Arcanine's stats, but Ninetales' movepool in Let's Go is arguably more refined for the specific trainers you face.
- Scyther vs. Pinsir: Scyther looks cooler. We all know it. But Pinsir’s lack of a 4x Rock weakness makes the end-game significantly less frustrating.
- The "Legendary" Myth: Some players think the legendary birds are version-locked. They aren't. Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres are available in both versions. The only "legendary-tier" difference is the flavor of the exclusives.
Making the Final Call
If you want a game that feels a bit more tactical, go with Eevee. The exclusives require a bit more thought to use effectively, but the payoff—especially with those Alolan trades—is much higher.
Next Steps for Your Journey:
- Check your Pokemon GO storage: See if you have the Pikachu-version equivalents (Grimer, Sandshrew, Growlithe) ready to transfer once you reach Fuchsia City.
- Head to Celadon City early: This is where the Move Tutor and the Alolan Vulpix trade are located. It’s the single most important hub for an Eevee player.
- Hunt for a Shiny Pinsir: Since it's a rare spawn in the Viridian Forest (only after lures/chains), it’s one of the most "flex-worthy" catches you can get in this version.
- Focus on Speed: Most Eevee exclusives are fast. Lean into that. Use your Carbos and focus on out-speeding the Gym Leaders rather than trying to tank hits.
The choice between versions usually comes down to nostalgia, but when you look at the technical layout of the Pokemon Let's Go Eevee exclusives, it's clear that Eevee offers a more versatile, albeit slightly more "technical," path through the Kanto region.