Choosing between Pikachu and Eevee isn't just about which cute mascot you want riding on your shoulder for forty hours. It’s a tactical decision. Honestly, most people just grab the version with the starter they like best, but if you're trying to complete a Living Dex or you’re competitive about your team composition, the Let’s Go Eevee exclusives are going to dictate your entire playthrough. You’re looking at a split between heavy hitters and technical weirdos.
The Kanto region in these games is a reimagining of the 1998 Yellow version, but the encounter tables are strictly divided. If you pick Eevee, you are signing up for a specific roster of Pokémon that simply do not exist in the wild in the Pikachu version. It’s the classic Nintendo maneuver to get you to talk to your friends, or, more realistically in 2026, to get you hunting on the Pokémon HOME GTS.
The Big Names in the Let’s Go Eevee Exclusives List
Vulpix and Ninetales are usually the first ones people notice. In the Pikachu version, you get Growlithe. In Eevee, you get the fire fox. Ninetales is an interesting one in this game because, while it doesn't have its Drought ability here (since abilities were stripped back for the Let's Go mechanics), it remains one of the fastest Fire-types available. You find Vulpix on Routes 5, 6, 7, and 8. If you’re a fan of the Alolan forms, you’re in luck too. You can trade your Kanto Vulpix for an Alolan Vulpix at the Celadon City Pokémon Center. This is basically the only way to get a snowy fox in a game that’s otherwise very, very brown and green.
Meowth is another big one. It’s everywhere around Cerulean City in the Eevee version. While Persian isn't exactly a powerhouse in the endgame, having access to Pay Day early on is a decent way to farm a bit of extra pocket money before you hit the big leagues.
Then we have Bellsprout. It’s the counterpart to Oddish. Weepinbell and Victreebel are staple Grass/Poison types. Victreebel actually has a pretty monstrous Attack stat for a plant. If you use a Leaf Stone on it early, it can carry a significant portion of the mid-game, especially against the Water-type trainers near the coast.
The Weird Ones: Ekans and Koffing
Team Rocket's signature duo is split across the versions. If you want the poisonous snake and the floating gas cloud, you have to go with Eevee. Arbok and Weezing are your primary Poison-type representatives here.
Koffing is particularly iconic. You'll find it in the Pokémon Mansion on Cinnabar Island. It’s a tanky physical defender. Even without the Levitate ability (again, a casualty of the Let’s Go simplified system), Weezing is a solid wall against some of the physical attackers you’ll face in the Indigo Plateau.
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The Pinsir vs. Scyther Debate
This is usually the dealbreaker for most players. Let’s Go Pikachu gets Scyther. Let’s Go Eevee gets Pinsir.
Pinsir is a beast. It’s got a base Attack stat of 125. In a game where the mechanics are a bit more "point and click" than the mainline series, having a Pokémon that can just smash through defenses with X-Scissor or Superpower is a massive advantage. Pinsir is found in the foliage of Route 21. It’s a rare spawn, though. You might be standing in the grass for a while waiting for that beetle to pop up, but once you catch it, it changes the geometry of your team's power level.
Why Version Exclusives Still Frustrate People
The Let’s Go games were designed to bridge the gap between Pokémon GO mobile players and the hardcore console fans. Because of that, the version exclusive system feels a bit more "in your face." You see a trainer with an Arcanine and you think, "I want that," but you realize you’re playing Eevee and you’re stuck with Ninetales unless you find a trade partner.
It’s not just about the Pokémon you catch in the grass, either. It impacts your Alolan trades.
- Alolan Vulpix (Eevee only)
- Alolan Meowth (Eevee only)
- Alolan Raichu (Both, but easier to prep for if you have the right base)
If you’re looking to fill the Pokédex, you have to account for these gaps. You can’t just "skill" your way into a Scyther in the Eevee version. It’s hardcoded.
The Hidden Value of Arbok and Weezing
Most players overlook the Poison types. They shouldn't. In the Eevee version, having access to Ekans early (Routes 3 and 4) gives you a fast attacker that can inflict status conditions. Arbok’s movepool in Let’s Go is surprisingly deep, including the elemental fangs (Fire Fang, Ice Fang, Thunder Fang). This gives you coverage that a lot of other early-game Pokémon just lack.
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Weezing, on the other hand, is your Cinnabar Island MVP. It resists almost everything the local trainers throw at you, and its Sludge Bomb hits like a truck.
How to Get the Ones You're Missing
If you’ve realized you actually wanted the Pikachu exclusives, don't restart your save file yet. There are three main ways to fix this.
First, Pokémon GO. This is the most "intended" way. If you have a Scyther or an Oddish on your phone, you can just transfer it to the GO Park in Fuchsia City. This completely bypasses the version exclusivity. It’s the ultimate cheat code for the Let’s Go series.
Second, the trade codes. The Pokémon community generally uses specific Link Trade codes to swap version exclusives. For example, using the code "Eevee, Bulbasaur, Charmander" usually connects people looking to swap the version-specific critters. It’s a bit of a gamble who you’ll find, but it usually works if you’re patient.
Third, Pokémon HOME. Since Let's Go Eevee is compatible with HOME, you can move Pokémon from almost any other game (if they are part of the original 151) into your Eevee save. Just be careful: once a Pokémon goes from Let's Go to a newer game like Sword or Shield, it cannot go back to Let's Go. It’s a one-way street once it touches the newer engine code.
Strategy: Building the Best Eevee-Version Team
If you’re sticking with the Let’s Go Eevee exclusives, your "best" team usually involves leveraging the high Attack stats of Pinsir and the special utility of Ninetales.
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Don't sleep on Victreebel. While many people prefer Venusaur as their Grass type, Victreebel’s ability to learn Sucker Punch (through the move reminder) gives it a priority move that can catch faster psychic types off guard.
Your Eevee starter is also a "Partner Pokémon," meaning it has boosted stats and access to special moves like Bouncy Bubble (Water) and Sizzly Slide (Fire). This makes Eevee a Swiss Army Knife. Because your starter covers so many types, your exclusive wild catches should focus on filling the gaps. Use Pinsir for raw physical Bug/Fighting coverage and Ninetales for Speed.
Real-World Data on Encounter Rates
It’s worth noting that some of these aren't just "exclusive," they are rare.
- Vulpix: Common on Route 6.
- Meowth: Very common on Route 24.
- Bellsprout: Everywhere around Cerulean.
- Pinsir: 1% spawn rate on Route 21. Use a Lure. Seriously.
Without a Lure, you might spend an hour looking for Pinsir. With a Super Lure or Max Lure, you can bump those odds significantly and even start a Catch Combo to hunt for a Shiny version. A Shiny Pinsir is one of the coolest looking sprites in the game, turning a vibrant purple.
Finalizing Your Kanto Journey
The beauty of the Eevee version is the variety. While Pikachu gets the "classic" heroic Pokémon like Arcanine and Scyther, the Eevee version feels a bit more like the "underdog" roster. You get the poisons, the traps, and the sleek Ninetales.
To make the most of your version:
- Head to Celadon immediately to swap for Alolan Vulpix; it’s an Ice/Fairy type powerhouse.
- Catch a Bellsprout early to handle Misty’s Starmie if your Eevee hasn’t learned a move to counter it yet.
- Farm Koffing in the Mansion to use as a physical wall against the late-game gyms.
- Save your Lures for Route 21 to snag Pinsir before you hit the Elite Four.
The version split is a core part of the Pokémon identity. It forces interaction. Whether you’re transferring from your phone or trading with a stranger online, getting the full 151 is a project that requires knowing exactly what your version is missing. In Let’s Go Eevee, you’re the master of the subtle, the poisonous, and the high-speed fire types. Own that.