You’re standing in the store, or maybe just staring at the Nintendo eShop screen, and the pressure hits. It’s the same dilemma we’ve had since 1996. Red or Blue? Gold or Silver? Now, it’s Eevee or Pikachu. Honestly, if you’re leaning toward the fluffy brown fox, you’re making a solid choice, but you need to know what you’re locking yourself into—and what you're locking out. Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee exclusives aren't just a handful of sprites; they change how you build your team for the Elite Four and how much you'll have to beg your friends for trades.
Choosing Eevee means you're trading away the iconic electric mouse for a starter that, frankly, becomes a god-tier powerhouse thanks to special move tutors. But the real meat of the decision lies in the tall grass.
The Version Exclusive Pokémon You Can Only Find in Eevee
If you pick up this version, you’re getting access to some of the most nostalgic Kanto classics that just won't show up in the Pikachu version. We're talking about the Bellsprout line, the Vulpix family, Meowth, Pansy, and the Pinsir/Scyther rivalry—though you get the beetle here.
Let’s talk about Vulpix. In the Let’s Go games, visuals matter more than ever because Pokémon wander around the overworld. Seeing a glittering Alolan Vulpix (which you can get via in-game trades in this version) is a vibe you just don't get with Growlithe. If you're a fan of Fire-types that lean more toward Special Attack and speed rather than raw physical bulk, Vulpix and Ninetales are your bread and butter.
Then there’s Meowth. It’s not just about the Pay Day move, though the extra cash is nice when you're buying 99 Ultra Balls. It’s the fact that Persian is one of the sleekest Speedsters in the Kanto region. If you want that cat, you have to go Eevee. You won't find it stalking the routes in the Pikachu version.
The Grass-Type Divide: Bellsprout vs. Oddish
This is a big one. It’s the age-old rivalry. If you go with Eevee, you get the Bellsprout line. Weepinbell and Victreebel are glass cannons. They hit incredibly hard with moves like Razor Leaf and Sludge Bomb, but they can't take a hit as well as Vileplume can.
Most people think Grass-types are interchangeable. They aren't. Victreebel’s access to Poison-type utility and high Attack stats makes it a nightmare for Fairy-types later in the game. If you're planning to sweep Misty or eventually deal with Bruno’s fighting types, having that Bellsprout early on Route 1 is a massive advantage.
The Heavy Hitter: Pinsir’s Loneliness
In the Pikachu version, players get Scyther. Scyther is cool, it has blades for hands, and it eventually evolves into Scizor (though not in this game, since it's strictly the original 151 + Meltan). But Eevee players get Pinsir.
Pinsir is often overlooked because it doesn't have wings, but it is a physical monster. In a game where the mechanics are slightly simplified, a high Base Attack stat is king. Pinsir doesn't care about your defenses. It’s one of the few Bug-types that stays relevant into the late game. Finding it is a pain—it’s a rare spawn in the Viridian Forest—but it's an Eevee exclusive that carries its weight in gold during the mid-game grind.
Why the "Starter" Eevee is Actually the Biggest Exclusive
People forget that the biggest exclusive is the one sitting on your head. The partner Eevee in this game is not a normal Pokémon. It has "perfect" IVs, meaning its stats are maximized from the jump.
But here’s the kicker: Secret Techniques and Partner Moves. Your partner Eevee can learn moves that are borderline broken. I’m talking about Bouncy Bubble (Water-type move that heals you), Sizzly Slide (Fire-type move that always burns), and Buzzy Buzz. These moves give Eevee a coverage map that is basically unparalleled. You don't get these in the Pikachu version. While Pikachu gets some cool moves too, Eevee’s ability to swap between types makes it a one-man army.
Honestly? It feels like cheating sometimes.
The Alolan Forms: A Subtle Difference
Because Let’s Go includes Alolan forms through NPC trades in Pokémon Centers, your version choice dictates which Alolan Pokémon you can own without importing them from Pokémon GO.
In Let's Go Eevee, you can trade for:
- Alolan Vulpix/Ninetales: The Ice/Fairy typing is a dragon-slayer.
- Alolan Meowth/Persian: Dark-type coverage is rare in Kanto.
- Alolan Geodude/Graveler/Golem: Actually, wait—Geodude is in both, but the version exclusives apply to their regional variants too.
If you want an Ice-type Ninetales, you must be playing Eevee. There is no other way to get that specific trade-in-game. For many players, Alolan Ninetales is the prettiest Pokémon in the game, making the Eevee version the "aesthetic" choice for many collectors.
Complete List of Pokémon Let's Go Eevee Exclusives
To keep it simple, here is exactly what you are getting that the other side isn't.
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- Ekans and Arbok: The classic snakes. Great for Intimidate strategies.
- Vulpix and Ninetales: Both the Fire and Alolan Ice versions.
- Meowth and Persian: Including the Alolan Dark-type versions.
- Bellsprout, Weepinbell, and Victreebel: The heavy-hitting Grass/Poison line.
- Koffing and Weezing: Pure Poison-type bulk. Perfect for frustrating physical attackers.
- Pinsir: The pure Bug-type powerhouse.
Missing Out: What You Won't See
You won’t find Oddish. No Sandshrew. No Growlithe or Arcanine. No Grimer or Muk. No Scyther.
If your heart is set on an Arcanine, you’re going to have to find a friend who bought the Pikachu version. That’s the "social" tax of Pokémon. But honestly, Ninetales is a more than capable replacement, and Victreebel is arguably more fun to use than Vileplume because it’s less about "sleep and heal" and more about "hit them until they faint."
The Pokémon GO Connection
There is a workaround. If you have Pokémon GO on your phone, you can technically bypass the version exclusives. Once you reach Fuchsia City and unlock the GO Park, you can transfer any of the Kanto 151 from your phone to your Switch.
This means if you have a Scyther on your phone, you can bring it into Let's Go Eevee.
However, for most people just playing through the story, the exclusives define the journey. You’ll be seeing Ekans and Bellsprout for the first 20 hours of your life. That shapes your team composition. You’ll likely end up with a Vulpix because it’s right there on Route 6, whereas you’d never even see a Growlithe.
Practical Advice for Your Playthrough
If you’re going with Eevee, lean into the Poison-type availability. Between Ekans, Bellsprout, and Koffing, you have a lot of utility. Poison isn't the best offensive type in Kanto, but it’s great for wearing down tough opponents.
Also, don't ignore the Move Tutor in Pokémon Centers. As soon as you see the guy in the colorful outfit, talk to him. Giving your partner Eevee those exclusive moves is the difference between struggling against the Gym Leaders and walking through them like they're nothing.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your social circle: If your best friend already has the Pikachu version, definitely get Eevee. You'll be able to complete both your Pokédexes by trading.
- Plan your Fire-type: If you want Arcanine, stop now and buy Pikachu. If you want Ninetales, proceed with Eevee.
- Download Pokémon GO: Start catching the "Pikachu exclusives" like Sandshrew and Oddish now so they are ready to transfer when you reach Fuchsia City.
- Prioritize the rare spawns: Keep an eye out for Pinsir in Viridian Forest. It's a low spawn rate, but it's the crown jewel of the Eevee-exclusive list for physical attackers.
- Visit the Move Tutor early: Don't wait until the endgame to buff your Eevee. Those exclusive moves are available surprisingly early and scale with your level.