10 Needlessly Hard Early Video Game Bosses

One of the often overlooked things about many Pokémon games is their baked-in difficulty modifier. The games themselves don't have any selectable choices, but it comes down to whatever starter Pokémon you pick.

For example, in Pokémon Red and Blue you’re going to have the easiest time against the first two Gym Leader type preferences (rock and water) by taking Bulbasaur. Squirtle will get you moving but not quite as swiftly. Charmander however is what you take if you want to struggle.

That being said, the game never expresses this and a lot of players just pick Charmander because they like the design or its array of fire-based skills which are much more uncommon throughout the region.

Players who go with the flame-breathing lizard will hit a brick wall against Brock if they haven’t trained enough or diversified their team. Since there’s no way to catch a grass or water type yet to get those super effective hits, you’ll have to make do with the likes of Charmander’s Ember or a Butterfree’s Confusion to make a dent in those defences.

In the 2004 remakes FireRed and LeafGreen, Charmander can learn Metal Claw which gives it a fighting chance thus making it easier to send Brock crying to his beloved Nurse Joy.