The Best Normal-Type Pokémon to Use in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
Although some may consider them plain or boring, Normal-type Pokémon are often an excellent addition to any team.
Offensively, Normal moves do not deal super-effective damage against any specific type; however, when used by a Normal-type Pokémon, they benefit from the Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB), which increases their overall damage output. Since Normal is the most common attacking type, this bonus is applied to many of their moves.
Defensively, Normal is a strong type, offering complete immunity to Ghost-type moves and taking neutral damage from most other attack types. Besides that, Normal has a singular weakness to Fighting-type attacks.
This combination of traits makes Normal-type Pokémon dependable allies when exploring the Kanto region.
Snorlax
Without a doubt, the best Normal-type Pokémon in the game is 
Snorlax. From its impressive stats and expansive move pool to its guaranteed availability, Snorlax checks every box. Its greatest strengths lie in its versatility, exceptional durability, and ability to deal heavy damage.
With a massive base 160 HP, Snorlax is incredibly difficult to take down, especially on the special side, where it boasts a base 110 Special Defense. It can further enhance its survivability with moves like 
Amnesia, making it extremely resistant to special attacks, or 
Defense Curl, which helps patch up its lower Defense while setting up for a powerful 
Rollout sweep. When its HP gets low, Snorlax can fully restore itself with Rest. Pairing this with Snore or Sleep Talk allows it to continue attacking even while asleep. Its abilities, Thick Fat and Immunity, complement its bulk perfectly, either reducing damage from Fire and Ice-type moves or preventing poison altogether.
Offensively, Snorlax is just as formidable. Its base 110 Attack stat allows it to hit hard with strong STAB moves such as Headbutt, Body Slam, Return, Strength, Facade, Double-Edge and Hyper Beam. For even greater power, Snorlax can use Belly Drum to maximize its Attack in a single turn, albeit at the cost of half its HP. Yawn can help create opportunities to safely set this up by putting opponents to sleep.
In addition to its STAB options, Snorlax has excellent coverage. Moves like 
Shadow Ball and 
Earthquake are especially valuable. Shadow Ball makes Snorlax an effective counter to Sabrina’s Psychic-type Pokémon, while Earthquake allows it to deal with Rock-types that might otherwise wall it.
The main downside to using Snorlax is its low Speed stat. With a base Speed of 30, it will usually move second, meaning it has to take a hit first. However, thanks to its bulk, this is more of an inconvenience than a real problem.
Snorlax is a guaranteed encounter on Routes 12 and 16, where it must be awakened using the 
Poké Flute to clear your path. Since these are the only two Snorlax available in the game, it’s wise to save beforehand to ensure a successful capture. It is encountered mid-game at level 30, making it a powerful addition to your team as soon as you obtain it.
Dodrio
Dodrio is a fantastic Normal-type option. It’s both fast and powerful, and its secondary Flying typing provides several key benefits. It can learn 
Fly, making it a convenient choice for traveling the region, while also giving it strong matchups against Grass, Bug, and Ground-types, including an immunity to the latter.
With base 110 Attack and 110 Speed, Dodrio is built to sweep, and its move pool supports it well. Agility can boost its Speed further, helping it maintain momentum against faster foes. It has strong Normal STAB options like Return, Facade, Body Slam, Hyper Beam, and Double-Edge, and learns Tri Attack early, a solid 80-power move with a 10% chance to burn, freeze, or paralyze. Dodrio also learns the powerful Flying-type move Drill Peck by level-up, though not until the late level of 47, so Fly or Aerial Ace are good options until then. Its only real coverage move is 
Steel Wing, which helps it deal with Rock-types that would otherwise give it trouble.
Dodrio has two possible abilities: Run Away and Early Bird. Run Away guarantees escape from battle, but it’s largely unnecessary since Dodrio is already fast enough to flee on its own. Early Bird is the clear choice, as it allows Dodrio to wake up from sleep faster, making it a reliable counter against sleep-based strategies.
Dodrio can be caught as a 
Doduo on Route 16, just west of Celadon City. It arrives at a great point in the game, making it especially useful against Erika’s Grass-types and Sabrina’s physically frail Psychic team.
Clefable
Clefable is a bulky Normal-type Pokémon which draws comparisons to Snorlax, but there are key differences that set them apart and can even make Clefable the better choice.
The first is availability. Clefable can be obtained shortly after getting your first Gym Badge. Simply catch 
Clefairy in Mt. Moon and evolve it right away using a 
Moon Stone. Having a fully evolved Pokémon at this point in the game is a valuable asset and can make the difference in tough early battles, such as those against your rival and Misty.
Clefable doesn’t fall off as you progress through the game like many early-route Pokémon, thanks to its versatility. Its stats favor special attacks, but its decent base 70 Attack still lets it effectively use strong STAB moves like Mega Punch and Secret Power. It also learns a wide variety of TMs, allowing it to contribute in most matchups. Teach it the Gym reward TMs 
Water Pulse and 
Shock Wave from Misty and Lt. Surge for a wide range of type coverage.
It really hits its stride in Saffron City, where it can learn Psychic and Calm Mind. Calm Mind boosts its base 95 Special Attack and 90 Special Defense, turning Clefable into a powerful special tank capable of sweeping teams that lack a reliable counter. Psychic gives it powerful coverage against the omnipresent Poison and Fighting-types. Later on, consider upgrading Water Pulse and Shock Wave to 
Ice Beam and Thunderbolt for optimal coverage and power. Other notable options include Body Slam, 
Counter, Seismic Toss, Soft-Boiled, and Thunder Wave.
Clefable’s ability is Cute Charm, which has a 30% chance to infatuate an opponent that makes contact, provided it is the opposite gender. It’s somewhat situational, but it can occasionally come in clutch when you least expect it.
Verdict
While these are the clear top Normal-type choices for a Kanto playthrough, a few others are worth mentioning.
Fearow fills a similar role to Dodrio but is slightly weaker and slower. Its main advantage is availability, as you can catch 
Spearow as soon as you get Poké Balls on Route 22, just west of Viridian City. This makes the early game easier, especially against Bug Catchers and Grass and Fighting-types. Ultimately, the choice comes down to early availability versus long-term power.
Tauros and 
Kangaskhan are also strong, fast attackers, but they don’t become available until the Safari Zone and can be difficult to catch. Because of this, they just miss out on top-tier status.
