Squirtle vs. Nidoran by split

SQUIRTLE VS. NIDORAN (typical "good run" splits)
-1:54		Brock
-0:10		Route 3
-0:46		Mt. Moon
+0:25		Misty/Nugget Bridge/Surge
+0:50		Fly
+0:38		Poke Flute
-0:48		Koga
+0:18		Blaine/Sabrina/Erika
-0:05		Giovanni
+0:42		Lorelei
+0:07		Bruno
+0:05		Agatha
+0:11		Lance
+0:42		Champion
TOTAL: +0:15

NOTES:
- Squirtle is 15 seconds slower than Nidoran assuming stat resets are the same.
- However, Squirtle's stat resets are more frequent (bad) and much more efficient (very good)
- If you are going for an insane time, Nidoran is probably better because there is more variance, the variance is earlier, and there are more big risks to take that have a reasonable chance of working
- Going for an insane time (1:47 IGT) with either Pokemon is not recommended unless you have excellent menuing/mashing skills AND can make money doing it. Too many runs will either die before exiting Mt. Moon or be forced into dumb YOLOs (not healing for Pidgeys/Rattatas on 5 HP, YOLO Hypno, etc.)
- Squirtle has more options than Nidoran for lower experience routes that save time in the top end (or with godly stats). However, the runner must commit to them early in the run, and they require different muscle memory for menus, etc.
- Nidoran is much better for races, but the ability to run low Attack and Speed makes Squirtle races doable
- If you are going for a decent time that isn't close to WR, like 1:52 to 1:54 IGT, Squirtle might be better because there are no places where you are forced into taking a major risk (whereas Nidoran risks Misty and Lance)
- The Squirtle route has more room for optimization. However, recent Squirtle runs use some minor menuing/mashing techniques that weren't known during the 2014-2016 era of grinding Nidoran
- The Squirtle route has more complex decision making, and thus rewards the runner's knowledge more. However, the route can still be completed easily using simple strats (you'll just lose time to slower animations and being out of red bar more)