Pokémon Starters from Gen 1 to Gen 9: A Comprehensive Guide

The Pokémon franchise boasts a rich history of starter Pokémon, with each generation offering a compelling trio of Grass, Fire, and Water types. This comprehensive guide explores all 27 starter lines across nine generations.

Note: Final evolutions marked (*) are capable of Mega Evolution in Generations VI and VII.

All Starter Pokémon by Generation:

Generation I: Kanto Starters

The iconic Kanto starters—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—launched the franchise in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow. They've since reappeared in remakes (FireRed and LeafGreen, Let's Go! Pikachu and Eevee) and other mainline games (HeartGold and SoulSilver, X and Y).

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Bulbasaur	Grass/Poison	Ivysaur (Level 16) Venusaur* (Level 32)
Charmander	Fire	Charmeleon (Level 16) Charizard* (Level 36)
Squirtle	Water	Wartortle (Level 16) Blastoise* (Level 36)

Generation II: Johto Starters

Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile debuted in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, hailing from the Johto region. They also appear in the HeartGold and SoulSilver remakes and have been accessible in later generations (e.g., via Sun and Moon's QR Scanner). Cyndaquil is also a starter in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Chikorita	Grass	Bayleef (Level 16) Meganium (Level 32)
Cyndaquil	Fire	Quilava (Level 14) Typhlosion (Level 36)
Totodile	Water	Croconaw (Level 18) Feraligatr (Level 30)

Note: Cyndaquil's evolution level to Quilava varies; see Gen VIII for Legends: Arceus details.

Generation III: Hoenn Starters

Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip represent the Hoenn region in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, and their remakes, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. They are also available in various other games and DLC.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Treecko	Grass	Grovyle (Level 16) Sceptile* (Level 36)
Torchic	Fire	Combusken (Level 16) Blaziken* (Level 36)
Mudkip	Water	Marshtomp (Level 16) Swampert* (Level 36)

Generation IV: Sinnoh Starters

Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup are the Sinnoh starters from Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, and their remakes, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. While absent as starters in Legends: Arceus, they are catchable in that game and others.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Turtwig	Grass	Grotle (Level 18) Torterra (Level 32)
Chimchar	Fire	Monferno (Level 14) Infernape (Level 36)
Piplup	Water	Prinplup (Level 16) Empoleon (Level 36)

Generation V: Unova Starters

Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott represent Unova in Pokémon Black and White and their sequels. They're available in numerous other games and DLC. Oshawott is also a starter in Legends: Arceus.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Snivy	Grass	Servine (Level 17) Serperior (Level 36)
Tepig	Fire	Pignite (Level 17) Emboar (Level 36)
Oshawott	Water	Dewott (Level 17) Samurott (Level 36)

Generation VI: Kalos Starters

Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie are the Kalos starters from Pokémon X and Y. Froakie's evolution, Greninja, notably received an Ash-Greninja form. The Kalos trio is available in various other titles and DLC.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Chespin	Grass	Quilladin (Level 16) Chesnaught (Level 36)
Fennekin	Fire	Braixen (Level 16) Delphox (Level 36)
Froakie	Water	Frogadier (Level 16) Greninja (Level 36)

Generation VII: Alola Starters

Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio debuted in Pokémon Sun and Moon and Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. They are also featured in DLC for subsequent games. Rowlet is also a starter in Legends: Arceus.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Rowlet	Grass/Flying	Dartrix (Level 17) Decidueye (Level 34)
Litten	Fire	Torracat (Level 17) Incineroar (Level 34)
Popplio	Water	Brionne (Level 17) Primarina (Level 34)

Note: Dartrix's evolution level to Decidueye varies; see Gen VIII for Legends: Arceus details.

Generation VIII: Galar & Hisui Starters

Generation VIII introduced a unique approach with Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Sword and Shield featured Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble, while Legends: Arceus offered Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott with Hisuian regional forms.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Grookey	Grass	Thwackey (Level 16) Rillaboom (Level 35)
Scorbunny	Fire	Raboot (Level 16) Cinderace (Level 35)
Sobble	Water	Drizzile (Level 17) Inteleon (Level 35)

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Rowlet	Grass/Flying	Dartrix (Level 17) Hisuian Decidueye (Level 36)
Cyndaquil	Fire	Quilava (Level 17) Hisuian Typhlosion (Level 36)
Oshawott	Water	Dewott (Level 17) Hisuian Samurott (Level 36)

Generation IX: Paldea Starters

Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly are the Paldea starters from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Past starters are also available via DLC.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Sprigatito	Grass	Floragato (Level 16) Meowscarada (Level 36)
Fuecoco	Fire	Crocalor (Level 16) Skeledirge (Level 36)
Quaxly	Water	Quaxwell (Level 16) Quaquaval (Level 36)

With the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Pokémon Legends: Z-A in development, the Pokémon journey continues. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and its DLC are currently available.