Top Starter Pokemon by Generation

The pivotal moment in any Pokémon game is the initial choice of your partner Pokémon. This decision, often driven by personal preference and intuition, marks the beginning of your journey to becoming a Pokémon master. It's a moment of bonding, where you choose the companion that will accompany you through countless battles and adventures. At this stage, you're unaware of how your choice will impact your path, with the challenges of gyms, rivals, and regional secrets still ahead.

Our comprehensive research dives into the base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and evolutions of every starter Pokémon to determine the best choice for conquering each region's challenges, from the initial gyms to the Elite Four and beyond. Here’s a detailed look at the best starter picks across all generations:

Gen 1: Bulbasaur

Games: Pokémon Red & Blue, FireRed & LeafGreen

Starter options: Bulbasaur (grass), Charmander (fire), Squirtle (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow guide

Bulbasaur stands out as the prime choice for dominating the Kanto region in Pokémon Red and Blue. While Charmander might seem appealing due to the rarity of Fire types and its advantage against Ground types in the final gym, Bulbasaur's Grass typing offers significant advantages throughout the game. It excels against Brock's Rock Pokémon, Misty's Water types, and Giovanni's final lineup, making it the best choice for tackling the first two members of the Elite Four. The main challenges for Bulbasaur include Erika's Grass type gym and Blaine's Fire type gym, but these can be overcome with strategic play and the abundance of Water types in Kanto.

Bulbasaur's well-balanced base stats and its evolution into Venasaur, which gains Poison typing, provide a solid edge over Charmander and Squirtle. While facing Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow can be challenging, the plentiful Ground and Rock types in caves offer ample opportunities for Bulbasaur to gain experience.

Gen 2: Cyndaquil

Games: Pokémon Gold & Silver, Crystal, HeartGold & SoulSilver

Starter options: Chikorita (grass), Cyndaquil (fire), Totodile (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal guide

In Pokémon Gold and Silver, Cyndaquil emerges as the top starter due to its Fire typing, which is rare in Johto. With only eight new Fire types introduced compared to ten Grass and eighteen Water types, Cyndaquil adds crucial diversity to your team. It excels against Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym, making it a strong choice for the majority of Johto's gyms and Elite Four members.

While Totodile and Chikorita have their strengths, Cyndaquil's advantages are more consistent. Totodile struggles without Fire, Ground, or Rock gyms to counter, and Chikorita faces challenges with early Bug and Flying type gyms, as well as Morty's Poison type gym. Cyndaquil's evolution into Typhlosion further enhances its effectiveness against Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four, despite challenges posed by Pryce's Ice gym and Lance's Dragon/Flying types.

Gen 3: Mudkip

Games: Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire

Starter options: Treecko (grass), Torchic (fire), Mudkip (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald guide

Mudkip is the standout choice for Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, offering a strategic advantage over the Hoenn region's gyms. Both Mudkip and Treecko are super effective against three gyms, but Mudkip's Water typing gives it an edge against Flannery's Fire gym, while Treecko struggles against Flannery and Winona's Flying types. Torchic, on the other hand, has minimal advantages against the gyms.

Mudkip's evolution into Swampert, which gains Ground typing, provides a significant defensive boost, making it immune to Electric attacks and only weak to Grass. This versatility allows Swampert to excel in battles where it might otherwise be at a disadvantage. Despite the frequent water-based encounters in Hoenn, Mudkip's overall advantages make it the best choice.

Gen 4: Chimchar

Games: Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

Starter options: Turtwig (grass), Chimchar (fire), Piplup (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum guide

Chimchar is the top pick for Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, with its Fire typing being a rare asset in Sinnoh. It excels against Gardenia's Grass type gym, Byron's Steel types, and Candice's Ice types, making it a strong contender for late-game success. Turtwig, while effective against early Rock and Water gyms, faces challenges in the later stages, whereas Piplup lacks significant advantages over many gyms or Elite Four members.

Chimchar's evolution into Infernape is particularly effective against Aaron's Bug Pokémon in the Elite Four, despite Turtwig's advantage against Bertha's Water and Ground types. The frequent battles with Team Galactic's Bug types further solidify Chimchar's position as the best starter for Sinnoh.

Gen 5: Tepig

Games: Pokémon Black & White

Starter options: Snivy (grass), Tepig (fire), Oshawott (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Black and White guide

Tepig is the clear choice for Pokémon Black and White, with its Fire typing and evolution into the Fire/Fighting type Emboar providing a strategic advantage in Unova. Tepig excels against Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym, while Snivy and Oshawott struggle to match its effectiveness against the gyms and Elite Four.

Emboar's Fighting typing is particularly useful against Grimsley's Dark types in the Elite Four, despite its vulnerability to Caitlin's Psychic types. The presence of Team Plasma's Steel types further enhances Tepig's value, making it the best choice for navigating Unova's challenges.

Gen 6: Fennekin

Games: Pokémon X & Y

Starter options: Chespin (grass), Fennekin (fire), Froakie (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon X and Y guide

Fennekin stands out as the best starter for Pokémon X and Y, with its Fire typing being super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more. Its evolution into Delphox, which gains Psychic typing, further enhances its effectiveness against the final three gyms, which are Fairy, Psychic, and Ice based.

Froakie and Chespin face more challenges, with Froakie struggling against Ramos' Grass types and Clemont's Electric types, and Chespin facing difficulties with Viola's Bug gym and Olympia's Psychic types. Delphox's versatility and resistance to Diantha's Gardevoir give Fennekin the edge in the Elite Four battles.

Gen 7: Litten

Games: Pokémon Sun & Moon

Starter options: Rowlet (grass), Litten (fire), Popplio (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Sun & Pokémon Moon guide

Litten is the top choice for Pokémon Sun and Moon, despite initial challenges in the early trials. Its evolution into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type, excels against Mallow's Grass trial, Sophocles' Electric gym, and Acerola's Ghost trial. While Rowlet and Popplio have advantages in the early trials, they struggle in the late game.

The diverse challenges in the Pokémon League and the introduction of only eight Fire types in Alola make Litten's ability to clear the trials crucial. Incineroar's versatility and effectiveness against the trials solidify Litten's position as the best starter for Sun and Moon.

Gen 8: Sobble

Games: Pokémon Sword & Shield

Starter options: Grookey (grass), Scorbunny (fire), Sobble (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Sword and Shield guide

Sobble narrowly edges out Grookey and Scorbunny as the best starter for Pokémon Sword and Shield. All three starters are effective against three gyms, but Sobble's advantage in the final gym against Raihan's Rock and Ground types gives it a slight edge. The Champion Cup further favors Sobble, with its balanced stats and effectiveness against Bede's Fairy types, Nessa's Water types, and Raihan's Fire and Ground heavy Dragon team.

While the impact of rivals and random encounters is minimal in Sword and Shield, Sobble's well-rounded stats and strategic advantages make it the best choice for the Galar region.

Gen 9: Fuecoco

Games: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Starter options: Sprigatito (grass), Fuecoco (fire), Quaxly (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Scarlet and Violet guide

Fuecoco is the clear winner for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, with its Fire typing and evolution into the Fire/Ghost type Skeledirge providing significant advantages in the Paldea region. The non-level scaling gyms and the strategic importance of the Team Star base raids make Fuecoco the best choice, excelling against Katy and Brassius' Bug and Grass types, as well as Tulip's Psychic/Fairy and Grusha's Ice types.

While Sprigatito and Quaxly have their strengths, Skeledirge's versatility and effectiveness against the Elite Four and Team Star bases solidify Fuecoco's position as the top starter for Scarlet and Violet.

The Best Starter Pokémon

The Best Starter Pokémon