Top Starter Pokemon by Generation

Choosing your starter Pokémon at the beginning of any Pokémon game is a defining moment that sets the tone for your entire journey. It's not just about picking a companion; it's about selecting a partner who will grow with you, challenge you, and ultimately help you conquer the region as a Pokémon master. This decision, often made on intuition and preference, feels like a personality test to many fans. Yet, when you make that choice, you're stepping into the unknown, unaware of how it will shape your path through the gyms, rival battles, and hidden secrets of the region.

To guide you on this pivotal decision, we've delved deep into the mechanics of Pokémon games. We've analyzed base stats, explored every strength and weakness of the starter Pokémon and their evolutions, and matched them against the challenges of their respective regions. Our goal is to help you choose not just a starter that will breeze through the initial gyms, but one that will stand strong against the Elite Four and beyond. Here's a comprehensive look at the best starter picks across all generations, designed to give you the edge in your quest to become a Pokémon master.

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

In the classic Pokémon Red and Blue, Bulbasaur emerges as the top choice for dominating the Kanto region. While Charmander might seem appealing due to its rarity and advantages against Flying types, Bulbasaur's strategic superiority is undeniable. Its Grass type is super effective against Brock's Rock Pokémon, Misty's Water collection, and Giovanni's final gym lineup, making it an excellent choice for tackling the first two members of the Elite Four.

However, Bulbasaur trainers will face challenges at Erika's Grass type gym, where careful strategy is needed to overcome the "not very effective" attacks, and Blaine's Fire type gym, which can be mitigated by leveraging the abundance of Water types in Kanto. Common encounters with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow may hinder early leveling, but the numerous Ground and Rock types in caves offer ample opportunities for Bulbasaur to gain experience. Additionally, Bulbasaur's evolution into Venasaur, a Grass/Poison type, provides a significant advantage over Charmander and Squirtle, making it a balanced and powerful choice.

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 stands out as the best starter, bringing much-needed diversity to your team with its Fire typing. With only eight new Fire types introduced compared to ten Grass and eighteen Water types, Cyndaquil's early selection is invaluable. It excels against Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym, making these battles a breeze.

While Totodile struggles to find a niche among the gyms, and Chikorita faces challenges with early Bug and Flying type gyms, Cyndaquil's evolution into Typhlosion offers a strong advantage against Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four. The main hurdle for Cyndaquil is Pryce's Ice type gym, but with time to build a well-balanced team, this can be overcome. Despite issues with Rock and Ground types in caves and Lance's Dragon/Flying types, Cyndaquil's overall effectiveness makes it the superior choice.

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

In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Mudkip is the standout starter, offering strategic advantages over its peers. Both Mudkip and Treecko are effective against three gyms each, but Mudkip's Water typing gives it an edge, particularly against Flannery's Fire gym. While Treecko can handle Wallace's Water gym, its Grass typing leaves it vulnerable to Flannery's Fire types and Winona's Flying types.

Mudkip's evolution into Swampert, a Water/Ground type, provides a defensive boost, making it immune to Electric attacks and only weak to Grass. This versatility allows Swampert to power through battles where it might typically be at a disadvantage. Although the Hoenn region's abundance of water can make random encounters a grind, Mudkip's overall strengths and its undeniable cuteness 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

In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Chimchar emerges as the top starter, benefiting from the limited number of Fire types introduced in this generation. Its Fire typing is super effective against Gardenia's Grass type gym, Byron's Steel types, and Candice's Ice types, making it an ideal choice for overcoming key challenges.

While Turtwig can handle early Rock and Water gyms and gains Ground typing as Torterra, its strengths are more pronounced in the game's early stages. Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, is well-suited to tackle Aaron's Bug Pokémon in the Elite Four, giving it an edge over Turtwig. Despite Piplup's resilience as Empoleon, it doesn't offer significant advantages over the gym leaders or the Elite Four, making Chimchar the better choice.

Gen 5: Tepig

Games: Pokémon Black & White

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

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Black and White guide

In Pokémon Black and White, Tepig is the clear winner among the starters. Snivy struggles with only one advantageous gym and numerous Bug and Flying types, while Oshawott, though better positioned, lacks significant advantages against the Elite Four. Tepig's Fire typing, combined with its final evolution into Emboar (a Fire/Fighting type), allows it to breeze through Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym.

Emboar's Fighting type proves invaluable against Grimsley's Dark types in the Elite Four, despite its vulnerability to Caitlin's Psychic types. Tepig's strong attacking stats and the presence of Team Plasma's Steel types further solidify its position as the best starter, especially given the double Elite Four challenge in Black and White.

Gen 6: Fennekin

Games: Pokémon X & Y

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

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon X and Y guide

In Pokémon X and Y, Fennekin stands out as the best starter, continuing the trend of Fire types dominating this list. Its Fire typing is super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, making it an excellent choice throughout the game. Fennekin's final evolution into Delphox, a Fire/Psychic type, ensures it can handle the Fairy, Psychic, and Ice-based gyms effectively.

Froakie's evolution into Greninja (Water/Dark) is advantageous against Psychic types but weak against Fairy types, while Chespin's evolution into Chesnaught (Grass/Fighting) struggles with Bug and Psychic types. The balanced Elite Four in X and Y favors different types in each battle, but Delphox's versatility gives it a slight edge, particularly against Diantha's Gardevoir.

Gen 7: Litten

Games: Pokémon Sun & Moon

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

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

In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Litten is the standout starter, despite initial challenges in the early trials. Its Fire typing becomes a significant advantage in later trials, particularly against Mallow's Grass trial and Sophocles' Electric gym, which includes Steel and Bug types. Litten's evolution into Incineroar (Fire/Dark) is super effective against Acerola's Ghost trial, especially against Grass and Ice types.

While Rowlet and Popplio have early advantages, they struggle in later battles. Rowlet's evolution into Decidueye (Grass/Ghost) has mixed results, and Popplio's evolution into Primarina (Water/Fairy) doesn't significantly impact its effectiveness. The diverse challenges in Sun and Moon's Pokémon League, including the Elite Four and additional trainers, highlight Litten's importance in clearing the trials effectively.

Gen 8: Sobble

Games: Pokémon Sword & Shield

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

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Sword and Shield guide

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Sobble edges out Grookey and Scorbunny in a close race. All three starters are effective against three gyms each, but Sobble's Water typing gives it a slight advantage in the final gym against Raihan's Rock and Ground types. The Champion Cup, the region's version of the Elite Four, further favors Sobble, especially against Bede's Fairy Pokémon and Nessa's Water types.

While the impact of rivals and Team Yell is minimal, Sobble's final evolution, Inteleon, boasts well-balanced stats, adding to its appeal. The introduction of overworld Pokémon encounters reduces the impact of random battles, making Sobble's strategic advantages even more significant.

Gen 9: Fuecoco

Games: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

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

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Scarlet and Violet guide

In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Fuecoco is the clear winner among the starters. Despite the game's emphasis on player freedom and non-linear progression, Fuecoco's Fire typing, and its evolution into Skeledirge (Fire/Ghost), is strategically advantageous. It excels against the highest-level gyms, such as Tulip's Psychic/Fairy and Grusha's Ice types, and the lowest-level gyms led by Katy and Brassius.

Quaxly's evolution into Quaquaval (Water/Fighting) is only advantageous against Larry's Normal type gym, while Sprigatito's evolution into Meowscarada (Grass/Dark) fares better but still falls short of Fuecoco's effectiveness. The Team Star base raids further emphasize Fuecoco's importance, particularly against Dark and Poison types. Skeledirge's versatility ensures it remains the best choice against the Elite Four and beyond.

The Best Starter Pokémon