Top Starter Pokemon: A Gen-by-Gen Guide

The pivotal moment in any Pokémon game comes right at the start – choosing your partner Pokémon. This initial encounter, where you lock eyes with the creature you’ll spend countless hours nurturing and battling with, is a special experience. This decision often boils down to personal taste, almost serving as a personality test for fans. However, at this early stage, you have no inkling of how this choice will shape your journey to becoming a Pokémon master, with the challenges of gyms, rivals, and the secrets of the region still veiled in mystery.

Our team has meticulously analyzed base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and evolutions of every starter Pokémon, comparing them against the challenges of their native regions. This comprehensive research aims to guide you in selecting the best starter, not just to conquer the initial gyms but to triumph over the Elite Four and beyond. This is your first step towards mastering Pokémon 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

While Charmander might seem like an appealing choice due to the rarity of Fire types in Gen 1 and its immunity to Ground types in the final gym, Bulbasaur emerges as the superior pick for conquering the Kanto region. Bulbasaur's Grass typing gives it a significant advantage against Brock's Rock Pokémon, Misty's Water types, and Giovanni's final lineup, as well as being the optimal choice against the first two members of the Elite Four. The only major hurdles for Bulbasaur are Erika's Grass type gym, where strategic gameplay is essential, and Blaine's Fire type gym, which can be overcome with the plentiful Water types available in Kanto.

Bulbasaur trainers will encounter challenges with the frequent Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow, which can hinder early-level grinding. However, the abundance of Ground and Rock types in caves provides ample opportunities for Bulbasaur to level up efficiently. Bulbasaur's evolution into Venusaur, a Grass/Poison type, further solidifies its advantage over Charmander and Squirtle, offering well-balanced stats and additional type coverage.

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, the introduction of only eight new Fire types compared to ten Grass and eighteen Water types makes Cyndaquil a valuable addition to your team, offering much-needed diversity. Cyndaquil proves to be the best match against most of Johto's gyms and Elite Four members. Its Fire typing easily overcomes Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym, while Totodile struggles due to the lack of Fire, Ground, or Rock gyms. Chikorita, particularly in its final form Meganium, excels against Pryce's Ice gym but faces challenges with early Bug and Flying type gyms, as well as Morty's Poison type gym.

Cyndaquil's evolution into Typhlosion is advantageous against the Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four, though all four teams are well-balanced. Meganium struggles against Poison and Dragon/Flying types, while Feraligatr, Totodile's final evolution, holds its own but doesn't dominate as effectively as Typhlosion. Challenges for Cyndaquil include frequent Rock and Ground type encounters in caves and Lance's Dragon/Flying types, but these are less significant compared to the obstacles faced by Chikorita and Totodile.

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

Choosing Mudkip in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire goes beyond its adorable appearance. Mudkip's Water typing gives it an edge against three of the eight gyms, matching Treecko's effectiveness against Roxanne's and Tate & Liza's Rock/Ground gyms. Mudkip excels against Flannery's Fire gym, while Treecko is better suited for Wallace's Water gym. By the time you reach Wallace, Treecko will likely have evolved into Sceptile, but its Grass typing puts it at a disadvantage against Flannery and Winona's Flying types. Mudkip's only significant challenge is Wattson's Electric type gym, while Torchic struggles due to its Fire typing being ineffective against any gym and its Fighting type evolution, Blaziken, only advantageous against one.

In the Elite Four, Sceptile has a slight advantage against Glacia's Ice/Water and some Grass types, but Mudkip's evolution into Swampert, a Water/Ground type, offers balanced stats and immunity to Electric attacks, making it a formidable contender. Despite the frequent water-based encounters in Hoenn, Mudkip's overall advantages make it a strong 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, the scarcity of Fire types (only five introduced) compared to fourteen Water and Grass types makes Chimchar a strategic choice. Chimchar's Fire typing is super effective against Gardenia's Grass type gym, Byron's Steel types, and Candice's Ice types. Turtwig, while effective against Roark's Rock and Crasher Wake's Water gyms, and gaining Ground typing as Torterra, excels early on but faces challenges later. Piplup's evolution into Empoleon is resilient but doesn't have significant advantages over many gym leaders or the Elite Four.

Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, is ideal against Aaron's Bug types, while Torterra is better suited for Bertha's Water and Ground types. The frequent battles with Team Galactic's Bug types tilt the advantage towards Chimchar, making it the preferred choice for navigating the Sinnoh region's challenges.

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 stands out as the most strategic choice. Snivy's Grass typing only gives it an advantage over one gym and struggles against Bug and Flying types, while Oshawott's Water typing is effective against Clay's Ground gym and resistant to Brycen's Ice types but lacks significant advantages in the Elite Four. Tepig's Fire typing, combined with its final evolution Emboar's Fighting type, makes it highly effective against Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym. Emboar's Fighting type is also advantageous 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 enhance its appeal. The necessity to face the Elite Four twice in Black and White makes Tepig a reassuring choice for navigating the Unova region'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

In Pokémon X and Y, Fennekin emerges as the standout choice among the new starters. Its Fire typing is super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, making it a strong contender throughout the game. Fennekin's final evolution, Delphox, gains Psychic typing, which is advantageous against the Fairy, Psychic, and Ice-based gyms. Froakie's evolution into Greninja, a Water/Dark type, is effective against Olympia's Psychic team but weak against Valerie's Fairy types and struggles against Ramos' Grass and Clemont's Electric types. Chespin's evolution into Chesnaught, a Grass/Fighting type, faces challenges against Viola's Bug gym and the Psychic and Fairy types of Olympia and Valerie.

The balanced nature of the Elite Four in X and Y favors different types for each battle, but Delphox's Psychic typing gives it an 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 & Pokémon Moon guide

Litten from Pokémon Sun and Moon continues the trend of Fire types being the optimal choice. Despite initial struggles in the first trials, Litten's Fire typing is advantageous against Mallow's Grass trial and Sophocles' Electric gym, which includes Steel and Bug types. Litten's evolution into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type, is super effective against Acerola's Ghost trial and Mina's Fairy trial, despite its normal damage from Fairy attacks.

Rowlet and Popplio, while effective in early trials, lack significant advantages in later battles. Rowlet's evolution into Decidueye, a Grass/Ghost type, has mixed results, while Popplio's evolution into Primarina, a Water/Fairy type, doesn't impact its trial performance. The diverse challenges in the Pokémon League and the scarcity of Fire types in Alola make Litten's ability to clear trials crucial.

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 narrowly edges out Grookey and Scorbunny. All three starters are effective against three gyms, but Sobble and Grookey have an advantage against Gordie and Raihan's Rock and Ground gyms, while Scorbunny excels against Melony's Ice and Opal's Fairy gyms. The first three gyms being Grass, Water, and Fire types offer no initial advantage, but Raihan's final gym gives Sobble and Grookey a slight edge.

In the Champion Cup, Sobble's final evolution, Inteleon, slightly outperforms Grookey's Rillaboom due to the semi-final opponents' typings favoring Water types. Team Yell's Dark types and the reduced random encounters due to overworld Pokémon further balance the playing field, but Inteleon's balanced stats give Sobble the edge.

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 stands out as the clear winner despite the game's focus on player freedom. The non-scaling levels of the gyms mean you can return to tackle them later, but the highest-level gyms being Psychic/Fairy and Ice types, and the lowest being Bug and Grass types, favor Fuecoco. Its evolution into Skeledirge, a Fire/Ghost type, is advantageous against Tulip's Psychic/Fairy gym and Grusha's Ice gym, as well as Team Star's Dark and Poison type bases.

Quaxly's evolution into Quaquaval, a Water/Fighting type, is effective against Larry's Normal type gym, while Sprigatito's evolution into Meowscarada, a Grass/Dark type, excels against Tulip's and Ryme's Ghost gyms. However, Skeledirge's advantages against the Elite Four, particularly Poppy's Steel team, make Fuecoco the superior choice for dominating the Paldea region.

The Best Starter Pokémon