Although each new generation of Pokemon games typically brings with it plenty of new additions and features, there are certain things that never really change. Pokemon players will always have a rival, for example, and will also need to overcome a series of challenging gym battles in order to complete the game. Then, of course, there is that hugely important decision that they'll be expected to make almost immediately after they first begin playing.

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Which starter Pokemon to pick is a question that many people have spent a lot of time agonizing over. The choice can definitely be a lot easier in certain games though, as there can often be a pretty big disparity between the three available options. Likewise, the strength of the starter trio can vary quite a lot from game to game as well, with some being a lot more powerful and more popular than others.

Updated February 9, 2024, by Tom Bowen: With all of the Pokemon Scarlet & Violet content having now finally arrived, players are once again faced with that age-old question: Which starter Pokemon should I choose? There have been some truly great ones over the years, though not all starter Pokemon are created equal, nor does every generation of Pokemon games offer the same standard of starters. Some trios are let down by a single weak link, while others just can't measure up to those that came before them. Scarlet and Violet offer something of a mixed bag in this regard, with Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly all providing something a little different than their predecessors. However, whether or not they rank among the best starter Pokemon remains a matter for debate.

9 Gen 8 (Grookey, Scorbunny & Sobble)

Pokemon Gen 8 starters (Grookey, Scorbunny & Sobble)
  • Grookey -> Thwackey (level 16) -> Rillaboom (level 35)
  • Scorbunny -> Raboot (level 16) -> Cinderace (level 35)
  • Sobble -> Drizzile (level 16) -> Inteleon (level 35)

The Gen 8 starter Pokemon may become more popular as more time passes. As things stand though, they are definitely the pariahs of the pack. Not only did they arrive at a time when hundreds of other Pokemon were being cut from the Pokedex, but their designs are also fairly mediocre when compared to most of their predecessors.

To make matters worse, each one of them is limited to a single type, which seriously hurts their versatility and thus their viability in battle. Granted, their final evolutions and Gigantamax forms are pretty cool, but there are far better options for their respective elements when it comes to putting together a team.

Best Gen 8 Starter: Grookey

Much like Bulbasaur in the first-generation games, Grookey gets the nod ahead of its fellow starters due to its usefulness in the early stages. It should breeze through the first two gyms without any issues and, if players are playing Sword, it will also be strong against Gordie in the game's sixth gym. If playing Shield, however, Scorbunny isn't a bad option, though, by the time it's evolved into Rillaboom, Grookey definitely offers the best final stage evolution regardless of which version players own.

pokemon sword
Pokémon Sword

Developer(s)
Game Freak
Publisher(s)
The Pokemon Company , Nintendo
Platform(s)
Switch
Released
November 15, 2019

8 Gen 5 (Snivy, Tepig & Oshawott)

Pokemon Gen 5 starters (Snivy, Tepig & Oshawott)
  • Snivy -> Servine (level 17) -> Serperior (level 36)
  • Tepig -> Pignite (level 17) -> Emboar (level 36)
  • Oshawott -> Dewott (level 17) -> Samurott (level 36)

The Gen 5 starters from Black & White are all pretty interesting, but they also happen to be some of the weakest starters in the history of the series. When it comes to base stat totals, both Oshawott and Snivy's are lower than all of the other grass and water-type starters, while only Fenekin has a lower total than Tepig. This isn't helped much by Snivy and Oshawott both being limited to a single type either.

When it comes to their designs, their starter forms are not too bad, although as they begin to evolve, things start to go a little pear-shaped. What's more, none of them have been given Mega Evolutions just yet, nor do they have access to Gigantamax forms either. In their defense, this doesn't make them inherently bad Pokemon, although it does put the Gen 5 starters at something of a disadvantage when compared to other starter Pokemon that do.

Best Gen 5 Starter: Oshawott

Despite Tepig having an advantage against more of the games' gym leaders, Oshawott's final evolution, Samurott, is just too good to ignore. It will destroy the Elite Four without breaking a sweat and has access to a rich and varied move set that allows for a variety of different builds. Tepig is by no means a bad choice though, and can still help to carry a player through most of the game.

pokemon black
Pokémon Black

Developer(s)
Game Freak
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Platform(s)
Nintendo DS
Released
March 6, 2011

7 Gen 6 (Chespin, Fennekin & Froakie)

Pokemon Gen 6 starters (Chespin, Fennekin & Froakie)
  • Chespin -> Quilladin (level 16) -> Chesnaught (level 36)
  • Fennekin -> Braixen (level 16) -> Delphox (level 36)
  • Froakie -> Frogadier (level 16) -> Greninja (level 36)

Although the Gen 6 starters haven't been around too long when compared to some of their older peers, they've still made quite the impression on fans of the series. It certainly helps that Greninja was one of Ash's strongest Pokemon in the anime, as too does the fact that all three of them are dual-type Pokemon.

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Another thing that makes the Gen 6 starters so interesting is that the one chosen by players in X & Y has a direct impact on which of the three Legendary Birds will appear later in the game. That their second-stage forms can be caught in the Friend Safari is also a big plus, as it allows players to build a team with all three of them fairly easily if they so wish.

Best Gen 6 Starter: Delphox

Picking the best Gen 6 starter Pokemon is incredibly difficult as there are two exceptional candidates to choose from. Froakie's final form, Greninja, is probably the better of the three third-stage evolutions and will crush the Elite Four. On the other hand, Delphox has a type advantage against more gyms. In fact, given that players should already have a pretty well-balanced team by the time they reach the end of the game, the fire-type Pokemon is probably the more useful of the two.

pokemon-x-cover
Pokémon X

Developer(s)
Game Freak
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Platform(s)
Nintendo 3DS
Released
October 12, 2013

6 Gen 9 (Sprigatito, Fuecoco & Quaxly)

gen-9-starter-pokemon-scarlet-violet
  • Sprigatito -> Floragato (level 16) -> Meowscarada (level 36)
  • Fuecoco -> Crocalor (level 16) -> Skeledirge (level 36)
  • Quaxly -> Quaxwell (level 16) -> Quaquaval (level 36)

The Gen 9 starters made a pretty big splash when they were first unveiled back in February of 2022, with some fans not too keen on the trio's designs. As the months passed, however, the cute little critters were begrudgingly accepted by most fans of the series and many then began to speculate as to what their evolutions might look like. Thankfully, they did not disappoint in this regard.

As well as being some of the most well-designed starter Pokemon in years, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly are all pretty decent in battle, particularly Sprigatito thanks to its immense speed. The fact that all three Gen 9 starters pick up a second type after evolving into their final form is nice too, as it gives players a few more options when it comes to the order in which they take on the Paldea region's gyms.

Best Gen 9 Starter: Fuecoco

Usually, trying to decide which starter Pokemon to choose can be a little tricky, but this isn't really the case in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. This is because Fuecoco has type advantage against three of the game's eight gym leaders, while its final stage evolution Skeledirge is effective against a whopping five. Of course, those focused more on competitive play rather than beating gym leaders may prefer Sprigatito for its high Speed and Attack stats, but, when it comes to actually completing the Gen 9 games, Fuecoco is by far the best choice.

pokemon-scarlet-cover
Pokemon Scarlet

Developer(s)
Game Freak
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Platform(s)
Switch
Released
November 18, 2022

5 Gen 7 (Rowlet, Litten & Popplio)

Pokemon Gen 7 starters (Rowlet, Litten & Popplio)
  • Rowlet -> Dartrix (level 17) -> Decidueye (level 34)
  • Litten -> Torracat (level 17) -> Incineroar (level 34)
  • Popplio -> Brionne (level 17) -> Primarina (level 34)

Just as it was beginning to feel like the designers at Game Freak were starting to run out of ideas, they churned out some of their best designs in years for the release of Sun & Moon. Litten's evolutionary line is particularly well-designed, although all three starters look great when compared to some of the other, more recent, starters.

When it comes to combat, Litten once again leads the way, with Incineroar's fire and dark-type combination making it incredibly useful in certain situations. The other two also have some fairly unique type combinations as well though, and this can make building a team around them considerably easier than it is in certain other generations.

Best Gen 7 Starter: Popplio

Litten and Popplio both have their strengths, but the former's struggles during some of the games' opening stages make Popplio the better choice. Its stats are generally quite well-balanced too and it also has a decent move set available to it. Those looking for a Pokemon that will be strong in the end-game may want to opt for Litten instead, however.

pokemon sun
Pokémon Sun

Developer(s)
Game Freak
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Platform(s)
Nintendo 3DS
Released
November 18, 2016

4 Gen 4 (Turtwig, Chimchar & Piplup)

Pokemon Gen 4 starters (Turtwig, Chimchar & Piplup)
  • Turtwig -> Grotle (level 18) -> Torterra (level 32)
  • Chimchar -> Monferno (level 14) -> Infernape (level 36)
  • Piplup -> Prinplup (level 16) -> Empoleon (level 36)

Sinnoh's starters are perhaps the cutest trio that players have seen to date, but that's not to say that they aren't still competent in battle. The Gen 4 starters all have decent stats, boast dual typing, and have access to a wide variety of powerful moves. Empoleon is arguably the pick of the bunch when it comes to versatility, but all three can hold their own in most situations.

Curiously, none of the Gen 4 starter Pokemon have received Mega Evolutions, regional, or Gigantamax forms despite many of their peers having done so. This is particularly strange when one considers that in addition to Diamond & Pearl being remade for the Switch in 2021, Game Freak also developed a spin-off game set in an ancient version of Sinnoh; the latter of which introduced a new type of regional Pokemon.

Best Gen 4 Starter: Chimchar

Despite being weak against all three of Roark's Pokemon in the Oreburgh City gym, Chimchar is arguably still the best starter Pokemon in gen 4. Its final evolution, Infernape, is one of the strongest Pokemon in the titles and will be able to carry players through most of the key battles in Diamond & Pearl thanks to its excellent offensive stats. It's also the first of the Gen 4 starters to evolve, which can make a big difference in the early stages of the game.

pokemon diamond version
Pokémon Diamond

Developer(s)
Game Freak
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Platform(s)
Nintendo DS
Released
April 22, 2007

3 Gen 2 (Chikorita, Cyndaquil & Totodile)

Pokemon Gen 2 starters (Chikorita, Cyndaquil & Totodile)
  • Chikorita -> Bayleef (level 16) -> Meganium (level 32)
  • Cyndaquil -> Quilava (level 14) -> Typhlosion (level 36)
  • Totodile -> Croconaw (level 18) -> Feraligatr (level 30)

Filling the shoes of the Kanto starter Pokemon was never going to be easy, but Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile did a truly admirable job. Their designs are emblematic of the golden era of the series and this quality also extends to their second and third-stage evolutions as well.

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Their single typing is a little unfortunate, however, and the trio was incredibly unlucky that the Gold & Silver remakes happened when they did. With Mega Evolutions not being added to the series until a few years later, they were effectively skipped over; leading many to wonder if they'll ever get their turn.

Best Gen 2 Starter: Cyndaquil

For as adorable as Chikorita and its evolutions are, it finds itself at a disadvantage in many of the games' gyms. With that in mind, Totodile and Cyndaquil are by far the safer options, with the latter just edging it thanks to its stronger special attack-centric move set and its second-stage evolution coming four levels sooner. Truth be told though, there's very little to choose between the pair.

Pokémon Gold
Pokemon Gold

Developer(s)
Game Freak
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Platform(s)
Game Boy Color
Released
October 14, 2000

2 Gen 3 (Treecko, Torchic & Mudkip)

Pokemon Gen 3 starters (Treecko, Torchic & Mudkip)
  • Treecko -> Grovyle (level 16) -> Sceptile (level 36)
  • Torchic -> Combusken (level 16) -> Blaziken (level 36)
  • Mudkip -> Marshtomp (level 16) -> Swampert (level 36)

For as wonderful as the Gen 2 starters are, they are comfortably outclassed by their Ruby & Saphire counterparts. All three of the Gen 3 starters have dual typing and feature some of the best third-stage evolution designs in the entire series. What's more, they each have their own Mega Evolutions thanks to the games' 2014 remakes.

Many consider Mudkip to be up there with the three OG starter Pokemon and Treecko isn't too far behind either. With this in mind, quite a few eyebrows were raised when Oshawott was selected ahead of Mudkip for Pokemon Legends: Arceus; especially given that the former is limited to a single type.

Best Gen 3 Starter: Mudkip

Blaziken and Swampert are both excellent final evolutions, but the latter's bulkier stats make it a bit more useful in the long run, particularly when playing Pokemon Emerald. On the whole, Mudkip's evolutionary line has fewer weaknesses throughout the games too, making it a safe and solid choice for first-time players.

pokemon ruby
Pokemon Ruby

Developer(s)
Game Freak
Publisher(s)
The Pokemon Company , Nintendo
Platform(s)
Game Boy Advance
Released
March 19, 2003

1 Gen 1 (Bulbasaur, Charmander & Squirtle)

Pokemon Gen 1 starters (Bulbasaur, Charmander & Squirtle)
  • Bulbasaur -> Ivysaur (level 16) -> Venusaur (level 32)
  • Charmander -> Charmeleon (level 16) -> Charizard (level 36)
  • Squirtle -> Wartortle (level 16) -> Blastoise (level 36)

For more than a quarter of a century, the Pokemon series has brought joy to millions of people, and it all started with just three Pokemon. Together with Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander are the cornerstones on which the series has built much of its success and this is a big part of why they are so popular with fans of the franchise.

Of course, it also helps that they are incredibly powerful Pokemon who each have access to both Mega Evolution and Gigantamax forms. In fact, Charizard actually has two of the former; making it one of only two Pokemon who does so. That this also allows the fire-type Pokemon to change its secondary typing is absolutely huge in battle and makes it a solid pick for any team.

Best Gen 1 Starter: Bulbasaur

Though Charmander is undoubtedly the most popular of the Gen 1 trio and is also a great choice for tackling some of the late-game content, Bulbasaur is definitely the smarter choice. The grass-type Pokemon has a type advantage in the first two gyms and can hold its own just fine in the two that follow as well. It also reaches its final stage evolution four levels earlier than the other Gen 1 starters, which can really help during the middle section of the games. It does struggle a bit later on, but by this point in the game, players should have a decent selection of Pokemon to choose from and so shouldn't be anywhere near as reliant on their starter as they were in the games' opening stages.

pokemon-red-cover
Pokemon Red

Developer(s)
Game Freak
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Platform(s)
Game Boy
Released
February 27, 1996