Every generation of *Pokémon* introduces a fresh trio of starter Pokémon, consisting of a Grass type, a Fire type, and a Water type. With nine generations now behind us, the franchise boasts an impressive array of 27 starter lines. Let's explore all the partner Pokémon from each generation.
Jump To:
- Gen 1
- Gen 2
- Gen 3
- Gen 4
- Gen 5
- Gen 6
- Gen 7
- Gen 8
- Gen 9
Note: Final starter evolutions marked (*) are capable of Mega Evolution in Gens VI and VII.
All Starter Pokémon by Generation
Generation I Starter Pokémon
The original trio that kickstarted the Pokémon phenomenon hails from the Kanto region and includes Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. These iconic starters first appeared in the US-released titles Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow. They've also made a comeback in the remakes Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Pokémon Let's Go! Pikachu and Eevee, and several other mainline games, including Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and Pokémon 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 Starter Pokémon
Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile are the starters of the Gen II titles Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, native to the Johto region. These beloved starters also appear in the remakes Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and have been made available in subsequent generations through various methods, such as the QR Scanner in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Notably, Cyndaquil is a starter option 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 evolves into Quilava at level 14 in every mainline game except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution details.
Generation III Starter Pokémon
The starters of Gen III's Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald are Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip. This Hoenn trio reappears in the remakes Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and can be caught in other mainline releases 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 Starter Pokémon
Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum of Gen IV feature Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup as starter options. Each returns in the remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. While native to the Sinnoh region, these starters are not featured in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which revisits an ancient Sinnoh known as Hisui. However, you can catch all three in Legends: Arceus, as well as in other mainline titles and DLC.
| 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 Starter Pokémon
Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott make up the starter trio of Gen V titles Pokémon Black and White and their sequels Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. While remakes are still a topic of speculation, you can catch all three Unova partner Pokémon in several other mainline titles and DLC. Notably, Oshawott is also a starter option in Pokémon 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) |
RELATED: All Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Trade Codes
Generation VI Starter Pokémon
The starters of Gen VI's Pokémon X and Y are Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie. Froakie's final evolution, Greninja, received a special form known as Ash-Greninja in the Pokémon the Series: XY anime, which was available through the Pokémon Sun and Moon demo and transferable to the main titles. The Kalos trio has been catchable in other mainline titles and DLC since.
| 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 Starter Pokémon
The Gen VII titles Pokémon Sun and Moon introduced Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio as starters. All three returned in the sequels Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon and have been available to catch in DLC for mainline games that followed. The Grass partner Pokémon, Rowlet, has also appeared as a starter option in Pokémon 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 evolves into Decidueye at level 34 in every mainline game except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution details.
Generation VIII Starter Pokémon
Gen VIII deviated from the traditional mainline release formula with its introduction of Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus. The dual releases and the first Legends title offered different starters, with the former introducing three new partner Pokémon and the latter featuring past starters with new regional evolutions.
Sword & Shield brought in Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble as starter Pokémon. All three Galar partners can also be caught in the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
| 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) |
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Pokémon Legends: Arceus saw Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott return as the starter trio of Hisui, an ancient Sinnoh region. Evolution levels differ slightly from those featured in past titles, and each partner Pokémon receives a new regional form upon its final evolution. You can also catch all three Sinnoh starters introduced in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum.
| 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 Starter Pokémon
Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly made their starter debut in the Gen IX titles Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Sprigatito is a cat-like Grass type with attitude; Fuecoco, a wholesome Fire crocodile; and Quaxly, a poised Water type with flair. Though you need to trade to get all three native starters, you can catch every past partner Pokémon in the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero 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) |
Now at the end of its ninth generation, the Pokémon franchise is set to continue with the Nintendo Switch 2's announcement and the highly-anticipated Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which is currently in development.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC are now available.
