The moment you choose your partner Pokémon at the start of any Pokémon game is undoubtedly one of the most pivotal and memorable experiences. It's a special moment when you first lock eyes with the creature you'll spend countless hours raising, bonding with, and sending into battle. This decision often feels like a personality test, based purely on vibes and personal taste. Yet, at this point, you're unaware 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 lying ahead.
Our comprehensive research has delved into the base stats, strengths, and weaknesses of every starter Pokémon and their evolutions, analyzing their performance against the backdrop of their native regions. We've determined the best starter pick not just for overcoming the initial gym battles but also for tackling the Elite Four and beyond. This analysis is your first step towards mastering the Pokémon world 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 is the top choice for dominating the Kanto region, especially given its effectiveness against the first gym in Pokémon Red and Blue. While Charmander might initially seem appealing due to the rarity of Fire types in Gen 1 and its advantages against certain types, Bulbasaur proves to be the superior starter. It excels against Brock's Rock Pokémon, Misty's Water collection, and Giovanni's final gym lineup, as well as being the best option against the first two members of the Elite Four. The main challenges for Bulbasaur include Erika's Grass type gym, where strategic play is essential, and Blaine's Fire type gym, which can be managed with the plentiful Water types in Kanto.
Bulbasaur trainers will face issues with common Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow in tall grass, but the abundance of Ground and Rock types in caves offers excellent opportunities for XP gains. Rival battles against Blue, particularly his Pidgeot and Charmander, can be challenging, though a Water type on your team can help mitigate Charmander's threat. Additionally, Bulbasaur's evolution into Venusaur adds Poison typing, providing a significant advantage over other starters.
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
Cyndaquil stands out as the best starter in Pokémon Gold and Silver, thanks to the limited number of Fire types introduced compared to Grass and Water types. This Fire type adds valuable diversity to your team and is well-suited for most Johto gyms and Elite Four battles. Cyndaquil and its evolutions easily handle Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym. In contrast, Totodile struggles due to the absence of Fire, Ground, or Rock gyms, while Chikorita faces difficulties against early Bug and Flying type gyms and Morty's Poison type gym. Cyndaquil's challenges include Pryce's Ice gym, but a well-rounded team can overcome this hurdle.
Cyndaquil's advantages extend to the Elite Four, where Grass and Bug types are prevalent. Although all four teams are balanced, Meganium struggles against Poison and Dragon/Flying types, while Feraligatr, Totodile's final evolution, is competent but doesn't match Typhlosion's effectiveness. Cyndaquil's drawbacks include frequent encounters with Rock and Ground types in caves and Lance's team, but these are less impactful than the issues 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
Mudkip is the ideal starter for Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, beyond its undeniable cuteness. Both Mudkip and Treecko are super effective against three gyms, but Mudkip has the edge with its Water typing. It excels against Roxanne's and Tate & Liza's Rock/Ground gyms and Flannery's Fire gym, while Treecko is advantageous against Wallace's Water gym. By the time you reach Wallace, Treecko would have evolved into Sceptile, but its Grass typing is a disadvantage against Flannery and Winona's Flying types. Mudkip's only significant challenge is Wattson's Electric gym, while Torchic struggles due to its Fire typing's lack of advantage against any gym and its Fighting type evolution's limited effectiveness.
The Elite Four slightly favors Sceptile due to its effectiveness against Glacia's Ice/Water and some Grass types, but Mudkip's evolution into Swampert gains Ground typing, enhancing its defensive capabilities and making it immune to Electric moves. Despite potential grinding issues due to Hoenn's water-heavy environment, Mudkip's overall advantages make it the superior 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 standout starter in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, where Fire types are scarce compared to Water and Grass types. Its Fire typing is super effective against three gyms: Gardenia's Grass, Byron's Steel, and Candice's Ice. Turtwig, while effective against Roark's Rock and Crasher Wake's Water gyms, shines more in the early game, whereas Chimchar's strengths are more pronounced in the late game. Piplup, despite evolving into the resilient Empoleon, lacks significant advantages against many gym leaders or the Elite Four.
The Sinnoh region's balanced Elite Four poses a challenge, but Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, is ideal for battling Aaron's Bug types. Turtwig's final form, Torterra, is better suited against Bertha's Water and Ground types. Chimchar's edge comes from its effectiveness against Team Galactic's Bug types and its strong gym battle credentials.
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 winner in Pokémon Black and White, with its Fire typing providing significant advantages. Snivy is only effective against one gym and lacks advantages against the Elite Four, while Oshawott excels against Clay's Ground gym but has no significant Elite Four advantages. Tepig's Fire abilities make Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym manageable, while its final evolution, Emboar, gains Fighting typing, enhancing its effectiveness against Grimsley's Dark types in the Elite Four. Despite vulnerabilities to Caitlin's Psychic types, a strong team can overcome this challenge. Tepig's strong attacking stats and the presence of Team Plasma's Steel types further solidify its position as the best starter for navigating the Unova region.
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 emerges as the top starter in Pokémon X and Y, continuing the trend of Fire types' dominance. It is super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, with its final evolution, Delphox, gaining Psychic typing, which is advantageous against Fairy, Psychic, and Ice types. Froakie's evolution into Greninja, a Water/Dark type, is effective against Olympia's Psychic team but weak against Valerie's Fairy types. Chespin struggles against Viola's Bug gym and later against Olympia and Valerie due to its Fighting typing. Despite the balanced nature of the Elite Four, Delphox's resistances give 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 & Pokémon Moon guide
Litten is the standout starter in Pokémon Sun and Moon, despite early challenges in the Alola region's trials. Its Fire typing is particularly effective against Mallow's Grass trial, Sophocles' Electric trial with its Steel and Bug types, and Acerola's Ghost trial when evolved into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type. While Incineroar's Dark typing complicates the final trial against Mina's Fairy types, its overall effectiveness against late-game battles is unmatched. Rowlet and Popplio, while effective in early trials, do not maintain advantages in later battles. Litten's importance is heightened by the diverse challenges in the Pokémon League and the scarcity of Fire types in Alola, making it an essential early choice.
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 edges out Grookey and Scorbunny in Pokémon Sword and Shield, with each starter being the best choice against three gyms. Sobble and Grookey are perfect for Gordie and Raihan's Rock and Ground gyms, while Scorbunny excels against Melony's Ice and Opal's Fairy gyms. The initial three gyms being Grass, Water, and Fire typed don't favor any starter. However, Sobble gains a slight advantage due to Raihan's final gym and the Champion Cup's semi-final battles against Bede's Fairy types, Nessa's Water types, and Raihan's Dragon team. Other factors, like Team Yell and random encounters, have less impact due to the introduction of overworld Pokémon. Sobble's final evolution, Inteleon, boasts well-balanced stats, further solidifying its position.
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 in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, despite the game's focus on player freedom and non-linear progression. The Paldea region's gyms, which do not level scale, favor Fuecoco, especially against Tulip's Psychic/Fairy and Grusha's Ice types, as well as the lower-level Bug and Grass types of Katy and Brassius. Fuecoco's evolution into Skeledirge, a Fire/Ghost type, enhances its effectiveness against Team Star's Dark and Poison types and the Fairy and Fighting types. Quaxly and Sprigatito, while effective against certain gyms, cannot match Skeledirge's overall performance against the Elite Four and beyond.
