Top Starter Pokemon by Generation

The pivotal moment in any Pokémon game is choosing your starter Pokémon. That initial connection, as you meet the creature you'll nurture and battle with for hours, is a unique experience. It's a choice often guided by personal taste and intuition, almost like a personality test. Yet, at that moment, you're unaware of how this decision will shape your journey towards becoming a Pokémon master, as the gyms, rivals, and regional secrets remain undiscovered.

We've delved deep into the data, analyzing base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and evolutions of every starter Pokémon. We've matched them against their native regions to determine the best starter for not just early game challenges but also for conquering the Elite Four and beyond. Here's your guide to choosing the optimal starter across all generations, a crucial first step to mastering Pokémon.

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 prime choice for tackling the first gym in Pokémon Red and Blue, where its Grass type effectively counters Rock types. However, Bulbasaur emerges as the superior starter for dominating the Kanto region. While Charmander may initially seem appealing due to the rarity of Fire types in Gen 1 and its advantage against Flying and Ground types, Bulbasaur offers a smoother journey.

Bulbasaur's Grass type is super effective against Brock's Rock Pokémon, Misty's Water types, and Giovanni's final gym lineup. It's also the best choice for battling the first two members of the Elite Four. Challenges include Erika's Grass-type gym, where strategic gameplay is essential, and Blaine's Fire-type gym, which can be overcome with the abundant Water types in Kanto.

Bulbasaur trainers will encounter issues with frequent Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow, but ample Ground and Rock types in caves provide excellent XP opportunities. Rival Blue's Pidgeot and Charmander can be countered with a Water type on your team. Bulbasaur's evolution into Venusaur, which gains Poison typing, provides a significant advantage over the other starters from Professor Oak.

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

With Pokémon Gold and Silver introducing only eight new Fire types compared to 10 Grass and 18 Water types, choosing Cyndaquil from the start adds valuable diversity to your team. Cyndaquil is the optimal choice for navigating the Johto region's gyms and Elite Four.

Cyndaquil's Fire attacks easily defeat Bugsy's Bug-type and Jasmine's Steel-type gyms. In contrast, Totodile struggles without Fire, Ground, or Rock-type gyms to exploit, while Chikorita faces difficulties with early Bug and Flying-type gyms and Morty's Poison-type gym. Although Pryce's Ice gym poses a challenge for Cyndaquil, you'll have ample time to build a well-rounded team.

Cyndaquil's advantage extends to the Elite Four, where Grass and Bug types are prevalent. Meganium struggles against Poison and Dragon/Flying types, while Feraligatr, Totodile's final form, can handle many but doesn't dominate like Typhlosion, Cyndaquil's final evolution. Despite challenges from Rock and Ground types in caves and Lance's team, Cyndaquil remains the best starter for Johto.

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's appeal goes beyond its charm; its Water type offers strategic advantages in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. Both Mudkip and Treecko are super effective against three gyms, including Roxanne's and Tate & Liza's Rock/Ground gyms. Mudkip has an edge 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 is a disadvantage against Flannery and Winona's Flying types. Mudkip only struggles with Wattson's Electric gym, while Torchic's Fire type and Blaziken's Fighting type don't fare well against any gym, particularly Wallace's.

The Elite Four slightly favors Sceptile due to Glacia's Ice/Water and some Grass types, but Mudkip's evolution into Swampert gains Ground typing and balanced stats, making it immune to Electric and only vulnerable to Grass. This allows Swampert to excel in battles where it might otherwise be at a disadvantage. Despite frequent water-based random encounters in Hoenn, Mudkip's overall advantages shine through.

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

Following the trend from the original game, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl introduce fewer Fire types (just five) compared to 14 Water and Grass types. While not the sole deciding factor, it adds to Chimchar's advantages over Turtwig and Piplup. Chimchar's Fire typing is super effective against Gardenia's Grass, Byron's Steel, and Candice's Ice gyms.

Turtwig can easily defeat Roark's Rock and Crasher Wake's Water gyms, and its evolution into Torterra gains Ground typing, making it immune to Electric attacks and strong against Volkner's final gym. However, Turtwig's strengths are more pronounced early on, while Chimchar excels in late-game scenarios.

Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, is ideal for battling Aaron's Bug types in the Elite Four, while Torterra is better against Bertha's Water and Ground types. Piplup's Empoleon doesn't have a significant advantage against many gym leaders or the Elite Four. Despite competition from Torterra, Chimchar's advantage against Team Galactic's Bug types and its gym battle prowess make it the best choice for Sinnoh.

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 emerges as the clear winner. Snivy struggles with only one gym advantage and numerous Bug and Flying types in Unova, while Oshawott fares better against Clay's Ground gym and Brycen's Ice types but lacks significant Elite Four advantages.

Tepig's Fire abilities and its final form, Emboar, also being a Fighting type, make it ideal for Unova. It easily handles Burgh's Bug and Brycen's Ice gyms. While Clay's Ground gym poses a challenge, Oshawott faces similar issues with Elesa's Electric gym.

Emboar's Fighting type is advantageous against Grimsley's Dark types in the Elite Four, though it's vulnerable to Caitlin's Psychic types. Emboar's strong attacking stats and the presence of Team Plasma's Steel types further bolster its position. Facing the Elite Four twice makes Black and White challenging, but Tepig provides more reassurance than its counterparts.

Gen 6: Fennekin

Games: Pokémon X & Y

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

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon X and Y guide

Continuing the trend, Fennekin stands out in Pokémon X and Y. It's super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, making it a strong contender. Its third evolution, Delphox, gains Psychic typing, enhancing its effectiveness against the Fairy, Psychic, and Ice gyms.

Froakie's Greninja, a Water/Dark type, excels against Olympia's Psychic team but struggles with Valerie's Fairy types and Ramos' Grass and Clemont's Electric types. Chespin's Chesnaught, gaining Fighting typing, faces challenges against Viola's Bug gym and the Psychic and Fairy types of Olympia and Valerie.

In the Elite Four, Delphox has an edge, able to resist Diantha's Gardevoir. While the battles are well-balanced, requiring different types for each challenge, Fennekin's versatility makes it the best choice for X and Y.

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 completes the Fire type dominance in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Despite initial struggles in the first trials, Litten's advantages become clear later. Mallow's Grass trial is perfect for Litten, and Sophocles' Electric trial contains favorable matchups. Litten's evolution into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type, excels against Acerola's Ghost trial and Mina's Fairy trial.

Rowlet's Decidueye gains Ghost typing, which is beneficial but limited, while Popplio's Primarina doesn't significantly impact the trials. The Elite Four and subsequent challenges in the Pokémon League are diverse, making Litten's trial performance even more crucial. With only eight Fire types introduced compared to 13 Grass and Water types, Litten's early selection is highly beneficial.

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 a close race. Each starter excels against three gyms, but Sobble and Grookey have an advantage with Gordie and Raihan's Rock and Ground gyms, while Scorbunny is suited for Melony's Ice and Opal's Fairy gyms. The first three gyms being Grass, Water, and Fire typed offer no initial advantage.

In the Champion Cup, Sobble slightly outpaces Grookey. The semi-final opponents are balanced, but Bede's Fairy, Nessa's Water, and Raihan's Fire and Ground types favor Sobble's Inteleon, which has well-balanced stats. Factors like Team Yell and random encounters have minimal impact, making Sobble the best choice for Sword and Shield.

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 player freedom in tackling gyms and Team Star bases, Fuecoco's advantages are evident. The highest-level gyms being Psychic/Fairy and Ice types, and the lowest being Bug and Grass types, make Fuecoco's Ghost-type final evolution, Skeledirge, the best choice.

Quaxly's Quaquaval gains Fighting typing, helping against Larry's Normal-type gym, while Sprigatito's Meowscarada excels against Tulip's Psychic and Ryme's Ghost gyms. However, Team Star base raids emphasize Fuecoco's strengths, with its immunity to Fighting types and effectiveness against Bug types. Skeledirge's dominance continues in the Elite Four, making Fuecoco the top starter for Paldea.

The Best Starter Pokémon

The Best Starter Pokémon