Top Starter Pokemon by Generation

The pivotal moment in any Pokemon game comes at the very start—choosing your partner Pokemon. That initial connection, where you lock eyes with the creature you'll spend countless hours training, bonding with, and sending into battle, is truly special. It's a decision often driven by instinct and preference, almost like a personality test for fans. Yet, at this early stage, you have no clue how this choice will shape your journey to becoming a Pokemon Master, as the gyms, rivals, and regional secrets remain hidden.

We've delved deep into the research, analyzing base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and evolutions of every starter Pokemon across their native regions. Our goal? To pinpoint the best starter pick not just for the early game, but to conquer the Elite Four and beyond. Here's your first step toward mastering Pokemon across all generations.

Gen 1: Bulbasaur

Games: Pokemon Red & Blue, FireRed & LeafGreen

Starter options: Bulbasaur (grass), Charmander (fire), Squirtle (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow guide

While Bulbasaur might be the go-to choice for tackling the first gym in Pokemon Red and Blue, it actually outshines both Charmander and Squirtle as the best starter for dominating the Kanto region. Initially, Charmander might seem appealing due to the rarity of Fire types in Gen 1 and its advantage against Flying and Ground types. However, Bulbasaur's Grass typing allows it to breeze through most of the game, being super effective against Brock’s Rock Pokemon, Misty’s Water collection, and Giovanni’s final gym lineup. It's also the best choice to take out the first two members of the Elite Four.

Bulbasaur's biggest challenges include Erika’s Grass type gym, requiring strategic play to overcome "not very effective" attacks, and Blaine’s Fire type gym, which can be mitigated by the plentiful Water types in Kanto. Early on, you'll encounter many Pidgeys and Spearows whose Flying typing can hinder your grinding efforts, but the abundance of Ground and Rock types in caves provides ample XP opportunities. Bulbasaur evolves into Venasaur, gaining a Poison type advantage over its peers, making it a well-rounded choice with balanced base stats.

Gen 2: Cyndaquil

Games: Pokemon Gold & Silver, Crystal, HeartGold & SoulSilver

Starter options: Chikorita (grass), Cyndaquil (fire), Totodile (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal guide

Pokemon Gold and Silver introduced only eight new Fire types, compared to 10 Grass and 18 Water types, making Cyndaquil a valuable asset for team diversity. More importantly, Cyndaquil is the best match for most gyms and Elite Four members in Johto. It effortlessly handles Bugsy’s Bug type gym and Jasmine’s Steel type gym, while Totodile struggles due to the absence of Fire, Ground, or Rock gyms. Chikorita, especially as Meganium, would excel in Pryce’s Ice gym but faces difficulties with early Bug and Flying type gyms and Morty’s Poison type gym.

Cyndaquil's evolution, Typhlosion, shines against the Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four, though all four teams are well-balanced. Meganium struggles against Poison types and Lance's Dragon/Flying types, while Feraligatr can hold its own but doesn't blaze through battles like Typhlosion. Cyndaquil's main challenges include Rock and Ground Pokemon in caves and Lance's team, but these issues are less severe compared to those faced by Chikorita and Totodile.

Gen 3: Mudkip

Games: Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire

Starter options: Treecko (grass), Torchic (fire), Mudkip (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald guide

Choosing Mudkip might seem like a choice driven by its charm, but its Water typing offers deeper strategic advantages in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. Both Mudkip and Treecko are super effective against three of the eight gyms, including 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, but faces disadvantages against Flannery and Winona's Flying types. Torchic, on the other hand, has no significant gym advantages and struggles against Wallace's team.

In the Elite Four, Treecko’s Sceptile might have a slight edge against Glacia’s Ice/Water and some Grass Pokemon. However, Mudkip’s final evolution, Swampert, gains Ground typing and balanced stats, becoming immune to Electric and only weak to Grass. This makes Swampert highly resilient and capable of powering through battles where it's typically the underdog. The abundance of water in Hoenn might make random encounters a grind, but Mudkip's other advantages more than compensate for this.

Gen 4: Chimchar

Games: Pokemon Diamond & Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

Starter options: Turtwig (grass), Chimchar (fire), Piplup (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum guide

Continuing the trend from the original games, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl introduce only five new Fire types compared to 14 for Water and Grass. This rarity adds to Chimchar’s appeal. Chimchar's Fire typing makes it super effective against Gardenia’s Grass gym, Byron’s Steel gym, and Candice’s Ice gym. Turtwig can easily take on Roark’s Rock and Crasher Wake’s Water gyms, and its evolution into Torterra gives it Ground typing, making it immune to Electric attacks for Volkner's final gym. However, Turtwig's strengths peak early, while Chimchar is poised for late-game success.

In the well-balanced Sinnoh Elite Four, Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, excels against Aaron’s Bug Pokemon, which are super effective against Torterra. Torterra is better against Bertha’s Water and Ground types, while Piplup's Empoleon doesn't have a significant advantage over many gyms or the Elite Four. The frequent battles with Team Galactic's Bug types give Chimchar the edge, making it the top choice.

Gen 5: Tepig

Games: Pokemon Black & White

Starter options: Snivy (grass), Tepig (fire), Oshawott (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Black and White guide

Gen 5 presents a clear choice with Tepig as the best starter. Snivy struggles, being super effective against only one gym and lacking advantages against the Elite Four, while also facing numerous Bug and Flying types in Unova. Oshawott is a better choice against Clay’s Ground gym and resistant to Brycen’s Ice types, but it lacks significant advantages against the Elite Four.

Tepig's Fire typing and its final evolution into the Fire/Fighting type Emboar make it ideal for tackling Burgh’s Bug and Brycen’s Ice gyms. Emboar's Fighting type is super effective against Grimsley’s Dark types in the Elite Four, despite its vulnerability to Caitlin’s Psychic types. Emboar's strong attacking stats and the presence of Team Plasma's Steel types further solidify its position. Facing the Elite Four twice in Black and White makes Tepig the more reliable choice.

Gen 6: Fennekin

Games: Pokemon X & Y

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

Full guide: IGN's Pokemon X and Y guide

Pokemon X and Y continue the trend of Fire types dominating, with Fennekin standing out. Fennekin's Fire typing makes it super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, allowing it to breeze through the early stages and face the final three Fairy, Psychic, and Ice gyms with its Psychic-typed evolution, Delphox. Froakie's Greninja struggles against Ramos’ Grass and Clemont’s Electric types, while Chespin's Chesnaught has difficulties with Viola’s Bug and the late-game Psychic and Fairy types.

In the balanced Elite Four, Delphox has the edge, resisting Diantha’s Gardevoir's attacks. Fennekin's ability to handle a variety of gym types and its evolution's Psychic typing make it the top choice in X and Y.

Gen 7: Litten

Games: Pokemon Sun & Moon

Starter options: Rowlet (grass), Litten (fire), Popplio (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Sun & Pokemon Moon guide

Litten rounds out the Fire type dominance in Gen 7. Despite initial struggles in the early trials of the Alola region, Litten proves to be the best choice for the rest of the battles. It excels against Mallow’s Grass trial, Sophocles’ Electric gym, and Acerola’s Ghost trial, especially after evolving into the Fire/Dark type Incineroar.

Rowlet's Decidueye and Popplio's Primarina have advantages in the early trials but lack late-game advantages. The diverse Pokemon League challenges and the scarcity of Fire types in Alola make Litten's ability to clear trials even more crucial. Incineroar's versatility against various types in the Elite Four and beyond solidifies Litten's position as the best starter in Sun and Moon.

Gen 8: Sobble

Games: Pokemon Sword & Shield

Starter options: Grookey (grass), Scorbunny (fire), Sobble (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Sword and Shield guide

Sobble's victory over Grookey and Scorbunny is the closest yet. Each starter excels against three gyms, with Sobble and Grookey shining against Gordie and Raihan’s Rock and Ground gyms, and Scorbunny perfect for Melony’s Ice and Opal’s Fairy gyms. The first three gyms are Grass, Water, and Fire, respectively, offering no initial advantage. However, Sobble just edges out Grookey in the Champion Cup, where Bede's Fairy Pokemon, Nessa’s Water types, and Raihan’s Fire and Ground heavy Dragon team favor Sobble's Inteleon, which boasts well-balanced stats.

Other factors like rivals and Team Yell have minimal impact in Sword and Shield, and the overworld Pokemon system reduces random encounters. Sobble's balanced stats and strategic advantages in the Champion Cup make it the top pick.

Gen 9: Fuecoco

Games: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Starter options: Sprigatito (grass), Fuecoco (fire), Quaxly (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Scarlet and Violet guide

Fuecoco stands out as a clear winner in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Despite the game's focus on player freedom, allowing you to tackle gyms and raid Team Star bases in any order, Fuecoco's Fire typing and its Ghost type evolution, Skeledirge, are perfectly suited for the Paldea region. The highest-level gyms are Psychic/Fairy and Ice types, while the lowest-level gyms are Bug and Grass types, making Fuecoco the ideal choice.

Quaxly's Quaquaval becomes a Fighting type, aiding against Larry’s Normal type gym, but it's not as versatile as Fuecoco. Sprigatito's Meowscarada excels against Tulip’s Psychic and Ryme’s Ghost gyms, but Fuecoco's advantages in Team Star base raids and against the Elite Four, particularly Poppy’s Steel team, make it the superior starter. Fuecoco's ability to navigate the diverse challenges of Scarlet and Violet cements its status as the best starter in Gen 9.

The Best Starter Pokemon