Top Starter Pokemon by Generation Unveiled

The most pivotal moment in any Pokemon game is right at the beginning – choosing your partner Pokemon. This initial decision, often driven by personal taste and vibes, feels like a personality test for many fans. As you lock eyes with your chosen creature, you embark on a journey to become a Pokemon master, with no prior knowledge of how this choice will impact your adventure through the gyms, rival battles, and hidden secrets of the region.

We've conducted thorough research, analyzing base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and evolutions of every starter Pokemon, to determine the best starter for each generation. Our focus isn't just on getting past the initial gyms but on conquering the Elite Four and beyond. This analysis is the crucial 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 Charmander might initially seem appealing due to the scarcity of Fire types in Gen 1, Bulbasaur proves to be the superior choice for dominating the Kanto region. Bulbasaur's Grass typing makes it super effective against Brock's Rock Pokemon, Misty's Water team, and Giovanni's final gym lineup, as well as the first two members of the Elite Four. The main challenges Bulbasaur faces are Erika's Grass gym and Blaine's Fire gym, both of which can be overcome with strategic play and the abundance of Water types in Kanto.

Bulbasaur trainers may struggle against frequent encounters with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow in tall grass, and Blue's Pidgeot and Charmander. However, Bulbasaur's evolution into Venusaur, a Grass/Poison type, provides a significant advantage over its counterparts, thanks to its well-balanced base stats and additional Poison typing.

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

With only eight new Fire types introduced in Gold and Silver compared to 10 Grass and 18 Water types, choosing Cyndaquil adds valuable diversity to your team. Cyndaquil excels against Bugsy's Bug gym and Jasmine's Steel gym, whereas Totodile, despite its Water typing, lacks the advantage against any Fire, Ground, or Rock gyms. Chikorita's final form, Meganium, struggles with Bug, Flying, and Poison type gyms.

Cyndaquil's evolution into Typhlosion shines against the Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four. Although Pryce's Ice gym presents a challenge, Cyndaquil's advantages outweigh its issues, making it the best starter for navigating Johto's challenges.

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

Mudkip's selection might initially be based on its adorable appearance, but its strategic advantages run deeper. Mudkip, like Treecko, is super effective against three of the eight gyms in Ruby and Sapphire. However, Mudkip's Water typing gives it an edge in Flannery's Fire gym, while Treecko's Grass typing is a disadvantage in Flannery's and Winona's gyms. Torchic, on the other hand, lacks a significant advantage over any gym.

Mudkip's evolution into Swampert, a Water/Ground type, gains well-balanced stats and becomes immune to Electric attacks, making it a formidable choice against the Elite Four. Despite the frequent water-based encounters in Hoenn, Mudkip's overall advantages make it the best starter for this region.

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

Diamond and Pearl introduce only five new Fire types compared to 14 Water and Grass types, making Chimchar a valuable addition to your team. Chimchar's Fire typing is super effective against Gardenia's Grass gym, Byron's Steel gym, and Candice's Ice gym. Turtwig, while strong against Roark's Rock and Crasher Wake's Water gyms, sees its strengths peak early, while Chimchar is geared for late-game success.

Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, excels against Aaron's Bug Pokemon in the Elite Four, though Turtwig's Torterra is better against Bertha's Water and Ground types. However, Chimchar's advantages against Team Galactic's Bug types and its gym battle credentials make it the superior choice for Sinnoh.

Gen 5: Tepig

Games: Pokemon Black & White

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

Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Black and White guide

In Black and White, Tepig emerges as the standout starter. Snivy's Grass typing only benefits against one gym and offers no significant Elite Four advantage, while Oshawott's Water typing, though useful against Clay's Ground gym, lacks advantages against the Elite Four. Tepig's Fire typing, and its evolution into the Fire/Fighting type Emboar, provides a smoother journey through Unova, excelling against Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym.

Emboar's Fighting typing is super effective against Grimsley's Dark types in the Elite Four, and its strong attacking stats are advantageous against Team Plasma's Steel types. Despite the challenge of facing the Elite Four twice, Tepig's overall performance makes it the best starter for this generation.

Gen 6: Fennekin

Games: Pokemon X & Y

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

Full guide: IGN's Pokemon X and Y guide

In X and Y, Fennekin stands out among the new starters. Its Fire typing is super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, making it well-suited for the early and late game. Fennekin's final evolution, Delphox, gains Psychic typing, which is advantageous against the Fairy, Psychic, and Ice gyms. Froakie and Chespin struggle with several gym matchups, and their evolutions offer fewer advantages against the Elite Four.

Delphox's edge in resisting Diantha's Gardevoir and its overall versatility make Fennekin the best choice for navigating Kalos.

Gen 7: Litten

Games: Pokemon Sun & Moon

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

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

Litten is the clear choice in Sun and Moon, despite facing challenges in the early trials. Its Fire typing excels against Mallow's Grass trial, Sophocles' Electric gym, and Acerola's Ghost trial, especially after evolving into the Fire/Dark type Incineroar. Rowlet and Popplio find success early on but lack significant advantages later in the game.

The diverse challenges of the Alola region's Pokemon League and the limited number of Fire types introduced make Litten's ability to clear trials crucial, solidifying its position as the best starter for this generation.

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 closely contested. All three starters are effective against three gyms each, with Sobble and Grookey excelling against Gordie and Raihan's Rock and Ground gyms. Scorbunny's Fire typing is advantageous against Melony's Ice and Opal's Fairy gyms. However, Sobble's slight edge in the Champion Cup, particularly against Bede's Fairy Pokemon and Nessa's Water types, makes it the best choice for Galar.

Sobble's final evolution, Inteleon, boasts well-balanced stats, further solidifying its position as the optimal starter for this generation.

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 the clear winner in Scarlet and Violet, despite the game's emphasis on player freedom. The gyms, which don't level scale, favor Fuecoco's Fire typing, particularly against Tulip's Psychic/Fairy gym and Grusha's Ice gym. Fuecoco's evolution into Skeledirge, a Fire/Ghost type, provides additional advantages against Team Star bases and the Elite Four.

Quaxly and Sprigatito, while effective in certain matchups, fall short of Fuecoco's overall versatility and strategic advantages, making Fuecoco the best starter for navigating the Paldea region.

The Best Starter Pokemon