Top Starter Pokemon by Generation

Choosing your starter Pokemon is a pivotal moment in any Pokemon journey, setting the tone for the adventure ahead. This initial decision, often based on personal taste, marks the beginning of a deep bond with your chosen companion as you aim to become a Pokemon master. With no prior knowledge of the challenges ahead, selecting the right starter can significantly influence your path through the region's gyms, rival encounters, and beyond. Our comprehensive analysis delves into the base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and regional matchups of every starter and their evolutions to identify the best choice for conquering not just the initial gyms but the Elite Four and more.

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

Bulbasaur emerges as the top choice for navigating the Kanto region in Pokemon Red and Blue. While Charmander's Fire type may initially seem appealing due to its rarity and effectiveness against certain Flying and Ground types, Bulbasaur's Grass type provides a strategic advantage throughout most of the game. It excels against Brock's Rock Pokemon, Misty's Water types, and Giovanni's final gym, making it an invaluable asset. Bulbasaur also holds its own against the first two members of the Elite Four, with the only significant challenges being Erika's Grass type gym and Blaine's Fire type gym, both manageable with the right strategy and team composition.

Bulbasaur's evolution into Venusaur, a Grass/Poison type, further enhances its utility, offering a unique advantage over Charmander and Squirtle. Despite the challenges posed by frequent encounters with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow, and battles against Blue's Pidgeot and Charmander, Bulbasaur's well-balanced stats and type advantages make it the superior starter for aspiring Pokemon masters in Kanto.

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

In Pokemon Gold and Silver, Cyndaquil stands out as the best starter for the Johto region. With only eight new Fire types introduced compared to a higher number of Grass and Water types, Cyndaquil's Fire typing brings essential diversity to your team. It proves exceptionally effective against Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym, offering a clear advantage over its counterparts, Chikorita and Totodile.

While Cyndaquil faces a challenge with Pryce's Ice type gym, the time available to build a balanced team mitigates this issue. Its evolution into Typhlosion remains a strong choice against the Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four, making it a solid pick for tackling Johto's challenges. Despite occasional struggles with Rock and Ground types in caves and Lance's Dragon/Flying team, Cyndaquil's overall performance outshines its peers.

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 emerges as the top choice for Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, not just for its adorable appearance but for its strategic advantages. Both Mudkip and Treecko are effective against three out of eight gyms, but Mudkip's Water typing gives it a significant edge, particularly against Flannery's Fire gym. The only gym where Mudkip struggles is Wattson's Electric gym, a minor setback compared to Treecko's challenges against Flannery and Winona's Flying types.

Mudkip's evolution into Swampert, a Water/Ground type, further enhances its versatility, providing immunity to Electric attacks and a robust defensive profile. Despite the Hoenn region's abundance of water, which might lead to repetitive encounters, Mudkip's overall strengths make it the best starter for conquering the region's challenges.

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

Chimchar is the standout starter in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, thanks to its Fire typing and the region's limited number of Fire types. It excels against Gardenia's Grass type gym, as well as Byron's Steel and Candice's Ice gyms, positioning it as a formidable choice throughout the game.

While Turtwig offers early advantages against Rock and Water types, Chimchar's evolution into Infernape is better suited for late-game success, particularly against the Elite Four's Bug types. Despite facing challenges with Team Galactic's Bug types and some of the Elite Four's lineups, Chimchar's overall effectiveness makes it the superior starter 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

Tepig is the clear winner in Pokemon Black and White, offering the most strategic advantages in the Unova region. Its Fire typing and evolution into the Fire/Fighting type Emboar provide a significant edge against Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym. Although it struggles with Clay's Ground gym, this is a minor issue compared to the challenges faced by Snivy and Oshawott.

Emboar's Fighting type proves crucial in battles against the Elite Four, particularly Grimsley's Dark types. Despite vulnerabilities to Caitlin's Psychic types, Tepig's overall performance and the presence of Team Plasma's Steel types make it the best choice for navigating Unova's challenges.

Gen 6: Fennekin

Games: Pokemon X & Y

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

Full guide: IGN's Pokemon X and Y guide

Fennekin takes the lead in Pokemon X and Y, with its Fire typing offering the most advantages across the Kalos region's gyms. It excels against three gyms and is resistant to two more, making it an excellent choice for the early and late stages of the game. Its evolution into Delphox, a Fire/Psychic type, further enhances its capabilities, particularly against the Fairy, Psychic, and Ice type gyms.

While Froakie and Chespin have their strengths, Fennekin's versatility and type advantages make it the best starter for tackling the diverse challenges of Kalos, including the balanced battles of the Elite Four.

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 is the standout starter in Pokemon Sun and Moon, despite early challenges in the Alola region's trials. Its Fire typing and evolution into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type, offer significant advantages against Mallow's Grass trial, Sophocles' Electric gym, and Acerola's Ghost trial. Although Incineroar is vulnerable to Fairy types, its overall strength and versatility make it the best choice for dominating the region's trials and the diverse challenges of the Pokemon League.

While Rowlet and Popplio have their moments, Litten's ability to clear the trials and its strategic advantages in the late game solidify its position as the top starter for Alola.

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 narrowly edges out Grookey and Scorbunny in Pokemon Sword and Shield, thanks to its strategic advantages in the Galar region. All three starters have strong matchups against three gyms each, but Sobble's performance in the Champion Cup, particularly against Bede's Fairy types, Nessa's Water types, and Raihan's Dragon team, gives it a slight edge.

While the impact of rivals and random encounters is minimal in Sword and Shield, Sobble's balanced stats and type advantages make it the best choice for aspiring Pokemon masters in Galar.

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 is the clear winner in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, despite the game's focus on player freedom and non-linear progression. Its Fire typing and evolution into Skeledirge, a Fire/Ghost type, provide significant advantages against the highest-level gyms, such as Tulip's Psychic/Fairy and Grusha's Ice types, as well as the lowest-level gyms like Katy's Bug and Brassius' Grass types.

Fuecoco's performance in Team Star base raids and against the Elite Four further solidifies its position as the best starter for the Paldea region. While Sprigatito and Quaxly have their strengths, Fuecoco's overall versatility and strategic advantages make it the top choice for conquering Scarlet and Violet's diverse challenges.

The Best Starter Pokemon