The moment you choose your partner Pokemon at the start of any Pokemon game is truly pivotal. It's a special experience, locking eyes with the creature you'll spend countless hours training, bonding with, and battling alongside. This choice often feels like a personality test, driven by vibes and personal taste. Yet, at the outset, you're unaware of how this decision will shape your journey to becoming a Pokemon master, navigating through gyms, rivals, and the secrets of the region.
We've conducted extensive research, analyzing base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and evolutions of all starter Pokemon, and matched them against their native regions to identify the best starter for not just the early game but also for tackling the Elite Four and beyond. This is your first step towards mastering the art of 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 seem like the obvious choice to tackle the first gym in Pokemon Red and Blue (Grass beats Rock), it actually emerges as the best starter for dominating the entire Kanto region. Charmander might initially seem appealing due to the scarcity of Fire types in Gen 1 and its immunity to Ground types in the final gym, but Bulbasaur offers a smoother journey overall.
Bulbasaur's Grass typing allows it to excel against Brock’s Rock Pokemon, Misty’s Water collection, and Giovanni’s final gym line-up, not to mention the first two members of the Elite Four. The primary challenges for Bulbasaur are Erika’s Grass type gym, where strategic play is essential to overcome "not very effective" attacks, and Blaine’s Fire type gym, which can be conquered with the plentiful Water types in Kanto.
Bulbasaur trainers will need to navigate issues like frequent encounters with Pidgeys and Spearows, whose Flying typing poses a challenge during grinding. However, the abundance of Ground and Rock types in caves provides excellent XP farming opportunities. Bulbasaur's evolution into Venasaur, a Grass/Poison type, adds another layer of advantage over Charmander and Squirtle.
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 due to the introduction of only eight new Fire types compared to ten Grass and eighteen Water types. This scarcity enhances the diversity Cyndaquil brings to your team. Cyndaquil proves advantageous against the majority of Johto's gyms and Elite Four members, particularly 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 would have an advantage in Pryce’s Ice gym but faces difficulties with early Bug and Flying type gyms, as well as Morty’s Poison type gym. Cyndaquil's primary challenge is Pryce’s Ice gym, necessitating a well-balanced team, but with ample time to prepare.
Cyndaquil's Fire typing is particularly beneficial against the Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four, although Meganium struggles with Poison types and Lance’s Dragon/Flying types. Despite challenges like Rock and Ground types in caves and Lance’s team, Cyndaquil's advantages outweigh the drawbacks compared to 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 in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire is a decision rooted in more than just its cuteness. Mudkip's Water typing provides a strategic edge against three of the eight gyms, sharing advantages with Treecko against Roxanne’s and Tate & Liza’s Rock/Ground gyms, while excelling against Flannery’s Fire gym.
By the time you reach Wallace’s Water gym, Treecko would likely have evolved into Sceptile, but its Grass typing is disadvantageous against Flannery’s Fire and Winona’s Flying types. Mudkip's only significant challenge is Wattson’s Electric type gym, while Torchic’s Fire typing and Blaziken’s Fighting typing are less advantageous against the gyms, particularly Wallace’s.
Mudkip's evolution into Swampert, gaining Ground typing, provides a defensive boost, becoming immune to Electric and only weak to Grass. This makes Swampert formidable in battles where it might otherwise be the underdog. Despite the prevalence of water in Hoenn leading to challenging random encounters, Mudkip's overall advantages make it a superior choice.
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
In Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, Chimchar emerges as the best starter, with only five new Fire types introduced compared to fourteen for Water and Grass. Chimchar's Fire typing helps it overcome Gardenia’s Grass type gym, Byron’s Steel types, and Candice’s Ice types.
Turtwig can handle Roark’s Rock type and Crasher Wake’s Water type gyms, but its strengths peak early in the game. Turtwig's evolution into Torterra, gaining Ground typing, helps against Volkner’s Electric gym, but Chimchar's abilities are better suited for late-game success.
Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, excels against Aaron’s Bug Pokemon in the Elite Four, while Torterra is advantageous against Bertha’s Water and Ground types. Piplup, evolving into Empoleon, doesn't have significant advantages over the gym leaders or the Elite Four. Chimchar's edge, especially against Team Galactic’s Bug types, makes it the superior 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
In Pokemon Black and White, Tepig stands out as the best starter. Snivy's Grass typing only provides an advantage against one gym and lacks significant advantages against the Elite Four, compounded by the prevalence of Bug and Flying types in Unova. Oshawott, while better than Snivy, has limited advantages against the gyms and Elite Four.
Tepig's Fire typing and its evolution into Emboar, a Fire/Fighting type, make it highly effective against Burgh’s Bug gym and Brycen’s Ice gym. Emboar's Fighting type is crucial against Grimsley’s Dark type 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 bolster Tepig's case.
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 see Fennekin as the standout starter. Fennekin's Fire typing allows it to be super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more. Its final evolution, Delphox, gains Psychic typing, making it well-suited for the Fairy, Psychic, and Ice gyms.
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 with Viola’s Bug gym and gains a Fighting typing as Chesnaught, which is disadvantageous against Olympia and Valerie. Delphox's versatility gives it an edge against the balanced Elite Four 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 from Pokemon Sun and Moon is the clear choice despite early struggles. It excels against Mallow’s Grass trial and Sophocles’ Electric gym, and its evolution into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type, is super effective against Acerola’s Ghost trial. The final trial against Mina's Fairy Pokemon is challenging due to Incineroar's Dark typing, but Mina’s team includes types that Incineroar can handle.
Rowlet and Popplio have advantages in early trials but lack significant late-game advantages. Decidueye's Ghost typing is mixed for Acerola’s trial, while Primarina's Water/Fairy typing doesn't affect its fortunes in the trials. The diverse Elite Four and subsequent challenges in the Pokemon League make Litten's trial-clearing ability crucial, especially given the scarcity of Fire types in 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's edge over Grookey and Scorbunny in Pokemon Sword and Shield is razor-thin. All three are effective against three gyms, but Sobble and Grookey excel against 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 offer no advantage to any starter, but Raihan’s final gym gives Sobble and Grookey a slight edge.
In the Champion Cup, Sobble narrowly surpasses Grookey. The semi-final opponents don't favor any specific type, but Bede's Fairy, Nessa’s Water, and Raihan’s Fire and Ground heavy Dragon team favor Fire, Grass, and Water respectively. Sobble's final evolution, Inteleon, has balanced stats, giving it an overall advantage against the toughest opponents.
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 freedom to tackle gyms and Team Star bases in any order, the Paldea region seems designed for Fuecoco's dominance. The highest-level gyms, featuring Psychic/Fairy and Ice types, are perfect for Fuecoco and its Ghost type final evolution, Skeledirge.
Quaxly's Water typing offers no early gym advantages until its evolution into Quaquaval, a Fighting type, which helps against Larry’s Normal type gym. Sprigatito, evolving into Grass/Dark type Meowscarada, is effective against Tulip’s and Ryme’s gyms. The Team Star base raids, crucial to story progression, further highlight Fuecoco's advantages, particularly against Dark and Poison Pokemon crews.
In the Elite Four, Skeledirge excels beyond Rika’s Ground Pokemon, especially against Poppy’s Steel team. Fuecoco's ability to dominate both gyms and Team Star bases makes it the best starter choice in Scarlet and Violet.
### The Best Starter Pokemon
