Top Starter Pokemon by Generation

Choosing your partner Pokémon at the beginning of any Pokémon game is a pivotal moment, not just a simple decision but a special experience that sets the tone for your entire journey. This choice, often influenced by personal vibes and taste, feels like a personality test to many fans. At the outset, you're unaware of how this initial selection will shape your path to becoming a Pokémon master, with the mysteries of the region's gyms, rivals, and secrets still ahead of you.

We've conducted thorough research, analyzing the base stats, strengths, and weaknesses of every starter Pokémon and their evolutions, and evaluated their performance against the challenges of their native regions. Our goal is to help you identify the best starter to not only conquer the early gyms but also to triumph over the Elite Four and beyond. This is your first step toward mastering Pokémon across all generations.

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 clear choice for tackling the first gym in Pokémon Red and Blue, given its advantage over Rock types. But its utility extends far beyond the initial stages, making it the best starter for dominating the Kanto region. While Charmander might initially seem appealing due to the scarcity of Fire types and its immunity to Ground attacks in the final gym, Bulbasaur offers a smoother journey overall.

Bulbasaur's Grass typing allows it to swiftly navigate through the game, proving super effective against Brock's Rock Pokémon, Misty's Water collection, and Giovanni's final gym lineup. It's also the best choice for the first two members of the Elite Four. Challenges arise with Erika's Grass type gym and Blaine's Fire type gym, but these can be overcome with strategic play and the plentiful Water types in Kanto.

Bulbasaur trainers must contend with frequent encounters with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow, which pose a challenge during grinding. However, the abundance of Ground and Rock types in caves offers ample opportunities for Bulbasaur to gain experience. Rival Blue's Pidgeot and Charmander can be problematic, but a Water type on your team can mitigate these issues.

Bulbasaur's well-balanced base stats and evolution into the Grass/Poison type Venasaur provide a significant advantage over Charmander and Squirtle, making it the top pick for Kanto.

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

Pokémon Gold and Silver introduced only eight new Fire types, compared to ten Grass and eighteen Water types. This scarcity makes Cyndaquil a valuable addition to your team, bringing diversity and proving to be the best match against most of Johto's gyms and Elite Four members.

Cyndaquil easily defeats Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym with its Fire attacks. While Totodile struggles due to the absence of Fire, Ground, or Rock type gyms, Chikorita fares well against Pryce's Ice type gym but faces challenges with early Bug and Flying type gyms, as well as Morty's Poison type gym. Cyndaquil's main challenge is Pryce's gym, but with ample time to build a balanced team, this hurdle can be overcome.

Cyndaquil's Fire typing is advantageous against the Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four, though all four teams are well-balanced. Meganium (Chikorita's final form) struggles against Poison and Dragon/Flying types, while Feraligatr (Totodile's final form) can hold its own but won't excel as much as Typhlosion (Cyndaquil's final form).

Despite challenges from Rock and Ground types in caves and Lance's Dragon/Flying team, Cyndaquil remains the best choice for navigating Johto's challenges.

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

While Mudkip's charm might initially draw you in, its Water typing provides deeper strategic advantages in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. Both Mudkip and Treecko are super effective against three of the eight gyms, but Mudkip excels at tackling Flannery's Fire type gym, while Treecko is better suited for Wallace's Water type gym.

By the time you reach Wallace's gym, Treecko will likely have evolved into Sceptile, but its Grass typing puts it at a disadvantage against Flannery and Winona's Flying types. Mudkip's only significant challenge is Wattson's Electric type gym, while Torchic lacks advantages against any gym, with its Fighting type only effective against one.

The Elite Four slightly favors Sceptile, but Mudkip's evolution into the Water/Ground type Swampert offers balanced stats and immunity to Electric attacks, making it a powerhouse in battles where it might otherwise struggle. The Hoenn region's water-heavy environment can make random encounters tedious, but Mudkip's advantages more than compensate for this.

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

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl introduce just five new Fire types, compared to fourteen Water and Grass types, making Chimchar a strategic choice. Its Fire typing is super effective against three gyms, including Gardenia's Grass type, Byron's Steel type, and Candice's Ice type gyms.

Turtwig's early game strengths against Rock and Water types are notable, but its advantages wane in the later stages. Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, excels against Aaron's Bug types in the Elite Four, while Turtwig's Torterra is better suited for Bertha's Water and Ground types. Piplup's Empoleon, while resilient, doesn't have a significant advantage over many gym leaders or Elite Four members.

Chimchar's advantages against Team Galactic's Bug types and its gym battle prowess make it the top pick for Sinnoh, despite Turtwig's close competition.

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 stands out as the best choice. Snivy's Grass typing only gives it an advantage over one gym and no significant edge in the Elite Four, while Oshawott's Water typing helps against Clay's Ground type gym but lacks Elite Four advantages.

Tepig's Fire/Fighting type evolution, Emboar, easily navigates Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym, the latter being the penultimate challenge. Emboar's Fighting type is super effective against Grimsley's Dark types in the Elite Four, though it's vulnerable to Caitlin's Psychic types. Tepig's strong attacking stats and the prevalence of Team Plasma's Steel types make it the best option for Unova.

Gen 6: Fennekin

Games: Pokémon X & Y

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

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon X and Y guide

Fennekin dominates in Pokémon X and Y, being super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more. Its final evolution, Delphox, gains Psychic typing, which is advantageous against the final three gyms. Froakie's Water/Dark type evolution, Greninja, struggles against Fairy and Grass types, while Chespin's Fighting type evolution, Chesnaught, is disadvantaged against Psychic and Fairy types.

The Elite Four in X and Y requires different types for each battle, but Delphox's edge comes from its ability to resist Diantha's Gardevoir's attacks, making Fennekin the best starter choice.

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 is the best choice in Pokémon Sun and Moon, despite initial challenges. Its Fire/Dark type evolution, Incineroar, excels against Mallow's Grass trial, Sophocles' Electric trial, and Acerola's Ghost trial. While Rowlet's Ghost typing and Popplio's Water/Fairy typing provide some advantages, they don't match Litten's late-game prowess.

The Elite Four and subsequent challenges in the Pokémon League are too diverse for any starter to have a clear advantage, making Litten's trial-clearing ability even more crucial. With only eight Fire types introduced in Alola, choosing Litten early provides a significant boost.

Gen 8: Sobble

Games: Pokémon Sword & Shield

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

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Sword and Shield guide

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Sobble edges out Grookey and Scorbunny. All three starters have advantages against three gyms, but Sobble's Water typing is crucial for the final gym against Raihan. The Champion Cup semi-finals favor Fire, Grass, and Water types, but Sobble's balanced stats give it a slight edge over Grookey.

Other factors like Team Yell and random encounters are less impactful in Sword and Shield, making Sobble's balanced stats and performance against the toughest opponents the deciding factor.

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 the game's focus on player freedom. Its Fire/Ghost type evolution, Skeledirge, excels against the highest-level Psychic/Fairy and Ice type gyms and the lowest-level Bug and Grass type gyms. Quaxly's Water/Fighting type evolution, Quaquaval, only gains an advantage in Larry's Normal type gym, while Sprigatito's Grass/Dark type evolution, Meowscarada, fares well against Tulip's Psychic and Ryme's Ghost gyms.

Team Star base raids further emphasize Fuecoco's importance, with its advantages against Dark, Poison, Fairy, and Fighting types. While Quaquaval and Meowscarada can handle Rika's Ground types in the Elite Four, Skeledirge's performance against Poppy's Steel team and beyond solidifies its status as the best starter for Paldea.