Evolution of Pokémon Starters: A Comprehensive Guide

The Pokémon franchise boasts nine generations, each introducing a trio of starter Pokémon: Grass, Fire, and Water types. This comprehensive guide details all 27 starter lines.

All Starter Pokémon by Generation

Generation I Starters

Gen 1 starters Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

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The Kanto region's original trio—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—debuted in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, and have reappeared in remakes and subsequent games.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Bulbasaur	Grass/Poison	Ivysaur (Level 16) Venusaur* (Level 32)
Charmander	Fire	Charmeleon (Level 16) Charizard* (Level 36)
Squirtle	Water	Wartortle (Level 16) Blastoise* (Level 36)

Generation II Starters

Gen 2 starters Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

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Johto's Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile, introduced in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, also appear in remakes and later games via various methods. Cyndaquil is a starter in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Chikorita	Grass	Bayleef (Level 16) Meganium (Level 32)
Cyndaquil	Fire	Quilava (Level 14) Typhlosion (Level 36)
Totodile	Water	Croconaw (Level 18) Feraligatr (Level 30)

Note: Cyndaquil's Quilava evolution level differs in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII for details.

Generation III Starters

Gen 3 starters Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

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Hoenn's Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, reappear in remakes and other titles.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Treecko	Grass	Grovyle (Level 16) Sceptile* (Level 36)
Torchic	Fire	Combusken (Level 16) Blaziken* (Level 36)
Mudkip	Water	Marshtomp (Level 16) Swampert* (Level 36)

Generation IV Starters

Gen 4 starters Turtwig, Piplup, and Chimchar in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

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Sinnoh's Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup, from Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, return in remakes but aren't starters in Legends: Arceus. They are, however, available in Legends: Arceus and other games.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Turtwig	Grass	Grotle (Level 18) Torterra (Level 32)
Chimchar	Fire	Monferno (Level 14) Infernape (Level 36)
Piplup	Water	Prinplup (Level 16) Empoleon (Level 36)

Generation V Starters

Gen 5 starters Oshawott, Tepig, and Snivy in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

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Unova's Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott (from Pokémon Black and White) are obtainable in various later games; Oshawott is also a starter in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Snivy	Grass	Servine (Level 17) Serperior (Level 36)
Tepig	Fire	Pignite (Level 17) Emboar (Level 36)
Oshawott	Water	Dewott (Level 17) Samurott (Level 36)

Generation VI Starters

Gen 6 starters Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

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Kalos's Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie (Pokémon X and Y) are featured in the anime, with Greninja receiving a special Ash-Greninja form. The trio is available in subsequent games.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Chespin	Grass	Quilladin (Level 16) Chesnaught (Level 36)
Fennekin	Fire	Braixen (Level 16) Delphox (Level 36)
Froakie	Water	Frogadier (Level 16) Greninja (Level 36)

Generation VII Starters

Gen 7 starters Popplio, Litten, and Rowlet in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

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Alola's Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio (Pokémon Sun and Moon) reappeared in sequels and DLC. Rowlet is also a starter in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Rowlet	Grass/Flying	Dartrix (Level 17) Decidueye (Level 34)
Litten	Fire	Torracat (Level 17) Incineroar (Level 34)
Popplio	Water	Brionne (Level 17) Primarina (Level 34)

Note: Decidueye's evolution level differs in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII for details.

Generation VIII Starters

Gen 8 starters Sobble, Grookey, and Scorbunny in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

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Galar's Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble (Pokémon Sword and Shield) and Pokémon Legends: Arceus's regional variant starters are detailed below.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Grookey	Grass	Thwackey (Level 16) Rillaboom (Level 35)
Scorbunny	Fire	Raboot (Level 16) Cinderace (Level 35)
Sobble	Water	Drizzile (Level 17) Inteleon (Level 35)

Pokémon Legends: Arceus Starters

Pokémon Legends: Arceus starters Cyndaquil, Rowlet, and Oshawott

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Hisui's Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott feature altered evolution levels and regional forms.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Rowlet	Grass/Flying	Dartrix (Level 17) Hisuian Decidueye (Level 36)
Cyndaquil	Fire	Quilava (Level 17) Hisuian Typhlosion (Level 36)
Oshawott	Water	Dewott (Level 17) Hisuian Samurott (Level 36)

Generation IX Starters

Gen 9 starters Sprigatito, Quaxly, and Fuecoco in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

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Paldea's Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly (Pokémon Scarlet and Violet) are the latest additions. Past starters are available via DLC.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Sprigatito	Grass	Floragato (Level 16) Meowscarada (Level 36)
Fuecoco	Fire	Crocalor (Level 16) Skeledirge (Level 36)
Quaxly	Water	Quaxwell (Level 16) Quaquaval (Level 36)

With the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Pokémon Legends: Z-A in development, the Pokémon journey continues. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC are currently available.