Choosing your starter Pokémon marks a pivotal moment in any Pokémon journey, setting the tone for your adventure and influencing your path to becoming a Pokémon master. This choice is not just about aesthetics or personal preference; it's a strategic decision that can impact your gameplay across various challenges, including gym battles, encounters with rivals, and facing the Elite Four. We've delved deep into the strengths and weaknesses of each starter Pokémon and their evolutions, analyzing their performance against the backdrop of their native regions to identify the best starter for each generation.
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 emerges as the top choice for dominating the Kanto region in Pokémon Red and Blue. While Charmander might initially seem appealing due to its rarity and advantages against certain types, Bulbasaur's Grass typing provides a strong start against the first gym and continues to be advantageous throughout the game. It excels against Brock’s Rock Pokémon, Misty’s Water types, and Giovanni’s Ground lineup, making it the best option for tackling the first two members of the Elite Four. Challenges arise with Erika's Grass gym and Blaine's Fire gym, but with strategic play and the abundance of Water types in Kanto, Bulbasaur can overcome these hurdles. Its evolution into Venasaur adds Poison typing, enhancing its versatility and effectiveness against a broader range of opponents.
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
In Pokémon Gold and Silver, Cyndaquil stands out as the best starter due to its Fire typing, which is underrepresented in Johto. This choice adds significant diversity to your team and offers strong matchups against Bugsy's Bug types and Jasmine's Steel types. While Totodile and Chikorita have their merits, Cyndaquil's evolutions, particularly Typhlosion, are well-suited to tackle the majority of gyms and the Elite Four. The presence of Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four further bolsters Cyndaquil's position, despite challenges from Rock and Ground types in caves and Lance's Dragon/Flying team.
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
Mudkip is the optimal starter in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, thanks to its Water typing, which is effective against three out of eight gyms. While Treecko competes closely, Mudkip's evolution into Swampert gains Ground typing, providing a robust defensive boost and immunity to Electric attacks. This evolution significantly enhances its performance against the Elite Four, despite challenges posed by Wattson's Electric gym and certain encounters in Hoenn's water-rich environment.
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
Chimchar shines as the best starter in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, leveraging its Fire typing to overcome three key gyms and excel against the Elite Four's Bug types. While Turtwig has early-game advantages, Chimchar's late-game prowess and effectiveness against Team Galactic's Bug types make it the superior choice. Piplup, despite its resilience, lacks significant advantages over the gyms and Elite Four.
Gen 5: Tepig
Games: Pokémon Black & White
Starter options: Snivy (grass), Tepig (fire), Oshawott (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Black and White guide
Tepig is the clear winner in Pokémon Black and White, with its Fire typing and eventual Fighting type evolution, Emboar, providing a strong advantage against Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym. Emboar's Fighting type is also effective against the Elite Four's Dark types, despite vulnerabilities to Psychic types. Tepig's strong attacking stats and effectiveness against Team Plasma's Steel types make it the best choice for navigating the challenges of the Unova region.
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 stands out in Pokémon X and Y, with its Fire typing providing advantages against three gyms and resistance to two more. Its evolution into Delphox, gaining Psychic typing, makes it exceptionally well-suited for the final stages of the game, including battles against the Elite Four. Froakie and Chespin face more significant challenges against various gym types, making Fennekin the superior 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 emerges as the best starter in Pokémon Sun and Moon, despite initial struggles in early trials. Its evolution into Incineroar, gaining Dark typing, proves highly effective against later trials, particularly Mallow's Grass trial and Acerola's Ghost trial. While Rowlet and Popplio have some advantages, Litten's ability to clear the trials and its versatility against the diverse challenges of the Alola region make it the top choice.
Gen 8: Sobble
Games: Pokémon Sword & Shield
Starter options: Grookey (grass), Scorbunny (fire), Sobble (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Sword and Shield guide
Sobble narrowly edges out Grookey and Scorbunny in Pokémon Sword and Shield, thanks to its effectiveness against key gyms and the Champion Cup. While all three starters have their strengths, Sobble's balanced stats and performance against the toughest opponents give it a slight advantage. The Galar region's unique challenges, including encounters with Team Yell, further highlight Sobble's utility.
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, with its Fire typing and evolution into Skeledirge, gaining Ghost typing, making it exceptionally well-suited to dominate the Paldea region. Despite the open-world nature of the game allowing for flexible strategies, Fuecoco's advantages against key gyms and Team Star bases solidify its position as the best starter. Its performance against the Elite Four further cements its status as the top choice for aspiring Pokémon masters.
### The Best Starter Pokémon
