Pokémon Starters: A Generation-by-Generation Evolution

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

Recommended Videos #### Jump To:

Gen 1 Gen 2 Gen 3 Gen 4 Gen 5 Gen 6 Gen 7 Gen 8 Gen 9 Note: Final evolutions marked (*) are Mega-Evolved in Generations VI and VII.

All Starter Pokémon by Generation

Generation I Starters

The Kanto region's original trio – Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle – debuted in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, later reappearing in remakes like FireRed and LeafGreen, and Let's Go! Pikachu and Eevee. They're also available in HeartGold and SoulSilver, and X and Y.

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

Johto's Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile, featured in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, also appear in their remakes, HeartGold and SoulSilver. They've been accessible in later generations via methods like the Sun and Moon QR Scanner. Cyndaquil is also 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 occurs at level 14 except in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation III Starters

Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, the Hoenn starters from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, return in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. They're obtainable in various mainline games and DLC.

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

Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup, from Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, reappear in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. While absent as starters in Legends: Arceus, they are catchable in that game, other mainline titles, and DLC.

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

Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, the Unova starters from Pokémon Black and White and their sequels, are found in various mainline titles and DLC. Oshawott is also a starter in 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

Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie debuted in Pokémon X and Y. Froakie's final evolution, Greninja, gained an Ash-Greninja form via the Sun and Moon demo. The Kalos starters are available in other titles and DLC.

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

Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio, introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon, also appear in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon and subsequent DLC. Rowlet is also a starter in 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: Dartrix's evolution differs in Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII for details.

Generation VIII Starters

Gen VIII, with Pokémon Sword and Shield and Legends: Arceus, offered different starter options. Sword & Shield introduced Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble, also found in Scarlet and Violet's DLC.

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

Legends: Arceus featured Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott with regional variants. Evolution levels vary slightly. Sinnoh starters from Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum are also catchable.

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

Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly debuted in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Past starters are available in the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero 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 Nintendo Switch 2 announcement 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.