Top Starter Pokemon: A Generational Guide

Choosing your starter Pokémon is one of the most thrilling moments in any Pokémon game. It's the instant where you connect with the creature that will accompany you throughout your journey to becoming a Pokémon master. This choice often feels like a reflection of your personality, made based on intuition and preference, yet it significantly influences your adventure through the region's challenges, from gym battles to encounters with rivals.

We've conducted comprehensive research, analyzing the base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and evolutions of every starter Pokémon across different regions. Our goal is to identify the best starter for not only overcoming initial hurdles but also for conquering the Elite Four and beyond. Here's a detailed look at the best starter Pokémon for each generation, designed to help you make the most informed decision as you embark on your journey.

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

Selecting Bulbasaur in Pokémon Red and Blue is a strategic choice for dominating the Kanto region. While Charmander might initially seem appealing due to the scarcity of Fire types and its effectiveness against certain Flying and Ground types, Bulbasaur's advantages are more pronounced throughout the game. Its Grass type excels against Brock’s Rock Pokémon, Misty’s Water collection, and Giovanni’s final gym lineup, making it an invaluable asset for the majority of your journey. Bulbasaur also proves to be the best option against the first two members of the Elite Four. Challenges include Erika’s Grass type gym and Blaine’s Fire type gym, but with strategic play and the abundance of water types in Kanto, these can be overcome.

Bulbasaur trainers will need to navigate encounters with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow, but caves filled with Ground and Rock types provide ample XP opportunities. Additionally, Bulbasaur's evolution into Venasaur, a Grass/Poison type, gives it a significant edge over other starters, enhancing its versatility and effectiveness in battles.

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 emerges as the top starter due to the limited number of Fire types introduced and its strong performance against Johto's gym leaders and Elite Four. Its Fire typing is highly effective against Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym, setting you up for success early on. While Totodile and Chikorita have their merits, Cyndaquil's ability to handle the majority of gyms and its subsequent evolutions' effectiveness against Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four make it the standout choice.

Challenges include Pryce's Ice gym, but with time to build a balanced team, you can easily overcome this hurdle. Cyndaquil's final evolution, Typhlosion, also excels against the Poison and Dragon/Flying types in the Elite Four, solidifying its position as the best starter for Johto.

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

For Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Mudkip is the ideal starter, offering advantages against three of the eight gyms. Its Water type is super effective against Roxanne’s Rock/Ground gym, Tate & Liza’s Psychic gym, and Flannery’s Fire gym. While Treecko also has advantages against three gyms, Mudkip's evolution into Swampert, a Water/Ground type, provides a significant defensive boost and immunity to Electric attacks, making it an excellent choice for tackling the Hoenn region's challenges.

The Elite Four slightly favors Sceptile, Treecko's final evolution, but Swampert's balanced stats and type advantages make it a formidable contender. The abundance of water in Hoenn might make random encounters more challenging, but Mudkip's overall 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

Chimchar is the best starter for Pokémon Diamond and Pearl due to its Fire typing, which is effective against three key gyms: Gardenia’s Grass gym, Byron’s Steel gym, and Candice’s Ice gym. While Turtwig has early advantages against Rock and Water types, Chimchar's late-game prowess, especially after evolving into Infernape, makes it the better choice for tackling the Elite Four and frequent battles with Team Galactic's Bug types.

Turtwig's final evolution, Torterra, has a slight edge in some battles, but Chimchar's overall performance and versatility make it the superior starter for Sinnoh.

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 starter due to its Fire and Fighting typing after evolving into Emboar. This combination is highly effective against Burgh’s Bug gym, Brycen’s Ice gym, and Grimsley's Dark type Pokémon in the Elite Four. While Snivy and Oshawott have their strengths, Tepig's ability to handle a broader range of challenges, including battles against Team Plasma's Steel types, makes it the top choice 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 is the best starter for Pokémon X and Y, with its Fire typing being effective against three gyms and resistant to two more. Its final evolution, Delphox, gains Psychic typing, which is advantageous against the Fairy, Psychic, and Ice type gyms. While Froakie and Chespin have their advantages, Fennekin's overall effectiveness and versatility make it the standout choice for Kalos.

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 starter for Pokémon Sun and Moon, particularly after evolving into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type. It excels against Mallow’s Grass trial, Sophocles’ Electric gym, and Acerola’s Ghost trial. Despite the challenge posed by Mina’s Fairy trial, Incineroar's versatility and the lack of significant advantages for Rowlet and Popplio in later battles make Litten the clear choice for Alola.

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 due to its effectiveness against three gyms, including the crucial final gym led by Raihan. Its balanced stats and type advantages in the Champion Cup make it a strong contender against Bede's Fairy types, Nessa's Water types, and Raihan's Dragon team. While the other starters have their merits, Sobble's slight edge in key battles makes it the best choice for Galar.

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 top starter for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, particularly after evolving into Skeledirge, a Fire/Ghost type. Its effectiveness against the Bug and Grass type gyms, as well as the Psychic/Fairy and Ice type gyms, makes it an excellent choice for the Paldea region. Additionally, Fuecoco's advantages in Team Star base raids and against the Elite Four solidify its position as the best starter for this generation.

The Best Starter Pokémon