The moment you choose your partner Pokemon at the start of any Pokemon game is truly pivotal. It's the first step on your journey to becoming a Pokemon master, a decision that feels like a personality test, often made on vibes and taste. You're selecting the creature you'll spend countless hours raising, bonding with, and battling alongside, yet you have no idea how this choice will shape your adventure through the gyms, rivals, and mysteries of the region ahead.
We've delved deep into the data, examining base stats, strengths, and weaknesses of every starter Pokemon and their evolutions, and analyzed their performance across their native regions. Our goal is to identify the optimal starter not just for breezing through the initial gyms, but for conquering the Elite Four and beyond. Here's your guide to becoming a Pokemon master across all generations.
Gen 1: Bulbasaur
Games: Pokemon Red & Blue, FireRed & LeafGreen
Starter options: Bulbasaur (grass), Charmander (fire), Squirtle (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow guide
In Pokemon Red and Blue, Bulbasaur is not only the perfect choice to tackle Brock's Rock-type gym, but it also emerges as the best starter for dominating the Kanto region. While Charmander might initially seem appealing due to its rarity and Fire typing, which is advantageous against Flying and Ground types, Bulbasaur's Grass typing offers more consistent advantages throughout the game. Bulbasaur excels against Brock’s Rock Pokemon, Misty’s Water collection, and Giovanni’s final gym line-up, making it the top choice for the first two Elite Four members as well. The main challenges for Bulbasaur trainers include Erika's Grass-type gym and Blaine's Fire-type gym, but these can be overcome with strategic planning and the plentiful Water types found in Kanto.
While Bulbasaur trainers must navigate challenges like frequent encounters with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow, and battles against rival Blue's Pidgeot and Charmander, Bulbasaur's balanced base stats and evolution into Venasaur—a dual Grass/Poison type—give it a distinct edge over Charmander and Squirtle.
Gen 2: Cyndaquil
Games: Pokemon Gold & Silver, Crystal, HeartGold & SoulSilver
Starter options: Chikorita (grass), Cyndaquil (fire), Totodile (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal guide
In Pokemon Gold and Silver, Cyndaquil stands out as the best starter due to the limited number of Fire types introduced in Johto. With only eight new Fire types compared to ten Grass and eighteen Water types, choosing Cyndaquil adds crucial diversity to your team. Cyndaquil is particularly effective against Bugsy's Bug-type gym and Jasmine's Steel-type gym, making it the best match for most of Johto's gyms and Elite Four members. While Totodile and Chikorita have their merits, they don't offer the same broad advantages as Cyndaquil. The only major challenge for Cyndaquil is Pryce's Ice-type gym, which can be overcome with a well-balanced team.
Cyndaquil's advantages extend to the Elite Four, where it excels against Grass and Bug types. Despite challenges like Lance’s Dragon/Flying types and frequent encounters with Rock and Ground Pokemon in caves, Cyndaquil's overall utility makes it the best starter for Johto.
Gen 3: Mudkip
Games: Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Starter options: Treecko (grass), Torchic (fire), Mudkip (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald guide
In Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, Mudkip emerges as the top starter choice. While both Mudkip and Treecko are super effective against three of the eight gyms, Mudkip's Water typing gives it a slight edge. Mudkip excels against Roxanne’s Rock/Ground gym, Tate & Liza’s Psychic gym, and Flannery’s Fire gym, while Treecko struggles against Flannery and Winona's Flying types. Torchic, on the other hand, doesn't have significant advantages against any of the gyms.
Mudkip's evolution into Swampert, a Water/Ground type, provides a significant defensive boost, making it immune to Electric attacks and only weak to Grass. This makes Swampert a formidable choice against the Elite Four, despite some challenges with Grass types. The abundance of water in the Hoenn region might make random encounters a grind, but Mudkip's overall advantages make it the best starter for Ruby and Sapphire.
Gen 4: Chimchar
Games: Pokemon Diamond & Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Starter options: Turtwig (grass), Chimchar (fire), Piplup (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum guide
In Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, Chimchar is the standout starter due to the limited number of Fire types introduced in Sinnoh. With only five new Fire types compared to fourteen Water and Grass types, Chimchar's Fire typing is a valuable asset. It excels against Gardenia’s Grass-type gym, Byron’s Steel-type gym, and Candice’s Ice-type gym, making it the best choice for overcoming three gyms. Turtwig, while strong against Roark’s Rock-type and Crasher Wake’s Water-type gyms, is more suited for early game success, whereas Chimchar is primed for late-game challenges.
Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, is perfect for battling Aaron’s Bug Pokemon in the Elite Four, despite some challenges with Bertha’s Water and Ground types. The frequent battles with Team Galactic’s Bug types further tip the scales in Chimchar's favor, making it the best starter for Diamond and Pearl.
Gen 5: Tepig
Games: Pokemon Black & White
Starter options: Snivy (grass), Tepig (fire), Oshawott (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Black and White guide
In Pokemon Black and White, Tepig is the clear choice for the best starter. Snivy only has an advantage over one gym and struggles against Bug and Flying types, while Oshawott is best suited for Clay’s Ground-type gym but lacks significant advantages against the Elite Four. Tepig, however, excels against Burgh’s Bug-type gym and Brycen’s Ice-type gym, making it the best choice for navigating Unova's challenges.
Tepig's final evolution, Emboar, gains a Fighting type, which is super effective against Grimsley’s Dark-type Pokemon in the Elite Four. Despite vulnerabilities to Caitlin’s Psychic types, Emboar's strong attacking stats and the presence of Team Plasma's Steel types make Tepig the best starter for Black and White.
Gen 6: Fennekin
Games: Pokemon X & Y
Starter options: Chespin (grass), Fennekin (fire), Froakie (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokemon X and Y guide
In Pokemon X and Y, Fennekin stands out as the best starter. Its Fire typing is super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, making it a strong choice throughout the game. Fennekin's final evolution, Delphox, gains Psychic typing, which is advantageous against the Fairy, Psychic, and Ice-type gyms. Froakie and Chespin, while having their strengths, don't offer the same broad advantages as Fennekin.
In the Elite Four, Delphox can resist Diantha’s Gardevoir, giving it an edge over Chespin and Froakie. Fennekin's versatility and effectiveness make it the best starter for X and Y.
Gen 7: Litten
Games: Pokemon Sun & Moon
Starter options: Rowlet (grass), Litten (fire), Popplio (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Sun & Pokemon Moon guide
In Pokemon Sun and Moon, Litten is the best starter choice. Despite early challenges, Litten's Fire typing is super effective against Mallow’s Grass-type trial and Sophocles’ Electric-type gym, which includes Steel and Bug types. Litten's evolution into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type, is particularly effective against Acerola’s Ghost-type trial and Mina’s Fairy-type trial.
While Rowlet and Popplio have their advantages in early trials, they don't match Litten's effectiveness in late-game battles. The Alola region's diverse Pokemon League challenges make Litten's ability to clear trials even more crucial. With only eight Fire types introduced compared to thirteen Grass and Water types, choosing Litten early is a strategic advantage.
Gen 8: Sobble
Games: Pokemon Sword & Shield
Starter options: Grookey (grass), Scorbunny (fire), Sobble (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Sword and Shield guide
In Pokemon Sword and Shield, Sobble edges out Grookey and Scorbunny as the best starter. All three starters are effective against three gyms, but Sobble's Water typing gives it a slight advantage in the final gym against Raihan’s Rock and Ground types. The Champion Cup, Galar's version of the Elite Four, further favors Sobble, particularly against Bede's Fairy Pokemon and Nessa’s Water types.
While the impact of rivals and random encounters is minimal in Sword and Shield, Sobble's final evolution, Inteleon, boasts well-balanced stats, making it the best choice for navigating the Galar region's challenges.
Gen 9: Fuecoco
Games: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Starter options: Sprigatito (grass), Fuecoco (fire), Quaxly (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Scarlet and Violet guide
In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Fuecoco is the clear winner as the best starter. Despite the game's focus on player freedom, allowing you to tackle gyms and Team Star bases in any order, Fuecoco's Fire typing and its evolution into Skeledirge, a Fire/Ghost type, make it the best choice for dominating the Paldea region. Fuecoco excels against Katy and Brassius’ Bug and Grass-type gyms, as well as Tulip and Grusha’s Psychic/Fairy and Ice-type gyms.
Fuecoco's advantages extend to Team Star base raids, where its typing is particularly effective against Dark, Poison, Fairy, and Fighting types. In the Elite Four, Skeledirge outperforms Quaquaval and Meowscarada, making Fuecoco the best starter for Scarlet and Violet.
### The Best Starter Pokemon
