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.
Note: Final evolutions marked (*) are capable of Mega Evolution in Generations VI and VII.
All Starter Pokémon by Generation
Generation I: Kanto Starters
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon CompanyThe original Kanto starters—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—debuted in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, and have reappeared in numerous remakes and subsequent games, including FireRed and LeafGreen, Let's Go! Pikachu and Eevee, 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: Johto Starters
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon CompanyChikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile hail from the Johto region, introduced in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, and later featured in HeartGold and SoulSilver. They've been accessible in various subsequent games, such as via the QR Scanner in Pokémon Sun and Moon. 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 evolution level to Quilava varies; it's level 14 except in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII for Legends: Arceus evolution details.
Generation III: Hoenn Starters
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon CompanyTreecko, Torchic, and Mudkip debuted in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, and reappeared in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. They are obtainable in various other 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: Sinnoh Starters
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon CompanyTurtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup were the Sinnoh starters in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, and returned in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. While absent as starters in Legends: Arceus, they are catchable in that game, along with 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: Unova Starters
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon CompanySnivy, Tepig, and Oshawott are the Unova starters from Pokémon Black and White and their sequels. They are available in various other games and DLC. 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: Kalos Starters
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon CompanyChespin, Fennekin, and Froakie debuted in Pokémon X and Y. Froakie's final evolution, Greninja, notably received an Ash-Greninja form via the Sun and Moon demo. The Kalos trio is available in other games 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: Alola Starters
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon CompanyRowlet, Litten, and Popplio were introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon, returning in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. They are available in DLC for later games. 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: Dartrix's evolution level to Decidueye varies; it's level 34 except in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII for Legends: Arceus evolution details.
Generation VIII: Galar & Hisui Starters
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon CompanyGeneration VIII featured Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, offering different starter lineups. Sword & Shield introduced Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble, available in Scarlet and Violet's DLC. Legends: Arceus featured past starters with Hisuian regional forms.
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
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon CompanyIn Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott returned with Hisuian regional forms, featuring altered evolution levels. 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: Paldea Starters
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon CompanySprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly debuted in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. While trading is needed to obtain all three, 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 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.