Top Starter Pokemon: A Generational Guide

The moment you choose your partner Pokémon in any Pokémon game is a pivotal one. It's not just about selecting a creature; it's about forging a bond that will carry you through your journey to become a Pokémon master. This choice often feels like a personality test, driven by vibes and personal taste. However, it's a decision made without knowing how it will shape your adventure through the region's gyms, rivals, and secrets. We've delved deep into the base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and evolutions of every starter Pokémon, analyzing their performance against the challenges of their native regions. This comprehensive analysis aims to guide you in selecting the best starter to not only conquer the initial gyms but also to triumph over the Elite Four and beyond.

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 stands out as the best starter for dominating the Kanto region in Pokémon Red and Blue. While Charmander might seem appealing due to the scarcity of Fire types and its immunity to Ground attacks in the final gym, Bulbasaur offers a smoother journey. Its Grass typing is super effective against Brock's Rock Pokémon, Misty's Water collection, and Giovanni's final gym line-up, as well as being the best choice to tackle the first two members of the Elite Four. Bulbasaur's biggest challenges are Erika's Grass type gym and Blaine's Fire type gym, but these can be navigated with strategic play and the abundance of water types in Kanto. Although Bulbasaur struggles against frequent Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow, and encounters with rival Blue's Pidgeot and Charmander, its well-balanced stats and evolution into Venasaur—a Grass/Poison type—give it a significant edge over the other starters offered by Professor Oak.

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 for the Johto region. With only eight new Fire types introduced compared to more Grass and Water types, choosing Cyndaquil adds valuable diversity to your team. Its Fire typing is highly effective against Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym, while Totodile, despite its Water typing, lacks suitable matchups against the region's gym leaders. Chikorita faces challenges with early Bug and Flying type gyms and Morty's Poison type gym, though it excels against Pryce's Ice gym. Cyndaquil's evolutions can handle the Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four, making it a strong contender 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

In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Mudkip is the standout choice. Both Mudkip and Treecko are super effective against three gyms, but Mudkip's Water typing gives it an edge, particularly against Flannery's Fire gym. Treecko, which evolves into Sceptile, faces challenges against Flannery and Winona's Flying types. Mudkip's only significant struggle is Wattson's Electric gym, while Torchic's Fire typing doesn't offer advantages against any gyms. Mudkip's final evolution, Swampert, gains Ground typing and balanced stats, making it resilient against Electric attacks and only weak to Grass. Despite the water-heavy Hoenn region, Mudkip's overall advantages make it the best starter, not to mention its adorable appeal.

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, with only five new Fire types compared to more Water and Grass types. Its Fire typing is super effective against Gardenia's Grass gym, Byron's Steel gym, and Candice's Ice gym. While Turtwig can handle Roark's Rock and Crasher Wake's Water gyms, its advantages are more pronounced in the early game, whereas Chimchar's strengths shine in the late game. Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, excels against Aaron's Bug types in the Elite Four, despite challenges from Bertha's Water and Ground types. The frequent battles against Team Galactic's Bug types further tip the scales in Chimchar's favor.

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 is the clear choice for the Unova region. Snivy struggles with only one gym advantage and numerous Bug and Flying types, while Oshawott fares better against Clay's Ground gym and Brycen's Ice Pokémon but lacks significant Elite Four advantages. Tepig's Fire/Fighting typing as Emboar allows it to breeze through Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym, the latter being the penultimate challenge. Emboar's Fighting type is super effective against Grimsley's Dark types in the Elite Four, though it faces challenges from Caitlin's Psychic types. Tepig's strong attacking stats and the presence of Team Plasma's Steel types make it the best pick for navigating Unova's challenges.

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 standout starter for Pokémon X and Y. Its Fire typing is super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, making it a strong choice throughout the game. Fennekin's third evolution, Delphox, gains Psychic typing, which is advantageous against the final three Fairy, Psychic, and Ice-based gyms. Froakie's Water/Dark type Greninja excels against Olympia's Psychic team but struggles against Fairy and Electric types. Chespin's Grass/Fighting type Chesnaught faces early challenges against Bug types and late-game disadvantages against Psychic and Fairy types. Delphox's ability to resist Diantha's Gardevoir gives it the edge in the Elite Four.

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. Despite early struggles, its Fire typing becomes advantageous later in the game. Mallow's Grass trial and Sophocles' Electric gym with Steel and Bug types are perfect for Litten, and its evolution into the Fire/Dark type Incineroar is super effective against Acerola's Ghost trial. The final trial against Mina's Fairy team is challenging due to Incineroar's Dark typing, but Mina's team composition helps mitigate this. Rowlet and Popplio have advantages in early trials but struggle in late-game battles. Litten's ability to clear the trials is crucial in the diverse Pokémon League challenges of Sun and Moon.

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 as the best starter for Pokémon Sword and Shield. All three are effective against three gyms, but Sobble and Grookey have an advantage in the final gym. In the Champion Cup, Sobble's Water typing slightly outperforms Grookey against Bede's Fairy and Nessa's Water types, and Raihan's Fire and Ground-heavy Dragon team. Team Yell's Dark types and the reduced random encounters due to overworld Pokémon minimize other factors. Sobble's final evolution, Inteleon, boasts well-balanced stats, tipping the scales in its favor.

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 for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Despite the player's freedom to tackle challenges in any order, Fuecoco's Fire typing and its Ghost type final evolution, Skeledirge, are well-suited for the region's gyms and Team Star bases. The highest level gyms are Psychic/Fairy and Ice types, while the lowest are Bug and Grass types, favoring Fuecoco. Quaxly's Water typing only becomes advantageous when it evolves into the Fighting type Quaquaval, while Sprigatito's Grass/Dark type Meowscarada has limited advantages. Fuecoco's strengths in Team Star base raids and the Elite Four make it the best starter for dominating the Paldea region.

The Best Starter Pokémon