Top Starter Pokemon by Generation

The pivotal moment in any Pokémon journey is the initial choice of your partner Pokémon. This decision, often based on personal taste and vibes, sets the stage for your adventure across various regions, from battling gym leaders to facing the Elite Four. It's not just a choice; many see it as a reflection of your personality. Yet, at the start, you're unaware of how this choice will influence your path to becoming a Pokémon master, with the region's challenges still a mystery.

We've delved deep into the data, examining base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and the evolution paths of each starter Pokémon, matching them against their native regions. Our goal is to pinpoint the best starter for not just early gym battles but for conquering the Elite Four and beyond. Here's your guide to selecting the optimal starter across all Pokémon generations, ensuring you're well-equipped on your journey to mastery.

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

While Charmander may initially seem appealing due to the rarity of Fire types in Gen 1 and its advantage against Ground types, Bulbasaur emerges as the superior choice for dominating the Kanto region. Grass types are super effective against the first gym's Rock Pokémon, Misty's Water types, and Giovanni's final gym lineup. Bulbasaur's effectiveness extends to the first two Elite Four members, making it an excellent choice throughout most of the game. Challenges like Erika's Grass type gym and Blaine's Fire type gym can be overcome with strategic play and the plentiful Water types in Kanto.

Bulbasaur trainers will encounter issues with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow, which are prevalent in tall grass. However, the abundance of Ground and Rock types in caves provides ample opportunity for experience gains. Frequent battles with rival Blue's Pidgeot and Charmander can be mitigated with a Water type on your team. Bulbasaur's evolution into Venusaur, which adds Poison typing, further enhances its advantages over Charmander and Squirtle.

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, the introduction of only eight new Fire types compared to ten Grass and eighteen Water types makes Cyndaquil a valuable addition to your team. Cyndaquil excels against Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym, showcasing its strength throughout Johto. While Totodile struggles with the lack of Fire, Ground, or Rock gyms, and Chikorita faces challenges against early Bug and Flying types as well as Morty's Poison type gym, Cyndaquil remains a solid choice.

Cyndaquil's advantages extend to the Elite Four, where Grass and Bug types are prevalent. Although Pryce's Ice gym poses a challenge, assembling a well-balanced team can help overcome this hurdle. Cyndaquil's evolution into Typhlosion proves particularly effective against Poison and Dragon/Flying types, making it a formidable choice despite occasional issues with Rock and Ground types in caves and battles against Lance's 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

Mudkip stands out as the best choice in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire due to its Water typing, which is super effective against three of the eight gyms. While Treecko also has an advantage against three gyms, Mudkip's evolution into Swampert, which gains Ground typing, provides a significant defensive boost and immunity to Electric attacks. This makes Swampert highly effective against most of the Elite Four, despite its vulnerability to Grass types.

Mudkip's only significant challenge comes from Wattson's Electric type gym, but its overall advantages and well-balanced stats make it the superior choice. Torchic, despite evolving into the Fighting type Blaziken, struggles against the gyms and the final battle with Wallace. The abundance of water in the Hoenn region may present a grinding challenge, but Mudkip's strengths elsewhere 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

In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Chimchar's Fire typing gives it an edge over Turtwig and Piplup, with only five new Fire types introduced compared to fourteen for Water and Grass. Chimchar excels against Gardenia's Grass type gym, Byron's Steel types, and Candice's Ice types, making it a strong choice for late-game success. Turtwig, while effective early on against Rock and Water types, faces challenges as the game progresses.

Chimchar's evolution into Infernape is particularly effective against Aaron's Bug types in the Elite Four, though Turtwig's Torterra is better suited for Bertha's Water and Ground types. Piplup's Empoleon, despite its resilience, doesn't offer significant advantages over the gyms or Elite Four. The frequent encounters with Team Galactic's Bug types further solidify Chimchar's position as the best 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, which is highly effective against Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym. While Snivy struggles with only one advantageous gym and numerous Bug and Flying types, and Oshawott faces challenges against Elesa's Electric gym, Tepig's Emboar excels against Grimsley's Dark types in the Elite Four.

The presence of Team Plasma's Steel types and the need to battle the Elite Four twice make Tepig's strong attacking stats and type advantages crucial. Despite its vulnerability to Caitlin's Psychic types, a well-rounded team can overcome this challenge, making Tepig the best choice for navigating 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

In Pokémon X and Y, Fennekin's Fire typing, combined with its evolution into the Psychic/Fire type Delphox, makes it the best starter. Fennekin is super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, allowing it to progress smoothly through the game. Froakie's Greninja and Chespin's Chesnaught face various disadvantages against different gym types, making Fennekin the standout choice.

The Elite Four in X and Y require a mix of types, but Delphox's Psychic typing provides an edge against Diantha's Gardevoir. Fennekin's ability to resist multiple gym types and its evolution's added Psychic typing make it the best choice for overcoming the challenges in 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

In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Litten emerges as the best starter, despite early challenges with the first couple of trials. Its evolution into the Fire/Dark type Incineroar proves highly effective against Mallow's Grass trial, Sophocles' Electric gym, and Acerola's Ghost trial. Litten's counterparts, Rowlet and Popplio, struggle to maintain advantages in later battles.

The diverse challenges in the Alola region, including the Elite Four and additional trainers after becoming champion, make Litten's ability to navigate trials crucial. With only eight Fire types introduced compared to thirteen for Grass and Water, selecting Litten early on provides a significant advantage.

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 narrowly edges out Grookey and Scorbunny as the best starter. All three are effective against three gyms, but Sobble's advantage against the final gym, Raihan's Rock and Ground types, gives it a slight edge. The Champion Cup's diverse opponents favor Sobble's Inteleon against Bede's Fairy types, Nessa's Water types, and Raihan's Fire and Ground heavy Dragon team.

Other factors like rivals, Team Yell, and random encounters have less impact in Sword and Shield due to the introduction of overworld Pokémon and less frequent random encounters. Sobble's balanced stats and strategic advantages make 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

In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Fuecoco stands out as the best starter due to its Fire typing and evolution into the Fire/Ghost type Skeledirge. The non-level-scaling gyms, with high-level Psychic/Fairy and Ice types and low-level Bug and Grass types, favor Fuecoco. Quaxly's Quaquaval and Sprigatito's Meowscarada have specific advantages, but Skeledirge's immunity to Fighting types and effectiveness against Fairy and Ghost types make it the top choice.

The Team Star base raids and the Elite Four battles further highlight Fuecoco's advantages, making it the best starter for navigating the challenges of the Paldea region.

The Best Starter Pokémon

Choosing the right starter Pokémon is a critical decision that influences your entire Pokémon journey. Each generation offers unique challenges and opportunities, but by analyzing the strengths and matchups of each starter against their native regions, we've identified the best choices to help you become a Pokémon master. Whether you're battling through gyms, facing rivals, or conquering the Elite Four, selecting the optimal starter can make all the difference.