Every generation of Pokémon introduces a new trio of starter Pokémon, each consisting of a Grass, Fire, and Water type. With nine generations to date, fans have been treated to 27 unique starter lines. Here’s a comprehensive overview of all the starter Pokémon across the generations.
Jump To:
- Gen 1
- Gen 2
- Gen 3
- Gen 4
- Gen 5
- Gen 6
- Gen 7
- Gen 8
- Gen 9
Note: Final starter evolutions marked (*) are capable of Mega Evolution in Gens VI and VII.
All Starter Pokémon by Generation
Generation I Starter Pokémon
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The iconic starters from Generation I include Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, hailing from the Kanto region. These beloved Pokémon first debuted in the original US-released titles Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, and have since returned in remakes such as Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen and Pokémon Let’s Go! Pikachu and Eevee. They are also obtainable in various other mainline games, including Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and Pokémon 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 Starter Pokémon
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Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile are the starters of the Generation II titles Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, native to the Johto region. They also feature in the remakes Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and have been made available in subsequent generations through various means, such as the QR Scanner in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Cyndaquil notably returns as a starter option 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 evolves into Quilava at level 14 in every mainline game except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution details.
Generation III Starter Pokémon
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The Generation III starters from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald are Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, originating from the Hoenn region. These starters reappear in the remakes Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and can be caught in various other mainline releases 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 Starter Pokémon
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In Generation IV's Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, the starter Pokémon are Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup, all from the Sinnoh region. These starters return in the remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. While not featured as starters in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which explores an ancient Sinnoh known as Hisui, they can still be caught in the first Legends release and 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 Starter Pokémon
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Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott form the starter trio of Generation V's Pokémon Black and White and their sequels Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, native to the Unova region. While remakes are still speculated upon, these starters can be caught in several other mainline titles and DLC. Oshawott also returns as a starter option 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) |
RELATED: All Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Trade Codes
Generation VI Starter Pokémon
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Generation VI's Pokémon X and Y introduced the Kalos region starters: Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie. Froakie's final evolution, Greninja, gained a special form known as Ash-Greninja, available through the Pokémon Sun and Moon demo and transferable to the main titles. The Kalos starters have since been available in other mainline titles 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 Starter Pokémon
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The Alola region's starters from Generation VII's Pokémon Sun and Moon are Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio. They return in the sequels Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon and have been catchable in DLC for subsequent mainline games. Rowlet also features as 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 evolves into Decidueye at level 34 in every mainline game except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution details.
Generation VIII Starter Pokémon
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Generation VIII introduced Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, each with their own set of starters. Sword & Shield introduced Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble from the Galar region, which are also catchable in the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
| 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
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Pokémon Legends: Arceus brings back Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott as the starters for the ancient Sinnoh region, Hisui. Evolution levels differ from past titles, and each final evolution receives a unique regional form. Additionally, all three Sinnoh starters from Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum can be caught in this game.
| 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 Starter Pokémon
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Generation IX's Pokémon Scarlet and Violet introduced Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly from the Paldea region. Sprigatito is a sassy cat-like Grass type, Fuecoco is a heartwarming Fire crocodile, and Quaxly is a stylish Water type. While trading is required to obtain all three native starters, every past starter Pokémon can be caught 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) |
As the Pokémon franchise reaches the end of its ninth generation, anticipation builds for future releases, including the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A and the potential introduction of new starters with the Nintendo Switch 2.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC are now available.
