Choosing your partner Pokemon at the start of any Pokemon game is a pivotal moment that sets the tone for your entire journey. The instant connection you feel with your chosen creature marks the beginning of a deep bond, guiding you through countless hours of adventure and battle. This initial choice, often based on intuition and preference, is seen by many fans as a reflection of your personality. Yet, at the outset, you're unaware of how this decision will shape your path to becoming a Pokemon master, with the mysteries of the region's gyms, rivals, and secrets lying ahead.
We've meticulously analyzed the base stats, strengths, and weaknesses of every starter Pokemon and their evolutions across all regions to determine the best starter for not only conquering the initial gyms but also for challenging the Elite Four and beyond. Here’s our 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
Bulbasaur stands out as the best starter for navigating the Kanto region. While Charmander might seem appealing due to the scarcity of Fire types and its immunity to Ground attacks, Bulbasaur's advantages are more substantial. With Grass typing, Bulbasaur is super effective against Brock’s Rock Pokemon, Misty’s Water types, and Giovanni’s Ground-heavy final gym, as well as being the optimal choice for the first two Elite Four members. The primary challenges for a Bulbasaur trainer are Erika’s Grass gym and Blaine’s Fire gym, which can be overcome with strategic planning and the abundance of Water types in Kanto.
Bulbasaur trainers must navigate frequent encounters with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow, which can be problematic during grinding. However, caves offer ample opportunities to battle Ground and Rock types, allowing Bulbasaur to gain significant XP. Additionally, Bulbasaur's evolution into Venusaur grants it Poison typing, providing an 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
Cyndaquil emerges as the top starter for Johto due to its Fire typing, which is rare in this generation. With only eight new Fire types introduced compared to ten Grass and eighteen Water types, Cyndaquil brings vital diversity to your team. It excels against Bugsy’s Bug gym and Jasmine’s Steel gym, while Totodile struggles with the lack of Fire, Ground, or Rock gyms to exploit. Chikorita, while effective against Pryce’s Ice gym, faces challenges with early Bug and Flying type gyms and Morty’s Poison gym.
Cyndaquil's final evolution, Typhlosion, is advantageous against Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four, where Poison and Dragon/Flying types pose challenges for Meganium and Feraligatr. While Cyndaquil faces issues with Rock and Ground types in caves and Lance’s team, these are less problematic than the obstacles faced by Chikorita and Totodile.
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
Mudkip is the standout starter for Hoenn, not just for its adorable appearance but for strategic reasons. Both Mudkip and Treecko are super effective against three of the eight gyms, with Mudkip excelling against Flannery’s Fire gym and Treecko against Wallace’s Water gym. By the time you reach Wallace, Treecko will likely have evolved into Sceptile, but its Grass typing makes it vulnerable to Flannery and Winona’s Flying types. Mudkip, evolving into Swampert, gains Ground typing and well-balanced stats, becoming immune to Electric and only weak to Grass, allowing it to tackle battles where it might otherwise be disadvantaged.
The Hoenn region’s water-heavy environment can make random encounters challenging, but Mudkip's advantages elsewhere make it a superior choice, especially considering its cuteness factor.
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
Chimchar is the best pick for Sinnoh, thanks to its Fire typing and the region's limited Fire type additions. Chimchar’s abilities make it super effective against Gardenia’s Grass gym, Byron’s Steel gym, and Candice’s Ice gym. Turtwig, while strong against Roark’s Rock and Crasher Wake’s Water gyms, benefits most in the early game, while Chimchar excels in the late game.
Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, is ideal against Aaron’s Bug types in the Elite Four, where Torterra would struggle. Despite Empoleon’s resilience, Piplup’s evolution doesn’t have significant advantages against many gym leaders or the Elite Four. Chimchar’s edge over Turtwig comes from frequent battles with Team Galactic’s Bug types and its late-game prowess.
Gen 5: Tepig
Games: Pokemon Black & White
Starter options: Snivy (grass), Tepig (fire), Oshawott (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Black and White guide
Tepig is the clear choice for Unova, with its Fire typing and Fighting type evolution, Emboar, making it ideal for navigating the region. Snivy struggles with only one gym advantage and numerous Bug and Flying types, while Oshawott is effective against Clay’s Ground gym and resistant to Brycen’s Ice types but lacks significant Elite Four advantages.
Emboar’s abilities make Burgh’s Bug and Brycen’s Ice gyms easy, and its Fighting type is super effective against Grimsley’s Dark types in the Elite Four. Emboar’s strong attacking stats and Team Plasma’s Steel types further solidify Tepig’s position as the best starter for Unova.
Gen 6: Fennekin
Games: Pokemon X & Y
Starter options: Chespin (grass), Fennekin (fire), Froakie (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokemon X and Y guide
Fennekin dominates in Kalos, being super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more. Its Psychic/Fire evolution, Delphox, excels against Fairy, Psychic, and Ice types, making it a formidable choice for the Pokemon League. Froakie’s evolution, Greninja, is strong against Olympia’s Psychic team but weak against Fairy types, while Chespin struggles early on and against Psychic and Fairy types.
The Elite Four in X and Y requires different types for each battle, but Delphox's resistances give it a slight edge, particularly against Diantha’s Gardevoir.
Gen 7: Litten
Games: Pokemon Sun & Moon
Starter options: Rowlet (grass), Litten (fire), Popplio (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Sun & Pokemon Moon guide
Litten is the top choice for Alola, despite early challenges. Its Fire typing is super effective against Mallow’s Grass trial, and its evolution into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type, excels against Sophocles’ Electric and Acerola’s Ghost trials. Rowlet and Popplio struggle in later battles, with Decidueye's Ghost typing being both a blessing and a curse, and Primarina's Water/Fairy typing not offering significant advantages.
The diverse challenges in the Pokemon League and the limited number of Fire types introduced make Litten’s ability to clear trials crucial for success.
Gen 8: Sobble
Games: Pokemon Sword & Shield
Starter options: Grookey (grass), Scorbunny (fire), Sobble (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Sword and Shield guide
Sobble narrowly beats Grookey and Scorbunny in Galar. All three are effective against three gyms, but Sobble and Grookey have the edge in the final gyms led by Gordie and Raihan. The Champion Cup's semi-final opponents don't favor any specific type, but Sobble's final evolution, Inteleon, has balanced stats and a slight advantage against Bede's Fairy Pokemon, Nessa’s Water types, and Raihan’s Fire and Ground types.
Other factors like rivals and Team Yell are less impactful due to the overworld Pokemon system, further highlighting Sobble's balanced stats as a deciding factor.
Gen 9: Fuecoco
Games: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Starter options: Sprigatito (grass), Fuecoco (fire), Quaxly (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Scarlet and Violet guide
Fuecoco is the clear winner in Paldea, despite the region's focus on player freedom. Its Fire/Ghost evolution, Skeledirge, is advantageous against high-level Psychic/Fairy and Ice gyms, as well as lower-level Bug and Grass gyms. Quaxly gains Fighting typing later, helping against Larry’s Normal gym, while Sprigatito evolves into a Grass/Dark type, effective against Tulip’s Psychic and Ryme’s Ghost gyms.
Team Star base raids emphasize the importance of your starter choice, with Fuecoco’s abilities being vital against Dark, Poison, Fairy, and Fighting types. Skeledirge's advantages continue through the Elite Four, particularly against Poppy’s Steel team, making Fuecoco the top choice for dominating Paldea.
### The Best Starter Pokemon
