Top Starter Pokemon by Generation

The most pivotal moment in any Pokémon game comes right at the start – choosing your partner Pokémon. That first moment you lock eyes with the creature you'll spend countless hours raising, bonding with, and sending into battle is truly special. This decision often feels like a personality test, based purely on vibes and personal taste. Yet, at the outset, you have no idea how this choice will shape your journey to becoming a Pokémon master, as the gyms, rivals, and secrets of the region remain hidden from you.

We've conducted thorough research, analyzing base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and evolutions of all starter Pokémon across their native regions. Our aim is to identify the best starter pick to not only help you conquer the initial gyms but also to excel against the Elite Four and beyond. This is your first step to mastering Pokémon across all generations.

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 is the clear choice for tackling the first gym in Pokémon Red and Blue (Grass beats Rock, as any Pokémon fan knows), and it outshines both Charmander and Squirtle as the best starter to dominate the Kanto region.

While Charmander might initially seem appealing due to the rarity of Fire types in Gen 1 and its advantages against Flying and Ground types, Bulbasaur offers a smoother journey through most of the game. It's super effective against Brock's Rock Pokémon, Misty's Water collection, and Giovanni's final gym lineup, making it the best choice to take out the first two members of the Elite Four. The main challenges for Bulbasaur include Erika's Grass type gym, where strategic play is essential to overcome "not very effective" attacks, and Blaine's Fire type gym, which can be defeated with the help of abundant water types in Kanto.

Bulbasaur trainers will face issues with frequent encounters against Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow in tall grass, but the numerous Ground and Rock types in caves provide ample opportunities for leveling up. Additionally, Bulbasaur's evolution into Venasaur, which gains Poison typing, gives it a significant advantage 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, with only eight new Fire types introduced compared to ten Grass and eighteen Water types, choosing Cyndaquil adds valuable diversity to your team. More importantly, Cyndaquil proves to be the best matchup for most gyms and Elite Four members in Johto.

Cyndaquil easily handles Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym with its Fire moves. In contrast, Water type Totodile lacks a clear advantage against any specific gym type, while Grass type Chikorita struggles early on with Bug and Flying types and later with Morty's Poison type gym. Although Cyndaquil faces challenges against Pryce's Ice gym, you'll have plenty of time to build a well-balanced team to overcome this hurdle.

Cyndaquil's advantages extend to the Elite Four, where its Fire typing is beneficial against the Grass and Bug types. While Meganium (Chikorita's final form) struggles with Poison and Dragon/Flying types, and Feraligatr (Totodile's final form) is solid but not exceptional, Typhlosion (Cyndaquil's final form) can blaze through several key battles. Challenges include encounters with Rock and Ground types in caves and Lance's team, but these are less impactful compared to the struggles faced by Chikorita and Totodile.

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

While Mudkip's adorable appearance might initially draw you in, its advantages in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire go much deeper. Both Mudkip and Treecko are super effective against three of the eight gyms, with advantages over Roxanne's Rock/Ground gym and Tate & Liza's Psychic gym. Mudkip has the edge in Flannery's Fire gym, while Treecko excels against Wallace's Water gym.

By the time you reach Wallace, Treecko will likely have evolved into Sceptile, but its Grass typing puts it at a disadvantage against Flannery's Fire types and Winona's Flying types. Mudkip, on the other hand, only struggles against Wattson's Electric type gym. Torchic, while gaining Fighting typing as Blaziken, doesn't offer significant advantages against any gym and is at a disadvantage against Wallace's Water types.

The Elite Four slightly favors Sceptile due to matchups against Glacia's Ice/Water types and some Grass types. However, Mudkip's evolution into Swampert, which gains Ground typing and balanced stats, provides a significant defensive boost, making it immune to Electric and only weak to Grass. This versatility allows Swampert to excel in battles where it might otherwise be the underdog. Despite the prevalence of water in Hoenn leading to frequent random encounters, Mudkip's overall advantages outweigh this challenge.

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

Continuing the trend from the original game, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl introduce only five new Fire types compared to fourteen Water and Grass types. While this isn't the sole deciding factor, it adds to the reasons for choosing Fire type Chimchar over Grass type Turtwig and Water type Piplup. Chimchar's Fire typing is super effective against three gyms: Gardenia's Grass type gym, Byron's Steel type gym, and Candice's Ice type gym.

Turtwig can easily defeat Roark's Rock type and Crasher Wake's Water type gyms, and its evolution into Torterra gains Ground typing, making it immune to Electric and strong against Volkner's Electric gym. However, Turtwig's strengths are most pronounced early on, while Chimchar's abilities shine in the late game.

The Sinnoh region's Elite Four is well-balanced, but Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, excels against Aaron's Bug types, which are super effective against Torterra. While Torterra is better suited to handle Bertha's Water and Ground types, Piplup's evolution into Empoleon doesn't have a significant advantage against most gym leaders or the Elite Four. Due to frequent battles with Team Galactic's Bug types, Chimchar's advantages in both gym battles and late-game encounters make it the top choice.

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, Fire type Tepig emerges as the most strategic choice. Grass type Snivy only has an advantage over one gym and lacks significant advantages against the Elite Four, struggling with the region's Bug and Flying types. Water type Oshawott fares better against Clay's Ground type gym and Brycen's Ice types but lacks a clear edge against the Elite Four.

Tepig's Fire typing, combined with its final form Emboar's Fighting typing, makes for a smoother journey through Unova. It easily handles Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym, although alternative strategies are needed for Clay's Ground gym. Emboar's Fighting typing is super effective against Grimsley's Dark types in the Elite Four, though it's vulnerable to Caitlin's Psychic types.

Emboar's strong attacking stats and the presence of Team Plasma's Steel types further solidify Tepig's position as the best choice. Facing the Elite Four twice in Pokémon Black and White is challenging, but Tepig provides more reassurance than its counterparts.

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, Fire type Fennekin stands out among the new starters. It's super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, making it a strong choice throughout the game. By the time you reach the final three gyms (Fairy, Psychic, and Ice), Fennekin's evolution into Delphox, which gains Psychic typing, allows it to approach the Pokémon League with minimal damage.

Froakie's evolution into Greninja, a Water/Dark type, is super effective against Olympia's Psychic team but weak against Valerie's Fairy types. It struggles against Ramos' Grass types and Clemont's Electric types, with only Grant's Rock gym providing an early advantage. Chespin, evolving into Chesnaught with Fighting typing, also faces challenges against Viola's Bug gym and later against Olympia and Valerie.

The Elite Four in Pokémon X and Y are well-balanced, with different types suited to each battle. Delphox holds a slight edge, able to resist Diantha's Gardevoir's attacks. Overall, Fennekin's versatility and late-game prowess make it the top pick.

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 from Pokémon Sun and Moon continues the trend of Fire types being the best starters. Despite struggling through the first couple of trials, Litten's advantages shine in the later battles. It's super effective against Mallow's Grass trial and can handle Sophocles' Electric gym due to its Steel and Bug types. By the time you reach Acerola's Ghost trial, Litten's evolution into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type, is super effective against the entire lineup, especially the Grass and Ice types.

The final trial against Mina's Fairy Pokémon is more challenging due to Incineroar's Dark typing, but Mina's team also includes Steel, Grass, and Bug types, which Incineroar can handle well. Rowlet and Popplio, while successful in early trials, don't have significant advantages in later battles. Rowlet's evolution into Decidueye gains Ghost typing, which is both a blessing and a curse for Acerola's trial, while Popplio's evolution into Primarina doesn't impact its trial performance.

The Elite Four and subsequent challenges in Sun and Moon are too diverse for any starter to have a clear advantage, making Litten's ability to clear trials even more crucial. With only eight Fire Pokémon introduced in Alola compared to thirteen Grass and Water types, choosing 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

Sobble's edge over Grookey and Scorbunny in Pokémon Sword and Shield is the closest of all generations. Each starter is super effective against three gyms, with Gordie and Raihan's Rock and Ground gyms favoring Sobble and Grookey, and Melony and Opal's Ice and Fairy gyms suiting Scorbunny. The first three gyms (Grass, Water, Fire) don't favor any starter, but Raihan's final gym adds importance to Sobble and Grookey's advantages.

In the Champion Cup, Sobble gains a slight edge over Grookey. None of the final evolutions gain new types, but Sobble's final form, Inteleon, has well-balanced stats. The semi-final opponents don't favor any starter specifically, but Bede's Fairy types, Nessa's Water types, and Raihan's Fire and Ground heavy Dragon team favor Fire, Grass, and Water respectively. Sobble's success against the toughest opponents gives it a narrow victory.

Other factors like rivals, Team Yell, and random encounters have less impact in Sword and Shield due to the introduction of overworld Pokémon encounters. Sobble's balanced stats and slight edge in critical battles make it the top choice.

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 sixth Fire type to top our list, and it's one of the clearest winners. Despite the player freedom in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, allowing you to tackle gyms and Team Star bases in any order, the Paldea region seems designed for Fuecoco's dominance.

The gyms in Scarlet and Violet don't level scale, so you can return to them later if you face a bad matchup. The highest-level gyms, Tulip's Psychic/Fairy and Grusha's Ice types, along with the lowest-level gyms, Katy's Bug and Brassius' Grass types, favor Fuecoco and its Ghost type final evolution, Skeledirge. Quaxly, a Water type, doesn't gain a significant advantage until its third form, Quaquaval, which becomes a Fighting type, helping against Larry's Normal type gym. Sprigatito, evolving into Grass/Dark type Meowscarada, can handle Tulip's and Ryme's Ghost gyms.

Team Star base raids, crucial for story progression, further emphasize the importance of your starter choice. The crews with Dark and Poison Pokémon have many Bug types, while Fairy and Fighting type crews are perfect for Skeledirge. While Quaquaval and Meowscarada can handle Rika's Ground types in the Elite Four, Skeledirge's advantages become more pronounced from Poppy's Steel team onward.

The Best Starter Pokémon