Top Starter Pokemon by Generation

Choosing your starter Pokémon is one of the most pivotal moments in any Pokémon game, marking the start of your journey to becoming a Pokémon Master. This choice, often based on personal taste and vibes, can feel like a personality test for many fans. Yet, when you make this decision, you're unaware of how it will shape your adventure through the region's gyms, rival battles, and hidden secrets.

To help you make an informed decision, we've conducted thorough research, analyzing base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and evolutions of every starter Pokémon across their respective regions. Here's a comprehensive guide to the best starter pick in each generation, designed to help you not just conquer the initial gyms but also tackle 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 emerges as the top choice for tackling the Kanto region in Pokémon Red and Blue. While Charmander might initially seem appealing due to the rarity of Fire types and its advantage against Flying and Ground types, Bulbasaur's versatility shines through. It excels against Brock’s Rock Pokémon, Misty’s Water types, and Giovanni’s final gym line-up, making it the best option for the first two Elite Four members.

The main challenges for Bulbasaur trainers include Erika’s Grass type gym and Blaine’s Fire type gym, where strategic play is essential. Frequent encounters with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow can be problematic, but the abundance of Ground and Rock types in caves provides ample opportunities for XP gains. Bulbasaur's evolution into Venasaur, a Grass/Poison type, offers a significant advantage over its counterparts, Charmander and Squirtle, thanks to its well-balanced stats and additional Poison typing.

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 stands out as the best starter due to the limited number of Fire types introduced and its effectiveness against the majority of Johto's gyms and Elite Four members. Cyndaquil's Fire moves easily handle Bugsy’s Bug type and Jasmine’s Steel type gyms, while Totodile struggles to find advantageous matchups among the gyms. Chikorita, while effective against Pryce’s Ice type, faces challenges with early Bug and Flying type gyms and Morty’s Poison type gym.

Cyndaquil's evolution, Typhlosion, performs well against the Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four, although Pryce’s Ice gym requires a well-rounded team to overcome. While random encounters with Rock and Ground types in caves and Lance’s Dragon/Flying types present challenges, Cyndaquil's overall advantages make it a superior choice over 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

Mudkip is the top pick for Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, excelling in three out of eight gyms. It matches Treecko's effectiveness against Roxanne’s and Tate & Liza’s Rock/Ground gyms but also dominates Flannery’s Fire gym. By the time you reach Wallace’s Water gym, Treecko would have evolved into Sceptile, but it struggles against Flannery and Winona’s Flying types. Torchic, meanwhile, lacks significant advantages against any gyms.

In the Elite Four, Mudkip's final evolution, Swampert, gains Ground typing, enhancing its defensive capabilities and making it immune to Electric attacks. Although Swampert faces challenges from Grass types, its balanced stats and strategic versatility make it a strong choice for overcoming Hoenn's challenges, despite frequent water-based random encounters.

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 emerges as the preferred starter due to the limited number of Fire types and its effectiveness against three key gyms: Gardenia’s Grass type, Byron’s Steel type, and Candice’s Ice type. Turtwig, while strong against Roark’s Rock type and Crasher Wake’s Water type gyms, sees its advantages concentrated early in the game. Piplup, despite evolving into the resilient Empoleon, lacks significant advantages against many gyms or Elite Four members.

Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, excels against Aaron’s Bug types in the Elite Four, though it faces challenges from Bertha’s Water and Ground types. However, Chimchar's ability to handle Team Galactic’s Bug types and its late-game prowess give it an edge over Turtwig and Piplup.

Gen 5: Tepig

Games: Pokémon Black & White

Starter options: Snivy (grass), Tepig (fire), Oshawott (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Black and White guide

Tepig is the standout choice in Pokémon Black and White, excelling against Burgh’s Bug gym and Brycen’s Ice gym. Snivy struggles with only one gym advantage and numerous Bug and Flying types, while Oshawott fares better against Clay’s Ground type gym but lacks significant Elite Four advantages.

Tepig's final evolution, Emboar, gains Fighting typing, enhancing its effectiveness against Grimsley’s Dark types in the Elite Four. Despite vulnerabilities to Caitlin’s Psychic types, Emboar's strong attacking stats and advantage against Team Plasma’s Steel types make it a robust choice 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 top pick in Pokémon X and Y, excelling against three gyms and being resistant to two more. Its final evolution, Delphox, gains Psychic typing, making it well-suited for the Fairy, Psychic, and Ice-based gyms. Froakie's evolution, Greninja, struggles with Ramos’ Grass types and Clemont’s Electric types, while Chespin faces challenges with Viola’s Bug gym and Olympia’s Psychic types.

In the Elite Four, Delphox's versatility allows it to resist Diantha’s Gardevoir, giving it an edge over Chespin and Froakie, who struggle with specific type matchups.

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, overcoming initial challenges to dominate later trials. Its final evolution, Incineroar, gains Dark typing, making it super effective against Mallow’s Grass trial, Sophocles’ Electric gym, and Acerola’s Ghost trial. Rowlet and Popplio, while effective in early trials, lack advantages in later battles.

The diverse challenges in the Pokémon League and the limited number of Fire types introduced in Alola emphasize Litten's importance. Its ability to clear trials and face a variety of opponents makes it a crucial choice for success in the region.

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 in Pokémon Sword and Shield, with all three starters being effective against three gyms. Sobble's advantages against Gordie and Raihan’s Rock and Ground gyms, combined with its balanced stats as Inteleon, give it a slight edge. The Champion Cup's diverse lineup favors Sobble slightly, particularly against Bede's Fairy types and Raihan’s Fire and Ground heavy Dragon team.

While Team Yell's Dark types and reduced random encounters lessen the impact of starter choice, Sobble's overall performance in key battles makes it the best option.

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 in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, designed to dominate the Paldea region. Its final evolution, Skeledirge, gains Ghost typing, making it effective against Tulip’s Psychic/Fairy gym and Grusha’s Ice gym. Quaxly, while gaining Fighting typing as Quaquaval, only excels against Larry’s Normal type gym, while Sprigatito, evolving into Meowscarada, performs well against Tulip and Ryme’s Ghost gym.

The importance of starter choice is heightened in Team Star base raids, where Fuecoco's advantages against Bug, Dark, and Poison types are crucial. In the Elite Four, Skeledirge's versatility shines, particularly against Poppy’s Steel team, solidifying its position as the best starter for navigating Paldea's challenges.