Choosing your partner Pokemon is the most pivotal moment in any Pokemon game. It's that initial encounter when you lock eyes with the creature you'll spend countless hours nurturing, bonding with, and battling alongside. This decision often feels like a personality test, driven by personal vibes and taste. Yet, at the outset, you have no clue how this choice will shape your journey to becoming a Pokemon master, with the region's gyms, rivals, and secrets still shrouded in mystery.
We've conducted thorough research, analyzed base stats, and explored the strengths and weaknesses of every starter Pokemon and their evolutions. Our goal is to determine the best starter for not just breezing through the initial gyms but also conquering the Elite Four and beyond. This is your first step to mastering Pokemon 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 is the top pick for dominating the Kanto region, particularly because it effortlessly tackles the first gym in Pokemon Red and Blue (Grass beats Rock). While Charmander might initially seem appealing due to the rarity of Fire types and its immunity to Ground attacks in the final gym, Bulbasaur's advantages shine throughout the game. It's super effective against Brock’s Rock Pokemon, Misty’s Water collection, and Giovanni’s final gym lineup, making it the best choice to take down the first two members of the Elite Four. The main challenges for Bulbasaur are Erika's Grass type gym and Blaine's Fire type gym, but these can be overcome with strategic play and the plentiful Water types in Kanto.
Bulbasaur trainers will need to navigate some hurdles, such as frequent encounters with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow, which can be problematic during grinding sessions. However, the abundance of Ground and Rock types in caves offers ample opportunities for Bulbasaur to gain XP. Rival battles with Blue's Pidgeot and Charmander can be mitigated with a Water type on your team. Bulbasaur's well-balanced stats and evolution into Venasaur, a Grass/Poison type, give it a significant edge over the other starters from Professor Oak.
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
In Pokemon Gold and Silver, Cyndaquil stands out as the best starter due to its Fire typing, which is underrepresented with only eight new Fire types introduced. This choice adds diversity to your team and proves effective against most Johto gyms and Elite Four members. Cyndaquil's evolutions excel against Bugsy's Bug type and Jasmine's Steel type gyms, while Totodile struggles due to the lack of Fire, Ground, or Rock gyms. Chikorita's evolution, Meganium, would thrive against Pryce's Ice gym but falters against early Bug and Flying type gyms and Morty's Poison type gym. Cyndaquil's only significant challenge is Pryce's Ice gym, but a well-rounded team can overcome this hurdle.
Cyndaquil's Fire typing also helps against the Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four. Meganium struggles against Poison types and Lance's Dragon/Flying team, while Feraligatr (Totodile's final evolution) holds its own but doesn't dominate like Typhlosion (Cyndaquil's final evolution). Challenges with Rock and Ground types in caves and Lance's team can be managed with strategic planning, making Cyndaquil the superior choice over 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 best choice for Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, not just because it's cute but due to its strategic advantages. Both Mudkip and Treecko are super effective against three of the eight gyms, including Roxanne's and Tate & Liza's Rock/Ground gyms. Mudkip excels in Flannery's Fire gym, while Treecko has an edge in 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 and Winona's Flying types. Mudkip's only challenge is Wattson's Electric type gym, whereas Torchic struggles with no advantageous gym matchups and a disadvantage against Wallace.
In the Elite Four, Sceptile has a slight advantage due to Glacia's Ice/Water Pokemon, but Swampert (Mudkip's final evolution) gains Ground typing and well-balanced stats, making it immune to Electric attacks and only weak to Grass. This makes Swampert highly effective in battles where it might otherwise struggle. The abundance of water in Hoenn can make random encounters tedious, but Mudkip's overall advantages make it the best starter choice.
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 standout starter in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, with only five new Fire types introduced compared to 14 for Water and Grass. Its Fire typing is super effective against Gardenia's Grass gym, Byron's Steel gym, and Candice's Ice gym. Turtwig, on the other hand, can handle Roark's Rock and Crasher Wake's Water gyms, and its Ground typing as Torterra makes it immune to Electric attacks, ideal for Volkner's gym. However, Turtwig's strengths are more pronounced early on, while Chimchar's late-game prowess is more significant.
The well-balanced Sinnoh Elite Four favors Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, especially against Aaron's Bug Pokemon, though Torterra has advantages against Bertha's Water and Ground types. Piplup's evolution, Empoleon, lacks significant advantages over the gyms or Elite Four. Frequent battles with Team Galactic's Bug types further tilt the advantage towards Chimchar, making it the best choice overall.
Gen 5: Tepig
Games: Pokemon Black & White
Starter options: Snivy (grass), Tepig (fire), Oshawott (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Black and White guide
In Pokemon Black and White, Tepig emerges as the best starter. Snivy only has an advantage over one gym and struggles with Bug and Flying types, while Oshawott can handle Clay's Ground gym and Brycen's Ice Pokemon but lacks significant Elite Four advantages. Tepig's Fire typing and its final form, Emboar, which also becomes a Fighting type, make it ideal for Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym. Emboar's Fighting type 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 bolster its case. Having to fight the Elite Four twice in Black and White makes the game challenging, but Tepig provides more ease than the other options.
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 is the best starter in Pokemon X and Y, offering advantages against three gyms and resistance to two more. Its final evolution, Delphox, gains Psychic typing, making it highly effective against the Fairy, Psychic, and Ice gyms. Froakie's Greninja struggles against Ramos' Grass and Clemont's Electric types, while Chespin's Chesnaught faces challenges with Viola's Bug and Olympia's Psychic types. The balanced Elite Four in X and Y favors Delphox, which can resist Diantha's Gardevoir's attacks.
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 best choice in Pokemon Sun and Moon, despite initial struggles in the early trials. It excels in Mallow's Grass trial, Sophocles' Electric trial with its Steel and Bug types, and Acerola's Ghost trial, especially after evolving into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type. Rowlet's Decidueye and Popplio's Primarina have advantages in early trials but falter in later battles. The diverse Pokemon League in Sun and Moon, combined with the low number of Fire types introduced, makes Litten's ability to clear trials crucial.
Gen 8: Sobble
Games: Pokemon Sword & Shield
Starter options: Grookey (grass), Scorbunny (fire), Sobble (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Sword and Shield guide
In Pokemon Sword and Shield, Sobble edges out Grookey and Scorbunny, with all three being effective against three gyms. Sobble and Grookey excel in Gordie and Raihan's Rock and Ground gyms, while Scorbunny is perfect for Melony's Ice and Opal's Fairy gyms. The Champion Cup slightly favors Sobble, particularly against Bede's Fairy and Nessa's Water types. Inteleon, Sobble's final evolution, has well-balanced stats, giving it an edge in the toughest battles.
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 Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, despite the game's focus on player freedom and non-linear progression. Its Fire typing and Ghost type final evolution, Skeledirge, are advantageous against the highest-level gyms, such as Tulip's Psychic/Fairy and Grusha's Ice types, and the lowest-level gyms, Katy's Bug and Brassius' Grass types. Quaxly's Quaquaval gains a Fighting type, helping against Larry's Normal type gym, while Sprigatito's Meowscarada excels against Tulip's and Ryme's Ghost gyms. Team Star base raids and the Elite Four further highlight Fuecoco's superiority, especially against Dark, Poison, Fairy, and Fighting types.
### The Best Starter Pokemon
