Each new generation of *Pokémon* brings a fresh trio of starters to choose from, featuring a Grass type, a Fire type, and a Water type. With nine generations now behind us, the franchise boasts a total of 27 starter lines. Let's explore the diverse array of starter Pokémon across the generations.
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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 original trio that kicked off the Pokémon phenomenon includes Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle from the Kanto region. These iconic starters debuted in the first US-released games, Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, and have been reintroduced in remakes like 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 Gen II titles Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. Hailing from the Johto region, these starters also appear in the remakes Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. They've been made available in subsequent generations through various methods, such as the QR Scanner in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Notably, Cyndaquil serves 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 starters of Gen III's Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald are Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip. These Hoenn region 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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Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum of Gen IV feature Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup as starter options. These Sinnoh region starters return in the remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. While they are not featured as starters in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which explores an ancient Sinnoh called Hisui, all three can 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 make up the starter trio of Gen V titles Pokémon Black and White and their sequels Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. While remakes are still a topic of speculation, these Unova region starters can be caught in several other mainline titles and DLC. Notably, Oshawott is also 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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The starters of Gen VI's Pokémon X and Y are Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie. Froakie's final evolution, Greninja, gained a special form known as Ash-Greninja, featured in the Pokémon the Series: XY anime and available through the Pokémon Sun and Moon demo. The Kalos region starters have been available to catch in other mainline titles and DLC since their debut.
| 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 Gen VII titles Pokémon Sun and Moon introduced Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio as starters. All three returned in the sequels Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon and have been available to catch in DLC for subsequent mainline games. Rowlet also appears as a starter option 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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Gen VIII introduced Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, deviating from the traditional mainline release formula. Sword & Shield brought in Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble as starter Pokémon, all of which can also be caught 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 features Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott as the starter trio of Hisui, an ancient Sinnoh region. Evolution levels differ slightly from past titles, and each starter receives a new regional form upon its final evolution. 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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Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly made their debut as starters in the Gen IX titles Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Sprigatito is a sassy cat-like Grass type, Fuecoco is a heartwarming Fire croc, and Quaxly is a stylish Water type. While you need to trade to obtain all three Paldea region 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 concludes its ninth generation, anticipation builds for future releases with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 and the eagerly awaited Pokémon Legends: Z-A, currently in development.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC are now available.
