Top Starter Pokemon: A Generational Guide

Choosing your starter Pokemon is a pivotal moment in any Pokemon journey. It's not just about the initial connection you feel with your chosen partner, but also how that choice will shape your path to becoming a Pokemon master. This decision, often influenced by personal taste, can significantly impact your gameplay as you navigate through gyms, face rivals, and uncover the secrets of each region. We've analyzed the base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and evolutions of every starter Pokemon across all generations to identify the best starter for each region, not just to breeze through the early gyms, but to conquer the Elite Four and beyond.

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

When embarking on your journey in Pokemon Red and Blue, Bulbasaur emerges as the top starter choice for dominating the Kanto region. While Charmander might seem appealing due to its rarity and effectiveness against Flying types, Bulbasaur's advantages shine through. Its Grass typing is super effective against Brock's Rock Pokemon, Misty's Water collection, and Giovanni's final gym lineup, making it a breeze to tackle most of the game's challenges. Bulbasaur's only significant hurdles are Erika's Grass type gym, requiring strategic play, and Blaine's Fire type gym, which can be overcome with the plentiful Water types in Kanto.

Bulbasaur trainers will face challenges from Pidgeys and Spearows in tall grass, but the abundance of Ground and Rock types in caves provides ample opportunity for grinding. Additionally, Blue's Pidgeot and Charmander can be problematic, but a well-rounded team with a Water type can mitigate these issues. Bulbasaur's evolution into Venusaur, which gains Poison typing, further solidifies its advantage over the other starters offered by 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 the limited number of Fire types introduced in Johto. With only eight new Fire types compared to ten Grass and eighteen Water types, Cyndaquil adds significant diversity to your team. Its Fire typing is particularly effective against Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym, giving you an early advantage.

While Totodile struggles due to the lack of Fire, Ground, or Rock gyms, and Chikorita faces challenges against early Bug and Flying type gyms, Cyndaquil's evolution into Typhlosion proves invaluable against the Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four. The main challenge for Cyndaquil is Pryce's Ice gym, but with ample time to build a well-balanced team, this can be easily navigated. Despite potential issues with Rock and Ground Pokemon in caves and Lance's Dragon/Flying types, Cyndaquil's advantages outweigh those of its competitors.

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 top choice for Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, not just for its charm but for its strategic advantages. Both Mudkip and Treecko are super effective against three gyms, but Mudkip's Water typing gives it a clear edge. It excels against Roxanne's and Tate & Liza's Rock/Ground gyms, as well as Flannery's Fire gym, while Treecko struggles against Flannery and Winona's Flying types.

Mudkip's only significant challenge is Wattson's Electric type gym, which can be managed with careful team-building. Torchic, on the other hand, has little advantage against the gyms. As Mudkip evolves into Swampert, gaining Ground typing and well-balanced stats, it becomes a formidable force, immune to Electric attacks and only vulnerable to Grass. Despite the prevalence of water in Hoenn, 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

In Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, Chimchar's Fire typing makes it the standout starter. With only five new Fire types introduced compared to fourteen for Water and Grass, Chimchar adds much-needed diversity. Its Fire abilities are super effective against Gardenia's Grass type gym, Byron's Steel types, and Candice's Ice types, ensuring a smooth progression through the game.

While Turtwig excels against Roark's Rock and Crasher Wake's Water gyms, its strengths are more pronounced in the early game. Chimchar's evolution into Infernape is well-suited to handle Aaron's Bug Pokemon in the Elite Four, though Turtwig's Torterra is better against Bertha's Water and Ground types. Piplup's Empoleon doesn't have a significant advantage over the gyms or Elite Four. Chimchar's overall gym battle credentials and advantage against Team Galactic's Bug types make it the better choice.

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 winner in Pokemon Black and White. Snivy's Grass typing only gives it an advantage over one gym and no significant advantages against the Elite Four, while Oshawott's Water typing is best for Clay's Ground gym but lacks advantages against the Elite Four. Tepig's Fire typing, combined with its final form Emboar's Fighting type, allows it to navigate Unova with ease.

Tepig excels against Burgh's Bug and Brycen's Ice gyms, and Emboar's Fighting typing is super effective against Grimsley's Dark types in the Elite Four. Although vulnerable to Caitlin's Psychic types, a strong team can overcome this. Tepig's strong attacking stats and the presence of Team Plasma's Steel types further cement its position as the best starter.

Gen 6: Fennekin

Games: Pokemon X & Y

Starter options: Chespin (grass), Fennekin (fire), Froakie (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokemon X and Y guide

In Pokemon X and Y, Fennekin emerges as the best starter. Its Fire typing is super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, making it a strong choice throughout the game. Fennekin's final evolution, Delphox, gains Psychic typing, enhancing its effectiveness against the final three gyms, which are Fairy, Psychic, and Ice based.

Froakie's Greninja struggles against Ramos' Grass and Clemont's Electric types, despite being super effective against Olympia's Psychic team. Chespin's Chesnaught faces challenges against Viola's Bug gym and later against Psychic and Fairy types. Delphox's edge in the Elite Four, particularly against Diantha's Gardevoir, makes Fennekin the best starter for this generation.

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 Pokemon Sun and Moon, despite initial struggles in the early trials. Its Fire typing becomes invaluable later, particularly against Mallow's Grass trial and Sophocles' Electric gym with its Steel and Bug types. Litten's evolution into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type, is super effective against Acerola's Ghost trial and Mina's Fairy Pokemon.

Rowlet's Decidueye and Popplio's Primarina have early advantages but struggle in later battles. The diverse challenges in the Pokemon League and the limited number of Fire types in Alola make Litten's ability to clear trials crucial. Its effectiveness against the trials and Team Star bases solidifies Litten as the best starter for Sun and Moon.

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 edges out Grookey and Scorbunny as the best starter for Pokemon Sword and Shield. All three starters are effective against three gyms, but Sobble's Water typing gives it a slight advantage in the Champion Cup, particularly against Bede's Fairy Pokemon, Nessa's Water types, and Raihan's Fire and Ground heavy Dragon team. Grookey and Sobble are equally effective against Gordie and Raihan's Rock and Ground gyms, while Scorbunny excels against Melony's Ice and Opal's Fairy gyms.

The impact of rivals, Team Yell, and random encounters is minimal in Sword and Shield, making Sobble's balanced stats in its final evolution, Inteleon, a deciding factor in its favor.

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, even with the game's focus on player freedom. The Paldea region's gyms, which don't level scale, favor Fuecoco's Fire typing, particularly against Katy and Brassius' Bug and Grass types, and later against Tulip's Psychic/Fairy and Grusha's Ice types. Fuecoco's evolution into Skeledirge, a Fire/Ghost type, further enhances its advantage against Team Star bases and the Elite Four.

While Sprigatito's Meowscarada and Quaxly's Quaquaval have their merits, Fuecoco's overall effectiveness and strategic advantage in the Paldea region make it the best starter choice for Scarlet and Violet.

The Best Starter Pokemon