Top Starter Pokemon: A Generational Guide

The pivotal moment in any Pokémon game is undoubtedly choosing your starter Pokémon. This initial choice, often made based on personal preference and aesthetics, sets the stage for your entire journey to becoming a Pokémon master. It's a decision filled with excitement and anticipation, as you have no prior knowledge of how it will impact your encounters with gyms, rivals, and the secrets of the region you're about to explore.

To help you make the best choice, we've conducted thorough research, analyzing base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and the effectiveness of each starter Pokémon and their evolutions across their native regions. Here's a comprehensive look at the best starter Pokémon for each generation, designed to not only help you breeze through the initial gyms but also conquer 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

Choosing Bulbasaur might seem obvious for tackling the first gym in Pokémon Red and Blue, given its advantage over Rock types. However, Bulbasaur stands out as the best starter for dominating the entire Kanto region. While Charmander's Fire typing might initially seem appealing due to its rarity and effectiveness against Flying types, Bulbasaur offers a smoother journey.

Bulbasaur's Grass typing proves super effective against Brock's Rock Pokémon, Misty's Water collection, and Giovanni's final gym lineup, making it an excellent choice for the first two Elite Four members as well. The only significant challenges are Erika's Grass type gym and Blaine's Fire type gym, both of which can be overcome with strategic play and the abundance of Water types in Kanto.

Bulbasaur trainers will face some obstacles, such as frequent encounters with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow, which are problematic for grinding. However, the numerous Ground and Rock types in caves provide ample opportunity for Bulbasaur to gain XP. Additionally, Bulbasaur's evolution into Venusaur, which gains Poison typing, gives it a distinct advantage over the other starters.

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, the introduction of only eight new Fire types compared to ten Grass and eighteen Water types makes Cyndaquil a valuable addition to your team. Cyndaquil proves to be the best choice for the majority of Johto's gyms and Elite Four members.

Cyndaquil's Fire moves, such as Ember and Flame Wheel, make short work of Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym. Totodile, the Water type, lacks the advantage against any specific gym, while Chikorita struggles with early Bug and Flying type gyms, as well as Morty's Poison type gym. Cyndaquil's biggest challenge is Pryce's Ice gym, but with time to build a well-balanced team, this hurdle can be overcome.

Cyndaquil's advantages extend to the Elite Four, where its Fire typing is effective against Grass and Bug types. While all four teams are balanced, Meganium (Chikorita's final form) struggles against Poison and Dragon/Flying types, and Feraligatr (Totodile's final form) doesn't have the same sweeping potential as Typhlosion (Cyndaquil's final form). Despite challenges from Rock and Ground types in caves and Lance's team, Cyndaquil remains the best choice.

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 be reason enough to choose it, its Water typing offers significant advantages in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. Both Mudkip and Treecko are super effective against three of the eight gyms, but Mudkip's advantages are more strategically beneficial.

Mudkip excels against Roxanne's and Tate & Liza's Rock/Ground gyms, as well as Flannery's Fire gym. Treecko, on the other hand, struggles with Flannery's Fire gym and Winona's Flying type lineup. Torchic, the Fire type, is at a disadvantage against most gyms, particularly Wallace's Water gym.

In the Elite Four, Sceptile (Treecko's final form) has a slight edge due to its effectiveness against Glacia's Ice/Water Pokémon. However, Swampert (Mudkip's final form) gains Ground typing, which provides immunity to Electric attacks and well-balanced stats, making it a formidable choice. Despite the prevalence of water in Hoenn, Mudkip's overall advantages make it the best starter.

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 first game, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl introduce only five new Fire types compared to fourteen Water and Grass types. Chimchar's Fire typing gives it an edge over Turtwig and Piplup, being super effective against three gyms: Gardenia's Grass type, Byron's Steel types, and Candice's Ice types.

Turtwig, while effective against Roark's Rock type and Crasher Wake's Water type gyms, sees its strengths peak early in the game. Chimchar's abilities, however, are primed for late-game success. In the Elite Four, Infernape (Chimchar's final form) excels against Aaron's Bug Pokémon, while Torterra (Turtwig's final form) is better suited for Bertha's Water and Ground types. Piplup's Empoleon, despite its resilience, doesn't have significant advantages over many gym leaders or the Elite Four.

Chimchar's advantage is further solidified by frequent battles with Team Galactic's Bug types, making it the best choice for navigating the Sinnoh region.

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, Tepig emerges as the clear choice. Snivy's Grass typing only gives it an advantage over one gym and no significant advantages over the Elite Four, while Oshawott's Water typing is best suited for Clay's Ground type gym but lacks advantages against the Elite Four.

Tepig's Fire typing, combined with its final form Emboar's Fighting type, makes it highly effective against Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym. Emboar's Fighting type is also super effective against Grimsley's Dark type Pokémon in the Elite Four, despite its vulnerability to Caitlin's Psychic types. Tepig's strong attacking stats and the presence of Team Plasma's Steel types further solidify its position as the best starter for navigating Unova.

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, Fennekin stands out among the new starters. Its Fire typing is super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, making it a strong choice throughout the game. Delphox, Fennekin's final evolution, gains Psychic typing, which is advantageous against the final three gyms: Fairy, Psychic, and Ice.

Froakie's Greninja, a Water/Dark type, is effective against Olympia's Psychic team but weak against Valerie's Fairy types. Chespin's Chesnaught, with its Grass/Fighting typing, struggles against Viola's Bug gym and later against Olympia and Valerie. In the Elite Four, Delphox has the edge, able to resist Diantha's Gardevoir's attacks.

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 continues the trend of Fire types being the best choice, despite initial struggles in the first couple of trials in the Alola region. Litten's Fire typing is super effective against Mallow's Grass trial and Sophocles' Electric gym, which includes Steel and Bug types. By the time you reach Acerola's Ghost trial, Litten can evolve into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type, making it highly effective against the entire lineup.

Rowlet and Popplio have advantages in the early trials but struggle in late-game battles. Decidueye (Rowlet's final form) gains Ghost typing, which is both a blessing and a curse, while Primarina (Popplio's final form) doesn't gain significant advantages. The diverse challenges in the Pokémon League and the limited number of Fire types in Alola make Litten the best choice for clearing the trials.

Gen 8: Sobble

Games: Pokémon Sword & Shield

Starter options: Grookey (grass), Scorbunny (fire), Sobble (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Sword and Shield guide

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Sobble edges out Grookey and Scorbunny in a close race. All three starters are effective against three gyms, but Sobble and Grookey have an advantage in the final gym, Raihan's Rock and Ground types. Scorbunny excels against Melony's Ice gym and Opal's Fairy gym.

In the Champion Cup, Sobble's final evolution, Inteleon, has a slight edge due to its balanced stats and effectiveness against Bede's Fairy Pokémon, Nessa's Water types, and Raihan's Fire and Ground heavy Dragon team. Other factors like rivals and random encounters have less impact in Sword and Shield, making Sobble the best 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 clear winner in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, despite the game's focus on player freedom. The gyms don't level scale, allowing you to return and tackle them when you're ready. Fuecoco's Fire typing is advantageous against the highest-level gyms, Tulip's Psychic/Fairy and Grusha's Ice types, and the lowest-level gyms, Katy's Bug and Brassius' Grass types.

Fuecoco's final evolution, Skeledirge, gains Ghost typing, making it even more effective against Team Star's Dark and Poison Pokémon and the Fairy and Fighting types. While Quaxly and Sprigatito have their strengths, Skeledirge's advantages in the Elite Four and beyond make Fuecoco the best starter for dominating the Paldea region.