The most pivotal moment in any Pokemon game is choosing your starter Pokemon. This decision, often based on vibes and personal taste, feels like a personality test to many fans. It's a special experience, locking eyes with the creature you'll spend countless hours nurturing and battling alongside. Yet, at this moment, you're unaware of how this choice will shape your journey to becoming a Pokemon master, with the region's gyms, rivals, and secrets still hidden from view.
We've conducted thorough research, analyzing base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and evolutions of every starter Pokemon across all regions to determine the best choice. This isn't just about surviving the early gyms but also about conquering the Elite Four and beyond. Here's our guide to becoming a Pokemon master 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 clear choice for dominating the Kanto region, especially when tackling the first gym. Grass types are super effective against Brock's Rock Pokemon, and Bulbasaur's strengths extend beyond that initial encounter. It can handle Misty's Water Pokemon, Giovanni's Ground types, and the first two members of the Elite Four with ease. The biggest challenges come from Erika's Grass type gym, requiring strategic moves to overcome "not very effective" attacks, and Blaine's Fire type gym, which can be managed with Kanto's plentiful Water types.
Bulbasaur trainers will face issues with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow, which can be problematic during grinding. However, the numerous Ground and Rock types in caves provide ample opportunities for Bulbasaur to gain XP. Additionally, encounters with rival Blue's Pidgeot and Charmander can be mitigated with a Water type on your team. Bulbasaur's evolution into Venusaur adds Poison typing, offering a significant advantage over the other starters.
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 Johto, Cyndaquil stands out as the best starter due to its Fire typing, which is rare among the new Pokemon introduced. With only eight new Fire types compared to 10 Grass and 18 Water types, Cyndaquil adds valuable diversity to your team. It excels against Bugsy's Bug type and Jasmine's Steel type gyms, making these battles straightforward. Totodile, a Water type, lacks Fire, Ground, or Rock gyms to dominate, while Chikorita struggles with early Bug and Flying types and Morty's Poison gym. Cyndaquil's challenges include Pryce's Ice gym, but with time to build a balanced team, this hurdle is manageable.
Cyndaquil's advantages continue into the Elite Four, where its evolutions can handle Grass and Bug types effectively. While all Elite Four teams are well-balanced, the Poison and Dragon/Flying types pose significant challenges for Meganium and Feraligatr, respectively. Cyndaquil's issues include Rock and Ground Pokemon in caves and Lance's team, but these are less problematic than the obstacles faced by 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 standout choice for the Hoenn region, not just for its cuteness but for its strategic advantages. Both Mudkip and Treecko are super effective against three gyms, but Mudkip has the edge. It excels against Roxanne's and Tate & Liza's Rock/Ground gyms, as well as Flannery's Fire gym. Treecko, while effective against Rock/Ground and Wallace's Water gym, faces challenges with Flannery's Fire and Winona's Flying types. Torchic, a Fire type, doesn't match up well against any of the gyms, and its Fighting evolution, Blaziken, only helps against one.
In the Elite Four, Treecko's final form, Sceptile, has a slight advantage against Glacia's Ice/Water Pokemon. However, Mudkip's evolution into Swampert gains Ground typing, boosting its defensive capabilities and making it immune to Electric attacks. This makes Swampert a powerhouse, capable of overcoming battles where it might otherwise struggle. The abundance of water in Hoenn can make random encounters challenging, but Mudkip's overall advantages make it the superior 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 top pick for the Sinnoh region due to the rarity of Fire types, with only five new Fire Pokemon compared to 14 Water and Grass types. Chimchar's Fire typing is super effective against Gardenia's Grass gym, Byron's Steel gym, and Candice's Ice gym. Turtwig, while effective against Roark's Rock and Crasher Wake's Water gyms, faces challenges in the late game. Its evolution into Torterra gains Ground typing, making it immune to Electric attacks, but Chimchar's late-game potential is unmatched.
The well-balanced Sinnoh Elite Four favors Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, particularly against Aaron's Bug Pokemon. Torterra has advantages against Bertha's Water and Ground types, but Chimchar's overall gym performance and effectiveness against Team Galactic's Bug types make it the better choice. Piplup's evolution, Empoleon, is resilient but lacks significant advantages in key battles.
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 the Unova region, Tepig is the clear favorite. Snivy struggles with only one gym advantage and numerous Bug and Flying types, while Oshawott has a slight edge against Clay's Ground gym and Brycen's Ice Pokemon. However, Tepig's Fire and Fighting typing, thanks to its evolution into Emboar, offers a smoother journey. It easily handles Burgh's Bug and Brycen's Ice gyms, and its Fighting type is super effective against Grimsley's Dark types in the Elite Four.
Emboar's strong attacking stats and the presence of Team Plasma's Steel types further solidify Tepig's position. While the Elite Four battles are challenging, requiring a strong bench to overcome Caitlin's Psychic types, Tepig's advantages are more frequent and impactful than those of its counterparts.
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 continues the Fire type trend in the Kalos region. It's super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, making it a strong choice from the start. Its evolution into Delphox adds Psychic typing, which is beneficial against the Fairy, Psychic, and Ice-based gyms. Froakie's evolution into Greninja, a Water/Dark type, struggles against Ramos' Grass and Clemont's Electric types, despite being effective against Olympia's Psychic team. Chespin, evolving into Chesnaught with Fighting typing, faces challenges with Viola's Bug and the later Psychic and Fairy gyms.
The balanced Elite Four in X and Y favors different types for each battle, but Delphox's resistance to Diantha's Gardevoir gives it a slight edge. Fennekin's overall gym performance and versatility make it the top pick.
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 emerges as the top choice in the Alola region, despite initial struggles in the first trials. It excels against Mallow's Grass trial and Sophocles' Electric gym, which includes 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 team, despite its normal damage from Fairy attacks.
Rowlet and Popplio find success in early trials but lack advantages in late-game battles. Decidueye's Ghost typing is a mixed blessing, while Primarina's Water/Fairy typing doesn't significantly impact its trial performance. The diverse Pokemon League and additional challenges in Sun and Moon favor Litten's ability to clear the trials effectively. The scarcity of Fire types in Alola further underscores Litten's importance.
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's victory over Grookey and Scorbunny is the closest yet. All three are effective against three gyms, with Sobble and Grookey excelling against Gordie's Rock and Raihan's Ground gyms, and Scorbunny against Melony's Ice and Opal's Fairy gyms. The first three gyms, being Grass, Water, and Fire, offer no initial advantage. However, Raihan's gym being the final one gives Sobble and Grookey a slight edge.
In the Champion Cup, Sobble inches ahead of Grookey. None of the final evolutions gain new types, but Sobble's balanced stats and performance against Bede's Fairy, Nessa's Water, and Raihan's Fire and Ground types give it the edge. Other factors like rivals, Team Yell, and random encounters are less impactful, but Sobble's well-rounded nature makes it the best choice.
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 the Paldea region, despite the game's emphasis on player freedom. The gyms don't level scale, allowing you to return if you face a disadvantage. Fuecoco's Fire typing is advantageous against Katy's Bug and Brassius' Grass gyms, and its evolution into Skeledirge, a Fire/Ghost type, is perfect for Tulip's Psychic/Fairy and Grusha's Ice gyms. Quaxly, a Water type, only gains a Fighting type in its third form, Quaquaval, which helps against Larry's Normal gym. Sprigatito evolves into Meowscarada, a Grass/Dark type, effective against Tulip's and Ryme's Ghost gyms.
Team Star base raids, crucial for story progression, favor Fuecoco's evolutions due to their effectiveness against Bug, Dark, and Poison types. While Quaquaval and Meowscarada perform well against Rika's Ground Pokemon, Skeledirge's advantages against Poppy's Steel team and beyond make it the superior choice.
