The pivotal moment in any Pokémon game is the initial choice of your starter Pokémon. This decision, often influenced by personal taste and intuition, sets the stage for your journey to becoming a Pokémon Master. At the outset, you have no inkling of how this choice will shape your encounters with gyms, rivals, and the region's secrets. We've conducted thorough research, analyzing base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and evolutions of every starter Pokémon to determine the best pick across various regions, ensuring you're well-equipped to conquer not just the early gyms but also 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
Bulbasaur stands out as the best starter for navigating the Kanto region. While Charmander may seem appealing due to the rarity of Fire types and the advantage against Flying and Ground types, Bulbasaur offers a smoother journey. Its Grass typing is super effective against Brock's Rock Pokémon, Misty's Water collection, and Giovanni's final gym lineup, making it the optimal choice for tackling the first two members of the Elite Four. The main challenges for Bulbasaur include Erika's Grass type gym and Blaine's Fire type gym, which can be overcome with strategic planning and the plentiful Water types in Kanto.
Bulbasaur trainers will face issues with frequent Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow, but ample opportunities exist in caves to level up against Ground and Rock types. Bulbasaur's evolution into Venusaur, which gains Poison typing, provides a significant edge over the other starters offered by Professor Oak.
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, Cyndaquil emerges as the best starter due to the scarcity of Fire types compared to Grass and Water types. This choice adds diversity to your team and proves advantageous against most Johto gyms and Elite Four members. Cyndaquil easily handles Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym, while Totodile struggles without suitable gym matchups, and Chikorita faces difficulties with Bug, Flying, and Poison types.
Cyndaquil's evolutions can navigate the Elite Four's Grass and Bug types effectively, though challenges arise with Pryce's Ice gym and Lance's Dragon/Flying types. However, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, making Cyndaquil the superior 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
Mudkip is the best starter for Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, offering advantages in three out of eight gyms. Its Water typing is super effective against Roxanne's Rock/Ground gym, Tate & Liza's Psychic gym, and Flannery's Fire gym. While Treecko shares some of these advantages, it struggles against Flannery and Winona's Flying types. Torchic, on the other hand, has no significant gym advantages.
Mudkip's evolution into Swampert, which gains Ground typing, provides a defensive boost and immunity to Electric types, making it ideal for the Elite Four challenges. Despite potential difficulties with Wattson's Electric gym and frequent water-based encounters, Mudkip's overall advantages make it the top choice.
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
Chimchar is the best starter for Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, benefiting from the rarity of Fire types in the Sinnoh region. Its Fire typing is advantageous against Gardenia's Grass gym, Byron's Steel gym, and Candice's Ice gym. While Turtwig can handle Roark's Rock gym and Crasher Wake's Water gym, Chimchar's late-game strengths and effectiveness against Team Galactic's Bug types give it the edge.
Chimchar's evolution into Infernape is well-suited for the Elite Four, particularly against Aaron's Bug Pokémon. Though Turtwig's final form, Torterra, has its merits, Chimchar's overall performance secures its position as the best starter.
Gen 5: Tepig
Games: Pokémon Black & White
Starter options: Snivy (grass), Tepig (fire), Oshawott (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Black and White guide
Tepig stands out as the best starter for Pokémon Black and White, with its Fire and Fighting typing in its final form, Emboar, proving advantageous throughout the Unova region. It easily handles Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym, while Snivy and Oshawott face significant challenges against various gym leaders and the Elite Four.
Emboar's strong attacking stats and effectiveness against Grimsley's Dark types and Team Plasma's Steel types make it the top choice, despite vulnerabilities to Caitlin's Psychic types.
Gen 6: Fennekin
Games: Pokémon X & Y
Starter options: Chespin (grass), Fennekin (fire), Froakie (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokémon X and Y guide
Fennekin is the standout starter for Pokémon X and Y, with its Fire and Psychic typing in its final form, Delphox, allowing it to excel against three gyms and resist two more. Froakie and Chespin struggle with various gym leaders and the Elite Four, making Fennekin the clear choice for navigating the Kalos region effectively.
Gen 7: Litten
Games: Pokémon Sun & Moon
Starter options: Rowlet (grass), Litten (fire), Popplio (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon guide
Litten is the best starter for Pokémon Sun and Moon, despite early challenges. Its evolution into Incineroar, with Fire and Dark typing, proves highly effective against Mallow's Grass trial, Sophocles' Electric gym, and Acerola's Ghost trial. Rowlet and Popplio struggle with late-game battles, making Litten the optimal choice for dominating the Alola region.
Gen 8: Sobble
Games: Pokémon Sword & Shield
Starter options: Grookey (grass), Scorbunny (fire), Sobble (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Sword and Shield guide
Sobble narrowly edges out Grookey and Scorbunny as the best starter for Pokémon Sword and Shield. All three are effective against three gyms, but Sobble's final evolution, Inteleon, offers balanced stats and a slight advantage against the Champion Cup's toughest opponents, making it the best choice for the Galar region.
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 for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, with its Fire and Ghost typing in its final form, Skeledirge, providing significant advantages against the region's gyms and Team Star bases. Its effectiveness against Psychic, Fairy, and Ice types, as well as its immunity to Fighting types, make it the best choice for dominating the Paldea region.
### The Best Starter Pokémon
