The pivotal moment in any Pokemon game comes right at the beginning—choosing your starter Pokemon. This decision, often based on personal taste and intuition, marks the start of your journey to becoming a Pokemon Master. At this point, you have no idea how your choice will impact your adventure through the gyms, rival battles, and the mysteries of the region. We've delved into the base stats, analyzed every strength and weakness of each starter and their evolutions, and matched them against their native regions to determine the best starter pick for not just the initial gyms, but to conquer the Elite Four and beyond. This is your first step to mastering Pokemon 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 standout choice for tackling the Kanto region in Pokemon Red and Blue. While Charmander may initially seem appealing due to the rarity of Fire types in Gen 1, Bulbasaur's Grass typing proves superior. It excels against Brock's Rock Pokemon, Misty's Water types, and Giovanni's final gym, as well as being the best option to tackle the first two members of the Elite Four. The only challenges are Erika's Grass type gym, where strategic play is essential, and Blaine's Fire type gym, which can be overcome with the plentiful Water types in Kanto.
Bulbasaur trainers will face issues with frequent Flying type encounters like Pidgey and Spearow, but the abundance of Ground and Rock types in caves offers ample XP farming opportunities. Additionally, rival Blue's Pidgeot and Charmander can be problematic, though a Water type on your team can mitigate the latter. Bulbasaur's evolution into Venusaur, gaining a Poison type, gives it a significant edge over its counterparts.
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 emerges as the best starter due to the limited number of new Fire types introduced compared to Grass and Water types. Cyndaquil's Fire typing is highly effective against Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym. While Totodile struggles with a lack of favorable gym matchups, and Chikorita faces challenges with early Bug and Flying type gyms as well as Morty's Poison type gym, Cyndaquil's evolution into Typhlosion is well-equipped to handle the Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four.
Despite challenges like Rock and Ground type encounters in caves and Lance's Dragon/Flying types, Cyndaquil's advantages far outweigh those of its competitors, making it the top choice for dominating Johto.
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 stands out as the best starter in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. Both Mudkip and Treecko are effective against three gyms each, but Mudkip's Water typing gives it the edge in Flannery's Fire gym, while Treecko struggles with Flannery and Winona's Flying type lineup. Torchic's Fire typing doesn't match up well against any gyms, and its Fighting type evolution, Blaziken, only helps against one gym.
In the Elite Four, Mudkip's final evolution, Swampert, gains Ground typing, boosting its defensive capabilities and making it immune to Electric attacks. Despite challenges with random Water type encounters in Hoenn, 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 starter in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, with only five new Fire types introduced compared to 14 Water and Grass types. Chimchar's Fire typing is super effective against Gardenia's Grass type gym, Byron's Steel types, and Candice's Ice types. Turtwig, while effective against Roark's Rock type and Crasher Wake's Water type gyms, shines more in the early game, whereas Chimchar's abilities are better suited for late-game success.
Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, is perfect for tackling Aaron's Bug Pokemon in the Elite Four, despite Turtwig's advantage against Bertha's Water and Ground types. Frequent battles with Team Galactic's Bug types tilt the advantage further in Chimchar's favor.
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 best starter in Pokemon Black and White. Snivy struggles with only one gym advantage and numerous Bug and Flying type encounters, while Oshawott is effective against Clay's Ground type gym but lacks significant advantages against the Elite Four. Tepig's Fire typing and its final evolution, Emboar, gaining Fighting type, make it highly effective against Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym.
Emboar's Fighting type is advantageous against Grimsley's Dark types in the Elite Four, despite vulnerability to Caitlin's Psychic types. The presence of Team Plasma's Steel types further strengthens Tepig's position as the best starter for Unova.
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 is the standout starter in Pokemon X and Y, excelling against three gyms and resisting two more. Its final evolution, Delphox, gains Psychic typing, making it highly effective against Fairy, Psychic, and Ice type gyms. Froakie's Water/Dark evolution, Greninja, is effective against Olympia's Psychic team but struggles against Fairy and Electric types. Chespin's Fighting type evolution, Chesnaught, faces disadvantages against Psychic and Fairy types.
In the Elite Four, Delphox has a slight edge, able to resist attacks from Diantha's Gardevoir, making Fennekin the best choice for Kalos.
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 best starter in Pokemon Sun and Moon. Despite early challenges, Litten's evolution into Incineroar, gaining Dark typing, makes it highly effective against Mallow's Grass trial, Sophocles' Electric gym, and Acerola's Ghost trial. Rowlet's Ghost type evolution, Decidueye, and Popplio's Water/Fairy type evolution, Primarina, struggle against late-game trials.
The diverse challenges in the Pokemon League make Litten's ability to clear trials even more crucial, especially with only eight new Fire types introduced compared to 13 Grass and Water types.
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 in Pokemon Sword and Shield. All three starters are effective against three gyms each, but Sobble's Water typing gives it a slight advantage in the final gym against Raihan's Rock and Ground types. In the Champion Cup, Sobble's final evolution, Inteleon, maintains a balanced set of stats, giving it an edge against Bede's Fairy Pokemon, Nessa's Water types, and Raihan's Fire and Ground heavy Dragon team.
Despite minimal impact from rivals and random encounters, Sobble's balanced stats and favorable matchups make it the best starter for Galar.
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. Despite the freedom to tackle gyms and Team Star bases in any order, Fuecoco's Fire typing, and its Ghost type final evolution, Skeledirge, are ideally suited to dominate the Paldea region. It excels against the highest level gyms, like Tulip's Psychic/Fairy and Grusha's Ice types, and the lowest level gyms, such as Katy's Bug and Brassius' Grass types.
In Team Star base raids, Skeledirge's immunity to Fighting types and effectiveness against Bug and Poison types give it a significant advantage. Against the Elite Four, Skeledirge maintains its lead, making Fuecoco the best starter for Paldea.
### The Best Starter Pokemon
