The most pivotal moment in any Pokémon game comes right at the start – choosing your partner Pokémon. The first moment you lock eyes with the creature you'll spend countless hours raising, bonding with, and sending into battle is a truly special experience. This decision, often based on personal vibes and taste, can feel like a personality test. However, at that moment, you have no knowledge of how this choice will impact your journey to becoming a Pokémon master, as the gyms, rivals, and secrets of the region remain hidden.
We've conducted extensive research, analyzing the base stats, strengths, and weaknesses of every starter Pokémon and their evolutions. We've also considered their performance against the native regions to determine the best starter pick, not just for the early gyms but also for tackling the Elite Four and beyond. This is the first step to mastering Pokémon across all generations.
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
While Charmander might initially seem like a strong choice due to the scarcity of Fire types and its immunity to Ground attacks in the final gym, Bulbasaur emerges as the best starter for dominating the Kanto region. Bulbasaur's Grass typing is super effective against Brock's Rock Pokémon, Misty's Water types, and Giovanni's final gym lineup, making it an excellent choice for the first two Elite Four members as well. The main challenges for Bulbasaur are Erika's Grass-type gym, where strategy is crucial, and Blaine's Fire-type gym, which can be overcome with the plentiful Water types found in Kanto.
Bulbasaur trainers will face some hurdles, such as frequent encounters with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow in tall grass, which can hinder grinding efforts. However, caves offer ample Ground and Rock types for Bulbasaur to level up efficiently. Rival Blue's Pidgeot and Charmander will be persistent challenges, the latter mitigated by having a Water type on your team. Bulbasaur's well-balanced base stats and evolution into Venusaur, a Grass/Poison type, provide a significant edge 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
With only eight new Fire types introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver compared to ten Grass and eighteen Water types, choosing Cyndaquil early on adds much-needed diversity to your team. Cyndaquil excels against Bugsy's Bug-type gym and Jasmine's Steel-type gym, making it a superior choice for most of Johto's gyms and Elite Four members. While Totodile struggles due to the lack of Fire, Ground, or Rock gyms, and Chikorita faces challenges with early Bug and Flying type gyms, Cyndaquil's strengths shine through.
Cyndaquil's evolution into Typhlosion proves advantageous against the Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four, though Pryce's Ice gym presents a challenge that requires a well-balanced team. Cyndaquil's main drawbacks include frequent encounters with Rock and Ground types in caves and Lance's Dragon/Flying types, but these are less significant compared to the struggles faced by Chikorita and Totodile.
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 charm might initially draw you in, its Water typing offers strategic advantages in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. Both Mudkip and Treecko are super effective against three of the eight gyms, but Mudkip's edge comes from its effectiveness against Flannery's Fire gym. Treecko's evolution into Sceptile is a disadvantage in battles against Flannery and Winona's Flying types, while Mudkip's only significant gym challenge is Wattson's Electric-type gym in Mauville City. Torchic, on the other hand, struggles to make an impact against any gym.
Mudkip's evolution into Swampert, gaining Ground typing and well-balanced stats, provides a significant defensive boost and immunity to Electric attacks. Although the Hoenn region's water-heavy environment may pose a grinding challenge, Mudkip's overall advantages make it the best choice, not to mention its undeniable cuteness.
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
With only five new Fire types introduced in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl compared to fourteen for Water and Grass, Chimchar's Fire typing adds a valuable element to your team. Chimchar excels against Gardenia's Grass-type gym, Byron's Steel types, and Candice's Ice types, making it the top pick among the starters. Turtwig's strengths are more pronounced in the early game, while Chimchar's abilities set it up for success in the late game.
Chimchar's evolution into Infernape is ideal for tackling Aaron's Bug Pokémon in the Elite Four, while Turtwig's evolution into Torterra is better suited for Bertha's Water and Ground types. Piplup's evolution into Empoleon doesn't offer significant advantages against many gyms or Elite Four members. The frequent battles against Team Galactic's Bug types tilt the balance in favor of Chimchar.
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 stands out as the best starter due to its Fire typing and evolution into the Fire/Fighting type Emboar. Snivy's Grass typing only benefits against one gym and offers no significant advantages against the Elite Four, while Oshawott's Water typing is helpful against Clay's Ground gym but lacks an edge against the Elite Four. Tepig's abilities make it a strong choice for Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym, despite needing alternative solutions for Clay's Ground gym.
Emboar's Fighting type is particularly useful against Grimsley's Dark types in the Elite Four, though it's vulnerable 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, especially given the challenge of facing the Elite Four twice.
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's Fire typing and evolution into the Fire/Psychic type Delphox make it the standout starter. Fennekin is super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, making it well-suited for the final three Fairy, Psychic, and Ice-based gyms. Froakie's evolution into Greninja offers an advantage against Olympia's Psychic team but struggles against other types, while Chespin's evolution into Chesnaught faces similar challenges.
The Elite Four in X and Y is well-balanced, requiring different types for each battle, but Delphox's Psychic typing gives it an edge against Diantha's Gardevoir, making Fennekin the best choice overall.
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 emerges as the best starter in Pokémon Sun and Moon, despite early challenges in the first few trials. Litten's evolution into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type, excels against Mallow's Grass trial, Sophocles' Electric gym, and Acerola's Ghost trial. Incineroar's Dark typing complicates the final trial against Mina's Fairy Pokémon, but Mina's diverse team allows for strategic victories.
Rowlet and Popplio each have advantages in early trials but struggle in late-game battles. The Alola region's diverse Pokémon League and the introduction of just eight Fire types compared to thirteen Grass and Water types make Litten's ability to clear trials crucial.
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's Water typing gives it an advantage against the final gym run by Raihan. The Champion Cup semi-finals favor Sobble's final evolution, Inteleon, against Bede's Fairy Pokémon and Nessa's Water types, while Raihan's Fire and Ground heavy Dragon team benefits Sobble as well.
Other factors such as rivals, Team Yell, and random encounters have minimal impact in Sword and Shield, with Team Yell using mostly Dark types and overworld Pokémon reducing random encounters. Sobble's balanced stats further solidify its position as the best starter.
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 a clear winner in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, despite the game's focus on player freedom and non-linear progression. Fuecoco's Fire typing and evolution into the Fire/Ghost type Skeledirge make it ideal for tackling the highest-level Psychic/Fairy and Ice-type gyms and the lowest-level Bug and Grass-type gyms. Quaxly's Water typing only becomes advantageous after evolving into Quaquaval, a Fighting type, while Sprigatito's evolution into Meowscarada offers some advantages but can't match Skeledirge's versatility.
Fuecoco's importance is further highlighted in Team Star base raids, which are crucial for story progression. Skeledirge's immunity to Fighting types and effectiveness against Bug and Poison types make it the best choice for these encounters. While Quaquaval and Meowscarada can handle Rika's Ground types in the Elite Four, Skeledirge's overall performance against subsequent members solidifies its position as the top starter.
