Top Starter Pokemon: A Generational Guide

Choosing your partner Pokemon at the start of any Pokemon game is a pivotal moment that shapes your entire journey. It's a unique and personal experience, where you select a creature to raise, bond with, and battle alongside for countless hours. This initial choice often feels like a personality test, driven by intuition and preference. Yet, at this early stage, the full impact of your decision on your path to becoming a Pokemon master remains a mystery, with the challenges of gyms, rivals, and regional secrets lying ahead.

To help you make an informed decision, we've conducted extensive research, analyzed base stats, identified strengths and weaknesses, and evaluated how each starter Pokemon and its evolutions perform across their respective regions. Our goal is to guide you in selecting the best starter not just for early gym battles, but also for tackling the Elite Four and beyond, setting you on the path to mastering the Pokemon world 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 top choice for those looking to conquer the Kanto region in Pokemon Red and Blue. While Charmander might seem appealing due to the scarcity of Fire types and its advantage against Flying and Ground types, Bulbasaur offers a strategic edge throughout the game. Its Grass typing is super effective against Brock's Rock Pokemon, Misty's Water types, and Giovanni's final lineup, making it an excellent choice for overcoming the first two members of the Elite Four. Challenges arise with Erika's Grass gym and Blaine's Fire gym, but these can be navigated with smart strategy and the plentiful Water types available in Kanto.

Bulbasaur's journey does face hurdles like frequent encounters with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow, and battles against rival Blue's Pidgeot and Charmander. However, its well-balanced base stats and evolution into Venasaur, a Grass/Poison type, provide a significant advantage over Charmander and Squirtle, making it a solid pick for aspiring Kanto champions.

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 stands out as the best starter due to its Fire typing, which is rare in Johto. With only eight new Fire types compared to 10 Grass and 18 Water types, Cyndaquil adds much-needed diversity to your team. It excels against Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym, making it a powerful choice for navigating Johto's challenges.

While Totodile and Chikorita have their strengths, Cyndaquil's advantages against the majority of gyms and Elite Four members give it the edge. Its evolution into Typhlosion allows it to dominate Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four, despite challenges like Pryce's Ice gym and encounters with Rock and Ground types. Cyndaquil's versatility and effectiveness make it the top pick for Johto mastery.

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 emerges as the best starter for Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, thanks to its Water typing. It shares an advantage with Treecko against Roxanne's Rock/Ground gym and Tate & Liza's Psychic gym, but Mudkip's effectiveness extends to Flannery's Fire gym, a key advantage over Treecko. While Torchic struggles to match up against any of the gyms, Mudkip's evolution into Swampert, gaining Ground typing and well-balanced stats, provides a significant defensive boost, making it resilient against most challenges.

Mudkip's only notable difficulty comes with Wattson's Electric gym, but its overall strengths, including immunity to Electric moves and balanced stats, make it a superior choice. Its cuteness is a bonus, but its strategic advantages are what set it apart in the Hoenn region.

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 standout starter for Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, where Fire types are scarce with only five new additions. Its Fire typing gives it an edge against Gardenia's Grass gym, Byron's Steel gym, and Candice's Ice gym, positioning it well for late-game success. Turtwig, while strong in the early game against Roark's Rock and Crasher Wake's Water gyms, is outshined by Chimchar's late-game prowess.

Chimchar's evolution into Infernape is perfect for tackling Aaron's Bug Pokemon in the Elite Four, despite Turtwig's advantages against Bertha's Water and Ground types. The frequent battles with Team Galactic's Bug types further solidify Chimchar's position as the best choice for Sinnoh.

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 clear winner in Pokemon Black and White, thanks to its Fire typing and evolution into Emboar, which also gains Fighting type abilities. This combination makes Tepig highly effective against Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym, key battles in Unova. While Snivy and Oshawott have their niches, Tepig's advantages extend to the Elite Four, where its Fighting type is super effective against Grimsley's Dark types.

Tepig's strong attacking stats and effectiveness against Team Plasma's Steel types make it the best choice for navigating the challenges of Unova, especially given the need to battle the Elite Four twice.

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 takes the lead in Pokemon X and Y, where Fire types continue to dominate. Its Fire typing is super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, and its evolution into Delphox, gaining Psychic typing, makes it well-suited for the final battles against Fairy, Psychic, and Ice types. Froakie and Chespin face more challenges, with their typings less advantageous against the gym leaders and Elite Four members.

Delphox's edge in resisting Diantha's Gardevoir's attacks further solidifies Fennekin's position as the best starter 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 for Pokemon Sun and Moon, despite initial struggles with early trials. Its evolution into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type, excels against Mallow's Grass trial, Sophocles' Electric gym, and Acerola's Ghost trial. While Rowlet and Popplio have their moments, Litten's late-game advantages are significant, especially given the diverse challenges of the Alola region's Pokemon League.

The scarcity of Fire types in Alola further emphasizes Litten's value, making it the top pick for aspiring Alola champions.

Gen 8: Sobble

Games: Pokemon Sword & Shield

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

Full guide: IGN's Pokemon Sword and Shield guide

In Pokemon Sword and Shield, Sobble narrowly edges out Grookey and Scorbunny. All three starters are effective against three gyms, but Sobble's performance in the Champion Cup, especially against Bede's Fairy Pokemon, Nessa's Water types, and Raihan's Fire and Ground heavy Dragon team, gives it a slight advantage. Sobble's final evolution, Inteleon, also boasts balanced stats, making it a strong choice for the Galar region.

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, where player freedom allows for varied strategies. Its Fire typing, and eventual evolution into Skeledirge, a Fire/Ghost type, is highly effective against Katy and Brassius' Bug and Grass gyms, as well as Tulip's Psychic/Fairy and Grusha's Ice gyms. The Team Star base raids further highlight Fuecoco's advantages, making it the best choice for dominating the Paldea region.