Top Starter Pokemon by Generation

The pivotal moment in any Pokémon game arrives right at the start—choosing your partner Pokémon. This initial encounter with the creature you'll nurture, bond with, and battle alongside for countless hours is a truly special experience. It's a decision often based on personal vibes and taste, almost like a personality test for fans. Yet, at this moment, you have no knowledge of how your choice will shape your journey to becoming a Pokémon Master, as the gyms, rivals, and secrets of the region remain hidden.

We've conducted thorough research, examining base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and evolutions of every starter Pokémon. We've matched them against their native regions to determine the best starter pick—not just to help you breeze through the initial gyms, but to conquer the Elite Four and beyond. Here's your 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 it's a no-brainer to pick Bulbasaur to tackle the first gym in Pokémon Red and Blue (Grass beats Rock, as every fan knows), Bulbasaur stands out as the best starter pick to dominate the Kanto region. Although Charmander might seem appealing due to the rarity of Fire types in Gen 1 and its immunity to Ground attacks at the final gym, Bulbasaur offers a smoother journey.

Bulbasaur enthusiasts will breeze through the majority of the game. Its Grass typing is super effective against Brock’s Rock Pokémon, Misty’s Water collection, and Giovanni's final gym lineup. It's also the best choice to take out the first two members of the Elite Four. The biggest challenges for Bulbasaur include Erika’s Grass type gym, where strategic play is essential to overcome the barrage of "not very effective" attacks, and Blaine’s Fire type gym, which can be defeated with the abundance of Water types available in Kanto.

Bulbasaur trainers will face some hurdles, notably the frequent encounters with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow in tall grass. However, the ample Ground and Rock types in caves provide excellent opportunities for Bulbasaur to gain XP. Blue's Pidgeot and Charmander can be problematic, but a Water type on your team can mitigate this issue. Bulbasaur's evolution into Venasaur, which gains Poison typing, adds a significant advantage over the other starters from 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, only eight new Fire types were introduced, compared to 10 Grass and 18 Water types. Choosing Cyndaquil adds significant diversity to your team and proves the best match for most gyms and Elite Four members in Johto.

Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym will fall easily to Cyndaquil's Ember and Flame Wheel attacks. Totodile struggles due to the lack of Fire, Ground, or Rock gyms to exploit. Chikorita, particularly as Meganium, would excel in Pryce’s Ice gym but would struggle with the early Bug and Flying type gyms, as well as Morty’s Poison type gym. While Pryce poses a challenge for Cyndaquil, you'll have plenty of time to build a balanced team to overcome it.

Cyndaquil benefits from the Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four's roster. Though all four teams are balanced, the many Poison types and Lance's Dragon/Flying types make it tough for Meganium. Feraligatr, Totodile's final evolution, would hold its own but won't blaze through battles like Typhlosion, Cyndaquil's final form, does.

Choosing Cyndaquil isn't without challenges. You'll encounter many Rock and Ground Pokémon in caves, and Lance’s team with Charizard and Gyarados requires strategic play. However, these issues are less severe compared to what Chikorita and Totodile face.

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 might catch your eye for its charm, but there are deeper reasons to choose a Water type in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. Both Mudkip and Treecko are super effective against three of the eight gyms. They share advantages in Roxanne’s and Tate & Liza’s Rock/Ground gyms, while Mudkip excels in Flannery’s Fire gym and Treecko in Wallace’s Water gym.

By the time you reach Wallace, Treecko will likely have evolved into Sceptile. However, Treecko struggles against Flannery and Winona's Flying type lineup. Mudkip faces only one challenging gym—Wattson’s Electric type gym in Mauville City. Torchic's Fire and Fighting types offer little advantage against the gyms, particularly Wallace’s battle.

The Elite Four slightly favors Sceptile due to Glacia’s Ice/Water Pokémon and some Grass types. However, Mudkip's evolution into Swampert, which gains Ground typing, offers well-balanced stats, immunity to Electric attacks, and only one weakness—Grass. This makes Swampert exceptionally versatile.

The abundance of water in the Hoenn region can make random encounters a grind, but Mudkip's advantages in other areas more than compensate. Plus, it's undeniably the cutest of the bunch.

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

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl continue the trend of fewer Fire types, introducing just five compared to 14 new Water and Grass types. While this isn't the sole reason to pick Chimchar, it adds to its appeal over Turtwig and Piplup. Chimchar's Fire typing helps it overcome Gardenia’s Grass type gym, as well as Byron’s Steel and Candice’s Ice gyms.

Turtwig, evolving into Torterra, can easily take down Roark’s Rock and Crasher Wake’s Water gyms, and its Ground typing makes it immune to Electric attacks, perfect for Volkner’s gym. However, Turtwig's strengths are more pronounced early on, while Chimchar shines in late-game scenarios.

The Sinnoh region's balanced Elite Four makes smooth gym progression crucial. Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, is ideal against Aaron’s Bug Pokémon, which would be super effective against Torterra. Torterra would be better against Bertha’s Water and Ground types, but Piplup's Empoleon lacks significant advantages over the gym leaders or Elite Four.

Chimchar and Turtwig are closely matched, but Chimchar's advantage against Team Galactic’s Bug types and its gym battle prowess make it the better choice.

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 Gen 5, Tepig stands out as the best choice. Snivy only has an advantage over one gym and struggles with Bug and Flying types in Unova. Oshawott is better suited for Clay’s Ground type gym and resistant to Brycen’s Ice Pokémon, but lacks significant advantages against the Elite Four.

Tepig's Fire typing makes Burgh’s Bug and Brycen’s Ice gyms manageable, with Brycen being the penultimate challenge. While alternative strategies are needed for Clay’s Ground gym, Tepig's final form, Emboar, gains Fighting typing, making it super effective against Grimsley’s Dark type Pokémon in the Elite Four.

Emboar's strong attacking stats and Team Plasma's Steel types work in its favor. Facing the Elite Four twice makes Pokémon Black and White challenging, but Tepig offers more peace of mind than its counterparts.

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 stands out among the new starters. Its Fire typing makes it super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more. By the time you face the final three gyms—Fairy, Psychic, and Ice—Fennekin's third evolution, Delphox, gains Psychic typing, making it well-prepared for the Pokémon League.

Froakie evolves into Greninja, a Water/Dark type, effective against Olympia’s Psychic team but weak to Valerie’s Fairy types. Its Water typing struggles against Ramos’ Grass and Clemont’s Electric types, despite the early advantage against Grant’s Rock gym. Chespin, evolving into Chesnaught, also faces challenges, particularly against Viola’s Bug gym and later against Olympia and Valerie due to its Fighting typing.

The balanced Elite Four in X and Y favors different types each time. Delphox just about edges out, able to resist Diantha’s Gardevoir's attacks.

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 clear choice in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Despite initial struggles in the first couple of trials, Litten excels in the rest of the battles. Mallow’s Grass trial is perfect for Litten, and Sophocles’ Electric gym includes Steel and Bug types. By Acerola’s Ghost trial, Litten can evolve into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type, making it super effective against the whole lineup.

The final trial against Mina’s Fairy Pokémon is more challenging due to Incineroar’s Dark typing, but Mina's team includes Steel, Grass, and Bug types, which are advantageous for Incineroar. Rowlet and Popplio find success in early trials but struggle later on. Rowlet's evolution, Decidueye, gains Ghost typing, which is helpful yet problematic at Acerola’s trial. Popplio evolves into Primarina, a Water/Fairy type, but this doesn't aid in the trials.

The Alola region's Elite Four and the subsequent challenges from 10 trainers are too diverse for any starter to have a clear advantage. However, Litten's ability to clear the trials is crucial. With only eight Fire types introduced compared to 13 Grass and Water types, choosing Litten early is a smart move.

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's edge over Grookey and Scorbunny is the closest of all. Each starter is effective against three gyms, with Gordie and Raihan’s Rock and Ground gyms favoring Sobble and Grookey, and Melony’s Ice and Opal’s Fairy gyms suiting Scorbunny. The first three gyms—Grass, Water, and Fire—offer no advantage. However, Raihan’s gym being the final one gives Sobble and Grookey a slight edge.

In the Galar region's Champion Cup, Sobble just inches past Grookey. None of the final evolutions gain new types, making them work with their initial typings. Bede's Fairy Pokémon, Nessa’s Water types, and Raihan’s Fire and Ground-heavy Dragon team favor Fire, Grass, and Water types, respectively. Sobble's Inteleon has well-balanced stats, giving it a slight advantage.

Other factors like rivals, Team Yell, and random encounters are less impactful in Sword and Shield. Team Yell uses Dark types, which don't favor any of the starters, and overworld Pokémon reduce random encounters. Sobble's balanced stats tip the scales in its favor.

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 in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Despite the game's focus on player freedom, allowing you to tackle gyms and Team Star bases in any order, the Paldea region seems designed for Fuecoco. The highest-level gyms are Psychic/Fairy and Ice types, while the lowest-level gyms are Bug and Grass types, perfect for Fuecoco and its Ghost type final evolution, Skeledirge.

Quaxly, as a Water type, isn't strong against any gym until it evolves into Quaquaval, a Fighting type, useful in Larry’s Normal type gym. Sprigatito, evolving into Meowscarada, a Grass/Dark type, excels in Tulip’s and Ryme’s gyms.

The Team Star base raids emphasize the importance of your starter choice, crucial for story progression. The Dark and Poison crews have many Bug Pokémon, while Fairy and Fighting crews are ideal for Skeledirge. Quaquaval and Meowscarada are good against Rika’s Ground Pokémon, but Skeledirge excels from Poppy’s Steel team onward.

The Best Starter Pokémon

Each generation offers unique challenges and opportunities, but the best starter Pokémon often provide a strategic advantage throughout your journey. From Bulbasaur's versatility in Kanto to Fuecoco's dominance in Paldea, these choices set the stage for becoming a true Pokémon Master.