Choosing your starter Pokemon is one of the most pivotal moments in any Pokemon journey. It's a special moment when you lock eyes with the creature you'll spend countless hours nurturing, bonding with, and battling alongside. This decision, often made based on personal vibes and taste, is seen by many fans as a kind of personality test. Yet, at the outset, you have no idea how this choice will shape your path to becoming a Pokemon master, with the region's gyms, rivals, and secrets still shrouded in mystery.

To help you make an informed decision, we've conducted extensive research, analyzing base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and evolutions of every starter Pokemon. We've also considered their effectiveness across their native regions, not just for early gym battles but all the way to the Elite Four and beyond. Here’s a detailed guide to the best starter Pokemon in each generation, designed to set you on the path to becoming a Pokemon master.

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 might initially seem appealing due to the scarcity of Fire types and the advantage against Flying types, Bulbasaur's strengths become evident as you progress. Grass types are super effective against Brock's Rock Pokemon, Misty's Water types, and Giovanni's final gym lineup, making Bulbasaur an excellent choice for the first two members of the Elite Four. The main challenges include Erika's Grass type gym and Blaine's Fire type gym, but these can be navigated with strategic play and the abundance of Water types in Kanto.

Bulbasaur trainers will face difficulties with common Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow, but the plentiful Ground and Rock types in caves provide ample opportunities for leveling up. Rival battles against Blue, with his Pidgeot and Charmander, can be tough, but a Water type on your team can mitigate this. Bulbasaur evolves into Venusaur, gaining Poison typing, which offers a solid advantage over the other starters provided by Professor Oak.

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. With only eight new Fire types introduced compared to 10 Grass and 18 Water types, Cyndaquil adds valuable diversity to your team. It excels against Bugsy's Bug type and Jasmine's Steel type gyms, making it an excellent choice for Johto's challenges. While Totodile struggles with the lack of Fire, Ground, or Rock gyms, and Chikorita faces difficulties against early Bug and Flying types as well as Morty's Poison types, Cyndaquil shines.

Cyndaquil's evolutions are well-suited to take on the Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four. Although Pryce's Ice gym poses a challenge, you'll have ample time to build a balanced team to overcome it. 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 issues faced by Chikorita and Totodile.

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 is the top pick for Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. Both Mudkip and Treecko are super effective against three of the eight gyms, but Mudkip's advantage in Flannery's Fire gym outweighs Treecko's in Wallace's Water gym. By the time you reach Wallace, Treecko will likely have evolved into Sceptile, but it faces disadvantages against Flannery and Winona's Flying types. Mudkip's only gym challenge is Wattson's Electric type gym, and Torchic's Fire type doesn't offer significant advantages against any gyms.

In the Elite Four, Sceptile might have a slight edge due to its Grass typing, but Mudkip's final form, Swampert, gains Ground typing and well-balanced stats, making it immune to Electric attacks and highly resilient. The Hoenn region's abundance of water can make random encounters tedious, but Mudkip's overall advantages make it a strong 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

In Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, Chimchar is the best starter, despite the region introducing fewer Fire types than Water or Grass. Chimchar's Fire typing is super effective against Gardenia's Grass type, Byron's Steel type, and Candice's Ice type gyms. Turtwig can handle Roark's Rock and Crasher Wake's Water gyms, but Chimchar's late-game strengths are more pronounced. Piplup's final evolution, Empoleon, is resilient but doesn't have significant advantages against many gyms or the Elite Four.

Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, is perfect against Aaron's Bug Pokemon in the Elite Four, while Turtwig's Torterra is better suited against Bertha's Water and Ground types. The frequent battles with Team Galactic's Bug types tip the scales in favor of Chimchar, making it the best choice for Sinnoh's challenges.

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. Snivy struggles against Bug and Flying types and only has an advantage over one gym, while Oshawott is effective against Clay's Ground gym and resistant to Brycen's Ice types but lacks significant Elite Four advantages. Tepig's Fire/Fighting typing, culminating in Emboar, makes it super effective against Burgh's Bug and Brycen's Ice gyms, and its Fighting type is advantageous against Grimsley's Dark types in the Elite Four.

Emboar's strong attacking stats and the presence of Team Plasma's Steel types make Tepig an excellent choice for navigating Unova, despite the challenge of Clay's Ground gym. The need to fight the Elite Four twice in Black and White makes Tepig's advantages even more crucial.

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 dominates in Pokemon X and Y. Its Fire typing is super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, making it a strong choice for early and late-game challenges. Fennekin's final evolution, Delphox, gains Psychic typing, which is beneficial against the Fairy, Psychic, and Ice-based gyms. Froakie's Greninja struggles against Fairy and Electric types, while Chespin's Chesnaught faces issues with Bug and Psychic types.

The balanced nature of the Elite Four in X and Y favors different types for each battle, but Delphox's versatility and resistance to Diantha's Gardevoir give it a slight edge over the competition.

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 Fire typing and its evolution into Incineroar (Fire/Dark) give it significant advantages in later trials. Mallow's Grass trial is perfect for Litten, while Sophocles' Electric gym and Acerola's Ghost trial are also favorable. The final trial against Mina's Fairy types is manageable due to Incineroar's diverse team composition.

Rowlet's Decidueye and Popplio's Primarina have some advantages but struggle in late-game battles. The diverse challenges in the Pokemon League and the scarcity of Fire types in Alola make Litten an essential choice for navigating the region's trials.

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 edges out Grookey and Scorbunny in Pokemon Sword and Shield. All three starters are effective against three gyms each, but Sobble's advantage in the final gym, Raihan's Rock and Ground types, gives it a slight edge. The Champion Cup semi-finals don't favor any specific type, but Sobble's Inteleon performs well against Bede's Fairy, Nessa's Water, and Raihan's Fire and Ground types.

Other factors like rivals and Team Yell don't significantly impact the choice, and the overworld Pokemon encounters are less frequent. Sobble's balanced stats in its final evolution make it the best choice for Galar's challenges.

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 top starter in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Despite the player freedom in tackling gyms and Team Star bases, Fuecoco's Fire typing and its Ghost type evolution, Skeledirge, give it significant advantages. The highest-level gyms, Tulip's Psychic/Fairy and Grusha's Ice types, are ideal for Fuecoco, while the lowest-level gyms, Katy's Bug and Brassius' Grass types, are easily manageable.

Fuecoco's advantages extend to the Team Star base raids, crucial for story progression. Skeledirge's immunity to Fighting types and effectiveness against Bug and Poison types make it invaluable. While Quaquaval and Meowscarada have some advantages, Skeledirge's performance against the Elite Four, especially Poppy's Steel team, makes Fuecoco the best choice for dominating the Paldea region.

The Best Starter Pokemon

The Best Starter Pokemon