The most pivotal moment in any Pokémon game occurs right at the start when you choose your partner Pokémon. The moment you lock eyes with the creature you'll spend countless hours raising, bonding with, and sending into battle is truly special. This choice often feels like a personality test, driven by vibes and personal taste. At this point, you have no idea how this decision will shape your journey to becoming a Pokémon master, as the gyms, rivals, and secrets of the region are yet to be revealed.
We've conducted thorough research, analyzed base stats, and evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of every starter Pokémon and their evolutions. We've also considered how they perform against their native regions to determine the best starter pick. This choice isn't just about getting past the initial gyms; it's about excelling against the Elite Four and beyond. This is 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 Bulbasaur is the obvious choice to tackle the first gym in Pokémon Red and Blue (Grass beats Rock, as every Pokémon fan knows), it also stands out as the best starter for dominating the Kanto region. Initially, you might lean towards Charmander due to the rarity of Fire types in Gen 1 and their advantage against Flying and Ground types. However, Bulbasaur allows you to breeze through most of the game, being super effective against Brock's Rock Pokémon, Misty's Water collection, and Giovanni's final gym lineup, as well as being the best choice against the first two members of the Elite Four.
The biggest challenge for Bulbasaur trainers is Erika's Grass type gym, where strategic play is crucial to overcome the barrage of "not very effective" attacks, and Blaine's Fire type gym, which can be defeated thanks to the abundance of water types in Kanto. You'll face frequent encounters with Pidgeys and Spearows in tall grass, whose Flying typing will pose a problem when grinding for levels. Thankfully, the numerous Ground and Rock types in caves offer ample opportunity for Bulbasaur to gain XP. Rival Blue's Pidgeot and Charmander will be recurring issues, but a Water type on your team can mitigate Charmander's threat.
Bulbasaur's well-balanced base stats are a significant advantage, and its evolution into Venasaur adds Poison typing, providing a solid edge over the other two options 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
Pokémon Gold and Silver introduced only eight new Fire types compared to ten Grass and eighteen Water types. Choosing a powerful Fire Pokémon like Cyndaquil from the start significantly enhances team diversity. More importantly, Cyndaquil is the best match against most gyms and Elite Four members in Johto.
Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym will easily fall to Cyndaquil's Ember and Flame Wheel attacks. In contrast, the Water type Totodile struggles due to the absence of Fire, Ground, or Rock gyms. Grass type Chikorita (or its third form, Meganium) excels against Pryce's Ice gym but struggles with early Bug and Flying type gyms, as well as Morty's Poison type gym. While Pryce's gym poses a challenge for Cyndaquil, you'll have plenty of time to assemble a well-balanced team to overcome it.
Cyndaquil benefits from facing Grass and Bug types in the Elite Four's roster. Although all four teams are balanced, the numerous Poison types and Lance's Dragon/Flying types make it tough for Meganium. Totodile's final evolution, Feraligatr, performs well against many of these Pokémon, but Typhlosion (Cyndaquil's final evolution) excels in blazing through certain matchups.
Choosing Cyndaquil does come with challenges, such as frequent encounters with Rock and Ground types in caves and Lance's team containing Charizard and Gyarados, which will require strategic planning. However, these issues are less significant compared to those 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
You might choose Mudkip because of its charm, but there are deeper reasons to pick the Water type in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. Both Mudkip and Grass type Treecko are super effective against three of the eight gyms. They both have advantages in Roxanne's and Tate & Liza's Rock/Ground gyms, while Mudkip is best suited for Flannery's Fire gym and Treecko for Wallace's Water gym.
By the time you reach Wallace, Treecko will likely have evolved into Sceptile, which is significant since Sootopolis City houses the final gym. However, Treecko's Grass typing is at a disadvantage against Flannery and Winona's Flying type lineup. Mudkip, on the other hand, struggles only with Wattson's Electric type gym in Mauville City. Fire type Torchic doesn't fare well here, as Fire types are not super effective against any gyms, and its Fighting type evolution, Blaziken, is only super effective against one, while being at a massive disadvantage against Wallace.
The Elite Four slightly favors Sceptile due to encounters with Glacia's Ice/Water Pokémon and some Grass types, which pose problems for Swampert (Mudkip's final evolution). However, Swampert gains Ground typing and balanced stats, becoming immune to Electric and only weak to Grass. This makes Swampert capable of powering through battles where it might typically be the underdog.
The abundance of water in the Hoenn region can make random encounters a bit of a grind, but Mudkip's advantages in other areas help overcome this obstacle. 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
Continuing the trend from the very first game, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl introduced only five new Fire types compared to fourteen Water and Grass types. While this isn't the sole deciding factor, it adds to Chimchar's appeal over Turtwig and Piplup. To come out on top, a Pokémon needs to be super effective against at least three gyms, and Chimchar's Fire typing helps it overcome Gardenia's Grass type gym, as well as the sixth and seventh gyms run by Byron's Steel types and Candice's Ice types.
Chimchar faces competition from Turtwig, which can easily handle Roark's Rock type and Crasher Wake's Water type gyms. After evolving into Torterra, it gains Ground typing, making it immune to Electric attacks and well-suited for the final gym owned by Volkner. While they may seem evenly matched, Turtwig's strengths are more prominent in the early game, while Chimchar's abilities shine in the late game.
Navigating the gyms smoothly is crucial due to the Sinnoh region's well-balanced Elite Four. Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, is perfect for taking on Aaron's Bug Pokémon, which would be super effective against Torterra. However, Torterra would be best against Bertha's Water and Ground types. Piplup's final evolution, Empoleon, is resilient but doesn't have significant advantages over many gym leaders or the Elite Four.
It's a close race between Chimchar and Torterra, but Chimchar's advantage comes from frequent battles with Team Galactic's Bug types and its strong gym battle credentials.
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 Generation 5, the choice is clear, with Fire type Tepig being the smartest pick. Grass type Snivy only has an advantage over one gym and no significant advantages over any Elite Four member, while also being plagued by various Bug and Flying types across the Unova region. Water type Oshawott fares better, being the best choice against Clay's Ground type gym and resistant to Brycen's Ice Pokémon, but it lacks significant advantages over the Elite Four.
Tepig's Fire abilities, combined with its final form, Emboar, gaining Fighting type, allow for a smoother journey through Unova. Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's gym are easy for a Fire type, the latter being the penultimate gym. While alternative solutions are needed for Clay's Ground-based gym, the same applies to Oshawott at Elesa's Electric gym.
Emboar's Fighting type proves advantageous against Grimsley's Dark type Pokémon in the Elite Four. Although vulnerable to Caitlin's Psychic types, a strong bench can help overcome this battle. Emboar's strong attacking stats and the presence of Team Plasma's Steel types further enhance its appeal. The challenge of facing the Elite Four twice in Pokémon Black and White makes Tepig a more reassuring choice.
Gen 6: Fennekin
Games: Pokémon X & Y
Starter options: Chespin (grass), Fennekin (fire), Froakie (water)
Full guide: IGN's Pokémon X and Y guide
Pokémon X and Y continue the Fire type dominance, with Fennekin being the standout choice among the new starters. Fennekin can almost stroll through the gyms, being super effective against three and resistant to two more. Though two of those gyms are early in the game, the final three—Fairy, Psychic, and Ice—allow Fennekin's third evolution, Delphox, with its Psychic typing, to head to the Pokémon League relatively unscathed.
Froakie evolves into Greninja, a Water/Dark type, which is super effective against Olympia's Psychic team but weak against Valerie's Fairy types. Being a Water type, it struggles against Ramos' Grass types and Clemont's Electric types, with Grant's early Rock gym not making up for these weaknesses. Chespin's journey is similar, struggling with Viola's Bug gym and gaining a Fighting typing as Chesnaught, which puts it at a disadvantage against Olympia and Valerie.
As the games progress, the Elite Four become more balanced. Delphox has the edge, able to resist Diantha's Gardevoir's attacks, making it the best choice for the diverse battles ahead.
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 from Pokémon Sun and Moon rounds out the Fire type dominance, despite struggling through the first couple of trials in the Alola region. Litten becomes the clear choice for the rest of the battles. Mallow's Grass trial is the only lineup entirely weak to Fire, but Sophocles' Electric gym contains two Steel types and a Bug type. By the time you reach Acerola's Ghost trial, Litten can evolve into the Fire/Dark type Incineroar, whose attacks are super effective against the entire lineup, particularly the Grass and Ice Pokémon in Acerola's team.
The final trial against Mina's Fairy Pokémon is more complicated due to Incineroar's Dark typing, making it vulnerable to Fairy attacks. However, Mina's team also includes Steel, Grass, and Bug types, which help mitigate this issue.
Litten's counterparts, Rowlet and Popplio, succeed in one of the first three trials but lose their advantage in late-game battles. Rowlet's evolution, Decidueye, gains Ghost typing, which is both a blessing and a curse for Acerola's trial but doesn't offer much advantage elsewhere. Popplio evolves into the Water/Fairy type Primarina, but this doesn't significantly impact its trial performance.
Sun and Moon's Elite Four are just a fraction of the challenges in the Pokémon League. After becoming champion, you face ten more trainers, making the battles too diverse for any starter to have a clear advantage. Litten's ability to clear the trials is crucial, especially given the region's introduction of only eight Fire Pokémon compared to thirteen Grass and Water types.
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 victory over Grookey and Scorbunny is the closest of all generations. All three are effective against three gyms, with Gordie and Raihan's Rock and Ground gyms favoring Sobble and Grookey, and Melony's Ice gym and Opal's Fairy gym suiting Scorbunny. The first three gyms are Grass, Water, and Fire, providing no initial advantage to any starter. However, Raihan's gym being the final one gives Sobble and Grookey a slight edge.
The Galar region's Champion Cup slightly favors Sobble over Grookey. None of these Pokémon gain new types upon final evolution, so they must work with their initial typings. The semi-final opponents don't lean any particular way, but Bede's Fairy Pokémon, Nessa's Water types, and Raihan's Fire and Ground-heavy Dragon team favor Fire, Grass, and Water respectively. If success against the toughest opponents is most valued, Sobble edges out the victory.
Other factors like rivals, Team Yell, and random encounters have less impact in Pokémon Sword and Shield. Team Yell primarily uses Dark types, which interact neutrally with Fire, Water, and Grass types, and the introduction of overworld Pokémon reduces random encounters. Sobble's final evolution, Inteleon, boasts well-balanced stats, further tipping 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 sixth Fire type chosen on this list and one of the clearest winners. Despite Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's focus on player freedom, allowing you to tackle gyms and raid Team Star bases in any order, the Paldea region is designed for Fuecoco's dominance.
The gyms in Scarlet and Violet don't level scale, so you can return to tackle a bad matchup later. However, the highest-level gyms are Psychic/Fairy and Ice types, and the lowest-level gyms are Bug and Grass types, making Fuecoco (and its Ghost type final evolution, Skeledirge) the best choice. Quaxly, a Water type, doesn't gain a strong advantage until evolving into Quaquaval, a Fighting type, which helps against Larry's Normal type gym. Sprigatito, evolving into the Grass/Dark type Meowscarada, excels against Tulip's and Ryme's gyms.
Team Star base raids are crucial for story progression and further highlight the importance of your starter choice. The crews with Dark and Poison Pokémon have Bug types to clear before facing the boss, while Fairy and Fighting type crews are perfect for Skeledirge, who is immune to the latter's attacks. Quaquaval and Meowscarada are strong against Rika's Ground Pokémon in the Elite Four, but Skeledirge surpasses them starting with Poppy's Steel team.
### The Best Starter Pokémon
