Top Starter Pokemon Picks by Generation

Choosing your starter Pokémon is a pivotal moment in any Pokémon game, marking the beginning of your journey towards becoming a Pokémon Master. This initial decision, often influenced by personal taste, sets the tone for your adventure, impacting your encounters with gyms, rivals, and the region's secrets. We've meticulously analyzed the base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and evolutions of each starter Pokémon across all generations to determine the best choice not just for the early stages but also for conquering the Elite Four and beyond.

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

Bulbasaur emerges as the top choice for dominating the Kanto region in Pokémon Red and Blue. While Charmander might initially seem appealing due to the scarcity of Fire types and its immunity to Ground attacks, Bulbasaur's Grass typing offers significant advantages. It excels against Brock's Rock Pokémon, Misty's Water types, and Giovanni's final gym lineup, making it the best option for tackling the first two members of the Elite Four. Challenges include Erika's Grass type gym and Blaine's Fire type gym, but these can be overcome with strategic play and the abundance of Water types in Kanto. Bulbasaur's evolution into Venusaur, which gains Poison typing, further enhances its versatility and effectiveness against a broader range of opponents.

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, Cyndaquil stands out as the best starter due to the limited number of Fire types introduced in Johto. Its Fire typing is highly effective against Bugsy's Bug type gym and Jasmine's Steel type gym, providing a significant advantage over other starters. While Totodile and Chikorita have their strengths, Cyndaquil's ability to handle the majority of gyms and the Elite Four's Grass and Bug types makes it the superior choice. Challenges include Pryce's Ice gym, but with a well-balanced team, Cyndaquil can overcome this hurdle and thrive in the late game.

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 is the optimal starter for Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, offering a strategic advantage over the Hoenn region's gyms. Its Water typing is super effective against Roxanne's Rock/Ground gym, Tate & Liza's Psychic gym, and Flannery's Fire gym. While Treecko also has advantages against some gyms, Mudkip's evolution into Swampert, which gains Ground typing, provides a robust defensive boost and immunity to Electric attacks. The only significant challenge is Wattson's Electric gym, but Mudkip's overall strengths and balanced stats make it the best choice for navigating Hoenn's challenges.

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

Chimchar is the standout starter in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, benefiting from the scarcity of Fire types in Sinnoh. Its Fire typing is super effective against Gardenia's Grass gym, Byron's Steel gym, and Candice's Ice gym, positioning it well for late-game success. While Turtwig has early-game advantages, Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, excels against the Elite Four's Bug types and offers a balanced approach to overcoming Sinnoh's challenges. The frequent encounters with Team Galactic's Bug types further solidify Chimchar's position as the best starter.

Gen 5: Tepig

Games: Pokémon Black & White

Starter options: Snivy (grass), Tepig (fire), Oshawott (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Black and White guide

Tepig is the clear choice for Pokémon Black and White, with its Fire typing and Fighting type evolution, Emboar, providing a significant advantage in Unova. It excels against Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym, and its Fighting type is super effective against Grimsley's Dark types in the Elite Four. While Snivy and Oshawott have their strengths, Tepig's ability to handle a broader range of challenges, including Team Plasma's Steel types, makes it the best starter for navigating Unova's trials.

Gen 6: Fennekin

Games: Pokémon X & Y

Starter options: Chespin (grass), Fennekin (fire), Froakie (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon X and Y guide

Fennekin is the top starter in Pokémon X and Y, with its Fire typing and Psychic type evolution, Delphox, offering a strategic advantage against the Kalos region's gyms. It is super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, making it well-suited for the late-game challenges. While Froakie and Chespin have their strengths, Fennekin's versatility and ability to handle the diverse Elite Four battles give it the edge in becoming a Pokémon Master.

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 is the best starter for Pokémon Sun and Moon, with its Fire typing and Dark type evolution, Incineroar, providing a significant advantage in the Alola region. It excels against Mallow's Grass trial, Sophocles' Electric gym, and Acerola's Ghost trial, making it the ideal choice for navigating the late-game challenges. While Rowlet and Popplio have their strengths, Litten's ability to handle the diverse trials and the Elite Four's varied teams solidifies its position as the top starter.

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 narrowly edges out Grookey and Scorbunny as the best starter in Pokémon Sword and Shield. It excels against Gordie's Rock gym and Raihan's Ground gym, and its final evolution, Inteleon, has well-balanced stats. While all three starters have advantages against three gyms each, Sobble's performance against the Champion Cup's toughest opponents, including Bede's Fairy types and Nessa's Water types, gives it a slight edge in the race to become a Pokémon Master.

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, with its Fire typing and Ghost type evolution, Skeledirge, offering a significant advantage in the Paldea region. It excels against Katy's Bug gym, Brassius' Grass gym, Tulip's Psychic/Fairy gym, and Grusha's Ice gym, making it the ideal choice regardless of the player's chosen path. While Sprigatito and Quaxly have their strengths, Fuecoco's ability to handle the diverse gyms and Team Star base raids solidifies its position as the top starter for dominating Paldea.