Best Starter Pokémon for Each Generation

Choosing your first Pokémon is a defining moment in any Pokémon game, marking the start of a journey filled with battles, bonds, and growth. This initial decision, often guided by instinct or preference, feels like a personality test for many fans. Yet, it shapes your path to Pokémon mastery, influencing how you tackle gyms, rivals, and the region’s challenges.

After analyzing base stats, strengths, weaknesses, and regional matchups, we’ve determined the top starter Pokémon for each generation. These picks aren’t just about clearing early gyms—they’re built to carry you through the Elite Four and beyond, setting you on the path to becoming a Pokémon master.

Gen 1: Bulbasaur

Bulbasaur stands out as the strongest starter for dominating Kanto, especially with its advantage against the first gym’s Rock types. It outshines Charmander and Squirtle across the region’s challenges.

While Charmander’s Fire type may seem appealing due to Kanto’s limited Fire Pokémon and its immunity to Ground types in the final gym, Bulbasaur’s Grass type excels against Brock’s Rock Pokémon, Misty’s Water lineup, and Giovanni’s final gym. It’s also the best pick for the first two Elite Four members. Erika’s Grass gym and Blaine’s Fire gym pose challenges, but Kanto’s abundant Water types and strategic play can overcome these hurdles.

Bulbasaur trainers will face issues with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow in early encounters, and rival Blue’s Pidgeot and Charmander can be tough. A Water-type teammate helps here. Evolving into Venusaur, Bulbasaur gains Poison typing, boosting its edge over Professor Oak’s other starters with balanced stats and versatility.

Gen 2: Cyndaquil

With only eight new Fire types in Gen 2 compared to 10 Grass and 18 Water types, Cyndaquil’s rarity adds diversity to your team. It’s the top choice for Johto’s gyms and Elite Four matchups.

Cyndaquil easily handles Bugsy’s Bug gym and Jasmine’s Steel gym with moves like Ember and Flame Wheel. Chikorita struggles against early Bug and Flying gyms, as well as Morty’s Poison types, while Totodile lacks strong matchups against Fire, Ground, or Rock gyms. Cyndaquil faces a challenge in Pryce’s Water gym, but a balanced team can cover this gap.

The Elite Four’s Grass, Bug, and Poison types, plus Lance’s Dragon/Flying lineup, favor Cyndaquil’s final evolution, Typhlosion. Random Rock and Ground encounters and Lance’s Charizard and Gyarados require strategy, but Cyndaquil’s strengths outweigh Chikorita’s and Totodile’s weaknesses.

Gen 3: Mudkip

Mudkip’s Water typing makes it a strong pick for Hoenn, offering advantages in three of the eight gyms, including Roxanne’s Rock, Flannery’s Fire, and Tate & Liza’s Rock/Ground gyms. Treecko matches Mudkip in some areas, excelling against Wallace’s Water gym, but struggles with Flannery’s Fire and Winona’s Flying types. Torchic’s Fire and Fighting types (via Blaziken) fall short, with no gyms weak to Fire and only one to Fighting.

Mudkip’s final evolution, Swampert, gains Ground typing, becoming immune to Electric and weak only to Grass. This defensive boost lets it power through tough battles. Treecko’s Sceptile shines against Glacia’s Ice/Water Pokémon in the Elite Four, but Swampert’s versatility gives it the edge. Hoenn’s water-heavy terrain can slow grinding, but Mudkip’s strengths make it the top choice.

Gen 4: Chimchar

Chimchar’s Fire typing is a rare asset in Sinnoh, with only five new Fire types compared to 14 Water and Grass types. It dominates three gyms: Gardenia’s Grass, Byron’s Steel, and Candice’s Ice. Turtwig matches this with advantages in Roark’s Rock and Crasher Wake’s Water gyms, plus immunity to Electric via Torterra’s Ground typing. However, Chimchar’s late-game strength shines.

Infernape, Chimchar’s final evolution, excels against Aaron’s Bug Pokémon in the Elite Four, while Turtwig’s Torterra struggles with Bug weaknesses. Piplup’s Empoleon lacks significant gym or Elite Four advantages. Team Galactic’s Bug types further tip the scales toward Chimchar, making it the best pick for Sinnoh’s challenges.

Gen 5: Tepig

Tepig is the clear choice for Unova, with its Fire and Fighting typing (via Emboar) dominating Burgh’s Bug and Brycen’s Ice gyms. Snivy struggles with only one gym advantage and weaknesses to Bug and Flying types. Oshawott handles Clay’s Ground gym and resists Brycen’s Ice types but lacks Elite Four advantages.

Emboar’s Fighting type shines against Grimsley’s Dark Pokémon in the Elite Four, though Caitlin’s Psychic types pose a challenge. Team Plasma’s Steel types and the double Elite Four battles make Tepig’s versatility crucial, giving it a smoother path through Unova’s tough challenges.

Gen 6: Fennekin

Fennekin leads in Kalos, excelling in three gyms and resisting two others. Its final evolution, Delphox, gains Psychic typing, making it ideal for the Fairy, Psychic, and Ice gyms late in the game. Froakie’s Greninja (Water/Dark) handles Olympia’s Psychic gym but struggles with Grass, Electric, and Fairy types. Chespin’s Chesnaught (Grass/Fighting) falters against Bug, Psychic, and Fairy gyms.

The Elite Four’s balanced teams favor Delphox, which resists Diantha’s Gardevoir and handles Malva’s Fire types well. Fennekin’s Fire and Psychic typing gives it a clear edge for Kalos’ diverse challenges.

Gen 7: Litten

Litten dominates Alola’s trials, particularly Mallow’s Grass trial and Acerola’s Ghost trial, where its Fire/Dark-type Incineroar excels. Sophocles’ Electric trial, with Steel and Bug types, also favors Litten. Rowlet’s Decidueye (Grass/Ghost) and Popplio’s Primarina (Water/Fairy) each shine in one early trial but lack late-game advantages.

Alola’s Elite Four and post-champion battles are too diverse for any starter to dominate, but Litten’s trial performance and the region’s limited Fire types (eight vs. 13 Grass and Water) make it the strongest pick.

Gen 8: Sobble

Sobble edges out Grookey and Scorbunny in Galar’s tight race. All three starters excel in three gyms, but Sobble’s Water typing shines in Gordie and Raihan’s Rock and Ground gyms. Scorbunny handles Melony’s Ice and Opal’s Fairy gyms, while Grookey shares Sobble’s Rock/Ground advantages. The Champion Cup tips the scales toward Sobble, with Inteleon’s balanced stats excelling against Bede’s Fairy, Nessa’s Water, and Raihan’s Fire/Dragon teams.

Team Yell’s Dark types and fewer random encounters due to overworld Pokémon minimize other factors, making Sobble’s versatility the deciding factor.

Gen 9: Fuecoco

Fuecoco is the standout in Paldea, thriving in the region’s flexible structure. Its Fire typing, evolving into the Ghost-type Skeledirge, dominates Katy’s Bug, Brassius’ Grass, Tulip’s Psychic/Fairy, and Grusha’s Ice gyms. Sprigatito’s Meowscarada (Grass/Dark) handles Tulip and Ryme’s Ghost gym, while Quaxly’s Quaquaval (Water/Fighting) aids in Larry’s Normal gym but lacks early impact.

Team Star’s Dark, Poison, Fairy, and Fighting crews favor Skeledirge, especially against Fighting types, where it’s immune. In the Elite Four, Fuecoco outshines others from Poppy’s Steel team onward, making it the top choice for Paldea.