Best Starting Pokemon Of the Series

Key Takeaways

• Choosing a starter can define a trainer’s journey with various Pokemon types to pick from.
• Some starter Pokemon possess unique dual typings and impressive stats in later evolutions.
• Iconic starters like Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Pikachu remain popular choices for trainers.

Picking a starter Pokemon can be a defining moment for any budding trainer. The first partner that the player has on their journey can be crucial in any save. Starting with Pokemon Red & Blue in 1999, starter Pokemon have been around since the beginning.

Some Pokemon are incredible and have great movesets and typings, but others are less than favorable among fans. At the start of each game, the player will get a choice of a Grass, Water, or Fire Pokemon, and these are some of the best.

Updated October 23, 2024 by Ben Painter: Choosing the first starter Pokemon in a Pokemon game is a rite of passage. The concept has existed since the franchise’s debut in Pokemon Red & Blue. Usually, gamers would choose a Grass, Water, or Fire-type, but in some cases, Pikachu & Eevee are starters. The franchise has changed the name from “Starter Pokemon” to First Partner Pokemon in recent media, but in the case of this list, it will remain with its iconic name.

If gamers have the latest entry, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, then they can capture every starter in the Indigo Disk DLC. They just need to spend some Blueberry Points in the Blueberry Academy Terrarium to unlock the ability to do so. This update adds five more of the best starting Pokemon.

1 Tepig

Starting Pokemon In Pokemon Black, White, Black 2 & White 2

• Generation: 5
• Type: Fire
• Region: Unova

It can deftly dodge its foe’s attacks while shooting fireballs from its nose. It roasts berries before it eats them.

Tepig continued the trend of Ash Ketchum owning a Starter Pokemon, and the lovable little fire pig is certainly one of the best in the franchise. Fans did criticize this one as it eventually became a Fire/Fighting Pokemon with Pignite and Emboar, making it the fourth of its kind in a row.

However, looking past this, Tepig is a cute Pokemon and a really solid option for a playthrough of a Unova game. What gives the Fire Pig Pokemon an edge over its Unovan siblings is the fact it gains a secondary typing in its final stage, having access to some strong STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) Fighting moves.

Tepig’s Base Stats:

2 Grookey

Starting Pokemon In Pokemon Sword & Shield

• Generation: 8
• Type: Grass
• Region: Galar

When it uses its special stick to strike up a beat, the sound waves produced carry revitalizing energy to the plants and flowers in the area.

The three starter Pokemon from Pokemon Sword & Shield were somewhat criticized, mainly due to a lack of secondary types, but Grookey certainly has a lot going for it. Its design is awesome: a cute grass monkey who has a fondness for using a stick as a weapon.

This stick eventually becomes a set of drumsticks in its final form: Rillaboom, who is a full-on drummer who references the United Kingdom’s music scene. All three starters represent a part of UK culture, which the Galar region is based on. Rillaboom also has the benefit of a Gigantamax form, which is a nice bonus for choosing Grookey.

Grookey’s Base Stats:

3 Cyndaquil

Starting Pokemon In Pokemon Gold, Silver, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Legends: Arceus

• Generation: 2
• Type: Fire
• Region: Johto

Cyndaquil protects itself by flaring up the flames on its back. The flames are vigorous if the Pokémon is angry. However, if it is tired, the flames splutter fitfully with incomplete combustion.

The Johto region brought the next set of Pokemon Starters, which did not quite hit the same as the original trio, but Cyndaquil is still awesome, especially thanks to being a member of Ash’s team for the Silver Conference travels.

Typhlosion is its final form, despite its 3D models being lackluster and the recent unsettling leaks about it, it is still a great Pokemon to use. In Pokemon Legends: Arceus, it returned as a First Partner Pokemon, and Typhlosion was given a Hisuian form, which gained the much-needed secondary typing of Ghost. Since Fire types are hard to come by in Johto, Cyndaquil is a really solid option.

Cyndaquil’s Base Stats:

4 Bulbasaur

Starting Pokemon In Pokemon Red, Blue, FireRed & LeafGreen

• Generation: 1
• Type: Grass/Poison
• Region: Kanto

Bulbasaur can be seen napping in bright sunlight. There is a seed on its back. By soaking up the sun’s rays, the seed grows progressively larger.

It’s one of the most iconic Pokemon in the franchise, not just the Starters. Bulbasaur was one of Ash’s first Pokemon in the anime, a trait that is shared by many fans across the world.

Bulbasaur is potent to use in the Kanto games as it is strong against the first two Gyms, and it resists the third. It is the easy option in the game. It also comes with a secondary typing of Poison from the off, giving it an edge here. The Seed Pokemon eventually becomes the bulking Venusaur who has access to a Mega Evolution and a Gigantamax Form; they certainly do favor the originals.

Bulbasaur’s Base Stats:

5 Squirtle

Starting Pokemon In Pokemon Red, Blue, FireRed & LeafGreen

• Generation: 1
• Type: Water
• Region: Kanto

Its shell is not just for protection. Its rounded shape and the grooves on its surface minimize resistance in water, enabling Squirtle to swim at high speeds.

Squirtle, famed for its anime appearances as a member of the Squirtle Squad with its iconic glasses, is one of the best starting Pokemon in the franchise. Useful for the first gym, where its Water attacks are 4x effective against Brock’s Rock/Ground Pokemon and remain solid throughout a Kanto playthrough.

It becomes the unit Blastoise, which is one of the best-designed Pokemon ever, with its massive water cannons that come out of its shell. Squirtle has no faults, and it has been many fans’ go-to and first Pokemon since its inception in 1999. In future generations, Blastoise gained the advantage of a Mega Evolution and a Gigantamax form, which only adds to its appeal.

Squirtle’s Base Stats:

6 Oshawott

Starting Pokemon In Pokemon Black, White, Black 2, White 2 & Pokemon Legends: Arceus

• Generation: 5
• Type: Water
• Region: Unova

This otter Pokemon was a star in the anime under the control of Ash Ketchum, but he did not evolve it until its final form, the samurai Samurott. Although it does not gain a different type, it is still an awesome Pokemon to use in a playthrough of a Unova game.

It is also one of the starting Pokemon in Legends: Arceus, a game set in the ancient Hisui. This version of Samurott gains the Dark typing, also giving it a bonus for STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), Dark moves, and a whole host of advantages in-game. Oshawott would be a noble choice for any run, and it is one of the best starting Pokemon in the franchise.

Oshawott’s Base Stats:

7 Litten

Starting Pokemon In Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon

• Generation: 7
• Type: Fire
• Region: Alola

Alola has some awesome starting Pokemon and Litten is no exception. The fiery cat looks cute, but it has a mean streak to it. This is confirmed when it becomes its final form, the dirty wrestler Incineroar. This ‘mon also gains the Dark typing, striking opponents hard with its signature move, Darkest Lariat.

Incineroar is a very popular Pokemon, gamers may recognize it from Ash’s use of it in the anime and also as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Litten is one of the best starting Pokemon, gamers will need to boost the biodiversity in the Canyon Biome in the Blueberry Terrarium in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet if they want to use it in the latest Pokemon game.

Litten’s Base Stats:

8 Totodile

Starting Pokemon In Pokemon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold & SoulSilver

• Generation: 2
• Type: Water
• Region: Johto

The lovable, energetic, and adorable Totodile was famous for Ash’s use in the anime. He used a lot of starters throughout his journey. Its final form, Feraligatr, is a beast to use in the game. Although it remains a mono Water-type, this isn’t a bad thing as it has just two weaknesses in Grass and Electric.

The Johto starters, as a trio, are fairly solid, but Totodile is the most favored among fans, and it deserves its ranking among the best first-partner Pokemon in the franchise. There is a strong case that Totodile should have received a Dark typing alongside Water. Maybe in Pokemon Legends Z-A it will receive a regional form and gain another type as one of the starter Pokemon in the next game.

Totodile’s Base Stats:

9 Turtwig

Starting Pokemon In Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond & Shinning Pearl

• Generation: 4
• Type: Grass
• Region: Sinnoh

The Grass starter of Sinnoh completes an awesome trio of starters. All three have their placings among the best Pokemon of the franchise, but Turtwig is the weaker of the three. It evolved into the mighty Torterra, a tortoise with a landscape growing on its back, including trees.

In its final form, it gains the Ground type, making it 4x weak to Ice, but it allows for powerful Ground moves such as Earthquake and an immunity to Electric moves. Turtwig is also another Pokemon that was owned by Ash and a plot point of the anime was it learning how to make use of its extra weight upon evolving.

Turtwig’s Base Stats:

10 Torchic

Starting Pokemon In Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire

• Generation: 3
• Type: Fire
• Region: Hoenn

Surprisingly, Ash did not use Torchic in the anime. Instead, his traveling companion May made use of the fire chick, evolving it all the way into its final form, Blaziken, to aid her in her contests. The Fire/Fighting started the trend of three of the same type combination in a row.

It kicked it off with a bang with a solid final design, a signature move in Blaze Kick, and eventually received a Mega Evolution when the remakes of Ruby & Sapphire came around in Generation 6. The Hoenn starters are regularly tipped as the best three in the franchise, and Torchic is certainly among the best starters in the Pokemon games.

Torchic’s Base Stats:

11 Fuecoco

Starting Pokemon In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

• Generation: 9
• Type: Fire
• Region: Paldea

The cute little fire crocodile has been the star of the show when it comes to the starting Pokemon of Scarlet & Violet. Fuecoco eventually evolves into Skeledirge which has an amazing design and most impressively is the Fire/Ghost type which adds a uniqueness to this Pokemon.

Out of the new starters in Paldea Fuecoco takes the cake quite comfortably and deserves a place on this list. The other two have left fans divided about their questionable designs.

Fuecoco’s Base Stats:

12 Eevee

Starting Pokemon in Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee!, Pokemon XD: Gale Of Darkness & Pokemon Conquest

• Generation: 1
• Type: Normal
• Region: Kanto

Eevee isn’t the standard starter Pokemon, but it is the starter in the mainline game Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee and a couple of spin-off games; Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness and Pokemon Conquest, which earns it a place in this ranking. However, this isn’t the normal Eevee that can be caught in any of the other Pokemon games it comes with brand-new moves and improved stats.

This is handy because this Eevee cannot evolve, so if gamers are planning to turn this one into Vaporeon, Flareon, or Jolteon, then they should look for another Eevee. There is no doubt that Eevee is an iconic Pokemon and has become somewhat of a mascot for the franchise alongside Pikachu.

Eevee’s Base Stats:

13 Rowlet

Starting Pokemon In Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon & Pokemon Legends: Arceus

• Generation: 7
• Type: Grass/Flying
• Region: Alola

Rowlet is absolutely adorable, and he got a lot of love in the anime, being one of Ash’s star Pokemon in his first-ever Pokemon League win in Alola.

What is special about Rowlet is that it is a Grass/Flying type from the get-go, giving it an extra move with STAB, which is great in battle. When it evolves, it becomes Decidueye, which is well-designed and also Ghost-type, which has its advantages. It was so well received that it became a starter Pokemon in the Pokemon Legends: Arceus spin-off game.

Rowlett’s Base Stats:

14 Chimchar

Starting Pokemon In Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond & Shinning Pearl

• Generation: 4
• Type: Fire
• Region: Sinnoh

The Sinnoh starters as a trio are some of the best in all of the franchise and Chimchar is no exception. The fiery monkey is designed perfectly and also deserves some plaudits for its anime appearances.

When it reaches its final form, it becomes an Infernape. Although it was the second Fire/Fighting starter in a row, it was still universally loved by all. Infernape’s Close Combat has won many battles for trainers over the years. Fighting type is a useful type to have, and it helps to have both a Fire & Fighting in one spot of the player’s party.

Chimchar’s Base Stats:

15 Piplup

Starting Pokemon In Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond & Shinning Pearl

• Generation: 4
• Type: Water
• Region: Sinnoh

Piplup takes the place over Chimchar because look how adorable it is. Dawn’s Piplup in the anime was perfect, and it proved that not every Pokemon needs to evolve.

But if gamers did choose to evolve their Piplup in the games they would get a beast of a Pokemon, Empoleon. The Water/Steel emperor penguin Pokemon has a unique typing that works well with Water, countering some of its weaknesses.

Piplup’s Base Stats:

16 Treecko

Starting Pokemon In Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire

• Generation: 3
• Type: Grass
• Region: Hoenn

Just like with the Sinnoh starters, the starting Pokemon of the Hoenn games are solid and Treecko takes this spot in the ranking. The Grass gecko performs well in battle and is useful in the Hoenn games, which aren’t filled with too many solid Grass options.

Treecko evolves into Sceptile with some training and its design is flawless, bettered by its Mega Evolution, which gives it a Dragon secondary typing. Gamers will need to play Pokemon OmegaRuby or AlphaSapphire to get a Mega Sceptile, as they are not included in any later installments of the franchise.

Treecko’s Base Stats:

17 Mudkip

Starting Pokemon In Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire

• Generation: 3
• Type: Water
• Region: Hoenn

Mudkip became an internet meme back in the early 10s, older fans will remember ‘I Heard U Leik Mudkips’. This cemented its place as an amazing starter Pokemon.

The water type of Hoenn evolves into a Swampert which just like Sceptile is stunning. There is nothing to fault with Swampert. Its Ground typing is a nice addition and fits the mudskipper design perfectly, just make sure to watch out for Grass-type Pokemon, as they are weak to Grass.

Mudkip’s Base Stats:

18 Pikachu

Starting Pokemon Yellow & Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu!

• Generation: 1
• Type: Electric
• Region: Kanto

The Electric Mouse Pokemon is known to even non-Pokemon fans and, although it isn’t a traditional starter, it is included as one in two games, Pokemon Yellow and Pokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu!

Both instances said Pikachu cannot evolve. Nonetheless, Pikachu is a great starter Pokemon (thanks to its boosted stats in the games it is a starter). Pikachu will forever be an icon, even if it won’t feature in the anime as Ash’s partner anymore.

Pikachu’s Base Stats:

19 Froakie

Starting Pokemon in Pokemon X & Y

• Generation: 6
• Type: Water
• Region: Kalos

A newer Pokemon such as Froakie rarely gets as much love as it has received, but fans have taken it like a frog to water. Froakie is so clear above the over Kalos starters in design, and use in battle and anime appearances.

Greninja is the final form, and it is one of the best-designed Pokemon in the franchise, a ninja frog with the perfect dual typing of Water/Dark. Its shiny form is even better being all black with a red tongue. Greninja is famous in the anime for being one of Ash’s best Pokemon, bonding together with him to create Ash Greninja, a phenomenon not seen elsewhere in the franchise.

Froakie’s Base Stats:

20 Charmander

Starting Pokemon in Pokemon Red, Blue, FireRed & LeafGreen

• Generation: 1
• Type: Fire
• Region: Kanto

It could be any of the original 151 starters that take this spot but in this case, it goes for Charmander. GameFreak is a big fan of Charmander and its evolutions, and it is just the quintessential starter Pokemon that deserves all the love it gets.

Charmander has some great moments in the anime, but it is its final evolution that gives it this ranking. Charizard arriving to save Ash from Entei in the third Pokemon Movie was a beautiful piece of cinema. Although some fans may see that Charmander is overused, there is no denying its icon status.

Charmander’s Base Stats: