Choosing The Best Starter Pokémon: A Generation-by-Generation Breakdown

Laila Abdi

8 min read

Post on May 14, 2025

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Kanto Starters (Generation I): Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle

The original trio sets a high bar. Let's examine each Kanto starter Pokémon:

Bulbasaur (Grass):

• Strengths: Bulbasaur boasts a balanced start, strong against Water and Ground types. Its dual Grass/Poison typing offers early-game advantages, and it gains access to powerful moves like Vine Whip and Razor Leaf. Its decent defense makes it surprisingly resilient.
• Weaknesses: Fire, Ice, Flying, Poison, Bug, and Psychic type moves are highly effective against Bulbasaur, making certain gym battles challenging.
• Overall: A solid, if somewhat predictable, choice. Bulbasaur's balanced nature makes it a reliable option for those who prefer a more strategic approach, though it requires careful consideration of type matchups early in the game.

Charmander (Fire):

• Strengths: Charmander is an offensive powerhouse, excelling against Grass and Ice types. Its high attack stat allows for aggressive gameplay, leading to swift victories against many early-game opponents.
• Weaknesses: Water, Ground, and Rock types present significant challenges. Early battles against Water-type Pokémon can be quite difficult if not strategically managed.
• Overall: High risk, high reward. Charmander offers immense offensive power but requires a player willing to strategically navigate early-game Water-type encounters.

Squirtle (Water):

• Strengths: Squirtle provides a reliable defensive powerhouse, proving very effective against Fire and Ground types. Its high defense stat ensures it can take hits, making it a great choice for beginners. Squirtle is a consistent and reliable early-game choice.
• Weaknesses: Electric and Grass types pose significant threats. You'll need to be mindful of these types in your team composition.
• Overall: A consistently strong choice for its reliable defense and consistent performance. Squirtle offers a solid foundation for your team, allowing you to learn the game at your own pace.

Johto Starters (Generation II): Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile

The Johto region introduces a new set of challenges and a fresh batch of starter Pokémon.

Chikorita (Grass):

• Strengths: Chikorita's Grass typing offers good early-game coverage. Its access to strong support moves makes it a valuable asset in a team setting.
• Weaknesses: Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug, and Ice types can easily exploit Chikorita's weaknesses, making team composition and strategy vital.
• Overall: A strategic choice that requires careful planning.

Cyndaquil (Fire):

• Strengths: Cyndaquil boasts a powerful offensive presence, strong against Grass and Ice types in the Johto region.
• Weaknesses: Water, Ground, and Rock types pose considerable threats, needing careful consideration of team strategies.
• Overall: High offensive capability needs careful team balancing to mitigate its weaknesses.

Totodile (Water):

• Strengths: Totodile provides solid early-game defense, easily handling Fire and Ground types.
• Weaknesses: Electric and Grass type moves are particularly effective against Totodile, demanding tactical team planning.
• Overall: A reliable defensive option with good offensive potential.

Hoenn Starters (Generation III): Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip

The Hoenn region expands the starter choices.

Treecko (Grass):

• Strengths: Agile and fast, Treecko excels with quick attacks.
• Weaknesses: Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug, and Psychic-type moves are super effective.
• Overall: A balanced starter who shines in speed and agility.

Torchic (Fire):

• Strengths: High attack stat and good type coverage.
• Weaknesses: Water, Ground, and Rock-type moves will be problematic.
• Overall: A powerful offensive option, but it's important to be prepared for its vulnerabilities.

Mudkip (Water):

• Strengths: Solid defensive stats and access to strong Water-type moves.
• Weaknesses: Electric and Grass types deal significant damage.
• Overall: A reliable, defensive choice with good type coverage.

Sinnoh Starters (Generation IV): Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup

Sinnoh offers a unique set of challenges.

Turtwig (Grass):

• Strengths: Good bulk and access to strong defensive moves.
• Weaknesses: Fire, Ice, Flying, Poison, Bug, and Ice types remain problematic.
• Overall: A defensive powerhouse but needs careful consideration of weaknesses.

Chimchar (Fire):

• Strengths: High offensive capabilities and good type coverage.
• Weaknesses: Water, Ground, and Rock types continue to pose a threat.
• Overall: A glass cannon with high offensive power but low defense.

Piplup (Water):

• Strengths: Balanced stats and consistent performance.
• Weaknesses: Electric and Grass types deal significant damage.
• Overall: A well-rounded choice who is solid in most situations.

Unova Starters (Generation V): Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott

Unova introduces a new style of Pokémon.

Snivy (Grass):

• Strengths: High Speed and Special Attack, making it a powerful offensive threat.
• Weaknesses: Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug, and Ice types cause significant damage.
• Overall: A powerful offensive choice for those who appreciate speed and strategic play.

Tepig (Fire):

• Strengths: High Attack and solid offensive presence.
• Weaknesses: Water, Ground, and Rock types are significant threats.
• Overall: A powerful attacking starter, but you need to strategize against its weaknesses.

Oshawott (Water):

• Strengths: Good balanced stats and a well-rounded move pool.
• Weaknesses: Electric and Grass types inflict major damage.
• Overall: A reliable choice with strong defensive and offensive potential.

Kalos Starters (Generation VI): Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie

The Kalos region introduces Fairy-type Pokémon, shaking up the meta.

Chespin (Grass):

• Strengths: High Defense and access to strong physical attacks.
• Weaknesses: Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug, and Ice types remain a concern.
• Overall: A defensive powerhouse but needs tactical play to overcome weaknesses.

Fennekin (Fire):

• Strengths: High Special Attack and excellent type coverage.
• Weaknesses: Water, Ground, and Rock types are significant threats.
• Overall: A special attacker that dominates its early game but needs a strategic approach against tough opponents.

Froakie (Water):

• Strengths: High Speed and solid offensive potential.
• Weaknesses: Electric and Grass types pose significant threats.
• Overall: A fast and agile attacker who requires careful team building to cover its weaknesses.

Alola Starters (Generation VII): Rowlet, Litten, Popplio

Alola brings a tropical twist to starter choices.

Rowlet (Grass/Ghost):

• Strengths: Unique typing and access to strong special attacks.
• Weaknesses: Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug, Ghost, Dark, and Ice types deal significant damage.
• Overall: A unique and powerful choice, needing a well-rounded team to counter its vulnerabilities.

Litten (Fire):

• Strengths: High attack stat and access to strong fire-type moves.
• Weaknesses: Water, Ground, and Rock types will need strategizing.
• Overall: A powerful attacker who can quickly become an asset to the team.

Popplio (Water):

• Strengths: Balanced stats and good special attack potential.
• Weaknesses: Electric and Grass types present significant threats.
• Overall: A solid, reliable choice with balanced stats and useful abilities.

Galar Starters (Generation VIII): Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble

The Galar region offers a unique set of starter Pokémon.

Grookey (Grass):

• Strengths: Good offensive stats and access to strong Grass-type moves.
• Weaknesses: Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug, and Ice types are a concern.
• Overall: A strong offensive starter with high potential.

Scorbunny (Fire):

• Strengths: High Speed and Special Attack, making it a powerful offensive threat.
• Weaknesses: Water, Ground, and Rock types need careful planning.
• Overall: A glass cannon with incredible offensive power but low defensive stats.

Sobble (Water):

• Strengths: High Speed and Special Attack; its evolution line boasts Stealth Rock.
• Weaknesses: Electric and Grass types are significant threats.
• Overall: A versatile starter with a high speed advantage and tactical utility.

Hisui Starters (Generation VIII - Legends: Arceus): Rowlet, Cyndaquil, Oshawott

The Hisui region provides a unique twist on classic starters.

Rowlet (Grass/Flying):

• Strengths: Powerful early-game moves and excellent type coverage.
• Weaknesses: Fire, Ice, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Ice types are significant concerns.
• Overall: A strategically strong choice for its early-game advantage in the Hisui region.

Cyndaquil (Fire):

• Strengths: High attack stat and strong offense.
• Weaknesses: Water, Ground, and Rock types necessitate careful team building.
• Overall: A reliable offensive powerhouse, needing a balanced team to overcome type disadvantages.

Oshawott (Water):

• Strengths: Balanced stats and reliable performance.
• Weaknesses: Electric and Grass types deal considerable damage.
• Overall: A good all-around choice, providing reliability and consistent performance.

Paldea Starters (Generation IX): Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly

The Paldea region offers exciting new starter Pokémon!

Sprigatito (Grass):

• Strengths: High Speed and Special Attack, offering an agile offensive approach.
• Weaknesses: Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug, and Ice types remain weaknesses.
• Overall: An excellent choice for players who enjoy fast-paced, offensive strategies.

Fuecoco (Fire):

• Strengths: High Attack and access to strong Fire-type moves, including the unique Tera Blast.
• Weaknesses: Water, Ground, and Rock types will pose challenges.
• Overall: A potent Fire-type starter with access to powerful moves.

Quaxly (Water):

• Strengths: Balanced stats and a combination of physical and special attacks.
• Weaknesses: Electric and Grass types cause considerable damage.
• Overall: A solid, reliable choice with a combination of physical and special offensive moves.

Conclusion

Choosing the best starter Pokémon is a deeply personal decision, influenced by playstyle and preferred type matchups. This generation-by-generation breakdown offers a comprehensive overview to help you make an informed choice for your Pokémon journey. Remember to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each starter Pokémon and how they might impact your adventure. Ultimately, the "best" starter is the one you find the most fun to play with! So, start your adventure today and pick your best starter Pokémon!