Choosing your starter Pokemon is one of the most important decisions in any Pokemon game. Do you go with the safe Grass type, the powerful Fire type, or the versatile Water type? In this complete guide, we cover every Pokemon starter from every main series game — from the original Kanto starters all the way through Paldea and Legends Z-A.
Gen 1 Starters – Kanto (Pokemon Red, Blue, Yellow, Fire Red, Leaf Green)
The Kanto starters are the most iconic trio in Pokemon history. Every fan knows Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle by heart. In Pokemon Yellow, you receive Pikachu as your starter instead. Gen 1 starters are available in Pokemon Fire Red and Leaf Green remakes, as well as Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee.
Bulbasaur (Grass/Poison) – Best choice for beginners. Strong against the first two gyms. Evolves into Ivysaur, then Venusaur.
Charmander (Fire) – The fan favorite. Challenging early game but powerful later. Evolves into Charmeleon, then Charizard.
Squirtle (Water) – Well-rounded and consistent. Evolves into Wartortle, then Blastoise.
Gen 2 Starters – Johto (Pokemon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, SoulSilver)
The Johto starters are beloved for their design and the nostalgia of the Gold and Silver era. The best Johto starter is often debated — Cyndaquil is a popular choice due to the scarcity of strong Fire types in Johto.
Chikorita (Grass) – Difficult early game, but great support-oriented final evolution Meganium.
Cyndaquil (Fire) – Most recommended for beginners in HeartGold. Evolves into Quilava, then Typhlosion.
Totodile (Water) – Hard-hitting physical attacker. Evolves into Croconaw, then Feraligatr.
Gen 3 Starters – Hoenn (Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, ORAS)
The Hoenn starters are fan favorites for their unique final evolution typings. ORAS starters are the same as the originals.
Treecko (Grass) – Fast and special attack focused. Evolves into Grovyle, then Sceptile.
Torchic (Fire) – Becomes a Fire/Fighting type upon evolving into Blaziken, making it one of the most powerful starter final evolutions.
Mudkip (Water) – Famous internet meme and excellent in-game choice. Water/Ground typing on Swampert gives it only one weakness.
Gen 4 Starters – Sinnoh (Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl)
Sinnoh starters are iconic and each offers a completely different play style. Pokemon Platinum starter choice matters more due to the game’s difficulty.
Turtwig (Grass) – Bulky physical attacker. Evolves into Grotle, then Torterra (Grass/Ground).
Chimchar (Fire) – Fire/Fighting final evolution Infernape is one of the strongest starter evolutions competitively.
Piplup (Water) – Becomes Water/Steel type Empoleon, one of the most defensively unique starters ever.
Gen 5 Starters – Unova (Pokemon Black, White, Black 2, White 2)
Unova starters all have a Fire/Fighting, Water, and Grass typing with unique final evolutions.
Snivy (Grass) – Sleek and fast. Evolves into Serperior, which has the Contrary ability in its hidden ability form.
Tepig (Fire) – Another Fire/Fighting starter, evolving into Emboar.
Oshawott (Water) – Evolves into the samurai-inspired Samurott.
Gen 6 Starters – Kalos (Pokemon X and Y)
Kalos brought the first fully 3D Pokemon games and three fantastic starters.
Chespin (Grass) – Becomes Grass/Fighting type Chesnaught.
Fennekin (Fire) – Becomes Fire/Psychic type Delphox, a magical fox.
Froakie (Water) – Becomes Water/Dark type Greninja, one of the most popular Pokemon ever created.
Gen 7 Starters – Alola (Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon)
Alola starters have dark-themed final evolutions with unique secondary typings.
Rowlet (Grass/Flying) – Becomes Grass/Ghost type Decidueye (in Legends Arceus Hisuian form).
Litten (Fire) – Becomes Fire/Dark type Incineroar, a professional wrestler-inspired cat.
Popplio (Water) – Becomes Water/Fairy type Primarina, the most elegant starter final form.
Gen 8 Starters – Galar (Pokemon Sword and Shield)
Galar’s starters have sports-themed final evolutions tied to football (soccer), wrestling, and magic.
Grookey (Grass) – Evolves into Rillaboom, a drum-playing gorilla.
Scorbunny (Fire) – Becomes Fire/Fighting Cinderace, a football striker.
Sobble (Water) – Becomes Water/Dark Inteleon, a spy-themed chameleon.
Pokemon Shield starters are the same as Sword — both games share the same starter trio.
Gen 9 Starters – Paldea (Pokemon Scarlet and Violet)
Paldea starters were introduced in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Sprigatito (Grass) – Cat-based Grass type. Evolves into Floragato, then Meowscarada (Grass/Dark).
Fuecoco (Fire) – Crocodile-based Fire type. Evolves into Crocalor, then Skeledirge (Fire/Ghost).
Quaxly (Water) – Duck-based Water type. Evolves into Quaxwell, then Quaquaval (Water/Fighting).
Hisui Starters – Pokemon Legends Arceus
In Pokemon Legends Arceus, you choose from three starters from different generations: Rowlet (Alola), Cyndaquil (Johto), and Oshawott (Unova). These Pokemon get special Hisuian final evolutions unique to the Hisui region.
Legends Z-A Starters
Pokemon Legends Z-A is set in Lumiose City in the Kalos region. The Legends Z-A starters include the classic Kanto starter trio — Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle — giving long-time fans a familiar but fresh start.
Can’t Decide? Use Our Random Starter Generator
Still can’t pick a starter? Use our random starter Pokemon generator to let fate decide! Set it to a specific game and click generate for a truly random starter selection.