The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →For a broadly useful story-playthrough pick, my recommendations are Bulbasaur, Cyndaquil, Mudkip, Chimchar, Oshawott, Froakie, Rowlet, Scorbunny, and Fuecoco for Generations I through IX. These are editorial picks, not a universal power ranking: the best fit changes with the game, your team, how you train, and whether you value a favorite design or a particular challenge more than a smoother campaign.
Pokémon Support says strength depends on training and “what kind of challenge you’re facing.” The guide below therefore treats “best” as a practical choice for an ordinary story run, not a claim about competitive battles, every remake, or every player.
Which starter should you choose?
Start with the game you are actually playing, then consider what the starter adds to your team. A type or evolution that helps in one game may matter less in another, and your other Pokémon can cover weaknesses or fill gaps. Design preference is a valid deciding factor too: you will spend a long time with your choice.
- For a broadly useful story pick: use the recommendations below as a starting point, not a guarantee that the campaign will be easy.
- For competitive play: check the specific game, format, rules, and available abilities. A story recommendation does not establish which Pokémon is strongest in that environment.
- For a challenge run: decide what kind of challenge you want first. A starter that is convenient in a standard run may not be the most interesting choice for a self-imposed ruleset.
- For a favorite design: choose the Pokémon you most want to raise. There is no need to treat a general recommendation as a requirement.
The Escapist’s 2025 overview counts 27 starter lines across Generations I–IX. The table lists those nine established trios and the recommended story pick in each.
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All nine established starter trios
| Generation and region | Starter choices | Story-playthrough pick |
|---|---|---|
| I — Kanto | Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle | Bulbasaur |
| II — Johto | Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile | Cyndaquil |
| III — Hoenn | Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip | Mudkip |
| IV — Sinnoh | Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup | Chimchar |
| V — Unova | Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott | Oshawott |
| VI — Kalos | Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie | Froakie |
| VII — Alola | Rowlet, Litten, Popplio | Rowlet |
| VIII — Galar | Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble | Scorbunny |
| IX — Paldea | Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly | Fuecoco |
The best starter pick for each generation
Generation I: Bulbasaur (Kanto)
Bulbasaur is my practical Kanto pick because its Grass/Poison evolution line gives it a distinct two-type identity from the start. It is a sensible choice if you want a starter that brings more than a single elemental type to the team early. Choose Charmander instead if Charizard is your favorite, or Squirtle if you would rather build around a Water-type.
Generation II: Cyndaquil (Johto)
Cyndaquil is the straightforward choice when you want a Fire-type anchor for a Johto story team. Its appeal is role clarity: it gives the team a Fire option without asking you to choose between the other two starters’ Grass and Water roles. Totodile is a strong alternative if its design or Water role suits your plans better; this is not a claim that Cyndaquil wins every Johto matchup.
Generation III: Mudkip (Hoenn)
Mudkip earns the recommendation for its Water/Ground final evolution, Swampert, which combines two types in one team slot. That can make team-building more flexible if you want a starter to cover more than one role. Pick Treecko or Torchic if you prefer their designs or want their Grass- or Fire-focused lines instead.
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Generation IV: Chimchar (Sinnoh)
Chimchar is my pick for a flexible Sinnoh story team because its final evolution, Infernape, is Fire/Fighting. That combination gives the line a clear offensive identity and pairs two types in one slot. Turtwig and Piplup are equally reasonable choices for players who prefer their designs or want their respective Grass and Water lines.
Generation V: Oshawott (Unova)
Oshawott is the adaptable choice here: its evolution line stays Water-type in the original Unova games, making its role easy to understand while leaving room to build the rest of the team around other types. If you are playing Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the context changes: Oshawott is one of three returning starters there, and its final evolution is Hisuian Samurott. That is a special game-specific form, not a new generation’s starter trio.
Generation VI: Froakie (Kalos)
Froakie is the recommendation if you want a starter whose final form, Greninja, adds Dark to its Water typing. That gives the line a distinctive combination and can broaden the types represented by one team member. Fennekin is the alternative if you prefer a Fire line that becomes Fire/Psychic; choose Chespin if its Grass line is the one you want to raise.
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Generation VII: Rowlet (Alola)
Rowlet stands out for its unusual evolution path: it begins as Grass/Flying and its final evolution, Decidueye, is Grass/Ghost. That shift gives the line a different identity by its final stage, which is appealing if you value a distinctive type combination. Pokémon Legends: Arceus uses Rowlet as a returning starter and gives it Hisuian Decidueye as its final form, so the best fit can depend on which game you mean.
Generation VIII: Scorbunny (Galar)
Scorbunny is my Galar pick for players who want a direct Fire-type role and a clear choice between the trio’s elemental paths. Grookey and Sobble may be better personal picks if you prefer Grass or Water, but there is no evidence here for calling Scorbunny universally strongest across story play, competitive formats, and challenge rulesets.
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Generation IX: Fuecoco (Paldea)
Fuecoco is the pick if you want a starter whose final evolution, Skeledirge, combines Fire and Ghost. That gives it a recognizable two-type role for a Paldea team. Sprigatito and Quaxly are reasonable choices if their designs or Grass- and Water-based lines appeal more to you; your preferred final form can matter more than a general-purpose recommendation.
Rank #4
- POKÉMON PLUSH: Choose to cuddle Charmander, the Lizard Pokémon
- SPECIAL MATERIAL: Snuggly 8-inch Pokémon plush is made with super soft material
- AUTHENTIC DETAILS: Charmander looks like it jumped right out of the Pokémon Animated Series
- TEAM BUILDING: Collect other 8-inch Pokémon plush and build your own unique team
- OFFICIAL PRODUCT: Officially licensed Pokémon product from Jazwares
Why there is no objective winner
Starter rankings depend on what “best” means. Story usefulness depends on the game and the team around the starter; typing and evolution affect what roles it can fill; competitive viability depends on a specific format; and personal preference can outweigh any of those considerations.
Even total stats cannot settle the question by themselves. A 2016 Journal of Geek Studies analysis found that Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise each have 425 total base-stat points in the original Generation I games, then cautioned that the sum alone does not show which starter is strongest. That figure applies to those original versions, not every later game or starter trio.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Generation X: announced, but not rankable yet
A Dot Esports starter list updated August 12, 2026, reports Generation X starters Browt (Grass), Pombon (Fire), and Gecqua (Water), with Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves listed for 2027. The same reference says their evolutions are unknown. Without the final forms or released-game performance to compare, naming a best Generation X starter would be guesswork.
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Best Value
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Returning starters are not new generation trios
Pokémon Legends: Arceus reuses Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott, with Hisuian final evolutions for their lines: Hisuian Decidueye, Hisuian Typhlosion, and Hisuian Samurott. Pokémon Legends: Z-A also uses returning species—Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile, according to the Dot Esports 2026 reference. These are game-specific starter sets, not additional generational trios.
For any remake or spin-off, check the starter choices and forms in that specific game. A recommendation for the original generation’s games should not be assumed to fit every later release.
Quick Recap
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