20 Best Starter Pokémon, Ranked

For every mainline Pokémon game, players must begin with a starter Pokémon. This Pokémon is the first partner they will choose and likely carry throughout the game. Starters are unique in the region because they typically can't be caught elsewhere. Over the years, though, players have had the chance to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the partners they have come to know and love.

As a result, fan debates have raged over which starter Pokémon are the best out of all the sets. There is no definitive way to say for sure, but some starters stand above others when considering their later abilities. In light of this, narrowing down the most powerful starter Pokémon in the entire franchise is difficult, but not impossible.

Updated on May 26, 2026 by Harley Whisenhunt: As the release of Pokémon Winds & Waves slowly approaches, fans of the franchise are growing increasingly excited about the next generation of starters being released. Accordingly, this list has been updated to reflect the most up-to-date information about these starters, as well as to reflect CBR's current style guide.

Snivy Can Be Contrary, but That's a Good Thing

Snivy has the unfortunate burden of being stuck as a mono-type Pokémon, being only a Grass-type even after it achieves its final evolution of Serperior. This also comes with the downside of an extremely limited moveset. However, what Snivy's evolutionary line lacks in diversity of action, it more than makes up for in raw power.

This is due to Serperior's hidden ability, Contrary. When activated, Contrary will turn what should have been a stat decrease from a move into a bonus. Couple this with Serperior's move Leaf Storm, and it can increase its Special Attack stat with each turn. Considering how Serperior is already a fast and powerful Pokémon, this suddenly makes it a game-changer if its Special Attack is boosted to the max.

Popplio Is an Underrated Starter Pokémon

There's no question that the Rowlett and Litten evolutionary lines are the most popular starter Pokémon from Gen VII. Regardless, the Water-type starter Pokémon from Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon deserves more respect. Popplio was a fun motif behind its design with the circus performer approach, and the fully-evolved Primarina is an inventive take on a sea lion and the folkloric siren.

Battling-wise, the Popplio line truly shines as a solid Water-type starter Pokémon when it gains its dual-typing as a Primarina. The graceful final form of the Popplio family becomes a Water/Fairy Pokémon with fantastic Special Defense and Attack. Better still, the Water/Fairy dual-typing is a superb defensive combination, thanks to the resistances and immunity it grants Primarina. Players can get Primarina a little earlier than usual, too, as it evolves from Brionne at Level 34 instead of the usual 36.

Oshawott's Line Is Even Better After Legends: Arceus

Even though some fans may not have expected Oshawott to take on the form Samurott did in Pokémon Black and White, it certainly has an inspired design and impressive assets. This friendly Water-type otter maintains a monotype throughout its evolutionary line. While it's true that's not ideal for battling viability, the fully-evolved Samurott is a reliable starter Pokémon throughout the Unova region. The vaguely samurai-like sea lion makes a strong case for being a mixed attacker thanks to its respectable and nearly even Attack and Special Attack stats.

It also helps that Water Pokémon are consistently useful in battle throughout the mainline games. The Oshawott line earns some deserved extra love and becomes an ever better starter Pokémon in the Gen VIII Nintendo Switch game Pokémon Legends: Arceus. The game graces Samurott with a sleeker, more exciting, and edgier design with the typing to match—Dark-type. Hisuian Samurott gets a slight focus on physical Attack and receives access to even more dangerous moves, like Ceasless Edge.

Squirtle's Typing Encouraged Greater Variety

Squirtle holds a special place in the hearts of many Pokémon fans, being the first Water-type starter. Not to mention the cool Squirtle Squad in the Pokémon anime. On top of that, Blastoise was on the cover of Pokémon Blue, leading players to be drawn to Squirtle over Bulbasaur, whose final evolutionary stage, Venusaur, graces the cover of Pokémon Green. Unlike its fellow starters in Gen I, Squirtle sticks with just its monotyping.

This even continues into Blastoise's Mega Evolution and Gigantamax forms. However, it remains a strong choice for those playing Kanto-based Pokémon games thanks to the Squirtle line's ability to learn Surf. Surf is vital for completing each Kanto Pokémon game, which means a spot on the party needs to be reserved for a Pokémon that can. Picking Squirtle ensures the spot is already taken, adding great flexibility for party construction. Furthermore, Blastoise is a relatively sturdy Pokémon that can hit quite strongly with its Attack and Special Attack stats.

Turtwig Becomes a Bulky Physical Pokémon

Returning to the turtle-themed starter design that began with Squirtle in Gen I, Pokémon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum's Turtwig opts for the Grass-type route. Unlike Squirtle, Turtwig eventually benefits from a dual typing when it evolves into a Torterra. This versatility gives the Grass-type starter worthwhile utility on a trainer's journey through the Sinnoh region. In terms of design, and despite not having the nostalgic charm or novelty of hailing from the first Generation, Turtwig has a sweet design while incorporating the natural qualities of its Grass typing.

Grotle feels like a natural progression of this aesthetic approach. Torterra is a fantastic way to take things a step further by combining the earthy qualities of the Grass and newfound Ground dual typing. Trainers should also find more than enough use for Torterra in battle throughout Gen IV's Sinnoh, as its fun type combination allows for several creative movesets. From a bulky physical wall to set up with Stealth Rock or heal with Synthesis to brute force with attacks like Earthquake, the Turtwig line brims with potential.

Treecko Is Not a Starter Pokémon to Be Underestimated

The Grass starter Treecko of Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald gets the short end of the stick compared to its counterparts. But even with the Fire-type Torchic and Water-type Mudkip stealing the show when it comes to battling performance, the Hoenn region's Treecko line can hold its own and has one of the most memorable designs in the Pokémon franchise. Hoenn's entire lineup has some of the best starter Pokémon designs in the series, but Treecko, Grovyle and Sceptile are the most consistently striking evolution throughlines.

Treecko's line is bursting with personality, but its biggest statistical drawback is its mono-Grass type. But Sceptile still boasts terrific Speed combined with high Special Attack to hit hard with attacks like Leaf Blade. However, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire remade the Game Boy Advance originals and gave Sceptile a Mega Evolution with a Grass/Dragon dual typing. This evolution is a powerful offensive dual typing that lets attacks like Leaf Storm and Dragon Pulse hit like a truck, even if Mega Blaziken and Mega Swampert are still a step or two ahead.

Piplup Gets an Excellent Typing for Its Final Form

The Chimchar line in Gen IV's Sinnoh region has firmly established itself as the best starter Pokémon for Diamond, Pearl and Platinum in terms of strength. That's thanks to its offensive typing and mixed attacking capabilities, but Piplup and its evolutions deserve their flowers too. The Water starter has plenty of cutesy charm thanks to its penguin theme, and Empoleon is a brilliant and classy play on the emperor penguin motif.

Empoleon has an incredibly regal design to make it immediately memorable. But it's undoubtedly no slouch when it comes to battling either. Offense might mostly be the name of the game for Gen IV's strong starter Pokémon lineup, but Piplup becomes a good defensive option when it gains the Water/Steel dual typing as an Empoleon. Combining its defensive typing, naturally stalwart Special Defense, and staunch Special Attack makes it a versatile battle partner.

Rowlet Has a Stylish Final Evolution

The popularity of a starter Pokémon often lives and dies based on how cool the final stage looks. While the perception of starter Pokémon like Popplio and Sobble remains mixed because of this, Rowlet has continued to maintain popularity thanks to Decidueye. So much so that Decidueye received a regional variant in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. This version takes on the Grass/Fighting type, making the owl an impressive physical attacker.

Rowlet is an adorable owl starter Pokémon that evolves into an awesome hooded archer, invoking the likes of English folk hero Robin Hood, with its Hisuian variant invoking a rōnin. Decidueye's original typing is also notable, being a Grass/Ghost type, which gives it a distinct type advantage over both the final evolutions of its contemporary starters.

Fuecoco Finally Realizes a Long-Time Dream of Fire Starter Fans

Fuecoco is the latest Fire starter Pokémon from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. As the Fire Croc Pokémon, Fuecoco is the second starter Pokémon based on an alligator or crocodile after Totodile. Like Rowlet and the Hisuian Cyndaquil, its final evolution stage, Skeledirge, adds the Ghost typing. This gives it an advantage over Meowscarada's Dark typing and Quaquaval's Fighting typing, with the latter's Fighting-type moves having no effect.

Fuecoco is a monumental starter Pokémon, as Skeledirge is the first Fire starter final evolution to stand on all fours. After numerous teases, such as the feline Litten and the pig Tepig, who initially begin on four feet before standing up on two feet for their later evolutions, Pokémon fans have begun to meme this design choice along with the frequent Fire/Fighting typings. In many ways, Skeledirge feels like a direct response. Skeledirge can be a capable physical wall in battle too, being able to outlast its opponent while making use of its strong Special Attack that complements its Fire and Ghost typing.

Bulbasaur Has Numerous Advantages in the Kanto Region

Bulbasaur often plays third wheel with Squirtle and Charmander in terms of popularity, but anyone who has picked Bulbasaur recognizes its strengths compared to the other two. Bulbasaur is one of two starter Pokémon, along with Rowlet, that immediately have a second typing. In Bulbasaur's case, it's Poison, which, unlike Rowlet, isn't replaced across its evolution line.

In Pokémon Red and Blue, the Poison typing is powerful and can be used to exploit the AI of Lance's Dragonites, ensuring the fully-evolved Venusaur an easy victory in what is otherwise the toughest battle. The Bulbasaur line also has numerous type advantages before the Elite Four, especially early on with Pokémon Red and Blue Gym battles against Brock and Misty. This is a big reason why many Pokémon fans consider picking Bulbasaur "easy difficulty" instead of the "hard difficulty" Charmander.