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

Mei Lin

4 min read

Post on May 14, 2025

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Generation I: Kanto's Classic Trio

Kanto's iconic starter Pokémon – Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle – set the standard for generations to come. Their type matchups offer a classic Rock-Paper-Scissors dynamic that perfectly introduces players to the core mechanics of Pokémon type advantages.

• Bulbasaur: This Grass/Poison type boasts a balanced approach. Its dual typing offers strong defenses against Water-type Pokémon, a common early-game threat. Bulbasaur's evolution into Venusaur provides excellent bulk and powerful Grass-type moves, making it a solid choice for the long haul.

• Charmander: A pure Fire type, Charmander offers strong offensive capabilities early on, with a powerful advantage against Grass-type opponents. However, its vulnerability to Water-type attacks makes it a risky choice for inexperienced trainers. Its evolution into Charizard provides impressive power, but this is somewhat offset by its continued Water weakness.

• Squirtle: The Water-type Squirtle excels in early-game battles, often countering many early gym leaders effectively. Its evolution into Blastoise provides a formidable defensive wall, boasting high defense and Special Defense stats.

Choosing the best Kanto starter Pokémon truly depends on your playstyle. Do you prefer a balanced approach (Bulbasaur), raw offensive power (Charmander), or steadfast defense (Squirtle)?

Generation II: Johto's Diverse Choices

Johto introduced a new trio of starters, each bringing unique strengths and challenges to the table.

• Chikorita: This Grass-type Pokémon might seem underwhelming early on, but its evolution into Meganium provides surprising bulk and powerful special attacks later in the game.

• Cyndaquil: The Fire-type Cyndaquil evolves into Typhlosion, a powerful physical attacker with a solid movepool. Its offensive presence makes it a reliable choice for those who enjoy aggressive play.

• Totodile: Totodile's Water-type attacks pack a punch from the beginning, evolving into Feraligatr, a fearsome physical powerhouse. Its high attack stat makes it a formidable offensive force throughout the game.

Generation III: Hoenn's Powerful Starters

Hoenn gifted us with a trio of incredibly popular and powerful starter Pokémon.

• Treecko: The agile Grass-type Treecko and its evolution, Sceptile, benefit from high speed, making it an effective offensive threat.

• Torchic: Torchic, a Fire-type Pokémon, is often cited as one of the best Hoenn starters. Its evolution into Blaziken boasts a powerful physical attack stat and the ability to learn powerful fire and fighting moves.

• Mudkip: The adorable Water-type Mudkip evolves into Swampert, a physically powerful Pokémon that excels in both attack and defense. Its popularity speaks volumes about its effectiveness.

Generation IV onwards: A Continued Exploration

From the Sinnoh region's Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup, to the Paldean Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly, each generation has provided a diverse range of starter Pokémon, each with compelling strengths and weaknesses. Exploring these later generations reveals fascinating type combinations and strategic advantages, often shifting the meta and challenging the definition of the "best" starter Pokémon. For a deeper dive into these later generations, we recommend exploring dedicated guides for each region’s starter Pokémon. This will give you an even deeper insight into the nuanced strategies surrounding selecting the best starter Pokémon for your chosen game.

Conclusion: Making Your Ultimate Starter Pokémon Choice

Selecting the best starter Pokémon requires careful consideration of your playstyle and the challenges ahead. While some excel in early-game battles, others flourish in the later stages of the game. Understanding type matchups is crucial, but ultimately, the "best" starter Pokémon is the one that resonates with you. Now that you've explored the best starter Pokémon throughout the generations, which one will you choose for your next Pokémon adventure? Share your pick in the comments below!