Choosing your first Pokémon partner is a defining moment in any Pokémon journey. While Legendary Pokémon often steal the spotlight, it’s the starters that set the tone for your adventure. With over 1,000 unique Pokémon across nine mainline game generations, selecting the right starter is crucial. From the original trio to the latest additions, each starter brings unique strengths and weaknesses to the table. This ranking, based on design, battle effectiveness, and overall impact, covers every mainline starter Pokémon from worst to best.
The Pokédex entry for Tepig.Tepig’s design, while cute, lacks the memorable qualities of other starters. Its final evolution, Emboar, gains the Fighting-type, offering an advantage against the Elite Four, but the overall design fails to impress.
Bottom Tier Starters
These starters, while not terrible, fall short in terms of design, competitive viability, or overall impact on their respective games.
Tepig: A Fire-Type Falls Flat
Tepig, the Fire-type starter from Generation 5 (Black and White/Black 2 and White 2), is a serviceable choice, especially with its final evolution, Emboar, gaining the Fighting-type. This dual-typing provides an edge against the Elite Four. However, its design remains underwhelming throughout its evolutions, lacking a distinct visual appeal.
Sobble: A Tearful Disappointment
Generation 8 (Sword and Shield) introduced Sobble, a Water-type with a unique crying gimmick. While its final evolution, Inteleon, offers a sleek design and strategic advantages, Sobble’s overall impact is diminished by the relatively balanced nature of all three Gen 8 starters. Its Pokédex entry mentioning tears with “the chemical punch of 100 onions” is a highlight, though.
Sobble in the dirt in Pokémon.Sobble’s underwhelming design and the balanced nature of the Gen 8 starters contribute to its lower ranking. However, its unique crying ability and strategic advantages in later-game battles are worth noting.
Mid-Tier Starters: Solid Choices
These starters provide a reliable experience, boasting decent designs and battle capabilities.
Fuecoco: From Unassuming to Unique
Fuecoco, the Fire-type starter from Generation 9 (Scarlet and Violet), initially seems uninspired. However, its final evolution, Skeledirge, breaks the mold as the first Fire/Ghost-type starter. This unique typing, combined with its powerful moveset, makes Skeledirge a formidable force, overcoming its awkward middle evolution, Crocalor.
A painting of three new Pokemon from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet..Fuecoco’s final evolution, Skeledirge, stands out as the first Fire/Ghost-type starter, offering a unique and powerful option for players.
Totodile: A Familiar Face
Totodile, the Water-type from Generation 2 (Gold, Silver, and Crystal), offers a familiar yet distinct experience compared to Squirtle. Its early evolution provides an advantage in the early game, but its subsequent evolutions lack significant design changes.
Totodile in the water in Pokémon.Totodile’s design and early evolution provide advantages, though its later evolutions lack significant visual distinction.
Chimchar: The Fiery Monkey
Chimchar, the Fire-type from Generation 4 (Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum), bears a resemblance to Charmander but evolves into the unique and powerful Infernape, inspired by Sun Wukong. Its Fire-typing provides a significant advantage due to the limited number of Fire-type Pokémon available in Gen 4.
Chimchar striking a pose in Pokémon.Chimchar’s final evolution, Infernape, offers a distinct design and powerful moveset, making it a valuable asset in Gen 4.
Cyndaquil: A Blazing Start
Cyndaquil, the Fire-type from Generation 2, offers a powerful start with its blazing spine and effective Fire-type moves. However, its evolutions lack creativity, with Typhlosion being a larger, bipedal version of its previous forms.
A cyndaquil in Pokémon.Cyndaquil provides a powerful start but its evolutions lack significant design changes, affecting its overall appeal.
Mudkip: The Meme-worthy Amphibian
Mudkip, the Water-type from Generation 3 (Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald), gained popularity through internet memes. However, its evolution into Swampert, a powerful Water/Ground-type, makes it a formidable choice.
The Mudkip Pokédex entry.Mudkip’s evolution into the powerful Water/Ground-type Swampert makes it a strong choice, despite its meme-worthy status.
Top Tier Starters: Iconic and Powerful
These starters are iconic, boast excellent designs, and offer significant advantages throughout their respective games.
Charmander: The Classic Fire-Type
Charmander, the original Fire-type starter, evolves into the iconic Charizard, a fan favorite and a powerful force in battle. Its design progression is well-executed, culminating in the imposing dragon-like Charizard.
Charmander shouting in a dead field in Pokémon.Charmander’s evolution into the iconic Charizard makes it a classic and powerful starter choice.
Froakie: The Unassuming Ninja
Froakie, the Water-type from Generation 6 (X and Y), evolves into the incredibly popular Greninja, a Water/Dark-type with a unique ninja-like design. Its drastic transformation and impressive battle capabilities make it a memorable starter.
The Pokédex image for Froakie.Froakie’s evolution into the stylish and powerful Greninja makes it a top contender among starter Pokémon.
Bulbasaur: The Underrated Champion
Bulbasaur, the Grass-type starter from Generation 1, is often overlooked but offers a strong start and useful Grass/Poison typing. Its evolutions feel like natural progressions, maintaining a consistent design while gaining power and utility.
Bulbasaur in Pokémon scarlet and violet.Bulbasaur’s consistent design, strong start, and useful typing make it a top-tier choice, often overshadowed by its Gen 1 counterparts.
