Choosing a starter Pokémon at the beginning of any Pokémon game is one of the toughest choices in all of gaming. It's an important decision, as it's essentially a commitment to a specific path for the duration of that playthrough, assuming the player is aiming towards an even type coverage across the team. Fire-type starters are often favored due to their rarity in the earlier stages of a game, but it should ultimately come down to personal preference.

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Even though the starter Pokémon are always Water, Fire, and Grass types, their later evolution forms can sometimes bring interesting and exciting type combinations that are more useful and effective in battles than others. The best generations for starter Pokémon have the best designs, characters, and move-sets on average across all three Pokémon.

Updated November 21, 2022 by Tom Steel: With Pokémon's ninth generation finally here with the Scarlet & Violet games, plenty of new and exciting species have been introduced to this storied franchise. Naturally, with these new games and Pokémon, comes a new set of starters to choose from. Fuecoco, Sprigatito, and Quaxly each bring a unique personality and area of battling expertise, making for different playthrough experiences depending on which is chosen. These new additions hold up well when compared to previous starter Pokémon and are certainly deserving of being held in the same conversation.

9 Generation V: The Unova Trio Are Cute Enough But Compare Poorly To The Other Generations

Pokémon Black & White: Oshawott, Tepig & Snivy

The Unova starter Pokémon in the anime, Oshawott, Snivy and Ash holding Tepig

The Pokémon Black & White anime series is the last time that Ash Ketchum owned all three starters, which was his approach used in the first two regions. Ash's Oshawott, Snivy, and Tepig have their own personalities and characteristics that make them interesting enough, but there just aren't enough memorable aspects about the trio to compare them to starter Pokémon from every other generation.

Oshawott and Snivy's final evolutions, Samurott and Serperior, don't gain a second type to go with Water and Grass respectively, although Samurott did receive a Hisuian variant in Pokémon Legends: Arceus with a secondary Dark typing. Tepig's final form, Emboar, is then another Fire-Fighting combination that doesn't rank anywhere near Blaziken and Infernape.

8 Generation VIII: Scorbunny Carries The Other Galarian Starters

Pokémon Sword & Shield: Scorbunny, Sobble & Grookey

Scorbunny, Sobble and Grookey are the Galar Starters in Pokemon

The trio of starters from the Sword & Shield games and Pokémon Journeys series, Scorbunny, Sobble, and Grookey, all stick to their single typing through all three forms. The only other generation to do this with all three starter Pokémon is Gen II.

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Scorbunny, Raboot and Cinderace arguably save this generation's choice of starters as the Fire-type bunny line is generally beloved the world over. This is partially due to its portrayal in the anime: adorable, adventurous, and loyal at the start and evolving into a serious battler. All three final forms can certainly be used in one's main party, but none of them really stand out as a team carrier.

7 Generation VI: The Froakie Evolution Line Is One Of The Best In The Entire Franchise

Pokémon X & Y: Chespin, Froakie & Fennekin

Chespin, Forakie and Fennekin are the Kalos starters in Pokemon

Ash's Pokémon League finalist team in Kalos was arguably his best yet, and his Greninja was a crucial part of this well-oiled machine. The Water-Dark type Pokémon is the final form of Froakie, which, along with Chespin and Fennekin, make up the X & Y starters.

The main thing about starter Pokémon is that each of them has a strength and a weakness against the others, and Gen VI doubles this super-effectiveness, adding Dark, Fighting, and Psychic typings to Greninja, Chesnaught, and Delphox respectively. Greninja is globally loved, more so than the other Gen VI starters, mostly for its strength, cool design, and good move-set. If not for the Froakie line, the Kalos starters would rank lower.

6 Generation II: Johto's Starters Were Formed In The Shadows Of Kanto's Original Three

Pokémon Gold, Silver, & Crystal: Cyndaquil, Totodile & Chikorita

Cyndaquil, Totodile and Chikorita are the Johto Starters in Pokemon

The Johto starters are quite likely to be recognized by casual Pokémon fans just behind Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur. Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile stick to their Grass, Fire, and Water typings throughout all their evolution forms and struggle to emerge from the shadows of the starters and their final evolution forms from the original games.

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Feraligatr stands out as it can utilize some of the newly introduced Dark-type moves, and despite not being part Dark-type, it can help add to its offensive move coverage. It can also use Ice-type moves which is especially helpful against the strong Dragon trainers in this generation, Clair and Lance.

5 Generation VII: Alola Saw A Return To Consistency In Terms Of Starters

Pokémon Sun & Moon: Popplio, Rowlet & Litten

The Alola Starters in Pokemon are Popplio, Rowlet and Litten

The starter Pokémon from Alola were a return to consistency across all three, with adorable designs and strong dual-type final forms. All three have great move coverage and any of the three final evolutions would certainly be a big player towards the end of the Sun & Moon games.

Litten's final evolution, Incineroar, is based on a wrestler but is Dark instead of Fighting. Decidueye, Rowlet's final form, is an Owl that isn't Flying-type, Grass-Ghost instead. Popplio's final form, Primarina, also provides the first starter evolution that is part Fairy type, which also allows for a diverse move-set.

4 Generation IX: The Paldean Starters Have Exceeded Expectations

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Sprigatito, Quaxly, & Fuecoco

Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly, the Starter Pokemon from Scarlet & Violet

The long-awaited ninth generation of Pokémon has finally arrived and has been enjoyed by most who have played it, despite its performance issues. The open-world experience has been a welcome inclusion to the Pokémon series and has made Scarlet & Violet the most accessible and appealing games for a long time. Scarlet & Violet's starter Pokémon came under scrutiny when they were initially announced, with many gravitating towards the adorable Fuecoco over the others.

Yet upon the game's release, fans have been drawn to all three, with Fuecoco, Sprigatito, and Quaxly all demonstrating fun personality, great designs, and strong final evolutions. Quaxly, for example, is often deemed the least appealing of the trio, but its third form, Quaquaval, is set to take the competitive scene by storm with its Water-Fighting type combination and relentless physical attacking.

3 Generation IV: Infernape, Torterra, And Empoleon Are All Good Enough To Help Beat Cynthia

Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, & Platinum: Turtwig, Chimchar, & Piplup

The Sinnoh Starters in Pokemon are Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup

Gen IV followed up on Hoenn's success and provided some new, exciting additions via their starter Pokémon, Chimchar, Piplup, and Turtwig. Once again, the first forms are adorable, yet effective in the early game before their evolutions occur.

Infernape brings a burning ferocity to battles, with Fire-Fighting attacks. Empoleon brings a new solid combination of Water and Steel. Meanwhile, Torterra is a colossal tortoise with dual Grass-Ground typing. All three are superb additions to any team, especially in the mid-to-late game of Diamond, Pearl, & Platinum.

2 Generation III: Hoenn's Trio Almost Rivals Kanto's Original Crew

Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, & Emerald: Treecko, Torchic, & Mudkip

The Hoenn Starters in Pokemon are Treecko, Torchic and Mudkip

The three starters from Hoenn — Torchic, Treecko, and Mudkip — provide lovers of the Pokémon games with three of the most powerful final evolution forms of all the games' starters in the form of Blaziken, Sceptile, and Swampert. The Ruby & Sapphire series made the starters truly beloved among fans again, which the Johto starters never really achieved.

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Ash only owned one of them in the anime, Treecko, allowing other characters to showcase starters, May with Torchic, and Brock with Mudkip. This change in dynamic was a much-needed breath of fresh air to the series.

1 Generation I: Kanto, Where It All Began

Pokémon Red, Blue, Green, & Yellow: Squirtle, Charmander, Bulbasaur

Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Charmander are the original Kanto starter Pokemon

The iconic original trio of starter Pokémon, Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur all contribute to Gen I being the best for starter Pokémon. More than just the overwhelming sense of nostalgia and the fact that everyone knows who they are, Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur are all heavy hitters. Likewise, they can greatly contribute to any player's main team of Pokémon in the games, with each of them being able to learn several of the HMs, which is always useful.

All three are featured often in the anime, with many trainers owning them, but Charizard, in particular, is used by multiple strong trainers and perfectly represents why so many people adore the Charmander line and the Kanto starters in general. They will always be remembered as the original and best starter Pokémon.

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