7 Worst Starter Pokemon In Games, Ranked

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In each installment of the Pokémon series, one of the significant decisions players face is selecting their initial Pokémon companion from a trio of new starters. Accompanied from their cute infancy to more mature stages, and ultimately evolving into their final forms, these starter Pokémon are constant companions throughout the journey. Yet, even as we approach those final evolutions, it’s not uncommon for players to harbor secret doubts about their initial choice.

As a child, it wasn’t commonplace to encounter leaks or spoilers like we do today, leading to some delightful surprises as our adorable starter Pokémon evolved, not just in appearance but also in skills. Even though any starter can handle the job during a standard gameplay, that doesn’t mean they are all equally popular. I’m going to share my reasons for considering these seven starters as having the weakest designs.

7. Snivy (Pokemon Black & White)

In terms of both name and appearance, Snivy seems rather critical or superior, showing an air of arrogance. This is particularly noticeable given its somewhat restricted repertoire of moves initially. Interestingly, in Striaton City, it’s often the case that you face your own weaknesses right off the bat due to the rotating gym challenge there.

As a fan, I must admit that Snivy’s appeal can be a bit overshadowed in this generation, given the sheer number of gyms you’ll face before a Grass type like Snivy becomes an advantage. Compared to Tepig and Oshawott, Snivy might not seem as appealing at first. However, once it evolves into Serperior, it does gain some strength.

But, the design also takes a turn for the unsettling with more snake-like features becoming prominent. And, to add to that, it dons an odd cloak, which might not sit well with everyone. So, while Snivy has its merits, it’s worth considering your other options before making a choice.

6. Litten (Pokemon Sun & Moon)

To begin with, I must affirm that Litten is undeniably charming. My affection for feline Pokemon designs knows no bounds. However, its downside lies in the fact that it ultimately evolves into Incineroar, a terrifying bipedal beast. This transformation makes it one of the least appealing starters due to the deception involved. It initially appears cute and comforting, only to transform into a humanoid cat wrestling monster.

Absolutely, Incineroar’s moveset is respectable, but it can’t overcome its surprising aesthetic when compared to Litten and Torracat. Compared to these two starters from the same generation, other contenders like Litten and Torracat stand out with their more harmonious designs and reliable effectiveness in combat.

5. Fennekin (Pokemon X & Y)

The first time I encountered Fennekin, I was somewhat disillusioned by its design, considering my fondness for Fox Pokemon, with Vulpix consistently ranking high among my favorites of all time. However, the adorableness of Fennekin is significantly diminished due to its exaggerated ear tufts, which appear rather unsettling. This unusual feature is based on a fennec fox, an animal that does have furry ears, but the designers could’ve toned it down a bit in the design.

As a gamer, let me share my thoughts on the evolution of Fennekin into Braixen. It’s unsettling, really, moving from a fox form to a bipedal hybrid that still sports those large fur tufts on its ears. And Delphox? Well, I’m not exactly a fan of the forest witch aesthetic creeping into a creature that’s part fox and part human. Frankly, it’s a bit too much for me to handle. As for battle effectiveness, I’m so preoccupied by this design twist that it’s hard to focus on anything else.

4. Tepig (Pokemon Black & White)

frankly, it’s hard for me to express this, but here goes: I’ve got a soft spot for Pokemon designs featuring pigs, as evidenced by the Lechonk plush that’s observing me right now. And Tepig, like Litten, is utterly charming at first glance – a fire pig with a lengthy snout and an endearing round tail? Sign me up. However, things take a turn for the worse rather swiftly from there.

In a similar fashion, Tepig transforms from an endearing quadruped creature into a wrestling sensation with bipedal abilities, much like Litten. However, Emboar appears to be even more disconcerting than Incineroar, which is quite a statement. Despite the claim that Tepig boasts the best statistics in Pokemon Black and White among many gamers, most fans didn’t seem too enthused about its return as an option in Pokemon Legends Z-A. And there’s a good explanation for that. Tepig initially seemed so charming, but the result is… Emboar.

3. Grookey (Pokemon Sword & Shield)

Just recently, I’ve picked up playing “Pokemon Sword & Shield” again, and my disappointment at watching my cute Grookey transform into the bulky Rillaboom is still vivid in my memory. Although it follows the usual monkey-design for Pokemon, the leafy decorations on its back, attempting to create a grass-type gorilla design, simply doesn’t resonate with me.

As a dedicated gamer diving into Pokemon Sword & Shield, I’ve got to confess something unconventional – my starter Pokémon didn’t even make it off the bench this time around! Instead, I found myself relying on another Pokémon in the limelight. Despite Rillaboom being leveled up as a starter usually is, it kept falling in battle.

The thing is, Rillaboom lacked that emotional punch of being my companion since day one within the game’s narrative. To add fuel to the fire, its design didn’t quite resonate with me either. It seems like this time, I found a new favorite Pokémon to lead the way!

2. Quaxly (Pokemon Scarlet & Violet)

Based on my feelings about bipedal Pokemon designs that lean too heavily towards human-like features, it’s likely you can anticipate my thoughts. For me, Quaxly is a tad over-the-top with its elaborate hairstyle. However, when it evolves, it becomes extremely humanoid, which I find unsettling rather than appealing. I admire the Mardi Gras-inspired design they aimed for, but its dancing movements are excessively theatrical.

In the anime, Quaxly often finds itself in a less favorable position, making its debut as a primary character later than Fuecoco and Sprigatito. This is also noteworthy considering there are already numerous duck-like Pokémon like Psyduck and Ducklett in existence. When it comes to its performance in the game “Pokemon Scarlet & Violet”, Quaxly has well-balanced statistics, implying that it won’t be a dominant force right from the start, but can cater to specific playstyles. If you’re comfortable with Quaquaval’s dance moves – something I personally struggle with.

1. Totodile (Pokemon Gold & Silver)

In most Pokemon games, I usually prefer choosing a Pokemon that’s either Water or Grass type, it just seems to fit my style. However, Generation 2 presents an appealing choice with the cute Cyndaquil, who transforms into Typhlosion. Despite its charm, there were controversies surrounding Typhlosion. Yet, I recall feeling disheartened upon discovering that this generation only offered a Water-type Pokemon as an option.

In simpler and more conversational language:

Totodile seems cute enough to some people, especially those who find alligators adorable. However, I’m not one of them, so I wasn’t particularly fond of this Pokémon from the start. The caveman-meets-crocodile design of Croconaw is still one of my least favorite among all Pokémon designs. If it appears in Pokemon Sleep, it only makes my mornings worse. Despite Feraligatr being a slight improvement, I still find its design disappointing. While it’s a strong starter choice for battles, Totodile doesn’t stack up well against most water types outside of the Gen 2 games. Overall, it’s not to my liking.

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2025-08-17 01:22