Every Pokémon Generation Ranked by Their Starters, From Worst to Best

Pokémon games are famous for their starter Pokémon – the creatures players choose at the beginning of their journey. These starters are designed to capture the spirit of each game’s region, mirroring the environments you’ll explore throughout the game. But not all starter Pokémon are equally popular, as their designs and evolved forms can sometimes be controversial.

Throughout the history of Pokémon, each generation of starter Pokémon has included one Fire-type, one Water-type, and one Grass-type. As these Pokémon evolve, they often change quite a bit, sometimes even gaining a second type. Fans generally appreciate starters more when their evolution process is unique and interesting.

10. Gen 10 (Browt, Pombon, Gecqua)

The newest Pokémon starters have been revealed as part of the upcoming Pokémon Winds and Waves games, the 10th generation in the series. Pombon (Fire-type), Browt (Grass-type), and Gecqua (Water-type) are the first Pokémon introduced from this new region. However, since no other Pokémon from the region have been shown yet, it’s difficult to say how well these starters will fit into the new world.

Okay, so as a fan, I’m a little worried about the new starter Pokémon. We haven’t even seen their evolved forms yet, so it’s hard to get excited about what they could become. A lot of people are already down on them, and honestly, I get it. One of them, Browt, looks a lot like Rookidee from Sword and Shield, which feels a bit uninspired. Right now, with so little to go on, they just don’t seem as strong as starters from other generations, but I’m hoping that changes when we see their evolutions!

9. Gen 8 (Scorbunny, Sobble, Grookey)

The starter Pokémon from the Sword and Shield games, set in the Galar region, aren’t particularly captivating. These first Pokémon are based on British culture, each representing a different part of what Great Britain is famous for. Grookey, the Grass-type, draws inspiration from rock music, like the band Queen. Scorbunny, the Fire-type, reflects England’s love of soccer, and Sobble, the Water-type, evolves into a sophisticated creature inspired by secret agents, much like James Bond.

While clearly inspired by past Pokémon, the new starter Pokémon aren’t particularly memorable. They lack unique traits or type changes that would make them stand out. Unlike starters in other regions, they don’t gain a new elemental type as they evolve, making them feel a little plain. This is especially noticeable because this generation introduced Gigantamax forms – Pokémon that become giant in battle. Though Gigantamax was a cool idea, it didn’t change the designs of these starters or their evolutions, which felt like a missed opportunity to make them more special.

8. Gen 9 (Fuecoco, Sprigatito, Quaxly)

Sometimes, beginning Pokémon aren’t weak at first, but become less effective after they evolve. In most Pokémon games, you only use a starter’s initial form for a short time—usually just an hour or two—because they typically evolve around levels 14-16, which is easy to achieve. This is especially true in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, particularly with the Grass-type Sprigatito and the Water-type Quaxly.

The initial forms of these Pokémon starters seem pretty standard, each with a distinct look. While Sprigatito being a Grass-type cat is fine, its evolved forms become a little unsettling due to their human-like qualities. Quaxly starts strong with its confident style, but its evolutions, Quaxwell and Quaquaval, don’t quite live up to the hype, and the Water/Fighting type combination isn’t enough to make it stand out. Luckily, Fuecoco is a highlight – though its final evolution, Skeledirge, is impressive, the middle stage, Crocalor, isn’t as strong.

7. Gen 6 (Fennekin, Chespin, Froakie)

The initial Pokémon in X and Y had some interesting designs, and Greninja, the final evolution of Froakie, is considered one of the best starter Pokémon ever created. However, the other starters in those games aren’t as memorable. Like Meowscarada from Generation 9, Fennekin’s final form, Delphox, feels a bit odd. The ‘witch’ design doesn’t quite work for a Fire/Psychic-type Pokémon.

Fennekin, Chespin, and Froakie aren’t particularly strong designs when you first look at them as starter Pokémon. This is partly because they were the first to be created in 3D, which made their initial flaws more noticeable. Even with improvements in games like Legends: Z-A, these early designs still feel a bit weak. Quilladin, Chespin’s second evolution, is often considered one of the worst starter evolutions ever, and it significantly holds this whole group back, preventing them from being truly great starters.

6. Gen 7 (Litten, Popplio, Rowlett)

The Alola region brought some fresh changes to the world of Pokémon, but it stuck with a familiar approach when it came to the starting Pokémon. Popplio (Water-type), Rowlett (Grass-type), and Litten (Fire-type) have pretty standard designs, looking like seals, owls, and cats – animals many people recognize. This group of starters is fairly typical, offering a little something for everyone with their diverse personalities and appealing to a wide range of players.

What really sets these Generation 7 starters apart are their final evolutions. Rowlet becomes Decidueye, a unique Grass and Ghost-type Pokémon – a combination rarely seen before. Popplio evolves into Primarina, a Water and Fairy-type that was among the first Pokémon to utilize the Fairy-type, and remains the only starter to do so. Lastly, Incineroar has become incredibly popular with fans, becoming a Fire and Dark-type wrestler so beloved that it was even added as a playable character in the Super Smash Bros. series.

5. Gen 2 (Cyndaquil, Totodile, Chikorita)

Cyndaquil, Totodile, and Chikorita are some of the most well-known Pokémon, originally appearing in the second generation of games. A big part of their popularity comes from the anime, which did a great job of showing off each Pokémon’s unique personality. Totodile’s playful energy, Chikorita’s gentle nature, and Cyndaquil’s shyness create a really appealing and balanced group of starter Pokémon when players first choose between them.

The initial Pokémon you choose in the Johto region – Typhlosion, Feraligatr, and Meganium – are pretty straightforward. They don’t gain any new types as they evolve, but they still stand out visually when compared to final forms in other Pokémon generations. While Typhlosion’s fiery power and Feraligatr’s strong look are popular, Meganium’s evolution isn’t as well-loved. Because they don’t have any particularly unique qualities and share similar stats with the original Pokémon starters, the Johto starters strike a nice balance – they’re good, but not overwhelmingly powerful.

4. Gen 5 (Oshawott, Snivy, Tepig)

Okay, so the starters from Pokémon Black and White are kinda unique. They’re surprisingly well-balanced compared to starters from other games. I chose Oshawott, and at first, I wasn’t sure about the otter thing, but honestly, it evolves into something really cool. Dewott and Samurott both look awesome and different from each other, and it feels good to see how Oshawott grows and changes. It’s just a really satisfying starter line to pick, you know?

Snivy and Tepig also evolve in ways that feel like a natural progression from their original designs. It’s enjoyable to watch Snivy grow from a proud little snake into the elegant Serperior, and to see Tepig develop from a small pig into the powerful Emboar. However, this trio of starters doesn’t quite reach its full potential because they lack variety in their types. Snivy and Oshawott’s lines remain strictly Grass or Water, and Tepig follows the common pattern of becoming a Fire/Fighting type.

3. Gen 1 (Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur)

It’s hard to forget the very first Pokémon starters: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. Their unique designs—especially Charmander’s dinosaur-like appearance—really set the stage for the entire series. Each of their evolutions quickly became fan favorites for those who first discovered Pokémon. Even now, players still debate which of these three—the Grass, Fire, and Water types—is the best, continuing a long-standing tradition.

Interestingly, the original starter Pokémon are a bit distinct compared to those that came later. Bulbasaur, for instance, immediately stands out as both a Grass and Poison-type, giving players a dual-type advantage from the start. Charmander also gains the Flying-type when it evolves into Charizard, adding another dimension to its Fire-type abilities. Each of these Pokémon naturally evolves into well-known and beloved final forms, making them a strong group with plenty of positive qualities.

2. Gen 3 (Mudkip, Treecko, Torchic)

The first generation of Pokémon had clear fan favorites, but the best starter Pokémon from later generations are much harder to choose between. The starters from the Hoenn region (Generation 3) are a great example – each Pokémon truly brings its design to life through both its personality and appearance. Treeko (Grass-type), Torchic (Fire-type), and Mudkip (Water-type) are all so charming and playful that players will want to embark on exciting adventures with any one of them.

The evolutionary lines of Treeko and Mudkip are particularly well-regarded by Pokémon fans. Grovyle, a fan favorite from the anime and games like Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, exemplifies Treeko’s appealing progression. Similarly, Mudkip is often considered a top Pokémon by many players, and its unique Water/Ground typing, developed through its evolutions, makes it a strong addition to any game. Notably, Blaziken, from the Torchic line, became a popular fighter in Pokken Tournament, showcasing a Fire/Fighting combination that influenced later Pokémon designs.

1. Gen 4 (Chimchar, Piplup, Turtwig)

Choosing a starter Pokémon in Generation 4 is really tough because each one offers a completely different experience. Chimchar’s playful design hints at its speed and agility, which fully develops into the powerful fighting style of its evolved form, Infernape. On the other hand, Turtwig’s sturdy, turtle-like appearance appeals to Grass-type fans, echoing the reliability of Pokémon like Bulbasaur, and ultimately becomes a very strong, defensive tank as Torterra.

Piplup’s straightforward design immediately suggests its Water-type, resembling a penguin and making it easy for new players to understand. As it evolves into Empoleon, players gain a unique Water/Steel-type Pokémon, adding to its appeal. The designs of Empoleon, Infernape, and Torterra all draw inspiration from mythology and folklore – like the Monkey King, majestic emperor penguins, and turtles believed to carry the world – giving them a sense of wonder and power.

These starter Pokémon are incredibly well-explained, so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting from the beginning, which avoids any surprises or frustration later in the game. I think this makes them the best starters in the entire Pokémon series, though everyone naturally has their own personal favorites they enjoy seeing across different games.

Which Pokémon starter trio is your all-time favorite? Let us know in the comments, or discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!

2026-03-05 22:17