The Top Starter Pokémon Of Every Generation: Ranked And Reviewed

Luna Greco

4 min read

Post on May 14, 2025

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Kanto (Generation I) Starter Pokémon Showdown:

The Kanto region introduced the world to the concept of choosing your first partner, and the options have remained iconic. Let's examine the original trio:

Bulbasaur:

Grass/Poison type. Excellent early-game defense, powerful later-game evolution (Venusaur).

• Strengths: High HP, access to strong Grass and Poison-type moves like Vine Whip, Razor Leaf, and Sludge Bomb. Venusaur's signature move, Solar Beam, is devastating with enough time to charge. Excellent against Water and Ground types common early in the game.
• Weaknesses: Vulnerable to Fire, Ice, Flying, and Psychic types. This can make certain gym battles challenging early on.
• Overall: A reliable and sturdy choice, especially effective against early-game opponents. Bulbasaur’s balanced stats and solid type combination make it a strong all-around Starter Pokémon.

Charmander:

Fire type. Aggressive offensive powerhouse, with a devastating final evolution (Charizard).

• Strengths: High Attack, impressive speed, and access to powerful Fire-type moves like Ember, Flamethrower, and Fire Blast. Charizard's aerial advantage is also a significant asset.
• Weaknesses: Vulnerable to Water, Ground, and Rock types. Early-game Water-type opponents can be challenging.
• Overall: A popular choice for its high damage output, but requires careful strategy early on. Players need to carefully manage its weaknesses.

Squirtle:

Water type. Excellent defensive capabilities and consistent performance.

• Strengths: High Defense, access to powerful Water-type moves like Water Gun, Water Pulse, and Hydro Pump. Its defensive capabilities make it a reliable partner early on.
• Weaknesses: Vulnerable to Electric and Grass types. These weaknesses need to be considered when strategizing battles.
• Overall: A reliable and consistent choice for players who prefer a more defensive playstyle. Squirtle's consistent performance and strong defense make it a solid choice for any player.

Johto (Generation II) Starter Pokémon Analysis:

Johto introduced a new set of Starter Pokémon, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses.

Chikorita:

Grass type. Known for its defensive capabilities and unique movepool. Chikorita, and its evolutions, are known for their bulkier stats and access to moves like Razor Leaf and Giga Drain.

Cyndaquil:

Fire type. Fast and powerful, excelling in speed-based strategies. Cyndaquil evolves into the speedy Typhlosion, which offers a high attack stat and solid speed.

Totodile:

Water type. High attack and decent bulk, strong against many common opponents. Totodile evolves into Feraligatr, a powerful Water-type Pokémon with high offensive stats.

Hoenn (Generation III) - A Trio of Titans:

The Hoenn region provided trainers with another compelling set of Starter Pokémon options.

Treecko:

Grass type. Agile and fast, with a strong final evolution (Sceptile). Treecko’s speed and strong special attack make it a formidable opponent.

Torchic:

Fire type. A balanced option with decent attack and special attack stats. Torchic's evolution line offers versatility, capable of both physical and special attacks.

Mudkip:

Water type. Popular for its high defense and offensive capabilities. Mudkip’s high defense and offensive presence make it a fan favorite and a consistently strong choice.

Sinnoh (Generation IV) – Exploring the Starters:

Sinnoh offered another diverse range of Starter Pokémon.

Turtwig:

Grass type. Solid defensive prowess and powerful attacks. Turtwig’s defensive bulk and powerful Grass-type attacks make it a reliable partner.

Chimchar:

Fire type. High speed and attack make this a popular offensive option. Chimchar evolves into Infernape, a powerful Fire/Fighting type with high offensive presence.

Piplup:

Water type. Balanced stats, strong special attack. Piplup evolves into Empoleon, a strong Water/Steel type with balanced offensive and defensive stats.

Unova (Generation V) and Beyond – The Continuing Evolution:

This pattern continues through each generation, with each offering a unique set of Starter Pokémon to choose from, each with its own strengths, weaknesses and evolutionary paths. Researching the Starter Pokémon of each generation is highly recommended to choose the one that fits your playstyle best.

Conclusion:

Choosing the "best" Starter Pokémon ultimately depends on individual playstyles and preferences. Each generation offers a unique trio with varying strengths and weaknesses. While some, like Charmander and Mudkip, have consistently proven popular due to their powerful final evolutions and balanced stats, the best Starter Pokémon for you will be the one that best suits your gaming strategy. Remember to consider type matchups, movepools, and your overall gameplay approach before making your final decision. So, dive into the world of Pokémon and discover your perfect Starter Pokémon! Happy choosing your ideal Starter Pokémon!