Table of Contents
By Robert Ryan for Pokemon Joy
Choosing your first starter Pokémon is one of the most exciting moments in the entire Pokémon (video game series) series. Every generation gives players three different choices. Usually, these choices include a grass type, a fire starter, and a water-type starter. Each one has different strengths, typing advantages, evolution paths, and battle styles.
For many fans, choosing a starter feels personal. Some players pick based on power. Others choose based on design, final evolution, anime memories, or competitive viability.
I still remember my first starter Pokémon from the Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow games. I picked Squirtle because I loved how reliable it felt during the early gym battles. Years later, I replayed the games and realized that Bulbasaur actually made the Kanto journey much easier for beginners.
That is why fans still ask:
- What is the best starter Pokémon
- What is the strongest starter Pokémon
- what starter pokemon should i choose
- what are the best pokemon starters
- what is the best starter pokemon of all time
In this complete guide, we will compare starter Pokémon from every generation, discuss battle strength, ranking systems, competitive performance, and explain which starter works best for beginners, casual players, and advanced trainers.
Pokemon Starter Tier List: Ranking Every Generation
Before discussing each generation individually, here is a quick pokemon starter tier list based on:
- In-game usefulness
- Competitive power
- Final evolution strength
- Popularity
- Typing
- Moveset quality
- Long-term viability
Many fans still debate what is the best starter pokemon in all generations because every region introduced different battle styles, typings, and evolution strengths.
Some players prefer classic starters like Bulbasaur and Squirtle from the Kanto region. Others believe newer starters like Greninja, Skeledirge, and Meowscarada are stronger because of their modern battle abilities and competitive viability.
When discussing what is the best starter pokemon in all generations tier list, a few names appear almost every time:
- Greninja
- Blaziken
- Swampert
- Charizard
- Infernape
- Skeledirge
These starter Pokémon became popular because they perform well during story progression and competitive battles.
S-Tier Starter Pokémon
- Greninja
- Blaziken
- Swampert
- Charizard
- Skeledirge
- Infernape
A-Tier Starter Pokémon
- Venusaur
- Primarina
- Decidueye
- Typhlosion
- Cinderace
- Meowscarada
- Empoleon
B-Tier Starter Pokémon
- Torterra
- Samurott
- Rillaboom
- Feraligatr
- Sceptile
- Delphox
C-Tier Starter Pokémon
- Chikorita
- Tepig
- Snivy
This list changes depending on whether you care more about competitive battles, story progression, or personal preference.
What Are the Starter Pokemon?
Starter Pokémon are the first partner Pokémon players receive at the beginning of a Pokémon game.
Most games offer three starter pokémon:
- Grass type
- Fire type
- Water type
This system started in the Kanto region and became one of the biggest traditions in Pokémon history.
Across every generation, starter designs are inspired by:
- Animals
- Mythology
- Nature
- Warriors
- Fantasy creatures
Examples include:
- Crocodile-inspired Fuecoco
- Sea lion inspired Popplio, Brionne, and Primarina
- Dragon-like Charizard
- Lion-inspired Litten evolution themes
Bulbasaur and the Kanto Region Starter Debate
Why Bulbasaur Is a Good Starter Pokémon
Many fans believe Bulbasaur is one of the smartest starter choices ever made.
In the original Kanto region games, Bulbasaur performs extremely well against early gym leaders because of its grass type advantages.
Bulbasaur evolves into:
- Ivysaur
- Venusaur
Its final evolution, Venusaur, becomes bulky and powerful during later battles.
Bulbasaur is especially strong in:
- Pokémon Fire Red
- Pokémon Leaf Green
- Pokémon Red
- Pokémon Blue
Players often ask what is the best starter pokemon in leaf green because each Kanto starter offers a different experience.
Bulbasaur helps beginners greatly during the early gym battles. Squirtle provides balanced defense and strong water attacks. Charmander starts slower early in the game, but Charizard becomes extremely powerful later.
For most beginners, Bulbasaur remains the safest choice in Pokémon Leaf Green because it handles several important battles very smoothly.
This is why many players asking what is the best starter pokemon in fire red often choose Bulbasaur.
Its resistance against early game battles gives beginners a smoother experience.
If you enjoy classic Kanto adventures, you may also enjoy this detailed FireRed walkthrough guide.
Squirtle and Blastoise: The Reliable Water-Type Starter
What Makes Squirtle So Popular?
Squirtle remains one of the most loved starter Pokémon ever.
Squirtle evolves into:
- Wartortle
- Blastoise
Blastoise has:
- Great defense
- Strong water type attacks
- Reliable battle performance
Many players love Squirtle because it feels balanced from beginning to end.
Squirtle also became iconic because of the anime’s famous Squirtle Squad episodes.
Charmander, Charizard, and Fire Starter Popularity
Why Charizard Became Legendary
Charmander starts as a weaker option early in Kanto, but its final evolution becomes extremely powerful.
Charizard remains one of the most popular Pokémon ever created.
Charizard gained even more popularity through:
- Mega Evolution
- Anime appearances
- Competitive battles
- Dragon-like design
Many fans still consider Charizard the best fire starter pokemon because of nostalgia and battle power.
What Is the Best Fire Starter Pokémon?
The debate about what is the best fire starter pokemon has existed for many generations.
Some players prefer Charizard because of nostalgia and Mega Evolution forms. Others choose Blaziken because Speed Boost Blaziken became one of the strongest competitive Pokémon ever created.
Modern fans also love:
- Cinderace
- Skeledirge
- Infernape
- Typhlosion
Each fire starter offers different strengths depending on battle style and game progression.
Many competitive players also ask what is the best fire type starter in Pokémon history.
Blaziken usually ranks near the top because of:
- Incredible attack stat
- Speed Boost ability
- Fighting type coverage
- Strong moveset
However, Charizard and Cinderace remain extremely popular because of their versatility and strong offensive pressure.
Mudkip and Swampert: The Gen 3 King
Why Mudkip Dominates Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Mudkip became one of the strongest starter pokemon choices ever.
Mudkip evolves into:
- Marshtomp
- Swampert
Swampert’s water and ground typing gives it only one major weakness.
That alone makes it incredibly strong for story progression.
Swampert also learns:
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Rock Slide
Its attack stat and defensive typing make it amazing against gym leaders and the elite four.
This is why players asking what is the best starter pokemon in emerald usually pick Mudkip.
Many longtime fans even place Mudkip at the top of every starter ranking.
If you replay Hoenn games often, these Pokémon Emerald cheats and rare candy codes can make training faster.
Treecko and Sceptile in Gen 3
Is Treecko Underrated?
Treecko may not be as dominant as Mudkip, but it still has many strengths.
Treecko evolves into:
- Grovyle
- Sceptile
Sceptile became extremely popular because of:
- High speed
- Strong special attack
- Cool design
Mega Evolution later made Sceptile even stronger.
Many grass pokemon fans still love Treeko and Grovyle because of the anime and fast battle style.
Many fans believe Sceptile, Venusaur, and Meowscarada are among the strongest grass starters ever released.
Players asking what is the best grass starter often compare:
- Bulbasaur
- Treecko
- Rowlet
- Sprigatito
- Snivy
Venusaur performs extremely well in Kanto games, while Sceptile became popular because of speed and Mega Evolution upgrades.
Meanwhile, Meowscarada offers incredible speed and critical-hit pressure in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
Cyndaquil and the Best Gen 2 Starter Debate
What Is the Best Gen 2 Starter?
The Gen 2 starter debate usually focuses on:
- Cyndaquil
- Totodile
- Chikorita
Most fans believe Cyndaquil is the strongest option because Typhlosion becomes powerful quickly.
Typhlosion offers:
- Strong special attack
- Reliable fire type moves
- Smooth progression
However, Totodile evolves into Feraligatr and remains extremely reliable.
Chikorita struggles more because many Johto gym leaders resist grass type attacks.
Still, some players love Chikorita because of its supportive moveset and design.
Piplup, Chimchar, and Turtwig in Sinnoh
What Is the Best Starter in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl?
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl introduced three iconic starters:
- Turtwig
- Chimchar
- Piplup
Chimchar and Infernape
Chimchar evolves into Infernape, one of the strongest offensive starters ever.
Infernape combines:
- Fire type
- Fighting type
- Speed
- Balanced moveset
Its final form dominates many Sinnoh battles.
Piplup and Empoleon
Piplup evolves into Empoleon, which gains Steel typing later.
Empoleon offers:
- Great resistance
- Strong special attack stat
- Unique typing
Turtwig and Torterra
Turtwig evolves into Torterra, a giant ground type grass starter.
Torterra hits very hard physically, but slower speed affects viability in some battles.
Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott in Pokémon Black
Pokémon Black and White Starter Rankings
Pokémon Black and White gave players:
- Snivy
- Tepig
- Oshawott
Oshawott and Samurott
Oshawott evolves into Samurott and becomes a balanced water-type starter.
Many players enjoy Samurott because of:
- Good moveset
- Reliable stats
- Strong final evolution
Snivy and Serperior
Snivy looks stylish and fast, but early gameplay can feel difficult.
Competitive players later loved Serperior because of Contrary Leaf Storm strategies.
Tepig
Tepig evolves into Emboar, another fighting type fire starter.
Some fans liked its attack power, while others preferred faster starters.
If you enjoy Unova content, these Pokémon Black and White 2 cheats are useful for replay runs.
Froakie and Greninja: One of the Strongest Starter Pokémon Ever
Why Greninja Became So Popular
In Pokémon X and Y, Froakie became an instant fan favorite.
Froakie evolves into:
- Frogadier
- Greninja
Greninja became legendary because of:
- High speed
- Protean ability
- Excellent special attack
- Competitive strength
Many players believe Greninja is the strongest pokemon starter ever created.
Greninja also gained popularity through:
- Pokémon anime
- Ash-Greninja form
- Competitive tournaments
For many fans, Greninja ranks at the top of every “what is the best starter pokemon of all time” discussion.
Fennekin and Delphox
Fennekin evolves into Delphox, a fire type starter with psychic powers.
Delphox uses:
- Fire attacks
- Psychic attacks
- Strong special attack damage
Although less popular than Greninja, many players still enjoy Delphox’s magical design.
Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio in Alola
What Are the Best Pokémon Starters in Pokémon Sun?
Popplio, Brionne, and Primarina introduced one of the most unique water starter evolution lines ever.
Rowlet and Decidueye
Rowlet evolves into Decidueye, a ghost and grass type owl.
Decidueye became popular because of:
- Unique typing
- Archer design
- Hisuian version later in Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Litten and Incineroar
Litten evolves into Incineroar, a wrestling-inspired fire starter.
Competitive players loved Incineroar because of:
- Intimidate
- Defensive utility
- Double battle dominance
Popplio and Primarina
Primarina combines fairy and water typing.
Its special attack damage becomes extremely strong later in the game.
Many fans now appreciate Primarina much more than they did initially.
Sobble, Scorbunny, and Grookey in Gen 8
What Is the Best Starter in Pokémon Sword and Shield?
Pokémon Sword and Shield introduced:
- Sobble
- Scorbunny
- Grookey
Scorbunny and Cinderace
Scorbunny evolves into Cinderace.
Cinderace became one of the strongest competitive starters because of:
- Libero ability
- Speed
- High jump kick
- Offensive pressure
Sobble and Inteleon
Sobble evolves into Inteleon.
Inteleon focuses on:
- Speed
- Sniping attacks
- Special attack
Grookey and Rillaboom
Rillaboom became very strong competitively because of Grassy Surge support.
Its final form provides:
- Team utility
- Strong attack power
- Great battlefield control
Fuecoco, Sprigatito, and Quaxly in Pokémon Scarlet
What Is the Best Pokémon Scarlet Starter?
Fuecoco became extremely popular in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
Fuecoco evolves into Skeledirge, one of the strongest recent starters.
Skeledirge offers:
- Excellent bulk
- Fire and ghost typing
- Powerful special attack
- Strong late-game performance
Meanwhile, Sprigatito, Floragato, and Meowscarada introduced a stylish grass starter evolution line.
Meowscarada became popular because of:
- Speed
- Critical hit pressure
- Dark typing
Many fans asking what is the best starter pokemon in pokemon violet often debate between Skeledirge and Meowscarada.
What Is the Best Starter in Pokémon Legends Arceus?
Pokémon Legends: Arceus changed starter gameplay significantly.
Players choose between:
- Rowlet
- Oshawott
- Cyndaquil
Each receives a Hisuian final form later.
Hisuian Starter Rankings
Hisuian Typhlosion
Hisuian Typhlosion gains ghost typing and becomes extremely stylish.
Hisuian Samurott
Samurott gains dark typing and offensive utility.
Hisuian Decidueye
Decidueye becomes a fighting-focused archer.
Many players believe Hisuian Typhlosion is the strongest option overall.
If you enjoy Hisuian evolution guides, this Ursaluna evolution tutorial may help during your journey.
What Is the Best Starter Pokémon in Brick Bronze?
Many Roblox fans still ask what is the best starter pokemon in brick bronze.
Popular choices included:
- Froakie
- Torchic
- Mudkip
Torchic became especially powerful because Speed Boost Blaziken dominated battles later.
What Is the Best Starter Pokémon in Cobblemon?
Cobblemon players usually prefer starters with:
- Flexible typing
- Competitive viability
- Strong movesets
Popular Cobblemon choices include:
- Froakie
- Charmander
- Mudkip
- Fuecoco
These starters perform well in both exploration and battle situations.
What Is the Best Starter Pokémon in Pokémon Quest?
In Pokémon Quest, bulkier starters often perform best because survival matters heavily.
Strong choices include:
- Charmander
- Squirtle
- Bulbasaur
Moves and stone combinations matter more than traditional typing advantages in Quest.
What Starter Pokémon Should I Choose?
The answer depends on your play style.
Choose Fire Starters If You Like:
- Aggressive battles
- Strong offense
- Fast progression
Choose Water Starters If You Want:
- Balanced gameplay
- Fewer weaknesses
- Reliable battles
Choose Grass Starters If You Prefer:
- Strategy
- Status effects
- Defensive play
There is no wrong answer.
Your first starter often becomes your favorite because of the memories attached to the journey.
What Is the Strongest Starter Pokémon?
Competitive players usually debate between:
- Greninja
- Blaziken
- Swampert
- Cinderace
- Skeledirge
Why Blaziken Is So Dangerous
Blaziken became incredibly strong because of Speed Boost Blaziken strategies.
After one speed increase, Blaziken can sweep entire teams quickly.
Its fighting type attacks combined with fire moves create huge offensive pressure.
When fans discuss the most powerful starter pokemon, the conversation usually includes Greninja, Blaziken, Swampert, Skeledirge, and Cinderace.
These starters became legendary because they combine:
- Strong typing
- Excellent final evolution designs
- Competitive strength
- Reliable story progression
- Powerful movesets
Even after many generations, starter Pokémon remain one of the most important and emotional parts of every Pokémon adventure.
Best Starter Pokémon in All Generations Tier List
Top Overall Starters
S-Tier
- Greninja
- Blaziken
- Swampert
- Skeledirge
A-Tier
- Charizard
- Infernape
- Cinderace
- Primarina
B-Tier
- Samurott
- Feraligatr
- Venusaur
- Meowscarada
C-Tier
- Chikorita
- Tepig
This ranking combines:
- Story mode usefulness
- Competitive power
- Fan popularity
- Final evolution strength
What Is a Good Starter Pokémon for Beginners?
Beginners should usually choose:
- Bulbasaur
- Mudkip
- Fuecoco
- Squirtle
These starters provide smoother progression and easier gym battles.
They also stay strong during the late game.
Personal Thoughts About the Best Starter Pokémon
After replaying almost every generation, I still believe Mudkip is one of the safest and strongest choices ever created.
However, Greninja remains my personal favorite because of:
- Speed
- Design
- Anime moments
- Competitive flexibility
At the same time, Fuecoco surprised me more than expected in Pokémon Scarlet because Skeledirge became incredibly powerful later.
That is what makes starter Pokémon special.
Every player builds emotional memories with different partners.
Final Verdict: What Is the Best Starter Pokemon?
There is no single perfect answer because every generation offers different strengths.
If you want pure competitive power, Greninja and Blaziken are incredible.
If you want beginner-friendly gameplay, Bulbasaur and Mudkip remain amazing choices.
If you love modern games, Fuecoco and Meowscarada dominate many Pokémon Scarlet discussions.
For longtime fans, Charizard, Typhlosion, and Swampert still feel legendary.
The best starter pokemon is ultimately the one that creates the best memories during your adventure.
Whether you started in Kanto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Alola, or Paldea, starter Pokémon remain one of the most important parts of the Pokémon journey.
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