The Best Starter Pokémon From Each Generation: A Comprehensive Guide

Hugo van Dijk

5 min read

Post on May 14, 2025

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Generation I: Kanto – The Classic Trio

The Kanto region introduced us to the iconic original starters, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. Choosing wisely here sets the tone for your Kanto adventure.

Bulbasaur: The Grass-Type Advantage

Bulbasaur, the Grass-type starter, offers an excellent early-game advantage. Its dual typing (Grass/Poison) provides immunity to Spore and strong offense against many early opponents.

• Excellent early-game type advantage: Many common early-game Pokémon, such as Weedle, Caterpie, and Pidgey, are weak to Grass-type attacks.
• Access to powerful Grass and Poison-type moves: Bulbasaur learns a variety of powerful moves, making it versatile in battle.
• Solid defensive capabilities: Bulbasaur boasts decent defensive stats, allowing it to withstand attacks from weaker opponents.
• Strong evolutionary line: Its evolution into Ivysaur and Venusaur provides access to even stronger stats and a wider movepool. Venusaur's signature move, Solar Beam, is a powerful asset.

Charmander: The Fire-Type Powerhouse

Charmander, the Fire-type starter, is known for its offensive prowess. Its strength lies in its high attack and the effectiveness of Fire-type moves against many common early-game foes.

• Offensive prowess from the start: Charmander's high base Attack stat allows it to deal significant damage.
• Super effective against many early game foes: Grass, Ice, and Bug-type Pokémon are particularly vulnerable to Charmander's fiery attacks.
• Evolution into the powerful Charizard: Charizard, the final evolution, is a fan-favorite Pokémon known for its power and iconic design. This makes Charmander a popular best starter Pokémon choice.
• Can struggle against Water and Ground types early on: This is a key weakness to be mindful of when choosing Charmander.

Squirtle: The Water-Type Defensive Wall

Squirtle, the Water-type starter, is a defensive powerhouse. Its high defense stats make it a durable and reliable companion in the early game.

• High defense stats: Squirtle can withstand many attacks from early-game opponents.
• Effective against Fire-type opponents: A valuable asset considering the prevalence of Fire-types in the early game.
• Can be less offensive than Charmander early on: Squirtle's offensive capabilities are initially lower than Charmander's.
• Evolution into Blastoise offers high defensive capabilities and strong attacks: Blastoise becomes a formidable force in the later game, compensating for its initially lower offensive capabilities.

Generation II: Johto – A Trio of New Choices

Johto introduced a new set of starters, each with distinct characteristics and strategic advantages.

Chikorita: The Grass-Type Strategist

Chikorita, another Grass-type starter, offers a unique movepool and strategic potential, though its early-game offensive power is somewhat lower compared to the others.

• Unique movepool and strategic potential: Chikorita can learn a variety of support and status moves, making it a strong strategic choice.
• Can be less offensively powerful early on: This is a trade-off to consider against its strategic strengths.
• Strong later-game evolution: Meganium, its final evolution, is known for its bulk and powerful Grass-type moves.

Cyndaquil: The Fire-Type Agility

Cyndaquil, the Fire-type starter, boasts excellent speed and good offensive capabilities, making it a quick and agile attacker.

• Fast and agile, with good offensive capabilities: Cyndaquil excels at outspeeding and defeating opponents quickly.
• Evolutionary line boasts strong speed and Special Attack: Typhlosion, its final evolution, retains high speed and powerful Special Attack.
• Vulnerable to Water and Ground-type attacks: A major weakness to keep in mind when building your team.

Totodile: The Water-Type Attacker

Totodile, the Water-type starter, is known for its strong offensive capabilities from the very beginning.

• Strong offensive capabilities right from the start: Totodile can deal significant damage early in the game.
• Access to powerful Water-type moves: Water-type moves are highly effective against many common opponents.
• Can struggle against Electric-type opponents: Electric-type attacks are super-effective against Water-types.

Generation III - VI: Analyzing Subsequent Starters (Brief Overview)

Choosing the best starter Pokémon across generations III-VI requires careful consideration of each generation's unique challenges and roster.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Starter Pokémon

Choosing the right starter Pokémon involves more than just picking your favorite. Several key factors influence the optimal choice:

• Type matchups and early game advantages: Consider the common Pokémon you'll face in the early game and choose a starter with a type advantage.
• Personal play style preference (offensive vs. defensive): Do you prefer to aggressively attack or strategically defend? This preference will influence your choice.
• Evolutionary line strengths and weaknesses: Consider the strengths and weaknesses of the starter's final evolution to understand its long-term potential.
• Movepool and available TMs: Examine the variety of moves your starter can learn and the TMs available to expand its movepool.

Conclusion

Choosing the "best" starter Pokémon is subjective and depends on individual preferences and playstyles. However, by carefully considering factors like type matchups, evolutionary lines, and desired playstyle, trainers can make an informed decision that sets them up for success. This guide has provided an overview of the top contenders from each generation, equipping you with the knowledge to choose the best starter Pokémon for your next adventure! Which starter Pokémon will you choose? Start your journey today and let us know your selection in the comments! (Keywords: Best Starter Pokémon, Best Starter Pokemon Choice)