The Pokémon franchise boasts a rich history of starter Pokémon, with each generation introducing a captivating trio of Grass, Fire, and Water types. This comprehensive guide explores all 27 starter lines across nine generations.
Jump To: Gen 1 | Gen 2 | Gen 3 | Gen 4 | Gen 5 | Gen 6 | Gen 7 | Gen 8 | Gen 9
Note: Final evolutions marked (*) are capable of Mega Evolution in Generations VI and VII.
Starter Pokémon by Generation
The original Kanto starters – Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle – debuted in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, and have since appeared in numerous remakes and other games.
| Starter Pokémon | Type | Evolutions |
|---|---|---|
| Bulbasaur | Grass/Poison | Ivysaur (Level 16), Venusaur* (Level 32) |
| Charmander | Fire | Charmeleon (Level 16), Charizard* (Level 36) |
| Squirtle | Water | Wartortle (Level 16), Blastoise* (Level 36) |
Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile hail from the Johto region, featured in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, and their remakes. Cyndaquil's evolution level differs in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
| Starter Pokémon | Type | Evolutions |
|---|---|---|
| Chikorita | Grass | Bayleef (Level 16), Meganium (Level 32) |
| Cyndaquil | Fire | Quilava (Level 14/17), Typhlosion (Level 36) |
| Totodile | Water | Croconaw (Level 18), Feraligatr (Level 30) |
Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, the Hoenn starters from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, have made appearances in various subsequent games.
| Starter Pokémon | Type | Evolutions |
|---|---|---|
| Treecko | Grass | Grovyle (Level 16), Sceptile* (Level 36) |
| Torchic | Fire | Combusken (Level 16), Blaziken* (Level 36) |
| Mudkip | Water | Marshtomp (Level 16), Swampert* (Level 36) |
Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup, the Sinnoh starters from Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, are also featured in their remakes. They are not starters in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
| Starter Pokémon | Type | Evolutions |
|---|---|---|
| Turtwig | Grass | Grotle (Level 18), Torterra (Level 32) |
| Chimchar | Fire | Monferno (Level 14), Infernape (Level 36) |
| Piplup | Water | Prinplup (Level 16), Empoleon (Level 36) |
Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott represent the Unova region in Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2. Oshawott is also a starter in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
| Starter Pokémon | Type | Evolutions |
|---|---|---|
| Snivy | Grass | Servine (Level 17), Serperior (Level 36) |
| Tepig | Fire | Pignite (Level 17), Emboar (Level 36) |
| Oshawott | Water | Dewott (Level 17), Samurott (Level 36) |
Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie are the Kalos starters from Pokémon X and Y. Greninja, Froakie's final evolution, notably received a special Ash-Greninja form.
| Starter Pokémon | Type | Evolutions |
|---|---|---|
| Chespin | Grass | Quilladin (Level 16), Chesnaught (Level 36) |
| Fennekin | Fire | Braixen (Level 16), Delphox (Level 36) |
| Froakie | Water | Frogadier (Level 16), Greninja (Level 36) |
Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio debuted in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Rowlet's evolution level differs in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
| Starter Pokémon | Type | Evolutions |
|---|---|---|
| Rowlet | Grass/Flying | Dartrix (Level 17), Decidueye (Level 34) |
| Litten | Fire | Torracat (Level 17), Incineroar (Level 34) |
| Popplio | Water | Brionne (Level 17), Primarina (Level 34) |
Pokémon Sword and Shield introduced Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble. Pokémon Legends: Arceus featured Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott with Hisuian regional forms.
| Starter Pokémon | Type | Evolutions |
|---|---|---|
| Grookey | Grass | Thwackey (Level 16), Rillaboom (Level 35) |
| Scorbunny | Fire | Raboot (Level 16), Cinderace (Level 35) |
| Sobble | Water | Drizzile (Level 17), Inteleon (Level 35) |
| Starter Pokémon | Type | Evolutions |
|---|---|---|
| Rowlet | Grass/Flying | Dartrix (Level 17), Hisuian Decidueye (Level 36) |
| Cyndaquil | Fire | Quilava (Level 17), Hisuian Typhlosion (Level 36) |
| Oshawott | Water | Dewott (Level 17), Hisuian Samurott (Level 36) |
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet introduced Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly.
| Starter Pokémon | Type | Evolutions |
|---|---|---|
| Sprigatito | Grass | Floragato (Level 16), Meowscarada (Level 36) |
| Fuecoco | Fire | Crocalor (Level 16), Skeledirge (Level 36) |
| Quaxly | Water | Quaxwell (Level 16), Quaquaval (Level 36) |
With the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Pokémon Legends: Z-A in development, the Pokémon journey continues. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, along with the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, are currently available.
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