No Pokemon journey is feasible and not using a starter. These Pokemon shall be your first companions, and amongst your most trusted and highly effective. Nonetheless, not all starters are created equal: Right here’s our listing of all 32 starters within the mainline video games from the weakest to probably the most highly effective.
32: Pikachu
Pikachu is likely one of the most iconic Pokemon of all of them, and it’s appeared as a starter in two separate video games: Pokemon Yellow and Pokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu. Whereas it’s a viable companion total, it struggles in comparison with others for one large motive: it will possibly’t evolve in any recreation the place it’s the companion. The one means round this (a minimum of in Yellow) is to commerce it away, at which level it loses its distinctive area of interest. It solely has one weak spot, Floor, however its low protection and HP means it struggles to take a success.
31: Eevee
Eevee is the starter for Let’s Go Eevee, and whereas it does profit from a flexible transfer set and being barely stronger than Pikachu total, it’s overwhelmed out by Pikachu in each assault and particular assault. Whereas no pokemon are weak to the Regular kind, it’s solely weak to at least one kind (Combating) and is proof against Ghost, whereas it’s versatile moveset offers it loads of choices to cope with its foes. Nonetheless, as with Pikachu, your companion Eevee can’t evolve, that means we will’t justify putting it increased.
30: Chikorita, Bayleef, and Meganium
Meganium is the tank of the fully-evolved Johto starters and has a large moveset, however its mediocre assault stat is let down by the truth that the vast majority of strikes the road learns by levelling up are non-damaging. Nonetheless later video games gave it the Leaf Guard potential, granting it an immunity to standing situations, boosting its viability.
29: Squirtle, Wartortle, and Blastoise
The least helpful of the Kanto starters, a completely developed Blastoise continues to be a defensive beast, though safely it doesn’t get a secondary kind alongside its contemporaries. Later video games within the collection drastically improved the road with new strikes, but when given the selection, one of many others will normally be the higher selection. A secondary Metal typing would likely increase this line’s viability, however for the reason that Metal kind wasn’t launched till Technology 2 that leaves Blastoise in an odd place. Regardless of its iconic nature, you’re normally higher off choosing a distinct Water kind.
28: Grookey, Thwackey, and Rillaboom
The lovely monkey Grookey evolves into the Grass kind drumming gorilla Rillaboom, a strong attacker with respectable protection and velocity. Nonetheless, its shallow moveset and an absence of a secondary kind imply it struggles to do something most different grass sorts don’t do higher. Giving it the Rock or Floor kind would considerably increase its viability, however… properly, it’s nonetheless a rock and roll-playing monkey.
27: Oshawott, Dewott, and Samurott
This lovely otter evolves into a strong combined attacker, regardless of mediocre defensive stats. Nonetheless, it has an opportunity of gaining the hidden potential Shell Armor, granting it a helpful immunity to essential hits. It additionally advantages from a large transfer pool, however missing a secondary kind means it doesn’t fairly stack up towards among the different starters.
26: Treecko, Grovyle, and Sceptile
The Treecko line suffers from being a monotype one going up towards two twin kind options. Nonetheless, it does achieve a helpful double effectiveness towards the Mudkip line. This speedy particular attacker has a good assault stat and a good movepool, whereas its mega evolution boosts its highest stats even additional, in addition to granting it a Dragon typing.
25: Totodile, Croconaw, and Feraligatr
If we had been rating based mostly on spelling, this line could be all-time low. Feraligatr was named again when there was a ten-character restrict. It ought to be Feraligator, which a minimum of is sensible. This cumbersome bodily attacker has entry to all kinds of strikes that cowl its weaknesses successfully and grant it entry to among the strongest strikes within the recreation.
24: Sobble, Drizzile, and Inteleon
This delicate Water kind evolves into the Suave superspy Inteleon, which boasts excessive velocity and particular assault on the expense of middling HP and defensive stats. Its signature transfer, Snipe Shot, bypasses any makes an attempt to redirect it and has an enhanced essential hit price, whereas the hidden potential Sniper will improve the injury essential hits trigger. It could be a bit too situational to make use of to its full impact, however it does make Inteleon a good selection, regardless of its low rating.
23: Tepig, Pignite, and Emboar
The Tepig line suffers for a number of causes, most notably being the third Fireplace/Combating kind in a row. It has excessive HP, assault, and particular assault, however its low defensive stats and velocity imply that it’s not too onerous for a strong Water, Flying, or Floor kind to take it down rapidly. The road’s hidden potential, Reckless, will increase the injury of recoil strikes on the expense of taking extra injury from utilizing them, which implies it may be onerous for an Emboar to benefit from it successfully with out placing itself in danger.
22: Piplup, Prinplup, and Empoleon
The Piplup line has respectable bodily stats and nice particular stats, in addition to a good movepool – albeit one which isn’t fairly as large as different starters. Its secondary Metal typing grants it a helpful resistance to the Grass kind, letting it keep away from one a part of the compulsory elemental rock paper scissors, however on the expense of its weak spot to Combating and Floor sorts.
21: Chespin, Quilladin, and Chesnaught
Don’t let this hedgehog idiot you – it evolves right into a cumbersome Grass/Combating kind with a large protection stat. Even higher, its hidden potential Bulletproof grants it immunities to many highly effective strikes, together with some that will in any other case be tremendous efficient. It additionally has entry to the transfer Curse by TM, boosting its assault and protection additional at the price of its already low velocity.
20: Cyndaquil, Quilava, and Typhlosion
Johto’s Fireplace kind line advantages from nice assault and a large movepool, in addition to a modern design. Nonetheless, its lack of a secondary typing lowers its viability considerably. It’s even known as the volcano Pokemon, so a Floor typing could be excellent. Nonetheless, it has entry to the Flash Fireplace hidden potential, granting it immunity to the Fireplace kind whereas boosting its personal Fireplace strikes at any time when it’s hit by one.
19: Scorbunny, Raboot, and Cinderace
This line of Fireplace sorts relies on rabbits, and takes heavy inspiration from soccer. Cinderace has excessive assault and velocity in addition to the hidden potential Libero, which lets it change its typing to whichever transfer it’s about to make use of, in addition to a large movepool that lets it use the latter successfully. Whereas it isn’t fairly pretty much as good as among the extra specialised starters, it does make it simply the perfect in Galar.
18: Fennekin, Braixen, and Delphox
The Fennekin line could lose cuteness factors because it will get older, however don’t let that idiot you – Delphox is a speedy particular attacker with excessive particular protection and a terrific moveset. It additionally has the hidden potential Magician, letting it steal the flexibility of any enemies it hits with a harmful transfer, probably messing up its opponent’s technique.
17: Quaxly, Quaxwell, and Quaquaval
The Quaxly line is the worst of the Paldean starters. Except for having a questionable design, the road’s nice assault is let down by its weaknesses in each different stat. Nonetheless, its signature transfer Aqua Step boosts its velocity at any time when it’s utilized in battle, which provides to its viability. Its hidden potential, Moxie, additionally boosts its assault at any time when it defeats an opponent, so don’t wash your fingers on this Water kind.
16: Cyndaquil, Quilava, and Hisuian Typhlosion
Hisuian Typhlosion’s secondary Ghost typing grants it helpful immunities to Regular and Combating sorts, whereas granting it a lift to its particular assault. It solely learns one Ghost kind transfer naturally, Ghost Parade, however this transfer has a 30% probability of burning its goal, and hits twice as onerous if the goal is already inflicted with a standing situation. Its hidden potential, Frisk, lets it determine what merchandise its opponent is holding. Whereas that is much less flashy than many talents, it will possibly allow you to determine any issues you may face as quickly as Typhlosion enters the sector.
15: Snivy, Servine, and Serperior
This regal Grass kind line focuses on protection, particular protection, and velocity. Nonetheless, don’t let that trick you into considering it’s a pure tank. The Snivy line will get entry to the hidden potential Opposite, which reverses any makes an attempt to boost or decrease its stats. The Snivy line can simply benefit from among the most impractical strikes within the recreation, equivalent to Leaf Storm, whereas benefitting from any makes an attempt to weaken it.
14: Chimchar, Monferno, and Infernape
A totally developed Infernape is a speedy combined attacker with a good movepool and an superior design that echoes the legendary monkey king, Wukong. It additionally has a terrific movepool that features punching strikes which benefit from its Iron Fist potential. Nonetheless, there’s one Fireplace/Combating starter that beats it.
13: Rowlet, Dartrix, and Hisuian Decidueye
The primary two steps on this evolutionary line are equivalent to the native Alolan type, however Hisuian Decidueye trades its secondary Ghost typing for a Combating one. Whereas it solely learns two Combating strikes by itself, Triple Arrows is de facto all you want due to it decreasing your opponent’s defensive stats whereas boosting Decidueye’s essential hit price. It additionally has barely increased assault, HP, and protection than its Alolan type. Its hidden potential, Scrappy, additionally permits it to hit Ghost sorts with Regular and Combating strikes, whereas making it proof against intimidation.
12: Oshawott, Dewott, and Hisuian Samurott
Hisuian Samurott positive aspects a secondary Darkish typing, which already offers it the sting over its Unovan type. Its signatura potential, Ceaseless Edge, has a excessive essential hit price and a good energy of 65, but in addition causes its opponent to take residual injury for a number of turns after they’re hit. Nonetheless, the transfer positive aspects a large increase from Samurott’s hidden potential, Sharpness, which powers up slicing strikes. Add in nice assault and particular assault, respectable velocity, and a flexible transfer pool, and Hisuian Samurott can rapidly develop into its opponent’s worse nightmare.
11: Popplio, Brionne, and Primarina
Whereas the Popplio line’s design leaves lots to be desired, its improbable particular stats and Water/Fairy typing imply that it may be a much more harmful foe than it seems. Whereas its movepool isn’t the widest, it has loads of strikes to cowl its weaknesses. Its hidden potential, Liquid Voice, turns any sound-based strikes into the Water kind. Its signature transfer, Glowing Aria, is pretty situational in that it cures these it hits of any burns, however this may nonetheless shut down any makes an attempt to make the most of sure talents like Guts.
10: Rowlet, Dartrix, and Decidueye
This lovely owl evolves right into a Grass kind archer which trades its secondary Flying kind for the Ghost kind. Decidueye is a combined attacker with excessive particular protection and a terrific movepool. Its hidden potential, Lengthy Attain, means it by no means makes contact with an enemy, letting it bypass quite a few talents or strikes that may make touching your opponent a dangerous prospect.
9: Mudkip, Marshtomp, and Swampert
The Mudkip line has the doubtful honour of getting a double weak spot to Grass, however don’t let that put you off – its typing means that is its solely weak spot whereas granting it an immunity to one of many Water kind’s best weaknesses, the Electrical kind, and dropping the Floor kind’s weak spot to Ice. The road additionally advantages from excessive assault and respectable stats total, aside from its middling velocity. It additionally will get a mega evolution boosting its assault even additional, whereas additionally granting it the Swift Swim potential, which boosts its velocity within the rain. It’s not the strongest Water kind starter, however it’s actually up there.
8: Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, and Venusaur
Probably the least in style of the unique three starters, the Bulbasaur line advantages from a helpful second typing (Poison) and a large moveset, together with standing strikes. Later video games additionally gave it each a Mega type and a Gigantamax type, as with its Kantonian contemporaries. Nonetheless it isn’t till later within the franchise that it will get entry to a couple damaging Poison kind strikes, so regardless of it being the perfect starter in its house video games, it’s not the perfect Kantonian starter total.
7: Charmander, Charmeleon, and Charizard
The one starter that rivals Pikachu by way of iconicness, Charizard is an offensive beast with an superior design, two separate mega varieties to select from, a Gigantamax type, a large transfer pool together with among the strongest strikes within the recreation, and an immunity to Floor, one of many Fireplace Sorts best weaknesses. Regardless of this, different Fireplace kind starters profit from higher talents, movepools, and all-around energy.
6: Turtwig, Grotle, and Torterra
This cumbersome attacker advantages from a large moveset, together with among the most dependable attacking strikes within the recreation. Even higher, it will possibly increase its assault and protection directly whereas sacrificing its mediocre velocity, however as a tortoise with a tree rising from its again a Torterra isn’t going to be outspeeding a lot anyway. It’s additionally the one starter pokemon that eschews the fundamental rock paper scissors when it’s absolutely developed, dropping its weak spot to the Fireplace kind due to its secondary Floor typing.
5: Litten, Torracat, and Incineroar
Litten could also be an lovely little kitten, however it evolves into Incineroar, a strong Fireplace/Darkish kind with respectable defenses based mostly on a wrestler. Incineroar has entry to a wide range of totally different strikes, together with a number of which may cowl its weaknesses or increase its lacklustre velocity. Its hidden potential, Intimidate, additionally lowers the assault of any opposing Pokemon when it enters the sector.
4: Sprigatito, Floragato, and Meowscarada
Sprigatito could evolve to have a questionable design, however this speedy feline packs a severe punch. Meowscarada’s signature transfer, Flower Trick, by no means misses and at all times lands a essential hit, letting it bypass your enemy’s protection or evasion with ease. Even higher, the road’s hidden potential Protean lets it change its typing, shaking off its weaknesses, making it an unpredictable enemy. Regardless of Protean now activating solely as soon as per battle, Meowscarada’s versatile moveset and having an superior signature transfer earns it a spot within the high 5.
3: Froakie, Frogadier, and Greninja
One of the best Water kind starters of all of them, the common-or-garden Froakie evolves right into a speedy combined attacker based mostly on a ninja. What makes this line stand out is the hidden potential Protean, which permits it to vary its kind to whichever transfer it’s about to make use of, granting it a identical kind assault bonus on each transfer whereas making it unpredictable to enemies. Some particular potential get Battle Bond as an alternative, which increase a number of of its stats at any time when it takes down an enemy in battle, and in Technology VII additionally strengthens its signature transfer, Water Shuriken.
2: Torchic, Combusken, and Blaziken
The Torchic line is the primary of the Fireplace/Combating starters, however inarguably the perfect. The road is a combined attacker with a large movepool, however it actually shines due to its hidden potential, Velocity Enhance, which raises its velocity by one stage each flip. After a number of turns, Blaziken can mow by its opponents earlier than they even have time to react.
1: Fuecoco, Crocalor, and Skeledirge
Skeledirge is the mighty glacier of the Paldean starters, boasting excessive protection and HP, in addition to the best particular assault of the three. Its signature transfer, Torch Tune, boosts its particular assault even additional at any time when it’s used. Even higher, with two immunities, seven resistances, and no double weaknesses, it’ll take some effort to silence Skeledirge earlier than it begins chewing by its enemy’s HP.
On the lookout for extra Pokemon? Take a look at our tierlist of each area within the mainline Pokemon video games.