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Each generation of *Pokémon* introduces a fresh set of three starter Pokémon: a Grass type, a Fire type, and a Water type. With nine generations now released, the franchise boasts 27 unique starter lines. Here's a comprehensive overview of all the starter Pokémon across the 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 Gens VI and VII.
All Starter Pokémon by Generation
Generation I Starter Pokémon
The original trio of Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle from the Kanto region kicked off the Pokémon series. These iconic starters first appeared in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow and have returned in remakes like Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen and Pokémon Let’s Go! Pikachu and Eevee. They are also obtainable in numerous other mainline games, including Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and Pokémon X and Y.
| 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) |
Generation II Starter Pokémon
Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile debuted in the Gen II titles Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal set in the Johto region. They reappeared in the remakes Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and have been catchable in subsequent generations, such as through the QR Scanner in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Cyndaquil is also a starter option in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
| Starter Pokémon | Type | Evolutions |
|---|---|---|
| **Chikorita** | Grass | Bayleef (Level 16) Meganium (Level 32) |
| **Cyndaquil** | Fire | Quilava (Level 14) Typhlosion (Level 36) |
| **Totodile** | Water | Croconaw (Level 18) Feraligatr (Level 30) |
Note: Cyndaquil evolves into Quilava at level 14 in every mainline game but Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution details.
Generation III Starter Pokémon
Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip are the starters from Gen III's Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, set in the Hoenn region. They returned in the remakes Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and have been available through various methods in other mainline releases and DLC.
| 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) |
Generation IV Starter Pokémon
The Gen IV titles Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum introduced Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup as starters in the Sinnoh region. They returned in the remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. While not featured as starters in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which revisits ancient Sinnoh (Hisui), all three can be caught in this game as well as other mainline titles and DLC.
| 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) |
Generation V Starter Pokémon
Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott are the starter trio from the Gen V games Pokémon Black and White and their sequels Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, set in the Unova region. While remakes are still a topic of speculation, these starters can be caught in several other mainline titles and DLC. Oshawott is also a starter option 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) |
RELATED: All Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Trade Codes
Generation VI Starter Pokémon
Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie debuted in Gen VI's Pokémon X and Y in the Kalos region. Froakie's final evolution, Greninja, gained a special form called Ash-Greninja, available through the Pokémon Sun and Moon demo and transferable to the main titles. The Kalos starters have since been catchable in other mainline titles and DLC.
| 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) |
Generation VII Starter Pokémon
Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio were introduced as the starters in Gen VII's Pokémon Sun and Moon and returned in the sequels Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. They have been available through DLC for subsequent mainline games. Rowlet also appears as a starter option 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) |
Note: Dartrix evolves into Decidueye at level 34 in every mainline game but Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution details.
Generation VIII Starter Pokémon
Gen VIII brought Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which offered different starter sets. Sword & Shield introduced Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble in the Galar region, all of which can be caught in the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
| 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) |
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Pokémon Legends: Arceus revisits the ancient Sinnoh region, known as Hisui, and reintroduces Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott as starters with unique regional forms upon their final evolutions. Evolution levels differ slightly from those in previous titles, and you can also catch the Sinnoh starters from Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum.
| 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) |
Generation IX Starter Pokémon
Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly debuted in Gen IX's Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Sprigatito is a sassy Grass-type cat, Fuecoco is a heartwarming Fire-type crocodile, and Quaxly is a stylish Water-type duck. While you need to trade to obtain all three native starters, you can catch every previous starter Pokémon in the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC.
| 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) |
As the Pokémon franchise concludes its ninth generation, anticipation builds for the next releases with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 and Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC are now available.
