With (hopefully) a new game in the series coming this year, 2025 seems like a great time to think about the best starter Pokémon across the entire monster collecting series. Rather than list off my personal favourites (which in their own way are, of course, the best starter Pokémon), in many ways that wouldn’t actually consider how enjoyable using these Pokémon in their respective games. Having Chikorita in a top ten list of starters when it’s famously one of the weakest of all time doesn’t feel right, so after much research (and three new starters to consider from Scarlet and Violet) it’s time to do this.
When deciding on the best starter Pokémon there’s a lot to take into account. How good they are in their own game is important, as well as battle prowess as a whole. This is a casual list from a casual player though, so don’t expect these monsters to necessarily be competitive all-stars. If starter Pokémon have multiple forms then these will all be considered in the rankings, alongside hidden abilities which can often change the game for a pocket monster. I’ll also be taking design into account, because as far as I’m concerned it doesn’t matter how good a Pokémon is if you don’t feel fabulous throwing it out to battle. This is still very much a personal list, but a more thoughtful personal list. So let’s get this show on the road shall we.
10. Rowlet
Whether you end up rocking a Grass/Ghost type Decidueye in Sun and Moon or its Hisuian Grass/Fighting counterpart in Legends Arceus, you’ll have a great time when you begin your adventure with this cute owl starter. Alongside these awesome and rather unique typings, the Rowlet evolutionary line also has access to some seriously powerful signature moves.
In Alola your standard Decidueye will learn Spirit Shackle which prevents your opponent from switching to another Pokémon while dealing decent damage (perfect for trapping in foes that can’t do much to you) whereas its Hisuian form learns the ridiculously powerful fighting type move Triple Arrows. Its middling defensive stats and speed prevent it from rising higher than the number ten spot, but anyone who picks a Rowlet at the start of a Pokémon game will be content with their choice.
Best starter Pokémon: 9. Poplio
Continuing the Generation VII flavour of this list we have Poplio, the silliest little seal that will one day become a beautiful sea lion mermaid hybrid. The reason that the fully evolved Primarina is higher on this list than Decidueye is simple, its type.
Water/Fairy is such a powerful type combination that will propel you through the Alola region with ease, perhaps more so than any other Pokémon on this list. With a nice special attack stat and decent special bulk you’ll usually be able to use fire off powerful water and fairy attacks without thinking to become the Pokémon champion, and there’s not much else to say on the matter.
8. Sprigatito
It’s no secret that as more Pokémon games release the starter Pokémon get stronger as the overall power of the pocket monsters rises, and few starters showcase this better than Sprigatito. This adorable kitty will quickly evolve into the Grass/Dark beast that is Meowscarada, which has seriously impressive attack power and speed. Couple this with Flower Trick, a ridiculously powerful move that can’t miss and always lands a critical hit, and you’ll basically be unstoppable.
If that wasn’t enough, Meowscarada also gets Protean as a hidden ability, changing it to the same type as the move it uses for bonus damage and the potential to strategically resist incoming attacks. If the Sprigatito line was a bit less frail and a bit more iconic visually it would be right at the top of this list, but it’s still a hell of a Pokémon to pick when your journey begins.
7. Litten
Now more than any other entry on this list, the position of Litten and therefore Incineroar will probably upset a few people. This champion has all the competitive love in the world, and has even made it into Super Smash Bros for goodness sake. I’ll admit the big Fire/Dark wrestling cat is iconic and great to use in Sun and Moon (which by the way is the only game that features all its starters on this list) but for a casual player it doesn’t necessarily feel broken like some later picks do. It made the list for still being a brilliant Pokémon though, with awesome moves like Darkest Lariat and the ever helpful Intimidate ability making most battles a breeze.
6. Mudkip
I was a bit sad when this personal favourite of mine didn’t quite make the top five, but this lovable meme turned chunky powerhouse is still worthy of a high spot on a top ten list. The bulk of your eventual Swampert will serve you well when you bring it with you in Ruby and Sapphire, especially because thanks to its glorious Water/Ground typing it only has one weakness. It’s so easy to just dodge grass types (and their pesky four times effective moves) and demolish the Gym Leaders and Elite Four members of Hoenn with a big ole Swampert, and that only becomes easier when you’re able to use its Mega form in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
Best starter Pokémon: 5. Fuecoco
I have never had an easier decision at the start of a Pokémon game than when I was presented the option of a Fuecoco at the start of Pokemon Violet. The utterly adorable little crocodile was going to come with me even if it was completely useless in battle, although fortunately that isn’t the case. The fully evolved Fire/Ghost Skeledirge is a force to be reckoned with in the Paldea region, mostly thanks to the move Torch Song. This powerful fire type move raises your special attack every time you use it, and before you know it you’ll be so strong that everything in your path goes down in one hit. With this battle prowess and my favourite visual design of a starter Pokémon in recent years Fuecoco is an all timer of a pocket monster.
4. Bulbasaur
My first ever starter Pokemon, and personal favourite from a visual standpoint. Bulbasaur will always hold a piece of my heart, and helped me greatly with the early part of my Pokémon Red playthrough as a tiny little gamer. The Grass/Poison type is perfectly suited to take on the early gyms of the very first Pokémon game, and once you’ve got a Venusaur you’ll have a bulky defensive Pokemon that you can always rely on. With the later introduction of the Fairy type, Bulbasaur gained a huge buff thanks to its Poison typing. This as well as a mega evolution that takes away two of its weaknesses with its Thick Fat make it an immovable object for opponents, and are why it’s one of the best ever starters.
3. Froakie
Another fan favourite enters the list at a high point, because it’s a blooming great Pokemon. When it evolves into a Greninja it’ll be one of the fastest starter Pokémon of all time, and coupled with good attacking stats and a great Water/Dark typing it’ll hit hard against all manner of foes. It’s also the original Protean powerhouse, utilising that type changing ability to gain the advantage in battle.
The move Water Shuriken is also exclusive to this ninja froggie, which will always go first in the unlikely event your Greninja is out-paced and hit a whole lot of times. Most importantly though Greninja is a badass looking Pokémon, with its ninja poses and tongue scarf flowing in the spring breeze. The Froakie evolutionary line is just the total package, and easily earns its podium spot.
2. Torchic
From cute little chickadee to badass bird in flaming flares, Blaziken struck a chord with me from my very first Pokémon Ruby playthrough. The Fire/Fighting type combination is so good they stuck with it for three games in a row, and it really ensured that Torchic wasn’t just another fiery Pokemon that got stopped in its tracks by rock types.
With a diverse move pool and beefy attack stats I have never felt let down by a Blaziken, and this only became more true when I was able to Mega Evolve it in Omega Ruby. Blaziken was also one of the original speed beasts who could take advantage of Speed Boost, a ridiculously powerful Pokemon ability that increases your speed each turn to ludicrous level. I have no notes on how you could possibly improve Torchic and its evolutions, which is why it’s almost the best starter Pokémon of all time.
1. Charmander
Yes I know, this is an incredibly obvious conclusion. And one that many will disagree with. It’s just undeniable how popular, iconic and beloved its evolution Charizard is. This fact also means that it is constantly getting given new forms, like its Gigantamax form and its TWO Mega evolutions.
I can’t pretend that being a Fire/Flying Pokémon is ideal (with a host of weaknesses and a four times weakness to rock and included in that Stealth Rock specifically) but Charizard was also the first starter Pokémon that ever felt absolutely broken to me. My Mega Charizard Y dealt so much damage with its sun boosted fire attacks in Pokémon Y that I barely needed other Pokémon at all, and I just felt unstoppable. The flaming tail of Charmander will never go out in the hearts of Pokémon fans, and that’s why it’s at the top of this list.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is currently planned for a 2025 release on Nintendo Switch.
