Hey there, fellow Pokemon fans! If you're like me, you know just how important it is to pick the right starter Pokemon at the beginning of your journey. So, in this post, I will share with you my personal top 10 favorite starter Pokemon from the main series games. Of course, this list is entirely based on my experiences and choices, so I invite you to share your favorites in the comments below. Please note that I've only included starters from games that follow the Grass, Fire, and Water trio and that this list covers all nine generations of Pokemon.
What is a "Starter" Pokemon?
Starter Pokemon are the initial Pokemon available for selection at the beginning of a new game. In each main series Pokemon game, players are given the choice of three different starter Pokemon, each belonging to another type: Grass, Fire, and Water. The choice of starter Pokemon can significantly impact the player's journey throughout the game. It determines the kind of Pokemon they will begin with and can affect their battle strategy. Starter Pokemon are usually one of the franchise's most iconic and beloved characters and have become a staple feature of the series. In the Pokemon games, the player typically receives their starter Pokemon from a non-playable character (NPC) at the beginning of the game. This NPC is usually a professor or researcher specializing in Pokemon, and they give the player their choice of one of three starter Pokemon to begin their journey with. In some games, the player may receive additional Pokemon from other NPCs throughout their journey. The choice of starter Pokemon and the way it is given to the player is an essential aspect of the storytelling and gameplay experience of the Pokemon games.
So, let's dive in and look at my top picks for starter Pokemon!
Here is a"Top Ten" List of Starter Pokemon
#10. Tepig - Fire Starter of Unova - Pokemon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2
I mean, have you seen this little guy? He's so cute and lovable with his bright orange skin and those floppy ears. It's hard not to fall in love with him. But don't let his adorable appearance fool you; Tepig can hold his own in battles. At level 17, Tepig evolves into Pignite, a Fire/Fighting-type Pokemon with powerful physical attacks and various moves at his disposal. But it doesn't stop there. At level 36, Pignite transforms into Emboar, a bipedal, boar-like creature known for its incredible attack power and devastating Fire-type moves. And let me tell you, Emboar is a force to be reckoned with in battles.
It's too bad that it loses some of its cuteness in its final form. Who needs cuteness when you have a Pokemon this strong? Emboar has a unique ability called Reckless, which boosts the power of its moves that cause recoil damage.
And let's not forget about its special move, Heat Crash, a Fire-type move introduced in the fifth generation of Pokemon games. It is a physical move that involves the user slamming their body into the opponent with great force. The weight difference between the user and the target determines the move's power. If the user is heavier than the target, the move will have greater strength, making it a potent attack for more giant, heavier Pokemon like Emboar.
#9. Froakie - Water Starter of Kalos - Pokemon X and Y
Froakie is a blue, quadrupedal frog-like creature with large eyes, a white belly, and a bubble-like nose. I love its edgy, ninja-inspired design in all of its evolutions. It evolves into Frogadier at level 16 and Greninja at level 36. Frogadier is a speedy, nimble Pokemon with powerful legs, allowing it to jump and scale walls quickly. At level 36, it evolves into Greninja, a unique and popular Pokemon known for its signature move, Water Shuriken.
Greninja is a bipedal, ninja-like Pokemon with a dark blue body, a red tongue that doubles as a scarf, and large, webbed fingers and toes. Its signature move, Water Shuriken, is a quick and precise Water-type move that can hit two to five times per use. It's a ranged attack that launches razor-sharp water blades at its opponents, dealing significant damage with each hit. This move makes Greninja a versatile fighter and a top choice for trainers looking for a reliable Water-type attacker.
Greninja's unique ability, Protean, allows it to change its type to match its current move, making it difficult for opponents to predict and counterattack. This, combined with its impressive speed and powerful moveset, makes Greninja a formidable battle opponent. In addition to Water Shuriken, Greninja can learn various moves, including Dark Pulse, Ice Beam, and U-turn, making it a versatile Pokemon for many situations.
#8. Rowlet - Grass Starter of Alola - Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon
When deciding my starter for Sun and Moon, Rowlet immediately caught my eye with its adorable owl-like appearance and leafy green bowtie. It evolves into Dartrix at level 17 and Decidueye at level 34. Dartrix maintains the charming bowtie of its predecessor with an angsty teen look. Decidueye, however, looks like a grass/ghost-type archer, complete with a long bow of its feathers. Its signature move, Spirit Shackle, is a Ghost-type attack that deals damage and prevents its opponent from switching out for a few turns. This move makes Decidueye an excellent option for trapping and taking down powerful opponents.
In addition to Spirit Shackle, Decidueye has a unique Z-Move called Sinister Arrow Raid. This move launches a barrage of spectral arrows at the opponent, dealing massive damage and ignoring any defensive boosts they may have. This decisive move is a game-changer in brutal battles and has helped me secure many victories.
I was also excited to learn that Decidueye got a new variant in the upcoming Pokemon Legends Arceus game. In this game, it becomes a Grass/Fighting-type Pokemon with a unique signature move called Triple Arrows. This move fires three arrows at once, dealing damage to multiple targets. I can't wait to try this new variant and see how it performs in battles.
#7. Cyndaquil - Fire Starter of Johto - Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal
Oh man, Cyndaquil holds a special place in my heart. It was one of the first Pokemon I ever received when I started the Pokemon games. This Pokemon was first introduced in the second generation of Pokemon games, Gold, Silver, and Crystal, and it quickly became a fan favorite. Cyndaquil is a tiny, quadrupedal Pokemon with a blue-green back, creamy underbelly, and a flame on its back that it can control. I first fell in love with the Pokemon franchise because of Cyndaquil's adorable design and fiery spirit. Quilava is a more powerful version of Cyndaquil with a more prominent flame on its back. It's a powerful Fire-type Pokemon with access to moves like Flame Wheel and Lava Plume. At level 36, it evolves into Typhlosion, a towering, bipedal creature with fiery fur and a powerful flame on its back. Typhlosion is a robust and reliable Fire-type Pokemon that can learn moves like Eruption and Flamethrower.
In the Pokemon Legends Arceus Game, Typhlosion has received a Hisuian Variant, making it a Fire/Ghost-type Pokemon. It also gained a new signature move, Infernal Parade. This move has a 30% chance of leaving the target with a burn, and its power doubles if it already has a status condition. With its new Ghost typing and decisive new move, Typhlosion is sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the new game.
And I can't forget about Cyndaquil's appearance in Pokemon Stadium 2 commercials, where it was featured as a super cute but somewhat clumsy creature.
#6. Chimchar - Fire Starter of Sinnoh - Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Chimchar is number 6 on my top ten list and is one of my all-time favorite starter Pokemon. As a fan of the classic Chinese novel journey to the West, I was immediately drawn to Chimchar's resemblance to Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. In the story, Sun Wukong is a trickster with incredible strength, agility, and magical abilities, and I feel like Chimchar captures his spirit perfectly.
Chimchar starts as a tiny, bipedal monkey-like Pokemon with a flame on its tail. Next, it evolves into Monferno at level 14, a slightly larger monkey-like Pokemon with even more fiery power. Finally, at level 36, it becomes into Infernape, a muscular, imposing primate with mighty fighting and fire abilities.
Infernape's popularity in the community can't be overstated, especially among fans of the Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum games. Its combination of Fire and Fighting types makes it a formidable opponent, and its moveset is both versatile and devastating. Infernape also has access to another decisive move called Flare Blitz, which deals massive damage but causes recoil to the user. And if that wasn't enough, Infernape can also learn the special move Close Combat, which lowers its defenses but deals massive damage to the opponent.
All in all, Chimchar's evolution line is a fan favorite for a reason. Sun Wukong's influence is evident in its design and powerful abilities, making it a beloved addition to any team.
#5. Totodile - Water Starter of Johto - Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal
As a longtime fan of the Pokemon franchise, I first fell in love with Totodile because of its inclusion in the anime as a member of Ash's team. Its energetic behavior and comic relief antics always made me smile. But beyond its lovable personality, Totodile has remained a popular choice among fans due to its strong move pool and overall battle effectiveness.
Totodile is a blue, crocodile-like Pokemon with red, beady eyes and a large, toothy grin. It evolves into Croconaw at level 18 and Feraligatr at level 30. Croconaw is more intimidating, with a more prominent snout and sharper teeth. Its design also incorporates a distinct dorsal fin, which adds to its aquatic appearance. Finally, Feraligatr takes a more upright, bipedal stance, with a muscular physique and more pronounced scales. Its imposing presence and powerful jaws make it an intimidating sight to behold.
In addition, the popularity of the Gold, Silver, and Crystal games and their Heart Gold and Soul Silver remakes have solidified Totodile's place as one of the most beloved starters in the community. From its playful design to its fierce evolutions, Totodile is a true gem in the world of Pokemon.
#4. Grookey - Grass Starter of Galar - Pokemon Sword and Shield
Grookey, the adorable chimp Pokémon, is one of my favorite starters in the Galar region. As a lover of monkey Pokémon, I couldn't resist this little guy with his cute green body and leafy hair. Its evolution into Thwackey has a more mature look but still retains the fun-loving spirit of Grookey. Its final form, Rillaboom, is the ultimate evolution that captures the essence of a drummer gorilla. I love how Rillaboom carries around a massive drum that doubles as a shield and uses it to produce powerful sound waves that can knock out enemies. Its Grassy Surge Hidden Ability, which sets up grassy terrain, is incredibly useful in battle, giving Rillaboom an advantage against other types of Pokémon. The signature move of Rillaboom is Drum Beating, which inflicts damage on opponents and lowers their speed. It's a great way to deal damage while slowing down the enemy.
Rillaboom also has a G-Max form, which is an impressive sight. Its signature G-Max attack, G-Max Drum Solo, is a strong move that inflicts damage while ignoring all ignorable Abilities during the execution of that move. This means that Abilities like Multiscale and Friend Guard, which could potentially negatively affect a move's success, damage, or effects, won't have any impact during G-Max Drum Solo. Unlike most other G-Max Moves, its power is 160 regardless of the base move. Grookey and its evolution line are a fantastic addition to the Pokémon franchise and a must-have for any trainer looking for a fun-loving yet powerful starter.
#3. Fuecoco - Fire Starter of Paldea - Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
As a lover of musical Pokemon, I'm so excited to have Fuecoco join the fray in Generation IX! I knew this would be one fantastic creature as we all speculated its final form early in the game's introduction. When it evolves to Crocalor at level 16, there's that unique orange mass shaped like a nest atop its head containing a glowing egg-shaped fireball from its fire energy overflowing vitality; all these features make me adore the Fuecoco evolution line even more!
Skeledirge is the final evolution of Fuecoco at level 36. When excited or using moves such as Torch Song, something extraordinary happens: A fiery bird transforms into a microphone shape before flying toward the opponent! Not only is that awesomely cool looking, but this move also raises Fuecoco's Special Attack, making it a force to be reckoned with during battle. I can't wait for everyone else out there to get their hands on Fuecoco so they, too, can experience the joys of owning such an incredible Fire-type Pokémon!
#2. Torchic - Fire Starter of Hoenn - Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald
Torchic is one of my favorite Fire-type starters because of its adorable design and eventual evolution into a mighty Fire/Fighting-type powerhouse. I loved how the main character May had it in the anime and their mischievous personality alongside the rest of the crew. In addition, I love the inspiration behind Torchic's design, which is based on the concept of a chick hatching from an egg. This inspiration is evident in Torchic's round, fluffy format and eggshell-colored stomach.
And when it evolves into Combusken and Blaziken, the martial arts and warrior inspirations fit perfectly with the Fire/Fighting typing. At level 16, Torchic evolves into Combusken, which has a more streamlined, athletic design reminiscent of a martial artist. And at level 36, Combusken becomes into Blaziken, inspired by the concept of a fire-breathing chicken warrior. Blaziken's structure is incredibly striking, with its fiery wings and muscular build.
Blaziken's signature move is Blaze Kick, a Fire-type move with a high chance of inflicting a critical hit. And in X and Y, Blaziken gained a Mega Evolution called Mega Blaziken. Its Mega Evolution features an even more impressive design, with longer, more flowing feathers and power.
#1. Bulbasaur - Grass Starter of Kanto - Pokemon Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow
I love my "BruteRoot"(a common nickname I give all of my Bulbasaur)! Bulbasaur has always held a special place in my heart, being the first Grass Starter ever introduced and one of Ash's first Pokemon from the anime. I loved its leadership nature in the series, and Bulbasaur's design is based on combining a dinosaur and a plant. The bulb on its that acts as a storage for seeds and a method to release powder and spores in the air. I was amazed by the uniqueness of its design and how it inspired a whole generation of Pokemon that followed.
Bulbasaur evolves into Ivysaur at level 16 and Venusaur at level 32. Venusaur has significantly larger bulb on its back, which absorbs more sunlight for its energy. It also can release a powerful aroma from its flower that can put its opponents to sleep. In X and Y, Venusaur was given a Mega Evolution, which saw it become even more potent with a more giant and vibrant flower on its back. In addition, its Mega Evolution has access to the signature move Frenzy Plant, a decisive Grass-type move that deals massive damage to the opponent.
In Pokemon Sword and Shield, Bulbasaur was given a GMax form, transforming into a massive jungle with vines and flowers everywhere. This state of Venusaur has access to the GMax Move, GMax Vine Lash, which deals massive Grass-type damage and inflicts additional damage over several turns. It's no wonder Bulbasaur, Blastoise, and Charizard have been the topic of the top ten lists forever. Sorry that my inner "genwunner" is showing.
Thanks for Reading!
In addition to my regular content, I plan on making more Top Ten lists for the latest gaming releases and will host a weekly live stream of me playing different games. So be sure to tune in every week! I'll also upload some fun videos with behind-the-scenes looks at how I play certain games and create mini blogs discussing topics like game strategy and tips/tricks for new players. As always, follow along with @boycharlieplays on social media. There is much more to come from my gaming and out-of-school time communities. All in all, again, thank you to the people who made it possible to be @boycharlieplays!
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