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

Generation I

The Kanto region's original trio – Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle – debuted in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, and have since appeared in numerous remakes and subsequent 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)

Generation II

Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile hail from the Johto region, featured in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, and their remakes. They've also been accessible in later generations. Note that 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) Typhlosion (Level 36)
Totodile	Water	Croconaw (Level 18) Feraligatr (Level 30)

Generation III

Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, the Hoenn starters from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, have made numerous appearances in subsequent games and remakes.

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

Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup, the Sinnoh starters from Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, returned in their remakes. While absent as starters in Legends: Arceus, they are catchable within the game.

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

Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, from the Unova region's Pokémon Black and White, are available in various subsequent titles and DLC. Oshawott also features as 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)

Generation VI

Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie, the Kalos starters from Pokémon X and Y, are notable for Greninja's Ash-Greninja form. They are available in various other 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

Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio, from Pokémon Sun and Moon, returned in the Ultra versions and are available via DLC. Rowlet is also a starter in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Note the differing evolution level for Decidueye in 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)

Generation VIII

Generation VIII introduced Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble in Pokémon Sword and Shield, while Pokémon Legends: Arceus featured past starters 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)

Pokémon Legends: Arceus Starters

Pokémon Legends: Arceus featured Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott with unique Hisuian evolutions.

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

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet introduced Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly. Past starters are available via 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)

With the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 and the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the Pokémon franchise's journey continues. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and its DLC are currently available.