The pivotal moment in any Pokémon game occurs right at the beginning when you choose your partner Pokémon. This initial decision, often based on personal taste and intuition, sets the stage for the journey ahead. As you lock eyes with the creature you'll spend countless hours nurturing and battling with, you're embarking on a special experience. At this point, you're unaware of how this choice will influence your path to becoming a Pokémon master, with the mysteries of gyms, rivals, and the region's secrets yet to unfold.

To help you make the best choice, we've conducted thorough research on the base stats, strengths, and weaknesses of every starter Pokémon and their evolutions. We've also analyzed how they fare against the challenges of their native regions. This guide is designed to assist you not only in overcoming the initial gyms but also in conquering the Elite Four and beyond, setting you on the path to mastering Pokémon across all generations.

Gen 1: Bulbasaur

Games: Pokémon Red & Blue, FireRed & LeafGreen

Starter options: Bulbasaur (grass), Charmander (fire), Squirtle (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow guide

Bulbasaur is the strategic choice for tackling the Kanto region, starting with a clear advantage against the first gym led by Brock, where Grass beats Rock. While Charmander may seem appealing due to Fire types being rare in Gen 1 and effective against Flying types, Bulbasaur's strengths shine through. Its Grass typing is super effective against Brock's Rock Pokémon, Misty's Water types, and even Giovanni's final gym lineup, making it an excellent choice for the first two Elite Four members. The main challenges for Bulbasaur include Erika's Grass type gym and Blaine's Fire type gym, but these can be navigated with the right strategy and the abundance of Water types in Kanto.

Bulbasaur trainers must be mindful of frequent encounters with Flying types like Pidgey and Spearow in tall grass, which pose a threat during grinding. However, the numerous Ground and Rock types in caves offer plenty of opportunities for Bulbasaur to gain experience. Rival Blue's Pidgeot and Charmander can be problematic, but adding a Water type to your team can mitigate this issue. Bulbasaur's evolution into Venasaur adds Poison typing, enhancing its advantage over the other starters offered by Professor Oak.

Gen 2: Cyndaquil

Games: Pokémon Gold & Silver, Crystal, HeartGold & SoulSilver

Starter options: Chikorita (grass), Cyndaquil (fire), Totodile (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal guide

In Pokémon Gold and Silver, Cyndaquil stands out due to the scarcity of Fire types, with only eight introduced compared to ten Grass and eighteen Water types. Starting with Cyndaquil adds significant diversity to your team and aligns well with the majority of Johto's gyms and Elite Four members. Cyndaquil's Fire moves are effective against Bugsy's Bug type and Jasmine's Steel type gyms, while Totodile struggles due to the absence of Fire, Ground, or Rock gyms. Chikorita, evolving into Meganium, excels against Pryce's Water gym but faces challenges with early Bug and Flying type gyms, as well as Morty's Poison type gym.

Cyndaquil's advantages extend to the Elite Four, where its Fire typing is advantageous against Grass and Bug types. While Meganium struggles against Poison and Dragon/Flying types, and Ferligator (Totodile's final evolution) holds its own, Typhlosion (Cyndaquil's final evolution) can blaze through several opponents. Challenges include Rock and Ground types in caves and Lance's team, but these are less daunting compared to the obstacles faced by Chikorita and Totodile.

Gen 3: Mudkip

Games: Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire

Starter options: Treecko (grass), Torchic (fire), Mudkip (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald guide

Mudkip's appeal goes beyond its charm; it's a strategic choice for Ruby and Sapphire. Both Mudkip and Treecko have advantages against three of the eight gyms, excelling against Roxanne's and Tate & Liza's Rock/Ground gyms. Mudkip has the edge over Flannery's Fire gym, while Treecko is better suited for Wallace's Water gym. By the time you reach Wallace, Treecko would have evolved into Sceptile, but it faces disadvantages against Flannery and Winona's Flying type lineup. Mudkip's only struggle is against Wattson's Electric type gym, and Torchic's Fire typing is less effective against any gym, particularly Wallace's.

In the Elite Four, Sceptile has a slight advantage against Glacia's Ice/Water Pokémon, but Mudkip's evolution into Swampert adds Ground typing, boosting its defensive capabilities and making it immune to Electric attacks. This makes Swampert a formidable contender in battles where it might otherwise be at a disadvantage. The abundance of water in Hoenn can make random encounters challenging, but Mudkip's overall advantages outweigh this.

Gen 4: Chimchar

Games: Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

Starter options: Turtwig (grass), Chimchar (fire), Piplup (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum guide

Chimchar continues the trend of Fire types being a strong choice, with only five new Fire types introduced compared to fourteen for Water and Grass. Chimchar's Fire typing is advantageous against Gardenia's Grass type gym, Byron's Steel types, and Candice's Ice types. Turtwig, evolving into Torterra, excels against Roark's Rock type and Crasher Wake's Water type gyms, and gains immunity to Electric attacks, aiding in the final gym against Volkner. However, Turtwig's strengths are more pronounced early on, while Chimchar is better suited for late-game success.

The well-balanced Elite Four in Sinnoh sees Chimchar's final evolution, Infernape, effective against Aaron's Bug Pokémon, whereas Torterra struggles against Bug types but excels against Bertha's Water and Ground types. Piplup's evolution, Empoleon, is resilient but lacks significant advantages over gym leaders or the Elite Four. The frequent battles with Team Galactic's Bug types tilt the advantage towards Chimchar.

Gen 5: Tepig

Games: Pokémon Black & White

Starter options: Snivy (grass), Tepig (fire), Oshawott (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Black and White guide

In Generation 5, Tepig emerges as the clear choice. Snivy's Grass typing only benefits against one gym and has no significant advantages against the Elite Four, while being vulnerable to Bug and Flying types. Oshawott, evolving into Samurott, fares better against Clay's Ground type gym and Brycen's Ice types but lacks advantages against the Elite Four. Tepig's Fire typing and its final form, Emboar, gaining Fighting type, make it well-suited for Unova's challenges. Emboar excels against Burgh's Bug gym and Brycen's Ice gym, though alternative strategies are needed for Clay's Ground type gym.

In the Elite Four battles, Emboar's Fighting type is super effective against Grimsley's Dark types, though it's vulnerable to Caitlin's Psychic types. Tepig's strong attacking stats and the presence of Team Plasma's Steel types further solidify its position. The necessity to battle the Elite Four twice in Black and White makes Tepig a reassuring choice.

Gen 6: Fennekin

Games: Pokémon X & Y

Starter options: Chespin (grass), Fennekin (fire), Froakie (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon X and Y guide

Fennekin stands out in Pokémon X and Y, where Fire types continue to dominate. Fennekin's Fire typing is super effective against three gyms and resistant to two more, making its third evolution, Delphox, with added Psychic typing, well-prepared for the Pokémon League. Froakie, evolving into Greninja, has advantages against Olympia's Psychic types but struggles against Fairy and Grass types. Chespin, evolving into Chesnaught, faces challenges with Bug and Fairy types.

The balanced Elite Four in X and Y requires different types for each battle, with Delphox having an edge due to its resistance to Diantha's Gardevoir's attacks. Fennekin's versatility and effectiveness make it the top choice for this generation.

Gen 7: Litten

Games: Pokémon Sun & Moon

Starter options: Rowlet (grass), Litten (fire), Popplio (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Sun & Pokémon Moon guide

Litten rounds out the Fire type dominance in Generation 7. Despite initial struggles in Alola's trials, Litten becomes the clear choice for later battles. Mallow's Grass trial and Sophocles' Electric trial are advantageous for Litten, and its evolution into Incineroar, a Fire/Dark type, excels against Acerola's Ghost trial. Incineroar faces challenges against Fairy types but has advantages against other types in Mina's team.

Rowlet and Popplio have early advantages but struggle in late-game battles. Rowlet's evolution into Decidueye gains Ghost typing, which is mixed for Acerola's trial. Popplio evolves into Primarina, but this doesn't significantly impact its trial performance. Litten's ability to clear trials is crucial, especially with the diverse challenges in the Pokémon League, making it the best choice for Sun and Moon.

Gen 8: Sobble

Games: Pokémon Sword & Shield

Starter options: Grookey (grass), Scorbunny (fire), Sobble (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Sword and Shield guide

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Sobble narrowly edges out Grookey and Scorbunny. All three starters are effective against three gyms, but Sobble and Grookey have an advantage against the final gym led by Raihan. The Champion Cup, Galar's version of the Elite Four, sees Sobble slightly ahead, with its final evolution, Inteleon, having balanced stats. The semi-finals don't favor any specific type, but Sobble's effectiveness against Bede's Fairy types, Nessa's Water types, and Raihan's Fire and Ground heavy Dragon team gives it a slight edge.

Other factors like rivals and Team Yell have minimal impact, and the introduction of overworld Pokémon reduces random encounters. Sobble's balanced stats and performance against key opponents make it the top choice for this generation.

Gen 9: Fuecoco

Games: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Starter options: Sprigatito (grass), Fuecoco (fire), Quaxly (water)

Full guide: IGN's Pokémon Scarlet and Violet guide

Fuecoco emerges as the clear winner in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Despite the player freedom in gym and Team Star base order, the Paldea region is designed to favor Fuecoco. The highest-level gyms, led by Tulip and Grusha, are Psychic/Fairy and Ice types, respectively, while the lowest-level gyms, led by Katy and Brassius, are Bug and Grass types. Fuecoco's evolution into Skeledirge, a Fire/Ghost type, is advantageous against these gyms.

Quaxly's evolution into Quaquaval, a Water/Fighting type, only benefits against Larry's Normal type gym, while Sprigatito's evolution into Meowscarada, a Grass/Dark type, excels against Tulip's and Ryme's gyms. Team Star base raids further emphasize Fuecoco's strengths, with its immunity to Fighting types and effectiveness against Bug types. Skeledirge's advantages extend into the Elite Four, making Fuecoco the best starter for Scarlet and Violet.