Pokémon Starters: A Comprehensive Guide Across Generations 1-9

Every new generation of *Pokémon* introduces a trio of starter Pokémon, each representing the Grass, Fire, and Water types. With nine generations now under the franchise's belt, fans have had the pleasure of choosing from a total of 27 starter lines. Let's dive into the rich history of these beloved partner 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 starter evolutions marked (*) are capable of Mega Evolution in Gens VI and VII.

All Starter Pokémon by Generation

Generation I Starter Pokémon

The iconic trio that launched the *Pokémon* phenomenon includes Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle from the Kanto region. They debuted in the original US-released games *Pokémon Red*, *Blue*, and *Yellow*, and have since returned in remakes like *Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen* and *Pokémon Let’s Go! Pikachu and Eevee*. These starters are also obtainable in numerous other mainline titles, 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 kicked off the Gen II titles *Pokémon Gold*, *Silver*, and *Crystal*. Hailing from the Johto region, they made a comeback in the remakes *Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver*. These starters have been available for capture in various ways in subsequent generations, such as through the QR Scanner in *Pokémon Sun and Moon*. Cyndaquil also serves as 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 except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation III Starter Pokémon

Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip debuted in Gen III’s *Pokémon Ruby*, *Sapphire*, and *Emerald*. These Hoenn natives returned in the remakes *Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire*, and have been catchable 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

Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup were introduced in Gen IV’s *Pokémon Diamond*, *Pearl*, and *Platinum*. They made a return in the remakes *Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl*. While native to the Sinnoh region, they do not serve as starters in *Legends: Arceus*, which explores an ancient Sinnoh called Hisui. However, they are available for capture in *Legends: Arceus* and 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 of Gen V’s *Pokémon Black and White* and their sequels *Pokémon Black 2 and White 2*. Although remakes are still a topic of speculation, these Unova starters can be caught in several other mainline titles and DLC. Notably, 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*. Froakie’s final evolution, Greninja, gained a special Ash-Greninja form in the *Pokémon the Series: XY* anime, which was made available through the *Pokémon Sun and Moon* demo and transferable to the main titles. These Kalos starters have been catchable in other mainline titles and DLC since.

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 debuted as starters in Gen VII’s *Pokémon Sun and Moon*. They returned in the sequels *Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon* and have been catchable in 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 except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation VIII Starter Pokémon

Gen VIII broke the traditional mainline release pattern with *Pokémon Sword and Shield* and *Pokémon Legends: Arceus*. *Sword & Shield* introduced Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble as starter Pokémon, while *Legends: Arceus* featured past starters with new regional evolutions. All three Galar starters are catchable 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* brought back Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott as the starter trio of Hisui, an ancient version of the Sinnoh region. Evolution levels differ slightly from past titles, and each starter receives a new regional form upon its final evolution. You can also catch the Sinnoh starters introduced in *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 made their debut as starters in the Gen IX titles *Pokémon Scarlet and Violet*. Sprigatito is a sassy cat-like Grass type; Fuecoco, a heartwarming Fire crocodile; and Quaxly, a poised Water type with flair. While you need to trade to obtain all three Paldea 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 Pokémon reaches the end of its ninth generation, the franchise looks forward to the Nintendo Switch 2 and the eagerly awaited Pokémon Legends: Z-A, currently in development.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC are now available.