Ranking The Pokémon Starters From Worst to Best

This month is Pokémon’s 25th Anniversary. To celebrate I’ve decided to rank all the Pokémon starters from each game. Throughout each series there have been some really good starters as well as ones that are not so good. I’ll mention a variation of things like moves, usefulness in gyms, and design. I’ll only be evaluating them based on the generation that they appeared in. I’ll also include an image of each Pokémon’s evolutionary line. Keep in mind that this is purely opinion. There are a total of 25 to get through so bear with me.

25

Coming in at the worst we have Fennekin the fire type starter from Generation 6. This Pokémon was the one I picked for my first play through and I regret it. I thought the Psychic/Fire typing would be cool, but it ended up being the weak link of my team. I used it the least out of every starter that I had. It only learns one notable fire type movie and it truly isn’t good. I have no complains about design, I honestly liked the design but it pretty much tanked when it came to battles.

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24

Coming in at number 24 we have Chespin the grass type starter from Generation 6. I did not like the design of this Pokémon. It just looks odd especially its final evolution. I believe that Chespin was the weaker of the three when it came to battles boasting high defense but less than desirable health.

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23

At number 23 we have Popplio the water type starter from Generation 7. This is one starter that I never used, considering that I dislike the design of its base form. I do like the designs of its evolutions though. Popplio just never stood out to me when compared to the others.

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22

Shockingly at number 22 we have Pikachu. Pikachu is different from the other starters because it is picked for you in Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition. This game is part of Generation 1. Unfortunately for Pikachu it suffers from the limited move set of Generation 1. With limited moves as well as bad match ups for gyms, Pikachu has unfortunately earned this spot. While I think Pikachu is great, from a starter perspective it is not. The very first gym has you automatically put at a disadvantage. Since you can get the other starters in this game they tend to be more useful and overshadow Pikachu entirely.

21

Slithering in at number 21 is Snivy, the grass type starter from Generation 5. For me Snivy’s design is a little bit of a let down. Its final from is just a snake basically. To me it doesn’t really look cool. The best move it can learn is Leaf Storm, but this move isn’t learned until its final evolution reaches level 62. Other than Leaf Blade it has pretty lack luster moves. This starter also suffers from being weak against several gyms.

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20

Flying in at number 20 we have Rowlet, the grass type starter from Generation 7. I think the designs of Rowlet’s evolutions look pretty cool. Unfortunately when I did a play through with this Pokémon as my starter I honestly regretted my choice. To me it felt like Rowlet suffered from low health and mediocre damage output. I found myself using it less and less as I went through the region.

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19

Leaping into number 19 we have Froakie, the water type starter from Generation 6. Though I like the design of Froakie’s evolutionary line, it suffers from a lack luster move pool. It’s signature move is interesting but it lacks physical power. TMs will help this Pokémon compete.

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18

Coming in at number 18 we have Chikorita, the grass type starter from Generation 2. I’m not really a fan of this Pokémon’s evolutionary line, it feels a little uninspired. Chikorita aslo suffers from the same problem as many others in regards to a small move pool. Better moves are going to come from TMs that you find or buy. If you choose this Pokémon you’ll be at a disadvantage with the first two gyms, forcing you to make up for this with a limited number of Pokémon to choose from early on.

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17

At number 17 we have Cyndaquil, the fire type starter from Generation 2. I truly like this Pokémon’s design but I couldn’t look past the move set issue. As usual a limited move set by level up but it makes up for it by being able to learn a variety of moves by TMs. Only one gym in this games main region will give this Pokémon trouble.

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16

Making its way to number 16 is Bulbasaur, the grass type starter from Generation 1. I think the design is good and consistent between the evolutions. This Pokémon will be at a disadvantage in three gyms. Its evolutions also suffer from a small move pool. TMs won’t help as there are not a good variety to make this Pokémon better.

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15

Biting its way to number 15 is Totodile, the water type starter from Generation 2. A cool design combined with a weakness to one gym in the starting region makes this Pokémon a great choice. Where it comes up short is its move pool. Barely any good moves are learned, making TMs the way to go to make this Pokémon more formidable.

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14

Slowly but surely making its way to number 14 is none other than the Generation 1 water type starter Squirtle. Make no mistake though this tiny turtle can become quite formidable after fully evolving, with a powerful like Skull Bash. Unfortunately not a lot of great moves are learned through leveling up, TMs are the way to go for this Pokémon to truly shine.

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13

At number 13 we have the best of Generation 1, the fire type starter Charmander. I think this Pokémon’s evolutions have the best design for the starters of this generation. Charmander won’t reach its full potential until it fully evolves. As with the other starters of Generation 1 TMs are your friend when trying to make this Pokémon versatile. Unfortunately Charmander suffers from a small move pool as well as being at a disadvantage in at least three gyms.

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12

At number 12 we have the slow moving Turtwig the grass type starter from Generation 4. I think that the designs f each evolution it has is great. What this Pokémon lacks in speed it makes up for in attack power. Some good physical moves can be learned as Turtwig evolves and a wide variety of moves can also be taught. This Pokémon should only struggle with one gym making it a reliable option in gym battles.

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11

Stealthily moving in at number 11 we have Sobble the water type starter from Generation 8. Though I have not used Sobble I like all of its designs. I consider Sobble the worst starter of it’s generation because it’s lacking in variety when it comes to moves learned through leveling up. This Pokémon doesn’t stand out until it fully evolves and learns Sniper Shot, an excellent move with an increased chance of landing a critical hit. Be sure to catch some other Pokémon for the first gym as Sobble is at a disadvantage.

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10

Climbing its way to number 10 we have Grookey the grass type starter from Generation 8. I’m not a fan of the second evolution of this Pokémon, its body seems oddly long. Grookey suffers from the same problem as Sobble, not a good variety of moves learned from leveling up. TMs will make this Pokémon stand out amongst the crowd. This Pokémon probably has the worst exclusive move because it does decent damage and lowers speed.

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9

Kicking its way to number 9, we have Scorbunny the fire type starter of Generation 8. I’m not the biggest fan of the designs for Scorebunny’s evolutions. I understand that it fits with the design of the generation but it feels like the could have done a little more. With this starter you’ll have a great mainstay in every gym battle except for one or two. Where this Pokémon really shines is with its speed. In its final evolution it learns the move Pyro Ball. This powerful move combined with its speed makes this Pokémon a devastating attacker.

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8

Swimming its way to number 8 is Oshawott, the water type starter from Generation 5. This Pokémon should only struggle at two gyms. All evolutions have cool and unique designs. Oshawott unfortunately struggles from a move pool that contains weak moves. If you want stronger moves than teaching them is the way to go.

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7

Waddling its way to number 7 is Piplup, the water type starter from Generation 4. A good design bundled with great type resistances makes this Pokémon one of the better starters. Unfortunately Piplup loses some points by picking up two more weaknesses after evolving into its final evolution. This Pokémon will be at a disadvantage at two gyms but one is early and the other is late in the game, with plenty of Pokémon available to turn the situation around.

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6

At number 6 we have the best of Generation 5, the fire type starter Tepig. Tepig starts off as a great choice especially when it learns Flame Charge. This move helps make up for its slow speed. A good variety of moves can be learned by Tepig’s evolutionary line making it versatile. Tepig unfortunately suffers from being weak to a variety of gym leaders as well as having four weaknesses in its final evolution.

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5

Representing the best of Generation 7, we have the fire type starter Litten at number 5. Each evolution has a truly great design. Litten excels with a variety of moves that can be learned through leveling up as well as being taught. Where this Pokémon falls short is that it’s weak against most of the island Kahunas. It also gains a new weakness due to its fire/dark typing.

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4

Pecking its way to number 4 we have Torchic, the fire type starter of Generation 3. This Pokémon has a good design combined with a good move pool to choose from. Such moves are Blaze Kick and Sky Uppercut. What drags this Pokémon down in the rankings is that it has a type disadvantage against the late game gyms, but you should have other Pokémon to make up for this.

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3

Arguably the best of Generation VI, we have the the fire type starter Chimchar at number 3. Chimchar evolves into a fire/fighting type making it a more formidable opponent with moves like Mach Punch and Close Combat as moves that can be learned through leveling up. A wide variety of moves can also be taught to its final evolution Infernape making it a versatile Pokémon in battle.

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2

Coming in as the runner up we have Mudkip, the water type starter from Generation III. Once Mudkip evolves and becomes a water/ground type it only has one weakness which is grass. You can also teach its evolutions ice type moves to make it even more versatile. I like the design of its first and third forms, the second form just looks a little odd to me. Its final evolution Swampert also learns Earthquake, one of the most powerful ground type moves. Once Mudkip evolves there is no gym that it is weak against.

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1

Having rightfully earned the title of best starter is none other than Treecko, the grass type starter from Generation III. It’s fast growth combined with it’s good move set gives Treecko the edge over the others. It’s evolution Grovyle learns leaf blade, a great move. It’s pretty powerful and it has a high critical hit chance. It’s final evolution is also the best design of all the starters. This is a Pokémon that I used in every gym battle except for one.

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Conclusion

Obviously my ranking would be different if I took into account the changes they made to each one over the years, but the best way for me to do this was by the region they appeared in. All images came from and can be found at Bulbapedia. Eevee was not on the list as I did not play the game that you could choose it in.

I hope that you all enjoyed my list. As always thank you for taking the time to visit and read my blog posts. If you find any errors be sure to let me know. Be sure to look at my rankings of the generations if you want more Pokémon related content. Let me know what your favorite stater is in the comments below. Once again thank you for reading and I hope you have a good day.