The Pokémon franchise boasts nine generations, each introducing a trio of starter Pokémon: Grass, Fire, and Water types. This comprehensive guide explores all 27 starter lines.
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.)
All Starter Pokémon by Generation
Generation I
The Kanto region's original starters—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—debuted in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, and have reappeared 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
Johto's Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile, introduced in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, have also appeared in remakes and various later games. 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 returned in remakes and are available in other games.
| 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
Sinnoh's Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup, from Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, reappeared in the remakes, but not as starters in Legends: Arceus.
| 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
Unova's Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, from Pokémon Black and White and their sequels, are available in various subsequent games.
| 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
Kalos's Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie, from Pokémon X and Y, are notable for Greninja's Ash-Greninja form.
| 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
Alola's Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio, from Pokémon Sun and Moon, have appeared in sequels and DLC. Note the differing evolution level for Decidueye 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) |
Generation VIII
Galar's Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble, from Pokémon Sword and Shield, and the Hisuian regional variants from Pokémon Legends: Arceus, offer unique evolutions and 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) |
| 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's Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly complete the current starter lineup.
| 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 Pokémon Legends: Z-A in development, the Pokémon journey continues. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and its Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC are currently available.
