Picking your starter Pokémon is always the hardest part of any new Pokémon game. You stare at those three options for way too long and still feel unsure. We've all been there.

So I decided to go through all 9 generations and compare every starter. Which ones are actually the best? Which ones let you down? Let's find out.

Generation 1 — Kanto (Red, Blue, Yellow)

Starters: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle

Everyone knows these three. They're the original trio and honestly still some of the most iconic Pokémon ever made.

Charmander is the fan favorite by far. Charizard looks amazing and hits hard. But here's the truth — Charmander is actually the hardest starter to use in Gen 1. The first two gyms are Rock and Water type, which destroys Fire types.

Bulbasaur is secretly the best choice for beginners. It beats the first two gyms easily and carries you through the early game without much trouble.

Squirtle is right in the middle — solid, reliable, and Blastoise is a great Pokémon.

Best for beginners: Bulbasaur Best for experienced players: Charmander

Generation 2 — Johto (Gold, Silver, Crystal)

Starters: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile

Cyndaquil is the most popular and for good reason. Typhlosion is fast and hits really hard. It can carry you through most of the game.

Totodile is underrated. Feraligatr has great attack and Water is always a useful type.

Chikorita is honestly the hardest one. Meganium is not bad but Grass just doesn't cover enough Johto gyms well.

Best starter: Cyndaquil

Generation 3 — Hoenn (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald)

Starters: Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip

Gen 3 has one of the best starter lineups in the whole series.

Mudkip is widely considered the best choice. Swampert only has one weakness — Grass — and its Water/Ground typing covers so many things. It wrecks most Hoenn gym leaders without much trouble.

Torchic becomes Blaziken, a Fire/Fighting type with insane attack. Blaziken even has a Mega Evolution that's so powerful it was banned from competitive play.

Treecko becomes Sceptile — very fast and hits hard. The glass cannon of the three.

Best starter: Mudkip

Generation 4 — Sinnoh (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum)

Starters: Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup

Chimchar becomes Infernape, a Fire/Fighting type that is incredibly fast and strong on both Attack and Special Attack. One of the best starter final evolutions in the whole franchise.

Piplup becomes Empoleon, a Water/Steel type — a really cool and useful combination with great Special Attack.

Turtwig becomes Torterra, a Grass/Ground type. Powerful but a little slow. Good if you like bulky Pokémon.

Best starter: Chimchar

Generation 5 — Unova (Black, White)

Starters: Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott

Oshawott becomes Samurott, a pure Water type with good stats all around. Very reliable throughout the game.

Tepig becomes Emboar, another Fire/Fighting type. Hits hard but felt repetitive since it was the third Fire/Fighting starter in a row.

Snivy becomes Serperior, which is amazing in competitive play with its Contrary ability. But in the main story, it's harder to use.

Best for the story: Oshawott Best for competitive: Snivy

Generation 6 — Kalos (X and Y)

Starters: Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie

Froakie is the clear winner here. It becomes Greninja, one of the most popular Pokémon ever. Super fast, hits hard, and even has a special Ash-Greninja form. In competitive play, Greninja was so strong it got banned from standard format.

Fennekin becomes Delphox, a Fire/Psychic type. Decent but not exciting.

Chespin becomes Chesnaught, a Grass/Fighting type. Solid but forgettable.

Best starter: Froakie — it's not even close

Generation 7 — Alola (Sun and Moon)

Starters: Rowlet, Litten, Popplio

Litten becomes Incineroar, a Fire/Dark wrestling cat. Incredibly popular in competitive doubles — it's been a top-tier pick at World Championships for years.

Rowlet becomes Decidueye, a Grass/Ghost type. Very cool design and the fan favorite for looks.

Popplio becomes Primarina, a Water/Fairy type with great Special Attack. Really strong in the story mode.

Best for competitive: Incineroar Best for the story: Popplio

Generation 8 — Galar (Sword and Shield)

Starters: Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble

Scorbunny becomes Cinderace, a fast pure Fire type that plays like a soccer player. It was actually banned from competitive at one point because it was so strong.

Grookey becomes Rillaboom, which became a top pick in competitive doubles with its Grassy Surge ability.

Sobble becomes Inteleon, a Water/Ice sniper with high speed and Special Attack.

Best starter: Scorbunny

Generation 9 — Paldea (Scarlet and Violet)

Starters: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly

Fuecoco becomes Skeledirge, a Fire/Ghost type that sings and breathes fire. Best for the main story with its Unaware ability that ignores opponent stat boosts.

Sprigatito becomes Meowscarada, a Grass/Dark type with high Speed. Very popular in competitive play.

Quaxly becomes Quaquaval, a Water/Fighting dancing type that hits really hard.

Best for the story: Fuecoco Best for competitive: Sprigatito

Overall Top 10 Starters of All Time

1. Greninja (Gen 6) — Fast, cool, and competitively dominant
2. Infernape (Gen 4) — Balanced and powerful in every situation
3. Blaziken (Gen 3) — So strong it got banned even with a Mega Evolution
4. Incineroar (Gen 7) — A doubles legend still used at World Championships
5. Swampert (Gen 3) — Only one weakness. That's insane
6. Meowscarada (Gen 9) — The newest top-tier starter
7. Cinderace (Gen 8) — Fast, aggressive, great design
8. Skeledirge (Gen 9) — Best story mode starter, very underrated
9. Typhlosion (Gen 2) — A Gen 2 classic that always delivers
10. Charizard (Gen 1) — Iconic forever, no matter what

Final Thoughts

Every generation has at least one really great starter. There's no truly bad choice. But if you want the easiest story run, go with Water or Fire most of the time. If you care about competitive, pick the fastest and hardest hitting option.

At the end of the day, the best starter is always the one you love the most. Pick your favorite and build your team around it.

Happy training!

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