Table of Contents
Table of Contents
10. Tepig
9. Sobble
8. Fuecoco
7. Totodile
6. Chimchar
5. Cyndaquil
4. Mudkip
3. Charmander
2. Froakie
1. Bulbasaur
After 9 mainline generations of video games, the total record of Pokémon has grown to incorporate over 1,000 distinctive monsters to catch, tame, and battle. Each sport follows roughly the identical construction of constructing your workforce to grow to be the regional champion, nevertheless it all begins with selecting your starter. Even although the Legendary Pokémon are usually the poster little one of every new Pokémon sport, we really feel it’s the starters that outline every technology. This is your first associate who shall be with you thru all the journey and set the tone for all the sport. We’ve performed every entry sufficient occasions to be a brand new professor so we’re utilizing our data (and a few private choice) to rank the starter Pokémon from worst to greatest.
Note: We are solely together with starters from mainline Pokémon titles and never any Pokémon spinoff video games.
10. Tepig
GameFreak
Lowest on our rating is the lovable however considerably boring Tepig. This is your Fire-type possibility in Gen 5 and is the one one of many three that’s viable for practically each main encounter within the sport. This is due to its ultimate kind including the Fighting-type, giving it an edge when you get to the Elite Four. In phrases of design, Tepig is at all times a bit goofy in design throughout its evolutions. Emboar is the good kind, however not a design that leaves an enduring impression.
9. Sobble
GameFreak
Gen 8, at the least in our opinion, is likely one of the weakest when it comes to starter Pokémon. All three are a bit too comparable seeking to really feel distinct, however they’re additionally practically equal when it comes to viability. While that makes this sport extra even when it comes to issue regardless of which one you choose, it robs us of getting a definite expertise relying on our selection. Sobble at the least does effectively in opposition to the later-game gyms, and its ultimate evolution does have a novel really feel to it. We additionally love its Pokédex entry in Sword that tells us its tears “pack the chemical punch of 100 onions.”
8. Fuecoco
GameFreak
Honestly, we didn’t assume we’d like Fuecoco earlier than beginning Scarlet and Violet. It appeared like a knock-off Totodile, solely as a Fire-type. Design-wise, that’s considerably true, however its energy and evolutions completely flipped our opinions. And we’re not speaking in regards to the abomination that’s its center kind, Crocalor. Once you evolve into Skeledrige, you’re in enterprise. This is the primary starter to evolve right into a Fire and Ghost-type, making it uniquely efficient. Another enjoyable reality is that that is the primary Fire-type starter to remain on all fours in its ultimate evolution.
7. Totodile
GameFreak
After the phenomenon that was the primary technology of Pokémon, Gen 2’s starters may by no means have the identical influence because the OG 3. That stated, Totodile felt acquainted sufficient to Squirtle with out being a blatant copy. It seems to be a bit an excessive amount of like only a blue crocodile, however nails that steadiness of wanting cute and harmful. Of the Gen 2 starters, the sting Totodile has is that it evolves at an earlier stage than every other. Sadly, its evolutions are relatively minimal when it comes to how a lot its design modifications, however that may very well be a constructive relying in your style.
6. Chimchar
GameFreak
We admit that, at first, Chimchar seems to be like Charmander however as a monkey. That’s a good take, and even applies to the second evolution a bit, however Infernape is totally distinctive and superior. This kind is clearly impressed by Son Wukong and looks like a correct ultimate kind. In phrases of utility, Chimchar has a wierd benefit over the others in Gen 4 as a result of this entry has the fewest new Fire-types added to the combination in comparison with Water and Grass, permitting it to immediately cowl a sort you may need bother filling afterward.
5. Cyndaquil
GameFreak
Who didn’t choose Cyndaquil on their first playthrough of Gen 2? While we got here to understand Chikorita and Totodile, Cyndaquil was immediately interesting due to its blazing backbone. As it seems, Fire-types have been additionally type of overpowered for this sport’s gyms and Elite Four battles. It would rank a lot larger if it had extra inventive evolutions. Typhlosion is ok, however actually is only a larger Cyndaquil on two legs.
4. Mudkip
GameFreak
Did we put Mudkip this excessive simply due to the memes? Not utterly, however we will’t say it didn’t play an element. This dopey little Water-type from Gen 3 did grow to be a little bit of a joke, however it’s fairly cute. After totally evolving into Swampert, it does begin to look lots cooler with extra fins and highlights in its coloration. But, as a result of it turns into a Water and Ground-type after its first evolution, Mudkip would possibly find yourself being the objectively greatest starter for this sport.
3. Charmander
GameFreak
If it wasn’t for Pikachu, Charmander, or relatively Charizard, would most likely be essentially the most recognizable Pokémon in all the franchise. Besides Charmeleon being a little bit of an ungainly teen, each evolution is strictly what we wish from a starter. It begins unassuming, somewhat cute, however with an edge, and finally turns into a cool and imposing pressure. Sure, Charizard is principally only a dragon, however who doesn’t like dragons?
2. Froakie
GameGFreak
Froakie actually buries the lede in Gen 6. We admit to passing on this unassuming little toad in favor of Fennekin, however immediately restarted as soon as we noticed Greninja. Of all of the Pokémon starters, that is essentially the most excessive glow-up from first to ultimate kind within the collection. Greninja’s design alone made it rocket to the highest of most individuals’s favourite Pokémon lists, and was even well-liked sufficient to make it into Super Smash Bros. It won’t be essentially the most optimum starter for this sport’s gyms and Elite Four, however Greninja is so cool we’re prepared to handicap ourselves somewhat bit.
1. Bulbasaur
GameFreak
Call us biased if you would like, however Bulbasaur is the unsung hero of not simply the Gen 1 starters, however all Pokémon starters. For one, Bulbasaur is definitely your best option when it comes to energy over Charmander and Squirtle to crush the early health club leaders and half of the Elite Four members. Once it evolves, it additionally provides within the Poison-type, giving it extra utility. Ivysaur and Venusaur really feel like precise evolutions of Bulbasaur versus utterly totally different creatures that simply occur to be the identical coloration, which we admire.