Pokémon Starters: A Guide Through Generations 1-9

Each generation of *Pokémon* introduces players to a new set of three starter Pokémon, comprising a Grass type, a Fire type, and a Water type. With nine generations released so far, the franchise boasts an impressive total of 27 starter lines. Let's dive into the details of all the partner options across these 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 starters that kickstarted the franchise are Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle from the Kanto region. These beloved Pokémon first appeared in the original US-released titles *Pokémon Red*, *Blue*, and *Yellow*. They've made triumphant returns in remakes such as *Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen* and *Pokémon Let’s Go! Pikachu and Eevee*. Fans can also encounter them in other mainline games, 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 are the starters of the Gen II titles *Pokémon Gold*, *Silver*, and *Crystal*. Native to the Johto region, these Pokémon also star in the remakes *Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver*. They've been made available through various means in later generations, such as the QR Scanner in *Pokémon Sun and Moon*. Notably, Cyndaquil 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 but Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation III Starter Pokémon

Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip are the starters of Gen III's *Pokémon Ruby*, *Sapphire*, and *Emerald*. These Hoenn region favorites reappear in the remakes *Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire* and can be encountered 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

Gen IV's *Pokémon Diamond*, *Pearl*, and *Platinum* introduce Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup as starter options. These Sinnoh natives return in the remakes *Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl*. Although they don't serve as starters in *Pokémon Legends: Arceus*, which revisits the ancient Sinnoh region known as Hisui, all three can be caught 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 make up the starter trio of Gen V titles *Pokémon Black and White* and their sequels *Pokémon Black 2 and White 2*. While remakes are still a topic of speculation, fans can catch these Unova starters in several other mainline titles and DLC. Oshawott is notably 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 are the starters of Gen VI's *Pokémon X and Y*. Froakie's final evolution, Greninja, became a fan favorite, even receiving a special form known as Ash-Greninja, available through the *Pokémon Sun and Moon* demo and transferable to the main titles. The Kalos trio has been available to catch 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

Gen VII's *Pokémon Sun and Moon* introduced Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio as starters. They returned in the sequels *Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon* and have been available to catch in DLC for subsequent mainline games. Rowlet has also appeared 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 but Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation VIII Starter Pokémon

Gen VIII introduced *Pokémon Sword and Shield* and *Pokémon Legends: Arceus*, which offered different starter options. *Sword & Shield* introduced Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble, while *Legends: Arceus* featured past starters with new regional evolutions. The Galar starters can also be caught 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 Sinnoh region. Their evolution levels differ slightly, and each receives a new regional form upon final evolution. Players 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 debuted as starters in the Gen IX titles *Pokémon Scarlet and Violet*. Sprigatito is a cat-like Grass type with attitude; Fuecoco, a heartwarming Fire croc; and Quaxly, a stylish Water type with flair. To complete the set, players need to trade, but all past partner Pokémon can be caught 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 the Pokémon franchise nears the end of its ninth generation, anticipation builds for the Nintendo Switch 2 and the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A, currently in development.

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