Every generation of Pokémon introduces a trio of starter Pokémon: Grass, Fire, and Water types. With nine generations, that's 27 starter lines! Let's explore each generation's adorable partners.
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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 Starter Pokémon
The Kanto region's original trio—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—kicked off the Pokémon adventure in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow. They've since reappeared in remakes like FireRed and LeafGreen, and Let's Go, Pikachu and Eevee, along with several other mainline games, including HeartGold and SoulSilver, and 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 hail from the Johto region, debuting in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. They also appear in the remakes, HeartGold and SoulSilver, and have been accessible in various subsequent games, such as via the QR Scanner in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Cyndaquil is also a starter 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's evolution to Quilava is at level 14 in all mainline games except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution details.
Generation III Starter Pokémon
Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip represent Hoenn in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, and reappear in the remakes, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. They're also available in other games 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
Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum introduced Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup from the Sinnoh region. They return in the remakes, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. While absent as starters in Legends: Arceus, they are catchable in that game, 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 represent Unova in Pokémon Black and White, and their sequels. While remakes are unconfirmed, these Pokémon are available in various other games and DLC. Oshawott is also a starter 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 Kalos starters from Pokémon X and Y, featured in the Pokémon the Series: XY anime. Greninja, Froakie's final evolution, even received a special Ash-Greninja form. The Kalos trio is available in other games and DLC.
| 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
Pokémon Sun and Moon introduced Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio. They reappeared in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon and are available in later game DLC. Rowlet is also a starter 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 all mainline games except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution details.
Generation VIII Starter Pokémon
Generation VIII differed with Pokémon Sword and Shield, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus offering distinct starters. Sword and Shield introduced Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble. All three are 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 featured Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott in Hisui (ancient Sinnoh). Evolution levels vary slightly, and each receives a new regional form upon final evolution. All three Sinnoh starters from Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum are also catchable.
| 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
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet introduced Sprigatito (Grass), Fuecoco (Fire), and Quaxly (Water). While trading is needed to obtain all three, past starters are available 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) |
With the ninth generation concluding and the Nintendo Switch 2 announced, along with the anticipated Pokémon Legends: Z-A in development, the Pokémon journey continues!
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC are available now.
