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All Pokémon Starters by Generation (Gens 1-9)

by Oliver Feb 19,2025

The Pokémon franchise boasts a rich history of starter Pokémon, with each generation offering a compelling trio of Grass, Fire, and Water types. This comprehensive guide explores all 27 starter lines across nine generations.

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.

Starter Pokémon by Generation

Generation I

Gen 1 starters Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
The Kanto region's original trio—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—debuted in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow. These iconic starters have reappeared in numerous remakes and subsequent games.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
BulbasaurGrass/PoisonIvysaur (Level 16)
Venusaur* (Level 32)
CharmanderFireCharmeleon (Level 16)
Charizard* (Level 36)
SquirtleWaterWartortle (Level 16)
Blastoise* (Level 36)

Generation II

Gen 2 starters Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Johto's Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile, introduced in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, have also enjoyed appearances in remakes and later games.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
ChikoritaGrassBayleef (Level 16)
Meganium (Level 32)
CyndaquilFireQuilava (Level 14)
Typhlosion (Level 36)
TotodileWaterCroconaw (Level 18)
Feraligatr (Level 30)

Note: Cyndaquil's evolution level to Quilava varies; see Gen VIII for Legends: Arceus details.

Generation III

Gen 3 starters Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Hoenn's Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, have returned in remakes and other titles.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
TreeckoGrassGrovyle (Level 16)
Sceptile* (Level 36)
TorchicFireCombusken (Level 16)
Blaziken* (Level 36)
MudkipWaterMarshtomp (Level 16)
Swampert* (Level 36)

Generation IV

Gen 4 starters Turtwig, Piplup, and Chimchar in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Sinnoh's Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup, introduced in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, also appear in remakes and various other games. Note their absence as starters in Legends: Arceus.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
TurtwigGrassGrotle (Level 18)
Torterra (Level 32)
ChimcharFireMonferno (Level 14)
Infernape (Level 36)
PiplupWaterPrinplup (Level 16)
Empoleon (Level 36)

Generation V

Gen 5 starters Oshawott, Tepig, and Snivy in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Unova's Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, from Pokémon Black and White, are available in several subsequent games.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
SnivyGrassServine (Level 17)
Serperior (Level 36)
TepigFirePignite (Level 17)
Emboar (Level 36)
OshawottWaterDewott (Level 17)
Samurott (Level 36)

Generation VI

Gen 6 starters Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Kalos's Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie, featured in Pokémon X and Y, are notable for Greninja's Ash-Greninja form.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
ChespinGrassQuilladin (Level 16)
Chesnaught (Level 36)
FennekinFireBraixen (Level 16)
Delphox (Level 36)
FroakieWaterFrogadier (Level 16)
Greninja (Level 36)

Generation VII

Gen 7 starters Popplio, Litten, and Rowlet in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Alola's Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio, from Pokémon Sun and Moon, have appeared in sequels and DLC.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
RowletGrass/FlyingDartrix (Level 17)
Decidueye (Level 34)
LittenFireTorracat (Level 17)
Incineroar (Level 34)
PopplioWaterBrionne (Level 17)
Primarina (Level 34)

Note: Dartrix's evolution level to Decidueye varies; see Gen VIII for Legends: Arceus details.

Generation VIII

Gen 8 starters Sobble, Grookey, and Scorbunny in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Galar's Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble (Pokémon Sword and Shield) and the Legends: Arceus starters (Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott with regional variants) represent a departure from the traditional formula.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
GrookeyGrassThwackey (Level 16)
Rillaboom (Level 35)
ScorbunnyFireRaboot (Level 16)
Cinderace (Level 35)
SobbleWaterDrizzile (Level 17)
Inteleon (Level 35)

Pokémon Legends: Arceus Starters

Pokémon Legends: Arceus starters Cyndaquil, Rowlet, and Oshawott

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Legends: Arceus features Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott with unique Hisuian evolutions.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
RowletGrass/FlyingDartrix (Level 17)
Hisuian Decidueye (Level 36)
CyndaquilFireQuilava (Level 17)
Hisuian Typhlosion (Level 36)
OshawottWaterDewott (Level 17)
Hisuian Samurott (Level 36)

Generation IX

Gen 9 starters Sprigatito, Quaxly, and Fuecoco in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Paldea's Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet complete the current lineup.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
SprigatitoGrassFloragato (Level 16)
Meowscarada (Level 36)
FuecocoFireCrocalor (Level 16)
Skeledirge (Level 36)
QuaxlyWaterQuaxwell (Level 16)
Quaquaval (Level 36)

With the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Pokémon Legends: Z-A in development, the Pokémon journey continues. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC are currently available.

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