All Pokémon Starters by Generation (Gens 1-9) News - Latest Updates and Information

The Pokémon franchise boasts nine generations, each introducing a trio of starter Pokémon: Grass, Fire, and Water types. This comprehensive guide details all 27 starter lines.

All Starter Pokémon by Generation

Generation I Starters

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

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The Kanto region's original trio – Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle – debuted in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow. They've reappeared in remakes (FireRed, LeafGreen, Let's Go! Pikachu and Eevee) and other mainline games (HeartGold, SoulSilver, 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 Starters

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

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The Johto region's Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile, from Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, also appear in their remakes (HeartGold and SoulSilver) and via methods in later generations (Sun and Moon's QR Scanner). Cyndaquil is also a Pokémon Legends: Arceus starter.

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 Quilava evolution level differs in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII for details.

Generation III Starters

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

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Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip from Hoenn's Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald return in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. They are obtainable via various methods in subsequent 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 Starters

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

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Sinnoh's Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum introduced Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup, also present in their remakes (Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl). While absent as starters in Legends: Arceus, they are catchable within the game, alongside 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 Starters

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

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Unova's Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott from Pokémon Black and White and their sequels are available in various mainline games and DLC. Oshawott is also a Legends: Arceus starter.

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)

Generation VI Starters

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

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Kalos's Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie from Pokémon X and Y (and featured in the XY anime) are available in later games and DLC. Greninja, Froakie's evolution, notably has an Ash-Greninja form.

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 Starters

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

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Alola's Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio from Pokémon Sun and Moon (and Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon) are also in later DLC. Rowlet is also a Legends: Arceus starter.

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: Decidueye's evolution level differs in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII for details.

Generation VIII Starters

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

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Galar's Pokémon Sword and Shield introduced Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble, also found in Scarlet and Violet's DLC. Legends: Arceus featured different starters with regional variants.

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 Starters

Pokémon Legends: Arceus starters Cyndaquil, Rowlet, and Oshawott

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Hisui's Legends: Arceus featured Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott with unique regional forms and altered evolution levels. 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 Starters

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

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Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly are available, with past starters catchable via 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 Nintendo Switch 2 announcement and Pokémon Legends: Z-A in development, the Pokémon journey continues. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and their DLC are currently available.