Pokémon Starters Revealed for Generations 1-9

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

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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 with (*) are capable of Mega Evolution in Generations VI and VII.

All Starter Pokémon by Generation

Generation I Starters

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, including FireRed and LeafGreen, Let's Go! Pikachu and Eevee, 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 Starters

The Johto region introduced Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. These starters also feature prominently in their remakes, HeartGold and SoulSilver, and have been accessible through various methods in later generations, such as 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 occurs at level 14 in all mainline games except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution specifics.

Generation III Starters

Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, the Hoenn region's representatives, debuted in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. They reappear in the Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire remakes and are obtainable in various 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 Starters

Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup were the Sinnoh starters in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, returning in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. While absent as starters in Legends: Arceus, they are catchable in that game and others.

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

Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott represent Unova in Pokémon Black and White and their sequels. While remakes are unconfirmed, they 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)

Generation VI Starters

Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie launched in Pokémon X and Y, also featuring in the Pokémon the Series: XY anime. Froakie's evolution, Greninja, gained an Ash-Greninja form via the Sun and Moon demo. The Kalos starters are 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 Starters

Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio debuted in Pokémon Sun and Moon, reappearing in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon and later 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's evolution to Decidueye differs in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for details.

Generation VIII Starters

Generation VIII introduced Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, offering different starter options. Sword & Shield featured Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble, while Legends: Arceus featured past 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

Pokémon Legends: Arceus featured Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott with Hisuian regional forms. Evolution levels vary slightly from previous games.

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

Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly debuted in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. 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 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.