All Pokémon Starters: Generations 1-9 Ranked

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.

Note: Final evolutions marked (*) are capable of Mega Evolution in Generations VI and VII.

All Starter Pokémon by Generation

Generation I: Kanto Region

The original Kanto starters—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—debuted in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, and have reappeared in numerous remakes and subsequent games.

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: Johto Region

Johto's Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile, introduced in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, also appear in remakes and later games via various methods. Cyndaquil is 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 level differs in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Generation III: Hoenn Region

Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald reappear in remakes and other titles.

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: Sinnoh Region

Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup, from Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, return in remakes and are available in other games. They are not starters in Legends: Arceus.

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: Unova Region

Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott from Pokémon Black and White and their sequels are available in various later games. Oshawott is also a starter in 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: Kalos Region

Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie from Pokémon X and Y are notable for Greninja's 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: Alola Region

Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio from Pokémon Sun and Moon and their sequels appear in later DLC. Rowlet is also a starter in 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 level differs in Legends: Arceus.

Generation VIII: Galar Region and Hisui

Galar's Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble from Pokémon Sword and Shield appear in Scarlet and Violet DLC. Legends: Arceus features Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott with Hisuian regional forms.

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)

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: Paldea Region

Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly debut in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Past starters are available in the 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.