Home News All Pokémon Starters by Generation (Gens 1-9)

All Pokémon Starters by Generation (Gens 1-9)

Author : Aaron Mar 06,2025

The Pokémon franchise boasts a diverse roster of starter Pokémon, with each generation introducing a captivating 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, and have since reappeared in various remakes and mainline 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
Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile hail from the Johto region, featured in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, and their remakes. They've also appeared in subsequent games through various methods. Note: Cyndaquil's evolution level varies slightly in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

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

Generation III

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

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, the Hoenn starters 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
Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup, the Sinnoh starters from Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, are also featured in the remakes. They've appeared in other games, though not as starters in Pokémon 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
Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott from the Unova region's Pokémon Black and White games have appeared in subsequent titles. Oshawott is also a starter in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

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
Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie, the Kalos starters from 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
Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio from Pokémon Sun and Moon also appeared in the sequels and later DLC. Rowlet is a starter in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Note: Dartrix's evolution level varies in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

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

Generation VIII

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

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Generation VIII introduced Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble in Pokémon Sword and Shield, while Pokémon Legends: Arceus featured past starters with Hisuian regional forms.

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
Pokémon Legends: Arceus featured 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
Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly debuted in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Past starters are available via DLC.

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 its DLC are currently available.

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