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All Pokémon Starters by Generation (Gens 1-9)

by Olivia Mar 16,2025

Every generation of Pokémon introduces a trio of starter Pokémon: Grass, Fire, and Water types. With nine generations, that's 27 starter lines! Let's explore each generation's adorable partners.

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

All Starter Pokémon by Generation

Generation I Starter Pokémon

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—launched the franchise in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow. They've reappeared in remakes like FireRed and LeafGreen, Let's Go! Pikachu and Eevee, HeartGold and SoulSilver, and X and Y.

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

Generation II Starter Pokémon

Gen 2 starters Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company

Johto's Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile debuted in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, and returned in HeartGold and SoulSilver. They've been available in later games via methods like the QR Scanner in Sun and Moon. Cyndaquil is also a starter in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

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

Note: Cyndaquil's Quilava evolution occurs at Level 14 in all mainline games except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation III Starter Pokémon

Gen 3 starters Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company

Hoenn's Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip starred in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, and reappeared in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. They're obtainable in various other games and DLC.

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

Generation IV Starter Pokémon

Gen 4 starters Turtwig, Piplup, and Chimchar in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company

Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum featured Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup. They returned in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. While absent as starters in Legends: Arceus, they are catchable in that game, as well as others and their DLC.

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

Generation V Starter Pokémon

Gen 5 starters Oshawott, Tepig, and Snivy in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company

Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott were the stars of 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 PokémonTypeEvolutions
SnivyGrassServine (Level 17)
Serperior (Level 36)
TepigFirePignite (Level 17)
Emboar (Level 36)
OshawottWaterDewott (Level 17)
Samurott (Level 36)

RELATED: All Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Trade Codes

Generation VI Starter Pokémon

Gen 6 starters Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company

Pokémon X and Y introduced Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie, featured in the Pokémon the Series: XY anime. Froakie's evolution, Greninja, even got a special Ash-Greninja form via the Sun and Moon demo. The Kalos starters are available in later games and DLC.

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

Generation VII Starter Pokémon

Gen 7 starters Popplio, Litten, and Rowlet in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company

Pokémon Sun and Moon brought Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio. They returned in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon and are available in later DLC. Rowlet also appeared as a starter 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)

Note: Dartrix evolves into Decidueye at level 34 in all mainline games except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation VIII Starter Pokémon

Gen 8 starters Sobble, Grookey, and Scorbunny in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company

Gen VIII differed with Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Sword & Shield introduced Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble. All three are in the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for Scarlet and Violet.

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

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Pokémon Legends: Arceus starters Cyndaquil, Rowlet, and Oshawott
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company

Pokémon Legends: Arceus featured Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott in Hisui (ancient Sinnoh). Evolution levels vary slightly, and each gets a Hisuian regional form. All three original Sinnoh starters are also available.

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 Starter Pokémon

Gen 9 starters Sprigatito, Quaxly, and Fuecoco in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet introduced Sprigatito (Grass), Fuecoco (Fire), and Quaxly (Water). While trading is needed for all three, past starters are available in the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC.

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

With the ninth generation concluded, the Pokémon franchise continues, anticipated by the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement and the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC are available now.

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