Pokémon Starters Make Their Generational Debut

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

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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 Mega-Evolved 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. They've reappeared in remakes like 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

Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile hail from the Johto region, introduced in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, and remade in HeartGold and SoulSilver. They've appeared in later games, such as via Pokémon Sun and Moon's QR Scanner. 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 Quilava evolution occurs at level 14 except in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation III Starters

Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip debuted in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, and returned in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. They're available in various 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

Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup starred in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, and their remakes, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. While absent as starters in Legends: Arceus, they are catchable in that title, along with other mainline games 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

Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott are the Unova starters from Pokémon Black and White and their sequels. While remakes are unconfirmed, they're obtainable in various other games and DLC. 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)

RELATED: All Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Trade Codes

Generation VI Starters

Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie launched in Pokémon X and Y. Greninja, Froakie's final evolution, gained an Ash-Greninja form via the Sun and Moon demo. The Kalos starters are available in later 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 and Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. They're accessible in later game DLC. Rowlet also appears as 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 evolves into Decidueye at level 34 except in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation VIII Starters

Generation VIII, with Pokémon Sword and Shield and Legends: Arceus, offered different starter options. Sword & Shield introduced Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble, also found in Scarlet and Violet's DLC.

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 and altered evolution levels. The original Sinnoh starters are also available.

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 required 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 Nintendo Switch 2 announcement and Pokémon Legends: Z-A in development, the Pokémon journey continues. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and its DLC are currently available.