All Pokémon Starters by Generation (Gens 1-9)

Each new generation of *Pokémon* introduces a fresh trio of starter Pokémon, featuring one Grass type, one Fire type, and one Water type. With nine generations to date, there are now 27 distinct starter lines in the franchise. Let's explore all the partner options that have been available throughout the generations.

All Starter Pokémon by Generation

Generation I Starter Pokémon

The iconic starters that launched the series are Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, hailing from the Kanto region. These beloved Pokémon first appeared in the original US releases Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow. They've made a triumphant return in remakes such as Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen and Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. You can also encounter them in various other mainline games, including Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and Pokémon 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 Starter Pokémon

Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile are the starters for the Gen II games Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, originating from the Johto region. They reappear in the remakes Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and have been obtainable through various methods in later generations, such as the QR Scanner in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Cyndaquil also serves as 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 evolves into Quilava at level 14 in all mainline games except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Refer to Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation III Starter Pokémon

The starters of Gen III's Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald are Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip. These Hoenn natives return in the remakes Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and can be caught in various other mainline releases 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 Starter Pokémon

In Gen IV, Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum introduce Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup as starter options. They return in the remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Although not featured as starters in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which explores an ancient Sinnoh called Hisui, all three can be caught in the first Legends game and other mainline titles 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 Starter Pokémon

Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott are the starter trio for Gen V's Pokémon Black and White and their sequels Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. While remakes are still a topic of speculation, you can catch these Unova starters in several other mainline titles and DLC. Notably, Oshawott is also a starter option 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 Starter Pokémon

The starters of Gen VI's Pokémon X and Y are Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie. Froakie's final evolution, Greninja, gained a special form known as Ash-Greninja, available through the Pokémon Sun and Moon demo and transferable to the main titles. The Kalos trio has been catchable in other mainline titles and DLC since their introduction.

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 Starter Pokémon

Gen VII's Pokémon Sun and Moon introduced Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio as starters. They returned in the sequels Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon and have been available in DLC for subsequent mainline games. Rowlet also appears as a starter option 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 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 VIII introduced Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, each with different starters. Sword & Shield brought in Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble as the Galar region's starters, which can also be caught in the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

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 features Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott as the starters of Hisui, an ancient Sinnoh region. Evolution levels differ slightly from previous titles, and each starter receives a new regional form upon its final evolution. You can also catch the Sinnoh starters introduced in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum.

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 Starter Pokémon

Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly debuted as the starters in the Gen IX titles Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Sprigatito is a sassy Grass-type cat, Fuecoco is a heartwarming Fire-type crocodile, and Quaxly is a stylish Water-type duck. While you need to trade to obtain all three Paldea starters, you can catch every past starter Pokémon 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)

As the Pokémon franchise approaches the end of its ninth generation, anticipation builds for future releases with the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 and the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A, currently in development.

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