Pokémon Starters: Generations 1-9 Guide

Every generation of Pokémon introduces a trio of starter Pokémon: Grass, Fire, and Water types. With nine generations, that's 27 starter lines in total! Let's explore the partners available throughout the series.

Recommended Videos #### Jump To:

Gen 1 Gen 2 Gen 3 Gen 4 Gen 5 Gen 6 Gen 7 Gen 8 Gen 9

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

All Starter Pokémon by Generation

Generation I Starter Pokémon

The Kanto region's original trio—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—launched the franchise in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow. They've since 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 Starter Pokémon

Johto's Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile debuted in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, and were remade in HeartGold and SoulSilver. They've also appeared in later games, including via the QR Scanner in Pokémon Sun and Moon. 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 evolution to Quilava is at Level 14 in all mainline games except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Gen VIII starters for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation III Starter Pokémon

Hoenn's Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip first appeared in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, and were remade in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. They are available in various other 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 Starter Pokémon

Sinnoh's Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup debuted in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, and reappeared in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. While absent as starters in Legends: Arceus, they are catchable in that game, as well as other 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

Unova's Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott appeared in Pokémon Black and White and their sequels. While remakes are yet to be announced, they are available in several other games and DLC. Oshawott is also a starter 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)

RELATED: All Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Trade Codes

Generation VI Starter Pokémon

Kalos's Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie debuted in Pokémon X and Y. Froakie's final evolution, Greninja, received a special Ash-Greninja form, available via the Sun and Moon demo. The Kalos starters are in other mainline 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 Starter Pokémon

Alola's Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio were introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon and reappeared in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. They are also in DLC for subsequent games. Rowlet is a starter 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

Generation VIII, with Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, offered different starter options. Sword and Shield introduced Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble. All three are in the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for 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 featured Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott with Hisuian regional forms. Evolution levels vary slightly, and each receives a new regional form upon final evolution. All three Sinnoh starters from Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum 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 Starter Pokémon

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet introduced Sprigatito (Grass), Fuecoco (Fire), and Quaxly (Water). While trading is needed to obtain all three, past starter Pokémon 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 announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 and the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the Pokémon franchise shows no signs of slowing down. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC are available now.