Top 3 Must-Have Pokémon Starters: Your Ultimate Guide!

General Concept

• Starter Pokémon play a crucial role in defining a trainer's early game experience. They are often the most reliable partner throughout the journey, helping players learn battle mechanics and type matchups.
• The tradition began with Pokémon Red & Blue (1996), offering Bulbasaur (Grass/Poison), Charmander (Fire), and Squirtle (Water). Over time, more games introduced unique starters with dual typings in their evolutions.

Examples of Starter Pokémon by Region

1. Kanto (Red/Blue/Yellow)
   • Bulbasaur: Grass/Poison
   • Charmander: Fire
   • Squirtle: Water
   • Special Case: Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow.
2. Johto (Gold/Silver/Crystal)
   • Chikorita: Grass
   • Cyndaquil: Fire
   • Totodile: Water.
3. Hoenn (Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald)
   • Treecko: Grass
   • Torchic: Fire
   • Mudkip: Water.
4. Sinnoh (Diamond/Pearl/Platinum)
   • Turtwig: Grass → Grass/Ground (Torterra)
   • Chimchar: Fire → Fire/Fighting (Infernape)
   • Piplup: Water → Water/Steel (Empoleon).
5. Kalos (X/Y)
   • Chespin: Grass → Grass/Fighting (Chesnaught)
   • Fennekin: Fire → Fire/Psychic (Delphox)
   • Froakie: Water → Water/Dark (Greninja).
6. Galar (Sword/Shield)
   • Grookey: Grass → Grass/Fighting
   • Scorbunny: Fire → Fire/Fighting
   • Sobble: Water → Water/Psychic.
7. Paldea (Scarlet/Violet)
   • Sprigatito: Grass → Grass/Dark
   • Fuecoco: Fire → Fire/Ghost
   • Quaxly: Water → Water/Fighting.

Why Starter Pokémon Matter

• Starters are often a player's first bond in the game, symbolizing their journey and growth as trainers.
• They teach players about team-building and strategy, as rivals typically choose a starter with a type advantage over the player's choice.
• Many starters gain dual typings upon evolution, offering diverse strategies for battles.

Notable Features in Recent Games

• Some games allow players to acquire additional starters from other regions, such as Pokémon X/Y, where players can also choose a Kanto starter after meeting Professor Sycamore.
• In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, all starters from previous generations can be captured through DLC content like the Indigo Disk.

Starter Pokémon remain iconic symbols of the franchise, shaping both gameplay and emotional connections for players.