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All Pokémon Starters by Generation (Gens 1-9)

Author:Kristen Update:Feb 28,2025

The Pokémon franchise boasts a rich history of starter Pokémon, with each generation introducing a new trio of Grass, Fire, and Water types. This comprehensive guide explores all 27 starter lines across nine generations.

Jump To: 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: Kanto Region

Gen 1 starters Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
The original Kanto starters – Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle – debuted in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, and have since appeared in numerous remakes and subsequent games.

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

Generation II: Johto Region

Gen 2 starters Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile hail from the Johto region, introduced in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. They've also featured prominently in remakes and later games.

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

Note: Cyndaquil's evolution level to Quilava varies depending on the game; see Generation VIII for Legends: Arceus details.

Generation III: Hoenn Region

Gen 3 starters Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip represent the Hoenn region in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, and their remakes.

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

Generation IV: Sinnoh Region

Gen 4 starters Turtwig, Piplup, and Chimchar in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup are the Sinnoh starters from Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, and their remakes.

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

Generation V: Unova Region

Gen 5 starters Oshawott, Tepig, and Snivy in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott represent the Unova region in Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
SnivyGrassServine (Level 17)
Serperior (Level 36)
TepigFirePignite (Level 17)
Emboar (Level 36)
OshawottWaterDewott (Level 17)
Samurott (Level 36)

Generation VI: Kalos Region

Gen 6 starters Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie are the Kalos starters from Pokémon X and Y. Froakie's evolution, Greninja, notably received a special Ash-Greninja form.

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

Generation VII: Alola Region

Gen 7 starters Popplio, Litten, and Rowlet in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio debuted in Pokémon Sun and Moon.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
RowletGrass/FlyingDartrix (Level 17)
Decidueye (Level 34)
LittenFireTorracat (Level 17)
Incineroar (Level 34)
PopplioWaterBrionne (Level 17)
Primarina (Level 34)

Note: Dartrix's evolution level to Decidueye varies depending on the game; see Generation VIII for Legends: Arceus details.

Generation VIII: Galar & Hisui Regions

Gen 8 starters Sobble, Grookey, and Scorbunny in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Generation VIII introduced a unique twist with Pokémon Sword and Shield (Galar region) and Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Hisui region).

  • Sword & Shield: Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble.
  • Legends: Arceus: Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott (with Hisuian regional forms).

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

Pokémon Legends: Arceus starters Cyndaquil, Rowlet, and Oshawott

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
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: Paldea Region

Gen 9 starters Sprigatito, Quaxly, and Fuecoco in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly are the Paldea starters from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

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

With the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Pokémon Legends: Z-A in development, the Pokémon journey continues. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, along with the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, are currently available.