How to Choose the Right Starter Pokémon in Any Game

Last Updated: May 6, 2021

Picking a Pokémon to start off any game can be difficult. Rather than just choosing any Pokémon, this wikiHow-to will guide you through wikiHow to choose the right starter Pokémon in any game.

Steps

1
Know that there is no "right" Pokémon.
2
Pick what type you might want. You will choose from Grass, Fire or Water.
3
Look at the Pokémon and their later stages. If you know that you will eventually substitute a different Pokémon for it, then choose it as your Starter.
4
Look at their movesets. If you like a certain move, it will be easier for you to choose. You should also look at their stats, nature affects, and abilities.
5
If you want to catch certain Pokémon in a game with certain types try to make your Starter Pokémon a different type to have a wide variety in your team.
6
Consider your play style and game type.
- If you choose melee, go for the fire-type. (They can learn many strong melee moves)
- If you go for tactical (ranged, in other games) then choose water-type. (They are very good at not making melee contact with enemies, giving them an advantage over Pokémon that rely on abilities like rough skin).
- If you prefer taking advantage of the enemies' weaknesses, then use the grass-type. (They have moves such as leech seed that drain equal amounts of health regardless of type and level.)
7
If possible, try to train it by trainers or Pokémon near by. Use Rare Candies if you want to level your Pokémon instantly.
8
If the starter Pokémon, after evolving, gets an additional type for itself (like Charmeleon gets Fire and Flying-type after it evolves into Charizard and Mudkip gets Water and Ground-type after it evolves into a Marshtomp), you may think about preferring that Pokémon because it may cover up many of its weaknesses.

Community Q&A

Question

Should I look at upcoming gym battles?

Community Answer

Yes, to an extent. If you prepare for the early gyms, you will probably have weaknesses eventually, so you don't have to but it wouldn't be a bad idea.
Question

How do I choose my sun and moon starter?

Bun bun

Top Answerer

Rowlet is a grass/flying type who stays that type until evolving into Decidueye, which is a grass/ghost - it is the most popular choice. Decidueye is a hard-hitting mixed attacker; it is pretty slow, but the fastest of all starters. Litten is a fire-type that stays like that until the evolution into Incineroar, where it gains the dark type. Incineroar is a hard-hitting physical attacker which makes up for its low speed. Popplio is a water-type that turns into water/fairy when it evolves into Primarina. Primarina is a hard-hitting special attacker which ties in speed with Incineroar.
Question

What are some of your favorite Pokémon of all 7 generations?

Community Answer

Some of my favorite Pokémon are Alolan Raichu, Decidueye, Mega Blastoise, Mega Charizard X, Mega Swampert, Mega Garchomp, Mega Lucario, Incineroar, Chandelure, Breloom, Mega Gengar, Entei, Dusknoir, Pikachu Libre, Solgaleo, Mega Tyranitar, Bisharp, Weavile, Mega Metagross, Flareon, Vapereon, and Torterra. I would recommend using at least 3 or 4 of these Pokémon on a team. Some of these Pokémon are actually quite good.
Question

I don't like any of the starters. What do I do?

Bun bun

Top Answerer

Choose a random starter and dump it in a box for your journey. You can build a team without your starter.
Question

How can I chose the one to beat Gary in Fire Red?

Community Answer

Try to battle it using a common Pokemon that has the advantage, like Arcanine against Venusaur, Gyarados against Charizard, or Vileplume against Blastoise.
Question

Which is best, Greninja or Charizard?

Community Answer

If you're talking about battle prowess/competitive play, Greninja has the advantage with an excellent hidden ability in Protean, which changes Greninja's type to that of the move that it is using, thus giving every move 1.5x power. Greninja was in the highest competitive tier (Ubers) during X/Y, and it is in the most popular tier (OU, or overused) in Sun/Moon. Charizard has languished in the lower tiers for a long time. Its mega evolutions do rather well for themselves, landing in OU (Charizard X) and the ban list for UU (under used, which is the tier right below OU). While playing through a game, however, using either is fine. Choose whichever you like more personally, and just have fun!
Question

How can I choose among the Kalos Region's Pokemon?

Community Answer

Each Kalos starter is better at some stats than at others, especially in their final evolutions. In the Chespin line's case, their best stats are Attack, Defense and Special Defense to make up for a low Speed stat. For the Fennikin line, Attack and Special Attack are what those Pokémon do best. For the Froakie line, what they lack in Defense and Special Defense, they make up for with their Speed.
Question

In which Pokemon are the starters Squirtle, Charmander and Bulbasaur?

Community Answer

Red, Blue, FireRed, and LeafGreen.
Question

Can I get a second starter?

Community Answer

Sometimes yes. In Pokemon X and Y, after completing the story (becoming the Kalos Pokemon Champion in your hometown, Shauna will be waiting to trade her xxxx (the starter that is weak to yours) with one of your Pokemon.
Question

What do I do if I'm not interested in the evolutions, but want to build a team with starter Pokemon?

Community Answer

Choose to not evolve the Pokemon. When your starter is about to evolve, click the B button, which can stop the evolution. You could also give an Everstone to the starter Pokemon you choose Then, build a team that covers your starters' weaknesses. I recommend evolving your Pokemon, as it does get stronger, but is all your own choice.

Warnings

If the starter eventually gets a second type, it will be able to trump more types of Pokémon, but be careful as it will have new weaknesses.

Thanks!
Helpful 37 Not Helpful 4
Do not focus on only one or a few specific members (especially starters) of your team more than your other Pokémon; you will eventually come across a situation your aces will faint and you can only depend on your weak Pokémon.

Thanks!
Helpful 34 Not Helpful 4
Most starters won't be in your party at the end of the game because they can easily be replaced by better Pokémon you will encounter later.

Thanks!
Helpful 24 Not Helpful 31