Pokémon Starter Generations Revealed (Gens 1-9)

The Pokémon franchise boasts nine generations, each introducing a trio of starter Pokémon: Grass, Fire, and Water types. This comprehensive guide details all 27 starter lines.

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Gen 1 Gen 2 Gen 3 Gen 4 Gen 5 Gen 6 Gen 7 Gen 8 Gen 9 Note: Final evolutions marked (*) are Mega-Evolved in Generations VI and VII.

All Starter Pokémon by Generation

Generation I Starters

The Kanto region's original trio—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—debuted in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, and have 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 Starters

Johto's Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile, from Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, also appear in HeartGold and SoulSilver. They've been accessible in later games, such as via Pokémon Sun and Moon's QR Scanner. 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 Quilava evolution occurs at level 14 except in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Generation VIII for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation III Starters

Hoenn's Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, return in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and are obtainable 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 Starters

Sinnoh's Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup, from Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, reappear in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. While absent as starters in Legends: Arceus, they are catchable in that game, along with 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 Starters

Unova's Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, from Pokémon Black and White and their sequels, are found in several later 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)

Generation VI Starters

Kalos's Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie, from Pokémon X and Y, are featured in the Pokémon the Series: XY anime. Greninja (Froakie's evolution) has a special Ash-Greninja form, obtainable via the Pokémon Sun and Moon demo. The Kalos starters are available in other 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 Starters

Pokémon Sun and Moon's Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio returned in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon and are in DLC for subsequent games. Rowlet is also 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's Decidueye evolution is at level 34 except in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Generation VIII for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation VIII Starters

Generation VIII, with Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, offered different starter options. Sword & Shield introduced Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble, all obtainable in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's DLC.

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 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 Starters

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly are available, with past starters obtainable via 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 Nintendo Switch 2 announcement and Pokémon Legends: Z-A in development, the Pokémon journey continues. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and its DLC are currently available.