Pokemon is one of those franchises that, once you scratch the surface, you can’t help but fall in love with it. 24 years, 8 generations, and more than 800 hundred Pokemon later the franchise still never fails to yield engaging content.
As an homage to the infinitely engaging world of Pokemon, we’ve put together a list of all the Pokemon starters by generation along with a beginner’s guide to the world of Pokemon.
So if you’re looking for that new fantasy world to dive into or looking to learn more about the starter Pokemon of each generation, you’re in the right place.
Beginner's Guide To Pokemon
Here’s a brief introduction/beginner’s guide to the seemingly infinite and equally engaging world of Pokemon.
What is Pokemon?
November 27th, 1996, a lesser-known company by the name of Game Freak that has developed a handful of games between 1989 and 1994 including the likes of Yoshi for NES, Mario & Wario for Super Famicom, and Postman for Sega Megadrive – releases two new titles for the
Nintendo Game Boy: Pokemon Red & Pokemon Green. In the next 3 years, Pokemon would become an unprecedented worldwide phenomenon with a total of 4 games, a successful anime series, and a card game.
Since then, the Pokemon franchise has released 25 main series games, countless spinoff games, a trading card game, a mobile game that, at one point, was competing with Twitter in terms of daily users, an anime that has been running for 22 seasons, and an endless number of toys and other merchandise.
How does Pokemon work?
The Pokemon franchise revolves around trainers that capture and tame these creatures called Pocket Monsters by capturing them inside Pokéballs. Now a Pokéball, as the name suggests, is an item shaped like a ball and is used for capturing and storing Pocket Monsters. And if you haven’t guessed it already, the word ‘Pokemon’ is a shortened version of the original Japanese name ‘Pocket Monsters’.
Every Pokemon game has its own plot or storyline which is fun, however, the ultimate goal of the game is to become the strongest
Trainer and collect all the Pokemon, which explains the series’ slogan “Gotta catch ‘em all”. To build up the best team of Pokemon available, and train your Pokemon to be the very best so as to defeat other Pokemon and trainers.
What Are Pokemon Generations?
In simple words, a Pokemon Generation refers to a set of Pokemon games. Pokemon games are separated based on the Pokemons they include. Currently, there are at least 896 different Pokemon that are classified into 8 generations. In each new generation, a new set of Pokemons, regions, moves, and abilities are introduced that weren’t there in the previous generations.
What are Pokemon Starters?
Starter Pokemon or Starters are the Pokemon that a trainer gets to choose between at the start of their Pokemon journey. This Pokemon is used to capture the first wild Pokemon that crosses paths with the trainer. Once the trainer captures another Pokemon, they can let the starter Pokemon retire but this is not often the case.
Usually, the starter Pokemon is the one that trainer, over the course of the game, develops trust and friendship the most, and even towards the end, when the trainer has more Pokemon, the starter Pokemon is often the most powerful Pokemon on their team.
All Pokemon Starters By Generations
Currently, there are 8 generations of Pokemon, and a total of at least 896 Pokemon have been introduced throughout the eight generations. Each generation introduces new regions, moves, abilities, and a new set of Starter Pokemon as well as often hundreds of other Pokemon that you will encounter whilst on the journey to become the best trainer.
Each generation of Pokemon offers a choice between three types of Pokemon; Grass, Fire, and Water. This pattern was set in motion by generation 1 and to this day, it remains. Although each generation of Pokemon introduces a new set of starters, the type-pattern (Grass Type, Fire Type & Water Type) remains the same.
In this list you’ll find all the memorable Pokemon starters by generation, their characteristics and abilities along with a brief Beginner’s Guide to Pokemon.
Pokemon Gen 1 Starters
Generation 1 set in motion the type-pattern of Grass, Fire & Water of Pokemon starters, and 24 years later, it’s still the same pattern. Gen 1 introduced us to Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. Generation 1 started with release of
- Pokemon Red - Order Here
- Pokemon Green - Order Here
and then later
- Pokemon Red - Order Here
- Pokemon Red - Order Here
At the outset of your journey, it will be impossible to leave Pallet Town, since you won’t have a Pokemon on hand. You’ll be stopped by Professor Oak who will bring you back to his lab where Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle will await you.
Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur is a small, adorable but deadly four-legged Pokemon with blue-green skin that’s covered with dark patches. It has red eyes and white pupils. A pair of white, pointed teeth attached to its upper jaw can be seen when it opens its wide mouth.
Bulbasaur is a dual-type Grass and Poison Pokemon. At level 16, Bulbasaur evolves into Ivysaur and then to Venusaur at level 32. It has a plant seed attached to it’s back from the very day this Pokemon is born and the seed slowly grows larger and develops into a plant as this starter Pokemon evolves.
Bulbasaur, along with Charmander and Squirtle, is one of the Starter Pokemon of Kanto (a region in the Pokemon world) that you can take along on your journey at the outset of Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, FireRed, and LeafGreen.
Characteristics
|
Height |
2' 04" |
|
Weight |
15.2 lbs |
|
Category |
Seed |
|
Abilities |
|
|
Type |
Grass, Poison |
Charmander
Charmander is a fire-type Pokemon and naturally has a preference for hot things. From the time this gen 1 starter pokemon is born, a fire burns at the tip of its gracefully thin tail and when it rains, steam spouts from it.
With orange skin and blue eyes, Charmander is a two-legged reptilian Pokemon and although it starts off as a small 2 feet tall fire-type Pokemon, it will evolve into a 5’07’’ monstrosity over the course of the higher levels.
Charmander is a Fire-type Pokemon that later at level 16 evolves into Charmeleon and then to Charizard level 32.
Characteristics
|
Height |
2' 00" |
|
Weight |
18.7 lbs |
|
Category |
Lizard |
|
Abilities |
|
|
Type |
Fire |
Squirtle
Squirtle is the water-type starter Pokemon of generation 1. On the surface, Squirtle looks like an adorable little blue turtle but when it senses danger, it draws it’s limbs into its shell and blasts water through its mouth with great accuracy.
Squirtle’s shell is one of his main characteristics. He withdraws into it for protection or after a long day of work. Unlike a real turtle, Squirtle’s chest is also encased in a shell that’s brown on the top and pale yellow at the bottom with a thick white ridge running between the two halves.
At level-16 Squirtle evolves into Wartortle and then into Blastoise at level-32.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 08" |
|
Weight |
19.8 lbs |
|
Category |
Tiny Turtle |
|
Abilities |
|
|
Type |
Wate |
Pokemon Gen 2 Starters
The second generation of Pokemon is a sequel to generation 1 games and is also referred to as the Gold & Silver series or the Metal Generation. Generation 2 started with release of
- Pokemon Gold - Order Here
- Pokemon Silver - Order Here
and then later
- Pokemon Crystal - Order Here
Generation 2 continues the type-pattern introduced in Generation 1 where Chikorita is grass-type, Cyndaquil is fire-type and Totodile is water-type.
Chikorita
Chikorita is a small quadruped Pokemon. It has large red eyes, pale green skin with dark green buds around its neck. Apart from its charming looks, this starter pokemon is also born with a leaf of its head. In battle, Chikorita waves its leaf to keep the rivals away. Chikorita’s leaf also wafts a sweet fragrance that calms the wild Pokemon and makes it easier for the Trainer to catch and tame it.
Chikorita is the grass-type pokemon of Generation 2 and it evolves into Bayleef later at level-16 and then to Meganium at level 32.
Characteristics
|
Height |
2' 11" |
|
Weight |
14.1 lbs |
|
Category |
Leaf |
|
Abilities |
Overgrow |
|
Type |
Grass |
Cyndaquil
Cyndaquil is the two-legged fire-type starter Pokemon, introduced in Generation 2. It has a long, pointy snout and bluish on the top of its body with cream-colored fur on its underside. At level-14, it evolves into Quilava and then into Typhlosion at level-36.
It has four red circles on it’s back that erupt into flames while facing foes. Cyndaquil uses these flames to defend itself and the fire grows mighty as it gets angrier.
If you don’t love him already here’s another fact, Cyndaquil scares easily and curls up into a ball when intimidated!
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 08" |
|
Weight |
17.4 lbs |
|
Category |
Fire-Mouse |
|
Abilities |
Blaze |
|
Type |
Fire |
Totodile
Introduced in Generation 2, Totodile is a bipedal, water-type Pokemon. It has red eyes and 8 sharp fangs attached to a very well-developed jaw.
Although playful most of the time, Totodile has a habit of biting everything it sees, sometimes even the Trainer, and due to the cute but deadly nature of its fangs, it can sometimes cause serious injuries.
At level-18 Totodile evolves into Croconaw and then into Feraligatr at level-30.
Characteristics
|
Height |
2' 00" |
|
Weight |
20.9 lbs |
|
Category |
Big Jaw |
|
Abilities |
Torrent |
|
Type |
Water |
Pokemon Gen 3 Starters
The 3rd Generation of Pokemon centers around the third set of Pokemon games released
- Pokémon Ruby - Order Here
- Pokemon Sapphire - Order Here
- Emerald - Order Here
in 2002 and 2004.
Generation 3 is also referred to as the advance or advanced generation and follows the traditional grass, fire and water type-pattern where Treecko is grass-type, Torchic is fire-type and Mudkip is water-type.
Treecko
Treecko is a small two-legged, grass-type reptilian starter Pokemon introduced in Generation 3. It has green skin and its stomach and throat are red. One of the defining characteristics of Treecko is it’s calm and composed personality. Even when faced by a rival ten times bigger than him, Treecko does not lose his calm.
Treecko lives in tall trees in overgrown forests and will attack anyone that wanders into its nest. At level-16 Treecko evolves into Grovyle and then to Sceptile at level-36.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 08" |
|
Weight |
11.0 lbs |
|
Category |
Wood Gecko |
|
Abilities |
Overgrow |
|
Type |
Grass |
Torchic
The fire-type starter Pokemon of Generation 3, Torchic is an adorable chick Pokemon that greatly dislikes darkness. This starter Pokemon is covered with orange feather, has a cute short beak, thin legs and
when threatened, throws fire-balls of 1,800 °F at the enemies.
At level-16 Torchic evolves into Combusken and then to Blaziken at level-36.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 04" |
|
Weight |
5.5 lbs |
|
Category |
Chick |
|
Abilities |
Blaze |
|
Type |
Fire |
Mudkip
Mudkip is a small, four legged water-type generation 3 starter Pokemon. In proportion to its body, Mudkip has a large head and adorable black eyes with orange star-shaped gills attached to its cheeks. Due to Mudkip’s docile nature, it’s often found in captivity.
At level-16 Mudkip evolves into Marshtomp and then to Swampert at level-36.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 04" |
|
Weight |
16.8 lbs |
|
Category |
Mud Fish |
|
Abilities |
Torrent |
|
Type |
Water |
Pokemon Gen 4 Starters
Generation 4, like the previous generations, centres around one main region across three games, the region of Sinnoh. Generation 4 began with the release of
- Pokemon Diamond - Order Here
- Pokemon Pearl in 2007 - Order Here
and then later continued with
- Pokemon Platinum - Order Here
in 2009.
At the beginning of Generation 4, like the previous generation, We’re given the choice between Grass-type Turtwig, the Fire-type Chimchar, and the Water-type Piplup.
Turtwig
Turtwig is a small grass-type Generation 4 starter Pokemon with yellow eyes and a leaf on its head and as the name suggests, resembles a turtle. It’s encased in a thick protective shell and on a good day the shell should be moist, signifying health. Turtwig obtains energy through photosynthesis and the leaf on its head wilts when it’s thirsty.
At level-18, Turtwig evolves into Grotle and then into Torterra at level-32.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 04" |
|
Weight |
22.5 lbs |
|
Category |
Tiny Leaf |
|
Abilities |
Overgrow |
|
Type |
Grass |
Chimchar
Chimchar has a small red patch on its bottom that often erupts into flames fueled by a gas produced in its stomach. Chimchar is a small, four-legged fire-type starter Pokemon and resembles a chimpanzee. Chimchar lives in tall mountains and being the light-footed adorable
little thing that he is, he never shies away from climbing even the most dangerous ledges of the mightiest mountains.
Chimchar evolves into Monferno during the course of level-14 and then into Infernape in level-36.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 08" |
|
Weight |
13.7 lbs |
|
Category |
Chimp |
|
Abilities |
Blaz |
|
Type |
Fire |
Piplup
Known for its strong sense of self-worth, this adorable penguin-like starter Pokemon often has trouble bonding with humans and accepting food from them. With a light-blue body, an elegant short beak, and a round dark blue head. Piplup is happiest in colder climates, is quite
skilled in the art of swimming, and should it see a prey lurking around, it can swim for up to 10 minutes to bring it home.
Piplup evolves into Prinplup during the course of level-16 and then into Empoleon at level-36.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 04" |
|
Weight |
11.5 lbs |
|
Category |
Penguin |
|
Abilities |
Torrent |
|
Type |
Water |
Pokemon Gen 5 Starters
Set in a faraway region Unova, Generation 5 introduced us to
- Pokemon Black - Order Here
- Pokemon White - Order Here
Like the previous generations, the first two games were released as a pair. However, for the first time, the games were followed by two sequels
- Pokemon Black 2 - Order Here
- Pokemon White 2 - Order Here
instead of a third version.
The starters of Gen 5 also follow the Grass-Fire-Water trio where Snivy is the grass-type, Tepig the fire-type, and Oshawott the water-type.
Snivy
Introduced to us in Generation 5, Snivy is a gracefully thin bipedal starter Pokemon with large lively eyes. By nature, it’s a reptilian grass-type Pokemon and has a calm and collected personality. At the tip of its tail, Snivy has a leaf with 3 prongs. Apart from adding to its charming looks, the leaf also helps with performing photosynthesis and makes Snivy more agile.
In level-17, Snivy evolves into Servine and then into Serperior in level-36.
Characteristics
|
Height |
2' 00" |
|
Weight |
17.9 lbs |
|
Category |
Grass Snake |
|
Abilities |
Overgrow |
|
Type |
Grass |
Tepig
Tepig is an adorable pig-like fire-type starter Pokemon introduced in generation 5. Tepig has short legs, long pointy ears, and blows fire from its pointy snout. Its curly tail has a ruddy pinkish ball attached and is known to roast berries before eating them.
In level-17 Tepig evolves into Pignite and then to Emboar in level-36
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 08" |
|
Weight |
21.8 lbs |
|
Category |
Fire Pig |
|
Abilities |
Blaze |
|
Type |
Fire |
Oshawott
Oshawott is the water-type starter Pokemon of Generation 5 that resembles a sea otter. It’s bipedal and has a spherical white head with dark eyes and an oval, dark orange nose rests on it. Oshawott carries a seashell on its belly that’s used both during a battle and equally importantly, for cracking hard berries.
In level-17 Oshawott evolves into Dewott and then into Samurott in level-36.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 08" |
|
Weight |
13.0 lbs |
|
Category |
Sea Otter |
|
Abilities |
Torrent |
|
Type |
Water |
Pokemon Gen 6 Starters
Generation 6 started with the release of
- Pokemon X - Order Here
- Pokemon Y - Order Here
In 2013 and concluded in 2014 with the release of
- Pokemon Omega Ruby - Order Here
- Alpha Sapphire - Order Here
With Generation 6 we were introduced to 72 new Pokemon species and to the region of Kalos.
Generation 6 continues the traditional type-structure of Grass-Fire-Water where Chespin is grass-type, Fennekin fire-type and Froakie is water-type.
Chespin
Chespin is a small, light brown gen 6 bipedal starter Pokemon. It has brown oval eyes and its back is protected by a tough green shell.
Chespin is a grass-type mammalian Pokemon with squirrel-like incisors and a red triangular nose. Curious by nature, Chespin often finds himself in danger but despite that Chespin keeps a glass-half-full outlook and doesn’t let the little things get him down.
In level-16, Chespin evolves into Quilladin and then into Chesnaught in level-36.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 04" |
|
Weight |
19.8 lbs |
|
Category |
Spiny Nut |
|
Abilities |
Overgrow |
|
Type |
Grass |
Fennekin
Fennekin is the fire-type starter Pokemon of Gen 6. It has large, dark orange eyes, pale yellow fur and a beautiful fluffy tail with a dark orange tip. It’s a small quadruped Pokemon and resembles a fox. A hot air up to 390 degrees Fahrenheit is blown out of its ears when it feels threatened. Fennekin also uses this ability to induce terror in the hearts of its foes.
Fennekin evolves into Braixen in level-16 and then into Delphox in level-36.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 04" |
|
Weight |
20.7 lbs |
|
Category |
Fox |
|
Abilities |
Blaze |
|
Type |
Fire |
Froakie
Froakie is a four-legged light blue starter Pokemon and as the name suggests, resembles a frog. Froakie has a carefree personality, despite that, it’s always vigilant of its surroundings. Froakie has light blue skin, large yellow eyes sticking vertically from its head, and produces protective bubbles from its chest and back. These bubbles are called Frubbles and help reduce the damage that Froakie takes.
Froakie evolves into Frogadier in level-16 and then into Greninja in level-36.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 00" |
|
Weight |
15.4 lbs |
|
Category |
Bubble Frog |
|
Abilities |
Torrent |
|
Type |
Water |
Pokemon Gen 7 Starters
The 7th Generation of Pokemon started with the release of
- Pokemon Sun - Order Here
- Pokemon Moon - Order Here
These two games were later continued in,
- Pokemon Ultra Sun - Order Here
- Pokemon Ultra Moon - Order Here
and Generation 7 concluded with,
- Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! - Order Here
- Pokemon; Let’s Go, Eevee! - Order Here
Generation 7 also continues the type-structure of Grass-Fire-Water where Rowlet is grass and flying-type, Litten is fire-type and Popplio is water-type.
Rowlet
Rowlet is a small, round grass and flying type starter pokemon introduced in generation 7. It has short legs, large black eyes, and a nice & healthy thick beak. Its features, though on the surface look cute, are razor sharp. In battle, Rowlet launches its razor sharp feathers at the rivals from the air. This gen 7 starter Pokemon resembles a newly born owl and is naturally, happiest in dark, confined places.
Rowlet evolves into Dartrix during the course of level-17 and then into Decidueye in level-34.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 00" |
|
Weight |
3.3 lbs |
|
Category |
Grass Quill |
|
Abilities |
Overgrow |
|
Type |
Grass, Flying |
Litten
Covered with black fur, Litten is a four-legged, fire-type feline starter Pokemon. It has large yellow colored eyes, small black nose and short pointy ears. Litten likes to keep to himself, does not like showing his emotions and spits fireballs as it coughs.
In level-17, Litten evolves into Torracat and then into Incineroar in level-34.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 04" |
|
Weight |
9.5 lbs |
|
Category |
Fire Cat |
|
Abilities |
Blaze |
|
Type |
Fire |
Popplio
Popplio is a water-type primarily blue gen 7 starter Pokemon. It has four flippers, a long white snout, and a round pink nose. In battle, Popplio can snort water bubbles from its nose. It can also perform acrobatic stunts by utilizing the flexibility of the bubbles it blasts out. Popplio works every day on perfecting his skills and practices with bigger and bigger bubbles as it accompanies the Trainer through the lands of Pokemon.
In level-17, Popplio evolves into Brionne and then into Primarina in level-34.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 04" |
|
Weight |
16.5 lbs |
|
Category |
Sea Lion |
|
Abilities |
Torrent |
|
Type |
Water |
Pokemon Gen 8 Starters
The 8th generation of Pokemon started with the release of
- Pokemon Sword - Order Here
- PPokemon Shield - Order Here
In November, 2019 which were then continued with the release of the DLC packs,
- Pokemon Sword and Shield Expansion - Order Here
in January 2020.
More than 20 years later, the Grass-Fire-Water type-pattern still remains. Where in Generation 8 Grookey is grass-type, Scorbunny is fire-type, and Sobble is water-type.
Grookey
A small, monkey-like Pokemon with a green body and a brown tail, Grookey is grass-type starter Pokemon of Gen 8. On top of its head, Grookey has two, leaf-like hair with a stick attached to them. Apart from fighting off rivals, Grookey will beat this stick against nearby
objects in a rhythmic way. When Grookey drums nearby, it seems to help wilted plants gain back color!
In level-16 Grookey evolves into Thwackey and then into Rillaboom in level-35.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 00" |
|
Weight |
11.0 lbs |
|
Category |
Chimp |
|
Abilities |
Overgrow |
|
Type |
Grass |
Scorbunny
Scorbunny, as the name suggests, is a rabbit-like white starter Pokemon. It has adorable buck teeth and it loves to run. Always active, energetic and being a fire-type Pokemon, Scorbunny can start small fires underneath its soles when it runs. Scorbunny is also very good at disorienting its foes by briskly running and jumping around.
Scorbunny evolves into Raboot level-16 and then into Cinderace in level-35.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 00" |
|
Weight |
9.9 lbs |
|
Category |
Rabbit |
|
Abilities |
Blaze |
|
Type |
Fire |
Sobble
Sobble is a small, light blue water-type starter Pokemon of Generation 8 that can camouflage and hide itself in water. A bit timid by nature, this super cute starter Pokemon will secrete water from its body when it gets anxious or embarrassed in order to hide itself. Sobble’s tears
can make others start crying uncontrollably, in that, Sobble’s tears function as Onions but only much more powerful.
In level-16, Sobble evolves into Drizzile and then into Inteleon in level-35.
Characteristics
|
Height |
1' 00" |
|
Weight |
8.8 lbs |
|
Category |
Water Lizard |
|
Abilities |
Torrent |
|
Type |
Water |
