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

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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: Kanto Starters

The original Kanto starters—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—debuted in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, and have since 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: Johto Starters

Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile, the Johto region's representatives, first appeared in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, and later in their remakes, HeartGold and SoulSilver. They've also been accessible in various subsequent games, including via QR codes in Sun and Moon. 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 evolution to Quilava occurs at level 14 in all mainline games except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Generation VIII for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation III: Hoenn Starters

Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, the Hoenn starters from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, reappeared in the Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire remakes 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: Sinnoh Starters

Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup debuted in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, returning 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: Unova Starters

Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott from Pokémon Black and White and their sequels are available in various other 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: Kalos Starters

Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie, the Kalos starters from Pokémon X and Y, are featured in the Pokémon the Series: XY anime. Greninja, Froakie's final evolution, also has a special Ash-Greninja form. The Kalos trio is available in other mainline 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: Alola Starters

Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio from Pokémon Sun and Moon and their sequels are available in DLC for later mainline 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 evolves into Decidueye at level 34 in all mainline games except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Generation VIII for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation VIII: Galar & Hisui Starters

Generation VIII introduced Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, offering different starter options. Sword and Shield featured Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble, all available in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's DLC. Legends: Arceus featured past starters with Hisuian regional forms.

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 Starters

Pokémon Legends: Arceus featured Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott with unique Hisuian evolutions. Evolution levels vary slightly from previous games. Sinnoh starters from Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum are also catchable.

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: Paldea Starters

Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly debuted in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. While trading is needed to obtain all three, past starters are available in 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 announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Pokémon Legends: Z-A in development, the Pokémon franchise's journey continues. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC are currently available.