Starter Pokémon

Starter Pokémon are the first partner you choose at the beginning of each game, always a choice between a Grass-, Fire-, and Water-type. There are 27 core-series starters across nine generations, as of August 2026.

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Core starters
27
Type triangle
Grass / Fire / Water
Generations
9
Also served as starters
Pikachu, Eevee (Let's Go, 2018)

Every starter Pokémon by generation

The 27 core starters, three per generation, listed with the final evolution each one grows into.

Generation 1: Kanto (Red and Blue)

Generation 2: Johto (Gold and Silver)

Generation 3: Hoenn (Ruby and Sapphire)

Generation 4: Sinnoh (Diamond and Pearl)

Generation 5: Unova (Black and White)

  • SnivyGrassevolves into Serperior
  • TepigFireevolves into Emboar
  • OshawottWaterevolves into Samurott

Generation 6: Kalos (X and Y)

Generation 7: Alola (Sun and Moon)

  • RowletGrassFlyingevolves into Decidueye
  • LittenFireevolves into Incineroar
  • PopplioWaterevolves into Primarina

Generation 8: Galar (Sword and Shield)

Generation 9: Paldea (Scarlet and Violet)

Why Grass, Fire, and Water?

The three starter types form a simple loop: Grass beats Water, Water beats Fire, and Fire beats Grass. That neat rock-paper-scissors triangle is a beginner's first lesson in type matchups, so no starter is ever strictly the best pick. To see how the rest of the system works, read the full Pokémon type chart.

What is the most popular starter?

Popularity is hard to measure objectively, but Charmander's line has the strongest claim to the spotlight. Its final evolution, Charizard, is the franchise's most famous Pokémon, and its trading cards are heavily collected. That fame makes the original Fire starter a natural favorite for many players and collectors alike.

Can you get all three starters?

Not in a single playthrough. Each game lets you choose only one starter at the beginning, so the other two are not available to catch normally. Players usually collect the full trio by trading with friends, using a second game or save file, or transferring Pokémon between compatible titles.

Frequently asked questions

What are the starter Pokémon?

Starter Pokémon are the three Pokémon you choose from at the start of a main series game, always one Grass-type, one Fire-type, and one Water-type. You pick one to be your first partner, and each generation introduces a fresh trio.

How many starter Pokémon are there?

There are 27 core-series starter Pokémon as of August 2026, across the nine generations, three per generation in the usual Grass, Fire, and Water lineup. Pikachu and Eevee also served as starters in the Let's Go games (2018), outside that core count.

What was the first starter Pokémon?

The first starters were Bulbasaur (Grass), Charmander (Fire), and Squirtle (Water), the original trio from the Generation 1 games. Every generation since has followed the same Grass, Fire, and Water pattern.

Is Pikachu a starter?

Sometimes, but not in the usual sense. Pikachu was the only starter in Pokémon Yellow, and it partnered with Eevee as the two starters in the Let's Go games. It is not part of the standard Grass, Fire, and Water starter trios that this list counts.

Sources

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