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Pokémon Evolution Journey: Exploring Starters from Generations Past and Present

Feb 11,25(1 years ago)
Pokémon Evolution Journey: Exploring Starters from Generations Past and Present

The Pokémon franchise boasts a rich history of starter Pokémon, with each generation introducing a captivating trio of Grass, Fire, and Water types. This comprehensive guide explores all 27 starter lines across nine generations, detailing their evolutions and appearances in various games.

Jump To: Gen 1 | Gen 2 | Gen 3 | Gen 4 | Gen 5 | Gen 6 | Gen 7 | Gen 8 | Gen 9

Note: Final evolutions marked (*) are capable of Mega Evolution in Generations VI and VII.

All Starter Pokémon by Generation

Generation I: Kanto Region

Gen 1 starters Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
The iconic Kanto starters – Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle – debuted in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow. These fan favorites have reappeared in numerous remakes and subsequent games.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
BulbasaurGrass/PoisonIvysaur (Level 16)
Venusaur* (Level 32)
CharmanderFireCharmeleon (Level 16)
Charizard* (Level 36)
SquirtleWaterWartortle (Level 16)
Blastoise* (Level 36)

Generation II: Johto Region

Gen 2 starters Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile, the Johto region starters from Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, have also enjoyed widespread appearances in later games.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
ChikoritaGrassBayleef (Level 16)
Meganium (Level 32)
CyndaquilFireQuilava (Level 14)
Typhlosion (Level 36)
TotodileWaterCroconaw (Level 18)
Feraligatr (Level 30)

Note: Cyndaquil's evolution level to Quilava varies depending on the game; see Gen VIII for Legends: Arceus details.

Generation III: Hoenn Region

Gen 3 starters Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, the Hoenn starters from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, are easily accessible in various Pokémon titles.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
TreeckoGrassGrovyle (Level 16)
Sceptile* (Level 36)
TorchicFireCombusken (Level 16)
Blaziken* (Level 36)
MudkipWaterMarshtomp (Level 16)
Swampert* (Level 36)

Generation IV: Sinnoh Region

Gen 4 starters Turtwig, Piplup, and Chimchar in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup, the Sinnoh starters from Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, have appeared in subsequent games, though not all as initial starters in Legends: Arceus.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
TurtwigGrassGrotle (Level 18)
Torterra (Level 32)
ChimcharFireMonferno (Level 14)
Infernape (Level 36)
PiplupWaterPrinplup (Level 16)
Empoleon (Level 36)

Generation V: Unova Region

Gen 5 starters Oshawott, Tepig, and Snivy in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, the Unova starters from Pokémon Black and White, are available in various games.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
SnivyGrassServine (Level 17)
Serperior (Level 36)
TepigFirePignite (Level 17)
Emboar (Level 36)
OshawottWaterDewott (Level 17)
Samurott (Level 36)

Generation VI: Kalos Region

Gen 6 starters Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie, the Kalos starters from Pokémon X and Y, are notable for Greninja's Ash-Greninja form.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
ChespinGrassQuilladin (Level 16)
Chesnaught (Level 36)
FennekinFireBraixen (Level 16)
Delphox (Level 36)
FroakieWaterFrogadier (Level 16)
Greninja (Level 36)

Generation VII: Alola Region

Gen 7 starters Popplio, Litten, and Rowlet in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio, the Alola starters from Pokémon Sun and Moon, have continued to appear in later games.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
RowletGrass/FlyingDartrix (Level 17)
Decidueye (Level 34)
LittenFireTorracat (Level 17)
Incineroar (Level 34)
PopplioWaterBrionne (Level 17)
Primarina (Level 34)

Note: Dartrix's evolution level to Decidueye varies; see Gen VIII for Legends: Arceus details.

Generation VIII: Galar Region & Hisui Region

Gen 8 starters Sobble, Grookey, and Scorbunny in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Generation VIII introduced a unique approach with Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, featuring distinct starter lineups.

Sword & Shield's Galar starters: Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
GrookeyGrassThwackey (Level 16)
Rillaboom (Level 35)
ScorbunnyFireRaboot (Level 16)
Cinderace (Level 35)
SobbleWaterDrizzile (Level 17)
Inteleon (Level 35)

Legends: Arceus' Hisui starters: Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott (with regional variants).

Pokémon Legends: Arceus starters Cyndaquil, Rowlet, and Oshawott

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
RowletGrass/FlyingDartrix (Level 17)
Hisuian Decidueye (Level 36)
CyndaquilFireQuilava (Level 17)
Hisuian Typhlosion (Level 36)
OshawottWaterDewott (Level 17)
Hisuian Samurott (Level 36)

Generation IX: Paldea Region

Gen 9 starters Sprigatito, Quaxly, and Fuecoco in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Image via Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly are the Paldea starters from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Starter PokémonTypeEvolutions
SprigatitoGrassFloragato (Level 16)
Meowscarada (Level 36)
FuecocoFireCrocalor (Level 16)
Skeledirge (Level 36)
QuaxlyWaterQuaxwell (Level 16)
Quaquaval (Level 36)

With the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 and the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the Pokémon journey continues. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC are currently available.

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