On Pokémon Day 2022, The Pokémon Company announced its latest game, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, will release at the end of the year, inviting players to the 9th Generation of Pokémon. The games mark the introduction to the charming starting trio of Fuecoco, Sprigatito, and Quaxly. Speculations are circulating as to what their new final evolutions will look like and which typings they will express.
With the excitement these Gen. IX starters have sparked, a current consideration of the previous 8 Generations' starting trios seems prudent, examining final evolution stats, typing, abilities, move pools, and type effectiveness. However, alternate forms, like Mega Evolutions, Gigatimax, and regional variants, are not consistent across all Generations and will be omitted.
Gen. V, Unova
Despite calling a popular region in Unova home, the starters of Tepig, Oshawott, and Snivy do not fare as well as the region itself. Tepig's final evolution, Emboar, is the only one of the three with dual-typing, the all-too-familiar Fire-Fighting combination. Samurott, as a pure Water-type, only has 2 weaknesses, but Serperior's Grass- makes it weak to 5 types.
Although Samurott and Emboar have high Physical and Special Attacks, their Defenses and Speed are mediocre to poor. Conversely, Serperior has strong Defenses and Speed, but lacks any Attacking stat of worth. Each has a rather useful Hidden Ability for battling, but when considering their stats, the Hidden Ability pairings seem unsuitable. Combining the trio into one would produce a well-rounded Pokémon; however, individually, they have a few too many holes.
Gen. VIII, Galar
The latest Generation from Pokémon Sword and Shield introduced users to the Galar region and the starting trio of Sobble, Scorbunny, and Grookey. This Generation features some useful Hidden Abilities for battle: Inteleon's Sniper, Cinderace and Libero, and Rillaboom with Grassy Surge. While their single typings may protect these starters in battle from exposure to more weaknesses, their deficiencies are evident in other areas.
The Galarian trio has an interesting move pool. Cinderace has access to 5 types through leveling, but one is a status move, while Rillaboom only has access to 3 types. Likewise, Inteleon learns many Physical Attacks although having the second-highest Special Attack stat of all starters. Yet, what all three have in common is their lack of Defense. Despite having two of the fastest starters in Cinderace and Inteleon, both are glass cannons. Rillaboom has a higher Physical Defense at 90, but its Special Defense of 70 leaves much to be desired. Ultimately, what holds this Generation back is their inability to properly defend themselves and their modest move pools.
Gen. VI, Kalos
The Kalos region introduces players to Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie. Though Greninja is a fan-favorite, the starters from this region have some notable vulnerabilities. For example, Kalos is the only region where each starter has at least 5 weaknesses. This of course is the downside to dual-typing.
Delphox, the only Fire-Psychic starter, is a robust and fast Special Pokémon but lacks Physical bulk, while Chesnaught is both slow and a poor Special Defender - a problem as most of its weaknesses are known for Special Attacks. Greninja, Water-Dark, is no doubt the best option of the three, being the fastest starter of all time and flaunting the incredible Hidden Ability Protean, as well as Battle Bond. However, despite getting upgrades in Speed and both Attack categories via Battle Bond, its fragile Defenses remain unchanged by the Ability. Though more well-rounded than Unova and Galar, the Kalos starters too have some unfulfilled potential.
Gen. II, Johto
Generation II Johto features classic starters with Cyndaquill, Chikorita, and Fuecoco's fellow croc, Totodile. Each final evolution has a single typing, yet a common element between all three is that they learn their final moves rather late in-game: Meganium at level 70, Typhlosion at 82, and Feraligatr at 76. They do require more work to achieve their full potential.
Typhlosion, often considered the most popular Gen. II starter, has the exact same stats as Charizard. Its move pool makes it one of the most powerful Special Attacking starters across all Generations. Meanwhile, Meganium specializes as a Defender, but its move pool and Leaf Guard Ability make it an interesting starter - it takes no status condition in harsh sunlight and most of its learnset can make it a decent wall or healer. However, the dark horse of this Gen. is Feraligatr, which learns an impressive 7 move types, including one for each of its 2 weaknesses. A Physical Attacker with Sheer Force, it can take care of itself. A phenomenal trio, Johto's starters fall short of other Generations primarily due to their learnsets finalizing at such late stages.
Gen. VII, Alola
Alola and Generation VII introduced players to perhaps the most adorable starting trio: Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio. Despite their early look, this trio evolves into quite formidable Pokémon. Each has a unique dual-typing: Decidueye is Grass-Ghost, Incineroar is Fire-Dark, and Primarina is Water-Fairy. Gen. VII is the only Generation where each starter flaunts one Immunity, and Decidueye even has 2. Resistances and Immunities are definitely a strength of this Generation, but they are more than their type effectiveness.
Incineroar has the most balanced stats of the trio and a decently diverse learnset, while the underrated starter Primarina, the exclusive Fairy-type, has the strongest Special Attacking stat of any starter. Likewise, Decidueye is a great mixed Attacker and its Hidden Ability Long Reach keeps it from making contact on any attack. Plus, it learns 6 different types through leveling. However, despite all these supporting attributes, what holds the Alolan starters back is that they are the slowest trio. Each has a Speed of 70 or below.
Gen. IV, Sinnoh
Pokémon fans were reintroduced to the Sinnoh starters in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Chimchar, Turtwig, and Piplup each evolve into powerful Pokémon and two of the final evolutions feature exclusive typing: Torterra, the only known Grass-Ground type, and Empoleon, the only Water-Steel Pokémon.
Despite being the slowest starter with a Speed of 56, Torterra is a great Physical Pokémon with a pretty good Special Defense, and Shell Armor protects it from Critical Hits. Infernape's Iron Fist powers up punching moves, appropriate, as the Fire-Fighting ape becomes even deadlier than its initial 104 Attack stats suggest. Empoleon is the most fortified Water- Pokémon (perhaps most fortified Pokémon ever) with 10 Resistances, 1 Immunity, and very balanced stats. And collectively, the trio has the deepest move pools of all Generations - each can learn moves to combat their weaknesses. This coverage as well as stats and Abilities no doubt makes Gen. IV one of the best for starters throughout the Pokémon games.
Gen. I, Kanto
Perhaps the most popular starters are the original trio from Kanto: Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle. The Kantonian starters are featured in almost every Generation and their evolutionary lines are even featured in Super Smash Bros. Though Pokémon fans reminisce over childhood attachments to these three, the Pokémon actually are some of the best.
Their stats are solid - Charizard is fast with strong Special Attack; Venusaur is well-balanced but can still deal damage, and Blastoise is a sturdy defender. However, each of these Pokémon get drastic upgrades in battle with their Hidden Abilities. Solar Power boosts Charizard's Special Attack each turn at the cost of some HP; Venusaur's Speed is doubled in harsh sunlight thanks to Chlorophyll; and in rain, Blastoise can gradually regain health due to Rain Dish, an advantageous trait for an already strong Defender. With fairly decent move pools, these Pokémon can be difficult to take down in battle. Rife with strengths, the original trio is still top tier.
Gen. III, Hoenn
Hoenn possesses quite a distinguished starting trio. Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip all evolve into some imposing Pokémon. Each final evolution becomes a fierce mixed Attacker with access to at least 5 different move types in their leveling learnsets. And yet, there's more that makes this trio so strong.
Sceptile is already dangerously fast, but with Unburden, its Speed is doubled if a held item is used. Likewise, Blaziken's Speed increases each turn it remains in battle thanks to Speed Boost. With 120 base Attack and 110 Special Attack, Speed Boost can turn Blaziken into one swift striker. But the most well-rounded starter of this Gen. is Swampert, who has a vast move pool and 4 Resistances with 1 Immunity. Only weak to Grass- (4x), Swampert easily can learn an Ice-type move for coverage. The Hoenn region features the premier starting trio.