Pokémon starters are always a topic of significant debate for any new game added to the series, and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and Pokémon Legends: Arceus both have good starter lineups. Trainers in both Paldea and the Hisui region have difficult choices for who their starting buddies should be. When comparing the Scarlet and Violet starters of Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly against Legends: Arceus's lineup of Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott, how do they stack up?
Scarlet and Violet are much like Legends: Arceus in some ways such as the travel mount mechanic, and being open-world (although that is greatly improved on in SV). Similarly, the two games' starter Pokémon choices both follow the standard Grass/Fire/Water format, although, of course, no two Pokémon are exactly the same. Players will always have their favorites based on looks, attacks, and personalities, but overall, which game has the better starters?
Sorry Scarlet & Violet, Legends: Arceus Starters Are Superior
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are great games and their starters are both adorable and strong fighters, however, Legends: Arceus just knocked it out of the park. This is thanks in particular to Rowlet, who is a special case when it comes to starter Pokémon of the series. This little owl-style friend has an advantage over the others as a dual Flying/Grass-type, which means that it is stronger against many more enemies than the others generally are before they reach their evolutions.
Rowlet Wins, But How Do The Other Pokémon Starters Compare
Deciding to buy Pokémon Scarlet, Violet, or Legends: Arceus obviously is a choice that depends on much more than simply what starters there are, however, it's still fun to compare and contrast. Every Pokémon game begins with the same three types: Grass, Fire, and Water, with the slight exceptions for Rowlet's Flying/Grass, and Bulbasaur's Grass/Poison. Sprigatito gets the short end of the stick here since it is also an excellent starter with substantial attacks and once it evolves it becomes a Grass/Dark-type with a stylish look. Of the Water-types, Quaxly and Oshawott, Quaxly has an advantage simply because of its fancy hairdo, not to mention some pretty strong beginning attacks. Oshawott meanwhile starts out pretty weak but later grows into a powerful Samurott.
Fuecoco and Cyndaquil are fairly evenly matched - both are relatively simple starters, with a lot of personality in each of their designs, and both have final evolutions that are Fire/Ghost-types. However, while Arceus' Cyndaquil can evolve into Typhlosion, who has both the look and moves to be a favored fighter, Fuecoco's final evolution becomes the singing Skeledirge which simply doesn't hold the same quality of design.
Starting Pokémon are typically provided as much for their heartwarming cuteness as they are for teaching new trainers how to play the game. They often won't be the most powerful Pokémon to ever exist, but these pocket monster buddies certainly can earn a place in players' hearts when they look back fondly on a game. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and Pokémon Legends: Arceus both offer adorable starting characters for players, no matter which of them gets chosen.