Unveiling the Evolutionary History of Pokémon Starters across Generations

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

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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 Starters

The Kanto region's original trio—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—debuted in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, and have reappeared in remakes like FireRed and LeafGreen, and Let's Go! Pikachu and Eevee. They're also available in various other mainline games, including 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 Starters

Johto's Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile first appeared in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, and were later featured in HeartGold and SoulSilver. Subsequent games, such as Sun and Moon (via QR Scanner), offered various ways to obtain them. 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: Except for Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Cyndaquil evolves into Quilava at level 14. See Gen VIII for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation III Starters

Hoenn's Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip debuted in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, and returned in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. They've been accessible in other mainline 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 Starters

Sinnoh's Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup were introduced in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, and reappeared 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 Starters

Unova's Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott debuted in Pokémon Black and White and their sequels. While remakes are unconfirmed, they are available in several other mainline 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 Starters

Kalos's Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie starred in Pokémon X and Y. Froakie's final evolution, Greninja, gained an Ash-Greninja form via the Sun and Moon demo. The Kalos starters are 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 Starters

Alola's Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio debuted in Pokémon Sun and Moon, returning in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. They're also found in DLC for subsequent games. Rowlet is 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: Except for Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Dartrix evolves into Decidueye at level 34. See Gen VIII for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation VIII Starters

Generation VIII introduced Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, offering different starter options. Sword & Shield featured Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble; Legends: Arceus included past starters with regional forms. All three Galar starters are in the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC.

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

Pokémon Legends: Arceus featured Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott with Hisuian regional forms. Evolution levels vary slightly from previous games. The Sinnoh starters from Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum are also available.

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 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 Nintendo Switch 2 announcement and Pokémon Legends: Z-A in development, the Pokémon franchise continues to evolve. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC are currently available.