Arguably the defining feature of any Pokemon game is its choice of starters. From Bulbasaur to Sobble, these adorable creatures quickly become the ace in players' starting lineups. Many also evolve into impressive beasts that undoubtedly earn the title of "Pocket Monster".
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With eight generations to date, however, some starters are bound to outshine others. Writer Tim Maison of Goomba Stomp created a list to determine which of the twenty-four starters proved themselves most popular based on factors like design, competitive use, and overall strength. Starters become many trainers' go-to pick in battle, so it helps to see which ones are popular and fit best on competitive teams beyond the main story.
Updated May 19, 2021 by Tanner Brossart: Previously, this list covered both the five most and the five least popular starter Pokemon. However, the list has now been revamped to focus on the top ten most popular starters. This way, players can get a better grasp on what sorts of Pokemon remain relevant as time goes on. Interestingly, nearly every generation has at least one representative in the top ten. The rankings of all other starters not mentioned here can still be found in the Goomba Stomp list (link provided above).
10 Totodile
Rounding out the base of the top ten is Totodile. This lovable reptile had a reputation for planting its jaws on almost everything in the anime. This isn't far off from its use in the games, either.
When it evolves into Feraligatr, it gains a respectable Attack stat that pairs well with its hidden ability, Sheer Force. Totodile's expansive movepool also gives it some versatility as a sweeper. Although its other stats are average, it can give itself a boost with Dragon Dance and held items such as Life Orb.
9 Scorbunny
This Fire starter from Generation VIII quickly made a name for itself. Despite its somewhat limited moveset, Scorbunny and its final evolution Cinderace have plenty of options to bring the hurt to their opponents.
This Pokemon's stat spread paints it as a glass cannon with a focus on physical moves. And with its hidden ability Libero, its type changes accordingly to give each attack a same-type bonus. Give it the right combination of moves, and enemies will surely struggle to keep up with this sporty rabbit.
8 Bulbasaur
Despite being one of the oldest Pokemon on the list, Bulbasaur remains relevant in the competitive scene and players' hearts. With such a cute expression on its face, it's not too hard to see why.
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Its final evolution Venusaur also packs a great stat spread, giving it some standing in serious matches. It can fire Solar Beams at opponents, or pound them with Body Slams and Earthquakes. With a loyal fanbase and plenty of useful moves at its disposal, trainers should think twice before dismissing this all-around Pokemon.
7 Piplup
Piplup's evolutionary line works well both offensively and defensively. They have a mighty Special Attack stats that turn Hydro Pump and Flash Cannon into deadly options. Final evolution Empoleon's secondary Steel typing also helps it to withstand a wide variety of attacks, especially against Poison types.
If physical power is preferred, then this Pokemon's hidden ability Defiant helps to boost its Attack and throw opponents off. It also gains access to valuable support moves like Defog and Stealth Rock, making it a suitable option for any team placement.
6 Litten
Although the evolution line of this Pokemon is a bit on the stranger side, Litten nonetheless proves itself as a viable starter choice. Its impressive physical stats, when evolved, make it especially useful as a physical wall. Its hidden ability Intimidate accentuates this by lowering the opponent's physical Attack stat upon entering the field.
Furthermore, moves like Parting Shot allow this Pokemon to lower its enemies' offensive stats continuously, and act as a vital pivot in Double Battles. Incineroar's presence in the competitive scene is proof enough of its popularity.
5 Torchic
Torchic's humble beginnings as a sprightly chick make it an unassuming Pokémon at first. Despite this, it makes a name for itself as one of the best starters when it evolves into Blaziken. A combination of raw speed and power makes this fighting chicken an impressive teammate, especially when given its hidden ability Speed Boost.
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It gains access to several incredible moves, as well, such as Close Combat and Flare Blitz. It gained much attention as the first Hoenn starter to receive a Mega Evolution, which showcased its strength even more.
4 Chimchar
Of the Sinnoh starters, Chimchar stands out as the most competitively viable. With access to a variety of impressive Fighting- and Fire-type moves, it evolves into a handy teammate. Fitting, too, for its hidden ability Iron Fist amplifies the power of its punching moves, of which it gains several.
Aside from its combat prowess, this Pokémon's design is top-notch. It goes from a cute-yet-mischievous monkey to a powerful primate with a flowing head of literal fiery hair. Fire-types rarely embody "hot" and "cool" at the same time, yet Infernape does exactly that.
3 Mudkip
This starter was a big meme Pokémon back in the day. However, these memes served to endear the little mudskipper more than to belittle it. Its stats and Water/Ground typing make it a long-lived teammate on the field, allowing it to dish out serious damage with Earthquake and Surf.
Another big selling point for the Mudkip line is its ability to nullify incoming Electric-type damage. This allows it to pair especially well with allies who know moves like Discharge, which hit everyone on the field.
2 Charmander
Charmander's status as an icon in the series is undeniable. The fiery lizard was the top pick for many of the first Pokemon fans, and it continues to be one of the most memorable starters to date.
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It also remains one of the most relevant first-generation Pokemon, as it received two Mega Evolutions in X and Y and a Gigantamax form in the most recent Sword and Shield games. Its decent stats and access to devastating moves like Fire Blast and Solar Beam also make it a top contender in battle.
1 Froakie
When it first debuted, nobody expected this simple frog Pokémon to become such a dominating force. Froakie's rare Protean ability allows it to change its typing based on the move it uses, giving each attacking move a boost in power.
Not only that, but a combination of speed and versatility make Froakie and its evolution Greninja incredibly unpredictable. Even though the Charmander line holds a special place in fans' hearts, Greninja's dominance in the competitive scene deserves respect.