How to Choose the Right Starter Pokémon in Any Game

Last Updated: May 6, 2021

Picking a Pokémon to start off any game can be difficult. Rather than just choosing any Pokémon, this wikiHow-to will guide you through wikiHow to choose the right starter Pokémon in any game.

Steps

1
Know that there is no "right" Pokémon.
2
Pick what type you might want. You will choose from Grass, Fire or Water.

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3
Look at the Pokémon and their later stages. If you know that you will eventually substitute a different Pokémon for it, then choose it as your Starter.
4
Look at their movesets. If you like a certain move, it will be easier for you to choose. You should also look at their stats, nature affects, and abilities.
5
If you want to catch certain Pokémon in a game with certain types try to make your Starter Pokémon a different type to have a wide variety in your team.
6
Consider your play style and game type.
- If you choose melee, go for the fire-type. (They can learn many strong melee moves)
- If you go for tactical (ranged, in other games) then choose water-type. (They are very good at not making melee contact with enemies, giving them an advantage over Pokémon that rely on abilities like rough skin).
- If you prefer taking advantage of the enemies' weaknesses, then use the grass-type. (They have moves such as leech seed that drain equal amounts of health regardless of type and level.)
7
If possible, try to train it by trainers or Pokémon near by. Use Rare Candies if you want to level your Pokémon instantly.
8
If the starter Pokémon, after evolving, gets an additional type for itself (like Charmeleon gets Fire and Flying-type after it evolves into Charizard and Mudkip gets Water and Ground-type after it evolves into a Marshtomp), you may think about preferring that Pokémon because it may cover up many of its weaknesses.

Community Q&A

Question

Should I look at upcoming gym battles?

Community Answer

Yes, to an extent. If you prepare for the early gyms, you will probably have weaknesses eventually, so you don't have to but it wouldn't be a bad idea.
Question

How do I choose my sun and moon starter?

Bun bun

Top Answerer

Rowlet is a grass/flying type who stays that type until evolving into Decidueye, which is a grass/ghost - it is the most popular choice. Decidueye is a hard-hitting mixed attacker; it is pretty slow, but the fastest of all starters. Litten is a fire-type that stays like that until the evolution into Incineroar, where it gains the dark type. Incineroar is a hard-hitting physical attacker which makes up for its low speed. Popplio is a water-type that turns into water/fairy when it evolves into Primarina. Primarina is a hard-hitting special attacker which ties in speed with Incineroar.
Question

What are some of your favorite Pokémon of all 7 generations?

Community Answer

Some of my favorite Pokémon are Alolan Raichu, Decidueye, Mega Blastoise, Mega Charizard X, Mega Swampert, Mega Garchomp, Mega Lucario, Incineroar, Chandelure, Breloom, Mega Gengar, Entei, Dusknoir, Pikachu Libre, Solgaleo, Mega Tyranitar, Bisharp, Weavile, Mega Metagross, Flareon, Vapereon, and Torterra. I would recommend using at least 3 or 4 of these Pokémon on a team. Some of these Pokémon are actually quite good.

Warnings

If the starter eventually gets a second type, it will be able to trump more types of Pokémon, but be careful as it will have new weaknesses.

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Do not focus on only one or a few specific members (especially starters) of your team more than your other Pokémon; you will eventually come across a situation your aces will faint and you can only depend on your weak Pokémon.

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Most starters won't be in your party at the end of the game because they can easily be replaced by better Pokémon you will encounter later.

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