First partner Pokémon

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Artwork featuring the player's starter Pokémon from Generations I through IV
Unova starter Pokémon, as seen in the anime
Anime artwork of the Kalos starter Pokémon

At the beginning of their quest, Trainers are given a starter Pokémon (Japanese: はじめてのポケモン Beginning Pokémon or 最初のポケモン first Pokémon; known as 御三家 the big three among Japanese fans). This Pokémon will be used to battle the first wild Pokémon that the Trainer encounters.

Once another Pokémon is caught, the starter Pokémon may be retired, but it is often with this Pokémon that Trainers learn friendship and trust. As such, even advanced Trainers may still use their starter Pokémon, and they will often be the most powerful Pokémon on their respective teams.

In the core series games, it is said that the starter Pokémon are extremely rare, giving the player a reason why the Pokémon not chosen can't be found in the wild.

In the games

In the core series games (with two exceptions), the player can choose a Fire-, Water-, or Grass-type starter Pokémon at level 5. At least one of the player's rivals will also always choose or have a starter Pokémon, typically the one that has a type advantage over the player's.

Starter Pokémon

Core series

Kanto

In Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, FireRed, and LeafGreen, Professor Oak will bring Trainers to his lab to give them one of the following to begin their journey:

001Bulbasaur.png
Bulbasaur
004Charmander.png
Charmander
007Squirtle.png
Squirtle
Grass Poison Fire Water
Ivysaur Ivysaur Charmeleon Charmeleon Wartortle Wartortle
Grass Poison Fire Water
Venusaur Venusaur Charizard Charizard Blastoise Blastoise
Grass Poison Fire Flying Water
Venusaur Mega
Venusaur
Charizard Mega
Charizard X
Charizard Mega
Charizard Y
Blastoise Mega
Blastoise
Grass Poison Fire Dragon Fire Flying Water

The player's rival will then pick the type-advantageous starter Pokémon, and the remaining Pokémon will sit in its Poké Ball on Oak's desk for the rest of the game.

In FireRed and LeafGreen, the choice of starter Pokémon also determines which of the Legendary beasts will roam the Kanto region after defeating Team Rocket in the Sevii Islands—if the player chooses Bulbasaur, Entei will appear, Suicune will appear to those who chose Charmander, and Raikou will appear to those that went with Squirtle.

Professor Oak offers one of this trio of Pokémon to the player in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver after the player has defeated Red, making reference to the fact that he gives them out as starter Pokémon in Kanto-based games, suggesting the player will be able to make it to the next town with one of these Pokémon by their side.

Professor Sycamore will let the player choose one of these three Pokémon after meeting him in person and beating his team of Kanto starters in battle. After making their choice, Professor Sycamore will give the player a Mega Stone corresponding to the chosen starter's final evolution; Venusaurite for Bulbasaur, Charizardite XX/Charizardite YY for Charmander, and Blastoisinite for Squirtle. The middle stages of the starters can be found in the Friend Safari.

In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the Kanto starters can be caught in the wild via Island Scan on Melemele Island.

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, the player receives a Charmander as a gift from Leon in Postwick after surpassing him as Champion.

In Pokémon Yellow, due to being based on the anime, Oak instead gives out:

025Pikachu.png
Pikachu
Electric

In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, players will start with Pikachu or Eevee, depending on which version of the game they are playing. These Pikachu and Eevee are considered special, separate forms commonly referred to by the game as Partner Pokémon.

025Pikachu LG.png
Partner
Pikachu
P
133Eevee LG.png
Partner
Eevee
E
Electric Normal
Johto

In Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver, Professor Elm will have an errand for the player to run, and will give them one of the following for protection on this errand, which they will then keep after completion:

152Chikorita.png
Chikorita
155Cyndaquil.png
Cyndaquil
158Totodile.png
Totodile
Grass Fire Water
Bayleef Bayleef Quilava Quilava Croconaw Croconaw
Grass Fire Water
Meganium Meganium Typhlosion Typhlosion Feraligatr Feraligatr
Grass Fire Water

After the player meets with Mr. Pokémon and receives a Pokédex from Professor Oak, Professor Elm will call the player to tell them that a thief has taken a Pokémon. As the player returns to New Bark Town, they will encounter the thief, who will have the stolen Pokémon with the type advantage over the player's own. From this point onward, the thief will be the player's rival, while Professor Elm keeps the Pokémon that was left behind by the thief on his desk for the remainder of the game (in HeartGold and SoulSilver, the last Pokémon mysteriously disappears at some point).

In Generation II, the Pokémon will be holding a Berry when received from Elm, though the rival's stolen starter Pokémon will not.

In Pokémon Emerald, after the player has caught all Pokémon in the Hoenn Pokédex with the exception of Jirachi and Deoxys, Professor Birch will offer one of these Pokémon as a reward.

In Pokémon Colosseum, the middle stages of the Johto starters are caught as Shadow Pokémon from a Mystery Troop member. Only one is available for the player to obtain during the main game, while the other two are only available during the post-game. The color of the outfit for the corresponding Mystery Troop member is the same as the type for the Johto starter they have.

In Pokémon XD, after the player has cleared the entirety of Mt. Battle without touching a PC or retiring, Battlus will offer one of these Pokémon as a reward. The player can obtain all three Pokémon with consecutive challenges.

In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, after the player first enters the Hall of Fame and meets Zinnia, Professor Birch can be found being chased by a Shroomish on Route 101 and the player will be allowed to choose one of the Johto starters.

In Pokémon Sun and Moon, the Johto starters can be caught in the wild via Island Scan on Melemele Island.

Hoenn

In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, after Professor Birch is rescued from a PoochyenaRSORAS or ZigzagoonE, he allows the player to keep the Pokémon they chose to rescue him with, either:

252Treecko.png
Treecko
255Torchic.png
Torchic
258Mudkip.png
Mudkip
Grass Fire Water
Grovyle Grovyle Combusken Combusken Marshtomp Marshtomp
Grass Fire Fighting Water Ground
Sceptile Sceptile Blaziken Blaziken Swampert Swampert
Grass Fire Fighting Water Ground
Sceptile Mega
Sceptile
Blaziken Mega
Blaziken
Swampert Mega
Swampert
Grass Dragon Fire Fighting Water Ground

The player's neighbor, Brendan or May, already has their starter Pokémon, which is always the one with the type advantage. What happens to the starter not selected is unknown. By the end of Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, it seems that the player's nominal rival, the son/daughter of Professor Birch, has stopped being a Trainer, and Wally is actually the true rival, facing the player before they can leave Victory Road and staying there to have rematches with the player later. In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Brendan or May's role as an NPC is slightly expanded, acting as a post-credits battle in which they gain access to Mega Evolution for their starter Pokémon.

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Steven Stone offers one of these Pokémon to the player after they have defeated Red.

In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the middle stages of the Hoenn starters can be caught in the wild via Island Scan on Akala Island.

Sinnoh

In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, when two Starly attack the player and rival at Lake Verity, to which they travel upon hearing reports of a red Gyarados, they will choose one of the following from Professor Rowan's briefcase, which he left at the lake:

387Turtwig.png
Turtwig
390Chimchar.png
Chimchar
393Piplup.png
Piplup
Grass Fire Water
Grotle Grotle Monferno Monferno Prinplup Prinplup
Grass Fire Fighting Water
Torterra Torterra Infernape Infernape Empoleon Empoleon
Grass Ground Fire Fighting Water Steel

The player's friend and rival Barry will choose the starter Pokémon that has a type advantage against the player's choice, and the NPC who is the other-gender choice (Lucas/Dawn) will have the Pokémon weak to the player's choice, and therefore strong against Barry's. After fighting off the two Starly at the lake and returning the briefcase to Rowan, the professor will allow the player and Barry to keep the Pokémon they used.

In Pokémon Platinum, the player and the rival are stopped by Professor Rowan just as they are about to run through tall grass to get to Sandgem Town to ask the Professor for Pokémon. After some questions about the player and the rival's love for Pokémon, he decides to entrust them with one starter Pokémon each.

In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, after the player enters the Hall of Fame for the second time, Professor Birch can be found being chased by his wife on Route 101 and the player will be allowed to choose one of the Sinnoh starters.

In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the middle stages of the Sinnoh starters can be caught in the wild via Island Scan on Ula'ula Island.

Unova

In Pokémon Black and White, Professor Juniper leaves a gift with the player's Mom in Nuvema Town to give to them, containing the following three Pokémon:

495Snivy.png
Snivy
498Tepig.png
Tepig
501Oshawott.png
Oshawott
Grass Fire Water
Servine Servine Pignite Pignite Dewott Dewott
Grass Fire Fighting Water
Serperior Serperior Emboar Emboar Samurott Samurott
Grass Fire Fighting Water

The player's friend Cheren will choose the Pokémon that is strong against the player's choice, while the player's other friend Bianca will choose the one weak to the player's choice. The choice of starter Pokémon affects which of the Gym Leaders of Striaton City will be battled; players who chose Snivy will face Chili, a Fire-type specialist, players who chose Tepig will face Cress, a Water-type specialist, and players who chose Oshawott will face Cilan, a Grass-type specialist. Also, the choice affects the Pokémon given to the player in the Dreamyard. Choosing Snivy gives the player a Panpour, Tepig a Pansage, and Oshawott a Pansear.

In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Bianca takes three starter Pokémon to Aspertia City on Professor Juniper's behalf and offers one of them to the player. The player's friend, Hugh, will have the Pokémon that is strong against the player's choice, having raised it from an Egg. The player character not chosen will have the starter that is weak to the player's choice, but only seen in its second form.

In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, after the Delta Episode is completed, Professor Birch can be found being chased by a Machoke on Route 101 and the player will be allowed to choose one of the Unova starters.

In Pokémon Sun and Moon, the Unova starters' final forms can be caught in the wild via Island Scan on Poni Island.

Kalos

In Pokémon X and Y, the player, Shauna, and Serena/Calem receive their starter Pokémon in Aquacorde Town from Tierno, who was asked by Professor Sycamore to deliver them.

650Chespin.png
Chespin
653Fennekin.png
Fennekin
656Froakie.png
Froakie
Grass Fire Water
Quilladin Quilladin Braixen Braixen Frogadier Frogadier
Grass Fire Water
Chesnaught Chesnaught Delphox Delphox Greninja Greninja
Grass Fighting Fire Psychic Water Dark

The player's friend Shauna will choose the Pokémon with a type disadvantage to the player's choice, while the player's other friend Serena/Calem will choose the one with a type advantage to the player's choice. The choice of starter Pokémon affects which Pokémon Shauna will trade with the player after the player enters in the Hall of Fame. Shauna will trade the unevolved form of her starter Pokémon, having received it as an Egg. The choice of starter Pokémon also determines which of the Legendary birds will roam the Kalos region after defeating the Pokémon League—if the player chooses Chespin, Articuno will appear, Zapdos will appear to those who chose Fennekin, and Moltres will appear to those that went with Froakie. The middle stages of the starters can be found in the Friend Safari.

In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the Kalos starters' final forms can be caught in the wild via Island Scan on Poni Island.

Alola

In Pokémon Sun and Moon, the player receives their starter Pokémon in Iki Town from Hala and Professor Kukui. In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the player receives one from the Professor on Route 1. The player's friend Hau will choose the Pokémon with a type disadvantage to the player's choice. Teacher Emily in the Trainer's School will use the starter that has a type advantage over the player's choice.

722Rowlet.png
Rowlet
725Litten.png
Litten
728Popplio.png
Popplio
Grass Flying Fire Water
Dartrix Dartrix Torracat Torracat Brionne Brionne
Grass Flying Fire Water
Decidueye Decidueye Incineroar Incineroar Primarina Primarina
Grass Ghost Fire Dark Water Fairy

During the player's ChampionSM and Title Defense battles, Professor Kukui will use the final evolution of the starter Pokémon with the type advantage to the player's choice. Gladion's Silvally will also be holding the memory of the type the player's starter is weak to. Hau's Eevee will evolve into the Eeveelution whose type has the advantage to the player's choice. Gladion, in his Title Defense battle in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, will have a fully evolved Kanto Starter whose type is the same as the player's starter.

Galar

In Pokémon Sword and Shield the player and Hop receive their starter Pokémon in Postwick from Leon, the Champion of Galar.

810Grookey.png
Grookey
813Scorbunny.png
Scorbunny
816Sobble.png
Sobble
Grass Fire Water
Thwackey Thwackey Raboot Raboot Drizzile Drizzile
Grass Fire Water
Rillaboom Rillaboom Cinderace Cinderace Inteleon Inteleon
Grass Fire Water

The player's friend Hop will choose the Pokémon with a type disadvantage to the player's choice. Leon takes the remaining Pokémon into his care, eventually using its final form in the Championship Match against the player.

Other notable in-game starters

Base stat comparison when fully evolved

Pokémon 003Venusaur.png
Venusaur
006Charizard.png
Charizard
009Blastoise.png
Blastoise
025Pikachu.png
Pikachu
HP
80
78
79
35
Attack
82
84
83
55
Defense
83
78
100
40
Sp. Attack
100
109
85
50
Sp. Defense
100
85
105
50
Speed
80
100
78
90
Total 525 534 530 320


Pokémon 025Pikachu LG.png
Pikachu
133Eevee LG.png
Eevee
HP
45
65
Attack
80
75
Defense
50
70
Sp. Attack
75
65
Sp. Defense
60
85
Speed
120
75
Total 430 435


Pokémon 154Meganium.png
Meganium
157Typhlosion.png
Typhlosion
160Feraligatr.png
Feraligatr
HP
80
78
85
Attack
82
84
105
Defense
100
78
100
Sp. Atk
83
109
79
Sp. Def
100
85
83
Speed
80
100
78
Total 525 534 530


Pokémon 254Sceptile.png
Sceptile
257Blaziken.png
Blaziken
260Swampert.png
Swampert
HP
70
80
100
Attack
85
120
110
Defense
65
70
90
Sp. Atk
105
110
85
Sp. Def
85
70
90
Speed
120
80
60
Total 530 530 535


Pokémon 389Torterra.png
Torterra
392Infernape.png
Infernape
395Empoleon.png
Empoleon
HP
95
76
84
Attack
109
104
86
Defense
105
71
88
Sp. Atk
75
104
111
Sp. Def
85
71
101
Speed
56
108
60
Total 525 534 530


Pokémon 497Serperior.png
Serperior
500Emboar.png
Emboar
503Samurott.png
Samurott
HP
75
110
95
Attack
75
123
100
Defense
95
65
85
Sp. Atk
75
100
108
Sp. Def
95
65
70
Speed
113
65
70
Total 528 528 528


Pokémon 652Chesnaught.png
Chesnaught
655Delphox.png
Delphox
658Greninja.png
Greninja
HP
88
75
72
Attack
107
69
95
Defense
122
72
67
Sp. Atk
74
114
103
Sp. Def
75
100
71
Speed
64
104
122
Total 530 534 530


Pokémon 724Decidueye.png
Decidueye
727Incineroar.png
Incineroar
730Primarina.png
Primarina
HP
78
95
80
Attack
107
115
74
Defense
75
90
74
Sp. Atk
100
80
126
Sp. Def
100
90
116
Speed
70
60
60
Total 530 530 530


Pokémon 812Rillaboom.png
Rillaboom
815Cinderace.png
Cinderace
818Inteleon.png
Inteleon
HP
100
80
70
Attack
125
116
85
Defense
90
75
65
Sp. Atk
60
65
125
Sp. Def
70
75
65
Speed
85
119
120
Total 530 530 530


Base stat comparison when Mega Evolved

Pokémon 003Venusaur-Mega.png
Venusaur
006Charizard-Mega X.png
Charizard
006Charizard-Mega Y.png
Charizard
009Blastoise-Mega.png
Blastoise
HP
80
78
78
79
Attack
100
130
104
103
Defense
123
111
78
120
Sp. Attack
122
130
159
135
Sp. Defense
120
85
115
115
Speed
80
100
100
78
Total 625 634 634 630


Pokémon 254Sceptile-Mega.png
Sceptile
257Blaziken-Mega.png
Blaziken
260Swampert-Mega.png
Swampert
HP
70
80
100
Attack
110
160
150
Defense
75
80
110
Sp. Atk
145
130
95
Sp. Def
85
80
110
Speed
145
100
70
Total 630 630 635


Side series

Orre

In Pokémon Colosseum:

196Espeon Colo.png
Espeon
197Umbreon Colo.png
Umbreon
Psychic Dark

A first for the Pokémon games, these starter Pokémon come as a pair as to represent the Double Battle system, and are also different in that they are in the player's possession right at start of play. Umbreon is at level 26, knowing the TM moves Taunt and Snatch, as well as Bite which is otherwise only available through breeding at such a level. Espeon is at level 25, knowing the TM moves Return (while also starting with maximum friendship) and Reflect. Both are always male.

In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness:

133Eevee XD.png
Eevee
Normal
Menu XD 134.png Vaporeon Menu XD 135.png Jolteon Menu XD 136.png Flareon Menu XD 196.png Espeon Menu XD 197.png Umbreon
Water Electric Fire Psychic Dark

This starter Pokémon is in the player's possession right at the beginning of the game. It is at level 10 and knows Bite, which Eevee does not normally know at this level without breeding. At an early point in the game, the player is offered one of five evolutionary items—Water Stone, Thunderstone, Fire Stone, Moon Shard, and Sun Shard—to allow the Eevee to evolve into any of its evolutions that existed in Generation III.

In Pokémon XD, if the player completes the Mt. Battle challenge and defeats all 100 Trainers without quitting or switching Pokémon, Battlus will give one of the Johto starter Pokémon as a reward.

Pokétopia

In Pokémon Battle Revolution, the player's starter Pokémon are determined by the gender specified on their Rental Pass or Custom Pass. They are all at level 50.

Male players start out with the following Pokémon:

388Grotle.png
Grotle
391Monferno.png
Monferno
394Prinplup.png
Prinplup
404Luxio.png
Luxio
444Gabite.png
Gabite
397Staravia.png
Staravia
Grass Fire Fighting Water Electric Dragon Ground Normal Flying

Female players start out with the following Pokémon:

002Ivysaur.png
Ivysaur
005Charmeleon.png
Charmeleon
008Wartortle.png
Wartortle
148Dragonair.png
Dragonair
111Rhyhorn.png
Rhyhorn
018Pidgeot.png
Pidgeot
Grass Poison Fire Water Dragon Ground Rock Normal Flying
Pasio

In Pokémon Masters, the player themselves starts with a Pikachu. Upon starting the game, Brock and Misty join the player's roster with their sync partners, Onix and Starmie, to form a team of three.

Masters025.png
Pikachu
Masters095.png
Onix
Masters121.png
Starmie
Electric Rock Water
Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, when the player starts the game, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle will appear nearby. If the player battles and captures one of them, the others will disappear.

If the player walks away from them, they will reappear near their new location. If they do this four times, Pikachu will appear in addition to the Kanto starter Pokémon.

Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur
Charmander
Charmander
Squirtle
Squirtle
Pikachu
Pikachu
Grass Poison Fire Water Electric
Ivysaur Ivysaur Charmeleon Charmeleon Wartortle Wartortle Raichu Raichu
Grass Poison Fire Water Electric
Venusaur Venusaur Charizard Charizard Blastoise Blastoise
Grass Poison Fire Flying Water

Starting Pokémon

While not actually starter Pokémon, these are the first Pokémon available in each of these games.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Main article: Player character → Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Pokémon Ranger series

Main article: Partner Pokémon (Ranger)

Pokémon Rumble series

Main article: Player character → Pokémon Rumble series

PokéPark series

Main article: Player character → PokéPark series

Pokémon Conquest

PCP133.png
Eevee
Normal
134CFS.png Vaporeon 135CFS.png Jolteon 136CFS.png Flareon 196CFS.png Espeon 197CFS.png Umbreon 470CFS.png Leafeon 471CFS.png Glaceon
Water Electric Fire Psychic Dark Grass Ice

Pokédex 3D

In Pokédex 3D, all players begin with these Pokémon.

495Snivy.png
Snivy
496Servine.png
Servine
497Serperior.png
Serperior
498Tepig.png
Tepig
499Pignite.png
Pignite
500Emboar.png
Emboar
501Oshawott.png
Oshawott
502Dewott.png
Dewott
503Samurott.png
Samurott
531Audino.png
Audino
559Scraggy.png
Scraggy
572Minccino.png
Minccino
587Emolga.png
Emolga
590Foongus.png
Foongus
610Axew.png
Axew
635Hydreigon.png
Hydreigon

In the anime

File:Sinnoh Starter Pokémon.png
The Sinnoh starter Pokémon in Professor Rowan's laboratory

Upon their tenth birthday, youths can register for a Pokédex and pick up a starter Pokémon from the local Pokémon Professor or Pokémon Center free of charge. Starter Pokémon are usually raised specifically to be easy to train.

Like in the games, the specific starter Pokémon available vary from region to region, but are the same in each region as the games. That is, Kanto Trainers can only choose Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle; Johto Trainers can only choose Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile; and so on.

In A Mudkip Mission, it was shown where starter Pokémon come from. Each region has special, secret breeding grounds run by a Pokémon Breeder for starter Pokémon. The Pokémon League sends these Breeders the Pokémon Eggs for them to hatch at the breeding grounds. The breeders then hatch, care for, and raise the young Pokémon until they are ready to be proper starter Pokémon for new Trainers. As these young ones are virtually defenseless, the locations of breeding grounds (or even the knowledge of their existence) is a secret unknown to most in the Pokémon world. This is likely to guard against unscrupulous individuals or groups (such as Team Rocket) from poaching the young Pokémon.

However, not all starter Pokémon are raised at these special breeding grounds, with Professor Birch said to catch and raise his own starter Pokémon for Trainers.

Other rookie Trainers may receive their first Pokémon from a friend or relative instead. Others, on the other hand, may befriend a Pokémon in the wild. These mean that Trainers can, in fact, start with any Pokémon.

List of starter Pokémon in the anime

In the main series

201
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
201
Dawn choosing Piplup as her starter
Caught in the wild instead
  • Ash caught a Bulbasaur, a Charmander, and a Squirtle in quick succession in the Kanto region. Of the three, only Charmander evolved, becoming a Charmeleon, and later a Charizard, both of which were very disobedient to Ash until an incident in the Orange Archipelago, after which it served Ash as it had when it was a Charmander. Bulbasaur was also going to evolve, but decided itself against becoming an Ivysaur in Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden.
    • In the alternate continuity of I Choose You!, Ash only caught a Charmander, which also went on to evolve.
  • Ash also caught the three Johto region starter Pokémon, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile, of which Chikorita and Cyndaquil evolved into Bayleef and Quilava, respectively.
  • Ash caught a Treecko in Hoenn, while Brock captured a Mudkip. Treecko evolved twice, becoming Sceptile before Ash left it at Professor Oak's lab, while Brock's Mudkip evolved into Marshtomp. Along with May's Torchic, the traveling trio had the three starter Pokémon of Hoenn.
  • May caught a Bulbasaur midway through her journey in Hoenn, and was given a Squirtle by Professor Oak when she journeyed to Kanto. Bulbasaur evolved all the way into Venusaur and Squirtle evolved into Wartortle during May's travels through Johto.
  • In Sinnoh, Ash repeated himself by catching Turtwig, which has since evolved into a Torterra. His rival, Paul, owned a Chimchar that was confirmed to be caught in the wild. It was released, recaught by Ash, and is now an Infernape.
  • Dawn hatched a Cyndaquil during her journey in Sinnoh. It later evolved into Quilava.
  • Ash reused his pattern from the original series of catching all starter Pokémon in Unova: Oshawott, Tepig, and Snivy. However, this time around, he caught them in reverse of the Pokédex order rather than following it as he did in the original series, and Oshawott was in fact a starter Pokémon that Professor Juniper allowed Ash to have after it ran away to be with him. Of the three, only Tepig has evolved, becoming a Pignite.
  • Gary Oak had an Eevee at least since Ash was traveling in the Orange Archipelago. As it was revealed to be under his ownership before his Blastoise, it caused many to hearken back to Pokémon Yellow, where the player starts with Pikachu, like Ash, and the rival starts with Eevee. Either way, it was disproven that this was the case when Gary finally revealed his Blastoise to Ash. His Eevee eventually evolved into Umbreon.
  • Ash caught a Froakie in Kalos, which used to belong to several other Trainers before being abandoned or abandoning the Trainer. It has since evolved into a Greninja.
  • Clemont obtained a Chespin in Kalos. It originally belonged to Professor Sycamore as a starting Pokémon for new Trainers.
  • Lana is revealed to have caught a Popplio in Alola. Popplio was rescued from being abused by members of Team Skull. It has since then evolved into Primarina.
  • While Ash was in Alola, he caught a Rowlet who was living in a flock of Pikipek, a Trumbeak, and a Toucannon. Ash also encountered a Litten a few times before finally earning its trust and capturing it. Litten has since evolved into a Torracat.

In the alternate movie continuity

  • The alternate version of Ash from I Choose You! started with a Pikachu, which he received from Professor Oak.
  • The alternate version of Gary from I Choose You! started with a Squirtle, which he received from Professor Oak.
  • Risa started with an Eevee, which she caught by using Ash's Pikachu to weaken it first.
  • Alternate versions of Marina and Tierno from I Choose You! started with a Bulbasaur and Charmander, respectively, both received from Professor Oak.

In the manga

In the Be the Best! Pokémon B+W manga

The fully evolved Unova starter Pokémon in Be the Best! Pokémon B+W

Monta, Bianca, and Cheren received a Snivy, Oshawott, and Tepig respectively as their first Pokémon. They ended up evolving into their final stages later on.

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu, unlike the anime from which the manga was based on, new Pokémon Trainers do not appear to be given any sort of starter Pokémon. Professor Oak is not shown residing at his laboratory handing out starter Pokémon to new Trainers, as in the anime, rather, he travels the Kanto region conducting research, often accompanied by Bill. Trainers in The Electric Tale of Pikachu must obtain a license before they can purchase Poké Balls or otherwise capture and train Pokémon. Ash found Pikachu under the floorboards of his home, keeping it as his first Pokémon. It is not currently known what Gary Oak's first Pokémon was in the manga.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

In Pokémon Adventures, the starter Pokémon featured in the games are reserved for the few people who hold a Pokédex. Professor Oak produces three Pokédexes for each region, and gives out the three starter Pokémon in each region along with the Pokédex to Trainers he thinks are talented. He has colleagues and friends like Professor Birch do this for him in regions in which he isn't present. In the Unova region, two sets of starter Pokémon are given out to six Trainers, but still with only three Pokédexes. Professor Oak also gave Red's Pikachu as a special starter to Yellow.

Most characters in the manga do not start out with one of the Pokédex-related starter Pokémon. Instead, they usually have a Pokémon they were given by their parents when they were infants that they use as their starter Pokémon. Occasionally, it is not directly stated which Pokémon were their starter Pokémon in the manga, but in profiles of their teams, their starter Pokémon is marked with a star and is among the highest level in the party, even if they acquired more than one Pokémon at first.

List of starter Pokémon in Pokémon Adventures

  • Red's first Pokémon was a Poliwag he had since his childhood, which has evolved into a Poliwrath. His "starter Pokémon" was a Bulbasaur given to him by Professor Oak, which he nicknamed "Saur". He became a Venusaur in his travels.
  • Blue's first Pokémon was a Scyther, now a Scizor, he took to the training with Chuck. His "starter Pokémon" was a Charmander given to him by his grandfather, which evolved twice into a Charizard.
  • Green's first Pokémon was a Jigglypuff, now a Wigglytuff, she received from the Masked Man. Her "starter Pokémon" was a Squirtle she stole from Professor Oak, which she nicknamed "Blasty". He later evolved into a Blastoise.
  • Yellow's first Pokémon was a Rattata that Red taught her to caught, which has evolved into a Raticate. Later, she borrowed Red's Pikachu, and after Red took him back, caught her "starter Pokémon", a female Pikachu for herself which she nicknamed "Chuchu". Like the Pikachu in Yellow, neither evolved.
  • Gold's first Pokémon was his Aipom, now an Ambipom, that his mother gave him. He borrowed his "starter Pokémon", a Cyndaquil, from Professor Elm, and was later allowed to keep the Cyndaquil which he nicknamed "Exbo". He later becomes a Typhlosion alongside the other two Johto starter Pokémon.
  • Silver's first Pokémon was the Sneasel, now a Weavile, that Giovanni gave to him as a child. He later stole his "starter Pokémon", a Totodile from Professor Elm, as well as the first Pokédex of Johto. His starter Pokémon evolved twice into a Feraligatr.
  • Crystal's first Pokémon is officially her Smoochum, although she acquired many wild Pokémon that lived as a family while she was in the wild. Chikorita later ran away from Professor Elm to go with her, and became her "starter Pokémon" nicknamed "Megaree". He became a Meganium midway into their journey.
Ruby and his first Pokémon from the left to the right: Rara, Kiki and Nana
  • Ruby's first Pokémon were the Poochyena, Skitty and Ralts that he received from his father, all of them having evolved into Mightyena, Delcatty and Gardevoir respectively. Later, he got his "starter Pokémon" from Professor Birch; a Mudkip which he nicknamed "Mumu". He evolved into a Swampert from the battles he underwent.
  • Sapphire's first Pokémon was the Aron, now an Aggron her father gave her. Later, he gave her her "starter Pokémon", a Torchic, which she nicknamed "Chic". She has since evolved twice under her Trainer's care into a Blaziken.
  • When Emerald arrived in the Battle Frontier, he had no Pokémon on hand. Then he challenged the Battle Factory using only rental Pokémon, nearly at the end of the challenge, he noticed something suspicious about a Sceptile so he decided to steal him from the facility and kept him afterwards, it is later is revealed that the Sceptile was supposed to be his in the first place, making him his "starter Pokémon". He evolved from his Grovyle stage in the wild, after evolving once in Wally's care. Except Sceptile, his first Pokémon he captured were Sudowoodo and Dusclops.
  • Diamond's first was his Munchlax, and later he received his "starter Pokémon", a Turtwig from Platinum because of a misunderstanding. He has since evolved to Torterra alongside the others.
  • Pearl's first was his Chatot, and later he received his "starter Pokémon", a Chimchar from Platinum. The Chimchar has since evolved twice into an Infernape.
  • Platinum's first Pokémon was her Ponyta, now a Rapidash, and later she received her "starter Pokémon", a Piplup from Professor Rowan. She has since become an Empoleon under her care.
  • Black started with a Rufflet that he captured with the help of a wild Munna he had befriended, and later acquired his "starter Pokémon", a Tepig from Professor Juniper which later evolved into an Emboar. Initially he was nicknamed "Tep", but the nickname was changed to "Nite" and eventually "Bo", making Black the only main character so far to change his Pokémon's nickname.
  • White's first Pokémon was a Tepig named Gigi. She later acquires her "starter Pokémon", a Servine, which later evolved into a Serperior. This Servine, which White nicknamed "Amanda", was with N until Gigi decided to leave White to follow N. It was later revealed that Amanda was a Snivy that was going to be given out to new Trainers by Professor Cedric Juniper, but was liberated by N. Except Gigi and Amanda, her first Pokémon she captured was Deerling.
  • Blake's first known Pokémon is a Dewott, given to him by the International Police Headquarters so he would have a partner Pokémon.
  • Whitley's first known Pokémon is a Foongus, given to her by Team Plasma's Anthea and Concordia, who allowed Whitley to pick the Pokémon she felt closest to.
  • X's first known Pokémon is a Kangaskhan. He later got a Chespin, nicknamed "Marisso", as his "starter Pokémon" after he accepted him as a member of his team. He has since become a Chesnaught under his care.
  • Y's first known Pokémon is a Fletchling. She later got a Froakie, nicknamed "Croaky", as her "starter Pokémon" after she accepted him as a member of her team. He has since become a Greninja under her care.
  • Sun's first known Pokémon is an Alolan Meowth. He is immediately shown as well with a Litten named Dollar as his "starter Pokémon" that he got from Professor Kukui. He has since become a Torracat.
  • Moon's first Pokémon is unknown, as she caught a Grubbin, Alolan Grimer, and Mareanie around the same time. She is later given a Rowlet as her "starter Pokémon" from Professor Kukui. He has since become a Decidueye.

In the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga

In Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys, much like in the Pokémon Gold and Silver video games on which the manga was based, Gold is offered the choice of one of the three Johto starter Pokémon - Chikorita, Cyndaquil or Totodile - to borrow so that he may run an errand for Professor Elm. Gold chooses Totodile, which Elm allows him to keep after the errand is completed. Also like in the games, Black, who is based on Silver, steals a Chikorita from Elm's lab while Gold is away on his errand.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

In Pokémon Pocket Monsters, Professor Oak is depicted distributing the choice of one out of three starter Pokémon - Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle - to Pokémon Trainers as they begin their journeys, much like in other media. Green chooses Charmander as his starter Pokémon, and while Red was offered the choice as well, he decided to keep a Clefairy that he met on his way to Professor Oak's lab as his starter instead.

In the Pokémon Zensho manga

In Pokémon Zensho, much like in the Pokémon Red and Green games on which the manga was based, Professor Oak offers Satoshi and Shigeru their choice of one out of three starter Pokémon - Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle. Satoshi chooses Charmander, while Shigeru chooses Squirtle, leaving Bulbasaur with Professor Oak.

Trivia

  • In interviews with Junichi Masuda during 2009, he stated that starter Pokémon are the Pokémon from each game that the most work goes into, and usually take significantly more time than other Pokémon in each generation.
  • Two of the three Unova starter Pokémon, Snivy and Tepig, share the position of the starter Pokémon with the shortest name.
  • The only two Starter Pokémon that are dual-type in their initial form, Bulbasaur and Rowlet, are both Grass-type.

In the games

  • All starter Pokémon in the core series besides Pikachu have a gender ratio of seven males to one female.
    • Due to this, as well as the way in which gender and Shininess were determined, it was impossible to have a Shiny female starter Pokémon in Generation II, as the lowest Attack IV a Shiny Pokémon could have was 2, while the highest Attack IV a female Pokémon in that gender group could have was 1.
  • Kanto's starter Pokémon are the only ones to appear in more than one regional Pokédex: Kanto's, Johto's, and Kalos's.
  • In the core series, when a starter Pokémon is first obtained, all are at level 5. Each knows one Normal-type physical move (either Tackle, Scratch, or Pound) and a stat-altering status move at this level, except for Pikachu, which has Thunder Shock instead of a Normal-type move. Starting in X and Y, the starters also have an attacking move of their type at level 5.
  • All Grass-type starter Pokémon have the Ability Overgrow, the Fire-type starters have Blaze, and the Water-type starters have Torrent. Starter Pokémon may have differing Hidden Abilities.
  • Fennekin is the only unevolved starter Pokémon with a unique base stat total.
  • The lowest base stat of a non-Mega Evolved fully-evolved starter Pokémon is Torterra's Speed, at 56. The highest base stat of a non-Mega Evolved fully-evolved starter Pokémon is Primarina's Special Attack, at 126.
  • The Pikachu featured in Pokémon Yellow & Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and the Eevee in Pokémon Let's Go, Eevee! are the only starter Pokémon that cannot evolve in the game in which they are starter Pokémon.
    • Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!'s respective starters are also the only ones that cannot be traded to other games.
  • Charmander is the only Fire-type starter Pokémon that is not a member of the Field Egg Group.
  • Oshawott is the only Water-type starter Pokémon that is not a member of the Water 1 Egg Group.
  • The Kalos starter Pokémon's secondary types in their final forms (Fighting, Psychic, and Dark) almost form another type-advantage triangle (where one type deals 2× damage to and receives ½× damage from another type), only being broken by the Dark type being completely immune to rather than resistant to the Psychic type.
    • Both the primary and secondary types, however, fit a more generally defined triangle that only requires one type to be offensively and defensively advantaged against another. For example, just as Water has the offensive and defensive advantage against Fire, so does Dark against Psychic.
  • It is stated in its Ultra Sun Pokédex entry that Poipole is a common starter Pokémon in Ultra Megalopolis.
  • No fully evolved Grass-type starter Pokémon has a higher base stat total than either of its two counterparts.
    • Contrarily, no unevolved Grass-type starter Pokémon besides Chespin has a lower base stat total than either of its two counterparts.
    • Similarly, no unevolved Fire-type starter has a higher base stat total than either its counterparts and no fully evolved Fire-type starter besides Blaziken has a lower one.

In the anime

  • For DP001, Professor Oak's Big Pokémon Encyclopedia is about the starter Pokémon of Sinnoh. He writes this senryū about them: 「シンオウで たびがはじまる ポケモンと」 "In Sinnoh, a journey begins with Pokémon."
  • For BW003, Professor Oak's Pokémon Holo Caster is about the starter Pokémon of Unova. He writes this senryū about them: 「パートナー みず・くさ・ほのお まよっちゃう」 "Partner, Water, Grass, Fire, I can't decide."
  • Ash has owned all but one of the Grass-type starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Chikorita, Treecko, Turtwig, Snivy and Rowlet. The Grass-type starter from Kalos, Chespin, is instead owned by Clemont.
  • Each Water-type starter Pokémon obtained by a main character was not battled: Ash's Squirtle, Oshawott and Froakie chose to join his team, while Ash fought and won against Misty for his Totodile. Brock did not battle Mudkip to obtain it. May received her Squirtle from Professor Oak, Dawn received her Piplup from Professor Rowan, and Lana rescued her Popplio from Team Skull.
  • Squirtle and Turtwig are both based on turtles and were the starter Pokémon of two of Ash's rivals, Gary and Paul.
  • Torchic and Piplup are both based on birds (chicken, penguin). They were also both owned by the anime's resident Pokémon Coordinators.
  • Both May and Dawn have a second starter Pokémon from a previous generation with a type disadvantage to their first. These starter Pokémon are both from two generations prior to their owner's introduction, and featured in the anime likely due to the same-generation remakes.
  • In the Diamond and Pearl series, there have been two major appearances of each fully evolved starter introduced in Generation IV: Ash and Paul's Torterra, Ash and Flint's Infernape, and Barry and Kenny's Empoleon.
  • Froakie is the only Water-type starter that has ever evolved under Ash's ownership.
  • The Kanto starters are the only ones to have all been owned by both Ash and one of his friends at some point in their evolutionary lines: May owns a Venusaur and a Wartortle, while Kiawe owns a Charizard.

In other languages

Language Title
The Czech Republic Flag.png Czech Startovní Pokémon
Denmark Flag.png Danish Begynder-Pokémon
The Netherlands Flag.png Dutch Starter Pokémon
Finland Flag.png Finnish Aloitus-Pokémon
France Flag.png French Pokémon de départ
Germany Flag.png German Starter-Pokémon
Hungary Flag.png Hungarian Kezdő Pokémon
Italy Flag.png Italian Pokémon iniziale
South Korea Flag.png Korean 파트너 포켓몬 Partner Pokémon
Norway Flag.png Norwegian Førstegangs-Pokémon
Poland Flag.png Polish Pokémon Starter
Portuguese Brazil Flag.png Brazil Pokémon inicial
Pokémon iniciante (BW116)
Portugal Flag.png Portugal Pokémon inicial
Russia Flag.png Russian Стартовый покемон Startovy Pokémon
Spain Flag.png Spanish Pokémon inicial
Sweden Flag.png Swedish Nybörjar-Pokémon
Thailand Flag.png Thai โปเกมอนเริ่มต้น Pokémon Beginning
Turkey Flag.png Turkish Başlangıç Pokémon'u
Vietnam Flag.png Vietnamese Pokémon khởi đầu
Pokémon khởi hành