Best starter Pokemon: Pikachu, Charmander, more

Udit Surve
Charmander, Froakie, and Torchic in Pokemon.

Almost all Pokemon fans around the world have one crucial question: Which starter is the ultimate one? Out of the many starters available in the franchise, here’s a list of the best starter Pokemon including Charmander, Squirtle, Torchic, and more.

Every Pokemon trainer faces this one question at the start of their adventure: ‘Which starter should you pick?’ Each generation and region offers a cute trio of ‘mon to select from, featuring a Grass, Water, and Fire type.

Starters are special to players because they are the first companions to join them on their journey, even if they might not remain in their team throughout the game. Everyone has a preferred starter, but which ones are the best?

We went through all the starters in the franchise and considered their stats, moveset, designs, and final evolutions to create a list of the top 10 best starters in the series. On that note, here are the best starter Pokemon ever.

Various starter Pokemons standing in a circle looking up.
The starter Pokemon is determined by the personality test taken by the trainer.

The best starter Pokemon

Here are the ten best starter Pokemon along with their type:

RankStarter PokémonType
1CharmanderFire
2MudkipWater
3FroakieWater
4SquirtleWater
5TorchicFire
6BulbasaurGrass
7PikachuElectric
8RowletGrass
9TreeckoGrass
10OshawottWater

5 Best starter Pokemon

Now that we have seen the top ten best starter Pokemon, let’s have a closer look at the 5 best ones:

5. Torchic

Torchic in Pokemon.
Torchic is the first Fire-type starter that does not have fire seen on its body.

Torchic has a very basic design, resembling a normal chick with a fire-type attribute. However, the character is very powerful, displaying a variety of amazing abilities.

Its evolutions may be more impressive than most other starter Pokemon, but in the end, its speed and special attacks are its main advantages. This is a starter Pokemon that the player will enjoy having with them for most of their adventure.

4. Squirtle

Squirtle in Pokemon.
A Squirtle’s shell is very sturdy, so it can hide within it to protect itself from physical attacks.

Squirtle, the last of the three starters from Generation I, deserves admiration for its abilities. It may be the most powerful of the Kanto starters, as it can withstand more hits and launch effective attacks.

It is also a memorable character in the anime, as the hilarious Squirtle Squad adds humor to the show. Even its final evolution, Blastoise, is impressive, and the process of getting there is also fun.

3. Froakie

Froakie in Pokemon.
Froakie is the second starter to be based on a frog.

One of the best starter Pokemon from Generation VI that stands out is Froakie. This is mainly because, when it reaches its final stage, it becomes Greninja, who is one of the most famous Pokemon in the whole series.

But Froakie also deserves recognition for its own strong combat skills and its looks. Starter Pokemon usually are supposed to be adorable, and this one succeeds with its large, yet soft eyes.

2. Mudkip

Mudkip in Pokemon.
Mudkip has the highest physical attack of any first-evolution starter.

Mudkip is a very fascinating starter Pokemon from Generation III. It has an edge over previous starters, as it’s not only a Water-type but also evolves into a Ground-type later. This gives it a variety of attacks that improve its odds in battle.

Remarkably, it also has a relatively high HP for a starter Pokemon. This means it can survive longer than most, even when facing tougher foes. This strengthens the argument that Mudkip is the best starter Pokemon.

1. Charmander – Best starter Pokemon

Charmander in Pokemon.
According to Pokedex, Charmander is known as the salamander Pokemon.

Charmander being one of the original Pokemon in the whole series, is an amazing starter Pokemon. It is an adorable Pokemon in appearance, while also having a lot of firepower.

This makes Charmander not only a fan favorite but also the strongest starter Pokemon. Another advantage of choosing it is that it evolves into Charizard, which is one of the strongest and most famous Pokemon in the whole series.

And with that, we end our rankings of the best starter Pokemon, For more Pokemon content, have a look at:

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About The Author

Udit is an Evergreen Writer at CharlieIntel who specializes in first-person and sandbox games such as Call of Duty and Minecraft. After freelancing for Gameloop, Udit joined CharlieIntel in 2023. When not working, you can find him on YouTube watching a Zelda or Baldur's Gate 3 playthrough. Get in touch with him at [email protected].