It’s time to maneuver to a brand new city and select which Pokemon you’re going to start an epic journey with as we try a Pokemon Starters Tier List!

In nearly each Pokemon recreation, there’s three Pokemon to select from at the beginning of your journey. Typically, these might be a alternative of Pokemon from three differing types – water, hearth or grass.

It’s all the time such an agonising alternative too, as a result of when you’ve chosen a Pokemon, the opposite two develop into unavailable except you get the chance to commerce for them later. 

What should you had entry to each single Starter Pokemon although? Which would you select? How would you even make that alternative?

We right here at Retro Dodo are going that can assist you with that, as we rank each Pokemon Starter into completely different tiers, so include us as we check out the Pokemon Starters Tier List!

All Pokemon Starters Tier List – The Overall Rankings

So right here they’re – all Starter Pokemon, ranked in Tiers. But who made it to which Tier?

First, let’s try every of the tiers and what they imply.

S Tier

Reserved for the very best of the most effective Pokemon, the S Tier rank is the highest spot – and just a few Starter Pokemon have made it that far!

A Tier

Far from disappointing, the A Tier are incredible Pokemon who can be nice decisions for many gamers – however they aren’t fairly as extremely really useful as these S Tier Pokemon for numerous causes. A complete of seven Pokemon made it to the A Tier, and you may test them out under!

B Tier

All B Tier Pokemon may in all probability be described in a single phrase as ‘mid’. Not nice, however not dangerous – it’s simply that there’s undoubtedly higher decisions accessible!

C Tier

We’re getting in the direction of the decrease finish of the dimensions right here – the disappointing Pokemon who serve a objective, however they’re those we’d advocate staying away from should you can assist it.

D Tier

The largest disappointment within the bunch, you’ll discover only one Pokemon on this spot – and although it could be controversial, there’s no denying that this specific pocket monster simply doesn’t minimize it in relation to being an efficient Starter Pokemon.

So you’ve seen what every Starter Tier means, however how did we determine the place to position every Starter Pokemon on our Pokemon Starters Tier checklist? Let’s check out them one after the other!

S Tier Pokemon Starters

Charmander

First up is Charmander – one of many three Starter Pokemon from first era video games Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue. 

Though Charmander struggles within the first few Gym battles, by the point it’s advanced into Charmander it has little or no issue with most adversaries. But the actual motive that Charmander makes it to the S Tier is due to its second evolution: the extremely highly effective Charizard.

Charizard is so good that it made it to the very high of our greatest Fire Type Pokemon checklist too!

Turtwig

Next on the S Tier is era 4 (that’s Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl) starter Pokemon Turtwig, who doesn’t wrestle fairly as a lot as Charmander within the early phases of the sport.

Still, it undoubtedly has the higher hand in the identical means as soon as it evolves into Grotle. 

Then – equally to Charmander – it’s with the third kind that it actually turns into a distinction maker: Torterra. Torterra is a Grass and Ground kind Pokemon who’s an absolute beast; although sluggish, it excels in each Attack and Defense, making it an apparent alternative for the S Tier!

Froakie

Generation 6 starters – from Pokemon X and Pokemon Y – are inclined to get a bit neglected, as they really feel slightly underwhelming normally. 

However, within the normal opinion of the staff at Retro Dodo Towers, the Water Pokemon Froakie is a significantly underrated contender and a straightforward alternative for the S Tier.  

Why is that, we hear you ask? Well, first Froakie evolves into Frogadier, after which into the super-fast Water and Dark Pokemon, Greninja (who additionally seems on our greatest Water Type Pokemon checklist!). Which – as with Charmander and Turtwig – is the true hidden enchantment of Froakie!

Cyndaquil

Debuting means again in second era titles Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver, Cyndaquil is a Fire kind Pokemon who’ll serve Trainers properly throughout most early battles.

It additionally maintains its power and turns into much more formidable because it evolves into Quilava and eventually, the superior Typhlosion!

A Tier Pokemon Starters

Bulbasaur

A preferred Pokemon from the primary era video games, Bulbasaur doesn’t precisely fiddle – it’s undoubtedly an amazing alternative in relation to the sooner phases of Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue.

It additionally actually holds its personal because it evolves too – first into Ivysaur after which into Venusaur.

It’s not fairly on the identical stage as Charizard, however Venusaur’s Grass and Poison sorts, together with Bulbasaur’s nice efficiency early within the recreation, place it properly within the A Tier for Starter Pokemon.

You’ll additionally discover the newer Mega Venusaur evolution on our greatest Grass Type Pokemon checklist!

Mudkip

My Starter Pokemon of alternative once I performed via Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl, Mudkip served me properly as I made my means via Sinnoh.

Regardless of my private bias and nostalgia for Mudkip, it’s an amazing alternative of Starter Pokemon.

Mudkip will do properly within the first few Gyms and it copes properly because it evolves; into Marshtomp first, then Swampert. It isn’t fairly S Tier all the way in which, however it’s actually not too far off.

Rowlet

It took till Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon earlier than a Flying kind Starter was made accessible, and that’s who we’ve right here, with the Flying and Grass kind Pokemon, Rowlet!

Though typically regarded as the worst alternative for a Starter Pokemon within the seventh era video games, Rowlet’s Flying and Grass sorts make for a great mixture of strengths and provides this Grass Quill Pokemon a novel really feel.

Also, by the point it evolves into Dartrix after which the good Decidueye, the struggles you’ll face within the opening phases of the sport can have been price it!

Fennekin

Fennekin struggles within the early Gym battles of Pokemon X and Pokemon Y – the sixth era video games it was launched in – which is why it’s right here within the A Tier, moderately than S.

However, keep it up and also you’ll get to evolve Fennekin into Braixen, and by then, most Gyms might be a breeze.

Not solely that, however you’ll additionally be capable of evolve Fire kind Braixen into the Fire and Psychic powerhouse Delphox, which is a really glorious Pokemon.

Piplup

Just take a look at Piplup. On appears to be like alone, this cute Pokemon can be S Tier in our opinion!

Piplup additionally proves helpful within the earlier Gyms it’ll arrive at in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl.

Evolving into Prinplup after which the Water/Steel kind Empoleon flip lovable little Piplup into fairly a formidable Pokemon too!

Though it isn’t fairly S Tier, Piplup is an effective all rounder and undoubtedly worthy of a spot within the A Tier!

Squirtle

Everyone remembers their first, proper?

For me, Squirtle was the very first Pokemon I ever selected, so it was undoubtedly very tempting to position the little Water Pokemon within the S Tier!

Squirtle’s journey in first era video games Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue isn’t a simple one although – even supposing it’s not the case to start with.

In the early Gyms, Squirtle has a simple time however might wrestle in a while, regardless of the evolution into Wartortle.

Once Wartortle evolves into the monstrous Blastoise, nevertheless, issues do flip round. But as all three types are Water kind solely, it does depart them susceptible towards some varieties of Pokemon.

Which is the explanation why Squirtle makes it so far as the A Tier, however doesn’t fairly attain the heights of the S Tier on our Pokemon Starters Tier List!

Chimchar

Debuting in fourth era video games Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl, Fire kind Pokemon Chimchar does properly towards one early Gym chief.

However, Chimchar’s excellence is de facto revealed as soon as it evolves into Monferno, which provides the Fighting kind alongside Fire.

Infernape – the second evolution – retains the Fire and Fighting sorts, turning into much more of a beast.

So Chimchar is certainly a strong alternative, however not fairly sufficient to make it to our S Tier!

B Tier Pokemon Starters

Snivy

Kicking off the center of our Pokemon Starter Tier List is Snivy, which was launched in fifth era titles Pokemon Black and Pokemon White.

Grass kind Pokemon Snivy doesn’t get lots of love, with the fifth era Starters normally not having a stand out, high tier alternative.

Snivy evolves into Serpine, then Serperior – all are pretty unremarkable and never notably memorable Grass kind Pokemon.

Not dangerous, however not nice – the right encapsulation of a B Tier Starter Pokemon!

Treecko

Generation 3’s Grass kind Starter Pokemon is Treecko, who’ll do properly within the first Gym in Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire, however would possibly wrestle a bit within the second Gym.

That mentioned, when you’ve advanced Treecko into Grovyle after which Sceptile, it’ll fare higher towards most Gym leaders – however its single Grass kind nature all through means it’ll have some weaknesses that may be exploited regardless.

Popplio

Another Starter from Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon, Popplio is an effective early alternative, however it doesn’t actually excel past that.

Its evolution into Brionne is slightly underwhelming, however when Brionne evolves into Primarina issues search for a bit – with the Fairy kind being added to the beforehand Water-only Pokemon’s sorts.

Torchic

Another of the Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire, third era Starters, Torchic is a Fire kind Pokemon who feels fairly balanced at first of the sport.

It does develop into Fire and Fighting kind when evolving into Combusken after which the spectacular Blaziken – which saves Torchic from being additional down the Tier checklist!

Totodile

Though Totodile does properly within the early phases of Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver, it does have some issue within the later Gyms.

Remaining as Water kind solely when evolving into Croconaw after which Feraligatr doesn’t essentially enhance its standing within the Pokemon rankings both, making Totodile an apparent alternative for the center Tier of this Starter Pokemon checklist.

Oshawott

By far the selection of Starter that’ll be hardest to progress with within the early phases of Pokemon Black and Pokemon White, Oshawott isn’t prone to be the primary alternative of many gamers.

Like Totodile, Oshawott’s advanced types – Dewott and Samurott – are each single Water sorts similar to its primary kind.

It does have a saving grace that’s simply appeared on the scene, nevertheless, with the Hisuian Samurott being made accessible in Pokemon Legends: Arceus being Water and Dark kind – which is sort of a good selection for a assist Pokemon.

Scorbunny

A Fire kind Pokemon launched in eighth era titles Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield, Scorbunny does properly nearly instantly, however tends to be much less spectacular as the sport progresses.

Both Raboot and Cinderace – its evolutions – aren’t too dangerous although, with Speed being their strongest factors.

C Tier Pokemon Starters

Litten

Struggling to compete early on actually hurts Litten – which debuted in Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon – within the Tier rankings, however it does redeem itself a bit as soon as it evolves into its closing kind, Incineroar, a Fire and Dark kind Pokemon.

Its first evolution – Torracat, a Fire kind similar to Litten itself – is fairly underwhelming, nevertheless. Which is why Litten finds itself within the C Tier of our Pokemon Starters Tier List!

Chespin

A Grass kind Pokemon launched in Pokemon X and Pokemon Y, Chespin does properly at first of the sport however isn’t notably helpful in its advanced kind, Quilladin, additionally a Grass kind.

However, it does evolve into Chesnaught – a Grass and Fighting kind – which saves Chespin from complete obscurity!

Tepig

Is it too on the nostril to discuss with Tepig as tepid? Unfortunately, this Fire kind Pokemon is precisely that.

The Fire and Fighting kind Pokemon is evolves into – first Pignite, then Emboar – received’t precisely set the world on hearth both.

Which goes to indicate that Tepig is nice for one factor: it’s an amazing supply of puns!

Chikorita

Though some Starter Pokemon do properly within the early going of their video games and others blossom a lot later, Chikorita doesn’t appear to fare properly in any respect all through.

Debuting in Pokemon Gold and Pokemon Silver, this second era Starter is a little bit of a disappointment all spherical – even its advanced types, Bayleef and Meganium, are fairly mediocre.

Only Meganium’s Defense and Sp. Def stats save Chikorita from spiralling down into the D Tier!

Sobble

Another Pokemon who struggles to manage within the opening phases, the perpetually shocked, Water kind Starter Sobble made its first look in Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield.

Sobble’s first advanced kind – Drizzile – isn’t significantly better than its primary kind, however when Drizzile evolves into Inteleon, it does no less than possess respectable Sp. Atk and Speed stats.

Grookey

Rounding out the underwhelming bunch of Starters from era eight’s Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield, Grookey and even its advanced type of Thwackey are fairly underpowered Grass kind Pokemon.

By the time Thwackey evolves into Rillaboom, it does no less than acquire a good Attack stat – saving it from the D Tier – however with it being Grass kind solely, it does depart itself susceptible to Fire, Poison, Bug and Flying kind Pokemon too.

D Tier Pokemon Starters

Pikachu

Well, somebody needed to seem within the D Tier – and that ‘honour’ has gone to what’s very often everybody’s favorite Pokemon: Pikachu.

Debuting within the first era titles Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue as a reasonably unremarkable, commonplace Pokemon to be caught alongside the remainder of the OG 151 monsters, Pikachu’s standing as a Starter was attributable to its recognition within the Pokemon animated collection (it additionally helped that Pikachu was tremendous cute – which is why you’ll additionally discover it on our greatest cute Pokemon checklist!).

With most important character Ash having Pikachu as his fixed companion, Pokemon Trainers have been typically perplexed to search out that they couldn’t select Pikachu from the outset.

So Pokemon Yellow was born – a slight replace to Pokemon Red and Pokemon Blue. Pokemon Yellow allowed gamers to decide on Pikachu as a Starter, together with just a few different minor options that added to the expertise.

Yet Pikachu simply doesn’t minimize it as a Starter Pokemon – and so as to add insult to damage, the Starter model of Pikachu doesn’t even evolve!

Which is why we at Retro Dodo don’t have any alternative however to rank the preferred Pokemon in historical past – who was even performed by Ryan Reynolds in a reside motion Hollywood film – as our absolute worst of the worst on the Pokemon Starters Tier checklist!

If you do want help with taking up the Gyms within the first era video games, you’ll be able to try our useful information to all Kanto Gym Leaders in Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow!

Who is your favorite Pokemon Starter? Join the dialog over on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!