20 Most Competitively Viable Starter Pokemon

Highlights

• Starters can hold their own in competitive play with the right stats, typing, and move pool to succeed.
• Some starter Pokemon excel in certain areas like offense or defense, making them valuable team members.
• New evolutions and abilities can elevate starter Pokemon to top-tier status in competitive battles.

While every Pokemon fan has their own favorite Pokemon, few are as popular as starters. The first Pokemon that players have access to, starters grow alongside players on their journeys, always possessing three evolutionary forms. While it’s not too common for starter Pokemon to be blatantly bad, it’s no secret that some are more useful than others.

Having a starter Pokemon on a player’s team can often be a sentimental thing – being able to make it to the very top with the first Pokemon received is no easy feat. Though some starters may have glaring weaknesses, others may have the right stats, typing, and move pool to validate the inclusion on a competitive player’s team.

Updated June 15, 2024 by Blaise Santi: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet has been out for well over a year now, giving players plenty of time to experiment with the new trio of starter evolutions: Meowscarada, Skeledirge, and Quaquaval. However, the games have also received two DLC expansions: The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk, with the latter re-introducing every starter Pokemon from the series by making them available to catch in the wild of Blueberry Academy’s Terrarium. With every starter Pokemon from the franchise available to obtain in Gen 9, here’s an updated list of the starter evolutions with the most competitive viability, ranked in order.

1 Emboar

The Mega-Powerful Mega Fire Pig

A Fire/Fighting starter that made its debut in Pokemon Black and White as the fully-evolved form of Tepig, Emboar is designed to deal as much damage as possible, even at the expense of its own HP. It boasts a notably high attack stat and the Reckless ability, which boosts the damage of its attacks with recoil damage.

With this ability, Emboar makes great use of moves such as Flare Blitz and Wild Charge. Players using this Pokemon must bear its low speed in mind, to make sure that it can even connect with its high damage output and set up a potential sweep.

2 Decidueye

There’s No Running From This Sniper

The final evolution of Pokemon Sun & Moon‘s Rowlet, Decidueye doesn’t look like much when only considering its stats. It doesn’t stand out in any particular area, with all-rounder stats that peak in Attack. But Decidueye’s real potential lies in its signature move!

Spirit Shackle is an exclusive move that stops the opponent from switching out when Decidueye is on the field. This makes it a great counter for switch-heavy opponents that utilize a defensive loop. It’s best for double battles and paired with a high Attack Pokemon or a stat-boosting Pokemon to fully utilize its higher Attack.

3 Sceptile

Its Mega Evolution Overpowers Even Its Weaknesses

While the default form of Sceptile leaves much to be desired, Mega Sceptile is a phenomenal Pokemon with access to the rare Grass/Dragon typing. This covers for some of its weaknesses and gives it an extra edge in battle.

With its stellar speed and special attack stats of 145, Mega Sceptile is capable of dealing absurd sums of damage and benefiting from STAB with moves like Dragon Pulse and Leaf Storm. It should be paired with a competitive moveset that complements its high Special Attack, making use of moves like Leaf Storm, Energy Ball, and Giga Drain.

4 Infernape

A Fire-Type With The Power Of The Sun

Another Gen 4 starter, Infernape is one of the many Fire/Fighting starters that the series has seen. Due to its high offensive stats and speed, Infernape is capable of serving as a mixed attacker, using both physical and special moves. This can allow a player to adapt flexibly on the fly and use attacks based on a foe’s weaknesses.

Infernape is even capable of learning both Swords Dance and Nasty Plot, allowing it to augment its already good offenses. As if this weren’t all impressive enough, Infernape’s great move pool allows it to cover a large range of weaknesses.

5 Venusaur

#3 Can Still Be #1

One of the original three starters from Gen 1, few Grass-types are as iconic as Venusaur. This Grass/Poison-type Pokemon has solid Special Attack and Special Defense. However, the main appeal to using Venusaur is its access to the Chlorophyll ability, which doubles its speed in the weather condition of sun.

As Venusaur already has a base speed of 80, the ability allows it to access an absurd 160 speed stat. Players can also raise its attack with Growth, dealing absurd damage at high speeds with Solar Beam. Solar Beam also does STAB damage, making this Pokemon a fantastic all-rounder for competitive play.

6 Feraligatr

This Gen 2 Starter Shouldn’t Be Forgotten

Feraligatr is the epitome of a Pokemon that is simple yet effective. An attack-focused Water-type, Feraligatr has access to the Sheer Force ability, improving the damage of all of its moves at the expense of removing all of their secondary effects.

This means that when using a Feraligatr, the objective is quite simple: deal as much physical damage as possible. When paired with Dragon Dance, which raises its user’s attack and speed stats, Feraligater can snowball into a terrifying Sweeper against one’s opponents.

7 Torterra

This Pokemon Moves Earth For Its Trainer

Before evolving into the Grass/Ground-type Pokemon Torterra, players obtain the Grass-type starter Turtwig in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. While Torterra’s most glaring downside is its severe 4x weakness to Ice-type moves, it’s an otherwise bulky Pokemon with an interesting move pool, allowing it to fill unique niches in a player’s team.

With access to physical offensive moves like Earthquake and Woodhammer as well as Stealth Rock and even Synthesis, Torterra is a sturdy but slow physical attacker.

8 Swampert

Mudkip’s Final Stage Gets Beefed Up

First appearing in Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire, Swampert is the final evolution of Mudkip. Between solid bulk, a defensive Water/Ground typing, and a high attack stat, Swampert totes both offensive and defensive viability.

Plus, in previous generations it’s had access to a Mega Evolution, buffing its Attack stat, its defensive stats, and adding Swift Swim as an Ability. This makes Swampert absolutely incredible the rain, delivering devastating Earthquakes and Waterfalls before an opponent can counterattack.

9 Empoleon

This Emperor Has No Foes

An incredibly defensive starter that debuted in Gen 4, Empoleon’s distinct Water/Steel typing can make it difficult to deal with. Paired with solid defenses, Empoleon can be rather tricky for an unprepared player to KO. While somewhat slow, Empoleon has otherwise solid stats with high defense. This allows it to shrug off an opponent’s offense while utilizing a plethora of support moves such as Toxic, Stealth Rock, and even Roar.

Between defensive typing and defensive stats, Empoleon is able to sustain several hits as it sets up various hazards for an opponent’s team. It is even quite adept at stalling due to its access to defensive moves like Protect that help it stay around longer. When paired with a Leftovers, Empoleon can be a huge nuisance for opponents to deal with.

10 Chesnaught

The Grass-type starter of the sixth generation of Pokemon, Chestnaught is a solid, physically oriented Pokemon that boasts Fighting as its secondary type. While not the fastest Pokémon around, it is capable of taking many physical blows, as well as dishing them out with moves such as Wood Hammer and Drain Punch.

Chesnaught can notably learn Spikes. This pairs well with its bulk, allowing it to lay down a hazard without getting KO’d instantaneously if a player happens to be prioritizing support over offense.

11 Skeledirge

It Takes Down Enemies With Music

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet‘s Fire-type starter Fuecoco evolves into the intimidating Skeledirge, a Fire/Ghost-type that excels in Special Attack. As a result, Skeledirge works best with a moveset and item that accentuates this high stat.

Luckily, its signature move, Torch Song, boosts Special Attack, as well as inflicts STAB damage. This makes Skeledirge a powerful opponent, especially when paired with the hidden ability Unaware, which allows the Pokemon to ignore any stat-changing moves.

12 Incineroar

It Even Took Its Strength To Super Smash Bros.

Incineroar is a flexible Fire/Dark type starter that has access to the ever-useful Intimidate ability. Its surprisingly deep move pool allows it to make great use of its high attack. Additionally, like all Fire-type starter Pokemon, it has access to the ability Blaze, which increases the attack power of any Fire-type move by 50% if the Pokemon is at lower than half of its maximum HP.

Gaining STAB (same type attack bonus) from Knock Off and Flare Blitz, Incineroar can cover additional bases with access to great moves like Earthquake. This allows it to reliably deal with a variety of types an opponent may be utilizing.

13 Greninja

Ash Ketchum’s Strongest Companion Exceled In The Games, Too

Greninja is the Water starter of Gen 6 and is one of the most blisteringly fast starters in the entire series. As a Water/Dark type, this Pokemon has access to interesting offensive options and can cover a solid amount of weaknesses.

While Greninja’s speed and offensive capabilities are already quite good, its stellar alternate form, the “Ash Greninja” form provides it with absolutely incredible offensive stats and speed that is difficult to match. Sadly, “Ash Greninja” is unobtainable in Gen IX, but as far as water starters go, it’s hard to compete with the incredible attack and speed combination that comes with Greninja.

14 Blaziken

Players Still Get A Kick Out Of Using It

Few starter Pokemon have come close to reaching the heights of Blaziken in the history of the competitive meta. This powerhouse was once one of the most dangerous starter Pokemon in the entire series. Blaziken is a stellar, mixed attacker with many elements working in its favor.

Having access to the phenomenal Speed Boost ability and high physical and special attack stats, Blaziken is pushed even further over the edge by having an incredible mega evolution. When used in conjunction with Swords Dance, Blaziken has the potential to sweep an unsuspecting opponent’s team. While an already powerful Pokemon in its own right, Blaziken’s potency becomes absurd when paired with the Pokemon’s Mega Stone.

15 Primarina

It Also Might Best Skeledirge In A Singing Contest

Primarina is the Water-type starter of Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon and currently has the distinction of being the only Fairy-type starter Pokemon. Characterized by high special attack and special defense, Primarina can break through physical defenses with ease, using powerful Water and Fairy-type special attacks.

With access to moves such as Hydro Pump, Moon Blast, and even moves like Blizzard, Energy Ball, and Psychic, Primarina is capable of covering numerous types of weaknesses as an offense-based special attacker.

16 Serperior

Battling It Might Just Be A Wrap

The serpentine Serperior is unquestionably the most useful starter from the fifth generation. A mono-type grass starter, Serperior is a fast Pokemon that has access to the stellar Contrary ability that causes stat gains and nerfs to be reversed.

For example, while the powerful move Leaf Storm normally causes a Pokemon’s offense to get worse the more it’s used, Serperior uses this move to become even more deadly. As an already fast attacker, Serpior is a deadly sweeper to be on the lookout for.

17 Cinderace

The Blazing Champion Of Gen 8

Cinderace is the Fire-type starter of Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield. Cinderace is a notably quick and potent offensive Pokemon that has access to an incredibly unique move in the form of Pyro Ball, which has a base power of 120.

Additionally, Cinderace’s access to the Libero ability allows it to consistently deal extra STAB damage to opponents. As far as the meta of Sword and Shield is concerned, Cinderace is a stellar choice for those looking to use a fire-type in their team. Now that players have access to Cinderace for competitive play in Scarlet & Violet, the Pokemon is seeing a lot of use in ranked battles thanks to its OP hidden ability.

18 Meowscarada

This Pokemon’s Viability Is Magical

With Meowscarada, every starter Pokemon type has had a Grass/Dark final evolution. The final evolution of Sprigatito, Meowscarada has made waves in the competitive scene thanks to its Hidden Ability Protean, which it shares with Greninja’s evolutionary line, and allows it to adapt to the type of the move it’s about to use, giving it STAB even on non-Grass or Dark-type moves.

If having Protean wasn’t enough to make Meowscarada a favored choice of competitive players, it also boasts incredible Attack and Speed to make it a decent physical sweeper. With access to moves like Knock Off and the unique Flower Trick, which is guaranteed to critical hit, this enchanting Pokemon is an obvious choice for any team.

19 Samurott

An Ancient Form Of Samurott Is A Major Improvement

Samurott was originally introduced in Pokemon Black & White as the fully evolved form of Oshawott. However, it’s never been the most impressive ‘mon in the competitive meta, as it’s only mono Water-typed, has sub-par Speed, and a limited movepool. However, Pokemon Legends: Arceus gave Samurott a new form that boosted it to the OU tier.

Hisuian Samurott boasts Water/Dark-typing, with slightly different stats that boost its physical Attack and Speed stats at the cost of some HP and Special Defense. However, Hisuian Samurott also boasts incredible moves, such as the unique Dark-type move Ceaseless Edge, as well as the ability Sharpness which powers up cutting moves.

20 Rillaboom

The Best Starter Evolution Rocks The Competitive Scene

Another Gen 8 starter, Rillaboom is the most useful grass-type starter Pokemon in the entire series. An immensely powerful offensive Grass-type, Rillaboom’s Grassy Surge ability allows it to create Grassy Terrain, which pairs well with its access to the move Grassy Glide.

Not only does the Grassy Terrain improve Rillaboom’s strength, but also gives it priority in the manner of Quick Attack. This allows Rillaboom to potentially obliterate unsuspecting foes before they can even respond, functioning as a high-powered grass-type sweeper.