Pokémon Starter Evolutions Unveiled for All Generations

The Pokémon franchise boasts a rich history of starter Pokémon, with each generation introducing a new trio: Grass, Fire, and Water types. This comprehensive guide explores all 27 starter lines across nine generations.

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Gen 1 Gen 2 Gen 3 Gen 4 Gen 5 Gen 6 Gen 7 Gen 8 Gen 9 Note: Final evolutions marked (*) are capable of Mega Evolution in Generations VI and VII.

All Starter Pokémon by Generation

Generation I Starters

The original Kanto region starters – Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle – debuted in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow. These iconic Pokémon have reappeared in remakes like FireRed and LeafGreen, Let's Go! Pikachu and Eevee, HeartGold and SoulSilver, and X and Y.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Bulbasaur	Grass/Poison	Ivysaur (Level 16) Venusaur* (Level 32)
Charmander	Fire	Charmeleon (Level 16) Charizard* (Level 36)
Squirtle	Water	Wartortle (Level 16) Blastoise* (Level 36)

Generation II Starters

Johto's Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile first appeared in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, and later in their remakes, HeartGold and SoulSilver. They've also been accessible in subsequent games, such as via the QR Scanner in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Cyndaquil is also a starter in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Chikorita	Grass	Bayleef (Level 16) Meganium (Level 32)
Cyndaquil	Fire	Quilava (Level 14) Typhlosion (Level 36)
Totodile	Water	Croconaw (Level 18) Feraligatr (Level 30)

Note: Cyndaquil's evolution to Quilava occurs at level 14 in all mainline games except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Generation VIII for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation III Starters

Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, the Hoenn starters from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, returned in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. They've also been featured in various other games and DLC.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Treecko	Grass	Grovyle (Level 16) Sceptile* (Level 36)
Torchic	Fire	Combusken (Level 16) Blaziken* (Level 36)
Mudkip	Water	Marshtomp (Level 16) Swampert* (Level 36)

Generation IV Starters

Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup from Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum reappeared in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. While absent as starters in Legends: Arceus, they are catchable in that game, along with other mainline titles and DLC.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Turtwig	Grass	Grotle (Level 18) Torterra (Level 32)
Chimchar	Fire	Monferno (Level 14) Infernape (Level 36)
Piplup	Water	Prinplup (Level 16) Empoleon (Level 36)

Generation V Starters

Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, the Unova starters from Pokémon Black and White and their sequels, are available in several other mainline titles and DLC. Oshawott is also a starter in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Snivy	Grass	Servine (Level 17) Serperior (Level 36)
Tepig	Fire	Pignite (Level 17) Emboar (Level 36)
Oshawott	Water	Dewott (Level 17) Samurott (Level 36)

Generation VI Starters

Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie, the Kalos starters from Pokémon X and Y, are featured in the Pokémon the Series: XY anime. Greninja, Froakie's final evolution, even received a special Ash-Greninja form. The Kalos trio is widely available in other games and DLC.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Chespin	Grass	Quilladin (Level 16) Chesnaught (Level 36)
Fennekin	Fire	Braixen (Level 16) Delphox (Level 36)
Froakie	Water	Frogadier (Level 16) Greninja (Level 36)

Generation VII Starters

Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio debuted in Pokémon Sun and Moon, returning in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. They've also appeared in DLC for later games. Rowlet is also a starter in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Rowlet	Grass/Flying	Dartrix (Level 17) Decidueye (Level 34)
Litten	Fire	Torracat (Level 17) Incineroar (Level 34)
Popplio	Water	Brionne (Level 17) Primarina (Level 34)

Note: Dartrix evolves into Decidueye at level 34 in all mainline games except Pokémon Legends: Arceus. See Generation VIII for Legends: Arceus evolution details.

Generation VIII Starters

Generation VIII marked a shift with Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Sword and Shield introduced Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble, while Legends: Arceus featured past starters with regional variants. The Galar starters are also in the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for Scarlet and Violet.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Grookey	Grass	Thwackey (Level 16) Rillaboom (Level 35)
Scorbunny	Fire	Raboot (Level 16) Cinderace (Level 35)
Sobble	Water	Drizzile (Level 17) Inteleon (Level 35)

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Pokémon Legends: Arceus featured Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott with unique Hisuian regional forms. Evolution levels differ slightly from previous games. The original Sinnoh starters are also available.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Rowlet	Grass/Flying	Dartrix (Level 17) Hisuian Decidueye (Level 36)
Cyndaquil	Fire	Quilava (Level 17) Hisuian Typhlosion (Level 36)
Oshawott	Water	Dewott (Level 17) Hisuian Samurott (Level 36)

Generation IX Starters

Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly are the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet starters. While trading is needed to obtain all three, past starters are available in the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC.

Starter Pokémon	Type	Evolutions
Sprigatito	Grass	Floragato (Level 16) Meowscarada (Level 36)
Fuecoco	Fire	Crocalor (Level 16) Skeledirge (Level 36)
Quaxly	Water	Quaxwell (Level 16) Quaquaval (Level 36)

With the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Pokémon Legends: Z-A in development, the Pokémon journey continues. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC are currently available.