Feature: 7 Reasons For Picking Starter Pokémon, But How Do You Pick Yours?

I voted other.
The whole line is my favorite, most important being the final evolution.

I love the song titles for each point in this piece by the way, lol.

For me, it used to be based on the starter I didn't pick from the previous few titles. So if I went water and grass the last couple of times, then fire would be my next choice.

I've also gone with what I think looks cool.

With all that being said, I think my reasons for originally choosing starters have kind of gone out the window the last few games. I don't really remember most before X and Y. So here is where my last handful of choices stand

Y: Froakie
Alpha Saphire: Torchic
Moon: Rowlett
Ultra Sun: Litten
Let's Go Eevee: Squirtle
Shield: Scorbunny
Brilliant Diamond: Chimchar
PLA: Rowlett

The final evolution rarely ever plays into my decision. Unless it's egregiously bad

I always try and pick the one based on the animal I like best or based on the appearance of their final form.

Whatever has the coolest final evolutions

Element (water) and final evolution are the main determining factors for me. Yes, I'm a coward, but X/Y taught me to be careful — I didn't want Froakie until I saw the final evos for chespin and fennekin.

Tradition. Water, water, water!

I go with whatever starter has the coolest final form-though I’d say the most common for me is the fire starter.

As such, I haven’t made my decision yet.

I gave up on picking grass type since Gen 1 after getting burned by Grookey in Gen 8.

I usually pick the green one, but I have to decide based on the evolutions

I pick the one I like most, simple. At least on a first playthrough.

Though I almost always ditch them pretty quick, I've played so many Pokemon games I've grown very bored of starters.

7 reasons for picking starter pokemon.

1) It's a requirement of the game in order to continue.
2-7) See point 1.

It's a toughy decision between the fire and water type, mainly because water types are hard to get early game but also a fire type is great to start with as there's a lot of bug and grass types to fight at frist and almost all games first large area is a forest

Box the starter once something better comes along, I'm not here to make friends

Final design, modern starters change completely once they evolve, and bear no resemblance to the Pokémon you once liked.

It's simple, there is only one choice and it's Quaxly

I always avoid spoilers on the evolutions and only choose based on the first form. ( Aside from gen 1 which featured them on the box art )

I tend to have a Water type leaning which I started to notice after picking Piplup in Pearl.

Red: Charmander
Silver: Totodile/Cyndaquil ( multiple play-throughs )
Ruby: Mudkip
Pearl: Piplup
White: Snivy
White 2: Tepig
Y: Froakie
Sun: Popplio
Sword: Sobble
Legends: Rowlet
Violet: Quaxly

I feel like it’s a mix of decisions. I want the adorable starter with the cool moves and I want it’s final Evo to look cool. I’ve always been between grass and water starters but recently with shield and SV I like the fire starter which is a big change from tradition for me.

Either they look the cutest to me or their evolution forms do (which is how I went for Popplio instead of the initially considered Litten). Boring answer, I know.

I choose based on what the final evolution is. How it looks and what it's final typing is

I always go for the pokemon with that will have the highest speed stat in its final form.

I usually pick water types, but I did pick Cyndaquil in gen 2. Currently, I'm wanting to believe in Quaxly, but I'm guessing I'm really gonna hate his evolved forms, like I did with Sobble. So I'm glancing real hard and Fuecoco

So I have a pattern. Gen 1 I went Squirtle, then from Gen 2-8 I've alternated water and grass starters: Totodile, Treecko, Piplup, Snivy, Froakie, Rowlett, Sobble (I haven't played all the games but these are the ones I chose/would have chosen). However, Gen 9 might just be the first time a break the pattern and I probably would pick the fire starter Fuecoco.

I pick the cutest and make sure their evolutions are visually nice too.

I always pick water starters because for me they seem to be strongest in just about every game

I always go with fire because it's a guarantee for a diverse party that will include a fire type. I know I am going to run into grass types and water types early. I know I will probably run into fire types down the road, there will just be relatively less opportunities.

It's KIND of number 2, but I go for whichever Pokemon has the goofiest look/stupidest name. I have never been more instantly in love with a starter as I am with Quaxly.

The Stalin Soviet USSR DUCK is the only option.

I just pick the one with the design that appeals to my personal preferences.

I tend to not use starters anymore and rather go for a team of new mons or regional forms and in case of a replay or remake go for a team I’ve never used before, preferably stuff I don’t like so I grow to appreciate the mons.

But I pick my starter usually based on the cutest base stage. Once I get to the daycare I breed and trade them with friends right away anyway.

Generally I go for fire but it really depends on which starter I like the design of best

Is duck —> I pick duck.

I started many years ago with Charmander and will be a Firestarter (twisted Firestarter) until the day I die.

I just look them up on the bulbapedia and go with whatever I like the most as I check out the evolutions.

I love the 80’s song titles on this list. This is what makes Nintendolife so fun to read: all the neat little personal touches you don’t see on other gaming news sites.

I love rooting for the underdog, so I usually go with grass types for my team haha. That being said, I sometimes swap out my starters after a certain point in the game. I like having a lot of variety in my team, and it’s more fun to me to experiment with different mons than using the same ones for the entire adventure.

I almost exclusively pick the Water-type starters, but I just realized that it might just be out of an obsession for Popplio, the first starter I picked.

I play with starters until I transfer/catch Mudbray, than it stays in box forever.

I just pick based on what looks best and most unique to me. I wish Ducklett didn't exist because I like Quaxley a lot more and Ducklett is a dumb and generic design. I hope they will retcon and delete some of these in the future.

Whatever pokemons final evo that doesn’t walk on two legs lol.

I always picked water starters, they just to me, have the most consistent designs compared to the other types with a few exceptions (inteleon is awful and samurott is just alright).

I first picked Charmander because I liked Charizard more than the other two. Then Totodile for the exact same reason. Before Gen 3 was even a thing, I suspected the same would happen with the grass starter, and it did. Then came Gen 4 and I liked all starters, so I picked Chimchar since I spent the longest without picking a fire starter. And from this point on, I kept with the fire > water > grass sequence, only slightly regretting my decision on rare occasions. Looking forward to starting with Sprigatito in Gen 9.

But, if Pokemoin is such an easy game....I never understood the difference in choosing between any of the 3 starters. I borrowed Pokemon Sword, and picked anyone. I had NEVER played Pokemon before...so I chose any of the 3 without criteria, but the game was so easy, so easy, that I hit any hit randomly. That is, any of the 3, in practice, had no difference. There came a time when I didn't even look at the switch screen in a battle, I pressed anything and won. I found it very annoying.

Can anyone tell me what Pokemon is good at?

I prefer to wait until the final evolutions are revealed. I'm still leaning more towards Fuecoco, though.

@Troll_Decimator I don't see how Ducklett's design is "dumb". Besides, I doubt they're going to retcon or "delete" any of the designs, regardless of what we think of them.

Casual playthrough: Whichever one I like best? There's no deeper system to it. I picked Froakie because frog. Rowlet because borb. Sobble because lizard. And I'm picking Fuecoco because he's a big doofus.

Nuzlocke: Random choice based on Trainer ID. I look at the last digit. 1-3, Grass. 4-6, Fire. 7-9, Water. 0, look at the next digit over.

@Snatcher Generations 6 and 8 must have been rough

Mostly I picked Water elemental starters.

@mr-duster Because it's just a blue duck. One of the most uninspired designs of any generation. Plus, we already had an awesome duck Pokemon from the first generation, Psyduck, who is not generic.

I usually buy both games, so I pick two starters. And that is purely on personal preference.

@Troll_Decimator Psyduck isn't even the most awesome duck in the first generation.

@sanderev I disagree, Psyduck is the most awesome duck that ever was.

Gotta be based on the final form (got burned by bulbasaur on that) , though first form isn’t a non-factor either.

Cyndaquil and Treecko are my favorites so far. I’m digging the crocodile this time! Never went with water except the penguin..

I base it off of the last Pokemon I started with. In Shield it was Grookey. This time around I'm going with Quaxly. I've never started with a water-type and I have a thing for ducks.

Other whatever the final evolution looks like

I always pick the water starter. No reason needed

I don't really have much of a "method" for picking. Other than Litten, I usually go for a water or grass type, depending on which I like the look of most.

How do I pick a starter? That's easy, I pick whichever is Bulbasaur.

@Troll_Decimator That doesn't make it "dumb". Being "just a blue duck" doesn't make something dumb. Generic isn't synonymous with bad.

The reason is simple....The fire starters are always the most bada$$ so i always pick water or grass out of support

I'd like to say I look at them and then I do a lot of in depth analysis and research about their types, moves, and stats.

But no, I just look at the final evolutions and pick the one that looks the coolest.

Shame there isn’t a which one looks the best option. Best isn’t always fluffy lol

I pick the starter whose first stage I simply like the most (Litten, Scorbunny, Quaxly). I avoid spoilers for final evolutions and secondary types, so it's often a surprise for me ... I mostly end up with fire or water types, anyway.

For a while now my pick has been the opposite of #2: I take the one that becomes a big, tough monster. Now I started with Squirtle because I like turtles, but the fact that it becomes a tank really makes me love him. So this time I am thinking of going against my usual Water to get Fuecoco. In Sword I went with Rilaboom.

@deafdood Always water

Whichever one has the best stats. But i have no hesitation about getting rid of it if something better comes along.

I usually pick based on a mix of what the first stage and final stage is like, mostly the final stage. Whichever design I like most.

I don't have any loyalty to a type, although so far I've picked water 4 times and grass/fire 2 times each. (I'll probably be going with Fuecoco or Quaxly this time around, leaning towards Fuecoco)

I always start with the grass. They never let me down. Once I get Leafeon though, I retire that Pokémon into the pc.

Which ever one has the best final evolution design

i honestly went with what calls out to me and every time, and when I do that, my team is amazing imo (except my sinnoh team)...

ReD: Charmander
GolD: Cyndaquil
Sapphire: Torchic
FireReD: Squirtle
DiamonD: Turtwig
Platinum: Turtwig
HeartGold: Totodile
Black: Tepig
Black 2: Snivy
X: Fennekin
Sun: Popplio
UltraSun: Litten
Sword: Scrobunny
B.Diamond: Turtwig
PLA: Cyndaquil
Violet: Fuecoco

Yeah...I pick the Grass type, get my other version, and trade the other two starters over to myself.

Water types, baybeeeee! Also, ducks rule. So I guess, 1 and 2 for me?

My first Pokemon was Yellow, and trying to beat Brock with Pikachu was a nightmare. I was young and stupid and didn't know better to raise a Butterfree. Yeah i beat Onyx with high level Pikachu in the end

A mix of several of those. Sometimes I'm not happy with my choices, but that's kind of a rare thing. I love the song titles, and I see you have good taste in music.

How do you not choose the Fire Crocodile?

I pick based off appearance of final evolution

I always pick the Water starter, and I always have. Water is just a solid type, and it's great to have in the early game and beyond.

My first choice is based on aesthetics, but I wish there was more of an ability to collect all three starters over the course of the game. Some generations I love all three starters, and would enjoy to catch/collect all of them!

Usually just which element fits me best and/or what their final evolution looks like.
Example of the latter, I love Rowlett but hate how ugly decidueye looks in PLA so I went with Cyndaquill instead.

I seem to alternate between the Fire and Water types. Am not a fan of grass types although my very first starter was Bulbasaur from Pokemon Blue all those years ago.

I always chose the grass starter, my older brother always chose the water starter, and my younger brother always chose the fire starter. It's tradition and I'm traditional.

I pick water no matter the game or generation. Even if I dont like the starter, its evos or even its end typing. I still pick water. I'm not into fire or grass types at all so its a no-brainer for me.

i go with which one i like the most from first impressions

in the case of Scarlet/Violet, it is Fuecoco

@mr-duster It is in my book. It's a dumb blue duckling called Ducklett.

Simple: Whichever starter has the most built in weapons. Swords, turrets, hanguns, water shurikens, whatever. The more deadly weapons, the better

I just pick on a whim. I'm always conflicted about checking the final evolutions, but usually decide I'd rather be surprised.

Water: 1, 2, 8
Fire: 3-6, 9
Grass: 7

Other:

I've always found it the hardest to supplement my teams with a fire Pokemon I like which is why I often just picked the fire starter. Luckily they're usually quite good!

i go with the coolest final evolution

I plan to pick Sprigatito granted they don't make the final stages bipedal- (please just let the cat walk on four legs)

My first-ever starter was Charmander. Ever since, I always went with a Fire-type starter. But the Grass-type starter for the new generation looks so adorable compared to the other starters, I may go for the Grass-type starter this time around.

Seriously, the Fire-type starter looks like a cross between an apple and Barney the Dinosaur, with a bit of old-school Disney thrown in, and the Water-type starter looks like a cross between Donald Duck and Sgt. Byrd from Spyro. The Grass-type starter is about the only normal-looking starter out of the three.

@Troll_Decimator There is no "in my book". A design you don't like doesn't equate to intelligence. Period.

@moodycat same .. usually fire type or water depending on how badsss they end up being or how they look..first time i can remember in awhile..if ever im gonna pick grass.. because of that kitty cat over the elvis duck and the reskin mini totocrocodile

@Primarina i liked my scorbunny

Almost always fire or water type unless they look stupid or evolve stupid then grass type... In this case the kitty rules all.. the pompodour bird is okay too but wins over all for best name

I like to pick one based on my astrological sign a Aries a fire 🔥 sign
So I usually pick a fire starter 😁

Always look at the final forms ad pick which one is the coolest...why is this not an option? I know it's anecdotal but most people I know do this with only a couple always picking a specific type.

Other:
The one I like the evolutions of

I voted "Other" because different factors come into play. Design, type, the evolution line etc.

@Half-ShellHero So you’re like the Avatar cycle? Must cycle types.

I almost always pick water because I just like the water pokemon and there's a certain bit of nostalgia being that I started playing pokemon with Blue and picked Squirtle. Unless of course I don't like the final evolution, in which case I'll pick something else. Such was the situation with Oshawott. Samurott looks ridiculous compared to Oshawott and Dewott. Hopefully the same doesn't happen to Quaxly.

Always fire.. blaze right through all the beginning grass-type battles and level up my party faster 😎

The only reason to pick your starter is to progress the story. And I mostly go for the fire type starters but in d&p I choose to go with turtwig or in r&s I'll go with mudkip

Very simple: I see "Duck with Hat" I pick "Duck with Hat."

Usually I pick the most reptilian of the trio.

I always pick the Firestarter, twisted firestarter

I pick the one whose evolutionary line as a whole I like the best. So, for me it's too early to tell.

For me it's a combination of the cuteness factor of the base form and the coolness of the final form (which is why I won't settle on a choice for Gen 9 until those evolutionary lines are revealed). I do seem to lean towards fire and grass, though, so unless they turn into weird bipedal fighting-hybrids, I'm probably going to go with Sprigatito or Fuecoco.

I voted other. Fire is my 2nd favorite type (1st being Dragon). So when I plan on using a starter Pokemon I always choose the Fire type.

I worded it like that because the downside to always choosing fire is that it's pointless in having 2 fire types and sometimes I want a certain fire type Pokemon in my party.

So some playthroughs I'll pick one of the other starters and as soon as I catch a Pokemon that I want to use I box the starter Pokemon and leave it there

Nothing will ever beat the Johto starters. Simple, but effective designs, with each offering very different gameplay experiences from the beginning.

Cyndaquil is fun for a speedy, powerful playthrough.
Chikorita is fun for a more tactical approach.
Totodile is more balanced and comes with early advantages and challenges.

my method is picking the one that will not die so I can power up the dudes I actually want to use then throwing the starter in the garbage. Best example is Piplup. That thing flattens early game then either gets trash canned or become the HM Mule. but in BDSP he got trash canned since HMs are gone. still rolled early game though.

I just pick last. My son always has his heart set on one, so he gets that. Then my friend picks his, usually different than my son's but not always. If they are the same, then I check with my nephew, and I take what ever is last. Not that I don't have a preference, but this way we can all get an egg pretty easily and have all the starters