A first partner Pokémon, also historically and informally referred to as a Starter Pokémon, is the first Pokémon selected by a Trainer when starting their Pokémon journey. These particular Pokémon serve to make the player battle the first wild Pokémon they encounter. However, the species of the first partner Pokémon in all Pokémon games are unique and are usually meant to form a bond with the player character, so they have an essential role.
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Description[]
The Partner Eevee in Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!, a First partner Pokémon that establishes on friendship by the player
Despite in terms of gameplay first partner Pokémon may be retired as soon as any wild Pokémon are caught, many Trainers prefer to have such a Pokémon on their team because they have established a type of friendship with it, or because they believe that it is the best Pokémon for their adventure. Therefore, skillful Trainers, including Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, and even Pokémon Champions may continue to use their partner Pokémon and are often the most powerful in their teams. In certain appearances, a first partner Pokémon can also be a player's Partner Pokémon, which follows its Trainer around outside of its Poké Ball, something that Ash's Pikachu is well known for in Pokémon the Series. Most games within the core series have a set of three first partner Pokémon for a Trainer to choose from.
In several cases, the player chooses one of three first partner Pokémon from the regional Pokémon Professor directly. However, some trainers mention that their first Pokémon was either inherited, given as a gift, became a pet of theirs, or had been captured by them as a wild Pokémon.
The rival's first partner Pokémon typically has a type advantage over the player's. This applies to Blue (in Pocket Monsters Red and Pocket Monsters Green, Pocket Monsters Blue, and Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version), Silver, Brendan, May, Barry, Cheren (in Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version), Hugh (in Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2), Calem and Serena choose the first partner Pokémon that has the type advantage over the first partner Pokémon selected by the player character, while Lucas, Dawn, Bianca, Shauna, Hau and Hop choose the first partner Pokémon that has the type disadvantage.
A species of first partner Pokémon almost never appears in the wild, namely a species chosen by the player and their rival.
Even though a first partner Pokémon has a vital role of assisting the player during wild Pokémon encounters, there have been a few cases of a human facing a wild Pokémon alone, such as Professor Oak against Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow Special Pikachu Edition.
In the core series, a first partner Pokémon always starts at level 5. It has two moves: a Normal-type physical move (Tackle, Scratch, or Pound in particular) and a status move. Starting with Generation VI, a first partner Pokémon also knows a third move of its type. A first partner Pokémon has two evolved forms (except for Pikachu and Eevee).
All of the first partner Pokémon in the core series have a gender ratio of 7 male to 1 female, with the exception of Pikachu. This gender ratio was chosen by the developers to make first partner Pokémon more difficult to obtain.
Types[]
In most games of the core series, there are three first partner Pokémon, and the types that constitute each set are Grass, Water, and Fire. In these games prior to Generation VII, the rival chooses the Pokémon with a type advantage over the player's.
For some first partner Pokémon, they receive an additional secondary type upon evolving. This is not the case for any of the first partner Pokémon of Johto and Galar. However, Bulbasaur and Rowlet are currently the only first partner Pokémon that are dual type in their basic forms. Aside from having Grass as their primary type, Bulbasaur has Poison as it secondary type while Rowlet has for a secondary type. However, Rowlet's secondary type becomes Ghost when it evolves into Decidueye, or a Fighting type if Hisuian. Typhlosion and Cinderace are currently the only final Evolutions of a Fire-type first partner Pokémon to not be dual type.
Every first partner Pokémon has a similar color scheme. The Grass-type first partner Pokémon are mostly green or brown, the Fire-type first partner Pokémon are warm colors, and the Water-type first partner Pokémon are blue.
Pikachu and Eevee are the only first partner Pokémon in the core series that are not one of the aforementioned types (they are Electric and Normal, respectively). Coincidentally, they have one weakness (Ground and Fighting) respectively.
Every second and third evolutions of the Fire-type first partner Pokémon from Generation III to V have the Fighting type as their secondary type. They are also the only Fire- and Fighting-type first partner Pokémon.
All final evolutions of first partner Pokémon (excluding Pikachu and Eevee) can learn the ultimate attacks by Move Tutor upon reaching maximum happiness. Grass-type first partner Pokémon can learn the ultimate Grass-type attack Frenzy Plant, Water-type first partner Pokémon can learn the ultimate Water-type attack Hydro Cannon, and Fire-type first partner Pokémon can learn the ultimate Fire-type attack Blast Burn. First partner Pokémon can also learn the Pledge moves that are exclusive to them: Grass-type first partner Pokémon can learn Grass Pledge, Fire-type first partner Pokémon can learn Fire Pledge, and Water-type first partner Pokémon can learn Water Pledge.
Hisui's and Paldea's first partner Pokémon gain the same secondary types final evolutions. Hisuian Decidueye and Quaquaval both gain the Fighting type, Hisuian Typhlosion and Skeledirge both gain the Ghost type, and Hisuian Samurott and Meowscarada both gain the Dark type.
Sceptile gains Dragon as a secondary type upon Mega Evolving, making it the only Mega-Evolved first partner Pokémon to become a dual type.
Species[]
As with Pokémon in general, first partner Pokémon can be based on a variety of real-life species. However, first partner Pokémon in particular are nearly always based on some type of animal, and certain types are shown to take inspiration from certain types more often than others.
There is one avian first partner Pokémon for each type, each introduced in different generations. Torchic was introduced in Generation III, Piplup was introduced in Generation IV and Rowlet was introduced in Generation VII. They represent a chicken, a penguin and an owl, respectively.
All Grass-type first partner Pokémon from Generation II to Generation VI are reptilian. The heaviest first partner Pokémon is Turtwig and the lightest is Rowlet, and both are consequently Grass-type Pokémon.
Abilities[]
First partner Pokémon have unique special Abilities. The Grass-type first partner Pokémon possess the Ability Overgrow, all Fire-type first partner Pokémon possess the Ability Blaze, and all Water-type first partner Pokémon possess the Ability Torrent. Overgrow, Blaze, and Torrent function identically, except with different types.
Pansage and Simisage have Overgrow as their Hidden Ability, Pansear and Simisear have Blaze as their Hidden Ability, and Panpour and Simipour have Torrent as their Hidden Ability. Gluttony is their main Ability. All three Pokémon and their evolutionary lines are similar to first partner Pokémon and are given in a similar manner.
Naming[]
Despite popular belief, the official name was always First Partner from the start and "Starter Pokémon" was always a fan name.
In Japanese, since there are no consistent terms for first partner Pokémon, fans in that region often call them 御三家 (the big three) to refer to the Grass, Fire, and Water trios.
Inspiration[]
Most final evolved forms of first partner Pokémon share a common theme of inspirations:
- The Sinnoh fully evolved starters were inspired by mythological characters. Torterra was inspired by the World Turtle, Inferape was based on Sun Wukong, and Empoleon was partially inspired by Poseidon due to its trident like beak.
- The Unova fully evolved starters were inspired different world countries. Serperior was inspired by France, Emboar was inspired by China, and Samurott was inspired by Japan.
- The Kalos fully evolved starters were based on RPG classes. Chestnaught was inspired by the Fighter class, Delphox was inspired by the Mage class, and Greninja was inspired by the Thief class.
- The Galar fully evolved starters were based on British occupations. Rillaboom is a drummer, Cinderace is an association football (soccer) player, and Inteleon is a spy.
- In Hisui, the fully evolved starters were partially based on kinds of warriors from Feudal Japan. Decidueye is a kind of archer, Typhlosion is a cannon user with psychopomp traits, and Samurott is based on a rōnin, a kind of samurai.
- The Paldea fully evolved starters were based on certain kinds of entertainers. Meowscarada is a magician, Skeledirge is a singer, and Quaquaval is a dancer.
Appearances[]
Core series[]
Generation I and remakes[]
In Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version (including their Japanese counterparts, Pocket Monsters Red and Pocket Monsters Green and ), as well as the remakes Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version, Professor Oak will bring Trainers to his lab to give them the choice between Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle to begin their journey.
In Pokémon Yellow Special Pikachu Edition, Oak instead gives a Pikachu to the player, while the rival receives the Eevee that had originally been intended for the player. The form that the rival's Eevee eventually evolves into depends on the player's performance in battle: The Eevee becomes a Vaporeon if the player loses to the rival in their first battle in Professor Oak's Laboratory and either loses or skips the battle on Route 22; Jolteon if the player wins against their rival at both locations; or Flareon if the player wins against the rival once at either location, and loses or skips the other battle. Because of this balance mechanic, this makes Pokémon Yellow the first game in the franchise where the player can have a type advantage over the rival. Pikachu in this game follows behind the player.
In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!, the player starts with Pikachu, like in Pokémon Yellow Special Pikachu Edition, while in Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!, they start with Eevee. Their rival, Trace, chooses the other Pokémon in each installment. The Pikachu and Eevee in this game are considered special - separate forms commonly referred to as Partner Pokémon because they follow the player and have a unique appearance (especially prominent on Eevee). The partner Pikachu and Eevee can be either gender, have higher base stats, learn Secret Techniques, and have access to exclusive moves that their regular counterparts do not. Unlike Yellow, both of their species can be found in the wild in either game, making it possible to have more than one Pikachu or Eevee.
Generation II and remakes[]
In Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version, Pokémon Crystal Version, and the remakes Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version, Professor Elm has an errand for the player and gives them the choice between Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile to keep them safe along the journey. The player is allowed to keep the Pokémon after completing the errand. However, during the errand, the player's rival steals the first partner Pokémon with the type advantage over the player's.
In the Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version only, the player's friend, Ethan/Lyra, has a Marill as their first partner Pokémon.
Generation III and remakes[]
In Pokémon Ruby Version and Pokémon Sapphire Version, Pokémon Emerald Version, and the remakes Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, after Professor Birch is rescued from a Poochyena (Zigzagoon in Pokémon Emerald Version), he allows the player character to keep the Pokémon they had chosen to rescue him: either Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip.
In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, after surpassing the Elite Four for the first time, Birch gives the player the choice of Chikorita, Cyndaquil or Totodile to rescue him again. After surpassing the Delta Episode, Birch gives the player the choice of Snivy, Tepig or Oshawott. After defeating the Elite Four for the second time, he will give the player character the choice of Turtwig, Chimchar or Piplup. From this, the player character can receive one of the three regional Pokémon for Hoenn, Johto, Unova, and Sinnoh before defeating the Elite Four three times.
Wally receives a Ralts as a first partner Pokémon after catching it using the Zigzagoon he had been borrowing from Norman.
Generation IV and remakes[]
In Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version, Pokémon Platinum Version, and the remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl, when two Starly attack the player and their rival at Lake Verity, they choose between Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup from Professor Rowan's discarded briefcase. Later, when the briefcase is returned, Rowan allows the two to keep their first partner Pokémon. Lucas/Dawn always has the Pokémon that is at a type disadvantage against the player's Pokémon.
Generation V[]
In Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version, Professor Juniper delivers a gift to the player's mother in Nuvema Town that contains Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, with the player being able to choose only one of them.
Generation VI[]
In Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, the player, Shauna, and Serena/Calem each receive either Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie from Tierno in Aquacorde Town. The player chooses first, so the first partner Pokémon of the other two characters depends on which one the player had chosen. Later, the player can choose one of the Kanto first partner Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle.
Kalos first partner Pokémon gain a type advantage over the primarily advantaged first partner Pokémon by their secondary types: Chesnaught is part Fighting type, Delphox is part Psychic type, and Greninja is part Dark type. Greninja is the most advantageous because the Dark type is immune to the Psychic type—the other two first partner Pokémon are only resistant to the other type.
Generation VII[]
In Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, the player receives the first partner Pokémon Rowlet, Litten, or Popplio from Hala and Professor Kukui in Iki Town. In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, the player receives their first partner Pokémon from Professor Kukui on Route 1 instead. Unusually, the player's friend and rival, Hau, always chooses the first partner Pokémon that has a type disadvantage to the player's, while Teacher Emily in the Trainers' School uses the first partner Pokémon with a type advantage over the player's.
In Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, first partner Pokémon and their Evolutions can be found through Island Scan. In Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, the Johto first partner Pokémon's first forms and the Unova first partner Pokémon's final forms are present. In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, the Kanto first partner Pokémon's first forms, the Hoenn and Sinnoh first partner Pokémon's middle forms, and the Kalos first partner Pokémon's final forms are present.
The Alolan first partner Pokémon gain signature attacks: Decidueye is part Ghost type and possesses Spirit Shackle, Incineroar is part Dark type and possesses Darkest Lariat, and Primarina is part Fairy type and possesses Sparkling Aria. Each of their final Evolutions have an immunity: Decidueye—a Ghost type—is immune to the Normal and Fighting types, Incineroar—a Dark type—is immune to the Psychic type, and Primarina—a Fairy type—is immune to the Dragon type.
In Pokémon Ultra Sun, the Alola Pokédex identifies Poipole as a common choice for a first partner Pokémon in its own world.
Generation VIII[]
Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield[]
In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, the player and their friend, Hop, each receive either Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble as their first partner Pokémon from Postwick and the Pokémon Champion Leon. Much like in Generation VII, Hop chooses the Pokémon with a type disadvantage to the player's. Meanwhile, Leon keeps the Pokémon with a type advantage over the player's and trains it to eventually use it in the championship match against the player.
It is possible to later catch the first evolved forms of both the Kanto and Kalos first partner Pokémon in Grass-, Water- and Fire-type Friend Safaris, marking the first time any Pokémon related to first partner Pokémon can be caught in the wild.
Even before Hop chooses one of the first partner Pokémon, he had a Wooloo, which he also uses during his journey. Marnie's first partner Pokémon is Morpeko, which she received from Piers as a gift when she five years old.
In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield: The Isle of Armor, after collecting 100 Alolan Diglett, the Diglett's Trainer gives the player the Alola first partner Pokémon that has the same type as the player's Galar first partner Pokémon. According to dialogue, Bede's first partner Pokémon is Hatterene, which he received as a Hatenna when he met Chairman Rose.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus[]
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the player can choose from three first partner Pokémon found by a Pokémon Professor traveling throughout regions, each originating from a different region introduced earlier in the core series: Rowlet from Alola, Cyndaquil from Johto, and Oshawott from Unova. Hisui is the only region that did not introduce new first partner Pokémon, although there are unique regional forms of their final evolved form. The first partner Pokémon of Hisui represent regions that Cynthia would later travel to (she is viewed in the Battle Tree in Alola, Sinjoh Ruins in Johto, and Undella Town in Unova).
Generation IX[]
Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet[]
In Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, the player gets to choose either Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly as their first partner Pokémon from Director Clavell. Once again from the last two Generations, the rival, Nemona chooses the Pokémon with a type disadvantage, just Hau from Alola and Hop from Galar.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A[]
In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the player gets to choose either Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile as their first partner Pokémon in Lumiose City. Much like the recent games, the rival, Urbain/Taunie chooses a Pokémon with a type disadvantage.
Spinoffs[]
Pokémon Stadium series[]
Pokémon Colosseum[]
In Pokémon Colosseum, the player starts with both a level 25 Espeon and a level 26 Umbreon.
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness[]
In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, the player already has a level 10 Eevee by the time they start the game.
Pokémon Battle Revolution[]
In Pokémon Battle Revolution, the player receives four first partner Pokémon, but they differ depending on the player's gender. As a male, the player receives the Stage 1 evolved form of a Sinnoh first partner Pokémon (either Grotle, Monferno, or Prinplup), as well as Luxio, Gabite, and Staravia. As a female, the player receives the Stage 1 evolved form of a Kanto first partner Pokémon (either Ivysaur, Charmeleon, or Wartortle), as well as Dragonair, Rhyhorn and Pidgeotto.
Pokémon Conquest[]
In Pokémon Conquest, the player starts with an Eevee.
Pokémon GO[]
In Pokémon GO, the player character can obtain one of the Kanto first partner Pokémon. They can secretly obtain Pikachu, an Electric-type Pokémon, after escaping from the Kanto first partner Pokémon four times.
Pokémon Masters EX[]
In Pokémon Masters EX, the player has Pikachu as their first partner Pokémon. Games such as these have been criticized for lacking a choice between first partner Pokémon.
Pokémon: Magikarp Jump[]
In Pokémon: Magikarp Jump, the player starts with Magikarp.
Anime[]
Paldean first partner Pokémon in the anime
In Pokémon the Series, on their tenth birthday, young Trainers can register for a Pokédex and receive a first partner Pokémon from the local Pokémon Professor or Pokémon Center for free. However, they can also get their first partner Pokémon from someone else or catch them in the wild, unlike a majority of core games. First partner Pokémon are usually raised to be easy to train. Like in the core games, the first partner Pokémon vary between regions but are the same as in the games.
Manga[]
Pokémon Adventures[]
In Pokémon Adventures, first partner Pokémon are reserved only for certain characters chosen by the regional Pokémon Professor, and they are called Pokédex Holders. Most characters begin with a different first partner Pokémon than usual from the games. The Pokémon Professors either give them the first partner Pokémon or allow them to keep it. Unusually, Blake received his first partner Pokémon from the International Police.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters[]
First partner Pokémon also appear in Pokémon Pocket Monsters. Red unusually chooses Clefairy as his first partner Pokémon during the first chapter, as Clefairy had saved him from a wild Pokémon.
Trivia[]
- The Galar first partner Pokémon are the only regional first partner Pokémon that Ash Ketchum did not catch or receive.
- In Pokémon Yellow Special Pikachu Edition, and Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!, Pikachu and Eevee are the only first partner Pokémon that cannot evolve in the games in which they are first partner Pokémon.
- Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! first partner Pokémon are also unique in not being able to be traded to other games.
- The rule of creating first partner Pokémon, according to Ken Sugimori, is their first stages should not look too strong from the very beginning, and they should start to look powerful after evolving.
- Generation VI was the first generation to introdruce a set of first partner Pokémon that do not follow the traditional "one quadrupedal starter and two bipedal starter" mix. Rather, there are two quadrupedal starters (Fennekin and Froakie) and one bipedal starter (Chespin).
- Popplio is the only first partner Pokémon that is pinniped.
- Decidueye is the only Alolan first partner Pokémon with a regional form.
- Currently, Bulbasaur and Rowlet are currently the only basic stage starter Pokémon to be dual-types (the former is a grass/poison-type while the latter is a grass/flying-type).
Gallery[]
Anime[]
Art[]
| Kanto | |
|---|---|
| Johto | |
| Hoenn | |
| Sinnoh | |
| Hisui | |
| Unova | |
| Kalos | |
| Alola | |
| Galar | |
| Paldea | |