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Starter Pokémon

All first partner Pokémon from Kanto to Paldea.

First partner Pokémon, also known as Starter Pokémon, are the Pokémon Trainers choose at the beginning of their Pokémon adventure. In each generation of Pokémon games, a set of three first partner Pokémon is available for new Trainers to choose from; the types that constitute each set are Grass, Water, and Fire. Each first partner Pokémon possesses three Evolutionary forms. Pokémon Yellow, Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!, Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!, and Pokémon Colosseum are currently the only exceptions to the above, with Pikachu as the only first partner Pokémon available to the player character in Pokémon Yellow and Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!, Eevee as the only first partner Pokémon available to the player character in Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!, and Espeon and Umbreon as the only first partner Pokémon in Pokémon Colosseum.

Core series[]

In the core series games (except Pokémon Yellow, Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!, and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!), the player character can choose a Grass-, Water-, or Fire-type first partner Pokémon at level 5. Additionally, one of the player character's rivals will choose or have chosen a first partner Pokémon, typically having a type advantage over the player character's. First partner Pokémon cannot be encountered in the wild.

Kanto first partner Pokémon[]

In Pokémon Red, Pokémon Green, Pokémon Blue, Pokémon FireRed, and Pokémon LeafGreen, Professor Oak will bring Trainers to his lab to give them the choice between Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle to begin their journey.

Pokémon Yellow[]

In Pokémon Yellow, Oak instead gives a Pikachu to the player character while the player character's rival receives an Eevee.

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee![]

In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!, player characters will start with Pikachu or Eevee, depending on which version of the game they are in. These Pikachu and Eevee are considered special, separate forms commonly referred to as partner Pokémon because they follow the player character. The partner Pikachu and Eevee can be either gender, have higher base stats, learn Secret Techniques, and have access to exclusive moves normal Pikachu and Eevee do not.

Johto first partner Pokémon[]

In Pokémon Gold, Pokémon Silver, Pokémon Crystal, Pokémon HeartGold, and Pokémon SoulSilver, Professor Elm will have an errand for the player character to run and will give the choice between Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile for protection on this errand. The player character will keep the selected Pokémon after completion. During said errand, the player character's rival will steal the starter with the type advantage over the one the player character chose.

Ethan and Lyra only (Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver only)[]

Hoenn first partner Pokémon[]

In Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire, Pokémon Emerald, Pokémon Omega Ruby, and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, after Professor Birch is rescued from a PoochyenaRSORAS or ZigzagoonE, he allows the player character to keep the chosen Pokémon of rescue with the choice between Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip.

Rival Wally only (acquired with one of Norman's Pokemon)[]

Sinnoh first partner Pokémon[]

In Pokémon Diamond, Pokémon Pearl, Pokémon Platinum, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, and Pokémon Shining Pearl, when two Starly attack the player character and rival at Lake Verity, to which they travel upon hearing reports of a red Gyarados, they choose between Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup from Professor Rowan's discarded briefcase. They get to keep their choices when they try to return them to Rowan.

Hisui first partner Pokémon[]

In the ancient-Sinnoh game Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the player character is able to choose from three first partner Pokémon found by a Pokémon Professor traveling throughout regions, each originating from a different previous installment in the mainline Pokémon games. These Pokémon are Rowlet from the Alola region, Cyndaquil from the Johto region, and Oshawott from the Unova region, each with a regional variant of its final evolution.

Unova first partner Pokémon[]

In Pokémon Black and Pokémon White, Professor Juniper provides a gift to the player character's mother in Nuvema Town containing Snivy, Tepig, or Oshawott for the player character to choose.

Kalos first partner Pokémon[]

In Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, the player character, Shauna, and Serena or Calem receive the first partner Pokémon Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie in Aquacorde Town from Tierno, who was asked by Professor Sycamore to deliver them.

Alola first partner Pokémon[]

In Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, the player character receives the first partner Pokémon Rowlet, Litten, or Popplio in Iki Town from Hala and Professor Kukui. In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, the player character receives the first partner Pokémon from Professor Kukui on Route 1. The player character's friend Hau will choose the Pokémon with a type disadvantage to the player character's choice. Teacher Emily in the Trainer's School will use the first partner Pokémon that has a type advantage over the player character's choice.

In the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass's The Isle of Armor, after collecting 100 Alolan Diglett, the Diglett's Trainer will give the player character the Alola first partner Pokémon that corresponds to the same type of the Galar first partner Pokémon the player character chose. For example, if the player character chose Scorbunny, they'll have Litten.

Galar first partner Pokémon[]

In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, the player character and Hop receive their first partner Pokémon Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble in Postwick from Leon, the Pokémon Champion of Galar. The player character's friend Hop will choose the Pokémon with a type disadvantage to the player character's choice. Leon takes the remaining Pokémon into his care, using its final form in the championship match against the player character.

Paldea first partner Pokémon[]

In the proximate Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet games, the player character receives the first partner Pokémon Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly from Director Clavell. The player character's friend, rival, and neighbor, Nemona will pick the starter with a type disadvantage to the player's Pokémon.

Other notable in-game first partner Pokémon[]

  • The rival of Pokémon Yellow, Blue, starts with an Eevee originally intended for the player character. The Eevee will evolve into Vaporeon if the player character loses against the rival at the lab and either loses or skips the battle on Route 22, Jolteon if the player character wins against the rival at both locations, or Flareon if the player character wins against the rival once at either location, and loses or skips the other battle.
  • Wally, with the help of the player character and their father, catch Ralts.
  • The player character not chosen in Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver, Ethan or Lyra, have a Marill.
  • In Pokémon Ultra Sun, the Pokédex identifies the Ultra Beast Poipole as a common choice for a first partner Pokémon in its own world.
  • In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!, the player character's rival, Trace, receive a regular Pikachu or Eevee.
  • Hop has a Wooloo that he has owned prior to the start of the game and uses it in his first battle against the player character. Over the course of the story, it evolves into a Dubwool.
  • Bede's first partner Pokémon, as revealed in conversations in The Isle of Armor, is his Hatterene, which he received as a Hatenna when he met Chairman Rose.
  • Marnie's first partner Pokémon is her Morpeko, which she received as a gift when she was five from her brother, Piers.
  • Pawmi is Nemona's first partner Pokémon.

Spinoffs[]

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series[]

Pokémon Conquest[]

Eevee
Rival only
133Eevee
Type Normal

Game exceptions[]

In certain games, the player character can receive a set of first partner Pokémon of differing types than Grass, Water, and Fire.

Anime[]

On their tenth birthday, young Trainers can register for a Pokédex and pick up a first partner Pokémon from the local Pokémon Professor or Pokémon Center free of charge. However, they can also get their First partner Pokémon from someone else or catch them in the wild. First partner Pokémon are usually raised to be easy to train. Like in the games, the first partner Pokémon available vary from region to region but are the same in each region as the games.

Main[]

Recurring[]

Minor[]

  • Jimmy started with Cyndaquil as it since evolved into a Quilava then into Typhlosion.
  • Marina started with Totodile, which she nicknamed Wani-Wani, but has since evolved into Croconaw then into Feraligatr.
  • Vincent started with Chikorita that has since evolved into a Bayleef then into Meganium.
  • Nicholai started with Mudkip, which has since evolved into Marshtomp.
  • Stephanie began her journey with Mudkip and her father decided to take Treecko.
  • Gilbert began his journey with Bulbasaur.
  • Jimmy began his journey with a Squirtle as it evolved into Wartortle then into Blastoise.
  • Tyler started with Piplup, which she is nicknamed Pippy.
  • Nanette received Tepig from Professor Juniper.
  • Serena from a mirror world also started with a Fennekin as her first Pokémon.
  • Sanpei's eldest brother Ippei also raised a Froakie to a Frogadier then into a Greninja.
  • Verity started with Piplup.
  • Ida first Pokémon was Popplio as it evolved into Brionne then later into Primarina.
  • Jacqueline started with Sobble as it evolved into Drizzile then into Inteleon.
  • Dawn from another world also started with a Piplup as her first Pokémon.
  • Goh from another world also started with Scorbunny as his first Pokémon and evolved it all the way to Cinderace.

Given or Caught in the wild[]

Certain characters in the anime have been given or caught a regional first partner Pokémon in the wild instead of having them as their first Pokémon.

Main[]

Recurring[]

Minor[]

Anime first partner Pokémon[]

Certain characters in the anime have differently typed Pokémon as their first partner Pokémon. Most of them were given as gifts to them when they were young.

Main[]

  • Ash's first partner Pokémon is Pikachu, which he received from Professor Oak after arriving late to obtain one of the traditional Kanto first partner Pokémon. It was later revealed that Pikachu is able to Gigantamax into Gigantamax Pikachu.
  • Misty's first partner Pokémon are Goldeen, Staryu, and Starmie.
  • James' first partner Pokémon is Growlithe, which he nicknamed Growlie. However, he does not own it, and left at his home when he ran away.
  • Jessie's first partner Pokémon is Ekans, which she received for her birthday. She later evolved it into Arbok and released it.
  • Brock's first partner Pokémon is Onix, which he later evolved into Steelix. It was later revealed that Steelix was able to Mega Evolve into Mega Steelix.
  • Tracey's first partner Pokémon are Venonat, who evolved into Venomoth, and Marill.
  • Max wanted to start with Ralts, but it had left to be in the wild.
  • Iris' first partner Pokémon is Drilbur, which she saved from a cliffside when she was young. She later evolved him into Excadrill.
  • Cilan's first partner Pokémon is Pansage, which he has had since he was very young.
  • Clemont's first partner Pokémon are Magnemite, Magneton and Heliolisk. He had his Heliolisk since it was Helioptile.
  • Bonnie stated that she wanted to start with Dedenne, which is currently in the possession of her brother, Clemont, due to her being too young.
  • Lana owns a Lapras as her first Pokémon as its usually her Ride Pokémon whenever she goes fishing.
  • Kiawe owns a Charizard as his first Pokémon after receiving it from his grandfather.
  • Lillie's first partner Pokémon is Alolan Vulpix, which she hatched from an Egg and nicknamed Snowy.
  • Sophocles's first partner Pokémon is Togedemaru.
  • Mallow's first partner Pokémon is Bounsweet, which she met in a forest behind the Pokémon School as a present caught by her late mother prior to her mother's death by an illness, which had since evolved into Tsareena.

Recurring[]

  • Zoey's first partner Pokémon was Glameow, which she stated that she caught after it was abandoned. She had originally met the Glameow when it was a kitten and Zoey herself was too young to have her own Pokemon, with most of the time inbetween the first meeting and Zoey starting her journey spent raising it (initially in secret) alongside her friend Candice.
  • Cynthia's first partner Pokémon was Gible, which she hatched from an Egg. Gible evolved into a Gabite then into a Garchomp.
  • Gladion's first partner Pokémon was Eevee, which he later evolved into Umbreon.
  • Chloe's first partner Pokémon was Eevee, which she met in her school, developed a bond with, and caught it as her very first Pokémon and partner. Chloe's Eevee is a special Eevee that cannot evolve.

Minor[]

  • Zackie's first partner Pokémon was Bellsprout, which he accidentally caught after trying to catch Ash's Pikachu.
  • Xander's first partner Pokémon was Caterpie which he later evolved into a Butterfree. He has stated it was his first Pokémon.
  • Yuzo's first partner Pokémon was stated to be Starly. However, it is never seen or mentioned in the anime.
  • Marnie and Paige's first partner Pokémon were Drifloon's.
  • Mira's first partner Pokémon was Sandshrew, which she initially shared with her school friends.
  • Aaron's first partner Pokémon was Wurmple, who later evolved into a Beautifly.
  • Emmy's first partner Pokémon was Druddigon, which she received from her father before her journey.
  • Risa's first Pokémon was Eevee, whom she initially caught for her sick brother.

Trivia[]

  • All of the core series first partner Pokémon have the gender ratio of 7 males to 1 female, with the exception of Pikachu.
    • This gender ratio was chosen to make first partner Pokémon more difficult to obtain.
  • Pikachu and Eevee are the only first partner Pokémon to deviate from the usual Grass, Fire, and Water types (they are Electric and Normal, respectively).
    • They're also the only first partner Pokémon in the canon role-playing games that deviate from the usual Grass, Fire, or Water typings.
      • Coincidentally, they have one weakness (Ground and Fighting) respectively.
  • All Grass-type first partner Pokémon from Generation II until Generation VI were reptilian.
  • Bulbasaur and Rowlet are currently the only first partner Pokémon to be dual type in their basic forms. Aside from both being Grass types, Bulbasaur is also a Poison type while Rowlet is also a Flying type.
    • However, Rowlet loses its Flying type and becomes a Ghost type when it evolves into Decidueye (or a Fighting type if Hisuian).
  • All the 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 starter Pokémon.
  • Typhlosion and Cinderace are currently the only final Evolutions of a Fire-type first partner Pokémon to not be dual type.
  • Unova first partner Pokémon also gain signature attacks: Snivy gains Leaf Tornado, Oshawott gains Razor Shell, and Tepig gains Heat Crash. Leaf Tornado and Razor Shell were distributed to other Pokémon in later generations.
  • Johto and Galar first partner Pokémon stay pure Grass, Fire, and Water types throughout their Evolutions.
  • The Galar first partner Pokémon are the only regional first partner Pokémon that Ash Ketchum did not catch or receive.
  • 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.
  • Alola 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.
  • First partner Pokémon have unique special abilities: all 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.
  • Except for Pikachu and Eevee, all final Evolutions of first partner Pokémon 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.
  • Blue (in Pokémon Red, Pokémon Green, Pokémon Blue, Pokémon FireRed, and Pokémon LeafGreen), Silver, Brendan, May, Barry, Cheren (in Pokémon Black and Pokémon White), Hugh (in Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 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.
  • Sceptile gains Dragon type as a secondary type on Mega Evolving, making it the only Mega-Evolved first partner Pokémon to turn dual type.
  • In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, Professor Birch will give Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip upon his rescue. After surpassing the Elite Four for the first time, he will give the player character the choice of Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile to rescue him again. After surpassing the Delta Episode, he will give the player character 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. Thus, the player character can receive one of the three regional Pokémon for Hoenn, Johto, Unova, and Sinnoh before defeating the Elite Four three times.
  • In Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, two first partner Pokémon can be obtained. At the beginning of the game, the player character can choose among Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie. Then, momentarily later, among the Kanto first partner Pokémon Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle.
    • The player character can later catch the first evolved forms of both the Kanto and Kalos first partner Pokémon in Grass-, Water-, and Fire-type Friend Safaris. This marks the first time any Pokémon related to first partner Pokémon have been available to catch in the wild.
  • In Pokémon Sun, Pokémon Moon, 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.
  • In Pokémon Yellow, 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the first partner Pokémon from their respective regions represent regions that Sinnoh's Champion, Cynthia, has traveled to. (She is viewed in the Battle Tree in Alola, Sinjoh Ruins in Johto, and Undella Town in Unova).
  • The heaviest first partner Pokémon is Turtwig, and the lightest first partner Pokémon is Rowlet.
    • Both the lightest and heaviest first partner Pokémon are Grass-type Pokémon.
  • 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 to be neither quadrupedal nor bipedal (it is pinniped instead).
  • Decidueye is the only Alolan Pokémon with a regional variant.
  • Hisui is the only region that did not introduce new first partner Pokémon, but rather used regional variants of preexisting first partner Pokémon.
  • 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.

Gallery[]

Dream[]

Kanto[]

Johto[]

Hoenn[]

Sinnoh[]

Unova[]

Kalos[]

Alola[]

Galar[]

Paldea[]

Anime[]

Art[]

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