Selecting your first partner is basically the most stressful decision you'll make in any Pokemon game. It’s a rite of passage. You’re standing there in front of a wooden table, sweating, while some professor with a tree-themed name watches you like a hawk. But let’s be real: you aren't actually picking a Squirtle or a Fuecoco. You’re picking the Pokemon starters final evolutions that will eventually carry your team through the Elite Four.
If you pick wrong, you're stuck with a design you might hate or a stat spread that feels like wet cardboard. Honestly, after nine generations and dozens of spin-offs, the "best" choice isn't always who has the highest Special Attack. It's about who actually survives the late-game meta.
Why We Still Obsess Over These Final Forms
There is a weird psychological bond we have with these digital monsters. You spend 40 hours staring at the back of their heads. By the time that Level 32 or 36 hits, that cute little kitten or lizard you started with becomes a hulking beast.
But here is the thing: Game Freak has shifted how they design these guys. In the early days, a final evolution was just "the small thing, but bigger and angrier." Think Blastoise. It’s just a turtle with cannons. Simple. Effective. Now? We have Meowscarada, a literal magician with a cape, and Inteleon, a James Bond-inspired lizard who shoots water from his fingertips like a sniper.
The complexity has skyrocketed. Some people hate it. They miss the "monsters" and hate the "people in fursuits" vibe. But you can't deny the utility.
The Secret Themes You Probably Missed
Every generation of Pokemon starters final evolutions since Gen 4 has actually followed a specific design prompt. It’s not just random animals anymore.
- Sinnoh (Gen 4): These are based on mythology. Torterra is the "World Turtle," Infernape is Sun Wukong from Journey to the West, and Empoleon is a mix of Napoleon and Poseidon.
- Kalos (Gen 6): This is my favorite trivia bit. They are RPG classes. Chesnaught is the Knight/Paladin, Delphox is the Mage/Wizard, and Greninja is the Thief/Ninja.
- Galar (Gen 8): These represent British entertainment and culture. Rillaboom is the rock drummer, Cinderace is the pro footballer, and Inteleon is the secret agent.
- Paldea (Gen 9): The latest batch are circus and street performers. Meowscarada is a magician, Skeledirge is a singer (specifically a Día de Muertos opera singer), and Quaquaval is a carnival dancer.
When you look at them through that lens, the weird designs start to make a lot more sense. Quaquaval's constant dancing isn't just a weird animation choice; it’s the entire identity of the "performer" theme.
Viability: Who is Actually Good?
If we’re talking raw power, not all starters are created equal. You’ve got the kings and the... well, the ones that rot in your PC box.
The Competitive Gods
Incineroar is the undisputed king of VGC (Competitive Double Battles). It isn't even close. With the Ability Intimidate and moves like Fake Out and Parting Shot, this fire cat has dominated the pro circuit for years. If you want to win, you pick the cat.
Then there’s Greninja. Even after the nerf to its hidden ability, Protean, it remains a terrifying glass cannon. Being able to change your type to match your move means you almost always get a STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) boost. It’s fast. It’s mean. It’s a nightmare to predict.
The "Niche" Legends
Swampert holds a special place because it only has one weakness: Grass. In a game full of Electric and Fire threats, being a Water/Ground type is basically a cheat code. It has the highest base stat total of any starter at 535 (unless you count Megas).
On the flip side, you have Meganium. Poor Meganium. It’s a pure Grass type with defensive stats in a game that rewards offense. It gets walled by almost everything in Johto. Picking Chikorita is basically "Hard Mode."
The Hisuian Twist
We have to talk about Pokemon Legends: Arceus. It shook up the Pokemon starters final evolutions formula by giving us regional variants for Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott.
Hisuian Samurott became a Dark-type rōnin that uses "Ceaseless Edge," a move that sets up spikes while dealing damage. It’s incredible. Hisuian Typhlosion became a Ghost-type that looks like it’s constantly on a very chill vacation, and Hisuian Decidueye traded its ghost powers for Fighting-type kicks. These regional forms proved that Game Freak is willing to reinvent the wheel, which gives me hope for the future.
Breaking Down the "Fire-Fighting" Curse
For a while, fans were convinced every Fire starter was destined to be a Fighting type. Blaziken started it. Infernape perfected it. Emboar... well, Emboar existed.
People were rioting in the streets (online) when Gen 6 was announced, fearing another wrestler. Thankfully, Delphox broke the chain by being Fire/Psychic. Since then, we've had Fire/Dark (Incineroar), Fire/Ghost (Skeledirge), and pure Fire (Cinderace). The curse is dead, but the trauma remains.
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What to Look For When Picking Your Final Form
If you're starting a new save file, don't just look at the first stage. Look at the Hidden Abilities. Most starters have Overgrow, Blaze, or Torrent, which are kinda boring. They just boost your damage when you're almost dead.
The real gold is in the Hidden Abilities:
- Libero/Protean: (Cinderace/Meowscarada) Changes your type. Top tier.
- Grassy Surge: (Rillaboom) Sets up Grassy Terrain automatically. Game-changer.
- Unaware: (Skeledirge) Ignores the opponent's stat boosts. This makes Skeledirge a literal wall against bosses.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Playthrough
Stop picking based on "who looks cool" if you want a smooth run. Look at the Gym Leader types for that specific region.
In Scarlet and Violet, Fuecoco is basically the "Easy Mode" button because its final form, Skeledirge, has a signature move called Torch Song that raises its Special Attack every single time it hits. By turn three, you're a god.
In Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl, Chimchar is the logical choice because there are almost no other Fire types in the entire Sinnoh region. If you don't pick the monkey, you're stuck with a Ponyta or nothing.
Check the base speed stats before you commit. A slow starter like Torterra or Incineroar is great for a playthrough, but if you're planning on doing online battles later, you’ll need a strategy for their low speed (like Trick Room). If you want to just outspeed and one-shot everything, Meowscarada or Sceptile are your best bets.
Choose the one that fits your playstyle, but keep an eye on those secondary typings. A well-placed Steel or Fairy sub-type can be the difference between a win and a frustrating "fainted" screen.