In Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, FireRed, and LeafGreen, 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, due to being based on the anime, Oak instead gives out Pikachu to the player while the player’s rival will receive an Eevee.
In Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver, Professor Elm will have an errand for the player to run, and will give them the choice between Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile for protection on this errand, which they will then keep after completion.
In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, after Professor Birch is rescued from a PoochyenaRSORAS or ZigzagoonE, he allows the player to keep the Pokémon they chose to rescue him with the choice between Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip.
In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, when two Starly attack the player and rival at Lake Verity, to which they travel upon hearing reports of a red Gyarados, they will choose between Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup from Professor Rowan’s briefcase, which he left at the lake.
In the Sinnoh Prequel game Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the player is able to choose from three Starter 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.
In Pokémon Black and White, Professor Juniper leaves a gift with the player’s Mom in Nuvema Town to give to them, containing Snivy, Tepig, or Oshawott for the player to choose.
In Pokémon X and Y, the player, Shauna, and Serena/Calem receive their starter Pokémon: Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie in Aquacorde Town from Tierno, who was asked by Professor Sycamore to deliver them.
In Pokémon Sun and Moon, the player receives their starter Pokémon: Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio in Iki Town from Hala and Professor Kukui. In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the player receives one from Professor Magnolia on Route 1. The player’s friend Hau will choose the Pokémon with a type disadvantage to the player’s choice. Teacher Emily in the Trainer’s School will use the starter that has a type advantage over the player’s choice.
In Pokémon Sword and Shield, the player and Hop receive their starter Pokémon: Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble in Postwick from Leon, the Pokémon Champion of Galar. The player’s friend Hop will choose the Pokémon with a type disadvantage to the player’s choice. Leon takes the remaining Pokémon into his care, eventually using its final form in the Championship Match against the player.
In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the player will receive their starter Pokémon: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly.
Other notable in-game starters
- The rival of Pokémon Yellow, Blue, starts with an Eevee originally intended for the player.
- The Eevee will evolve into a Vaporeon if the player loses against the rival at the lab and either loses or skips the battle on Route 22, Jolteon if the player wins against the rival at both locations, and Flareon if the player wins against the rival once at either location, and loses or skips the other battle.
- Wally, with the help of the player and their father, will catch a Ralts.
- The player character not chosen in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Ethan or Lyra, will have a Marill.
- In Pokémon Ultra Sun, the Pokédex identifies the Ultra Beast Poipole as a common choice for a starter Pokémon in its own world.
- In Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, the player’s rival, Trace, will receive a regular Pikachu or Eevee in those games.
- Hop has a Wooloo that he has owned since before the start of the game, and uses it in his first battle against the player. Over the course of the story, it evolves into Dubwool.
- Bede’s starter 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 starter Pokémon is her Morpeko, which she received as a gift when she was five from her brother, Piers.
- Pawmi is Nemora’s starter.
CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH POKEMON:
