The strongest initial evolution of Pokemon

With Nine Generations each featuring three starter Pokemon each time (along with Pokemon Yellow and Let's Go Pikachu & Let's Go Eevee), we have 29 starters to choose from and counting. Every starter has their fans and some easily have a lot more fans than others. But whether they're Grass, Fire, Water, or something else, and regardless of their final evolution type, they're rock stars.

Today we're going to take a quick look at the best early Pokemon evolutions. While overall value can be measured in a myriad of ways, we're looking for the strongest ones designed for the big leagues – post-match challenges, online matches, even competitive tournaments.

Updated March 8, 2026 by Andrew Scariati: As Pokémon continue to add new generations, it becomes increasingly difficult to choose the best Starter Pokémon in the series. The strongest Starter Pokémon title is constantly changing depending on the current metagame, and with the introduction of the new Mega Pokémon in Legends: ZA, the conversation only got more complicated.

12

Serperior

Serperior, long lamented as worryingly weak within Pokémon Black & White and rarely seen in any “serious” teams, is now a force to be reckoned with. His Contrary ability, which increases the target's stat when hit by a debuff and decreases it when hit by a buff, has long been heralded as strategically viable.

It's other things like relatively meager base stats and a crude moveset that held it back.

Leaf storm he's been putting in a lot of miles lately, and for good reason. Typically, this 130 base special attack move lowers the user's special attack stat by two levels as a penalty for superior damage dealing. You can see how Contrary jumps in to make things awesome for our Grass-type friend.

Throw in a Hidden Power move that provides the kind of cover to keep your opponent on edge – like Hidden Power Fire – and if you can handle Serperior's typing weakness, you're good to go.

11

Venusaur

Long overshadowed in the minds of millions by his tyrannical starter friend Charizard, Venusaur has quietly crept into a position of formidable power. WITH a decent field of resistance, a natural tendency to survive – even having a Life Orb within him that drains a tenth of his HP after each attack in exchange for boosting those attacks by an additional 30 percent – he can keep his HP topped up via Giga Drain.

Chlorophyll works great with a sunny day and doubles Venusaur's speed in weather conditions.

You can either put your EVs in something other than speed, rely on Sunny Day to make your friend fast, or make your friend look ridiculous. quickly by increasing it further with 252 EV in stats.

10

Hisuian Samurott

While the traditional Samurott isn't bad by any means, it's Pokemon Legends: Arceus' Hisuian variant that catapulted this sea lion to stardom. With sharpness, the power of all “slicing moves” is amplified by 50 percent. Great news for Razor Shell, a water-type move with 75 base power boosted up to 113 or so that has a one-to-two chance of reducing the opponent's defense as well.

Ceaseless Edge lays the ever-reliable Spikes barrier at your foe's feet, disrupting a risky damage switch that can deal a real blow to your opponent's plans. Consider placing Hisuian Samurott on your front line to deal as much damage as possible as soon as possible; it is hardly a kind of stoppage.

9

Rillaboom

The days of Pokemon Sword & Shield dominance are behind us, but two of his starters are still reigning. Rillaboom combines the Attack Drum Beating speed move with a 125 Base Attack stat (obviously given the 252 EV boost), allowing this reasonably bulky gorilla to do some cool stuff.

While Rillaboom is a pure grass-type, it can make the most of this attack, giving you coverage for various Fighting and Ground-type moves like Drain Punch, Brick Break, and the ever-powerful Earthquake.

8

Skeledirge

Fire/Ghost is a great combo type and Skeledirge handles it well. It will take some hits with relative ease, throw out Special Attacks with equal panache, and Heavy-Duty Boots will deal with anyone who relies on hazards (like the aforementioned Spikes) to turn the tide in their favor by outright negating them.

Keep your Skeledirge lean and hearty with Slack Off to restore its HP by half when you use it, and keep the pressure on with Fire-type Torch Song and Ghost-type Shadow Ball or Hex. If you need some Fairy coverage, Skeledirge has access to Alluring Voice, and if you want to synergize a sunny day for other teammates (like Venusaur), you can have a blast with this Crocodile.

7

Primarina

This fantastic water-type starter draws attention as an excellent special pick, boasting a formidable special attack and special defense to complement its powerful offensive moves.

Primarina is an excellent offensive choice. Whether you need it as a Water or Fairy-type variant, Primarina's diverse moveset and good number of resistances make it a decently bulky Pokémon, despite its glaring weakness against physical attacks.

6

Cinderella

Cinderace was so great back in the days of Sword & Shield that it broke the “OU” (Overused) ceiling to reach “Uber” status. This is the wilderness. His Libero the ability is similar to Greninji's Protean, giving her a STAB advantage on any move she uses once per power-up.

This gives him STAB on things like High Jump Kick (Fighting), Zen Headbutt (Mental), Gunk Shot (Poison) and U-turn (Bug) – an incredible extension.

Pyro Ball is Cinderace's signature move with 120 base power, a ten percent chance to cast Burn, and if that's not enough, it also has an amazing animation. Court Change moves terrain effects from your enemy's side to yours, creating a substantial wrinkle in what the other coach is thinking (and probably completely destroying what every opponent in the game is “thinking”, for that matter).

5

Feraligatr

Feraligatr is making a big splash on the list as a newly ranked addition, catapulting itself back into relevance on the back of the new Mega Evolution Pokemon Legends: ZA. Feraligatr is finally getting some much needed power to compete with some of the most prolific Pokemon in the series.

Massive jumps in Attack (160) a Defense (125) are major upgrades and his unprecedented Attack buff makes Feraligatr a threat that cannot be ignored.

4

Greninja

Greninja's list of abilities is, frankly, an embarrassment of riches. Torrent pumps water attacks when his HP is low, Protean shifts his type to the type of move he uses once per power-up, and New Mega Greninja from ZA offers a significant stat boost Attack (125), Sp. Attack (133) a Speed (142).

While Greninja's previous best form, Battle Bond Greninja, was bundled with the Pokemon Sun & Moon demo, you can get another upgraded Greninja in its Mega form.

If you are confident with your game plan, equip your Greninja with Selection Specs to speed up the first move it uses when powered up. If you're not so sure, give him a Life Orb instead, as you'll have great water, dark, and ice attack coverage and a speed stat to hit hard and fast.

3

Meowscarade

Meowscarada is arguably the best new Grass-type introduced in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, boasting a fantastic stat spread, highlighted by 123 speed to stay one step ahead of its foes.

Even though her defense is low, Meowscarada can deal a lot of damage with powerful moves like Flower Trick, which critically hits opponents and ignores their defense.

Although it cannot withstand a heavy hit, Meowscarada can survive with Focus Sash unless it knocks out the opponent in one turn. Fortunately, Focus Sash gives Meowscarada the ability to clean up any stragglers – avoid trick sets or get a counter set up.