5 Criminally Underrated Starter Pokémon Only True Trainers Appreciate
Spanning over nine generations (soon to be 10), starter Pokémon are some of the most beloved creatures in Nintendo’s IP. Starters are quite literally the first partners you get in any core game, and they are often designed to accompany you, the Trainer, all the way to the end of the campaign – even if the games do offer other options. The designs for starter Pokémon are also often better than those of the initial creatures you encounter while exploring the world – namely Pokémon like Rattata or Bidoof.
Because the majority of the early portions of games are often filled with Pokémon of the Normal-, Flying-, and Bug-types, first partner starters in Pokémon are also good picks for Type variety, giving you access to Grass-, Fire-, and Water-type creatures early on. For reference, creatures of these types normally take a little while longer to be found, at least in classic linear structures. Even though most starters are adored by fans, like the ever-beloved Charmander, not all creatures get the attention they deserve.
Bulbasaur
In fact, one of the most underrated starters of all time is also one of the most well-known and popular. The number 01 entry in the National Pokédex, Bulbasaur, is arguably one of the most overlooked first partners in any game it appears in. In the games that it appears in as a starter option, namely the ones set in the Kanto region, this iconic Gen 1 Grass-type Pokémon is nearly always outshined by Charmander and Squirtle.
A few years ago, there had been a poll determining that Charizard was the most popular creature in the series – though a recent poll has shown that Mimikyu is the most popular Pokémon at the moment. Even with that update, it had already been shown that Charizard, which evolves from Charmander, was a more immediate pick for the majority of Trainers. After all, Charizard’s superb design and movesets are great for any type of party.
However, Venusaur, Bulbasaur’s final evolution, is an absolute tank, and a remarkable choice for a party member. It is arguably the best Grass-type pick from Gen 1, and it can withstand long battles with its great defensive stats – even if that is offset by four different types of Weaknesses. Even so, Bulbasaur is sadly one of the most overlooked starter Pokémon, even if it is extremely popular and well-known, mostly due to its status as a Gen 1 creature.
Snivy
Another overlooked Grass-type Pokémon is Gen 5’s Snivy. The Grass Snake Pokémon is easily one of the most abhorred starters ever, and is the unlikely pick in Gen 5 games, where it is outshined by Tepig and Oshawott. The Fire-type Tepig eventually becomes the outstanding Emboar, which is Fire- and Fighting-type, and an excellent type combination in Pokémon, also seen with Blaziken and Infernape.
In contrast, Oshawott starts off cute, though its final evolution, Samurott, is quite divisive, mostly due to its design. Even though that is an issue for the Water-type starter in Gen 5, Snivy and its forms, leading up to Serperior, still lay on the low end of popularity and approval. Surely, they remain a pure Grass-type, which may not be attractive to Trainers looking to optimize their teams.
However, Serperior is an extremely fast Pokémon with some good defensive stats, too, making it a great pick for a battle-opener. Despite being a pure Grass-type, it has access to other types of moves, including Dragon-type attacks like Dragon Tail, Outrage, Dragon Pulse, and Breaking Swipe. It’s a great way of countering some of the pseudo-legendaries out there without having to use a pseudo-legendary yourself.
Fennekin
In Generation 6, Fennekin is an underrated first partner. The Fire-type Fox Pokémon has something of a disadvantage when placed next to its Gen 6 counterparts. The Grass-type Chespin becomes the impressive Grass- and Fighting-type Chesnaught, which is also a tank. This Pokémon has a huge amount of Defense, as well as an impressive Attack stat, making it a reliable and obvious pick.
Additionally, the Water-type starter in Gen 6, Froakie, eventually leads to Greninja, one of the most popular and strongest Water-type Pokémon ever. It’s a Special Attack specialist that strikes quickly and has a great Water- and Dark-type combination. From the get-go, this doesn’t help Fennekin get picked, but it is worth noting that the investment into this adorable Fire-type Pokémon is worth it, a lot of which is due to what its final form can offer.
At level 36, Braixen evolves into Delphox, gaining the secondary Psychic-type. As a Special Attack specialist, a whole roster of moves opens up to this starter’s final evolution. It has more Weaknesses than is pleasant, but depending on how you use it, Delphox can clear out the opponent’s team alone with heavy-hitting moves and control-based abilities, which stem from its very reliable dual Fire- and Psychic-types. On top of that, it has an amazing, even if underrated, design.
Popplio
The Gen 7 Water-type starter, Popplio, suffers from the same lack of recognition as Fennekin, under similar circumstances. In Alola, Trainers are given the option to pick Rowlet, a funny-looking Grass- and Flying-type creature that eventually evolves into Decidueye, a Grass- and Ghost-type powerhouse. Decidueye is considered one of the coolest Ghost-type Pokémon of all time with its unique design and type combination, and it has a great and versatile set of moves that makes it a reliable Flying-type attacker, even if it loses that type along the evolutionary line.
Meanwhile, the Fire-type Litten becomes the Fire- and Dark-type Incineroar, which is a fan-favorite creature. Incineroar hits extremely hard, has fewer Weaknesses than most, a ton of Resistances, and a pretty outstanding set of moves that make it versatile. Even so, Popplio shouldn’t be overlooked in the way that it is in Gen 7, since it has so much to offer.
Its final evolution, Primarina, has even fewer Weaknesses, a ton of Resistances, and is one of the few Water- and Fairy-type Pokémon, alongside Marill, Azumarill, and Tapu Fini. Popplio’s final form has some impressive moves at its disposal and a remarkably high Special Attack stat, making it capable of one-shotting opponents, even if it is a bit slower than most. If that weren’t enough, Primarina is also one of the most elegant Pokémon ever, as a seal-like mermaid that packs a punch.
Sobble
Lastly, Sobble is one of the most hated starter Pokémon, a lot of which is due to the design of its final evolution, Inteleon. The Gen 8 starters are pretty divisive. While Grookey is quite cute, its other evolutions are pretty much detested by players. Scorbunny is Gen 8’s favorite, as its evolutions still stand strong, and it offers a ton of gameplay value with impressive Fire-type expertise.
Sobble gradually becomes a more repulsive creature that seems to not have been embraced by the community, as players have demonstrated some hatred toward Inteleon and its Gigantamax form. Even so, it’s one of the best Gen 8 Pokémon, as Inteleon lives up to its design as a Secret Agent Pokémon and a sniper. Like Greninja, Inteleon is extremely fast and is a Special Attack specialist.
With its signature Snipe Shot, Inteleon can attack opponents with a powerful move that has an increased critical hit ratio, effectively one-shotting most enemies in its way. If that isn’t enough, it also has access to moves like Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, and Ice Beam, giving it even more gameplay variety. I may be biased because Sobble was my starter choice in Gen 8, but Inteleon truly is a fantastic Water-type creature to have in your Pokémon teams across generations.