How to choose the best Pokémon Scarlet and Violet starter for you, all starter evolutions

Choosing your starter Pokémon is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in any Pokémon game, with Scarlet and Violet being no different.

The games’ open world nature may, however, effect your choice since you’re able to tackle the Gyms in any order. This means you may no longer feel inclined to pick the starter which will make the first set of Gyms easier and focus instead on building a team which supplements your chosen Pokémon’s weaknesses.

Even though choosing a starter Pokémon is rather subjective, there are a number of facts to consider.

Firstly, Fuecoco is perfect for the two Gyms cloest to the starting point. These are Bug and Grass-type Gyms, so, as a Fire-type Pokémon, Fuecoco will blast through them.

Fuecoco’s third evolution – Skeledirge – is a Fire and Ghost-type Pokémon, which means it can easily take the Ghost and Psychic Gyms as well. Skeledirge also has a high HP and Special Attack Stat, but a low Speed Stat. Though it does have the Unaware Ability, which will ignore any Stat changes inflicted upon it.

Meanwhile, Quaxly has an advantage over the Team Star Fire Crew – another activity you may find yourself facing in the early game. Quaquaval – it’s third evolution – is a Water and Fighting-type Pokémon. This is an interesting type combination and one which gives Quaquaval an advantage over the Normal-type Gym.

Quaquaval also has the highest Attack Stat out of all the starter Pokémon’s final evolutions. This stat can grow even higher thanks to the ability Moxie, which will increase this Pokémon’s Attack Stat whenever an opponent faints.

Finally, Sprigatito is great choice for the end-game challenges such as the Elite Four. It can still pack a punch during the early game, especially when you face the Water-type Gym, but you will need to build your team around.