Hoenn first partner Pokémon

Hoenn first partner Pokémon, otherwise known as Hoenn starter Pokémon, are Pokémon chosen by Trainers at the start of their journey in Hoenn. These are traditionally given out by Professor Birch and are to be used to battle the first wild Pokémon that the Trainer encounters.

In the core series Hoenn-based games, the player can choose a Fire-, Water-, or Grass-type first partner Pokémon at level 5.

List of Hoenn first partner Pokémon and their Evolutions

Treecko

Grass

Grovyle

Grass

Sceptile

Grass

Torchic

Fire

Combusken

FireFighting

Blaziken

FireFighting

Mudkip

Water

Marshtomp

WaterGround

Swampert

WaterGround

Forms

The fully evolved Hoenn first partner Pokémon each have at least one Mega Evolution form.

Mega Evolutions

Mega Sceptile

GrassDragon

Mega Blaziken

FireFighting

Mega Swampert

WaterGround

Availability

Hoenn-based games

In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, after Professor Birch is rescued from a Poochyena^RSORAS or Zigzagoon^E, he allows the player to keep the Pokémon they chose to rescue him with.

The player's neighbor, Brendan or May, already has their first partner Pokémon, which is always the one with the type advantage. By the end of Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, it seems that the player's nominal rival, the son/daughter of Professor Birch, has stopped being a Trainer, and Wally is actually the true rival, facing the player before they can leave Victory Road and staying there to have rematches with the player later. In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Brendan or May's role as an NPC is slightly expanded, acting as a post-credits battle in which they gain access to Mega Evolution for their first partner Pokémon.

Other games

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Steven Stone offers one of these Pokémon to the player after they have defeated Red.

In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the middle stages of the Hoenn first partners can be caught in the wild via Island Scan on Akala Island.

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, both the middle and final stages can be caught in Dynamax Adventures in the Crown Tundra.

In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the Hoenn first partners can be caught in the Grand Underground after obtaining the National Pokédex.

Base stat comparison

Pokémon	Treecko	Torchic	Mudkip
HP	40	45	50
Attack	45	60	70
Defense	35	40	50
Sp. Atk	65	70	50
Sp. Def	55	50	50
Speed	70	45	40
Total	310	310	310

Pokémon	Sceptile	Blaziken	Swampert
HP	70	80	100
Attack	85	120	110
Defense	65	70	90
Sp. Atk	105	110	85
Sp. Def	85	70	90
Speed	120	80	60
Total	530	530	535

Pokémon	Sceptile	Blaziken	Swampert
HP	70	80	100
Attack	110	160	150
Defense	75	80	110
Sp. Atk	145	130	95
Sp. Def	85	80	110
Speed	145	100	70
Total	630	630	635

The Hoenn first partner Pokémon; owned by Brock, Ash, and May from left to right

In the anime

in the main series

During the Hoenn arc of the main series, Professor Birch gave away four of the three first partner Pokémon to new Trainers. Harrison and May both received a Torchic and Sawyer began his journey with a Treecko. Although Professor Birch isn't seen gifting a Mudkip to any Trainers, in A Mudkip Mission, Mudkip Breeder Old Man Swamp revealed that Professor Birch is also responsible for the breeding and raising of the young Mudkip for new Trainers.

In the manga

Ash & Pikachu

In the Ash & Pikachu manga, Professor Birch gives a Torchic to May.

Pokémon Adventures

In Pokémon Adventures, Professor Birch gifts a Torchic to Sapphire and a Mudkip to Ruby. Professor Birch was also revealed to be in possession of a Treecko, however the Pokéball containing the Pokémon was washed away in a flood. It was later found by Wally, and eventually came to be under the ownership of Emerald.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

In Pokémon Pocket Monsters, Professor Birch is in possession of the three Hoenn first partner Pokémon to which he gifts to new Trainers. The only one he is seen giving out though is a Torchic which he gives to Sapphire.

Trivia

• The Hoenn first partner Pokémon are the only trio to have thier Mega Evolutions introduced in two core series games instead of just one like with the Kanto first partner Pokémon.

See also

• First partner Pokémon
• Mega Evolution

First partner trios

Kanto

Bulbasaur

Charmander

Squirtle

Johto

Chikorita

Cyndaquil

Totodile

Hoenn

Treecko

Torchic

Mudkip

Sinnoh

Turtwig

Chimchar

Piplup

Unova

Snivy

Tepig

Oshawott

Kalos

Chespin

Fennekin

Froakie

Alola

Rowlet

Litten

Popplio

Galar

Grookey

Scorbunny

Sobble

Paldea

Sprigatito

Fuecoco

Quaxly

See also: player's first Pokémon • Hisui first partner Pokémon