Johto first partner Pokémon, otherwise known as Johto starter Pokémon, are Pokémon chosen by Trainers at the start of their journey in Johto. These are traditionally given out by Professor Elm and are to be used to battle the first wild Pokémon that the Trainer encounters.
In the core series Johto-based games, the player can choose a Fire-, Water-, or Grass-type first partner Pokémon at level 5.
Availability
Johto-based games
In Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver, Professor Elm will have an errand for the player to run, and will give them their first Pokémon for protection on this errand, which they will then keep after completion.
After the player meets with Mr. Pokémon and receives a Pokédex from Professor Oak, Professor Elm will call the player to tell them that a thief has taken a Pokémon. As the player returns to New Bark Town, they will encounter the thief, who will have the stolen Pokémon with the type advantage over the player's own. From this point onward, the thief will be the player's rival, while Professor Elm keeps the Pokémon that was left behind by the thief on his desk for the remainder of the game (in HeartGold and SoulSilver, the last Pokémon mysteriously disappears at some point).
In Generation II, the Pokémon will be holding a Berry when received from Elm, though the rival's stolen first partner Pokémon will not.
Other games
In Pokémon Emerald, after the player has caught all Pokémon in the Hoenn Pokédex with the exception of Jirachi and Deoxys, Professor Birch will offer one of these Pokémon as a reward.
In Pokémon Colosseum, the middle stages of the Johto first partners are caught as Shadow Pokémon from a Mystery Troop member. Only one is available for the player to obtain during the main game, while the other two are only available during the post-game. The color of the outfit for the corresponding Mystery Troop member is the same as the type for the Johto first partner they have.
In Pokémon XD, after the player has cleared the entirety of Mt. Battle without touching a PC or retiring, Battlus will offer one of these Pokémon as a reward. The player can obtain all three Pokémon with consecutive challenges.
In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, after the player first enters the Hall of Fame and meets Zinnia, Professor Birch can be found being chased by a Shroomish on Route 101 and the player will be allowed to choose one of the Johto first partners.
In Pokémon Sun and Moon, the Johto first partners can be caught in the wild via Island Scan on Melemele Island.
In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the Johto first partners can be caught in the Grand Underground after obtaining the National Pokédex.
Base stat comparison
In the anime
In the main series
During the Johto arc of the main series, Professor Elm gave away four of the Johto first partner Pokémon to new Trainers. Casey and Vincent both received a Chikorita, Jimmy began his journey with a Cyndaquil, and Marina was given a Totodile.
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
In Pokémon Adventures, Professor Elm originally loans, and eventually gifts Cyndaquil to Gold. This is the only Pokémon which he gives out, however the other Johto first partner Pokémon are shown in his possession. A Totodile is stolen by Silver, which Gold is tasked with rescuing, whereas Chikorita runs away from the lab to join Crystal's team.
Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys
In Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys, much like Pokémon Gold and Silver, Gold is offered the choice of one of the three Johto first partner Pokémon – Chikorita, Cyndaquil or Totodile – to borrow so that he may run an errand for Professor Elm. Gold chooses Totodile, which Elm allows him to keep after the errand is completed. Also, like in the games, Black, who is based on Silver, steals a Chikorita from Elm's lab while Gold is away on his errand.
Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure
In Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure, Professor Elm gave Jō a Totodile, and Tsubaki a Chikorita. Although Professor Elm is not seen handing it out, he also gifts Cyndaquil to Trainers.
