First partner Pokémon

Starter Pokémon are the Pokémon with which the player can begin the game. Each one starts out at level 5 with two basic moves: one attack and one attack to lower the opponent's stats. These moves are generally weak moves. The three starters are almost always of three specific types: Fire, Water, and Grass. The rival picks the starter that has a strength against the player's starter.

Starters, with versions listed:

Kanto

In Pokémon Red and Blue, Pokémon Green, and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen:

• Bulbasaur,
• Charmander, and
• Squirtle.

In Pokémon Yellow:

• Pikachu. The rival starts with an Eevee; it will become a Vaporeon, Jolteon, or Flareon depending on the outcome of battles.

Johto

In Pokémon Gold and Silver and in Pokémon Crystal:

• Chikorita,
• Cyndaquil, and
• Totodile.

Hoenn

In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and in Pokémon Emerald:

• Treecko,
• Torchic, and
• Mudkip.

The player's neighbor, Brendan or May, is the one to pick the type-advantaged starter. Wally starts with Ralts; he seeks Norman's assistance in catching his first Pokémon.

Shinou

In Pokemon Diamond and Pearl

• Naetoru,
• Hikozaru, and
• Pochama.

Orre

In Pokémon Colosseum:

• Umbreon and Espeon. These starter Pokémon come as a pair as to represent the Double-Battle system, and are also different in that they are in the player's possession right at start. Umbreon is at level 26, knowing the TM moves Taunt and Snatch, as well as Bite which is otherwise only available through breeding at such a level. Espeon is at level 25, knowing the TM moves Return and Reflect.

In Pokémon XD:

• Eevee. This starter Pokémon is also in the player's possession right at the beginning. It is at level 10, knowing Bite which is again unique for this level. At an early point in the game, the player is offered one of the five evolutionary items, Water Stone, Thunder Stone, Fire Stone, Moon Shard and Sun Shard.