Pokemon is a highly-debated topic, especially when it comes to the quality of the titular pocket monsters that inhabit the series’ world.
No ‘mons stand out as more memorable from each Generation as the three starters the player chooses from upon first starting their journey.
So what is the worst starter Pokemon, aesthetically and functionally, and when you’re faced with the tough choice of selecting your new buddy, which ones should you rather leave out?
Chikorita
Almost every time there’s a discussion about poor starters, Gen II’s Chikorita is involved. For good reason, too.
A bland design resembling a weird lima bean with legs is married with a moveset no more interesting. A single-type starter is the worst kind to be when you’re Grass-type, and Chikorita never shakes that single typing off.
Chikorita is average in just about every category, which trivializes their role as any sort of Grass-type specialist, too.
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Fennekin
Fennekin is the truest example of “looks can be deceiving.”
This adorable little pure Fire fennec fox is the Fire starter of Gen VI.
Neither of the other two Gen VI starters had a chance against Froakie, but Fennekin edges out Chespin for one simple fact: it changes design completely into an anthropomorphic fox-lady with a wand. Like, sorry, what? Ninetales proves that you can do fully evolved fire foxes better than this, The Pokemon Company.
Oshawatt
Sea otters are cute. Gen V’s Oshawatt is not a cute representation of a sea otter.
I don’t know if it’s because its design vaguely resembles a clown, or because it looks like an entirely different Pokemon at each of its different evolutionary stages, but Oshawatt remains confusing to look at and washed-out throughout its life.
Another thing it retains? Single typing with so-so moves. At least Water is better than Grass, Chikorita.
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Tepig
Tepig eventually becomes good, but remains ugly, and has the single most overused, boring starter type combo of Fire/Fighting (when it evolves.)
Gen V was not a good time for starters, as only one of the three Unova starters avoided a lashing here on our list. Tepig gets some incredible attack in the future, but there are so many other solid Fire-types in Gen V that you’d be better off going for something with a bit less… ugly.
Piplup
Reader, believe me when I tell you that this pains me to write: Piplup sucks. For the longest period of my life, penguins were my favourite animal, until owls took their place as number one.
Gen IV’s Piplup is an adorable penguin chick with a pleasant design, but it stays the same unfortunate defense-heavy starter until it gains a second type in its third stage, Empoleon.
Water/Steel isn’t a great combo, and is outpaced defensively and offensively by a score of better ‘mons.
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And there’s 5 starter Pokemon that you’d be better off not choosing. Who’s your favourite starter? Is there anyone you think belongs on the list? Let us know here at the Click!
