Pokemon Black and White starts you with a choice of Snivy (Grass), Tepig (Fire) and Oshawott (Water). We would pick Tepig: it has the edge on Burgh.
The pick matters most at the start. We looked at your rival's first battle and the next two Gyms. The first Gym's leader depends on your starter, so we left it out. The sections below show how each starter does.
Tepig has the easiest start
Tepig starts as a Fire type. It evolves into Pignite at level 17 and into Emboar at level 36. Emboar is a Fire and Fighting type with 528 base stats in total.
Early on it starts with Tackle, picks up Ember at level 7 and gets Flame Charge at level 15.
If you take Tepig, your rival Cheren answers with a level 5 Oshawott.
Tepig has the edge on Burgh and has a hard time against your rival Cheren. Its matchup score is 3 across 6 opposing Pokemon.
Oshawott is the middle pick
The Water type Oshawott is one of the choices. It evolves into Dewott at level 17 and into Samurott at level 36. Samurott is a Water type with 528 base stats in total.
At the start it starts with Tackle, learns Water Gun at level 7 and gets Razor Shell at level 17.
If you take Oshawott, your rival Cheren answers with a level 5 Snivy.
Oshawott has a hard time against your rival Cheren, and no early fight gives it a clear edge. Its matchup score is 0 across 6 opposing Pokemon.
Snivy has the hardest start
Snivy is a Grass type. It evolves into Servine at level 17 and into Serperior at level 36. Serperior is a Grass type with 528 base stats in total.
In Pokemon Black and White, it starts with Tackle, gets Vine Whip at level 7 and gets Wrap at level 10.
If you take Snivy, your rival Cheren answers with a level 5 Tepig.
Snivy has a hard time against your rival Cheren and Burgh, and no early fight gives it a clear edge. Its matchup score is -4 across 6 opposing Pokemon.
The three starters side by side
| Starter | Type | Final form | Base stats | Matchup score | |---|---|---|---|---| | Snivy | Grass | Serperior | 528 | -4 | | Tepig | Fire | Emboar | 528 | 3 | | Oshawott | Water | Samurott | 528 | 0 |
Tepig is the pick for Black and White
Tepig has the highest matchup score at 3, ahead of Oshawott at 0 and Snivy at -4. All three final forms have 528 base stats in total.
(Our team ran this one past a group chat and got no consensus.)
For the same three across the whole generation, see the starters of generation 5.
Pokemon Black and White starters FAQ
What is the best starter in Pokemon Black and White?
Tepig, on our early-fight matchup score.
Can you get the other starters?
Not at the start. Trading with another player is the usual way to get the other two.
