Pokemon Crystal starts you with a choice of Chikorita (Grass), Cyndaquil (Fire) and Totodile (Water). We would pick Cyndaquil: it has the edge on Bugsy.
The pick matters most at the start. We looked at your rival's first battle and the first three Gyms. The sections below show how each starter does.
Cyndaquil has the easiest start
Cyndaquil is a Fire type. It evolves into Quilava at level 14 and into Typhlosion at level 36. Typhlosion is a Fire type with 534 base stats in total.
In Pokemon Crystal, it starts with Leer and Tackle, learns Ember at level 12 and gets Quick Attack at level 19.
If you take Cyndaquil, your rival Silver answers with a level 5 Totodile.
Cyndaquil has the edge on Bugsy and has a hard time against your rival Silver. Its matchup score is 3 across 8 opposing Pokemon.
Totodile is the middle pick
Totodile is a Water type. It evolves into Croconaw at level 18 and into Feraligatr at level 30. Feraligatr is a Water type with 530 base stats in total.
In Pokemon Crystal, it starts with Leer and Scratch, gets Rage at level 7 and gets Water Gun at level 13.
If you take Totodile, your rival Silver answers with a level 5 Chikorita.
Totodile has a hard time against your rival Silver, and no early fight gives it a clear edge. Its matchup score is -1 across 8 opposing Pokemon.
Chikorita has the hardest start
Chikorita is a Grass type. It evolves into Bayleef at level 16 and into Meganium at level 32. Meganium is a Grass type with 525 base stats in total.
In Pokemon Crystal, it starts with Growl and Tackle and picks up Razor Leaf at level 8.
If you take Chikorita, your rival Silver answers with a level 5 Cyndaquil.
Chikorita has a hard time against your rival Silver, Falkner and Bugsy, and no early fight gives it a clear edge. Its matchup score is -6 across 8 opposing Pokemon.
The three starters side by side
| Starter | Type | Final form | Base stats | Matchup score | |---|---|---|---|---| | Chikorita | Grass | Meganium | 525 | -6 | | Cyndaquil | Fire | Typhlosion | 534 | 3 | | Totodile | Water | Feraligatr | 530 | -1 |
Cyndaquil is the pick for Crystal
Cyndaquil has the highest matchup score at 3, ahead of Totodile at -1 and Chikorita at -6. The score only covers the early game. Typhlosion has 534 base stats in total, and the other two final forms have 530 and 525.
Whitney's Miltank is level 20, the highest level in the first three fights, so train before you reach that Gym.
(There will be mail about this.)
For the same three across the whole generation, see the starters of generation 2.
Pokemon Crystal starters FAQ
What is the best starter in Pokemon Crystal?
Cyndaquil, on our early-fight matchup score.
Can you get the other starters?
No, not at the start. Another game or another player usually supplies them.
