Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire starts you with a choice of Treecko (Grass), Torchic (Fire) and Mudkip (Water). We would pick Mudkip: it has the edge on Roxanne and Wattson.
The pick matters most at the start. Your rival picks a starter that depends on yours, so we left the rival out and looked at the first three Gyms. The sections below show how each starter does.
Mudkip has the easiest start
Mudkip starts as a Water type. It evolves into Marshtomp at level 16 and into Swampert at level 36. Swampert is a Water and Ground type with 535 base stats in total.
Early on it starts with Growl and Tackle, gets Mud Slap at level 6 and picks up Water Gun at level 10.
Mudkip has the edge on Roxanne and Wattson, and no early fight is a clear problem for it. Its matchup score is 8 across 7 opposing Pokemon.
Treecko is the middle pick
Treecko starts as a Grass type. It evolves into Grovyle at level 16 and into Sceptile at level 36. Sceptile is a Grass type with 530 base stats in total.
Early on it starts with Leer and Pound, gets Absorb at level 6 and learns Quick Attack at level 11.
Treecko has the edge on Roxanne, and no early fight is a clear problem for it. Its matchup score is 3 across 7 opposing Pokemon.
Torchic has the hardest start
Torchic is a Fire type. It evolves into Combusken at level 16 and into Blaziken at level 36. Blaziken is a Fire and Fighting type with 530 base stats in total.
In Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, it starts with Growl and Scratch, gets Ember at level 10 and gets Peck at level 16.
Torchic has the edge on Brawly and has a hard time against Roxanne. Its matchup score is 0 across 7 opposing Pokemon.
The three starters side by side
| Starter | Type | Final form | Base stats | Matchup score | |---|---|---|---|---| | Treecko | Grass | Sceptile | 530 | 3 | | Torchic | Fire | Blaziken | 530 | 0 | | Mudkip | Water | Swampert | 535 | 8 |
Mudkip is the pick for Ruby and Sapphire
Mudkip has the highest matchup score at 8, ahead of Treecko at 3 and Torchic at 0. The score only covers the early game. Swampert has 535 base stats in total, and the other two final forms have 530 and 530.
(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 3.
Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire starters FAQ
What is the best starter in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire?
Our pick is Mudkip, which has the highest matchup score.
Can you get the other starters?
No, not at the start. The other two usually come from a trade.
