Pokemon Scarlet and Violet starts you with a choice of Sprigatito (Grass), Fuecoco (Fire) and Quaxly (Water). We would pick Fuecoco: it has the edge on Katy.
The pick matters most at the start. You can do the Gyms in any order, so we used the usual one and looked at the first three. The sections below show how each starter does.
Fuecoco has the easiest start
Fuecoco starts as a Fire type. It evolves into Crocalor at level 16 and into Skeledirge at level 36. Skeledirge is a Fire and Ghost type with 530 base stats in total.
Early on it starts with Ember, Leer and Tackle, picks up Round at level 7 and gets Bite at level 12.
Fuecoco has the edge on Katy, and no early fight is a clear problem for it. Its matchup score is 7 across 10 opposing Pokemon.
Sprigatito is the middle pick
Sprigatito starts as a Grass type. It evolves into Floragato at level 16 and into Meowscarada at level 36. Meowscarada is a Grass and Dark type with 530 base stats in total.
Early on it starts with Leafage, Scratch and Tail Whip, picks up Bite at level 7 and picks up Magical Leaf at level 13.
Sprigatito has a hard time against Katy, and no early fight gives it a clear edge. Its matchup score is 2 across 10 opposing Pokemon.
Quaxly has the hardest start
Quaxly is a Water type. It evolves into Quaxwell at level 16 and into Quaquaval at level 36. Quaquaval is a Water and Fighting type with 530 base stats in total.
In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, it starts with Growl, Pound and Water Gun, gets Wing Attack at level 10 and gets Aqua Jet at level 13.
Quaxly has a hard time against Iono, and no early fight gives it a clear edge. Its matchup score is 0 across 10 opposing Pokemon.
The three starters side by side
| Starter | Type | Final form | Base stats | Matchup score | |---|---|---|---|---| | Sprigatito | Grass | Meowscarada | 530 | 2 | | Fuecoco | Fire | Skeledirge | 530 | 7 | | Quaxly | Water | Quaquaval | 530 | 0 |
Fuecoco is the pick for Scarlet and Violet
Fuecoco has the highest matchup score at 7, ahead of Sprigatito at 2 and Quaxly at 0. All three final forms have 530 base stats in total.
(Somebody on the team still picks the Fire one every time. We let them.)
For the same three across the whole generation, see the starters of generation 9.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet starters FAQ
What is the best starter in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?
Our pick is Fuecoco, which has the highest 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.
