Pokemon Sword and Shield starts you with a choice of Grookey (Grass), Scorbunny (Fire) and Sobble (Water). We would pick Scorbunny: it has the edge on Milo and Kabu.
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.
Scorbunny has the easiest start
Scorbunny is a Fire type. It evolves into Raboot at level 16 and into Cinderace at level 35. Cinderace is a Fire type with 530 base stats in total.
In Pokemon Sword and Shield, it starts with Growl and Tackle, learns Ember at level 6 and picks up Quick Attack at level 8.
If you take Scorbunny, your rival Hop answers with a level 5 Grookey.
Scorbunny has the edge on Milo and Kabu and has a hard time against Nessa. Its matchup score is 6 across 10 opposing Pokemon.
Sobble is the middle pick
The Water type Sobble is one of the choices. It evolves into Drizzile at level 16 and into Inteleon at level 35. Inteleon is a Water type with 530 base stats in total.
At the start it starts with Growl and Pound, picks up Water Gun at level 6 and gets Bind at level 8.
If you take Sobble, your rival Hop answers with a level 5 Scorbunny.
Sobble has the edge on Kabu and has a hard time against Milo. Its matchup score is 6 across 10 opposing Pokemon.
Grookey has the hardest start
Grookey starts as a Grass type. It evolves into Thwackey at level 16 and into Rillaboom at level 35. Rillaboom is a Grass type with 530 base stats in total.
Early on it starts with Growl and Scratch, gets Branch Poke at level 6 and gets Razor Leaf at level 12.
If you take Grookey, your rival Hop answers with a level 5 Sobble.
Grookey has the edge on Milo and Nessa and has a hard time against Kabu. Its matchup score is 5 across 10 opposing Pokemon.
The three starters side by side
| Starter | Type | Final form | Base stats | Matchup score | |---|---|---|---|---| | Grookey | Grass | Rillaboom | 530 | 5 | | Scorbunny | Fire | Cinderace | 530 | 6 | | Sobble | Water | Inteleon | 530 | 6 |
Scorbunny is the pick for Sword and Shield
Scorbunny has the highest matchup score at 6, level with Sobble, ahead of Grookey at 5. Its attacks score 3 against 3, which breaks the tie. All three final forms have 530 base stats in total.
(We would like to say this was a hard call. It was a spreadsheet.)
For the same three across the whole generation, see the starters of generation 8.
Pokemon Sword and Shield starters FAQ
What is the best starter in Pokemon Sword and Shield?
Scorbunny, on our early-fight matchup score.
Can you get the other starters?
Yes. Charmander is a gift later in the game.
