Pokémon Worst Starter By Generation

chet_manley

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So which one is the worst, by generation? Why?
 
Generation 1: Probably the Squirtle line because Bulbasaur’s line at least has two types and is good against fairies, and Charmander’s line has some pretty cool mega evolutions.

Generation 2: Definitely the Chikorita line, as Cyndaquil’s line is pretty fun to use, and Totodile’s line can learn elemental fang moves that are helpful in battle.

Generation 3: Definitely the Treecko line as Torchic’s line has access to Speed Boost, and Mudkip’s line has only one weakness (and only two if you do not evolve Mudkip).

Generation 4: The Turtwig line because the Chimchar line has pretty good offensive stats and speed, and the Piplup line has a lot of resistances.

Generation 5: The Tepig line because it’s just another fire/fighting rehash, which was way overdone at this point, Snivy is better battle-wise, and Oshawott’s line is alright.

Generation 6: The Chespin line. Don’t think this one needs an explanation. It’s probably the most forgettable starter ever, since it’s an Oshawott clone.

Generation 7: This one was tough, but I guess the Rowlet line because of all the weaknesses it has. Litten’s line is pretty cool, imo, and Popplio’s line has something never done before, which is having a fairy type final evolution of a starter.


As you can probably tell, I’m not a fan of grass types. The only ones I like are versatile or fast ones (Bulbasaur and Snivy).
 
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I guess I'll start.
Generation One: I don't think there is an obvious answer here. They are all iconic and all have their uses. Charizard is probably my least favorite, though I have never been able to explain how a Wartortle ends up growing Howitzers out of its shell.

Generation Two: Chikorita line. But truth be told, all three of these are pretty lame to me.

Generation Three: I guess I don't really have an opinion on these guys. I know Blaziken is supposedly the best one. Treecko is the only one that is not dual type (until it is mega-evolved) so I guess that one.

Generation Four: Honestly, I think all three of these are great. I would go so far to say these three look the best overall, at any evolutionary stage. I'm interested to hear other peoples' thoughts.

Generation Five: On the other hand, these three are super-lame to me. Why do the Fire Pokemon keep getting Fighting as a dual-type? I don't like the look of any of them in their earliest forms, and Serperior is the only one that looks interesting to me when fully evolved. I haven't played this generation, for what it is worth. I guess Emboar is the worst.

Generation Six: I haven't played this generation either. I don't really feel a connection to any of them. They all look like they belong in different anime properties, so I guess I'd say they all equally suck.

Generation Seven: I don't necessarily have a huge emotional attachment to these guys either. I think Primarina is over the top, and Incineroar looks like it should have had the fighting dual-type again. Good on Rowlet for being dual-type the whole time, even if Dartrix looks ridiculous with its 1994 Jared Leto curtains hairstyle.
 
I rate them by design:
Gen 1 - Squirtle? I love Bulb so much I never pick or think about either of the other two
Gen 2 - Totodile, his anime voice didn't help. Feraligatr has pockets on his body for some reason : p
Gen 3 - Mudkip...they all have boring faces and poor range of realistic posing
Gen 4 - Chimchar, but I really like all of them that gen (he ends up being the only one I pick...poor Sinnoh)
Gen 5 - Tepig, like everyone else says
Gen 6 - Fennekin, looks like a bobblehead and mid evo is creepy
gen 7 - no strong opinion, I only started playing, but I think I like Rowlet's final evo slightly less than the other two's.

A lot of these are the best ones to pick, unfortunately : (
 
I'm gonna base these less on ability in battle and more on aesthetics (as I do a lot of Pokemon):

Gen 1: The Charmander Line. I always thought that Charizard was kinda overly-popular. I think that Mega Charizard X looks pretty cool, and the other mega is okay, but Charizard itself is nothing I get hyped over. I especially dislike Charmeleon, idk if it's because of the red color or the weird spike thing on the back of this head (which I know is a logical design choice because Charizard has 2 spikes, but it still looks really weird. Like a Parasaurolphus or something.)

Gen 2: This one is a really difficult choice, because I like all 3 of the starters and their evolutions a lot. I would prob say the Chikorita line. Even though I love the overall aesthetic of Meganium, I'm not a fan of either of the two before it.

Gen 3: My least favorite for this generation has always been the Torchic line. It used to be because I always had something against Fire types when I was younger, but now I just prefer, say, Sceptile and Swampert over Blaziken by a lot. Though if I were to judge the fully-evolved starters based on their mega evos, I would say Swampert is the worst (it's so ugly!!!!).

Gen 4: The Chimchar line. I think Infernape is okay, but I'm not a fan of the designs of the two before it at all. Especially Chimchar itself, it looks really derpy to me for some reason. Though I have to say, I like Infernape more than Empoleon.

Gen 5: The Tepig line. I think, aesthetically, Serperior and Samurott look a lot cooler than Emboar. I actually think that Tepig is really cute, but I don't like the design of the next two, even though they make sense based on their (unnecessary) fighting-type.

Gen 6: The Froakie line. This is a similar case to Charizard; I think Greninja is too overly-popular. Like there's not really anything interesting about it, and seeing it constantly makes me grow tired of it really quickly.

Gen 7: This is probably the toughest one, since I absolutely love all 3 starters in this generation. if I absolutely had to choose one... I couldn't possibly do it. I literally just tried to come up with one that I didn't like and I couldn't. I guess maybe Incineroar because of his ridiculously big, rounded, and weird paws, but that doesn't even bother me.


So there ya have it. My least favorite starter lines by gen :lemon:
 
Gen 1:
Competitively worst: Blastoise (really threatening in it's respective tier though, but if you don't go by smogon standards it's garbage)

Worst imo: Blastoise, I like Blastoise, but Venusaur is the GOAT and Charizard is a spicy lizard dragon so cool

Gen 2: Worst competitively: Meganium (no niche over any other grass types, even in it's repsective tier)

Worst imo: Ferraligatr is my least favorite of the three, love Meganium and Typhlo is cool

Gen 3:
Worst imo: Blaziken is a chicken and kinda dumb, I'm partial to Swampy and Scept

Worst Competitively: Sceptile, though in reality it's pretty strong

Gen 4: Worst competitively: Torterra, bad defensive typing for a defensive mon

Worst imo: Torterra, it's kinda ugly imo Empoleon and Infernape are so badass though

Gen 5:
Worst competitively: Samurott. Serperior has contrary boosted leaf storm spam, and Emboar has solid typing and and amazing movepool, but Samurott is too overshadowed by other water types in NU

Worst imo: None of them GEN 5 HAS THE BEST TRIO OF STARTERS OVERALL FIGHT ME

Gen 6:
Worst competitively: Delphox, it's a good special attacker in it's tier but it's in an awkward speed tier and dies to a lot of priority that's common in NU

Worst imo: Delphox, somebody please abort this pokemon from existing. We already had Ninetales, one of my least favorite pokemon of all time.

Gen 7:
Worst competitively, Incineroar, which is a monster in NU, but outside smogon play sucks.

Worst imo. Incineroar. I HATE THIS POKEMON SO MUCH. It's so ****ing ugly it hurts to look at.

WHY COULDN'T INCINEROAR HAVE BEEN A COOL TIGER AND NOT SOME BARA FURRY. IT DIDN'T NEED TO BE BIPEDAL, IT REALLY DIDNT.





Overall: **** Incineroar. **** Delphox. Everyone else is ok to meh.
 
Generation 1: I want to abstain on this one because I love all of them, but if I really have to choose then it would have to be the Bulbasaur line. For a long while I have found its base moveset very underwhelming and egg moves became a necessity. Not that that's altogether horrible, as I breed any team member to my specifications prior to putting them on a team, but at least with the other two, if you get them in a playthrough you should be pretty alright with their movepool. Charizard has a great look (especially when shiny), good movepool, and some really unfortunate weaknesses like the 4x effective Rock, while Blastoise is my favorite final evolution starter Pokemon.

Generation 2: This is easily the Chikorita line. I like all three of these evolutionary lines, but Chikorita has the least going for it. The Feraligatr line is the one I picked back in the Gold/Silver/Crystal era and has that nostalgic element, while remaining the best choice of the three all these years later with its Hidden Ability of Sheer Force. Typhlosion isn't as good and in the grand scheme of things is pretty unremarkable compared to other Fire-types, but I still like it better than Meganium anyway.

Generation 3: Tough call, because I'm not too fond of these starters in general. I have never really liked the way the Swampert line looks, but at least it's useful. I used to like the Sceptile line until I noticed the seeds on its back and that just makes me think of bacne, which is...not good, but it has an alright Hidden Ability. Blaziken is my favorite of the three due to its movepool and Speed Boost, but it honestly doesn't look that great. I'd probably have to say the Treecko line as of this moment.

Generation 4: With reluctance, I probably have to go with the Piplup line. Penguins are my favorite animals and Piplup used to be my favorite Sinnoh starter because of that, and I love Empoleon's design and typing, but it seems the least useful and interesting to me these days. Infernape is useful with its Iron Fist Hidden Ability and stats, and I've really come to appreciate Torterra in recent years with thanks to its great design and fun typing.

Generation 5: I have to give this one to the Oshawott line. Serperior is far and away my favorite starter of this generation, especially with its Hidden Ability of Contrary. Emboar might just be another Fire/Fighting starter, but I hatched a shiny Tepig on complete accident and I'm a sucker for blue flames. Samurott's design isn't very appealing to me and I actively prefer Dewott over it. Samurott is among my least favorite starters, if not the least favorite entirely.

Generation 6: Another tough call since I like the idea they went with and don't really dislike any of them, but I guess I'd have to go with the Chespin line. Greninja is too good with Protean as its Ability. Delphox's design leaves a lot to be desired with the ear hair, but the Fire/Psychic dual-typing is cool and I like the mage role it's associated with. Chesnaught is still great for me and Spiky Shield is useful, but I had to pick one of them.

Generation 7: One of the more underwhelming starter trios alongside 3 and 5. Like Blaziken and Serperior in their respective groups, I have a definitive favorite in Decidueye. Rowlet is cute and is my favorite first-form starter of them all, and I like Decidueye's archer design and Grass/Ghost typing as well as its name, Decidueye. Meanwhile, the Litten line seems bland to me. I used to be into watching professional wrestling and like the heel wrestler thing they were going for with Incineroar, but it just feels kind of off. As for the Popplio line, they've got a real Ugly Duckling sort of situation going on. Primarina is great and I like its Water/Fairy typing, but the transition from Popplio to Brionne to Primarina feels really awkward. It feels like Popplio needs some sort of alteration to fit that progression better. Overall, I'd probably have to say the Litten line is the worst of the generation to me.
 
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Gen 1 - Squirtle line: In a generation where Starmie and Slowbro exist, Blastoise is overshadowed by those two in particular. Doesn't help Slowbro gets Amnesia, which back in its debut generation, causes its special stat to greatly increase.

Gen 2 - Chikorita line: When it evolves into Meganium, it has no idea what it wants to be stat-wise. Besides its above-average defensive stats, its other stats are too mediocre to take advantage of anything. It doesn't help Grass is an awful defensive typing.

Gen 3 - This one's very difficult to go with, but if I had to pick one, it'd be Treecko. Sceptile (and in 6th gen, Mega Sceptile) has not had it kind in later generations. Ice coverage being everywhere means it won't survive an Ice Beam. Given 7th gen has not been kind to M-Sceptile, and it being Grass/Dragon, it's no wonder why it fell so quickly.

Gen 4 - The Turtwig line has the same problem as Treecko. Torterra is too sluggish and it has a good chance of being OHKOed by an Ice-type attack before it can move.

Gen 5 - Tepig line, by far. Emboar is cursed with slow speed, bad defensive typing and it is forever stuck in Blaziken and Infernape's shadows. Its design isn't very good, and there are better 5th gen fire-types that outdoes it.

Gen 6 - The Fennekin line. Fire/Psychic is an interesting type combination but Delphox can't really take advantage of it. The awkward speed tier mentioned in this thread leaves it too easy to be picked off by priority or a well-timed Knock Off.

Gen 7 - Granted I didn't play the Gen 7 games much, the worst from what I know is the Litten line. Incineroar has an awful speed stat, and is often a sitting duck against faster threats. Its design looks too weird compared to its other pre-evos.
 
My least favourites personally are

Gen 1: Venusaur. I think it's dual typing makes it better than Blastoise but Squirtle is Squirtle

Gen 2: Meganium. I don't think anything needs to be said about this

Gen 3: Blaziken but I love all 3 Hoenn starters. Swampert is amazing and Sceptile looks pretty cool to me but battle wise is probably the worst.

Gen 4: Empoleon. Torterra and Infernape are a lot better.

Gen 5: Emboar. Just way to weak to be a good Pokemon

Gen 6: Delphox. The Psychic type doesn't really help it but Chesnaught is probably just as bad

Gen 7: Can't decide between Incineroar and Popplio. Battle wise they're just as good for me and design wise I don't like both their final evolutions
 
Gen 1: Charmander, considering the different gyms at first.
Gen 2: Chikorita, go figure two first gyms here are super effective and you can't catch much either
Gen 3: Mudkip. That dual-type why....
Gen 4: Piplup. Why is Empoleon dual-steel uuuughh
Gen 5: Tepig. Go figure.
Gen 6: Chespin. I mean I'm neutral towards all three but yeah I don't like that one too much
Gen 7: Rowlet.... yeah good dualtype there no?
 
Generation 1: Squirtle. Boo.

Generation 2: Totodile.

Generation 3: Don't you dare. Tho, if you make me really choose, it's Treeko.

Generation 4: Turtwig.

Generation 5: Snivy

Generation 6: Chespin.

Generation 7: Incineroar just because it's a bara and furry bait.
 
Gen 1: Don't know, I like all three of them, hard to choose one and call it the worst...
Gen 2: Chikorita. I just find it boring and I'm also not a big fan of it's evolutions
Gen 3: No one, all three of them are fine to me
Gen 4: Chimchar. Or more like it's evolutions. While I do like Chimchar, I find it's evolutions kinda lame
Gen 5: No one, as I also like in this Gen all three Starters
Gen 6: Froakie, but like with Chimchar, it's more like the evolutions I don't like rather then Froakie itself
Gen 7: No one, I like all three for them (a lot)
 
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