Who’s the best starter pokemon? Popplio, Litten, or Rowlet?

 Starters

Starter Pokémon are what you’ll be stuck with for awhile. But you have to admit, it’s these Pokémon that carry the rest of your team all the way to the Champion League and brings you to victory. Which one will you choose? Are you looking for the hardworking but frivolous Popplio? The calm but passionate Litten or the obedient but mischievous Rowlet? Meet your starters!

Popplio, the Water-type starter

 

Popplio is the water-type starter Pokémon with a high Sp. Atk that can make it a threat. It has good debuff moves such as Growl (Lowering Attack by one rank) and Charm (lowers Attack by 2 ranks) which Popplio learns early in the game. And it helps too that when it completely evolves, it adds the new Fairy-type in its last evolution: Primarina! Because of its Water/Fairy type combination, it has good compatibility against other pokemon.

Recommended move for Popplio: Water Gun

Water Gun is one of the first basic moves for Water-type pokemon. Water gun has a high PP list and also has 40 attack damage. But the fact that it’s a STAB move, means its affected by the stats of the pokemon. With that, Water Gun can one-shot kill many of Popplio’s opponents especially those weak against Water-types.

Recommended move for Primarina: Sparkling Aria

Sparkling Aria is a Fairy-type move that can turn the tables on any battle. Unlike most game-changing moves, Sparkling Aria isn’t an offensive move but a healing move. Sparkling Aria takes away the Burn condition off any of your allied Pokémon.

Rowlet is the grass type starter that evolves into the Flying/Grass Type Dartrix and then into the Ghost/Grass type Decidueye. When Dartrix evolves into Decidueye, the third evolution has its signature attack called Spirit Shackle. Once the pokemon gets hit by Decidueye’s Spirit Shackle, it cannot escape. This is quite useful especially when trying to catch Pokémon in the wild. This Pokémon prioritizes speed and attack in comparison to Popplio and Litten.

Recommended move for Rowlet: Leafage

Leafage is Rowlet’s starting move. Because its a Grass type move, you can easily take out any Water-types or Rock types that might pose a problem for you.

Recommended move for Decidueye: Spirit Shackle

Upon using Spirit Shackle, any Pokémon that gets hit by this move is unable to swap out or run away.

Decidueye Type Compatibility
Weak (x4)	Ice
Weakness (x2)	Fire /Flying/Ice/Ghost/Dark
Not effective (× 1/2)	Water/Electric/Fighting
Not effective (× 1/4)	Grass
No effect	Ground

Litten, Fire Type

Litten, the fire type starter Pokémon, is known for its Fire-type attacks and its also for its attacks. This Pokémon in its evolution is a calm but passionate yet often shows no emotion. When it evolves into Incineroar, the Pokémon becomes a Dark/Fire type. It’s strongest move is Darkest Lariat which ignores any stat changes on the target.

Recommended move for Litten: Ember

Ember is a useful fire-type move especially at the start of the game. They can take out many of those pesky bug types and grass type Pokémon that are standing in your way.

Recommended move for Incineroar: Darkest Lariat

Almost equivalent to a Legendary’s signature move, Incineroar’s Darkest Lariat can inflict severe damage while ignoring any changes of the opposing Pokémon’s stats.

Litten Type Compatibility
Weak Against (x4)	–
Weak Against (2x)	Water/Ground/Rock
Not effective (1/2)	Fire/Ice/Steel/Bug/Grass/Fairy
Not effective (× 1/4)	–
Doesn’t Affect

 

Incineroar Type Compatibility
Weak Against (x4)	–
Weak Against (2x)	Fighting/Ground/Rock/Water
Not effective (1/2)	Ghost/Steel/Fire/Grass/Ice/Bug
Not effective (× 1/4)	–
Doesn’t Affect	Psychic

Since starter Pokémon are the first Pokémon you obtain, make sure you choose wisely. Each of them have their own strengths and weaknesses while having some of their skills counter types that are strong against their type. Because of the new Pokémon running around Alola, choosing your definite partner will make a mark. With all the strengths and weaknesses, which will you choose now? All of them are good but who would you want to go with you on your journey? The choice is yours and yours alone.

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