Best Starter Pokemon in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

If you’re new to playing Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, you may be unsure of which starter to select: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly? Let’s determine which one is the top choice.

When starting a new Pokemon adventure, the most important decision for any trainer is: Which starter will you select?

In the Paldea region of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, players can choose from three starter Pokemon. Similar to previous mainline games, there is a Grass-type (Sprigatito), a Fire-type (Fuecoco), and a Water-type (Quaxly) available.

If you’re looking for a starter that will aid you in completing the main story or a strong companion for competitive battles, we have a breakdown of which one is the top choice.

Starters Quaxly, Fuecoco and Sprigatio appearing in Pokemon scarlet and violet — The Pokemon Company

Which Starter Pokemon Reigns Supreme in Scarlet & Violet?

We stand by our belief that Fuecoco is the top choice for starting the game’s main story, despite the added challenge of having to choose between three paths and determining which one is truly the best.

For those hoping to defeat every Gym, the initial two Gym Leaders specialize in Bug-type and Grass-type respectively. Therefore, including a powerful Fire-type in your team will greatly increase your chances of success against them.

Pokemon	Sprite	HP	Attack	Defense	Sp. Attack	Sp. Defense
Unleashed	40	61	54	45	45	65
Fuecoco	67	45	59	63	40	36
Quaxly	55	65	45	50	45	50

In addition, Skeledirge, Fuecoco’s final evolution, is widely considered one of the strongest. As a Fire/Ghost-type Pokemon, it possesses immunity to Normal and Fighting-type attacks, along with resistance against seven other types. Its practicality in battle is undeniable.

Despite its drawbacks, Fuecoco remains a popular choice due to its strong speed stat, allowing it to consistently attack first. However, many players consider the final evolutions of Quaxly and Sprigatito to be superior options for competitive gameplay.

Fuecoco is the best starter in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet — The Pokemon Company

So, what about Quaxly and Sprigatito?

As previously mentioned, there is no clear-cut “best starter”in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. While Fuecoco may provide some advantage in completing the main story, there are numerous reasons to opt for Quaxly or Sprigatito instead.

Quaxly is an excellent choice for defeating the initial Titan Pokemon, Klawf. This victory will grant either Koraidon or Miraidon the power to swiftly navigate the map. Furthermore, Quaxly will effortlessly conquer Team Star’s Fire-type headquarters and defeat their Leader, Mela.

After personally playing the game, we discovered that Quaxly’s ultimate form, Quaquaval, was an exceptional addition to our team. Its combination of potent Water-type and Fighting-type attacks proved to be extremely useful in numerous battles crucial to the storyline.

However, several players have voiced their consensus that Sprigatito is an excellent contender for competitive battling once it evolves into its final form, Meowscarada. This is largely due to its impressive Speed and Attack stats, which allow it to catch opponents off guard. Additionally, its cuteness factor is undeniable!

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet starters Quaxly and Sprigatito — The Pokemon Company

All final Pokemon starter evolution stats in Scarlet & Violet

Below are the ultimate evolution statistics for the three starter Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet:

Pokemon	Sprite	HP	Attack	Defense	Sp. Attack	Sp. Defense
Meowscarada	76	110	70	81	70	123
Skeledirge	104	75	100	110	75	66
Anyhow	85	120	80	85	75	85

All starters have a combined base stat of 530, so the distribution is the only factor to consider. If you desire a speedy attacker, Meowscarada is the ideal choice, while Skeledirge is the preferred option for those seeking a tankier option.

Ultimately, the top choice for a starter Pokemon relies on your individual preference. Moreover, by using our helpful guide, you can eventually obtain all three starters in the game regardless.