Starter Pokémon are a Trainer's first ally. They are usually the best member of any player's team and might even become their ace Pokémon. Starters are among the strongest Pokémon in any given region, bested only by a handful of others, like Pseudo-Legendaries.
Water-types are almost a necessity for any playthrough. As the most common type in the games, there is no shortage of Water-type Pokémon, giving players many options. Starters are on a league of their own, though, thanks to unique type combinations, inspired designs, and balanced stats. But even among such strong Pokémon, one has to come out on top. In this article, the final evolutions of each of the starters will be considered.
8 Feraligatr, Totodile's Final Form
Johto Starters get a lot of hate, undeservedly so. However, they are the least memorable of all. Feraligatr isn't an awful Pokémon by any measure, on the contrary. It has balanced stats with emphasis on Physical Attack and Defense. The anime also did a fantastic job with Totodile's personality.
Feraligatr's main downside is how unimpressive it is. Nothing about it stands out, not even among its fellow starters. It also isn't really effective against any Gym Leader or Elite Four Member in the Johto League, which means it doesn't even get the chance to shine in its own region.
7 Samurott, Oshawott's Final Form
Samurott suffers from a case of being the least impressive member of its trio. Both Serperior and Emboar made waves in Generation V's competitive scene, but Samurott was unsurprisingly absent. Like other Starters, Smaurott has mostly above-average stats, although its Speed and Special Defense are far from remarkable.
Samurott is Super Effective against Chili and Clay and can be a viable option to take on Alder's Volcarona. Its reputation isn't the best, but considering it will be the Water Starter in the highly anticipated Pokémon Legends: Arceus, perhaps that will change in the future.
6 Inteleon, Sobble's Final Form
Inteleon can be a devastating offensive weapon if used properly. It is fast and has a high Special Attack, which means it has a chance of OHKO-ing its opponents with STAB damage. The rest of its stats are average at best, but there are always ways to work around that.
What brings Inteleon down is how unpopular its design is. Many fans dislike it and consider it a letdown in comparison with its first stage, Sobble. Inteleon's Gigantamax form is also not a favorite it, and many fans consider it uninspired.
5 Greninja, Froakie's Final Form
Greninja is a fan-favorite Pokémon that ranks highly on reputation alone. Much of its popularity is due to the anime, where it got more exposure than any of Ash's other Pokémon, except for Charizard. Stat-wise, Greninja's Speed is impressive, as is its Special Attack. Its HP and both Defenses are only average, making it quite frail.
As a dual-type Water/Dark Pokémon, Greninja has five weaknesses, including to the overpowered Fairy-type. It is immune to Psychic and resists six other types, which does create a nice balance. In the end, though, Grenija's bark may be worse than its bite. And while the Battle Bond ability does turn it into the absurdly powerful Ash Greninja, that's an event-exclusive ability that's not available to most players.
4 Blastoise, Squirtle's Final Form
Genwunners believe in Blastoise supremacy, and they might have a point. Blastoise is a terrific Pokémon with many fans the world over. Its main strengths rely on its high Defenses, both Physical and Special, although it does have average everything else. Like Feligatr, Samurott, and Inteleon before it, Blastoise is a pure Water-type, which means it only has two weaknesses.
Blastoise suffers mainly because of its disappointing Attack stats. It's a bulky Pokémon that can be a good tank, but that isn't really an asset in a playthrough. Like its Gen I siblings, Blastoise has both a Mega Evolution and a Gigantamax form. As Mega Blastoise, its Special Attack skyrockets, considerably boosting its profile. Its Speed remains abysmal, though.
3 Primarina, Popplio's Final Form
Primarina's high Special Attack and Special Defense make it a dangerous opponent. It's bulky, which means it can take hits and can hit back with equal strength. Its ability, Torrent, boosts the power of Water-type moves by 50% when it has lower HP. Considering its signature move - Sparkling Aria - is already 90 base power, the ability becomes a gift from above.
Its dual Water/Fairy-typing leaves it with three weaknesses, but it makes up for them with one immunity - to Dragon, no less - and six resistances. And with one of the franchise's most inspired and daring designs, Primarina holds a place of honor among all Starter Pokémon.
2 Swampert, Mudkip's Final Form
Water/Ground is an impressive combination. It gives Swampert quad vulnerability to Grass, but that's its only weakness. Furthermore, Swampert is immune to Electric and resists four more types, including the all-powerful Steel. Swampert's main strengths rely on its high HP and Physical Attack, although its Speed is quite awful.
Swampert is Super Effective against three of the eight Hoenn Gym Leaders. It's also useful in the battles against Elite Four Drake and resists most of Champion Steven's Pokémon. Swampert received a Mega Evolution in ORAS, which further increased its Physical Attack stat. Its Speed, however, remained terrible.
1 Empoleon, Piplup's Final Form
With a type combination that makes it unique among all other Water-types, and a design that combines the best of both worlds, Empoleon is not only the best Water starter, but it's also one of the best Water Pokémon.
Like every other Starter, it has a base stat total of 530. Special Attack and Special Defense overpower everything else, and like most other Water Starters, it has a pitiful Speed. Empoleon's typing does result in three weaknesses, but it more than makes up for them with one immunity and a whopping ten resistances. Empoleon is Super Effective against two Gym Leaders and two Elite Four members, which only confirms its place as the best Water Starter of all.
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April 22, 2021 at 05:30AM
