Which Starter Pokemon should you pick in Pokemon Sword and Shield?
Your first Pokemon will likely influence your playstyle throughout the game – but which one should you pick? Will you run with the Sobble Squad or Grookey Gang? I’ve got a few tips to help you choose the Pokemon that’s right for you in your quest to become the Galarian Champion.
This analysis is subject to change pending official Pokemon events. It is likely that special event versions of the Sword and Shield starter Pokemon will be released with hidden abilities and new moves.
Grookey line: Grookey, Thwackey, Rillaboom
Grass-type
Rillaboom Base Stats:
HP 100
Attack 125
Defense 90
Sp. Atk 60
Sp. Def 70
Speed 85
Base Stat Total: 530
Abilities:
Overgrow – Grass-type moves are powered up by 50% when this Pokemon is at 1/3 health or lower
Grassy Surge (currently unavailable) – When this Pokemon enters battle, it summons Grassy Terrain. Grassy Terrain restores 1/16th of the Pokemon’s max HP each turn if they are on the ground (i.e. not Flying type or Levitating). The moves Magnitude, Earthquake, and Dig deal half damage while Grassy Terrain is in effect.
Pros:
Good physical movepool
Good overall defenses: 100 HP/90 Def/70 Sp. Def
Grassy Surge will provide plenty of utility when it is released and mitigates some recoil damage from Wood Hammer
Cons:
Common weaknesses in Fire, Flying, and Ice
No real way to threaten Flying types like Corviknight, Togekiss, or Hawlucha
Special Attack is nonexistent
Speed is pretty average
Moves to consider:
Wood Hammer, Drum Beating, Superpower, Knock Off, U-Turn, Earthquake, Darkest Lariat, Bulk Up, Brick Break, Drain Punch, Hammer Arm, High Horsepower, Swords Dance
Suggestions:
I would suggest running Rillaboom as a physical attacker, but be advised that there are a lot of fast special attackers that can ruin your day. Despite obviously having the dexterity to play the drums, it’s a real shame that Rillaboom doesn’t have access to moves like Thunderpunch or Poison Jab to at least threaten Flying or Fairy types. Rillaboom also unfortunately doesn’t have any Rock-type moves in its wheelhouse, further limiting coverage options. As someone who owns Harambe merchandise, I’m definitely a fan of this green gorilla. However, I would say hold off on using Rillaboom seriously until the hidden ability is released. Grass-type coverage is pretty easy to come by.
Alternatives: Gyarados with Power Whip, Ferrothorn, Dhelmise, Abomasnow, Flapple, Appletun, Venusaur (when available)
Scorbunny line: Scorbunny, Raboot, Cinderace
Fire-type
Cinderace Base Stats:
HP 80
Attack 116
Defense 75
Sp. Atk 65
Sp. Def 75
Speed 119
Base Stat Total: 530
Abilities:
Blaze – Fire-type moves are powered up by 50% when this Pokemon is at 1/3 health or lower
Libero (currently unavailable) – When this Pokemon changes its type to the type of the move it is about to use.
Pros:
Amazing Attack and Speed
Signature moves (Pyro Ball and Court Change) are great
Cons:
Fragile
Unusable Special Attack
Very common weaknesses (Water, Rock, Ground)
Moves to consider: Court Change, Pyro Ball, High Jump Kick, Flare Blitz, Sucker Punch, Zen Headbutt, Gunk Shot, U-Turn, Bounce, Bulk Up, Iron Head, Fire Punch
Suggestions:
Cinderace will probably become Greninja 2.0 once its Hidden Ability is released. As of now, it’s a fast physical attacking starter Pokemon with a more shallow movepool. You can use moves like Bounce or Gunk Shot for coverage when Dynamaxed, but they aren’t terribly reliable otherwise. Court Change can spectacularly screw over your opponents by stealing their entry hazards and screens. Cinderace can buff itself with Max Knuckle or Bulk Up, but it would be better off pivoting out with U-Turn before eating a super effective attack.
Alternatives: Rotom-H, Galarian Darmanitan, Centiskorch, Charizard, Chandelure, Salazzle, Manectric with Flamethrower, Boltund
Sobble Line: Sobble, Drizzile, Inteleon
Water-type
Inteleon Base Stats:
HP 70
Attack 85
Defense 65
Sp. Atk 125
Sp. Def 65
Speed 120
Base Stat Total: 530
Abilities:
Torrent – Water-type moves are powered up by 50% when this Pokemon is at 1/3 health or lower
Sniper (currently unavailable) – This Pokemon’s critical hits deal an extra 50% damage
Pros:
Very high Special Attack and Speed
Cons:
Fragile
Both abilities are average at best
Moves to consider:
Air Slash, Aqua Jet, Blizzard, Ice Beam, Dark Pulse, Hydro Pump, Scald, Shadow Ball, Sucker Punch, Surf, Swords Dance, Snipe Shot, U-Turn, Focus Energy
Suggestions:
Once Sniper Inteleon is available, you’ll be able to fish for crits with a Scope Lens + Focus Energy moveset. In the meantime, you have a very fast and hard hitting lizard…and that’s about it. Inteleon has a usable movepool but no way to boost its Special Attack, and it lacks any really amazing coverage options. Be careful of priority moves or entry hazards that can take out your sniper gecko before it gets a shot off!
Alternatives: Gyarados, Cloyster, Dracovish, Lapras, Lanturn, Rotom-W, Pelipper, Barraskewda Seismitoad, Blastoise (when available)
I don’t like any of these!
Not a fan of the Galar region’s starters? You’re not alone! I actually benched my Rillaboom after the second gym. If you don’t care for the alternatives that I’ve listed, try using some of the recommendations that the Pokedex lists based on your area.
Looking for more Pokemon content? Check out our five essential tips for any player starting out in Pokemon Sword & Shield.
