One of the most crucial aspects of anyPokemongeneration is the region’s starters, with these mons often being the first ones revealed for a new gen and acting as mascots for the latest games. Beyond the base form of a givenPokemongame’s starter trio, the other two stages of their evolutionary line need to carry the same level of interest from players, since they will likely remain by their side throughout the game. Some generations of final starter evolutions have become clear standouts over others, and Gen 10 would be wise to follow one pattern for success.
While certain design elements inPokemon’s final starter evolutionshave historically been controversial, such as a shift towards more bipedal mons, the starter’s typing is arguably its most divisive component. Some fans may remember the controversy surrounding three subsequent generations of Fire/Fighting starters finally broken by Gen 6’s Fire/Psychic starter Delphox.Pokemon Sword and Shield’s starters have a similar problem, with each of the three starters being mono-type Fire, Water, and Grass types respectively, leaving them as some of the series' less memorable first partners.
Gen 10 Can Make its Starters More Interesting Than Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Mono-Type Ones
Sword and Shield’s Mono-Type Starters Held Back Their Potential
Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon were not the first trio of starters to only have one type, but they are the most recent example of how leaving off a secondary type can undermine a starter’s staying power. While Rillaboom has the advantage of carving out a nicecompetitive niche amongPokemonVGC play, the same can’t be said for Cinderace and Inteleon. Without a secondary type to give Cinderace and Inteleon additional utility, their value on a player’s team is severely lower than other mons who have a second type, which is unfortunate for critters that are supposed to be mascots of their game.
The only other generation where all three of the final starter evolutions are mono-type is Gen 2 with Meganium, Typhlosion, and Feraligatr.
Prior to Cinderace’s typing being officially confirmed, many fans worried it would fall into the same Fire/Fighting trap that so many Fire-type starters had done before it. However, even the secondary type of Fighting would give Cinderace some additional utility, allowing it to make up for Fire’s weakness to Rock. The starters getting Gigantamax forms somewhat correct the lack of a second typing, but withGigantamax only existing in Gen 8, these mons have become far less relevant in Gen 9.
Pokemon Gen 10 Has the Lion’s Share of Starter Type Combos to Choose From
Aside from Gen 8, recent generations have been great about giving their starters unique secondary typings, and Gen 10 should be no different. There are several types that areunused as secondary types on a starter Pokemon, including Rock, Bug, Ice, and Dragon. Giving the Gen 10 starters unique type combinations like Fire/Rock, Grass/Bug, and Water/Ice would be a great way to make them stand out against the nine previous generations.
Another interesting concept would be to make all of thefinal starter evolutions part Dragon-type; it is an unused starter type but also weak against itself, so having all three share the type would balance out. Another trend Gen 10 should avoid is giving one or two of its starters a second type, but not all three. This practice was a lot more common in earlier generations, but it can make one or two of the starters the obvious best choice depending on how well the type synergizes with the line-up of trainers players will face. To maintain balance among the starters, and make them desirable for players to use long-term, Gen 10 should give each final starter evolution a secondary type.
Pokemon Sword and Shield
WHERE TO PLAY
Begin your adventure as a Pokémon Trainer by choosing one of three new partner Pokémon: Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble. Then embark on a journey in the new Galar region, where you’ll challenge the troublemakers of Team Yell, while unraveling the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta! Explore the Wild Area, a vast expanse of land where the player can freely control the camera. Team up with three other players locally or online** in the new multiplayer co-op Max Raid Battles* in which players will face off against gigantic and super-strong Pokémon known as Dynamax Pokémon.Certain Pokémon can even Gigantamax to gain a new look and a powerful set of G-Max moves. But there’s more to being a champion than honing your battle skills: you can pick your own clothes and get a new hairdo while visiting the stores in town, so you can be the trainer you want to be. Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter newly discovered Pokémon as well as familiar ones that will look a little different in their new Galarian forms! For another way to level up your Pokémon, assign them Poké Jobs to complete, and for fun, you can even play with your Pokémon in Pokémon Camp!
