Which Starter Pokemon Should I Choose? - Pokemon SoulSilver

I'm quite sure that many people out there always have a hard time deciding which Starter Pokemon one should start with in the Pokemon SoulSilver game, and I have to admit that it's not an easy choice either. You're given a choice of either Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile. Of course, each Pokemon has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, whichever Pokemon you choose will always end up as a valuable team member, though you might experience some difficulties in the beginning. Let's take a look at each Pokemon.

CHIKORITA Chikorita is a Grass-Type Pokemon. This means that it'll be strong against Water-type Pokemon but weak to Fire-Type. Many have noted that starting with Chikorita makes the game much harder to play and it truly is if you take a look at Chikorita's weaknesses. As a Grass-type, Chikorita is also weak to Flying, Poison, and Ice-types. However, it's resistant against Ground, Water, Grass, and Electric attacks. Chikorita evolves into Bayleef at Level 16 and into a Meganium at Level 32. As a Chikorita, it learns a few powerful Grass attacks such as Razor Leaf at Level 6, Magical Leaf at Level 20, and Solar Beam at Level 45. If you evolve it, it'll learn Solar Beam at much later levels (54 as a Bayleef and 66 as a Meganium), but the good thing is that Solar Beam is a TM.

As a result, Chikorita is weak against the first two gyms, as they carry Flying and Bug-types respectively. If you choose Chikorita, it would be a good idea to also have a Electric and Water type Pokemon with you. However, Chikorita does come in useful on Surf-ing trips. Chikorita also comes with the best Defense stat out of the Starter Pokemon, being able to outlast foes longer. In the end, Chikorita is a hit or miss.

CYNDAQUIL Cyndaquil is a Fire-Type Pokemon, weak to Water but strong against Grass-types. Cyndaquil is one of the better Pokemon to choose if you want to have an easy game. Its only weakness are to Ground, Rock, and Water-types, but its super effective against a wide range of types (Steel, Grass, Ice, and Bug). Cyndaquil will have an easy time defeating most of the major gym battles. However, what it makes up for in offense, it lacks in Defense, and this will continue on for the rest of its evolutions. Cyndaquil won't learn many good Fire moves early on. You'll have to hold onto Ember for awhile (Level 10) before it can learn Lava Plume at Level 31 or Flamethrower at Level 37. Cyndaquil evolves into Quilava at Level 14 and into Tyhplosion at Level 36, so it will reach its final evolution later than the other two Starters.

Also, there aren't that many good Fire Pokemon in SoulSilver. It'll be awhile before one can catch a Vulpix and it'll require a Fire Stone to evolve, which can be hard to come by. I personally love Cyndaquil the best, because I think its the cutest. Plus, you can't ignore the numerous Type-advantages it has.


TOTODILE Totodile is a Water-Type Pokemon, who is weak against Grass but strong against Fire-types. Totodile is weak to Grass and Electric types. However, it doesn't have too many Types where its attacks will be super effective, other than Fire, Ground, and Rock, but it does have a 1/2 resistance to Fire, Ice, Steel, and Water types. Totodile evolves into Croconaw at Level 18 and into Feraligator at Level 30, so it'll reach its final evolution earlier than the other two. As a Water-Type, Totodile provides a good and balanced game. You'll see it come especially useful for learning the HM Surf. However, it is because of this that you'll also get to see quite a number of good Water Pokemon scattered about. Totodile also packs quite a good round of attacks, learning Water Gun at Level 6, Ice Fang at Level 20, Crunch at Level 27, and Hydro Pump at Level 48.