Every Pokemon starter is loved by someone, and that love usually begins at first sight. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are proof of this as, one way or another, fans immediately fell for Fuecoco, Sprigatito, and Quaxly. Fuecoco appears to be the most popular starter for now, but that could very well change based on final evolutions and other details.
Surely, stats matter in games like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. That may play some role in many players’ choices, but arguably, the most important element is the Starter’s design. Some are hit or miss for some people, but even just looking at Water starters, the rule of cool is in full effect. Comparing how they realize their design, their typing, and their stats is fun, and for this Water Starter tier list, these things matter in that exact order. Design of the first and final form weighs more heavily than the rest of these factors. The tier list is based on this and then sorted numerically based on the starter’s generation.
S-Tier
Gen 3: Mudkip, Marshtomp, and Swampert – Mudkip and Swampert have awesome designs, one that fans have loved for a long time, and there’s no shortage of Mudkip memes because of it either. The Hoenn starters went a long way in making the region so beloved; Mudkip is no exception. Combine this with its Water/Ground typing, its Mega evolution, and Mudkip is real threat through and through.
Gen 4: Piplup, Prinplup, Empoleon – Piplup is a cute penguin who manages to retain the best of its design as it evolves. Empoleon’s regal stature is certainly appreciated, but its Water/Steel typing makes it a real stand-out compared to other Water starters.
Gen 6: Froakie, Frogadier, Greninja - A Water/Dark type with high speed that is based on a ninja, and that’s all really anyone has to say about Froakie/Greninja. The rule of cool is in full effect here, even if Frogadier is a little lackluster. Greninja ends up being a glass cannon, but that gives it a unique competitive edge when it comes to stats. Toss Ash Greninja on top of that, and it’s a done deal.
A-Tier
Gen 1: Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise – There’s no disrespecting the original Water starter, but stat-wise, Blastoise has a couple of good ones with the rest being extremely average. Mega Blastoise is a major change here and helps bolster that aspect of this Pokemon.
Gen 2: Totodile, Croconaw, Feraligatr – Totodile and Feraligatr have excellent designs, and Croconaw is no slouch either. If this tier list was ONLY substantiated by design, then Totodile/Feraligatr would no doubt be an S-Tier. However, its pure water typing and average stats hold the Pokemon back, ever so slightly.
B-Tier
Gen 8: Sobble, Drizzile, Inteleon – Sobble has a pretty unique design as a crying lizard that evolves into a secret agent chameleon Pokemon, but compared to many others here, Sobble is the only one that stands out. It has a Gigantamax form and it has solid stats, but it’s also a pure water type and loses a lot on the design front—if only in comparison to hard hitters on this tier list.
C-Tier
Gen 5: Oshawott, Dewott, and Samurott – There’s no such thing as a bad starter, truly, but in comparison to others here, Oshawott and Samurott don’t really hit the same high marks. Oshawott specifically stands out because of how similar it is to Piplup. The design is only acceptable, the stats are outclassed by other water Pokemon in its own region, and the pure water type doesn’t help it. Its Water/Dark Hisuian variant is a little cooler, but it just doesn’t capture fan attention immediately.
Gen 7: Popplio, Brionne, and Primarina – Popplio evolves into the Water/Fairy type Primarina, but that typing is really the only thing that stands out for Primarina. The mermaid design just doesn’t hit like many others on this list. Coupled with a couple of good stats, the rest being average, and all of that, and it’s easy to see why many would pass on Popplio.
Again, all starters are great and loved by someone, and there’s a reason this Tier list only goes as low as a C.
How Does Quaxly Compare to Other Water Starters?
Of course, it would be unfair to put Quaxly anywhere on this tier list, not until after Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s release. Stat-wise, there’s no way of knowing how it compares. Design-wise, it is seemingly off to a good start. A Water Duck Pokemon has been done before, but it’s not the worst either—particularly with Quaxly’s butler-like approach. A lot of it depends on the progression, of course, with many thinking Quaxly will adopt a more knightly design by its final form.
Its typing could go a long way in this too. Pure Water-type Pokemon are not bad, of course, but better typing means better coverage. If Quaxly went that way, it’s hard to say. Some think Quaxly will have a second typing, perhaps even Fighting, but that’s not the most popular secondary type either. Quaxly has had a warm reception thus far, so a lot of it remains to be seen.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet release late 2022 for Nintendo Switch.