The Unsung Underdogs: Ranking Pokémon's Most Disappointing Starters

Choosing your first Pokémon is a monumental decision, a sacred rite of passage for every trainer. It's the moment you forge an unbreakable bond, selecting the partner that will stand by your side through countless battles, gym challenges, and Elite Four triumphs. Yet, not all starters are created equal.

While some blossom into formidable champions, others, well, they sometimes leave us wondering if we made the right choice.

This isn't to say these Pokémon are inherently 'bad'—every Pokémon has its charm and a dedicated fanbase. But when stacked against their peers, or against the specific challenges of their home regions, some starters just don't quite hit the mark.

They might struggle with early-game Gym Leaders, possess less-than-ideal typing, or evolve into forms that leave players scratching their heads. Let's dive into the fascinating, albeit sometimes frustrating, world of the Pokémon starters that often find themselves at the bottom of our tier lists.

Chikorita: The Perpetual Underdog of Johto

Ah, Chikorita.

The Grass-type starter from the Johto region is arguably the poster child for 'struggling starter'. While adorable, its pure Grass typing is a severe disadvantage in the early stages of Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. Falkner's Flying-type Gym, Bugsy's Bug-type Gym, and even Morty's Ghost-type Gym (with Gastly's Poison-typing) all pose significant threats.

Meganium, its final evolution, boasts impressive defensive stats and a serene design, but its offensive capabilities are lackluster, making it a challenging choice for trainers who prefer to sweep through opponents. Despite its gentle nature, Chikorita often feels like an uphill battle, requiring more strategic planning and reliance on other team members than its fiery and watery counterparts.

Tepig: The Fire/Fighting Fatigue

When Tepig, the Fire-type starter of the Unova region, was revealed, trainers were cautiously optimistic.

Its evolutions, Pignite and especially Emboar, quickly revealed a familiar pattern: Fire/Fighting. This typing, while powerful, had already been used by Blaziken (Hoenn) and Infernape (Sinnoh). By the time Emboar arrived, many felt a sense of 'been there, done that'. Beyond the typing fatigue, Emboar is notably slower than its predecessors, relying on raw power that often comes at the cost of taking significant damage.

While its Attack stat is admirable, its relatively low Speed and Special Defense leave it vulnerable, making it a less agile and versatile fighter compared to the swift Infernape or the mixed-attacker Blaziken.

Chespin: The Thorny Path to Greatness

From the Kalos region, Chespin starts as a charming Grass-type.

Its final evolution, Chesnaught, introduces the unique Grass/Fighting typing, shared only with Breloom before it. While this combination offers some interesting resistances, it also brings a slew of new weaknesses, including a crippling quadruple weakness to Flying-type attacks. Chesnaught's design, a large, thorny bipedal armadillo, also received mixed reviews.

Competitively, Chesnaught struggles to find a consistent niche. Its stats are well-rounded but not outstanding in any particular area, leaving it outclassed by other Grass or Fighting types that excel in specific roles, whether as tanks or offensive threats. For a region known for its groundbreaking Mega Evolutions, Chespin felt a little...underpowered by comparison.

Fennekin: The Foxy Contradiction

Fennekin, the elegant Fire-type fox from Kalos, evolves into Delphox, a Fire/Psychic-type.

While the typing is unique and intriguing, its execution left many trainers wanting more. Delphox's design, transitioning from a quadrupedal fox to a bipedal wizard-like creature, was a significant departure that didn't resonate with everyone. Its stats lean heavily into Special Attack and Special Defense, making it a decent special wall and attacker, but its Speed is only average, and its physical defense is quite low.

Despite its magic-wielding aesthetic, Delphox's movepool sometimes feels restrictive, and it often struggles to leverage its Psychic typing as effectively as some pure Psychic-types or other dual-types. It's a Pokémon with potential, but one that often feels like it's holding back.

Why Do We Still Love Them?

Despite their perceived weaknesses, these 'worst' starters still hold a special place in many trainers' hearts.

Perhaps it's the challenge they present, forcing players to think more creatively about team composition and strategy. Or maybe it's their unique designs and personalities, which, even if not universally loved, offer a distinct flavor to the Pokémon world. Ultimately, the 'worst' starter is a subjective title, often dictated by competitive viability or early-game struggles rather than inherent worth.

Every Pokémon, especially a starter, is a journey, and sometimes the most challenging paths lead to the most memorable victories. So, next time you see a Chikorita or a Tepig, remember: they might not be the strongest, but they're certainly not to be underestimated.