Choosing a Starter Pokemon: The Kalos Region

In the world of Pokemon every young boy or girl starts out more or less equal -- that is to say without a Pokemon and about to set out on their great adventure. The first step on that journey is the selection of their first -- or starter -- Pokemon.

The Starter Pokemon come in three basic types -- Fire, Water, and Grass Types -- and when the new trainer receives them they are already leveled to Level 5, having one damage-dealing move, and one stat-changing move.

All that should be very familiar to the returning player -- but that is pretty much as far as that goes because in this newest version in the series the traditional dynamic with respect to Starters and their limitations pretty much goes out the window.

In fact the Region is quite literally packed with Pokemon from previous generations as well as new ones unique to the Region. Not only that but you will come to terms with a new type of evolution as well.

All of that really needs to be taken into consideration, and we will, but let's cover some other basics first shall we?

Bearing in mind that the Starter is not simply your first Pokemon, but the Pokemon that will lead to collecting all of the other Pokemon that will eventually make up your team when you use it to capture your first wild one. So really everything begins with your Starter Pokemon and then some.

In the Kalos Region -- home to the games Pokemon X and Y -- You will eventually be choosing three different Starters from three different Regions, though the first choice at the start of the game must be made from the following:

Cheapin -- a Grass Type whose evolutionary chain consists of Cheapin > Quilladin > Chesnaught.

Fennekin -- a Fire Type whose evolutionary chain consists of Fennekin > Braixen > Delphox.

Froakie -- a Water Type whose evolutionary chain consists of Froakie > Frogadier > Greninja.

As was encountered in the previous generation, the choice of the Starter has further complications in that it impacts other, later, events!

Specifically which Starter you choose directly impacts which Starter that your mate Shauna trades with you after you enter the Hall of Fame -- Shauna will trade the first form of her Starter Pokemon which she obtained in Egg form.

In addition to that -- and far more important depending upon your point of view -- is the fact that which of the Starters you choose directly determines which Legendary bird Pokemon will be found roaming in the Kalos Region after you have defeated the Pokemon League and become the Champion.

Chespin will cause Articuno to appear; Fennekin spawns Zapdos; and Moltres is triggered by choosing Froakie as your Starter.

Further complicating this choice is the fact that shortly thereafter you will then need to choose from a previous generation Starter in the form of Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle.

Further complicating this situation is the fact that you will quite easily be able to obtain the full set of the special trio of Pokemon who mirror the Starters in types as a set -- Pansage, Pansear, and Panpour.

What all of this means in essence is that you will find it very easy to have the three archetypes that usually make up the Starters selection pool with little to no effort on your part!

Of course you will also be able to obtain other supporting types which will, very rapidly, permit you to assemble a complete and dynamic team and selection of types almost before you complete the first Gym Battle!

Yet there is still the issue of the important role that the Starter plays in your team in the first place...

The Enduring Starter

For the vast majority of trainers the Pokemon that they choose as their starter has far more significance and value to them than simply being the first Pokemon that they use to capture their next Pokemon!

In fact it is estimated that around 90% of the players who are fans of the game tend to retain their Starter and use and evolve them as their main Pokemon and Team Leader for the entire adventure.

As noted above though, that first Pokemon is the key to the long chain of additional Pokemon that the player will encounter, battle, capture, and collect.

While the vast majority of the Pokemon you capture in the wild will end up residing in a Pokemon Storage Box in the Pokemon Center Network -- at least until you have become the League Champion and finally turn to the lengthy and challenging task of evolving and training them in order to complete your Pokedex -- your starter is very likely to be your best friend and preferred go-to Pokemon for the more important battles, when their type suits!

Choosing Your Starter

The first thing you need to focus upon is the following fact: There is NO wrong choice.

The incredible plethora of types that are almost instantly available in the game and the multiple Starter sets as well as complimentary types create a very odd situation for a Pokemon game in this version because in essence the strange plethora of options render the choice of just which Starter you choose -- at least with respect to strategic value -- as simply of no value at all!

That being the case the choice in this instance is entirely simple: choose the Starter that corresponds to the Legendary Bird Pokemon that you most want to add to your collection later. Easey-peasey Lemon-squeezy.

Posted: 9th Dec 2013 by CMBF
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