Best Starter in Generation 8

Your adventure in the Galar region begins with a choice between three unique Pokémon: the Chimp Pokémon, Grookey; the Rabbit Pokémon, Scorbunny; and the Water Lizard Pokémon, Sobble. This decision will significantly shape your early-game experience, as your starter will be your most reliable partner against the first few Gym Leaders.

As they grow, their true potential is unlocked in their final evolutions. Grookey becomes the powerful Rillaboom, a pure Grass-type that beats its foes into submission with its drum. Scorbunny evolves into the agile Cinderace, a pure Fire-type striker with incredible speed. Sobble matures into the slick Inteleon, a pure Water-type secret agent that attacks from a distance with precision. Each carves out a distinct role: Rillaboom is a bulky physical attacker, Cinderace is a swift physical sweeper, and Inteleon is a blazing-fast special attacker.

While personal preference is key, each starter's journey through the Galar Gym Challenge varies in difficulty. A Pokémon's typing is crucial for gaining an advantage in these major battles.

Scorbunny is often considered to have the most straightforward path. It has a type advantage against the first Gym Leader, Milo (Grass), and its final evolution, Cinderace, holds a significant edge against many later challenges, including Raihan's mixed dragon team (partially), and Chairman Rose's Steel-types.

Grookey has a solid start, easily handling the second Gym Leader, Nessa (Water). However, it faces a major roadblock against the third Gym, Kabu's Fire-type Pokémon. For the rest of the journey, Rillaboom is a reliable and powerful partner, but it may require more team support to cover its weaknesses compared to Cinderace.

Sobble has the opposite experience. It struggles against the first Gym but dominates the third. As Inteleon, it's a formidable force capable of out-speeding and one-shotting many opponents. However, its path contains several matchups where it is at a disadvantage, making a well-balanced team essential from an early stage.

Ultimately, all three are fantastic Pokémon capable of carrying you to the Champion's seat. Scorbunny offers the smoothest ride, but Grookey and Sobble provide a rewarding challenge. To see how their final forms stack up directly, check out the comparison below.