Which starter do I choose? | Basic Information Pokemon X/Y Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

A starter is a Pokemon You receive early in the game. The choice is probably the biggest in the entire game. The starter is the Pokemon You will spend the most time with, and has a visible impact on the game's difficulty level. For example, the first leader specializes in Bug-type Pokemon, so if the water-using Froakie is Your pick, the battles in the stadium leading up to wining the Bug Badge may be difficult. The starters are as follow:

1. Grass-type Chespin. Final form: Grass/Fighting-type Chesnaught. A good choice for inexperienced players. The first three badges are a breeze. Easiest to evolve.

2. Fire-type Fennekin. Final form: Fire/Psychic-type: Delephox. A "medium" difficulty level. The first badges are quite easy. You will rely on him/her a lot in the endgame. My personal choice (the psychic type really pulls a number on most of the strongest trainers), and the best way to conquer the troublesome Fairy Badge

3. Water-type Froakie. Final form Water/Dark-type Greninja. Water attacks can help You get the second Badge easily, but in pivotal moments of the story (and on most Gym Leader battles) you will have to rely on different monsters.

The X & Y are the first Pokemon games that allow You to get a second starter (heck, if You count Torchic accessible through the "mystery gift" function, You will have all the three "main" types!). The second starter are the beloved fan-favorites from the original Red & Blue. They are: Bulbasur (Grass-type), Charmander (Fire-type) and Squirtle (Water-type). So if You choose wisely, You can have an universal and a well balanced team. I personally chose Squirtle for the water-type pokemon that makes the Cliff Badge (Rock-type Pokemon) that much easier to obtain, and recompensated for the lack of a strong Grass-type monster by various other monsters.

The second starters are also the ONLY starters that can ascend to the mega evolution (and You won't have to desperately search for the mega stone, as it is given to You from the start).