First partner Pokémon: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 03:21, 20 May 2024

The contents of this article have been suggested to be split into "Kanto first partner Pokémon", "Johto first partner Pokémon", "Hoenn first partner Pokémon", "Sinnoh first partner Pokémon", and so on.
Please discuss it on the talk page for this article.

A first partner Pokémon, also referred to informally as a starter Pokémon, is the first Pokémon that a Trainer owns at the start of their Pokémon journey. This primarily refers to Grass-, Fire-, or Water-type Pokémon given to players by a Pokémon Professor or other mentor at the beginning of the core series Pokémon games, as well as Pikachu or Eevee in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, but can otherwise be any Pokémon outside of this context.

Red picking his first partner Pokémon

In the games, the player's first partner will be used to battle the first wild Pokémon they encounter. Once another Pokémon is caught, their first partner may be retired, but it is often with this Pokémon that Trainers learn friendship and trust. As such, even advanced Trainers may still use their first partner Pokémon, and they will often be the most powerful Pokémon on their respective teams.

It is said that the first partner Pokémon are extremely rare in the wild, accounting for their uniqueness in each game.

In the creative process, first partner Pokémon are the Pokémon from each game that the most work goes into, and usually take significantly more time than other Pokémon in each generation.^[1]

Terminology

Promotional image for The Indigo Disk using the term "first partner Pokémon"^[2]

Main article: Terminology of first partner Pokémon

First partner Pokémon

Since Generation VI, "first partner Pokémon" is the main term officially used to refer to these Pokémon in the Pokémon games, animation, TCG, and other media. It is sometimes shortened to simply "first partner".

Occasionally, other Pokémon have been referred to as first partner Pokémon, such as Poipole in its Ultra Sun Pokédex entry, as well as various Pokémon in Pokémon Masters EX.

Krysta Yang, a former public relations manager at Nintendo of America, has claimed that the phrase "partner Pokémon" is preferred in official communication due to "starter Pokémon" implying that the player will "be rid of them" later in the game.^[3]

Starter Pokémon

Historically, these Pokémon have been referred to as "starter Pokémon", sometimes shortened as "starters", though these terms were rarely used in the games, and used occasionally during the second through fourth series of Pokémon the Series.

Starting in Pokémon the Series: XY, the term "starter Pokémon" fell out of use entirely in the animated series. At a panel at PokéCon 2015, then-voice director of the English dub of Pokémon the Series, Tom Wayland, stated that "starter Pokémon" is "an unofficial term now".^[4]

In 2019, Sonja Hammes, then a social media associate at The Pokémon Company International,^[5] stated that official social media accounts had been given authorization to use the phrase "starter Pokémon" with specific formatting restrictions.^[6]^[7]

Japanese terminology

In contrast to the English terminology, Japanese does not have a particular term that is consistently used to refer to first partner Pokémon. The most common Japanese term is 「パートナー」 (partner), but occasionally 相棒 (partner) may also be used. These terms, as well as just ポケモン (Pokémon), are usually paired with 最初の (first) or 初めての (first), but other terms such as 最初に選んだ (that was chosen first) or はじめに選んだ (that was chosen first) are also used. Among Japanese fans, 御三家 (the big three) is commonly used to refer to the Grass, Fire, and Water trios.

Grass, Fire, and Water trios

Most marketing refers exclusively to the standard trios of Grass-, Fire-, and Water-type Pokémon that can be chosen at the start of most core series games.

The Grass, Fire, and Water types handily illustrate the type effectiveness mechanics of Pokémon battles: Fire "beats" Grass (a Fire-type move deals double damage when attacking a Grass-type Pokémon, but a Fire-type Pokémon takes half damage from a Grass-type move), Water beats Fire, and Grass beats Water. This "rock, paper, scissors" relationship was illustrated in the instruction booklet of the original games.^[8]

The 27 Grass-, Fire-, and Water-type first partner Pokémon are listed below. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott return as first partners that can be chosen by the player shortly after they first land in Hisui.

Kanto first partner Pokémon

Johto first partner Pokémon

Hoenn first partner Pokémon

Sinnoh first partner Pokémon

Unova first partner Pokémon

Kalos first partner Pokémon

Alola first partner Pokémon

Galar first partner Pokémon

Paldea first partner Pokémon

The Kalos first partners also have a more broadly defined triangle in the secondary types of their final evolutions. They all still deal 2× damage offensively, and most still receive ½× damage defensively, but while Dark does not technically resist Psychic, it is still defensively advantaged since it is immune.

Other first partners

Aside from the regional trios, a few other Pokémon have been explicitly referred to as first partner Pokémon.

For a list of other Pokémon who are Trainers' first Pokémon, see list of characters' first Pokémon.

Player's first Pokémon

Pikachu and Eevee are given out as first partner Pokémon in Kanto by Professor Oak in some media. Pikachu is the first Pokémon given to the player in Pokémon Yellow, while Blue gets an Eevee. The partner Pikachu and Eevee are the first Pokémon caught by the player in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, respectively, while Oak gives Trace a standard Eevee in Let's Go, Pikachu! and a standard Pikachu in Let's Go, Eevee!

These Pokémon are never referred to as first partner Pokémon in-game; they are typically referred to as partner Pokémon instead. However, in one instance on the official website for the games, and on the Pokémon.com page for the games, they are referred to as first partner Pokémon.^[9]^[10]

Other references

Alolan Meowth is given out by Nanu as a first partner on Ula'ula Island in Alola. It is implied that kahunas are responsible for giving out first partners on their respective islands, so it is possible the other kahunas give out different Pokémon to the standard Alolan first partner Pokémon given by Hala.

Poipole's Pokédex entry in Pokémon Ultra Sun refers to it as a popular first partner in its world.

In the games

Core series games

The Sinnoh first partner trio wallpaper in Pokémon HOME

In the core series games, a rival character often picks the Pokémon that is strong against the one the player chose, nominally setting them up for challenging battles going forward.

The Pokémon in the regional first partner trios have several common characteristics, both among each other and between generations. The most obvious commonality is their reliable typing. They all have an Ability that boosts their main type when their HP becomes low: the Grass types have Overgrow, Fire types have Blaze, and Water types have Torrent. They also all have a gender ratio of seven males to one female, generally making breeding them slightly inconvenient. When obtained at the start of a game, they are always level 5 and they start out knowing a Normal-type physical move (Pound, Scratch, or Tackle) and a stat-altering status move (Growl, Leer, or Tail Whip); since Generation VI (with the exception of Generation VIII), they also have an attacking move that matches their main type.

The table below shows the Pokémon that are selectable at the start of each core series game, and which other games they can also be obtained in. A ^G, ^F, or ^W above the game's title indicates that only the first partner Pokémon in the trio that corresponds to that type is obtainable in that game. For availability in games outside of the core series, refer to the "Game locations" heading of the Pokémon's respective page for its species.

Game(s)	First partners	Also obtainable in
RG B/RB, FRLG		Y, HGSS, XY, USUM, PE, SwSh^F (IA)^G^W, BDSP, SV (ID)
Y		All games except BW and B2W2
GS C, HGSS		E, ORAS, SM, BDSP, SV (ID)
RS E, ORAS		HGSS, USUM, SwSh (IA), BDSP, SV (ID)
DP Pt, BDSP		ORAS, USUM, BDSP, LA, SV (ID)
BW, B2W2		ORAS, SM, SV (ID)
XY		USUM, SV (ID)
SM USUM		SwSh (IA), SV (ID)
P		None
E		None
SwSh		SV (ID)
LA		E^F, ORAS^F^W, SM, USUM^G, SwSh (IA)^G, BDSP^F, SV (ID)
SV		None

Other games

Main article: List of the player's first Pokémon

Other games may use one of the classic first partner Pokémon, with Pikachu being fairly common; but many games give the player other Pokémon as their first Pokémon.

In the anime

Main series

Ash with his Kanto first partner Pokémon and Pikachu

In Pokémon the Series, upon their tenth birthday, youths can register for a Pokédex and pick up a first partner Pokémon from the local Pokémon Professor or Pokémon Center free of charge. First partner Pokémon are usually raised specifically to be easy to train.

Like in the games, the specific first partner Pokémon available vary from region to region but are the same in each region as the games. That is, Kanto Trainers can only choose Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle; Johto Trainers can only choose Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile; and so on.

In A Mudkip Mission, it was shown where first partner Pokémon come from. Each region has special, secret breeding grounds run by a Pokémon Breeder for first partner Pokémon. The Pokémon League sends these Breeders the Pokémon Eggs for them to hatch at the breeding grounds. The breeders then hatch, care for, and raise the young Pokémon until they are ready to be proper first partner Pokémon for new Trainers. As these young ones are virtually defenseless, the locations of breeding grounds (or even the knowledge of their existence) is a secret unknown to most in the Pokémon world. This is likely to guard against unscrupulous individuals or groups (such as Team Rocket) from poaching the young Pokémon.

However, not all first partner Pokémon are raised at these special breeding grounds, with Professor Birch said to catch and raise his own first partner Pokémon for Trainers.

Other rookie Trainers may receive their first Pokémon from a friend or relative instead. Others, on the other hand, may befriend a Pokémon in the wild. These mean that Trainers can, in fact, start with any Pokémon.

The Kanto first partner Pokémon in Professor Cerise's laboratory
The Johto first partner Pokémon owned by Ash
The Hoenn first partner Pokémon, owned by Brock, Ash, and May
The Sinnoh first partner Pokémon in Professor Rowan's laboratory
The Unova region first partner Pokémon in Professor Juniper's laboratory
The Kalos region first partner Pokémon in Professor Sycamore's laboratory
The Alola first partner Pokémon, owned by Ash and Lana
The Galar region first partner Pokémon
The Hisui region first partner Pokémon
The Paldea first partner Pokémon, owned by Liko, Dot, and Roy

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer

Rosa and Serperior in the Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer

The Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer's extended cut features all three of Unova's first partner Pokémon: Nate is shown with an Emboar, Hugh is seen with a Samurott (having picked the opposing type, like most rivals do in the games), and Rosa uses a Serperior to battle Cheren's Stoutland.

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer

The Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer also features all three of Hoenn's first partner Pokémon, in all forms including their Mega Evolutions. Brendan is shown to have picked a Treecko, while May has both a Torchic and Mudkip.

In the manga

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu, unlike the animated series from which the manga was based on, new Pokémon Trainers do not appear to be given any sort of first partner Pokémon. Professor Oak is not shown residing at his laboratory handing out first partner Pokémon to new Trainers, as in the animated series, rather, he travels the Kanto region conducting research, often accompanied by Bill. Trainers in The Electric Tale of Pikachu must obtain a license before they can purchase Poké Balls or otherwise capture and train Pokémon. Ash found Pikachu under the floorboards of his home, keeping it as his first Pokémon. It is not currently known what Gary Oak's first Pokémon was in the manga, although he is at one point seen owning a Venusaur.

Pokémon Adventures

In Pokémon Adventures, the first partner Pokémon featured in the games are reserved for the few people who hold a Pokédex. Professor Oak produces three Pokédexes for each region, and gives out the three first partner Pokémon in each region along with the Pokédex to Trainers he thinks are talented. He has colleagues and friends like Professor Birch do this for him in regions in which he isn't present. In the Unova region, two sets of first partner Pokémon are given out to six Trainers, but still with only three Pokédexes. Professor Oak also gave Red's Pikachu as a special first partner to Yellow.

Trivia

The only two first partner Pokémon that are dual-type in their initial form, Bulbasaur and Rowlet, are both Grass-type.
Each one of the Alola first partners' final evolutions has an immunity. Decidueye's Ghost type is immune to Normal and Fighting; Incineroar's Dark type is immune to Psychic; and Primarina's Fairy type is immune to Dragon.
- Coincidentally, this also gives them advantages against Necrozma's Ultra form: Decidueye and Incineroar are super effective against Ultra Necrozma's Psychic typing, while Primarina is strong against Ultra Necrozma's Dragon typing.
As of Generation IX, the only sets of first partners without secondary types in any of their final evolutions are the Johto first partners and the Galar first partners.
- By contrast, the first partners of Sinnoh (including Hisui), Kalos, Alola, and Paldea all have a secondary type present in their final evolutions.
Both Kanto and Hoenn first partners are the only set of first partners capable of Mega Evolution.
- Additionally, both Kanto and Galar first partners are the only set of first partners capable of Gigantamaxing.
  - This makes the Kanto first partners the only set of first partners that can both Mega Evolve and Gigantamax.

In the games

In Generation II, it was not possible to have a Shiny female first partner Pokémon, due to the mechanics of how gender and Shininess were determined. The lowest Attack IV a Shiny Pokémon could have was 2, while the highest Attack IV that a female Pokémon in their gender group could have was 1.
Kanto's first partner Pokémon are the only partner Pokémon where all of the members appear in more than one regional Pokédex: Kanto's, Johto's, and Kalos's.
- The Charmander line also appears alone in the Galar regional Pokédex, while the Bulbasaur and Squirtle lines appear in the Isle of Armor regional Pokédex.
Fennekin is the only unevolved first partner Pokémon with a unique base stat total.
The lowest base stat of a non-Mega Evolved fully evolved first partner Pokémon is Torterra's Speed, at 56. The highest base stat of a non-Mega Evolved fully evolved first partner Pokémon is Primarina's Special Attack, at 126.
The Pikachu featured in Pokémon Yellow & Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and the Eevee in Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! are the only first partner Pokémon that cannot evolve in the game in which they are first partner Pokémon.
- Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!'s respective first partners are also the only ones that cannot be traded to other games.
Charmander is the only Fire-type first partner Pokémon that is not a member of the Field Egg Group.
Oshawott is the only Water-type first partner Pokémon that is not a member of the Water 1 Egg Group.
With the exception of Hisuian Decidueye having a higher base stat total than Hisuian Samurott, no fully evolved Grass-type first partner Pokémon has a higher base stat total than either of its two counterparts.
- By contrast, with the exception of Blaziken having a lower base stat total than Swampert, no fully evolved Fire-type first partner Pokémon has a lower base stat total than either of its two counterparts.
- Contrarily, no unevolved Grass-type first partner Pokémon besides Chespin has a lower base stat total than either of its two counterparts.
- Similarly, no unevolved Fire-type first partner has a higher base stat total than either its counterparts and no fully evolved Fire-type first partner besides Blaziken has a lower one.
As of Generation IX, all fully evolved Water-type first partners can learn the HM move Surf.
In all games with a trio of first partner Pokémon, the Pokémon Professors and the player's rivals and friends (if any) are the only non-player characters known to have the first partner Pokémon of the current region or their evolutions.

In the anime

For DP001, Professor Oak's Big Pokémon Encyclopedia is about the first partner Pokémon of Sinnoh. He writes this senryū about them: 「シンオウで　たびがはじまる　ポケモンと」 "In Sinnoh, a journey begins with Pokémon."
For BW003, Professor Oak's Pokémon Holo Caster is about the first partner Pokémon of Unova. He writes this senryū about them: 「パートナー　みず・くさ・ほのお　まよっちゃう」 "Partner, Water, Grass, Fire, I can't decide."
Ash has owned all but two of the Grass-type first partner Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Chikorita, Treecko, Turtwig, Snivy, and Rowlet. The Grass-type first partner from Kalos, Chespin, is instead owned by Clemont, and the Grass-type first partner from Galar, Grookey, is instead owned by Goh.
Each Water-type first partner Pokémon obtained by a main character was not battled: Ash's Squirtle, Oshawott, and Froakie chose to join his team, while Ash fought and won against Misty for his Totodile. Brock's Mudkip chose to join him. May received her Squirtle from Professor Oak, Dawn received her Piplup from Professor Rowan, Lana rescued her Popplio from Team Skull, and Goh caught his Sobble without battling it. In Pokémon Horizons: The Series, Dot’s Quaxly chose to join her team as her first Pokémon, although she is not a main character.
The Hoenn first partner set is the first set in which all three Pokémon evolve under the care of the main characters who own them.
Squirtle and Turtwig are both based on turtles and were the first partner Pokémon of two of Ash's rivals, Gary and Paul.
Torchic and Piplup are both based on birds. They were also both owned by the resident Pokémon Coordinators in Pokémon the Series.
Both May and Dawn have a second first partner Pokémon from a previous generation with a type disadvantage to their first. These first partner Pokémon are both from two generations prior to their owner's introduction and featured in Pokémon the Series likely due to the same-generation remakes.
In the Diamond and Pearl series, there have been two major appearances of each fully evolved first partner introduced in Generation IV: Ash and Paul's Torterra, Ash and Flint's Infernape, and Barry and Kenny's Empoleon.
Every Fire-type first partner obtained by a main character has evolved at least once.
Froakie is the only Water-type first partner that has ever evolved under Ash's ownership.
The Kanto first partners are the only ones to have all been owned by both Ash and one of his friends at some point in their evolutionary lines: May owns a Venusaur and a Wartortle, while Kiawe owns a Charizard.
The Johto first partner set is the only full first partner set that Ash has obtained where none of the members were previously owned by another Trainer or a Pokémon Professor, as all of them were caught in the wild.
- Conversely, the Kanto first partner set is the only full first partner set that Ash has obtained where every member was owned by a previous Trainer.
The Galar first partner set is the only full first partner set from which Ash owns none of its members.

In other languages

First partner Pokémon

Language		Title
Chinese	Cantonese	搭檔寶可夢 Daapdong Bóuhómuhng * 最初的夥伴 Jeuichō dīk fóbuhn *
Chinese	Mandarin	搭檔寶可夢 / 搭档宝可梦 Dādàng Bǎokěmèng * 最初的夥伴 / 最初的伙伴 Zuìchū de huǒbàn *
Danish		første Pokémon-partner (JN001) første Pokémon-makker (JN049–)
Finnish		Ensikumppani-Pokémon
French		Pokémon de départ* Premier Pokémon* Premier partenaire*
German		Erstes Partner-Pokémon
Italian		Primo compagno d'avventura* Pokémon iniziale*
Korean		파트너 포켓몬 Partner Pokémon * 첫 파트너 Cheot partner*
Spanish		Pokémon inicial* Primer compañero*

Starter Pokémon

Language		Title
Czech		Startovní Pokémon
Danish		Begynder-Pokémon
Dutch		Starter Pokémon
Finnish		Aloitus-Pokémon
French		Pokémon de départ
German		Starter-Pokémon
Hungarian		Kezdő Pokémon
Italian		Pokémon iniziale
Norwegian		Førstegangs-Pokémon
Polish		Pokémon Starter
Portuguese	Brazil	Pokémon inicial Pokémon iniciante (BW116)
Portuguese	Portugal	Pokémon inicial
Russian		Стартовый покемон Startovy Pokémon
Spanish		Pokémon inicial
Swedish		Nybörjar-Pokémon
Thai		โปเกมอนเริ่มต้น Pokémon Roemton
Turkish		Başlangıç Pokémon'u
Vietnamese		Pokémon khởi đầu Pokémon khởi hành

References

↑ How Pokemon are born | GamesRadar+, by Michael Grimm, published 20 March 2009
↑ Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet | Familiar First Partner Pokémon.
↑ Nintendo's Big Announcement Season EXPLAINED - EP81 Kit & Krysta Podcast | Kit & Krysta on YouTube — Krysta Yang: "They did start using 'partner Pokémon' a couple of years back, but it's been hard for them to get people to catch on to this official terminology because people like to say 'starter Pokémon.' ... I think there was something about how, if you call it a 'starter Pokémon,' you're basically saying that you will be rid of them. ...That was one of the reasons, I believe, is that if you call it a 'starter Pokémon,' it's like, oh, you're only just going to start the game with it, and then you ditch it for your, like, shinies and your legendaries. ... So then the 'partner Pokémon' became the phrasing that they liked better because it's like, 'this is your partner for your whole adventure,' like you really want to get attached to this character, this Pokémon that you start your game with, but it's not just who you start your game with..."
↑ PokéCon 2015 - Tom Wayland on How He Creates Pokémon Voices: Wayland: "Chespin is the... your Grass-type starter in XY. Even though "starter" is an unofficial term now."
Audience: "I think it's always been an unofficial term."
Wayland: "Nope. They used to say it in the show, now they don't."
↑ Sonja Hammes on LinkedIn
↑ Sonja Hammes on Twitter: "P.S. We can call them starter on social now"
↑ Sonja Hammes on Twitter: "Of course, there are RULES. It’s “starter Pokémon”. No capital S. No “starters”. Gotta keep the standards!"
↑ Pokémon Red Version instruction booklet, pg. 32, archived on Internet Archive
↑ Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! | Experience the World of Pokémon: "Of course, your first partner Pokémon will be either Pikachu or Eevee, depending on which version you get, but the types and rarities of the wild Pokémon that you encounter also differ between the two games."
↑ Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! | Video Games & Apps: "In addition to determining your first partner Pokémon, your choice of Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! also affects the species of Pokémon you encounter and the rate at which you encounter them."

First partner trios

First partner Pokémon: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 03:21, 20 May 2024

Contents

Terminology

First partner Pokémon

Starter Pokémon

Japanese terminology

Grass, Fire, and Water trios

Other first partners

Player's first Pokémon

Other references

In the games

Core series games

Other games

In the anime

Main series

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer

In the manga

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Pokémon Adventures

Trivia

In the games

In the anime

In other languages

See also

References

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-At the beginning of their quest, [[Pokémon Trainer|Trainer]]s are given a '''starter Pokémon''' (Japanese: '''はじめてのポケモン''' ''Hajimete no Pokémon'' or '''さいしょのポケモン''' ''saisho no Pokémon''). This Pokémon will be used to [[battle]] the first [[wild]] Pokémon that the Trainer encounters. Once another Pokémon is caught, the starter may be retired, but it is often with this Pokémon that Trainers learn friendship and trust. As such, even advanced Trainers may still use their starters.
+{{split|"Kanto first partner Pokémon", "Johto first partner Pokémon", "Hoenn first partner Pokémon", "Sinnoh first partner Pokémon", and so on}}
+[[File:Pokémon Day 2022 Kanto Artwork.png|thumb|300px|{{ga|Red}} picking his first partner Pokémon]]
+A '''first partner Pokémon''', also referred to informally as a '''starter Pokémon''', is the first {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} that a {{pkmn|Trainer}} owns at the start of their [[Pokémon journey]]. This primarily refers to {{t|Grass}}-, {{t|Fire}}-, or {{type|Water}} Pokémon given to players by a [[Pokémon Professor]] or other mentor at the beginning of the [[core series]] [[Pokémon games]], as well as {{p|Pikachu}} or {{p|Eevee}} in {{LGPE}}, but can otherwise be any Pokémon outside of this context.
-==In the games==
+In the games, the player's first partner will be used to battle the first [[wild Pokémon]] they encounter. Once another Pokémon is {{pkmn2|caught}}, their first partner may be retired, but it is often with this Pokémon that Trainers learn [[friendship]] and trust. As such, even advanced Trainers may still use their first partner Pokémon, and they will often be the most powerful Pokémon on their respective teams.
-In the main [[games]], each starter Pokémon is at [[level]] 5, armed with one damage-dealing [[move]] and another that affects [[stat]]s. Generally, Trainers can choose between a {{t|Fire}}, {{t|Water}}, or {{t|Grass}} Pokémon, [[Pokémon Yellow|with a few exceptions]]. The Trainer that will be designated as the player's [[rival]] will always choose or have the Pokémon of the starter trio that weakens the player's, though it may not be the case that they remain the true rival.
+It is said that the first partner Pokémon are extremely rare in the wild, accounting for their uniqueness in each game.
+In the creative process, first partner Pokémon are the Pokémon from each game that the most work goes into, and usually take significantly more time than other Pokémon in each generation.<ref>[https://www.gamesradar.com/how-pokemon-are-born/ How Pokemon are born | GamesRadar+], by Michael Grimm, published 20 March 2009</ref>
+==Terminology==
+[[File:First Partner Pokémon Abound.png|thumb|300px|Promotional image for [[The Indigo Disk]] using the term "first partner Pokémon"<ref>[https://scarletviolet.pokemon.com/en-gb/news/first_partner_pokemon/ Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet | Familiar First Partner Pokémon].</ref>]]
+{{main|Terminology of first partner Pokémon}}
+===First partner Pokémon===
+Since [[Generation VI]], "first partner Pokémon" is the main term officially used to refer to these Pokémon in the [[Pokémon games]], {{pkmn|anime|animation}}, {{Trading Card Game}}, and other media. It is sometimes shortened to simply "first partner".
+Occasionally, other Pokémon have been referred to as first partner Pokémon, such as {{p|Poipole}} in its {{pkmn|Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon|Ultra Sun}} [[Pokédex entry]], as well as various Pokémon in {{g|Masters EX}}.
+Krysta Yang, a former public relations manager at [[Nintendo of America]], has claimed that the phrase "partner Pokémon" is preferred in official communication due to "starter Pokémon" implying that the player will "be rid of them" later in the game.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqQEFEjLybE&t=6120s Nintendo's Big Announcement Season EXPLAINED - EP81 Kit & Krysta Podcast | Kit & Krysta on YouTube] — Krysta Yang: "They did start using 'partner Pokémon' a couple of years back, but it's been hard for them to get people to catch on to this official terminology because people like to say 'starter Pokémon.' ... I think there was something about how, if you call it a 'starter Pokémon,' you're basically saying that you will be rid of them. ...That was one of the reasons, I believe, is that if you call it a 'starter Pokémon,' it's like, oh, you're only just going to start the game with it, and then you ditch it for your, like, shinies and your legendaries. ... So then the 'partner Pokémon' became the phrasing that they liked better because it's like, 'this is your partner for your whole adventure,' like you really want to get attached to this character, this Pokémon that you start your game with, but it's not just who you start your game with..."</ref>
+===Starter Pokémon===
+Historically, these Pokémon have been referred to as "starter Pokémon", sometimes shortened as "starters", though these terms were rarely used in the {{pkmn|games}}, and used occasionally during the second through fourth series of ''[[Pokémon the Series]]''.
+Starting in ''[[Pokémon the Series: XY]]'', the term "starter Pokémon" fell out of use entirely in the {{pkmn|anime|animated series}}. At a panel at PokéCon 2015, then-voice director of the English dub of ''[[Pokémon the Series]]'', [[Tom Wayland]], stated that "starter Pokémon" is "an unofficial term now".<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EuH-5Fv87g&t=1608s PokéCon 2015 - Tom Wayland on How He Creates Pokémon Voices]: Wayland: "''Chespin is the... your Grass-type starter in XY. Even though "starter" is an unofficial term now.''"<br>Audience: "''I think it's always been an unofficial term.''"<br>Wayland: "''Nope. They used to say it in the show, now they don't.''"</ref>
+In 2019, Sonja Hammes, then a social media associate at [[The Pokémon Company International]],<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-hammes-1a1aa087/ Sonja Hammes on LinkedIn]</ref> stated that official social media accounts had been given authorization to use the phrase "starter Pokémon" with specific formatting restrictions.<ref>[https://twitter.com/novemberalice/status/1103070703904018433 Sonja Hammes on Twitter:] "''P.S. We can call them starter on social now''"</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/novemberalice/status/1103262076707979265 Sonja Hammes on Twitter:] "''Of course, there are RULES. It’s “starter Pokémon”. No capital S. No “starters”. Gotta keep the standards!''"</ref>
+===Japanese terminology===
+In contrast to the English terminology, Japanese does not have a particular term that is consistently used to refer to first partner Pokémon. The most common Japanese term is 「パートナー」 (''partner''), but occasionally 相棒 (''partner'') may also be used. These terms, as well as just ポケモン (''Pokémon''), are usually paired with 最初の (''first'') or 初めての (''first''), but other terms such as 最初に選んだ (''that was chosen first'') or はじめに選んだ (''that was chosen first'') are also used. Among Japanese fans, 御三家 (''the big three'') is commonly used to refer to the Grass, Fire, and Water trios.
+==Grass, Fire, and Water trios==
+Most marketing refers exclusively to the standard trios of {{t|Grass}}-, {{t|Fire}}-, and {{type|Water}} Pokémon that can be chosen at the start of most [[core series]] games.
+The Grass, Fire, and Water types handily illustrate the type effectiveness mechanics of [[Pokémon battle]]s: Fire "beats" Grass (a Fire-type [[move]] deals double damage when attacking a Grass-type Pokémon, but a Fire-type Pokémon takes half damage from a Grass-type move), Water beats Fire, and Grass beats Water. This "rock, paper, scissors" relationship was illustrated in the instruction booklet of the original games.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/pokemon-blue-nintendogameboy-hiresscans/Pokemon%20Blue%20-%20Manual/page/n33/mode/2up Pokémon Red Version instruction booklet, pg. 32], archived on Internet Archive</ref>
-The following is a list of starters by region:
+The 27 Grass-, Fire-, and Water-type first partner Pokémon are listed below. In {{g|Legends: Arceus}}, {{p|Rowlet}}, {{p|Cyndaquil}}, and {{p|Oshawott}} return as first partners that can be chosen by the player shortly after they first land in [[Hisui]].
-===Normal starters===
+{{Flexheader|gap=20px}}<!-- flex OPEN -->
-====Main series====
-=====[[Kanto]]=====
-In [[Pokémon Red and Blue Versions|Pokémon Red, Blue]], [[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|Green]], and [[Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions|FireRed and LeafGreen]], [[Professor Oak]] will bring Trainers to his lab to give them one of the following to begin their journey:
-{| style="text-align: center; font-size:85%; margin: 0 auto; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
+{{Flexitem|class=roundy c|extra-style=padding: 5px|border=3px solid #{{Kanto color light}}|content=<!-- trio box OPEN -->
-|-
+<div style="font-weight: bold;">Kanto first partner Pokémon</div>
-! style="width:80px" colspan="2" | [[Image:001.png]]<br>'''{{p|Bulbasaur}}'''<br>{{ic|Grass}} {{ic|Poison}}
+<div><!-- Pokémon list OPEN -->
-! style="width:80px" colspan="2" | [[Image:004.png]]<br>'''{{p|Charmander}}'''<br>{{ic|Fire}}
+{{PokeSum|0001|Bulbasaur|Grass|Poison}}
-! style="width:80px" colspan="2" | [[Image:007.png]]<br>'''{{p|Squirtle}}'''<br>{{ic|Water}}
+{{PokeSum|0004|Charmander|Fire}}
-|- style font-size="70%"
+{{PokeSum|0007|Squirtle|Water}}
-| [[Image:002MS.gif]]
+</div><!-- Pokémon list CLOSE -->
-| {{p|Ivysaur}}
+}}<!-- trio box CLOSE -->
-| [[Image:005MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Charmeleon}}
-| [[Image:008MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Wartortle}}
-|-
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Grass}} {{ic|Poison}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Fire}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Water}}
-|- style font-size="70%"
-| [[Image:003MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Venusaur}}
-| [[Image:006MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Charizard}}
-| [[Image:009MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Blastoise}}
-|-
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Grass}} {{ic|Poison}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Fire}} {{ic|Flying}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Water}}
-|}
-The player's {{ga|Blue|rival}} will then pick the type-advantageous starter, and the remaining Pokémon will sit in the [[Poké Ball]] on Oak's desk for the rest of the game.
+{{Flexitem|class=roundy c|extra-style=padding: 5px|border=3px solid #{{Johto color light}}|content=<!-- trio box OPEN -->
+<div style="font-weight: bold;">Johto first partner Pokémon</div>
+<div><!-- Pokémon list OPEN -->
+{{PokeSum|0152|Chikorita|Grass}}
+{{PokeSum|0155|Cyndaquil|Fire}}
+{{PokeSum|0158|Totodile|Water}}
+</div><!-- Pokémon list CLOSE -->
+}}<!-- trio box CLOSE -->
-In [[Pokémon Yellow]], Oak instead gives out:
+{{Flexitem|class=roundy c|extra-style=padding: 5px|border=3px solid #{{Hoenn color light}}|content=<!-- trio box OPEN -->
+<div style="font-weight: bold;">Hoenn first partner Pokémon</div>
+<div><!-- Pokémon list OPEN -->
+{{PokeSum|0252|Treecko|Grass}}
+{{PokeSum|0255|Torchic|Fire}}
+{{PokeSum|0258|Mudkip|Water}}
+</div><!-- Pokémon list CLOSE -->
+}}<!-- trio box CLOSE -->
-{| style="text-align: center; font-size:85%; margin: 0 auto; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
+{{Flexitem|class=roundy c|extra-style=padding: 5px|border=3px solid #{{Sinnoh color light}}|content=<!-- trio box OPEN -->
-|-
+<div style="font-weight: bold;">Sinnoh first partner Pokémon</div>
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:025.png]]<br>'''{{p|Pikachu}}'''<br>{{ic|Electric}}
+<div><!-- Pokémon list OPEN -->
-|}
+{{PokeSum|0387|Turtwig|Grass}}
+{{PokeSum|0390|Chimchar|Fire}}
+{{PokeSum|0393|Piplup|Water}}
+</div><!-- Pokémon list CLOSE -->
+}}<!-- trio box CLOSE -->
-This {{ga|Red's Pikachu|Pikachu}} is the same one that attacked the player when they ventured onto [[Route 1]] that Oak caught, which will be the only choice the player gets. Another notable change here involves the player's rival receiving an {{p|Eevee}} from Oak, which will evolve into one of its three [[Generation I]] evolutions, depending on the outcome of the battles between the player and the rival. It should be noted that during the adventure, the player will be able to get the original three Kanto starters through special events not present in the earlier games.
+{{Flexitem|class=roundy c|extra-style=padding: 5px|border=3px solid #{{Unova color light}}|content=<!-- trio box OPEN -->
+<div style="font-weight: bold;">Unova first partner Pokémon</div>
+<div><!-- Pokémon list OPEN -->
+{{PokeSum|0495|Snivy|Grass}}
+{{PokeSum|0498|Tepig|Fire}}
+{{PokeSum|0501|Oshawott|Water}}
+</div><!-- Pokémon list CLOSE -->
+}}<!-- trio box CLOSE -->
-=====[[Johto]]=====
+{{Flexitem|class=roundy c|extra-style=padding: 5px|border=3px solid #{{Kalos color light}}|content=<!-- trio box OPEN -->
-In [[Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Pokémon Gold, Silver]] and [[Pokémon Crystal Version|Crystal]], [[Professor Elm]] will have an errand for the player to run, and will give them one of the following for protection on this errand, which they will then keep after completion:
+<div style="font-weight: bold;">Kalos first partner Pokémon</div>
+<div><!-- Pokémon list OPEN -->
+{{PokeSum|0650|Chespin|Grass}}
+{{PokeSum|0653|Fennekin|Fire}}
+{{PokeSum|0656|Froakie|Water}}
+</div><!-- Pokémon list CLOSE -->
+}}<!-- trio box CLOSE -->
-{| style="text-align: center; font-size:85%; margin: 0 auto; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
+{{Flexitem|class=roundy c|extra-style=padding: 5px|border=3px solid #{{Alola color light}}|content=<!-- trio box OPEN -->
-|-
+<div style="font-weight: bold;">Alola first partner Pokémon</div>
-! style="width:80px" colspan="2" | [[Image:152.png]]<br>'''{{p|Chikorita}}'''<br>{{ic|Grass}}
+<div><!-- Pokémon list OPEN -->
-! style="width:80px" colspan="2" | [[Image:155.png]]<br>'''{{p|Cyndaquil}}'''<br>{{ic|Fire}}
+{{PokeSum|0722|Rowlet|Grass|Flying}}
-! style="width:80px" colspan="2" | [[Image:158.png]]<br>'''{{p|Totodile}}'''<br>{{ic|Water}}
+{{PokeSum|0725|Litten|Fire}}
-|- style font-size="70%"
+{{PokeSum|0728|Popplio|Water}}
-| [[Image:153MS.gif]]
+</div><!-- Pokémon list CLOSE -->
-| {{p|Bayleef}}
+}}<!-- trio box CLOSE -->
-| [[Image:156MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Quilava}}
-| [[Image:159MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Croconaw}}
-|-
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Grass}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Fire}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Water}}
-|- style font-size="70%"
-| [[Image:154MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Meganium}}
-| [[Image:157MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Typhlosion}}
-| [[Image:160MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Feraligatr}}
-|-
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Grass}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Fire}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Water}}
-|}
-After the player meets with [[Mr. Pokémon]] and receives a [[Pokédex]] from [[Professor Oak]], Professor Elm will call the player to tell them that {{ga|Silver|a thief}} has taken a Pokémon. As the player returns to [[New Bark Town]], he or she will encounter the thief, who will have the stolen Pokémon, the one with the type advantage over the player's own. From this point onward, the thief will be the player's rival, while Professor Elm keeps the Pokémon that was left behind by the thief on his desk for the remainder of the game.
+{{Flexitem|class=roundy c|extra-style=padding: 5px|border=3px solid #{{Galar color light}}|content=<!-- trio box OPEN -->
+<div style="font-weight: bold;">Galar first partner Pokémon</div>
+<div><!-- Pokémon list OPEN -->
+{{PokeSum|0810|Grookey|Grass}}
+{{PokeSum|0813|Scorbunny|Fire}}
+{{PokeSum|0816|Sobble|Water}}
+</div><!-- Pokémon list CLOSE -->
+}}<!-- trio box CLOSE -->
-=====[[Hoenn]]=====
+{{Flexitem|class=roundy c|extra-style=padding: 5px|border=3px solid #{{Paldea color light}}|content=<!-- trio box OPEN -->
-In [[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions|Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire]] and [[Pokémon Emerald Version|Emerald]], after [[Professor Birch]] is rescued from a {{p|Poochyena}} (R/S) or {{p|Zigzagoon}}, (E) he allows the player to keep the Pokémon they chose to rescue him with, either:
+<div style="font-weight: bold;">Paldea first partner Pokémon</div>
+<div><!-- Pokémon list OPEN -->
+{{PokeSum|0906|Sprigatito|Grass}}
+{{PokeSum|0909|Fuecoco|Fire}}
+{{PokeSum|0912|Quaxly|Water}}
+</div><!-- Pokémon list CLOSE -->
+}}<!-- trio box CLOSE -->
-{| style="text-align: center; font-size:85%; margin: 0 auto; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
+{{Flexfooter}}<!-- flex CLOSE -->
-|-
-! style="width:80px" colspan="2" | [[Image:252.png]]<br>'''{{p|Treecko}}'''<br>{{ic|Grass}}
-! style="width:80px" colspan="2" | [[Image:255.png]]<br>'''{{p|Torchic}}'''<br>{{ic|Fire}}
-! style="width:80px" colspan="2" | [[Image:258.png]]<br>'''{{p|Mudkip}}'''<br>{{ic|Water}}
-|- style font-size="70%"
-| [[Image:253MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Grovyle}}
-| [[Image:256MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Combusken}}
-| [[Image:259MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Marshtomp}}
-|-
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Grass}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Fire}} {{ic|Fighting}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Water}} {{ic|Ground}}
-|- style font-size="70%"
-| [[Image:254MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Sceptile}}
-| [[Image:257MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Blaziken}}
-| [[Image:260MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Swampert}}
-|-
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Grass}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Fire}} {{ic|Fighting}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Water}} {{ic|Ground}}
-|}
-The player's neighbor, {{ga|Brendan}} or {{ga|May}}, already has his or her starter, which is always the one with the type advantage. [[Wally]] starts with {{p|Ralts}}; he seeks [[Norman]]'s and the player's assistance in catching his first Pokémon. Strangely enough, by the end of the game, it seems that the player's nominal rival, the son/daughter of Professor Birch, has stopped being a Trainer, and Wally is actually the true rival.
+The Kalos first partners also have a more broadly defined triangle in the secondary types of their final evolutions. They all still deal 2× damage offensively, and most still receive ½× damage defensively, but while Dark does not technically resist Psychic, it is still defensively advantaged since it is immune.
-=====[[Sinnoh]]=====
+==Other first partners==
-In [[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Versions|Pokémon Diamond and Pearl]], when two {{p|Starly}} attack the player and rival at [[Lake Verity]], to which they travel upon hearing reports of a [[alternate coloration|red]] {{p|Gyarados}}, they will choose one of the following from [[Professor Rowan]]'s briefcase, which he left at the lake:
+Aside from the regional trios, a few other Pokémon have been explicitly referred to as first partner Pokémon.
-{| style="text-align: center; font-size:85%; margin: 0 auto; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
+:''For a list of other Pokémon who are Trainers' first Pokémon, see [[list of characters' first Pokémon]].''
-|-
-! style="width:80px" colspan="2" | [[Image:387.png]]<br>'''{{p|Turtwig}}'''<br>{{ic|Grass}}
-! style="width:80px" colspan="2" | [[Image:390.png]]<br>'''{{p|Chimchar}}'''<br>{{ic|Fire}}
-! style="width:80px" colspan="2" | [[Image:393.png]]<br>'''{{p|Piplup}}'''<br>{{ic|Water}}
-|- style font-size="70%"
-| [[Image:388MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Grotle}}
-| [[Image:391MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Monferno}}
-| [[Image:394MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Prinplup}}
-|-
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Grass}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Fire}} {{ic|Fighting}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Water}}
-|- style font-size="70%"
-| [[Image:389MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Torterra}}
-| [[Image:392MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Infernape}}
-| [[Image:395MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Empoleon}}
-|-
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Grass}} {{ic|Ground}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Fire}} {{ic|Fighting}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Water}} {{ic|Steel}}
-|}
-The player's {{ga|Pearl|in-game neighbor}} will choose the one that has a type advantage against the player's choice, and the NPC who is the other-gender choice ({{ga|Lucas}}/{{ga|Dawn}}) will have the Pokémon weak to the player's choice. After fighting off the Starly and returning the briefcase to Rowan, the professor will allow the player and Pearl to keep their choices. Rowan also allows Lucas/Dawn to keep the remaining Pokémon. Compared to previous games more NPC Trainers use starter Pokémon than before, with notable figures such as the [[Gym Leader]] [[Gardenia]] and [[Elite Four]] member {{EF|Flint}} using them as well as several other Trainers.
+===Player's first Pokémon===
+{{p|Pikachu}} and {{p|Eevee}} are given out as first partner Pokémon in [[Kanto]] by [[Professor Oak]] in some media. Pikachu is the first Pokémon given to the player in {{game|Yellow}}, while {{ga|Blue}} gets an Eevee. The {{pkmn2|partner}} Pikachu and Eevee are the first Pokémon caught by the player in {{LGPE}}, respectively, while Oak gives {{ga|Trace}} a standard Eevee in Let's Go, Pikachu! and a standard Pikachu in Let's Go, Eevee!
-====Side series====
+These Pokémon are never referred to as first partner Pokémon in-game; they are typically referred to as {{ga|partner Pokémon}} instead. However, in one instance on the official website for the games, and on the [[Pokémon.com]] page for the games, they are referred to as first partner Pokémon.<ref>[https://pokemonletsgo.pokemon.com/en-us/story/ Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! | Experience the World of Pokémon]: "Of course, your first partner Pokémon will be either Pikachu or Eevee, depending on which version you get, but the types and rarities of the wild Pokémon that you encounter also differ between the two games."</ref><ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-lets-go-pikachu-and-pokemon-lets-go-eevee Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! | Video Games & Apps]: "In addition to determining your first partner Pokémon, your choice of Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! also affects the species of Pokémon you encounter and the rate at which you encounter them."</ref>
-=====[[Orre]]=====
-In [[Pokémon Colosseum]]:
-{| style="text-align: center; font-size:85%; margin: 0 auto; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
+{{Flexheader|gap=20px}}<!-- flex OPEN -->
-|-
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:196.png]]<br>'''{{p|Espeon}}'''<br>{{ic|Psychic}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:197.png]]<br>'''{{p|Umbreon}}'''<br>{{ic|Dark}}
-|}
-A first for the Pokémon games, these starter Pokémon come as a pair as to represent the Double-battle system, and are also different in that they are in the player's possession right at start of play. Umbreon is at level 26, knowing the [[TM]] moves {{m|Taunt}} and {{m|Snatch}}, as well as {{m|Bite}} which is otherwise only available through [[breeding]] at such a level. Espeon is at level 25, knowing the TM moves {{m|Return}} and {{m|Reflect}}.
+{{Flexitem|class=roundy c|extra-style=padding: 5px|border=3px solid #{{electric color light}}|
+{{PokeSum|0025|Pikachu|Electric}}
+}}
-In [[Pokémon XD]]:
+{{Flexitem|class=roundy c|extra-style=padding: 5px|border=3px solid #{{normal color light}}|
+{{PokeSum|0133|Eevee|Normal}}
+}}
-{| style="text-align: center; font-size:85%; margin: 0 auto; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
+{{Flexfooter}}<!-- flex CLOSE -->
-|-
-! style="width:80px" colspan="10" | [[Image:133.png]]<br>'''{{p|Eevee}}'''<br>{{ic|Normal}}
-|- style font-size="70%"
-| [[Image:134MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Vaporeon}}
-| [[Image:135MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Jolteon}}
-| [[Image:136MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Flareon}}
-| [[Image:196MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Espeon}}
-| [[Image:197MS.gif]]
-| {{p|Umbreon}}
-|-
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Water}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Electric}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Fire}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Psychic}}
-| colspan="2" | {{ic|Dark}}
-|}
-This starter Pokémon is also in the player's possession right at the beginning. It is at level 10, knowing Bite which is again unique for this level. At an early point in the game, the player is offered one of five evolutionary items, [[Water Stone]], [[Thunderstone]], [[Fire Stone]], [[Moon Shard]] and [[Sun Shard]], to make the Eevee evolve into any of its [[Generation III|(then)]] [[Eeveelution|five evolutions]].
+===Other references===
+{{rf|Alolan}} {{p|Meowth}} is given out by [[Nanu]] as a first partner on [[Ula'ula Island]] in [[Alola]]. It is implied that [[Island kahuna|kahunas]] are responsible for giving out first partners on their respective islands, so it is possible the other kahunas give out different Pokémon to the standard Alolan first partner Pokémon given by Hala.
-===Special starters===
+{{p|Poipole}}'s [[Pokédex]] entry in {{pkmn|Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon|Pokémon Ultra Sun}} refers to it as a popular first partner in its world.
-====[[Fiore]]====
-{| style="text-align: center; font-size:85%; margin: 0 auto; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
+{{Flexheader|gap=20px}}<!-- flex OPEN -->
-|-
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:311.png]]<br>'''{{p|Plusle}}'''<br>{{ic|Electric}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:312.png]]<br>'''{{p|Minun}}'''<br>{{ic|Electric}}
-|}
-This is the only Pokémon that the player will keep throughout [[Pokémon Ranger]]. Instead of being a choice based on which Pokémon is more appealing, it is dependent on the player's gender choice, Plusle belonging to [[Solana]] and Minun belonging to [[Lunick]]. Strangely, unlike other regions and their own starter Pokémon, neither Plusle nor Minun appear at the start of the [[List of Pokémon by Fiore Browser number|Browser]]'s listing.
+{{Flexitem|class=roundy c|extra-style=padding: 5px|border=3px solid #{{dark color light}}|
+{{PokeSum|0052|Meowth|Dark|form=-Alola|formname=Alolan}}
+}}
-====[[Almia]]====
+{{Flexitem|class=roundy c|extra-style=padding: 5px|border=3px solid #{{poison color light}}|
+{{PokeSum|0803|Poipole|Poison}}
+}}
-{| style="text-align: center; font-size:85%; margin: 0 auto; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
+{{Flexfooter}}<!-- flex CLOSE -->
-|-
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:396.png]]<br>'''{{p|Starly}}'''<br>{{ic|Flying}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:417.png]]<br>'''{{p|Pachirisu}}'''<br>{{ic|Electric}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:446.png]]<br>'''{{p|Munchlax}}'''<br>{{ic|Normal}}
-|}
-In [[Pokémon Ranger Batonnage]], players accumulate 17 Partner Pokémon, one for each elemental type.  The first partner is selected by capturing one of the above three during a mission at [[Vien Town Beach]].  The two not selected can be obtained through quests later in the game.
+==In the games==
+===Core series games===
+[[File:Pokémon HOME Wallpaper Sinnoh Partners.png|thumb|150px|The Sinnoh first partner trio wallpaper in Pokémon HOME]]
+In the core series games, a [[rival]] character often picks the Pokémon that is strong against the one the player chose, nominally setting them up for challenging battles going forward.
-====[[Pokémon World (Mystery Dungeon)|Pokémon World]]====
+The Pokémon in the regional first partner trios have several common characteristics, both among each other and between generations. The most obvious commonality is their reliable typing. They all have an [[Ability]] that boosts their main type when their [[HP]] becomes low: the Grass types have {{a|Overgrow}}, Fire types have {{a|Blaze}}, and Water types have {{a|Torrent}}. They also all have a [[gender]] ratio of seven males to one female, generally making {{pkmn|breeding}} them slightly inconvenient. When obtained at the start of a game, they are always level 5 and they start out knowing a {{type|Normal}} [[physical move]] ({{m|Pound}}, {{m|Scratch}}, or {{m|Tackle}}) and a stat-altering [[status move]] ({{m|Growl}}, {{m|Leer}}, or {{m|Tail Whip}}); since [[Generation VI]] (with the exception of [[Generation VIII]]), they also have an attacking move that matches their main type.
-In [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon]]:
-{| style="text-align: center; font-size:85%; margin: 0 auto; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
+The table below shows the Pokémon that are selectable at the start of each core series game, and which other games they can also be obtained in. A '''<sup>{{color2|{{grass color}}|Grass (type)|G}}</sup>''', '''<sup>{{color2|{{fire color}}|Fire (type)|F}}</sup>''', or '''<sup>{{color2|{{water color}}|Water (type)|W}}</sup>''' above the game's title indicates that only the first partner Pokémon in the trio that corresponds to that type is obtainable in that game. For availability in games outside of the core series, refer to the "Game locations" heading of the Pokémon's respective page for its species.
+{| class="roundy" style="margin: auto; background-color: #{{bulba color}}; border: 3px solid #{{bulba color dark}};"
+! style="background-color: #{{bulba color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Game(s)
+! style="background-color: #{{bulba color light}}; padding: 0px 5px;" | First partners
+! style="background-color: #{{bulba color light}}; {{roundytr|5px}}" | Also obtainable in
+|- style="background-color: #FFF;"
+| {{gameabbrev1|RGB}}/{{gameabbrev1|RB}}, {{gameabbrev3|FRLG}}
+| {{MSP|0001|Bulbasaur}} {{MSP|0004|Charmander}} {{MSP|0007|Squirtle}}
+| {{gameabbrev1|Y}}, {{gameabbrev4|HGSS}}, {{gameabbrev6|XY}}, {{gameabbrev7|USUM}}, {{gameabbrev7|PE}}, {{gameabbrev8|SwSh}}'''<sup>{{color2|{{fire color}}|Fire (type)|F}}</sup>''' ({{gameabbrev8|IA}})'''<sup>{{color2|{{grass color}}|Grass (type)|G}}</sup><sup>{{color2|{{water color}}|Water (type)|W}}</sup>''', {{gameabbrev8|BDSP}}, {{gameabbrev9|SV}} ({{gameabbrev9|ID}})
+|- style="background-color: #FFF;"
+| {{gameabbrev1|Y}}
+| {{MS|0025|Red's Pikachu (game)}}
+| All games except {{gameabbrev5|BW}} and {{gameabbrev5|B2W2}}
+|- style="background-color: #FFF;"
+| {{gameabbrev2|GSC}}, {{gameabbrev4|HGSS}}
+| {{MSP|0152|Chikorita}} {{MSP|0155|Cyndaquil}} {{MSP|0158|Totodile}}
+| {{gameabbrev3|E}}, {{gameabbrev6|ORAS}}, {{gameabbrev7|SM}}, {{gameabbrev8|BDSP}}, {{gameabbrev9|SV}} ({{gameabbrev9|ID}})
+|- style="background-color: #FFF;"
+| {{gameabbrev3|RSE}}, {{gameabbrev6|ORAS}}
+| {{MSP|0252|Treecko}} {{MSP|0255|Torchic}} {{MSP|0258|Mudkip}}
+| {{gameabbrev4|HGSS}}, {{gameabbrev7|USUM}}, {{gameabbrev8|SwSh}} ({{gameabbrev8|IA}}), {{gameabbrev8|BDSP}}, {{gameabbrev9|SV}} ({{gameabbrev9|ID}})
+|- style="background-color: #FFF;"
+| {{gameabbrev4|DPPt}}, {{gameabbrev8|BDSP}}
+| {{MSP|0387|Turtwig}} {{MSP|0390|Chimchar}} {{MSP|0393|Piplup}}
+| {{gameabbrev6|ORAS}}, {{gameabbrev7|USUM}}, {{gameabbrev8|BDSP}}, {{gameabbrev8|LA}}, {{gameabbrev9|SV}} ({{gameabbrev9|ID}})
+|- style="background-color: #FFF;"
+| {{gameabbrev5|BW}}, {{gameabbrev5|B2W2}}
+| {{MSP|0495|Snivy}} {{MSP|0498|Tepig}} {{MSP|0501|Oshawott}}
+| {{gameabbrev6|ORAS}}, {{gameabbrev7|SM}}, {{gameabbrev9|SV}} ({{gameabbrev9|ID}})
+|- style="background-color: #FFF;"
+| {{gameabbrev6|XY}}
+| {{MSP|0650|Chespin}} {{MSP|0653|Fennekin}} {{MSP|0656|Froakie}}
+| {{gameabbrev7|USUM}}, {{gameabbrev9|SV}} ({{gameabbrev9|ID}})
+|- style="background-color: #FFF;"
+| {{gameabbrev7|SMUSUM}}
+| {{MSP|0722|Rowlet}} {{MSP|0725|Litten}} {{MSP|0728|Popplio}}
+| {{gameabbrev8|SwSh}} ({{gameabbrev8|IA}}), {{gameabbrev9|SV}} ({{gameabbrev9|ID}})
+|- style="background-color: #FFF;"
+| {{gameabbrev7|P}}
+| [[File:0025Pikachu-Partner.png|48px|link=Partner Pokémon (game)]]
+| ''None''
+|- style="background-color: #FFF;"
+| {{gameabbrev7|E}}
+| [[File:0133Eevee-Partner.png|48px|link=Partner Pokémon (game)]]
+| ''None''
+|- style="background-color: #FFF;"
+| {{gameabbrev8|SwSh}}
+| {{MSP|0810|Grookey}} {{MSP|0813|Scorbunny}} {{MSP|0816|Sobble}}
+| {{gameabbrev9|SV}} ({{gameabbrev9|ID}})
+|- style="background-color: #FFF;"
+| {{gameabbrev8|LA}}
+| {{MSP|0722|Rowlet}} {{MSP|0155|Cyndaquil}} {{MSP|0501|Oshawott}}
+| {{gameabbrev3|E}}<sup>'''{{color2|{{fire color}}|Fire (type)|F}}'''</sup>, {{gameabbrev6|ORAS}}<sup>'''{{color2|{{fire color}}|Fire (type)|F}}'''</sup><sup>'''{{color2|{{water color}}|Water (type)|W}}'''</sup>, {{gameabbrev7|SM}}, {{gameabbrev7|USUM}}<sup>'''{{color2|{{grass color}}|Grass (type)|G}}'''</sup>, {{gameabbrev8|SwSh}} ({{gameabbrev8|IA}})<sup>'''{{color2|{{grass color}}|Grass (type)|G}}'''</sup>, {{gameabbrev8|BDSP}}<sup>'''{{color2|{{fire color}}|Fire (type)|F}}</sup>''', {{gameabbrev9|SV}} ({{gameabbrev9|ID}})
+|- style="background-color: #FFF;"
+| {{gameabbrev9|SV}}
+| {{MSP|0906|Sprigatito}} {{MSP|0909|Fuecoco}} {{MSP|0912|Quaxly}}
+| ''None''
 |-
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:001.png]]<br>'''{{p|Bulbasaur}}'''<br>{{ic|Grass}} {{ic|Poison}}
+!
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:004.png]]<br>'''{{p|Charmander}}'''<br>{{ic|Fire}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:007.png]]<br>'''{{p|Squirtle}}'''<br>{{ic|Water}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:025.png]]<br>'''{{p|Pikachu}}'''<br>{{ic|Electric}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:052.png]]<br>'''{{p|Meowth}}'''<br>{{ic|Normal}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:054.png]]<br>'''{{p|Psyduck}}'''<br>{{ic|Water}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:066.png]]<br>'''{{p|Machop}}'''<br>{{ic|Fighting}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:104.png]]<br>'''{{p|Cubone}}'''<br>{{ic|Ground}}
-|-
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:133.png]]<br>'''{{p|Eevee}}'''<br>{{ic|Normal}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:152.png]]<br>'''{{p|Chikorita}}'''<br>{{ic|Grass}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:155.png]]<br>'''{{p|Cyndaquil}}'''<br>{{ic|Fire}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:158.png]]<br>'''{{p|Totodile}}'''<br>{{ic|Water}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:252.png]]<br>'''{{p|Treecko}}'''<br>{{ic|Grass}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:255.png]]<br>'''{{p|Torchic}}'''<br>{{ic|Fire}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:258.png]]<br>'''{{p|Mudkip}}'''<br>{{ic|Water}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:300.png]]<br>'''{{p|Skitty}}'''<br>{{ic|Normal}}
 |}
-In [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon 2]]:
+===Other games===
-{| style="text-align: center; font-size:85%; margin: 0 auto; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
+{{main|List of the player's first Pokémon}}
-|-
+Other games may use one of the classic first partner Pokémon, with {{p|Pikachu}} being fairly common; but many games give the player other Pokémon as their first Pokémon.
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:001.png]]<br>'''{{p|Bulbasaur}}'''<br>{{ic|Grass}} {{ic|Poison}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:004.png]]<br>'''{{p|Charmander}}'''<br>{{ic|Fire}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:007.png]]<br>'''{{p|Squirtle}}'''<br>{{ic|Water}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:025.png]]<br>'''{{p|Pikachu}}'''<br>{{ic|Electric}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:052.png]]<br>'''{{p|Meowth}}'''<br>{{ic|Normal}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:152.png]]<br>'''{{p|Chikorita}}'''<br>{{ic|Grass}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:155.png]]<br>'''{{p|Cyndaquil}}'''<br>{{ic|Fire}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:158.png]]<br>'''{{p|Totodile}}'''<br>{{ic|Water}}
-|-
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:252.png]]<br>'''{{p|Treecko}}'''<br>{{ic|Grass}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:255.png]]<br>'''{{p|Torchic}}'''<br>{{ic|Fire}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:258.png]]<br>'''{{p|Mudkip}}'''<br>{{ic|Water}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:300.png]]<br>'''{{p|Skitty}}'''<br>{{ic|Normal}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:387.png]]<br>'''{{p|Turtwig}}'''<br>{{ic|Grass}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:390.png]]<br>'''{{p|Chimchar}}'''<br>{{ic|Fire}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:393.png]]<br>'''{{p|Piplup}}'''<br>{{ic|Water}}
-! style="width:80px" | [[Image:446.png]]<br>'''{{p|Munchlax}}'''<br>{{ic|Normal}}
-|}
-In these games, instead of the player choosing a Pokémon to train at start, depending on choices made on a test, the player becomes one of these Pokémon.
 ==In the anime==
-[[Image:EP001 003.jpg|thumb|A poster on Ash Ketchum's bedroom wall, depicting the Kanto starter Pokémon.]][[Image:DP starters.jpg|thumb|A postcard that Dawn received from Professor Rowan, depicting the Sinnoh starter Pokémon.]]
+===Main series===
-Upon their tenth birthday, youth can register for a [[Pokédex]] and pick up a starter Pokémon from the local [[Pokémon professor]] or [[Pokémon Center]] free of charge. Starters are usually raised specifically to be easy to train.
+[[File:Ash and Kanto first partners.png|thumb|250px|{{Ash}} with his Kanto first partner Pokémon and Pikachu]]
+In ''[[Pokémon the Series]]'', upon their tenth birthday, youths can register for a [[Pokédex]] and pick up a first partner Pokémon from the local [[Pokémon Professor]] or [[Pokémon Center]] free of charge. First partner Pokémon are usually raised specifically to be easy to train.
+Like in the games, the specific first partner Pokémon available vary from region to region but are the same in each region as the games. That is, Kanto Trainers can only choose Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle; Johto Trainers can only choose Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile; and so on.
+In ''[[AG025|A Mudkip Mission]]'', it was shown where first partner Pokémon come from. Each region has special, secret breeding grounds run by a [[Pokémon Breeder]] for first partner Pokémon. The [[Pokémon League]] sends these Breeders the Pokémon Eggs for them to hatch at the breeding grounds. The breeders then hatch, care for, and raise the young Pokémon until they are ready to be proper first partner Pokémon for new Trainers. As these young ones are virtually defenseless, the locations of breeding grounds (or even the knowledge of their existence) is a secret unknown to most in the [[Pokémon world]]. This is likely to guard against unscrupulous individuals or groups (such as [[Team Rocket]]) from poaching the young Pokémon.
-Like in the games, the specific starter Pokémon available vary from region to region, but are the same in each region as the games. That is, Kanto Trainers can only choose Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle, Johto Trainers can only choose Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile, and so on.
+However, not all first partner Pokémon are raised at these special breeding grounds, with [[Professor Birch]] said to catch and raise his own first partner Pokémon for Trainers. <!--from AG025 as well-->
-Other rookie Trainers may receive their first Pokémon from a friend or relative instead; this means that Trainers can, in fact, start with any Pokémon, provided that their first Pokémon is received from someone that is not sanctioned by the Pokémon League.
+Other rookie Trainers may receive their first Pokémon from a friend or relative instead. Others, on the other hand, may befriend a Pokémon in the wild. These mean that Trainers can, in fact, start with any Pokémon.
-===List of starter Pokémon in the anime===
+<gallery widths="200px" class="center">
-* [[Ash Ketchum]] received a {{AP|Pikachu}} from [[Professor Oak]].
+File:Cerise Kanto first partners.png|The Kanto first partner Pokémon in [[Professor Cerise]]'s laboratory
-* [[Gary Oak]] received a {{p|Squirtle}} from Professor Oak that [[evolve]]d into a {{TP|Gary|Blastoise}}.
+File:Johto first partners anime.png|The Johto first partner Pokémon owned by {{Ash}}
-* [[Brock]] received an {{p|Onix}} from {{an|Flint|his father}} that now belongs to his brother, [[Forrest]], with whom it evolved into a {{TP|Brock|Steelix}}.
+File:Hoenn first partners anime.png|The Hoenn first partner Pokémon, owned by {{an|Brock}}, Ash, and {{an|May}}
-* [[James]]'s first Pokémon is his pet {{p|Growlithe}} named [[Growlie]].  However, he left it at home when he ran away.
+File:Sinnoh first partners anime.png|The Sinnoh first partner Pokémon in [[Professor Rowan]]'s laboratory
-* [[Ritchie]] may have started with a {{p|Charmander}}, now a [[Zippo|Charmeleon]], as it is the only Pokémon on his [[party|team]] that is a starter Pokémon in any of the standard regions, excepting his [[Sparky|Pikachu]].
+File:Unova first partners anime.png|The Unova region first partner Pokémon in [[Professor Juniper]]'s laboratory
-* [[Sammy Oak]] likely started with a Charmander, which is a Charmeleon as of [[Pokémon 4Ever]].
+File:Kalos first partners anime.png|The Kalos region first partner Pokémon in {{an|Professor Sycamore}}'s laboratory
-* {{an|Casey}} received a {{p|Chikorita}} from [[Professor Elm]] that evolved into a {{TP|Casey|Meganium}}.
+File:SM016.png|The Alola first partner Pokémon, owned by Ash and {{an|Lana}}
-* {{Jo|Jimmy}} received a {{p|Cyndaquil}} from Professor Elm that evolved into a {{TP|Jimmy|Typhlosion}}.
+File:Galar first partners anime.png|The Galar region first partner Pokémon
-* {{Jo|Marina}} received a {{p|Totodile}} from Professor Elm that evolved into a [[Wani-Wani|Feraligatr]].
+File:Hisuian first partners anime.png|The Hisui region first partner Pokémon
-* [[Vincent]] also received a Chikorita from Professor Elm, which is as well now a {{TP|Vincent|Meganium}}.
+File:Paldea first partners anime.png|The Paldea first partner Pokémon, owned by [[Liko]], [[Dot]], and [[Roy]]
-* {{an|May}} received a {{p|Torchic}} from [[Professor Birch]] that evolved into a {{TP|May|Blaziken}}.
+</gallery>
-* {{Jo|Harrison}} also received a Torchic from [[Professor Birch]], which is as well now a {{TP|Harrison|Blaziken}}.
-* {{Ka|Gilbert}} ([[H014]]) received a {{p|Bulbasaur}} from Professor Oak.
-* {{an|Dawn}} received a {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}} from [[Professor Rowan]].
-* [[Paul]] has a {{AP|Chimchar}} the first time he is seen. However, his starter Pokémon was in fact a {{p|Turtwig}}, now a {{TP|Paul|Torterra}}. He later releases Chimchar.
-* [[Max]] intends to begin his journey with a {{p|Ralts}} that he met in ''[[AG109|Do I Hear a Ralts?]]''. This is possibly a reference to [[Wally]]'s starter Pokémon in the games.
-Several characters have also captured Pokémon in the wild that are, in the games, only available as starter Pokémon.
+===Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer===
-* Ash Ketchum captured a {{AP|Bulbasaur}}, a {{AP|Charmander}}, and a {{AP|Squirtle}} in quick succession in the [[Kanto]] region. Of the three, only Charmander evolved, becoming a {{p|Charmeleon}}, and later a {{AP|Charizard}}, both of which were ''very'' disobedient to Ash until [[EP105|an incident]] in the [[Orange Archipelago]], after which it served Ash as it had when it was a Charmander. Bulbasaur was also going to evolve, but decided itself against becoming an {{p|Ivysaur}} in ''[[EP051|Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden]]''.
+[[File:Rosa Serperior Animated Trailer.png|thumb|250px|Rosa and Serperior in the [[Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Animated Trailer|Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer]]]]
-* Ash also captured the three [[Johto]] region starters, {{AP|Chikorita}}, {{AP|Cyndaquil}} and {{AP|Totodile}}, of which only Chikorita evolved, into {{AP|Bayleef}}.
+The [[Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Animated Trailer|Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer]]'s extended cut features all three of [[Unova]]'s first partner Pokémon: {{ga|Nate}} is shown with an {{p|Emboar}}, [[Hugh]] is seen with a {{p|Samurott}} (having picked the opposing type, like most [[rival]]s do in the games), and {{ga|Rosa}} uses a {{p|Serperior}} to battle [[Cheren]]'s {{p|Stoutland}}.
-* Ash captured as well a {{AP|Treecko}} in [[Hoenn]], while Brock captured a {{TP|Brock|Mudkip}}. Treecko evolved twice, becoming {{AP|Sceptile}} before Ash left it at [[Professor Oak]]'s lab, while Brock's Mudkip evolved into {{TP|Brock|Marshtomp}}. Along with May's {{TP|May|Torchic}}, the traveling trio had the three starters of Hoenn.
-* {{an|May}} captured a {{TP|May|Bulbasaur}} midway through her journey in Hoenn, and was given a {{TP|May|Squirtle}} by Professor Oak when she journeyed to Kanto.
+===Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer===
-* In [[Sinnoh]], Ash repeated himself by capturing {{AP|Turtwig}}, while his rival [[Paul]] owned a {{TP|Paul|Chimchar}} and a {{TP|Paul|Torterra}}, and {{an|Dawn}} herself has the third of Sinnoh's starters, {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}}. This is an imitation of the games: the rival (Paul) has the starter strong against the main character's (Ash) while the partner (Dawn) has the starter weak against the main character's. In [[DP052]], however, Paul releases Chimchar, and Ash captures it, making it the first time since the Johto saga that Ash has had more than one of a region's starters.
+The [[Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer]] also features all three of [[Hoenn]]'s first partner Pokémon, in all forms including their [[Mega Evolution]]s. {{ga|Brendan}} is shown to have picked a {{p|Treecko}}, while {{ga|May}} has both a {{p|Torchic}} and {{p|Mudkip}}.
-* Gary Oak had had {{TP|Gary|Eevee}} at least since Ash was traveling in the [[Orange Islands]]. As it was revealed to be under his ownership before his Blastoise, it caused many to hearken back to [[Pokémon Yellow]], where the player starts with {{p|Pikachu}}, like Ash, and the rival starts with Eevee. Either way, it was disproven that this was the case when Gary finally revealed his Blastoise to Ash. His Eevee evolved into {{TP|Gary|Umbreon}}.
+{{-}}
+==In the manga==
+===The Electric Tale of Pikachu===
+In [[The Electric Tale of Pikachu]], unlike the [[Pokémon the Series|animated series]] from which the manga was based on, new Pokémon Trainers do not appear to be given any sort of first partner Pokémon. {{an|Professor Oak}} is not shown residing at [[Professor Oak's Laboratory|his laboratory]] handing out first partner Pokémon to new Trainers, as in the animated series, rather, he travels the [[Kanto]] region conducting research, often accompanied by [[Bill]]. Trainers in The Electric Tale of Pikachu must obtain a license before they can purchase [[Poké Ball]]s or otherwise capture and train Pokémon. {{OBP|Ash Ketchum|EToP|Ash}} found {{AP|Pikachu|Pikachu (EToP)}} under the floorboards of his home, keeping it as his first Pokémon. It is not currently known what [[Gary Oak]]'s first Pokémon was in the manga, although he is at one point seen owning a {{p|Venusaur}}.
+===Pokémon Adventures===
+In [[Pokémon Adventures]], the first partner Pokémon featured in the games are reserved for the few people who hold a Pokédex. {{adv|Professor Oak}} produces three Pokédexes for each region, and gives out the three first partner Pokémon in each region along with the Pokédex to Trainers he thinks are talented. He has colleagues and friends like Professor Birch do this for him in regions in which he isn't present. In the Unova region, two sets of first partner Pokémon are given out to six Trainers, but still with only three Pokédexes. Professor Oak also gave [[Pika|Red's Pikachu]] as a special first partner to {{adv|Yellow}}.
 ==Trivia==
-* All starters in the [[main series]] besides Pikachu have a 7:1 ratio of males to females. The reason for this is likely to make sure that starter Pokémon are more difficult to [[breed]], as species is passed down by the female. This difficulty can be solved if one uses a Ditto.
+* The only two first partner Pokémon that are dual-type in their initial form, {{p|Bulbasaur}} and {{p|Rowlet}}, are both {{type|Grass}}.
-* Of the four {{type2|Fire}} starters, three of them have a Japanese name beginning with ヒ ''hi'': ''Hitokage'', ''Hinoarashi'', and ''Hikozaru''. Those same three have names starting with a ''C'' in the English language versions: {{p|Charmander}}, {{p|Cyndaquil}}, and {{p|Chimchar}}, respectively. {{Ash}} also has captured all three.
+* Each one of the Alola first partners' final evolutions has an immunity. {{p|Decidueye}}'s Ghost type is immune to Normal and Fighting; {{p|Incineroar}}'s Dark type is immune to Psychic; and {{p|Primarina}}'s Fairy type is immune to Dragon.
-* All starters in the main series of games start off having only their native type&ndash; Grass, Water, or Fire. Only one of them starts off with a second type: {{p|Bulbasaur}}, who is part {{t|Poison}}.
+** Coincidentally, this also gives them advantages against {{p|Necrozma}}'s Ultra form: Decidueye and Incineroar are super effective against Ultra Necrozma's Psychic typing, while Primarina is strong against Ultra Necrozma's Dragon typing.
-* Usually upon [[evolution]], the starter Pokémon gain another type. However, {{p|Blastoise}}, the three [[Johto]] starters' final forms ({{p|Meganium}}, {{p|Typhlosion}}, and {{p|Feraligatr}}), and {{p|Sceptile}} do not have a second type.
+* As of [[Generation IX]], the only sets of first partners without secondary types in any of their final evolutions are the [[Johto]] first partners and the [[Galar]] first partners.
-* The final forms of the starters also vary in type based on their region. All three of the Johto region's starters never gain a second type, while all three of the final forms of the [[Sinnoh]] region's starters do have a second type. It should be noted that the Sinnoh starters' secondary types are configured so that each is theoretically a perfect match for each other. [[Kanto]] and [[Hoenn]] both have two of their starters' final forms having two types, while the third has only one.
+** By contrast, the first partners of [[Sinnoh]] (including [[Hisui]]), [[Kalos]], [[Alola]], and [[Paldea]] all have a secondary type present in their final evolutions.
-* All of the Kanto starters, excepting {{p|Pikachu}}, can interbreed, being in the {{egg2|Monster}}. The {{p|Chikorita}} and {{p|Totodile}} families join them, however, {{p|Cyndaquil}}'s family is instead in the {{egg2|Ground}}, a pattern that would continue into [[Generation III]] where both {{p|Treecko}} and {{p|Mudkip}} were in the Monster group while {{p|Torchic}} was in the Ground group. Finally, in [[Generation IV]], only {{p|Turtwig}} is in the Monster group, leaving both {{p|Piplup}} and {{p|Chimchar}} in the Ground group. Also, all the Water-type starters are in the {{egg2|Water 1}}.
+* Both Kanto and Hoenn first partners are the only set of first partners capable of [[Mega Evolution]].
-*In the anime, the three main characters that were shown in an episode choosing their starter all chose Pokémon in the {{egg3|Ground}} ({{AP|Pikachu}}, {{TP|May|Torchic}}, {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}}).
+** Additionally, both Kanto and Galar first partners are the only set of first partners capable of [[Gigantamax]]ing.
-*For [[DP001]], [[Professor Oak's lecture]] is about the starter Pokémon of Sinnoh. He writes this [[Pokémon senryū]] about them: シンオウで　たびがはじまる　ポケモンと ''Shin'ō de tabi ga hajimaru Pokémon to.'' "In [[Sinnoh]], a journey begins with Pokémon."
+*** This makes the Kanto first partners the only set of first partners that can both Mega Evolve and Gigantamax.
-*Each of the {{type2|Grass}} starters is based on a reptilian creature, with Bulbasaur and Chikorita being based on {{wp|dinosaur}}s, Treecko on {{wp|gecko}}s, and Turtwig on {{wp|turtle}}s.
-*None of the {{type2|Water}} starters have any gender differences at any evolutionary level.
+===In the games===
-*None of the Sinnoh region's starters have any gender differences, despite this feature having been introduced in [[Generation IV]].
+* In [[Generation II]], it was not possible to have a {{Shiny}} female first partner Pokémon, due to the mechanics of how [[gender]] and Shininess were determined. The lowest Attack {{IV}} a Shiny Pokémon could have was 2, while the highest Attack IV that a female Pokémon in their gender group could have was 1.
-*A [[Red (game)#Super Smash Bros.|new character]] in [[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]] based on a {{pkmn|Trainer}} uses a team of {{p|Squirtle}}, {{p|Ivysaur}} and {{p|Charizard}}—one member from each of the Kanto starters' evolutionary lines.
+* [[Kanto]]'s first partner Pokémon are the only partner Pokémon where all of the members appear in more than one [[regional Pokédex]]: [[List of Pokémon by Kanto Pokédex number|Kanto]]'s, [[List of Pokémon by Johto Pokédex number|Johto]]'s, and [[List of Pokémon by Kalos Pokédex number|Kalos]]'s.
-*{{p|Charmander}} and {{p|Treecko}} are both based off of lizards (salamander, gecko).
+** The {{p|Charmander}} line also appears alone in the [[List of Pokémon by Galar Pokédex number|Galar]] regional Pokédex, while the {{p|Bulbasaur}} and {{p|Squirtle}} lines appear in the [[Isle of Armor]] regional Pokédex.
-*{{p|Squirtle}} and {{p|Turtwig}} are both based off of turtles and were the starters of two of Ash's rivals, [[Gary]] and [[Paul]].
+* {{p|Fennekin}} is the only unevolved first partner Pokémon with a unique base stat total.
-*{{p|Torchic}} and {{p|Piplup}} are both based off of birds (chicken, penguin). They were also both owned by the anime's resident [[Pokémon Coordinator]]s.
+* The lowest base stat of a non-Mega Evolved fully evolved first partner Pokémon is {{p|Torterra}}'s {{stat|Speed}}, at 56. The highest base stat of a non-Mega Evolved fully evolved first partner Pokémon is {{p|Primarina}}'s {{stat|Special Attack}}, at 126.
-*{{p|Cyndaquil}}, {{p|Pikachu}}, and {{P|Chimchar}} are the only main series starters based off of mammals, an echidna, a mouse, and a young chimpanzee, respectively.
+* The Pikachu featured in Pokémon Yellow & Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and the Eevee in Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! are the only first partner Pokémon that cannot evolve in the game in which they are first partner Pokémon.
-*In the Pokédex, all the normal starters and their evolutions are in the same order for each region: Grass, Fire, and Water.
+** Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!'s respective first partners are also the only ones that cannot be traded to other games.
-*In each generation, except for Generation IV, the final form of one of the three starters is capable of learning {{m|Dragon Claw}}.
+* {{p|Charmander}} is the only Fire-type first partner Pokémon that is not a member of the {{egg3|Field}}.
-*All the fully-evolved starters can learn {{m|Earthquake}}.
+* {{p|Oshawott}} is the only Water-type first partner Pokémon that is not a member of the {{egg3|Water 1}}.
-*The Hoenn starters all evolve for the first time at level 16, then again at level 36. Others have differences in either one or both evolutionary levels.
+* With the exception of Hisuian Decidueye having a higher base stat total than Hisuian Samurott, no fully evolved Grass-type first partner Pokémon has a higher base stat total than either of its two counterparts.
-*All of the Water-type starters can learn {{m|Hydro Pump}}, however Piplup is the only one who can't learn {{m|Water Gun}}.
+** By contrast, with the exception of Blaziken having a lower base stat total than Swampert, no fully evolved Fire-type first partner Pokémon has a lower base stat total than either of its two counterparts.
+** Contrarily, no unevolved Grass-type first partner Pokémon besides {{p|Chespin}} has a lower base stat total than either of its two counterparts.
+** Similarly, no unevolved Fire-type first partner has a higher base stat total than either its counterparts and no fully evolved Fire-type first partner besides {{p|Blaziken}} has a lower one.
+* As of Generation IX, all fully evolved Water-type first partners can learn the HM move {{m|Surf}}.
+* In all games with a trio of first partner Pokémon, the [[Pokémon Professor]]s and the player's [[rival]]s and [[friend]]s (if any) are the only [[non-player character]]s known to have the first partner Pokémon of the current region or their evolutions.
+===In the anime===
+* For [[DP001]], [[Professor Oak's Big Pokémon Encyclopedia]] is about the first partner Pokémon of Sinnoh. He writes this {{wp|senryū}} about them: 「シンオウで　たびがはじまる　ポケモンと」 ''"In [[Sinnoh]], a journey begins with Pokémon."''
+* For [[BW003]], [[Professor Oak's Pokémon Holo Caster]] is about the first partner Pokémon of Unova. He writes this senryū about them: 「パートナー　みず・くさ・ほのお　まよっちゃう」 ''"Partner, {{t|Water}}, {{t|Grass}}, {{t|Fire}}, I can't decide."''
+* Ash has owned all but two of the Grass-type first partner Pokémon: {{AP|Bulbasaur}}, {{AP|Chikorita}}, {{AP|Treecko}}, {{AP|Turtwig}}, {{AP|Snivy}}, and {{AP|Rowlet}}. The Grass-type first partner from Kalos, {{TP|Clemont|Chespin}}, is instead owned by {{an|Clemont}}, and the Grass-type first partner from Galar, {{TP|Goh|Grookey}}, is instead owned by [[Goh]].
+* Each {{type|Water}} first partner Pokémon obtained by a main character was not battled: [[Ash's Squirtle]], {{AP|Oshawott}}, and {{AP|Froakie}} chose to join his team, while Ash fought and won against Misty for his {{AP|Totodile}}. Brock's {{TP|Brock|Mudkip}} chose to join him. May received her {{TP|May|Squirtle}} from [[Professor Oak]], Dawn received her {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}} from [[Professor Rowan]], Lana rescued her {{TP|Lana|Popplio}} from Team Skull, and Goh caught his {{TP|Goh|Sobble}} without battling it. In ''[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series]]'', [[Dot]]’s {{TP|Dot|Quaxly}} chose to join her team as her [[List of characters' first Pokémon|first Pokémon]], although she is not a main character.
+* The Hoenn first partner set is the first set in which all three Pokémon evolve under the care of the main characters who own them.
+* {{p|Squirtle}} and {{p|Turtwig}} are both based on turtles and were the first partner Pokémon of two of Ash's rivals, {{Gary}} and [[Paul]].
+* {{p|Torchic}} and {{p|Piplup}} are both based on birds. They were also both owned by the resident [[Pokémon Coordinator]]s in ''[[Pokémon the Series]]''.
+* Both May and Dawn have a second first partner Pokémon from a previous generation with a type disadvantage to their first. These first partner Pokémon are both from two generations prior to their owner's introduction and featured in ''Pokémon the Series'' likely due to the same-generation [[remake]]s.
+* In the ''Diamond and Pearl'' series, there have been two major appearances of each fully evolved first partner introduced in [[Generation IV]]: Ash and Paul's Torterra, Ash and Flint's Infernape, and Barry and [[Kenny's Empoleon]].
+* Every Fire-type first partner obtained by a main character has evolved at least once.
+* {{AP|Froakie|Greninja}} is the only Water-type first partner that has ever evolved under Ash's ownership.
+* The Kanto first partners are the only ones to have all been owned by both Ash and one of his friends at some point in their evolutionary lines: May owns a {{TP|May|Venusaur}} and a {{TP|May|Wartortle}}, while Kiawe owns a {{TP|Kiawe|Charizard}}.
+* The Johto first partner set is the only full first partner set that Ash has obtained where none of the members were previously owned by another Trainer or a Pokémon Professor, as all of them were caught in the wild.
+** Conversely, the Kanto first partner set is the only full first partner set that Ash has obtained where every member was owned by a previous Trainer.
+* The Galar first partner set is the only full first partner set from which Ash owns none of its members.
+==In other languages==
+<div style="display: inline-block">
+;''First partner Pokémon''
+{{langtable|color={{Arceus color}}|bordercolor={{Arceus color dark}}
+|zh_yue=搭檔寶可夢 ''{{tt|Daapdong Bóuhómuhng|Partner Pokémon}}'' {{tt|*|Scarlet and Violet official website}}<br>最初的夥伴 ''{{tt|Jeuichō dīk fóbuhn|First partner}}'' {{tt|*|Sword and Shield League Card, HOME}}
+|zh_cmn=搭檔寶可夢 / 搭档宝可梦 ''{{tt|Dādàng Bǎokěmèng|Partner Pokémon}}'' {{tt|*|Scarlet and Violet official website}}<br>最初的夥伴 / 最初的伙伴 ''{{tt|Zuìchū de huǒbàn|First partner}}'' {{tt|*|Sword and Shield League Card, HOME}}
+|da=første Pokémon-partner ([[JN001]])<br>første Pokémon-makker ([[JN049]]&ndash;)
+|fi=Ensikumppani-Pokémon
+|fr=Pokémon de départ{{tt|*|Scarlet and Violet official website}}<br>Premier Pokémon{{tt|*|Sword and Shield League Card}}<br>Premier partenaire{{tt|*|HOME}}
+|de=Erstes Partner-Pokémon
+|it=Primo compagno d'avventura{{tt|*|Scarlet and Violet official website, HOME}}<br>Pokémon iniziale{{tt|*|Sword and Shield League Card}}
+|es=Pokémon inicial{{tt|*|Scarlet and Violet official website}}<br>Primer compañero{{tt|*|Sword and Shield League Card, HOME}}
+|ko=파트너 포켓몬 ''Partner Pokémon'' {{tt|*|Scarlet and Violet official website}}<br>첫 파트너 ''{{tt|Cheot|First}} partner''{{tt|*|Sword and Shield League Card, HOME}}
+}}
+</div>
+<div style="display: inline-block">
+;''Starter Pokémon''
+{{langtable|color={{Arceus color}}|bordercolor={{Arceus color dark}}
+|cs=Startovní Pokémon
+|da=Begynder-Pokémon
+|nl=Starter Pokémon
+|fi=Aloitus-Pokémon
+|fr=Pokémon de départ
+|de=Starter-Pokémon
+|hu=Kezdő Pokémon
+|it=Pokémon iniziale
+|no=Førstegangs-Pokémon
+|pl=Pokémon Starter
+|pt_br=Pokémon inicial<br>Pokémon iniciante ([[BW116]])
+|pt_eu=Pokémon inicial
+|ru=Стартовый покемон ''Startovy Pokémon''
+|es=Pokémon inicial
+|sv=Nybörjar-Pokémon
+|th=โปเกมอนเริ่มต้น ''Pokémon Roemton''
+|vi=Pokémon khởi đầu<br>Pokémon khởi hành
+|tr=Başlangıç Pokémon'u
+}}
+</div>
+==See also==
+* [[List of characters with first partner Pokémon]]
+* [[List of the player's first Pokémon]]
+* [[List of characters' first Pokémon]]
+* [[Game mascot]]
+==References==
+{{reflist}}
+{{-}}
+{{First partner trios|Pokemon}}
 [[Category:Terminology]]
-[[Category:Starter Pokémon|*]]
+[[Category:First partner Pokémon|*]]
-[[Category:Anime starter Pokémon|*]]
+[[Category:First Pokémon]]
+[[de:Erste Partner-Pokémon]]
-[[fr:Starter]]
+[[es:Pokémon inicial]]
+[[fr:Pokémon de départ]]
+[[it:Pokémon iniziale]]
 [[ja:御三家]]
-[[pl:Startery]]
+[[zh:最初的夥伴]]