Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Informational Guide to the Starter Pokémon

Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly, and their evolutions

Co-authored by Hunter Rising and Kyle Smith

Last Updated: January 24, 2023 References

The Starter Pokémon

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Strengths and Weaknesses

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Which Starter is the Best?

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Starter Evolutions

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Tips

Choosing a starter is a critical decision at the beginning of every Pokémon game. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you can choose Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly in the Paldea region. But which starter Pokémon should you pick? This wikiHow covers the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Starters for Nintendo Switch — their basic descriptions, types, strengths, weaknesses, evolutions, and the best Pokémon to start with.

Things You Should Know

Sprigatit, Fuecoco, and Quaxly are Grass, Fire, and Water Types respectively.
Fuecoco is the best starter for beating the early-game Gyms.
Take your time choosing a starter! They’ll be with you the entire game.

Section 1 of 4:

The Starter Pokémon

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Sprigatito is the Grass Type starter. Sprigatito is a small cat Pokémon with plant-like fur that allows it to photosynthesize.^{[1]
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- Its ability, Overgrow, boosts attacks and special attacks by 50% when using Grass-type moves.^{[2]
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- Sprigatito starts with the moves Scratch, Tail Whip, and Leafage.^{[3]
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Fuecoco is the Fire Type starter. Fuecoco is a small crocodile Pokémon with heat-absorbing scales and fire energy coming out of its head.
- Its ability, Blaze, boosts attacks and special attacks by 50% when using Fire-type moves.^{[4]
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- Fuecoco starts with the moves Tackle, Leer, and Ember.^{[5]
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3
Quaxly is the Water Type starter. Quaxly is a duckling Pokémon with a protective glossy gel covering its body.
- Its ability, Torrent, boosts attacks and special attacks by 50% when using Water-type moves.^{[6]
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- Quaxly starts with the moves Pound, Growl, and Water Gun.^{[7]
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Section 2 of 4:

Strengths and Weaknesses

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Sprigatito is a physical attacker and the fastest of the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet starters. Sprigatito's qualities are Grass Type:
- Offense
  - Strong against: Ground, Rock, Water
  - Weak against: Bug, Dragon, Fire, Flying, Grass, Poison, Steel
- Defense
  - Resistant to: Electric, Grass, Ground, Water
  - Weak to: Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice, Poison
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Fuecoco is the most defensive starter and a Special Attacker. Fuecoco has Fire Type strengths and weaknesses:
- Offense
  - Strong against: Bug, Grass, Ice, Steel
  - Weak against: Dragon, Fire, Rock, Water
- Defense
  - Resistant to: Bug, Fairy, Fire, Grass, Ice, Steel
  - Weak to: Ground, Rock, Water
3
Quaxly is best attacker of the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet starters. As a Water Type, Quaxly has the following strengths and weaknesses:^{[8]
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- Offense
  - Strong against: Fire, Ground, Rock
  - Weak against: Dragon, Grass, Water
- Defense:
  - Resistant to: Fire, Ice, Steel, Water
  - Weak to: Electric, Grass

Section 3 of 4:

Which Starter is the Best?

Fuecoco is the best starter. Although you can challenge the Gym Leaders in any order, the easiest Gyms to start with are the Cortondo Gym (Bug) and Artazon Gym (Grass) — they have the lowest level Pokémon teams. Fuecoco, as a Fire Type, is especially strong against these types, making the early game a bit easier.
- Fuecoco's final evolution, Skeledirge, is also immune to Normal type attacks.
- You’ll catch plenty of Pokémon while playing the game. If an early type advantage isn’t super important to you, pick the starter that you enjoy personally. They’ll be with you for the entire journey, after all!
- After selecting your starter, check out our guide on raising friendship levels.
- If you don’t mind spoilers, check out the next section on the starters’ evolutions.

Section 4 of 4:

Starter Evolutions

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Sprigatito evolves into Floragato then Meowscarada. Meowscarada is a Grass and Dark Type Pokémon with high Attack and Speed stats. Its Defense and Special Defense are especially low.
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Fuecoco evolves into Crocalor then Skeledirge. Skeledirge is a Fire and Ghost Type Pokémon with high HP and Special Attack. Its Speed is particularly low.
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Quaxly evolves into Quaxwell then Quaquaval. Quaquaval is a Water and Fighting Type Pokémon with high Attack. Its other stats are about even.