Best Starter in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Both versions of Scarlet and Violet give the same answer: Fuecoco is the best starter. In Scarlet it wins 19 of the 28 boss fights we rate, and Sprigatito and Quaxly win 9 each. Its one Bad fight is the Stony Cliff Titan, and it isn't rated Tough anywhere. Violet's Quaking Earth Titan is Iron Treads, not Great Tusk.
Scarlet and Violet Starter Evolutions and Stats
Sprigatito
Final form: Meowscarada
grass
darkEvolution
Base statsMeowscarada
- Total
- 530
- Ability
- Overgrow
- Hidden ability
- Protean
| Boss | Result and score out of 100 |
|---|---|
| Katy | Even, 46.0 |
| Brassius | Even, 51.7 |
| Iono | Even, 54.9 |
| Kofu | Good, 60.9 |
| Larry | Even, 46.1 |
| Ryme | Good, 64.6 |
| Tulip | Good, 60.0 |
| Grusha | Even, 54.0 |
| Giacomo | Even, 47.2 |
| Mela | Tough, 32.6 |
| Atticus | Tough, 33.9 |
| Ortega | Even, 49.4 |
| Eri | Even, 45.9 |
| Stony Cliff Titan | Even, 56.3 |
| Open Sky Titan | Tough, 35.7 |
| Lurking Steel Titan | Even, 43.1 |
| Quaking Earth Titan | Good, 59.4 |
| False Dragon Titan | Good, 67.8 |
| Rika | Good, 67.0 |
| Poppy | Even, 48.3 |
| Larry | Even, 49.3 |
| Hassel | Even, 47.9 |
| Geeta | Good, 59.1 |
| Nemona | Even, 55.9 |
| Arven | Good, 60.4 |
| Penny | Even, 48.7 |
| Director Clavell | Good, 61.8 |
| AI Sada | Even, 54.4 |
Wins 9 of 28
Fuecoco
Final form: Skeledirge
fire
ghostEvolution
Base statsSkeledirge
- Total
- 530
- Ability
- Blaze
- Hidden ability
- Unaware
| Boss | Result and score out of 100 |
|---|---|
| Katy | Good, 65.0 |
| Brassius | Good, 58.0 |
| Iono | Good, 58.4 |
| Kofu | Even, 47.7 |
| Larry | Even, 50.8 |
| Ryme | Good, 69.7 |
| Tulip | Good, 58.5 |
| Grusha | Good, 69.2 |
| Giacomo | Good, 68.2 |
| Mela | Even, 43.7 |
| Atticus | Even, 56.8 |
| Ortega | Good, 58.1 |
| Eri | Good, 65.5 |
| Stony Cliff Titan | Bad, 27.1 |
| Open Sky Titan | Even, 51.8 |
| Lurking Steel Titan | Strong, 75.8 |
| Quaking Earth Titan | Good, 57.4 |
| False Dragon Titan | Even, 48.9 |
| Rika | Good, 62.5 |
| Poppy | Strong, 74.4 |
| Larry | Good, 59.0 |
| Hassel | Even, 52.8 |
| Geeta | Good, 68.7 |
| Nemona | Good, 59.2 |
| Arven | Good, 57.4 |
| Penny | Even, 55.9 |
| Director Clavell | Good, 59.2 |
| AI Sada | Good, 60.1 |
Most wins: 19 of 28
Quaxly
Final form: Quaquaval
water
fighting
Base statsQuaquaval
- Total
- 530
- Ability
- Torrent
- Hidden ability
- Moxie
| Boss | Result and score out of 100 |
|---|---|
| Katy | Good, 62.0 |
| Brassius | Even, 50.9 |
| Iono | Even, 48.3 |
| Kofu | Tough, 39.7 |
| Larry | Even, 52.4 |
| Ryme | Even, 43.3 |
| Tulip | Even, 43.1 |
| Grusha | Good, 64.5 |
| Giacomo | Good, 61.1 |
| Mela | Good, 66.5 |
| Atticus | Even, 45.6 |
| Ortega | Even, 44.5 |
| Eri | Even, 54.3 |
| Stony Cliff Titan | Even, 51.5 |
| Open Sky Titan | Even, 49.0 |
| Lurking Steel Titan | Even, 50.6 |
| Quaking Earth Titan | Good, 70.5 |
| False Dragon Titan | Even, 47.6 |
| Rika | Good, 64.8 |
| Poppy | Even, 56.9 |
| Larry | Even, 50.2 |
| Hassel | Even, 51.7 |
| Geeta | Good, 57.0 |
| Nemona | Good, 60.8 |
| Arven | Good, 67.5 |
| Penny | Even, 52.1 |
| Director Clavell | Even, 52.9 |
| AI Sada | Even, 50.6 |
Wins 9 of 28
- Strong
- Good
- Even
- Tough
- Bad
- Score 50
Scarlet and Violet Boss Fights, Rated for Each Starter
28 fightsMela splits them most: Sprigatito is rated Tough against her, and Quaxly Good. Fuecoco's 27.1 against the Stony Cliff Titan's Klawf is the lowest score here, and the Scarlet and Violet gym leader guide covers the eight gyms.
Each cell is that starter's rating for the fight, scored 0 to 100. Tap a row for the boss team.
Ratings come from our matchup model: your starter's form, level, moves and stats at each fight against that boss team. Not a tier list.
| Boss |  Sprigatito |  Fuecoco |  Quaxly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victory Road (gyms) · 8 | 3 won · 0 Tough | 6 won · 0 Tough | 2 won · 1 Tough |
Even46.0 | Good65.0 | Good62.0 | |
Even51.7 | Good58.0 | Even50.9 | |
Even54.9 | Good58.4 | Even48.3 | |
Good60.9 | Even47.7 | Tough39.7 | |
Even46.1 | Even50.8 | Even52.4 | |
Good64.6 | Good69.7 | Even43.3 | |
Good60.0 | Good58.5 | Even43.1 | |
Even54.0 | Good69.2 | Good64.5 | |
| Starfall Street (Team Star bosses) · 5 | 0 won · 2 Tough | 3 won · 0 Tough | 2 won · 0 Tough |
Even47.2 | Good68.2 | Good61.1 | |
Tough32.6 | Even43.7 | Good66.5 | |
Tough33.9 | Even56.8 | Even45.6 | |
Even49.4 | Good58.1 | Even44.5 | |
Even45.9 | Good65.5 | Even54.3 | |
| Path of Legends (Titans) · 5 | 2 won · 1 Tough | 2 won · 1 Tough | 1 won · 0 Tough |
Even56.3 | Bad27.1 | Even51.5 | |
Tough35.7 | Even51.8 | Even49.0 | |
Even43.1 | Strong75.8 | Even50.6 | |
Good59.4 | Good57.4 | Good70.5 | |
Good67.8 | Even48.9 | Even47.6 | |
| Pokemon League · 5 | 2 won · 0 Tough | 4 won · 0 Tough | 2 won · 0 Tough |
Good67.0 | Good62.5 | Good64.8 | |
Even48.3 | Strong74.4 | Even56.9 | |
Even49.3 | Good59.0 | Even50.2 | |
Even47.9 | Even52.8 | Even51.7 | |
Good59.1 | Good68.7 | Good57.0 | |
| After the League · 5 | 2 won · 0 Tough | 4 won · 0 Tough | 2 won · 0 Tough |
Even55.9 | Good59.2 | Good60.8 | |
Good60.4 | Good57.4 | Good67.5 | |
Even48.7 | Even55.9 | Even52.1 | |
Good61.8 | Good59.2 | Even52.9 | |
Even54.4 | Good60.1 | Even50.6 |
Each group is listed in our stored order. Our data does not say how the three story paths mix.
Ratings use the Scarlet bosses. Violet has the same gym, Elite Four and Champion teams; the open AI Sada row also rates AI Turo, and the Quaking Earth Titan is Iron Treads in Violet.
Nemona's and Director Clavell's teams depend on the starter you chose, so each cell rates the team that starter faces.
Each Team Star boss ends with a Starmobile. The game sets its battle stats directly, and the ratings use those stats.
Terastallization and the Titan power-up are not part of the ratings.
Best Team for Each Scarlet and Violet Starter
5 teammates per starter · all obtainable in Scarlet & VioletKomala and Mimikyu, 2nd and 3rd in Fuecoco's Scarlet ranking, are both on its team, rare finds in East Province (Area Two) before Giacomo. Pawmot starts as a rare Pawmi in South Province (Area One) before Katy, and it evolves after 1,000 steps with it in Let's Go mode.
- MelaTough 33
- AtticusTough 34
- Open Sky TitanTough 36
This team wins 28 of 28 boss fights. It wins all 3 of Sprigatito's Tough or Bad fights.
Between them, the team resists every type Sprigatito is weak to.
- Jolteon
electricGood or Strong in 15 of 28 fights after you catch it (16 in Violet)
Where: South Province (Area Two), rareWhen: Before Gym 1 (Katy)Level: Lv 11 to 12
- AtticusGood 62
- OrtegaGood 64
- Open Sky TitanGood 70
- Gallade
psychicfighting5th of 178 Scarlet teammates in our boss-fight scores (3rd of 178 in Violet)
Where: South Province (Area One), in the morning, rareWhen: Before Gym 1 (Katy)Level: Lv 5 to 8
You catch Ralts. Kirlia at Lv 20, then Gallade with a Dawn Stone (male Kirlia only).
- GrushaStrong 73
- AtticusGood 66
- NemonaGood 70
- Arcaninefire
1st of 178 Scarlet and Violet teammates in our boss-fight scores
Where: South Province (Area Three)When: Before Gym 2 (Brassius)Level: Lv 17
- AtticusGood 66
- Open Sky TitanGood 59
- Lurking Steel TitanStrong 74
- Hippowdon
ground9th of 178 Scarlet teammates in our boss-fight scores (7th of 178 in Violet)
Where: Asado DesertWhen: Before GiacomoLevel: Lv 20 to 26
You catch Hippopotas. Hippowdon at Lv 34.
- MelaGood 70as Hippopotas
- AtticusGood 69as Hippopotas
- NemonaGood 66
- Komala
normal3rd of 178 Scarlet teammates in our boss-fight scores (4th of 178 in Violet)
Where: East Province (Area Two), rareWhen: Before GiacomoLevel: Lv 20 to 23
Doesn't evolve.
- MelaGood 64
- AtticusGood 64
- Open Sky TitanGood 65
- Stony Cliff TitanBad 27
This team wins 28 of 28 boss fights. It wins Fuecoco's one Tough or Bad fight.
Between them, the team resists every type Fuecoco is weak to.
- Pawmotelectricfighting
7th of 178 Scarlet teammates in our boss-fight scores (5th of 178 in Violet)
Where: South Province (Area One), rareWhen: Before Gym 1 (Katy)Level: Lv 2 to 12
You catch Pawmi. Pawmo at Lv 18, then Pawmot after 1,000 steps with it in Let's Go mode and a level up.
- KofuStrong 73
- LarryGood 69
- False Dragon TitanGood 69
- Breloomgrassfighting
16th of 178 Scarlet and Violet teammates in our boss-fight scores
Where: South Province (Area Five)When: Before Gym 2 (Brassius)Level: Lv 16 to 23
- KofuGood 67
- Stony Cliff TitanGood 62as Shroomish
- False Dragon TitanGood 68
- Hippowdonground
8th of 178 Scarlet teammates in our boss-fight scores (6th of 178 in Violet)
Where: Asado DesertWhen: Before GiacomoLevel: Lv 20 to 26
You catch Hippopotas. Hippowdon at Lv 34.
- MelaGood 70as Hippopotas
- AtticusGood 69as Hippopotas
- PennyGood 61
- Komalanormal
2nd of 178 Scarlet and Violet teammates in our boss-fight scores
Where: East Province (Area Two), rareWhen: Before GiacomoLevel: Lv 20 to 23
Doesn't evolve.
- LarryGood 65
- False Dragon TitanGood 67
- HasselGood 68
- Mimikyughost
fairy3rd of 178 Scarlet teammates in our boss-fight scores (9th of 178 in Violet)
Where: East Province (Area Two), rareWhen: Before GiacomoLevel: Lv 20 to 24
Doesn't evolve.
- KofuStrong 74
- False Dragon TitanGood 70
- HasselGood 67
- KofuTough 40
This team wins 28 of 28 boss fights. It wins Quaxly's one Tough or Bad fight.
Between them, the team resists every type Quaxly is weak to.
- Galladepsychicfighting
5th of 178 Scarlet teammates in our boss-fight scores (3rd of 178 in Violet)
Where: South Province (Area One), in the morning, rareWhen: Before Gym 1 (Katy)Level: Lv 5 to 8
You catch Ralts. Kirlia at Lv 20, then Gallade with a Dawn Stone (male Kirlia only).
- KofuGood 60
- EriGood 70
- Director ClavellGood 68
- Tinkatonfairy
steelGood or Strong in 18 of 28 fights after you catch it (17 in Violet)
Where: South Province (Area Two), rareWhen: Before Gym 1 (Katy)Level: Lv 10
You catch Tinkatink. Tinkatuff at Lv 24, then Tinkaton at Lv 38.
- TulipStrong 73
- OrtegaGood 71
- HasselGood 69
- Hippowdonground
8th of 178 Scarlet teammates in our boss-fight scores (6th of 178 in Violet)
Where: Asado DesertWhen: Before GiacomoLevel: Lv 20 to 26
You catch Hippopotas. Hippowdon at Lv 34.
- RymeGood 66
- AtticusGood 69as Hippopotas
- Lurking Steel TitanGood 65as Hippopotas
- Komalanormal
2nd of 178 Scarlet and Violet teammates in our boss-fight scores
Where: East Province (Area Two), rareWhen: Before GiacomoLevel: Lv 20 to 23
Doesn't evolve.
- KofuGood 64
- Larry (Elite Four)Good 68
- HasselGood 68
- Gengarghost
poison4th of 178 Scarlet and Violet teammates in our boss-fight scores
Where: Levincia, in-game trade (you give a Pincurchin)When: Before MelaLevel: Lv 25
You trade for Gengar.
- KofuGood 72
- OrtegaGood 71
- Larry (Elite Four)Good 70
Every teammate is a wild catch or an in-game trade in Scarlet & Violet, with no trading between games. It counts only for fights after you can catch it, and an evolution only once you can reach its item. Rare means under 1 in 10 wild encounters there. Teammates are ranked by how they do in the boss fights after you catch them, and a late catch ranks lower because it misses fights. At least two of the five join before a quarter of the boss fights are done. Every teammate is in the top third of that ranking. No two of the six (your starter and its five teammates) have exactly the same typing, and no type appears on more than two of them or hits more than two for super effective damage. The six always include a physical attacker, a special attacker, a fast Pokemon and a bulky one. Wins in your starter's Tough or Bad fights count extra, and legendary and mythical Pokemon are left out. Scores come from the Boss fights model, for the teammate's form at that fight.
Key Moves for Each Scarlet and Violet Starter
Meowscarada learns Flower Trick the moment Floragato evolves at Lv 36. Quaquaval's Aqua Step and Skeledirge's Torch Song arrive the same way, and Crocalor already has Flamethrower from Lv 32.
| Lv | Move | Type | Category | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grass, Physical, power 40 | grass Physical | Physical | 40 |
| Evolves to Floragato at Lv 16 | ||||
| 20 | Grass, Physical, power 80 | grassPhysical | Physical | 80 |
| 33 | Normal, Physical, power 70 | normalPhysical | Physical | 70 |
| Evolves to Meowscarada at Lv 36 | ||||
| 36on evolving | Grass, Physical, power 70 | grassPhysical | Physical | 70 |
| 38 | Dark, Physical, power 70 | darkPhysical | Physical | 70 |
| 42 | Grass, Special, power 90 | grass Special | Special | 90 |
| 47 | Fairy, Physical, power 90 | fairyPhysical | Physical | 90 |
| 64 | Grass, Special, power 130 | grassSpecial | Special | 130 |
| Lv | Move | Type | Category | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fire, Special, power 40 | fireSpecial | Special | 40 |
| Evolves to Crocalor at Lv 16 | ||||
| 32 | Fire, Special, power 90 | fireSpecial | Special | 90 |
| Evolves to Skeledirge at Lv 36 | ||||
| 36on evolving | Fire, Special, power 80 | fireSpecial | Special | 80 |
| 38 | Ghost, Special, power 80 | ghostSpecial | Special | 80 |
| 42 | Normal, Special, power 90 | normalSpecial | Special | 90 |
| 47 | Ghost, Special, power 65 | ghostSpecial | Special | 65 |
| 58 | Fire, Special, power 110 | fireSpecial | Special | 110 |
| 64 | Fire, Special, power 130 | fireSpecial | Special | 130 |
| Lv | Move | Type | Category | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water, Special, power 40 | waterSpecial | Special | 40 |
| Evolves to Quaxwell at Lv 16 | ||||
| 23 | Water, Physical, power 70 | waterPhysical | Physical | 70 |
| 27 | Flying, Special, power 75 |  flyingSpecial | Special | 75 |
| Evolves to Quaquaval at Lv 36 | ||||
| 36on evolving | Water, Physical, power 80 | waterPhysical | Physical | 80 |
| 38 | Normal, Physical, power 120 | normalPhysical | Physical | 120 |
| 47 | Water, Physical, power 85 | waterPhysical | Physical | 85 |
| 58 | Fighting, Physical, power 120 | fightingPhysical | Physical | 120 |
| 64 | Water, Physical, power 120 | waterPhysical | Physical | 120 |
More Scarlet and Violet guides
Start with the Titan Pokemon guide: the Stony Cliff Titan is Fuecoco's only Bad fight, and Sprigatito is rated Tough against the Open Sky Titan.
Starters in other games
Your version doesn't change the top pick in any game here. Sword and Shield's is Sobble in both versions. For a team built from scratch, start from the best Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet.