What starter is best for you?
Pokémon Sword and Shield are right around the corner. The pressure is on to pick your starter if you haven’t already.
Every mainline Pokémon game offers three different starters with the types of Fire, Water, and Grass. In Sword and Shield, those options are Scorbunny, Sobble, and Grookey, respectively. Each type has unique strengths and weaknesses. At this time, we do not know what their evolutions.
All of the starter Pokémon are suitable for a beginning trainer. Here’s what we know about Galar Region’s choices.
Scorbunny
Scorbunny won fans’ hearts with its energetic and cute concept, making it the most popular among the trio. The Fire-type starter is rumored to remain a pure Fire-type throughout its evolutions, making it a reasonably straightforward Pokémon. It will struggle against Water, Dragon, Rock, and Ground-type enemies. The same rumor states it will have some extra Fighting moves in its arsenal. While it won’t get the STAB bonus, that may give it enough of a push when at a disadvantage.
According to the official Pokémon Sword and Shield page, Scorbunny is bursting with energy and always on the move. It uses its sturdy legs to “run and jump around its opponents, confusing and disorienting them.” It possesses a fire sac in its chest. If it gets its blood pumping enough, it will increase its fire energy and physical abilities.
Sobble
Sobble is a shy Water-type, requiring a keen-eyed, patient trainer. This little water lizard lacks confidence and will benefit from an understanding trainer to help it grow. It is a Water-type, it will have an advantage fighting Fire, Rock, Ground-type opponents. It has fewer weaknesses than Scorbunny, with only Electric and Grass-type opponents on its list.
Sobble is a sensitive Pokémon that can change its color to blend into its surroundings. Should it feel embarrassed, it “will secret the water within its body like sweat and disappear into the surroundings.” Its tears will make others cry, much like an onion. It will use this to its advantage and escape.
Grookey
The third and final starter in Sword and Shield is the Grass-type, Grookey. As a Grass-type, Grookey is looking to have the most weaknesses, but it has stable stats if it follows previous Pokémon games. Grookey will struggle against Fire, Ice, Bug, Flying, and Poison-type opponents. It will have similar strengths to Sobble against Water, Rock, and Ground-type Pokémon.
Grookey is a mischievous little monkey with some budding musical talents. According to the official Sword and Shield page, Grookey picked a branch from its forest that gained unusual powers. Drumming with the branch can restore wilted flowers.
These are the three options for beginning trainers in the Galar Region. Pick the best that is right for you and enjoy your journey through Galar. The adventure begins when Pokémon Sword and Shield release Nov. 15.
