Which Gen 9 Starter Reigns Supreme? A Deep Dive into Scarlet & Violet’s Trio

The question on every Pokémon trainer’s mind after diving into the Paldea region: which Gen 9 starter is the strongest? While personal preference and playstyle heavily influence the answer, a comprehensive analysis of stats, movepools, typing, and in-game utility points to Fuecoco and its final evolution, Skeledirge, as arguably the strongest and most versatile choice for most players, especially for a first playthrough or a Nuzlocke challenge. Let’s break down why.

Skeledirge: A Fiery Force to Be Reckoned With

Skeledirge boasts a fantastic Fire/Ghost typing, granting it immunity to Normal and Fighting-type moves and resistance to a plethora of others. This defensive profile alone makes it significantly more resilient than its peers. Furthermore, its unique signature move, Torch Song, is a Fire-type attack that increases Skeledirge’s Special Attack stat each time it’s used. This allows it to snowball into a devastating special attacker, making it a terrifying threat in both in-game battles and potentially competitive scenarios.

While Meowscarada’s blistering Speed is impressive, and Quaquaval’s offensive presence is notable, Skeledirge offers a more balanced approach. Its access to Will-O-Wisp also allows it to cripple physical attackers, and its bulk makes it well suited to take hits.

Considering the Competition: Meowscarada and Quaquaval

While Skeledirge has notable strengths, let’s not discount the other Paldean starters.

Meowscarada: Speed Demon

Meowscarada, the Grass/Dark type evolution of Sprigatito, is the speedster of the trio. Its high Speed stat and access to moves like Flower Trick (a guaranteed critical hit move) make it a potent offensive threat, especially against slower opponents. However, its typing leaves it vulnerable to common types like Fire, Flying, Fighting, Poison, and Bug. This is particularly problematic early on, as Bug-types are abundant in the early game.

Quaquaval: A Showstopping Performer

Quaquaval, the Water/Fighting type evolution of Quaxly, is a powerful physical attacker. Its signature move, Aqua Step, boosts its Speed stat each time it is used, and its Fighting type allows it to handle foes that are vulnerable to that typing. However, its typing leaves it vulnerable to many common types, including Flying, Electric, Grass, Psychic, and Fairy.

Why Fuecoco Thrives in Paldea

Fuecoco/Skeledirge has multiple advantages in the Paldea region:

• Type Coverage: While it does have weaknesses, the Ghost typing mitigates a number of threats and provides excellent offensive coverage, hitting a wide range of Pokémon super effectively.
• Nuzlocke Viability: Fuecoco is generally the best choice for a Nuzlocke run in Scarlet and Violet. Its bulk, coupled with the strength and coverage of its typing, provide it with great survivability.
• Versatility: Skeledirge is capable of filling different roles. With the right Tera Type (for example, Ghost or Grass), Skeledirge becomes even harder to take down.
• Design: Let’s not forget that Fuecoco is a delightful Fire type Pokemon that really stands out from the crowd in terms of design.

While ultimately the “strongest” starter depends on personal preference and how they are deployed, Fuecoco and its evolution Skeledirge offer a potent mix of offense and defense, making it a highly reliable and effective choice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Gen 9 Starters

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the strengths, weaknesses, and best uses of each Paldean starter:

1. What are the final typings of the Gen 9 starters?
   • Sprigatito evolves into Meowscarada (Grass/Dark). Fuecoco evolves into Skeledirge (Fire/Ghost). Quaxly evolves into Quaquaval (Water/Fighting).
2. Which Gen 9 starter is the fastest?
   • Meowscarada is the fastest Gen 9 starter with a base Speed stat of 123.
3. Which Gen 9 starter has the highest base stat total?
   • All three fully evolved Gen 9 starters have a base stat total of 530.
4. Is it possible to get all three Gen 9 starters in one game?
   • No. The player can only pick one starter and the only method to obtain the other two is through trading.
5. Are the Gen 9 starters shiny locked?
   • Yes, the starters received at the beginning of the game cannot be shiny.
6. Which Gen 9 starter is best for beginners?
   • Fuecoco is recommended for beginners, as it’s bulkier and it has a good range of type coverages and matchups.
7. Which Gen 9 starter has the most weaknesses?
   • Quaquaval is the starter with the most weaknesses. As a Water/Fighting-type, it is weak to Flying, Electric, Grass, Psychic, and Fairy-type moves.
8. Which Gen 9 starter is the most popular?
   • Popularity is subjective and varies among players. All three starters have their own dedicated fanbase.
9. What are some good movesets for Skeledirge?
   • A good moveset for Skeledirge includes Torch Song, Shadow Ball, Will-O-Wisp, and a coverage move like Earth Power or Tera Blast.
10. What is the ability of Skeledirge?
    • Skeledirge’s Ability is Blaze. It powers up Fire-type moves when the Pokémon is in trouble. Skeledirge’s Hidden Ability is Unaware. It ignores the stat boosts of other Pokemon.
11. How does Terastallizing affect the Gen 9 starters?
    • Terastallizing can change the Pokémon’s type to a single Tera Type, giving you a powerful advantage in battle. This can be used to reduce weaknesses or bolster resistances. Terastallizing into the Ghost-type with Skeledirge removes its weaknesses, and amplifies the damage that is dealt with Shadow Ball.
12. Are any of the Gen 9 starters good in competitive battling?
    • Yes, all three starters have potential in competitive battling. Meowscarada is the fastest, Skeledirge is bulkier, and Quaquaval has decent Speed and Attack.
13. Which is the bulkiest Pokémon in the Paldea Region?
    • The bulkiest Pokémon in Paldea is Ting-Lu, boasting a whopping 155 base HP and 125 base Defense.
14. What makes Fuecoco a good choice for a Nuzlocke run?
    • Fuecoco’s defensive typing (Fire/Ghost as Skeledirge), access to Will-O-Wisp for burn status, and the power and boost from Torch Song make it excellent for long battles and provide good support.
15. Which starter Pokémon that Ash owns is the BEST?
    • Ash has owned many starter Pokémon, but one of the strongest is Infernape due to its fiery spirit and powerful Blaze ability.

Ultimately, the best Gen 9 starter for you depends on your individual playstyle and team composition. If you appreciate speed and critical hits, Meowscarada might be your choice. If you want a powerful physical attacker that can set up, Quaquaval may fit your bill. However, for a balanced, versatile, and relatively safe choice, Fuecoco evolving into Skeledirge is a solid option for navigating the Paldea region.

And remember, the joy of Pokémon lies in the journey, not just the destination. So, choose the starter that speaks to you the most and embark on your adventure! You can learn more about the educational aspects of gaming and its impact on learning at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.