Who To Choose In Pokemon Violet: A Paldean Starter Guide
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So, you’re about to embark on an epic adventure through the Paldea region in Pokémon Violet, and the first, arguably most crucial, decision looms: which starter Pokémon should you choose? Fear not, budding Trainer! Let’s break down the pros and cons of each adorable companion to help you make the best choice for your playstyle.
The Definitive Answer: Fuecoco is the best overall starter for Pokémon Violet
While personal preference always plays a role, and all three starters are fantastic in their own right, Fuecoco offers the most balanced and strategically advantageous start to your Paldean journey. Its Fire typing provides early-game dominance against the first two Gym Leaders (Bug and Grass), a significant advantage considering the relative scarcity of strong Fire-types in the early routes. Furthermore, its final evolution, Skeledirge, is an absolute powerhouse with a unique typing (Fire/Ghost) and the signature move Torch Song, making it a valuable asset throughout the entire game. It also has a high Special Attack that makes it very potent in many situations. This is the main reason why many Pokemon Violet players recommend using this starter.
The Starter Lineup: A Detailed Look
Let’s dive deeper into each starter and what they bring to the table:
Fuecoco: The Chill Croc
- Type: Fire
- Evolutions: Crocalor (Level 16), Skeledirge (Level 36)
- Pros:
- Early Game Advantage: As mentioned, Fuecoco excels against the first two Gym Leaders.
- Powerful Final Evolution: Skeledirge’s Fire/Ghost typing is excellent offensively and defensively. Torch Song significantly boosts its Special Attack stat, turning it into a formidable special attacker.
- Type Coverage: Skeledirge has access to a variety of moves, allowing for good coverage against various types.
- Fire type Pokemon are a bit scarce early on
- Cons:
- Weaknesses: Common weaknesses to Water, Ground, and Rock types.
- Speed: Skeledirge isn’t particularly fast, which can be a disadvantage against faster opponents.
Sprigatito: The Finicky Cat
- Type: Grass
- Evolutions: Floragato (Level 16), Meowscarada (Level 36)
- Pros:
- Speed and Offense: Meowscarada is incredibly fast and boasts high Attack, making it a great physical sweeper.
- Dark Type Coverage: As a Grass/Dark type, Meowscarada provides valuable coverage against Ghost and Psychic types.
- Flower Trick: Its signature move Flower Trick always results in a critical hit.
- Cons:
- Type Weaknesses: Grass/Dark is a very common typing, leaving it vulnerable to Bug, Fire, Flying, Fighting, Ice, and Poison.
- Fragile: Meowscarada can be a glass cannon, needing to knock out enemies before they can strike back.
Quaxly: The Dapper Duckling
- Type: Water
- Evolutions: Quaxwell (Level 16), Quaquaval (Level 36)
- Pros:
- Offensive Power: Quaquaval has high Attack and a decent movepool.
- Versatility: Quaquaval can learn a variety of moves, providing flexibility in battle.
- Aqua Step: Its signature move Aqua Step raises its Speed each time it is used.
- Cons:
- Type Weaknesses: Water/Fighting is weak to Electric, Flying, Grass, Psychic, and Fairy.
- Stats: Quaquaval’s stat distribution isn’t as optimized as Skeledirge or Meowscarada, making it slightly less potent.
Considering Your Playstyle
Ultimately, the “best” starter comes down to personal preference and your intended playstyle.
- Aggressive Players: If you favor a fast-paced, offensive strategy, Meowscarada may be your best bet. Just be mindful of its frailness.
- Balanced Approach: Skeledirge offers a balanced approach with good offense and defense. Its early-game advantage is a big plus.
- Versatile Trainers: Quaquaval can be a solid choice for those who enjoy versatility and don’t mind working around its weaknesses.
Beyond the Starter: Building a Strong Team
No matter which starter you choose, building a well-rounded team is crucial for success in Pokémon Violet. The game offers a plethora of incredible Pokémon to catch and train throughout your journey.
Team Composition Considerations
- Type Coverage: Aim for a team that covers a wide range of types, minimizing weaknesses and maximizing offensive potential.
- Stat Variety: Don’t just focus on offense. Include Pokémon with good defensive stats and supportive abilities.
- Synergy: Choose Pokémon that complement each other’s strengths and cover each other’s weaknesses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I catch other Fire-type Pokémon early in Violet if I don’t choose Fuecoco?
Yes, there are other Fire-type Pokémon available early on, like Tadbulb, but they might not be as readily accessible or as powerful as Fuecoco in the initial stages of the game.
2. Is it possible to get all three starters in Pokémon Violet?
Not without trading. You can only choose one starter at the beginning of the game, so you will need to trade with other players to obtain the other two.
3. Which path should I take first in Pokémon Violet?
The beauty of Pokémon Violet is that you can tackle the three main paths (Victory Road, Path of Legends, and Starfall Street) in any order you choose. However, most players find Victory Road (the gym challenge) to be a good starting point.
4. What is the hardest Pokémon to catch in Violet?
Legendary and Paradox Pokémon often have low catch rates, making them challenging to acquire. Pokémon with specific evolution requirements, like Milotic, can also be difficult to obtain.
5. What are Paradox Pokémon and which version has which?
Paradox Pokémon are unique creatures that are version-exclusive. Pokémon Violet features Future Paradox Pokémon, like Iron Hands (a futuristic Hariyama), while Pokémon Scarlet has Past Paradox Pokémon.
6. Can I do all three paths in Pokémon Violet?
Yes! Completing all three paths unlocks the game’s final story, “The Way Home.” It is better to move among the three in a set order.
7. Is Koraidon or Miraidon better?
In Pokémon Violet, you get Miraidon, the futuristic Legendary Pokémon. In general Koraidon is often considered to be slightly better due to its adaptability.
8. What is the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon Violet?
Some of the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon Violet include version-exclusive Paradox Pokémon like Iron Valiant, Pokémon with low encounter rates like Antique Sinistea/Polteageist, and those requiring specific evolution methods.
9. Who is the easiest Team Star boss to defeat in Pokémon Violet?
Giacomo, the Dark-type Team Star boss, is generally considered the easiest to defeat early on.
10. What is the key difference between Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?
Pokémon Scarlet focuses on the past, while Pokémon Violet focuses on the future. This is reflected in the Legendary Pokémon, the game’s themes, and the available Pokémon.
11. Who is the strongest Pokémon starter of all time?
The answer to this depends on the criteria but some very strong contenders are Pikachu, Charmander, Eevee, Chimchar, Rowlet, Snivy, Cyndaquil, Piplup and Swampert.
12. Is there a secret Pokémon in Violet?
Yes, a newly discovered Pokémon appears in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero. This Pokémon is small in stature and not particularly strong, but when push comes to shove, it can crystallize the energy in its body to form a protective shield.
13. Can you get all 1000 Pokémon in Violet?
You cannot catch all 1000 Pokémon within the base game of Violet. However, you can catch about 400 different Pokémon species in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
14. Why is Miraidon stronger than Koraidon?
Miraidon focuses on Special Attack and has a version of Koraidon’s Collision Course called Electro Drift with the exact same effect, but it’s Electric-type and uses Special Attack.
15. Does Cyclizar evolve?
Cyclizar does not evolve into or from any other Pokémon but appears to be distantly related to the Legendary Paradox Pokémon Koraidon and Miraidon.
Final Thoughts
Choosing your starter is a rite of passage in any Pokémon game. While Fuecoco provides a strategic edge in Pokémon Violet, the most important thing is to choose the Pokémon that resonates with you the most. Happy adventuring in Paldea! To learn more about the educational aspects of gaming, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.