Best Starter in Generation 8

Meet the Galar Trio: Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble

Your adventure in the Galar region begins with a choice between three unique Pokémon: the Chimp Pokémon, Grookey; the Rabbit Pokémon, Scorbunny; and the Water Lizard Pokémon, Sobble. This decision will significantly shape your early-game experience, as your starter will be your most reliable partner against the first few Gym Leaders.

As they grow, their true potential is unlocked in their final evolutions. Grookey becomes the powerful Rillaboom, a pure Grass-type that beats its foes into submission with its drum. Scorbunny evolves into the agile Cinderace, a pure Fire-type striker with incredible speed. Sobble matures into the slick Inteleon, a pure Water-type secret agent that attacks from a distance with precision. Each carves out a distinct role: Rillaboom is a bulky physical attacker, Cinderace is a swift physical sweeper, and Inteleon is a blazing-fast special attacker.

Quick Verdict

Scorbunny (Cinderace) often provides the smoothest journey through Galar's Gym Challenge due to its high Speed and advantageous typing against several key battles.
Grookey (Rillaboom) evolves into a bulky physical powerhouse, excellent for players who prefer a more resilient and hard-hitting partner.
Sobble (Inteleon) becomes a lightning-fast special attacker, perfect for trainers who want to strike first, though it faces some tough early-game matchups.

Pokémon
Grookey
Type
Grass
Total stats
310
Pokémon
Scorbunny
Type
Fire
Total stats
310
Pokémon
Sobble
Type
Water
Total stats
310

Comparatif
Pokémon	Type	Total stats
Grookey	Grass	310
Scorbunny	Fire	310
Sobble	Water	310

Head-to-Head: Galar Starter Final Evolutions

Grookey

Grookey →

grookey

HP50

Attack65

Defense50

Sp. Atk40

Sp. Def40

Speed65

TYPE EFFECTIVENESS

Grass

×2Weak

FireIcePoisonFlyingBug

×½Resistant

WaterGrassElectricGround

grass →

Navigating the Galar Gym Challenge

While personal preference is key, each starter's journey through the Galar Gym Challenge varies in difficulty. A Pokémon's typing is crucial for gaining an advantage in these major battles.

Scorbunny is often considered to have the most straightforward path. It has a type advantage against the first Gym Leader, Milo (Grass), and its final evolution, Cinderace, holds a significant edge against many later challenges, including Raihan's mixed dragon team (partially), and Chairman Rose's Steel-types.

Grookey has a solid start, easily handling the second Gym Leader, Nessa (Water). However, it faces a major roadblock against the third Gym, Kabu's Fire-type Pokémon. For the rest of the journey, Rillaboom is a reliable and powerful partner, but it may require more team support to cover its weaknesses compared to Cinderace.

Sobble has the opposite experience. It struggles against the first Gym but dominates the third. As Inteleon, it's a formidable force capable of out-speeding and one-shotting many opponents. However, its path contains several matchups where it is at a disadvantage, making a well-balanced team essential from an early stage.

Ultimately, all three are fantastic Pokémon capable of carrying you to the Champion's seat. Scorbunny offers the smoothest ride, but Grookey and Sobble provide a rewarding challenge. To see how their final forms stack up directly, check out the comparison below.

All Starter Pokémon by Generation

Best Starter in Generation 1

Best Starter in Generation 2

See the Stats Side-by-Side

Don't just take our word for it. Use our Pokémon Comparator tool to directly compare the stats, abilities, and movepools of Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which Galar starter is best for competitive battles?

In competitive formats like VGC, all three have seen incredible success thanks to their powerful Hidden Abilities. Rillaboom's Grassy Surge made it a dominant force, Cinderace's Libero allows for unmatched offensive pressure, and Inteleon's Sniper ability can secure critical-hit knockouts. The 'best' often depends on the team composition and the current metagame.

Is one starter significantly easier for a first-time playthrough?

Yes, Scorbunny is widely considered the 'easiest' choice for a Galar playthrough. Its Fire typing and high Speed give it an advantage against more of the game's major battles, including several Gym Leaders and the Macro Cosmos endgame fights, providing a smoother difficulty curve.