Fire-type starters are iconic in the Pokémon series, known for their offensive prowess and vibrant designs. Below is a ranking of the Fire-type starters from all Pokémon generations (up to Generation 9), based on their competitive viability, versatility, stats, movepool, and overall utility. Each entry includes their strengths, weaknesses, and a brief analysis. The ranking focuses on their final evolutions, as these are typically used in competitive play and endgame scenarios.Ranking Criteria
Typing: Fire is weak to Water, Rock, and Electric, but secondary typing can alter this.
Stats and Movepool: Base stat totals, distribution, and move variety.
Utility: Versatility in roles (offensive, defensive, support).
Popularity and Design: Subjective appeal and fan reception as a tiebreaker.
Fire-Type Starters Ranked (Best to Worst)
1. Incineroar (Gen 7: Litten Line)
Type: Fire/Dark
Weaknesses: Water, Rock, Electric, Fighting
Strengths: Grass, Bug, Ice, Steel, Psychic, Ghost
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 530):
HP: 95, Attack: 115, Defense: 90, Sp. Atk: 80, Sp. Def: 90, Speed: 60
Notable Moves: Flare Blitz, Darkest Lariat, Knock Off, U-turn, Fake Out, Parting Shot
Analysis:
Incineroar’s Fire/Dark typing and Intimidate ability make it a bulky support Pokémon, lowering opponents’ Attack.
Moves like Fake Out, Knock Off, and Parting Shot provide excellent utility in doubles formats, where it shines.
Its low Speed and lack of recovery limit its solo potential, but it’s a team player in competitive play.
In-game, Litten is decent in Alola, with Dark typing helping against Psychic and Ghost Trials.
2. Charizard (Gen 1: Charmander Line)
Type: Fire/Flying (Mega Charizard X: Fire/Dragon, Mega Charizard Y: Fire/Flying)
Weaknesses: Water, Rock (4x), Electric (Mega X: Water, Rock, Dragon, Fairy)
Strengths: Grass, Bug, Ice, Fighting, Steel (Mega X: adds Fire, Dragon)
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 534):
HP: 78, Attack: 84, Defense: 78, Sp. Atk: 109, Sp. Def: 85, Speed: 100
Mega Evolutions:
Mega Charizard X (BST: 634, Tough Claws ability, boosts contact moves)
Mega Charizard Y (BST: 634, Drought ability, boosts Fire moves and weakens Water moves)
Notable Moves: Flamethrower, Dragon Dance, Earthquake, Flare Blitz, Air Slash, Solar Beam
Analysis:
Charizard’s two Mega Evolutions make it the most versatile Fire starter. Mega Y’s Drought boosts Fire moves and weakens Water attacks, while Mega X’s Fire/Dragon typing and Tough Claws make it a physical powerhouse.
Its Fire/Flying typing gives it useful resistances but a 4x Rock weakness is a major drawback.
A diverse movepool (Dragon, Fire, Flying, and coverage like Earthquake) allows it to adapt to multiple roles.
In-game, Charmander struggles early in Kanto (Rock Gym) but shines later with proper team support.
3. Infernape (Gen 4: Chimchar Line)
Type: Fire/Fighting
Weaknesses: Water, Rock, Electric, Flying, Psychic
Strengths: Grass, Bug, Ice, Steel, Dark, Normal
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 534):
HP: 76, Attack: 104, Defense: 71, Sp. Atk: 104, Sp. Def: 71, Speed: 108
Notable Moves: Close Combat, Flare Blitz, U-turn, Thunder Punch, Stealth Rock, Grass Knot
Analysis:
Infernape’s Fire/Fighting typing and balanced offensive stats make it a fast, mixed attacker.
Its Speed and movepool (including U-turn, Close Combat, and coverage like Thunder Punch) give it excellent offensive versatility.
Iron Fist (Hidden Ability) boosts moves like Thunder Punch and Fire Punch, enhancing its damage output.
Five weaknesses and low defenses make it frail, requiring careful play.
In-game, Chimchar is a strong choice for Sinnoh, easily handling Rock, Steel, and Grass Gyms.
4. Cinderace (Gen 8: Scorbunny Line)
Type: Fire
Weaknesses: Water, Rock, Electric
Strengths: Grass, Bug, Ice, Steel
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 530):
HP: 80, Attack: 116, Defense: 75, Sp. Atk: 65, Sp. Def: 75, Speed: 119
Notable Moves: Pyro Ball, High Jump Kick, U-turn, Iron Head, Court Change, Gunk Shot
Gigantamax: Boosts Fire-type moves and deals residual damage.
Analysis:
Cinderace’s Libero ability (Hidden) changes its type to match its moves, making it unpredictable and boosting STAB damage.
High Attack and Speed, paired with Pyro Ball (a strong Fire-type move), make it a potent offensive threat.
Its pure Fire typing avoids additional weaknesses but lacks defensive utility.
Court Change adds unique support by swapping field effects, useful in competitive play.
In-game, Scorbunny excels in Galar with its speed and power, though early Rock Gyms can be tough.
5. Blaziken (Gen 3: Torchic Line)
Type: Fire/Fighting
Weaknesses: Water, Rock, Electric, Flying, Psychic
Strengths: Grass, Bug, Ice, Steel, Dark, Normal
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 530):
HP: 80, Attack: 120, Defense: 70, Sp. Atk: 110, Sp. Def: 70, Speed: 80
Mega Evolution: Mega Blaziken (BST: 630, Speed Boost ability)
Notable Moves: Flare Blitz, High Jump Kick, Swords Dance, Protect, Thunder Punch
Analysis:
Blaziken’s Fire/Fighting typing and high Attack make it a fearsome physical sweeper, especially with Speed Boost (Mega or Hidden Ability), which increases Speed each turn.
Its movepool supports setup with Swords Dance and coverage with Thunder Punch and Stone Edge.
Five weaknesses and low defenses make it fragile, and it relies on Speed Boost to outpace threats.
In-game, Torchic is solid in Hoenn but struggles against Rock and Water early on.
6. Delphox (Gen 6: Fennekin Line)
Type: Fire/Psychic
Weaknesses: Water, Rock, Electric, Ghost, Dark
Strengths: Grass, Bug, Ice, Steel, Fighting, Psychic
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 534):
HP: 75, Attack: 69, Defense: 72, Sp. Atk: 114, Sp. Def: 100, Speed: 104
Notable Moves: Mystical Fire, Psyshock, Fire Blast, Calm Mind, Grass Knot, Dazzling Gleam
Analysis:
Delphox’s Fire/Psychic typing is unique but comes with five weaknesses, including common Dark and Ghost types.
High Special Attack and Speed, paired with Calm Mind, make it a decent special sweeper.
Its movepool is limited, lacking strong physical options, and its defenses are average.
In-game, Fennekin is solid in Kalos, with Psychic typing helping against Fighting and Poison Gyms.
7. Skeledirge (Gen 9: Fuecoco Line)
Type: Fire/Ghost
Weaknesses: Water, Rock, Electric, Ghost, Dark
Strengths: Grass, Bug, Ice, Steel, Psychic, Normal (immune)
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 530):
HP: 104, Attack: 75, Defense: 100, Sp. Atk: 110, Sp. Def: 75, Speed: 66
Notable Moves: Torch Song, Shadow Ball, Flamethrower, Will-O-Wisp, Slack Off
Analysis:
Skeledirge’s Fire/Ghost typing offers immunity to Normal and Fighting, but five weaknesses hurt its defensive capabilities.
Torch Song (exclusive move) boosts Special Attack while dealing damage, making it a unique special attacker.
Unaware ability ignores opponents’ stat boosts, useful in competitive play.
Low Speed and lack of physical moves limit its versatility.
In-game, Fuecoco is strong in Paldea, with Ghost typing aiding against Psychic and Ghost opponents.
8. Emboar (Gen 5: Tepig Line)
Type: Fire/Fighting
Weaknesses: Water, Rock, Electric, Flying, Psychic
Strengths: Grass, Bug, Ice, Steel, Dark, Normal
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 528):
HP: 110, Attack: 123, Defense: 65, Sp. Atk: 100, Sp. Def: 65, Speed: 65
Notable Moves: Flare Blitz, Head Smash, Wild Charge, Superpower, Scald, Grass Knot
Analysis:
Emboar’s high Attack and HP make it a bulky physical attacker, but its low Speed and defenses hurt its viability.
Its Fire/Fighting typing is redundant (shared with Blaziken and Infernape), with no unique advantages.
A diverse movepool (Head Smash, Wild Charge) gives it coverage, but it struggles to compete with faster or bulkier options.
In-game, Tepig is decent in Unova but faces challenges against Water and Psychic Gyms.
9. Typhlosion (Gen 2: Cyndaquil Line)
Type: Fire (Hisuian Typhlosion: Fire/Ghost)
Weaknesses: Water, Rock, Electric (Hisuian: adds Ghost, Dark)
Strengths: Grass, Bug, Ice, Steel (Hisuian: adds Psychic, Normal immunity)
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 534):
HP: 78, Attack: 84, Defense: 78, Sp. Atk: 109, Sp. Def: 85, Speed: 100
Notable Moves: Eruption, Flamethrower, Focus Blast, Solar Beam, Shadow Ball (Hisuian)
Analysis:
Typhlosion’s pure Fire typing (Johto) is straightforward but lacks defensive utility.
Hisuian Typhlosion’s Fire/Ghost typing adds flavor but shares the same weaknesses as Skeledirge, with a less impactful movepool.
Eruption is powerful at full HP, but its average stats and lack of setup moves limit its competitive use.
In-game, Cyndaquil is strong in Johto but struggles against Rock and Water early on.
