Grass-type starters are a staple of the Pokémon series, each with unique strengths and weaknesses that shape their viability in battles and their overall appeal. Below is a ranking of the Grass-type starters from the Pokémon series (up to Generation 9), based on their competitive strengths, versatility, and general performance. I’ll include their weaknesses, strengths, and a brief analysis for each. The ranking considers their final evolutions, as these are typically the forms used in competitive play or endgame scenarios.
1. Venusaur (Gen 1: Bulbasaur Line)
Type: Grass/Poison
Weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Psychic, Ice
Strengths: Water, Rock, Ground, Grass, Fairy, Fighting, Electric (resists)
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 525):
HP: 80, Attack: 82, Defense: 83, Sp. Atk: 100, Sp. Def: 100, Speed: 80
Notable Moves: Sleep Powder, Leech Seed, Synthesis, Sludge Bomb, Giga Drain, Toxic
Mega Evolution: Mega Venusaur (BST: 625, gains Thick Fat ability, reducing Fire and Ice damage)
Analysis:
Venusaur tops the list due to its versatility and strong competitive presence. Its Grass/Poison typing gives it an edge against Water and Fairy types, while resisting Electric and Fighting.
Sleep Powder and Leech Seed make it a fantastic support Pokémon, stalling opponents while recovering HP.
Mega Venusaur’s Thick Fat ability mitigates two of its weaknesses (Fire and Ice), making it incredibly bulky.
Its movepool is diverse, with access to status moves, offensive options like Sludge Bomb, and recovery via Synthesis.
In-game, Bulbasaur is a great choice for Kanto, easily handling the first two Gyms (Rock and Water).
2. Sceptile (Gen 3: Treecko Line)
Type: Grass (Mega Sceptile: Grass/Dragon)
Weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Poison, Bug, Ice (Mega: adds Dragon, Fairy)
Strengths: Water, Rock, Ground (Mega: adds Dragon)
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 530):
HP: 70, Attack: 85, Defense: 65, Sp. Atk: 105, Sp. Def: 85, Speed: 120
Mega Evolution: Mega Sceptile (BST: 630, gains Lightning Rod ability, immune to Electric)
Notable Moves: Leaf Blade, Dragon Claw, Swords Dance, Giga Drain, Focus Blast, Dragon Pulse
Analysis:
Sceptile is a fast, offensive powerhouse with a high Speed stat and decent Special Attack.
Its Mega Evolution’s Grass/Dragon typing is unique, though it adds Dragon and Fairy weaknesses.
Lightning Rod (Mega) makes it immune to Electric moves, a rare boon for Grass-types.
Its movepool is diverse, with physical and special options, including Dragon-type moves for Mega Sceptile.
Weaknesses include low bulk, making it vulnerable to priority moves, but its speed often lets it strike first.
3. Torterra (Gen 4: Turtwig Line)
In-game, Turtwig is solid for Sinnoh’s early Gyms (Rock and Grass) but struggles against Ice-heavy opponents later.
Type: Grass/Ground
Weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Bug, Ice (4x)
Strengths: Water, Rock, Ground, Electric
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 525):
HP: 95, Attack: 109, Defense: 105, Sp. Atk: 75, Sp. Def: 85, Speed: 56
Notable Moves: Earthquake, Wood Hammer, Stone Edge, Synthesis, Leech Seed, Stealth Rock
Analysis:
Torterra’s Grass/Ground typing is unique, giving it an edge against Electric and Rock types, but its 4x Ice weakness is a major drawback.
High Attack and Defense make it a tanky physical attacker, with Earthquake and Wood Hammer hitting hard.
Its low Speed limits its offensive potential, but it shines as a defensive or support Pokémon with Leech Seed and Stealth Rock.
4. Rillaboom (Gen 8: Grookey Line)
Type: Grass
Weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Poison, Bug, Ice
Strengths: Water, Rock, Ground
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 530):
HP: 100, Attack: 125, Defense: 90, Sp. Atk: 60, Sp. Def: 70, Speed: 85
Notable Moves: Grassy Glide, Knock Off, U-turn, Wood Hammer, High Horsepower, Swords Dance
Gigantamax: Boosts Grass-type moves and sets Grassy Terrain.
Analysis:
Rillaboom’s Grassy Surge ability sets Grassy Terrain, boosting Grass moves and providing passive recovery.
Grassy Glide is a priority move in Grassy Terrain, offsetting its average Speed.
High Attack and a strong physical movepool (Knock Off, U-turn) make it a versatile offensive threat.
Its pure Grass typing leaves it with standard weaknesses, and its Special Attack is lackluster.
In-game, Grookey is straightforward but effective, especially in Galar’s early stages.
5. Decidueye (Gen 7: Rowlet Line)
Type: Grass/Ghost
Weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Ice, Dark, Ghost
Strengths: Water, Rock, Ground, Psychic, Normal (immune), Fighting (immune)
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 530):
HP: 78, Attack: 107, Defense: 75, Sp. Atk: 100, Sp. Def: 100, Speed: 70
Notable Moves: Spirit Shackle, Leaf Blade, Poltergeist, U-turn, Defog, Swords Dance
Analysis:
- Decidueye’s Grass/Ghost typing is unique, offering immunities to Normal and Fighting, but it has five weaknesses.
- Spirit Shackle traps opponents, adding utility, and its mixed offensive stats allow flexibility.
- Its average Speed and lackluster defenses make it frail in competitive play.
- In-game, Rowlet is solid for Alola, with Ghost typing helping against Psychic and Ghost Gyms/Trials.
6. Serperior (Gen 5: Snivy Line)
Analysis:
Type: Grass
Weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Poison, Bug, Ice
Strengths: Water, Rock, Ground
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 528):
HP: 75, Attack: 75, Defense: 95, Sp. Atk: 75, Sp. Def: 95, Speed: 113
Notable Moves: Leaf Storm, Contrary (Hidden Ability), Glare, Dragon Pulse, Leech Seed, Substitute
Serperior’s Contrary ability makes Leaf Storm a game-changer, boosting Special Attack with each use.
High Speed and decent defenses allow it to set up with Glare or Leech Seed, but its offensive stats are average without boosts.
Pure Grass typing limits its defensive utility, and its movepool is somewhat shallow.
In-game, Snivy is challenging early on due to low power but shines once it evolves and gains Contrary.
7. Meganium (Gen 2: Chikorita Line)
In-game, Chespin is decent in Kalos but faces challenges against Flying and Fairy opponents.
Type: Grass
Weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Poison, Bug, Ice
Strengths: Water, Rock, Ground
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 525):
HP: 80, Attack: 82, Defense: 100, Sp. Atk: 83, Sp. Def: 100, Speed: 80
Notable Moves: Light Screen, Reflect, Aromatherapy, Giga Drain, Leech Seed, Synthesis
Analysis:
Meganium is a defensive support Pokémon with high defenses but low offensive output.
Its movepool is geared toward support (screens, Aromatherapy), but it lacks the power to threaten opponents.
Pure Grass typing and average Speed make it vulnerable to common threats.
In-game, Chikorita struggles in Johto due to early Flying and Poison Gyms, making it the least beginner-friendly.
8. Chesnaught (Gen 6: Chespin Line)
Type: Grass/Fighting
Weaknesses: Fire, Flying (4x), Poison, Psychic, Ice, Fairy
Strengths: Water, Rock, Ground, Dark, Steel
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 530):
HP: 88, Attack: 107, Defense: 122, Sp. Atk: 74, Sp. Def: 75, Speed: 64
Notable Moves: Spiky Shield, Wood Hammer, Hammer Arm, Leech Seed, Spikes, Drain Punch
Analysis:
Chesnaught’s Grass/Fighting typing gives it a unique offensive edge but a crippling 4x Flying weakness and six total weaknesses.
High Defense and Spiky Shield make it a tank, but low Speed and Special Defense limit its staying power.
Its movepool is decent, with utility like Spikes and Leech Seed, but it struggles against common Flying and Fairy types.
9. Meowscarada (Gen 9: Sprigatito Line)
Type: Grass/Dark
Weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Poison, Bug (4x), Ice, Fighting, Fairy
Strengths: Water, Rock, Ground, Psychic, Ghost, Dark
Key Stats (Base Stat Total: 530):
HP: 76, Attack: 110, Defense: 70, Sp. Atk: 81, Sp. Def: 70, Speed: 123
Notable Moves: Flower Trick, Knock Off, U-turn, Play Rough, Thunder Punch, Trick
Analysis:
Meowscarada’s Grass/Dark typing and high Speed make it a fast, offensive Pokémon, with Flower Trick guaranteeing critical hits.
Its 4x Bug weakness and seven total weaknesses make it frail, and its defenses are low.
Protean (Hidden Ability) allows type-switching, adding versatility, but its frailty limits setup opportunities.
In-game, Sprigatito is fun and fast but struggles against Bug and Flying types in Paldea.
