The most important part of beginning yourPokémonis choosing what starter to go with. For those who always choose water-typePokemonbecause they are lovable little aquatic creatures know that some of those starters aren’t always the best choice, between secondary types and stylistically.
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For many players, theirfavorite game/regionis usually based on what starters are available and which are their favorites. With all the important factors, like design and coolness, the starting waterPokemoncan be ranked.
UPDATED on July 29, 2025, by Suzail Ahmad:Since the post was last updated, several new Pokemon games have been released. Game Freak has been releasing new Pokemon titles continuously, and these releases have been keeping fans busy as they attempt to capture all the Pokemon. Two of the last three releases have been completely new games that have introduced several new mechanics for catching and battling Pokemon, and these decisions have impressed the fans quite a lot. With Pokemon Scarlet and Violet finally coming out, fans will be able to choose from three new starters, one of which is a Water-type Pokemon. To help players with their selection, the list is updated with the two new Water-type starters.
9Sobble
Sobble was introduced inPokemon Sword and Shieldalong with Grookey and Scorbunny. Like most starters, Sobble has an extremely cute design, which makes it hard not to select it as the starter. In addition to its looks, Sobble has an interesting line of evolution.
At level 16, it evolves into Drizzile, and at level 35, it becomes Inteleon. Fans who like anime or other TV shows that focus on spies will definitely be swayed by Inteleon’s design, which is heavily inspired by that of secret agents. Sobble also comes with a hidden ability called Sniper, which increases the power of moves if they become critical hits. All in all, Sobble is a decent starting Pokemon, but there are better choices in the games.
8Quaxly
Up next on the list is the adorable-looking duck Pokemon, Quaxly. It is one ofthe three starter Pokemon fromPokemon Scarlet and Violet.While it is a relatively new Pokemon, Quaxly has already begun to win hearts with its style that seems to be inspired by Josuke Higashikata fromJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
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As cute as Quaxly is, his evolutions look rather menacing. It evolves into Quaxwell at level 16 and into Quaquaval at level 36, with the latter being a Water-Fighting type Pokemon. Needless to say, Quaquaval’s typing is rather unique, and some players might enjoy using it in battle. Quaxly’s hidden ability is Moxie, which boosts its attack after defeating an opponent. This is a fantastic ability, but players must keep in mind that Moxie only works if a Pokemon uses a physical attacking move to defeat their opponent.
7Oshawatt
The otterPokémonfrom the Unova region gets put on the bottom of many lists for several reasons. First off, having a starterPokémonin as late a generation as Gen V that isn’t a dual-type is near blasphemous and a disadvantage compared to the fire-fighting type Emboar, the final evolution of Tepig, in the same region. One of the other issues with this is that otters, while adorable, are awful creatures. They might be cute with their pocket rocks, but they have some gross mating practices that just ruin the cuteness. Seriously, otters and dolphins should be locked up.
Pokemon Legends Arceus:In the title that was released last year, Oshawott was named as a starter Pokemon alongwith Cyndaquil and Rowlett. While Oshawott and Dewott only have one type, once the latter evolves into Samurott, it gains Dark as its second type. Now that Samurott has gained become a dual-type, it is much more viable in battles.
6Popplio
Despite being an adorable little seal, Popplio takes its spot on this list at six because of limitations set by Oshawatt and for being the third-worst option in the Alola region for a startingPokémon.Seriously,WWEbig cat and mysterious bird are way cooler than the resulting mermaidPokémon.
The weird part is that a mermaid is a half-human half-fish creature and this is a half-fish half-seal monstrosity. The final evolution of Primarina isn’t as horrifying as that description, but if Oshawatt’s final evolution wasn’t based on a seal/sea lion, Popplio could have cooler final evolution.
5Mudkip
EveryPokemonfrom here on out is an absolute gem including Mudkip. Mudkip comes from the Hoenn region and is an excellent starter, surrounded by other excellent starters. His final evolution of Swampert being Ground/Water is very unique.
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Mudkip’s biggest downfall is that its final design is not as interesting as the otherPokémonranked better than it, which is unfortunate because Mudkip is a great starter. Not as great as Treecko and Torchic though.
4Squirtle
The original water starterPokemon,Squirtleis both a classic and a fan favorite, not just for starters, but for allPokemon.That being said, it also is fairly basic, albeit cool. Not having a double-type (understandably since that wasn’t introduced yet) is also a small nock against the turtle.
This comes down to the top three water starters having cooler and more notable designs for both the starter and final evolution since nobody actually cares about the middle evolution anyways. Squirtle also suffers from being surrounded by two equally awesome starters with Charmander and Bulbasaur. If the in-game Squirtle could wear the sunglasses from the anime, Squirtle would be number one.
3Froakie
Coming out of the Kalos region, Froakie takes the number 3 spot due to being a cool ninja in his final form. While Froakie is easily the best starter in the Kalos region, it beats out some of the other water starters based on how awesome the water-dark-type Greninja is.
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Having a frog ninja is the type of strange animal concoction that makesPokemona special franchise, really leaning into the desire to catch them all. Base Froakie also gives off some very mysterious vibes for being a pretty basic frog, establishing the mystery from the start.
2Piplup
The Sinnoh region offers many wonderful things and at the top of that list is Piplup. Penguins are pretty high up on the list of aquatic animals in real life, so it makes sense thePokémonversion of that is equally cool. Beyond that Empoleon is a water-steel-type which is the best water double type available in the starterPokemon.
Empoleon shreds through the majority of otherPokemonin the region and does so in style, outshining the other two starters in the region and securing his place as the second-best water-type starter.
1Totodile
Alligators and Crocodilesare the apex predator of freshwater environments. While there isn’t much competition there, they are still terrifying creatures. Totodile is the only water-type starter that is a creature that starts as the small, cuddly version of an otherwise intimidating animal. The only other starter that is close to this is Charmander who is both a small dragon and a salamander (which is also a small dragon).
Totodile also has an interesting mid-tier evolution in Croconaw, the barbarian fat alligator before turning into the towering beast that is Feraligatr. Seriously, Feraligatr is over seven feet tall and terrifying. IfPokémonwas a more violent game, Feraligatr could cause some serious nightmare fuel.
