Pokémon Sword and Shield Starter Guide: Which Pokémon To Choose

Pokemon Sword/Shield were the first games to introduce fans to Generation VIII Pokemon. As with every other title in the franchise, three unique Pokemon were given to players at the start of the game to choose from. Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble make their appearance for the first time, offering the classic choice between Fire, Grass, and Water.

But, like all Pokemon games, deciding which one is right for you can be difficult. Let’s break down each one and see which Pokemon will lead the way to you becoming the Pokemon Champion. 

Grookey

Grookey is a Grass-Type Pokemon that evolves into Thwackey and Rillaboom. It has the highest Defense out of the other two starters but doesn’t excel in other categories. However, it is often agreed upon by fans that Grookey is the best starter in the game. While it’s not as offensive as Scorbunny, its evolutions are considered the best and played in competitive matches.  

Grookey will be strong against the second Gym leader and resistant to the first. This makes them an excellent choice for your starting Pokemon. But let’s also take a look at its stats, moves, etc., to get a better idea of Grookey’s potential.     

Stats

Effectiveness

Moves

TM Moves

Scorbunny

Scorbunny is a Fire-Type Pokemon that evolves into Raboot and Cinderace. Like most other Fire-Types, Scorbunny has high offensive stats, with its Attack and Speed being the main attraction. This also transfers to its evolved forms and end-game capabilities, as it will deal more damage than the other two starting Pokemon.    

Stats

Effectiveness

Moves

TM Moves

Sobble

Sobble is a Water-Type Pokemon that evolves into Drizzile and Inteleon. This small blue lizard is the least popular among the Generation VIII starters. However, this doesn’t mean that Sobble is a bad choice, only that Grookey or Scorbunny will offer more in terms of damage, health, and versatility through evolution. For Water-Type fans, Sobble may struggle a bit more during Gym Battles, but with a balanced team, there should be no issues.   

Stats

Effectiveness

Moves

TM Moves

Best Option 

While most people will tell you to choose either Grookey or Scorbunny, the truth is that no starter is bad. The best option will always be to choose the one you like based on its stats, play style, or design. Some players are biased and always choose the same Pokemon type in each game. Your starter doesn’t have to stay on your team the entire playthrough, as there are much better Pokemon to catch during the game.