Who is the Least Popular Starter Pokémon?

Starter Pokémon are important to every generation, but sometimes there are problems and not every starter manages to break out into the spotlight. So which starter is not only unpopular, but the LEAST popular of them all? It can be somewhat subjective, and of course could change over time but let's give it a shot anyway! Who know? It could be your favorite...

[shytendeakatamanoir]

The only debate people have about the Treecko line is wether Grovyle or Sceptile is better.
It's actually rare for any Pokemon to have every single form so we'll liked.

[animattions]

Poor Chikorita, I don't understand the hate for it. I hear people say "it's weak against the first two Johto gyms", well Charmander is weak against the first two Kanto gyms and people respect it for it being "hard mode". It'll always have a special place in my heart, plus it's adorable.

[redhead_bebs]

I feel like over the years, Emboar has become less popular than Delphox. I personally love Delphox and always have, but still.

[clove]

I have so much personal nostalgia for Chikorita. When I was little my brother gave me a Chikorita plushie we named "Prince Leaf", it's been one of my top picks ever since. I love the designs of the whole line personally and don't really understand why people don't like it on a non competitive/offensive standpoint.

[yannickgrignon]

Not seeing a lot of love for Turtwig in here, which is too bad since it's probably one of my all-time favourites. The concept of a massive turtle with trees growing on its back is just so awesome to me.

[a.e.]

I love Fennekin line and nothing can change that. If I play XY games, I always pick Fennekin. Someone has to defend it from this cruel world.

[graysonwalker]

In terms of acknowledgment from the company itself, Meganium is the first Ilumina Pokemon on Snap! And was heavily used in the advertisements for the game

[arthurmallmann]

I think Fennekin has that reverse middle stage syndrome, where the middle evolution is cooler than the last one. I think Bayleef, Dewott and for some people Groovyle are also on the list of middle-stage pokemon that can outshine their final forms. I think people may overlook these mons while picking them.

There are many cases of starters with weird/unpopular middle stage forms, but they are completely saved thanks to their more remarkable basic and final forms. Grookey, Chespin, Mudkip and Squirtle are good examples.

[maxeisenhardt]

Oshawott is my boy. It's so freaking adorable and full of personality.
Dewott is one of the neatest middle stage evolutions, and while Samurott has been somewhat controversial, I think its Hisuian form is a definitive improvement over its Unovan form: sleeker design, no weird gorilla chest, cooler helmet, cooler sabers, and double typing. I'm not one of those who wanted a bipedal form for Legends Arceus, so in my book, the Hisuian Samurott line is perfect. I love it.

[George_M]

Chikorita might not be the most useful Pokémon in the game but in the anime it has so much personality and was one of my favourites

[Syrius_Li]

I personally believe if Delphox had a hat, it would be a lot more liked

[duskplains]

I’d say the least popular are Meganium, Emboar and Chesnaught.

Meganium is forgotten I feel due to how popular the other starter Pokémon in it’s gen are, even it’s pre evolutions are a lot more liked than itself. Tepig has love but people don’t like Pignite and Emboar. This is the same situation with Chespin. Delphox Isn’t too liked but people love Feniken and Braxien a lot.

[albertodiaz]

I personally think Fennekin and its evolution are underrated. I love the adorable fire fennec, alongside the dino cabbage and the mudfish axolotle.

[Elisabeth-tqjr]

Picking a starter is sort of like picking a level of difficulty for the game. For example, Bulbasaur in Gen 1 can be considered easy mode because it has an advantage over the first two gyms, whereas picking Chikorita in Gen 2 is choosing hard mode given its type disadvantages against the first two gyms. There are other battles throughout the game to consider, but once you get through the beginning, you have access to more types and the opportunity to diverse your team, so the beginning really is a challenge in itself and you rely heavily on your starter.

[Kabilibobers]

I like the idea of giving Magnium the secondary fairy typing. Hopefully that becomes canon one day

[Smannawarp]

Chikorita was my starter in my first ever Pokemon game, SoulSilver, and it will forever be among my favorite evolution lines. They're all so cute! Meganium is admittedly not amazing in battle but I love it all the same and pick Chikorita every time!

[Tamo]

In my opinion, Delphox has the best shiny colours among all starters till date (except Gen 9 ones), I love its beautiful purple colouration.

[LukaFireIce]

I think you overlooked Chesnaught quite a bit.
While its design isn't terrible, and is actually okay, it wasn't anything groundbreaking so people were pretty thrown off from it. Not to mention that it had no competitive prowess whatsoever.
And even though it may be close, I believe that Quilladin is way uglier than Pignite and is in fact the worst stage 1 starter evo

[sketch-eee]

Now I wanna see a legends game where it includes Tepig, Chikorita and Popplio (tho I think they and their final form are still popular) are the featured starters. Would be cool to see them get some love on their own with new forms and new moves. Maybe something like a Grass and Fairy, Fire and Steel, Water and Ghost final forms or something like that.

[SkyEevee]

I love Fennekin, Braixen, and Delphox ALOT. I love their designs so much and definitely one of my favorites