By playing Pokémon it's simple, but sometimes you want to challenge yourself by choosing a program that has a disadvantage with most gyms, or you fight your way by choosing a safer option. For example, if you play Pokémon Red and choose Charmander, it is considered the hard difficulty due to having to deal with its two weaknesses, the Rock and Water types, in the first two Gym Battles. Bulbasaur is a simpler choice because it doesn't have this downside initially, which makes Squirtle the normal difficulty in the game.
Sword and Shields This campaign is simple, but there are many ways to determine the best starter to choose. With exclusive Leaders in The Gymnastics Clubs, we're going to go through each starter and show them how they'll perform overall from start to finish of the game's main story.
What is the best starting Pokémon in Sword and Shield?
Ouistempo
If you play Sword, the Ouistempo Pokémon will have two types of advantages against two of the eight Gym Leaders, which includes Water Gym Leader Nessa and Rock Gym Leader Gordie. Shield only gives you a type advantage, with Nessa being the only one in both games, and Gordie's mother, Melony, in the role of leader of the ice sports club. Pokémon Shield will give you a moderate challenge since only Kabu and Melony have a type advantage against you.
Since Ouistempo will ultimately remain a pure weed type once he evolves to Thwackey and then Rillaboom, choosing him will be a constant challenge. Whenever you meet Champion Leon, he will have Cinderace and Charizard on his team. Having a Water or Rock-type Pokémon in your party will help you run your business, especially when the latter starts traveling to Gigantamax.
Flambino
Flambino at the start will give you an easy victory, with Milo being the first gym leader and grass-type trainer in Sword and Shield. And depending on the version, it will have two advantages or disadvantages. If you play Sword and choose Flambino, you'll worry about Nessa and Gordie. For the latter, Flambino learns Combat type movements; so, despite his weakness vis-à-vis The Rock types, his hit pool will help gain the upper hand.
To deal with Leon, the evolution of Flambino Pyrobut can take care of Mr. Rime and Exagide. Having an Electric type will help you deal with Lizargus and Charizard while you can have an Ice, Fairy, or Dragon-type Pokémon against Tranchodon and Lanssorien.
Larmeleon
So far, Larmeleon has a type disadvantage against Milo and is neutral against Nessa. It will take until the third Gym Battle to face the leader of the Fire Gym, Kabu. Unlike the other two starters, Larmeleon will instead have two type advantages in one game, but one disadvantage in another. Sword is a great choice for Larmeleon as a starter, but it's also a great choice for Shield if you don't want to face a lot of inconvenience.
Once you fight Leon, the evolution of Larmeleon, Lezargus can take care of Rhypherior and Charizard, and with a Fire-type Pokémon you can take care of Gorythmic and Exagid. An Ice, Fairy, or Dragon-type Pokémon can also deal with Lanssorian and Tranchodon, as in Flambino.
Final verdict
Overall what is the best starter to choose Pokemon Sword and Shield? While your starter has weaknesses in terms of hitting for at least a few Gym Leader battles, you'll be able to run into The Pokémon such as Minisange for Milo, Voltoutou for Nessa, and Khélocrok for Kabu to help cover your starter types.
If you want to start easy, then Flambino is a great choice, as you'll be ready to take on Milo. Ouistempo is a good choice if you want a tough championship battle against Leon, and Larmeleon is the perfect middle ground for a tough start, but constant challenge throughout the game.
