Generally (or in your favourite/standout entry): Was your starter Pokémon in your team at the end of the game (or by the time you stopped playing)?

[Spring-Loaded]

With the release of a new generation of Pokémon incoming, I got to thinking how, of the entries I played, my starter was always on my team by the end, even though you never have to do that (though I never played the Let's Go games, the ones that are visually superior to those Diamond and Pearl remakes), even in Yellow where you are encouraged to keep Pikachu with you.

What about you (yes, YOU 🫵0_0)? Do you keep your starter with you until the end?

 

[jph139]

Of course, it would be immensely unethical to box your starter. They're always on the team, always at the start of the lineup.

 

[Jawmuncher]

My starter never leaves my group. Even if they're a one shot in a gym due to their weakness.

 

[Sadnarav]

Of course. What kinda of devilish person box their initial!?

 

[AzorAhai]

You're supposed to.

 

[Blue_Toad507]

They started the journey with me, they deserve to finish it with me.

 

[Yuntu]

Yes. Only gets boxed postgame if I do competitve, unless its good for VGC.

 

[King Alamat]

I'm pretty sure boxing your starter is grounds for terminating your Dex Holder status.

 

[afreaknamedpete]

Always, every time, without fail in every pokemon game I box the starter at the first chance. I just like the idea of actually catching a team instead of using the gimmies.

 

[Kazooie]

Yes, always.

 

[mhayes86]

I'm pretty sure my starter never left my party in any of the games I played.

 

[thecowboypoet]

No, usually by the end of the game I've hatched a shiny version of the starter.

 

[DrForester]

I've never ditched my starter in any generation.

 

[Rosebud]

I always keep my starters and they have to be stronger (in levels) than the others

 

[Lulu]

turn in your pokedex homie

 

[Kyuuji]

Yes. It's an unwritten rule that you don't box your starter.

 

[y2kyle89]

My team usually solidifies after catching 10~ish Pokemon so yes, my starter stays with me the entire time.

 

[JimJamJones]

Of course. Why would you ever bench your first pokemon.

 

[milkyway]

I picked chespin to get Charmander in Y and then boxed that monstrosity once it evolved. Besides some creative runs that were not my first play through, starter has otherwise remained.

We'll see what happens in SV where I'll pick a starter (Fuecoco) for the first time without having seen the evolution. Slightly dying inside blocking myself from leaks but it's only a week now…

 

[julia crawford]

Yes. When I was a kid I would power through every fight with my main and use the rest of the team when strictly necessary.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

turn in your pokedex homie

Click to shrink...

Of course. Why would you ever bench your first pokemon.

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Who are these comments directed at

 

[JimJamJones]

Who are these comments directed at

Click to shrink...

Not you, just the person who voted no.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

Not you, just people who voted no in general.

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There is one atm

 

[Lotus]

My starter is always with me, even on future replays, I'd just pick a different starter from what I had originally as opposed to benching them entirely.

 

[SchuckyDucky]

Only time I have ever boxed it was when it died in a Nuzlocke run.

 

[Charizard]

If I like at least one of the starters yes.

In Gen 8 no cuz i didnt like the starters lol

 

[Patitoloco]

Always, of course.

 

[Greywaren]

Always. I have never boxed one of my starters.

 

[defaltoption]

I don't think I've ever played the game without my starter even after multiple times through the same game.

Basically once a Pokémon is on my team they're on my team that whole run I almost never switch out

 

[Lulu]

Who are these comments directed at

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you for boxing your starter,

 

[Spring-Loaded]

you for boxing your starter,

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ME? The one who said they never did such a thing in the OP?????

 

[Necromorph]

Yep, always but i have my doubts on this gen.

 

[Kaim Argonar]

Who voted no. We don't need anonimity here.

 

[Lulu]

ME? The one who said they never did such a thing in the OP?????

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I meant the person who voted NO!

 

[vypek]

Yes, always kept them

 

[Cruxist]

Always. Only boxed in postgame.

 

[Zyrox]

I do not treat starter Pokémon as special Pokémon so if I don't like it I won't use it just like with any other Pokémon. I have benched starters in the past and feel 0 remorse.

 

[Lotus]

I do not treat starter Pokémon as special Pokémon so if I don't like it I won't use it just like with any other Pokémon. I have benched starters in the past and feel 0 remorse.

Click to shrink...

You'll never be the very best with that attitude!

 

[StrappingYoungLance]

My starter only leaves the party once I'm done with the story/Elite 4.

 

[Magnemania]

Why would I box my HM slave?

 

[BigDes]

I do not treat starter Pokémon as special Pokémon so if I don't like it I won't use it just like with any other Pokémon. I have benched starters in the past and feel 0 remorse.

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Found Gary Oak's account

 

[Zyrox]

Found Gary Oak's account

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Smell ya later!

 

[Keiriks]

Of course, we're friends for life!

 

[Bigg]

Always. Never even gave it a second thought.

 

[Uniomni]

Aren't the starters almost pound for pound some of the most powerful pokemon you'll get access to in the whole of the game?

Why would I toss gold to make room for bronze and silver?

 

[Lotus]

Aren't the starters almost pound for pound some of the most powerful pokemon you'll get access to in the whole of the game?

Why would I toss gold to make room for bronze and silver?

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People that don't use starters either don't like their designs, want slightly more challenge, or already found a team of Pokémon they love more I guess

 

[DeadeyeNull]

Aren't the starters almost pound for pound some of the most powerful pokemon you'll get access to in the whole of the game?

Why would I toss gold to make room for bronze and silver?

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Some are powerful, others are just ok. Many also need their hidden abilities to really shine. Their all better than average at least and easy to fit on a team. A grass/water/fire core is always valuable so getting a third of that off the crack is pretty nice.

 

[Uniomni]

Some are powerful, others are just ok. Many also need their hidden abilities to really shine. Their all better than average at least and easy to fit on a team. A grass/water/fire core is always valuable so getting a third of that off the crack is pretty nice.

Click to shrink...

Huh. Gotcha I guess.

 

[Uniomni]

People that don't use starters either don't like their designs, want slightly more challenge, or already found a team of Pokémon they love more I guess

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I guess. I hated the look of the water starter from Sw/Sh but it was too powerful to substitute, for me at least

 

[Pyro]

Cinerace in Shield and Typhlosion in Crystal were part of my champion squad/hall of fame.

In Arceus though, Typhlosion wasn't in my team once he was fully evolved because I didn't want the Fire/Ghost regional variant.