Pokémon: Ranking The Starters Of All 6 Generations From Worst To Best

9. Torchic

When I first saw Torchic and its evolutions, I must admit I was quite excited by the idea of a Fire/Flying type starter Pokémon. Obviously this proved not to be the case, but the alternative double typing with Fighting was a pretty neat innovation at that point in generation three.

But, while Torchic and Blaziken enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance with generation six and the Mega Evolutions, the formula that made it appealing in Ruby and Sapphire has been improved upon greatly since. Sure, Blaziken learns a good combination of Fire and Fighting Type moves, but the addition of some pointless Flying Type attacks shallows its moveset.

It's weighted well around both physical and ranged attacks, but suffers an average speed stat that doesn't guarantee you'll get the best of it in a competitive battle, and it's easily overcome by many of the gym leaders and Elite Four members in Hoenn.