Choosing the best cobblemon starter is one of the most important decisions at the beginning of your adventure in the Pokémon Minecraft mod. This first Pokémon you receive will shape your early progression, influence your battles against trainers, and determine your overall tactical approach. On PixelmonGo, hundreds of players ask themselves the same question every day: should you go for Charmander and its offensive power, Squirtle and its solid defense, or Bulbasaur and its strategic balance? This article offers you a comprehensive comparison of the starters available in Cobblemon, analyzing their stats, evolutions, types, and combat roles. You will discover how each starter develops as you progress, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each choice, and how to optimize your selection based on your personal play style.
What is a Starter in Cobblemon and Why the Choice is Crucial
A starter is the Pokémon you receive at the beginning of your adventure in Cobblemon, usually given by a professor or found during your first steps. The best cobblemon starter does not exist in absolute terms: it depends on your playstyle, your understanding of Pokémon types, and your long-term strategy. The first generation starters (Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur) remain popular, but Cobblemon also offers starters from generations 2 to 9, each with unique characteristics. Your initial choice directly affects your first battles against wild trainers, your ability to catch other Pokémon, and even your economic progression if you plan to sell or trade your team.
The mechanics of Pokémon types are fundamental to understanding why a starter can be better than another in certain situations. A Fire-type starter like Charmander excels against Grass, Steel, and Bug-type Pokémon, but struggles against Water, Ground, and Rock types. Understanding these type interactions from the start allows you to build a balanced team and anticipate upcoming challenges. On PixelmonGo, experienced players often recommend choosing a starter whose type offers an advantage against the first trainers you encounter in your region.
The Three Classic Starters: Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur Compared
The three first generation starters remain the most popular choices in Cobblemon in 2026. Each represents a distinct archetype: the offensive attacker, the robust defender, and the strategic balancer. Understanding their respective strengths and weaknesses will help you make an informed decision.
Charmander: The Offensive Attacker
Charmander is a Fire-type starter with high Special Attack and good Speed. Its final evolution, Charizard, becomes a Fire/Flying-type Pokémon with impressive special attack (109) and speed (100) stats. Charmander shines in offensive battles, able to quickly eliminate opponents before they can retaliate. Its starting moves include Ember and Scratch, offering mixed-type coverage. However, Charmander suffers from weak defense and limited resistance to common types in early game. Against a trainer using Water or Ground-type Pokémon, Charmander can quickly find itself in difficulty.
Squirtle: The Robust Defender
Squirtle is a Water-type starter with excellent Defense and good Special Defense. Its final evolution, Blastoise, reaches exceptional defense (100) and special defense (105) stats, plus solid special attack (100). Squirtle excels in prolonged battles, able to survive multiple hits before counter-attacking. The Water type offers advantages against Fire, Ground, and Rock types, effectively covering Charmander's weaknesses. Blastoise also learns a variety of useful moves like Hydro Cannon and Ice Beam, offering excellent offensive coverage despite its defensive nature. Squirtle's main drawback is its moderate speed, meaning it will often act after its opponents.
Bulbasaur: The Strategic Balancer
Bulbasaur is a Grass/Poison-type starter with balanced stats and slightly higher Special Attack. Its final evolution, Venusaur, combines decent special attack (122) with solid special defense (120) and decent speed (80). Bulbasaur offers a balance between offensive and defensive, ideal for players who prefer a flexible approach. The Grass/Poison type offers advantages against Water, Ground, and Rock types, while benefiting from resistance to Grass type. Venusaur learns powerful moves like Power Whip and Toxic Powder, allowing both direct attacks and status-based strategies. However, Bulbasaur suffers from a Fire-type weakness, which can be problematic if you quickly encounter trainers using this type.
| Criterion | Charmander/Charizard | Squirtle/Blastoise | Bulbasaur/Venusaur |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Fire / Fire-Flying | Water | Grass / Grass-Poison |
| Special Attack | 109 | 100 | 122 |
| Defense | 78 | 100 | 75 |
| Speed | 100 | 78 | 80 |
| Play Style | Fast offensive | Slow defensive | Balanced flexible |
How to Choose the Best Cobblemon Starter According to Your Play Style
The best cobblemon starter depends entirely on your personal approach to the game. Before making your choice, ask yourself a few essential questions: do you prefer to finish battles quickly or do you prefer a more defensive and patient approach? Do you like strategies based on status moves or do you prefer direct attacks? Do you intend to complete your Pokédex or focus on a small group of powerful Pokémon?
- Evaluate your offensive or defensive playstyle — If you like eliminating opponents quickly, Charmander is your choice. If you prefer to survive and counter-attack, Squirtle is ideal. If you're unsure, Bulbasaur offers a good balance.
- Consider the first trainers in your region — Check the available information on the teams of trainers you will face. If your first rival uses Grass-type Pokémon, Squirtle will have an advantage. If you see Fire types, Squirtle or Bulbasaur will be better.
- Think about your team in the long term — Your starter won't be your only Pokémon. Think about the types you want to add to your team. If you plan to catch multiple Fire-type Pokémon, Squirtle or Bulbasaur will complement your team better.
- Test different starters in multi-run — On PixelmonGo, you can create multiple characters and experiment with different starters. This will allow you to discover which starter best matches your personal playstyle.
- Consult the PixelmonGo community — Experienced players on the server can share their experiences and recommendations based on PixelmonGo's specific challenges.
Starters from Generations 2 to 9: Advanced Options
Beyond the three classic starters, Cobblemon offers starters from generations 2 to 9, each offering unique mechanics and play styles. These advanced starters are generally available after sufficient progress in the game or through special events on PixelmonGo. Typhlosion (Generation 2, Fire type) offers superior speed to Charizard with comparable special attack. Feraligatr (Generation 2, Water type) combines high physical attack with good speed, offering a more offensive alternative to Blastoise. Meganium (Generation 2, Grass type) offers a defensive approach with support moves, ideal for players preferring support strategies. Starters from later generations such as Blaziken (Generation 3, Fire/Fighting type), Swampert (Generation 3, Water/Ground type), and Venusaur (Generation 1 improved, Grass/Poison type) offer even more specialized options. Each of these starters possesses unique hidden abilities and egg moves that can transform your battle strategy. Check our complete guide on Pokémon evolution to understand how to maximize the potential of your chosen starter.
Stat Optimization: IV, EV, and Nature of Your Starter
Once your starter is chosen, optimizing its stats becomes crucial to maximize its combat potential. IV (Individual Values) are genetic values determined when you capture or receive your Pokémon. They range from 0 to 31 for each stat and cannot be directly modified, although certain items or methods on PixelmonGo allow you to improve them slightly. EV (Effort Values) are training points you gain by battling other Pokémon. Each defeated Pokémon grants specific EVs: a Fire-type Pokémon may give Special Attack EVs, while a Water-type Pokémon may give Special Defense EVs. You can gain up to 252 EV per stat, with a maximum of 510 total EVs. Your Pokémon's nature affects two stats: one stat is increased by 10% and one stat is decreased by 10%. For example, a Modest nature increases Special Attack but decreases physical Attack, ideal for a starter like Charizard that favors special attacks.
- Optimize EVs based on your starter — For Charmander/Charizard, invest 252 EV in Special Attack, 252 in Speed, and 6 in Special Defense. For Squirtle/Blastoise, invest 252 EV in Special Defense
