If you're heading into Galar for the first time this Christmas, you're going to want to know which Pokemon Sword and Shield starter to choose. But despite the fact that they're all adorable, you're going to have to pick one. Don't fret though, budding Galarian trainer, we're here to help. Although you could argue that technically there is no 'best', because they're all wonderful, but there are a few in-game elements that may make you influence your initial decisions - not just including how cool each of the Pokemon Sword and Shield starter evolutions is.
But first, a brief rundown of the three Pokemon Sword and Shield starters, their type and the official description straight from Champion Leon who actually offers you your very first Pokemon in the new games, and the pros and cons of choosing each.
Grookey
Type: Grass
Best nature for Grookey: Adamant
Official description: "It's soothing - like a nice, long walk in the woods."
Grookey is all about using his stick to beat the music into and pulp out of his foes, adorably of course. But, it's worth considering that the first Gym Challenge is leader Milo in Tuffield, and he's also a Grass Type user. So you'll need to arm yourself with a Fire, Flying, Ice, Poison, and Bug Type Pokemon alongside Grookey, as your Grass Type starter isn't going to make waves in this gym.
However, the second Gym Challenge is against the Water Gym Leader Nessa, who you can use Grookey to take down single-handedly.
Scorbunny
Type: Fire
Best nature for Scorbunny: Jolly
Official description: "It's filled to bursting with fiery passion!"
Scorbunny is focused on highlighting us Brits' love of sports, and is wanting to be active all the time. Because it's a Fire Type though, it's actually a great Pokemon Sword and Shield starter to choose because your first gym is the Grass Type, which Scorbunny will be super effective against. Not so much for Nessa and the Water Type Gym though, which is the second on your Challenge list, but as long as you have a good Grass or Electric Type Pokemon in your party, you'll be golden.
Sobble
Type: Water
Best nature for Sobble: Timid
Official description: "It adapts to anything, as surely as water flows."
Seemingly in keeping with its personality, Sobble's actually going to be the one that struggles in the first two hurdles in your Gym Challenge. It's not until the third gym - Kabu's Fire Type Gym in Motostoke - that it'll really be an asset to your party. However, because it can learn moves from other Types, Sobble is still a fantastic Pokemon Sword and Shield starter.
Pokemon Sword and Shield starter evolutions
The other big consideration when picking your very first Galarian friend is the Pokemon Sword and Shield starter evolutions. Here's what Grookey, Scorbunny and Sobble evolve into aka their final evolutions:
Pokemon Sword and Shield Grookey evolutions
Pokemon Sword and Shield Scorbunny evolutions
Pokemon Sword and Shield Sobble evolutions
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