When starting one's Pokémon journey, many people often look forward to meeting the new game's professor and the route they'll be exploring before reaching the inevitable Pokémon League. It'd be farfetched to say choosing one's starter isn't something fans look forward to doing most.
While some fans choose their starter based on their type, others will base their selection on how well their beginning Pokémon will perform in the long run. Although their final evolutions are what fans gear toward most, overlooking the starters' second-stage evolutions wouldn't be wise.
10 Chespin Receives A Massive Defensive Overhaul When Evolving Into Quilladin & Becomes A Great Pokémon For Laying Hazards
Despite Froakie's evolution line getting more attention than Chespin's and making Ash one of the best trainers, its second stage evolution, Quilladin, gives Chespin an edge concerning defense and strength. If given an Eviolite, Quilladin's defensive abilities skyrocket and help it become a force to be reckoned with, especially for creatures like Gabite and Golem.
Further, the Pokémon's defensive powers are durable enough to survive an impact from a large vehicle without leaving any dents. The Pokémon can also serve as a great creature to set up deadly environmental-based attacks like Stealth Rock.
9 Piplup Becomes A Bulky Nightmare After Evolving Into Prinplup With Pokémon Attacks That Can Get Rid Of Hazards
Piplup's arguably one of the most iconic generation four Pokémon to exist, and not only that, its second-stage evolution, Prinplup, also makes the penguin Pokémon a formidable adversary. Like Quilladin, Prinplup's a bulky Pokémon whose endurance is on par with its third evolution, Empoleon, but without its steel type.
If someone were to give Prinplup an Eviolite item and teach it Pokémon moves like Defog and Stealth Rocks, it could leave many offensive Pokémon feeling overwhelmed with its defensive might. Not only that but with status attacks like Scald and Toxic at its disposal, Prinplup can be a stalling threat on the battlefield.
8 Chimchar's Second Stage Evolution, Monferno, Receives Some Impressive Abilities That Increase Its Punching Powers
When thinking about the strongest monkey Pokémon in the franchise, many fans will remember the raw power Ash's Infernape unleashed during their epic Pokémon battle against Paul. With that in mind, Monferno is just as strong as Infernape, thanks to the many moves it can use.
If Monferno is given the Life Orb item and has its hidden ability "Iron Fist," its punching attacks receive a massive buff in strength. Monferno also has elemental punch attacks like Thunder Punch which will allow it to avoid pesky water-type Pokémon.
7 Snivy Evolves Into Servine Which Grants It Incredible Special Attack Stat Buffs & Attacks That Help It Get Rid Of Hazards
Snivy was a grass-type Pokémon Ash caught during his Unova region journey, who had a sassy personality and admired Ash's tenacity and battling prowess. Despite Snivy being a fond member of his team, its second-stage evolution, Servine, isn't worth mocking or calling a weak Pokémon.
With help from its hidden ability, Contrary, Servine's special-attacking ability can deliver double the damage to any creature it faces. The Pokémon is also an excellent creature to have for those who need someone that can dispose of pesky hazards concerning Stealth Rocks and Spikes.
6 Froakie Evolves Into Frogadier Whose Special Attacks & Speed Stats Increase Along With Gaining The Type-Changing Ability Protean
Although Froakie's final evolutionary form Greninja is a Pokémon Naruto Uzumaki would want on his team, its second stage evolution, Frogadier, can also hold its own in combat. Like Greninja, Frogadier has access to the handy ability Protean which allows it to change its typing depending on the Pokémon move it uses in battle.
Not only can Frogadier shift its typing to favor its trainer in battle, but the Pokémon also has remarkable speed and special-attacks stats that allow it to outperform many foes in battle. If a Pokémon doesn't have speed or stats that can rival Frogadier, then there's no hope in beating this Pokémon.
5 Grookey's Evolution Thwackey Receives Grassy Terrain & Access To A Deadly Priority Grass-Type Pokémon Attack
When going through the many new Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Sword & Shield, many people argue Grookey's a Galar Region Pokémon they want Ash to catch in the anime. Although Rillaboom, Grookey's final evolutionary form, is an impressive creature, Thwackey can also deliver a whooping to any foe that challenges it.
Thwackey's incredible speed and attacking stats, coupled with its hidden ability Grassy Surge, make it a creature that'll land a swift victory for many trainers. Grassy Surge allows Twackey to increase its grass-type attacks substantially, and coupling that with a strong priority grass-type move like Grassy Glide will only spell doom for a Pokémon that wishes to fight against it.
4 Squirtle Receives An Upgrade When Evolving Into Wartortle Thanks To Shell Smash & The White Herb Item
Considering Blastoise is one of the most dangerous generation one Pokémon to exist, it's not farfetched to believe Wartortle's a powerful Pokémon too. Thanks to Pokémon Sword & Shield, Squirtle's evolution line gained some new Pokémon attacks that aided in its line, becoming a force to be reckoned with concerning Shell Smash.
Shell Smash is a move that lowers its defense and special defense by one stage while its attack, special attack, and speed increase by two, giving it immense power while losing proper protection. If the Wartortle has the White Herb item, it can return its defense and special-defense stats to normal.
3 Scorbunny's Evolutionary Form Raboot's Hidden Ability, Libero, Allows It To Switch Types On The Fly
Cinderace was one of the many final evolutionary forms fans enjoyed during their playthrough of Pokémon Sword & Shield. Like Cinderace, the evolution form before it, Raboot, is fast on its feet and can deliver a mean punch. This feat is only possible because of its superb speed and attack stats alongside its hidden ability, Libero.
Like Frogadier's Protean ability, Libero allows Raboot to switch its typing to the attack it previously used in battle. With moves like Electro Ball and Sucker Punch at their disposal, Raboot would have no trouble fighting some fierce psychic and water-type Pokémon.
2 Pikachu Can Deal Devastating Electric-Type Attacks To Its Opponents
Although Pikachu is a Pokémon fans can encounter in the wild in some of the Pokémon games, it was a starter choice people had to use in Pokémon Yellow. Further, it's worth noting that this Pokémon mascot isn't just for show as Pikachu can utilize various attacks to gain the upper hand on many Pokémon that battle it.
For instance, Pikachu's hidden ability Lightning Rod allows the Pokémon to avoid damage from any thunder-type attacks and gives Pikachu an increase in its electric-type moves. Pikachu also has incredible speed stats, and with access to the item Light Ball, its attack and special attacks become more powerful.
1 Eevee Has Access To Many Different Evolutions That Have Their Own Unique Abilities
With the release of Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee and the confirmation from its director Junichi Masuda that these titles are main series games, Eevee received an opportunity to become a starter Pokémon. With that in mind, Eevee's many access to its many evolutions allows it to out-perform many starter Pokémon.
Whether it evolves into the highly special defensive Fairy-type Pokémon Sylveon or its speedy electric-consuming evolution Jolteon, Eevee has many options at its disposal to rank up damage or defend itself from powerful foes. Although it doesn't have evolutionary forms for every Pokémon type available in the franchise, Eevee's many options make up for it.
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