Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Let's Go Pikachu, Let's Go Eevee · Alola · 2016
Gen 7 starters
Complete guide to all three Gen 7 starter Pokémon. Story difficulty, competitive viability, and which one to pick.
→ 
Rowlet → Decidueye
Grass/Flying → Grass/Ghost
Owl archer with Long Reach (ignores contact effects).
View Decidueye →
→ 
Litten → Incineroar
Fire → Fire/Dark
Wrestler tiger with Intimidate — VGC's most-used Pokémon for years.
View Incineroar →
→ 
Popplio → Primarina
Water → Water/Fairy
Mermaid singer with Liquid Voice converting sound moves to Water.
View Primarina →Which Gen 7 starter should you pick?
For story/VGC: pick Litten. Incineroar is single-handedly the most successful starter in VGC history. Fake Out + Intimidate is broken support. Story-wise Litten has good stats from the start.
For Singles OU: pick Popplio. Primarina's Water/Fairy typing is elite defensively (only 3 weaknesses), and Liquid Voice + Specs Hyper Voice is unique offense.
For aesthetic / niche play: pick Rowlet. Decidueye is the most beloved design-wise (owl archer Robin Hood vibes). Spirit Shackle trapping makes it useful but its stats are mid-tier.
Rowlet → Decidueye
Grass/Flying → Grass/Ghost
Decidueye's typing changes from Grass/Flying to Grass/Ghost on final evolution — losing 4× Ice weakness, gaining Norm/Fighting immunity. Spirit Shackle (signature) damages + traps. Long Reach Hidden Ability avoids Rocky Helmet and contact-based abilities.
Litten → Incineroar
Fire → Fire/Dark
Incineroar's Intimidate + Fake Out + Parting Shot made it the most-used VGC Pokémon for 5+ years. Pure utility — lowers opponent's Atk by 1 stage on switch-in, flinches with Fake Out, then U-turns out with Parting Shot. Defining VGC pivot.
Popplio → Primarina
Water → Water/Fairy
Primarina's Liquid Voice ability converts sound-based moves (Hyper Voice, Sparkling Aria) into Water-type. Specs Hyper Voice through Substitute is a unique tool. Water/Fairy is the second-best typing in the game (only weak to Electric, Grass, Poison).
Story difficulty
All three are fine in story. Litten is slightly easier due to Darkest Lariat (ignores opponent stat boosts) and good move pool. Popplio's Aqua Jet + Disarming Voice gets you through Trial Captains comfortably. Rowlet is the slowest but Spirit Shackle locks targets in for free KOs.
Competitive viability
Incineroar is THE most-used VGC Pokémon historically (Gen 7-9). Primarina is OU-tier with Specs Hyper Voice. Decidueye is UU/RU; Hisuian Decidueye (Fighting/Grass) is stronger but locked to PLA. All three remain relevant in modern formats.
Fun facts about Gen 7 starters
Alola starters all reference dance styles for their final evolutions: Decidueye (archer dance), Incineroar (wrestler entrance), Primarina (opera singer). Incineroar's Intimidate was unprecedented for a starter (Game Freak nerfed Litten's earlier abilities to compensate). Decidueye is the only Ghost-type starter ever.