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In any Pokémon journey, choosing your starter is a rite of passage. But in Pokerogue and Pokerogue Dex , this single decision carries a weight far greater than you might imagine. Your starter isn't just your first partner; it's the foundation upon which your entire run is built. A smart choice can set you up for a smooth ride through the early floors, while a poor one can have you struggling from the very beginning.

The key to selecting a starter in PokeRogue is to think about long-term potential and early-game dominance. In the main series games, you can afford to pick your favorite. Here, you need to be a strategist. You start with a small pool of options, which expands as you catch more Pokémon in your runs. A great starter often has a combination of three key traits: strong typing, a good movepool, and powerful abilities.

For example, a starter with a dual-typing that offers wide coverage, like a Water/Ground type, can be incredibly valuable. They can handle a variety of threats right from the start. Similarly, a Pokémon that learns powerful moves early on can help you snowball your advantage, clearing early floors quickly to build up cash and items.

But perhaps the most critical factor is the starter's potential to "solo carry" the initial floors. Your first few battles are crucial. You need a Pokémon that can reliably win on its own until you've had a chance to catch some teammates. This is why Pokémon with stat-boosting moves (like Swords Dance or Nasty Plot) or powerful abilities (like Moxie, which boosts Attack after a KO) are top-tier starter choices. They can quickly ramp up their power and sweep through early-game opponents. So next time you're on the starter selection screen, don't just pick the cutest one. Analyze their potential, consider their strengths, and choose the partner that will give you the strongest possible foundation for the marathon ahead.