- Pokemon Renaissance starter evolutions shape your entire early and mid-game team composition.
- The Squirrel starter leans toward a Steel-type identity with strong defensive potential.
- Other starters appear to draw on Ice/Grass and Ground type themes, so team coverage matters.
- Soft-resetting for the right nature is a common strategy before committing to your pick.
- Choose based on role coverage, not just raw type matchups.
Starter Lineup Overview: Pokemon Renaissance Starter Evolutions
Choosing your starter is the first real strategic decision in Pokemon Renaissance, and it influences how the rest of your team comes together. The currently known starter options include the fan-favorite Squirrel starter, which players have identified as a Steel-type with a possible secondary Water affinity, alongside starters with Ice/Grass and Ground characteristics observed during early-game exploration.
Video Highlights:
- Gameplay confirms the Squirrel starter as a Steel-type pick with a defensive playstyle.
- The player explores the starting town, including a laboratory and a berry merchant.
- Soft-resetting for the right nature took multiple attempts before committing.
- Early quests begin in a rainy starting town with potion pickups available.
The table below summarizes the known starter identities and what they suggest about their evolution paths:
| Starter | Primary Type | Secondary Hint | Playstyle | Early-Game Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squirrel Starter | Steel | Possible Water | Defensive, tanky | ★★★★☆ |
| Ice/Grass Starter | Ice/Grass | Unconfirmed | Balanced, control | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ground Starter | Ground | Unconfirmed | Physical, bulky offense | ★★★★☆ |
Pokemon Renaissance is a developing fan project. Evolution levels, final forms, and confirmed secondary typings are still being documented as players progress. Treat early type reports as community observations that may be refined in later builds.
Squirrel Starter: The Steel-Type Fortress
The Squirrel starter is the most documented choice so far. Players gravitate toward it because Steel is a defensive type that resists a wide range of attacks, making the early game more forgiving even when you run into unfavorable matchups.
Why players pick the Squirrel starter:
- Steel typing offers excellent resistances against Normal, Grass, Ice, Flying, and Psychic moves.
- A defensive identity means fewer emergency heals early on, especially before you stock up on potions and berries.
- If the Water affinity is confirmed, it adds offensive coverage against Rock, Ground, and Fire threats.
- A tanky starter lets you pivot your team-building around offensive companions instead.
The Squirrel starter's value scales heavily with nature. Soft-reset at the starter selection screen until you get a nature that complements a defensive build, such as one that boosts Defense or Attack. Patience here pays off across the entire playthrough.
| Attribute | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | ★★★★★ | Steel typing resists many common early moves |
| Offense | ★★★☆☆ | Steady but not explosive damage |
| Team Flexibility | ★★★★☆ | Frees slots for glass-cannon teammates |
| Nuzlocke Viability | ★★★★★ | Reliability is king in restriction runs |
Evolution Planning and Team Coverage
Once your starter begins evolving, the real strategy kicks in: building a team around its weaknesses. A Steel-focused Squirrel line still fears Fire, Fighting, and Ground attacks, so your early catches should patch those holes.
Cover Fire Weakness
- Catch a Water or Rock type early
- Cave and coastal routes usually deliver
- Prevents Fire leads from breaking your wall
Handle Fighting Types
- Add a Flying or Psychic companion
- Punishes Fighting switches
- Keeps your starter healthy in long fights
Answer Ground Threats
- A Grass or Ice type closes the gap
- Ice/Grass starter knowledge helps here
- Ground attackers become free wins
| Threat Type | Targets | Recommended Counter | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | Steel lines | Water/Rock catch | High |
| Fighting | Steel lines | Flying/Psychic | High |
| Ground | Steel lines | Grass/Ice | Medium |
| Water | Ground starter | Grass/Electric | Medium |
The starting town includes a berry merchant, making status and heal berries an affordable part of your rotation. Stock up before longer routes, since berries reduce reliance on potions during evolution-level grinding.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Starter Run
Choose Your Starter
Weigh the Steel Squirrel against the Ice/Grass and Ground options. Pick based on which weaknesses you would rather manage through team building.
Reset for the Right Nature
Soft-reset at selection until you get a nature that matches your starter's core stats. Defensive natures favor the Squirrel line; offensive natures suit the Ground starter.
Explore the Starting Town
Visit the laboratory, talk to NPCs, grab the free potion, and check the berry merchant's stock before heading out into the rainy first route.
Build Coverage Catches
Fill your team with types that answer your starter's weaknesses before the first major evolution window.
Grind Toward Evolution
Battle along early routes to reach your starter's first evolution, then re-evaluate your team's type spread for the road ahead.
Once your starter evolves, your resistances and movepool often shift. Re-check matchups against upcoming gym or boss themes before committing to a fixed team of six.
Starter Run Checklist
Starter Evolution Run Milestones:
- Confirm your starter's typing at the selection screen
- Soft-reset until you get a favorable nature
- Collect the free potion in the starting town
- Stock berries from the starting town merchant
- Catch at least two coverage types before evolution
- Reach your starter's first evolution stage
| Milestone | Recommended Timing | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Nature reset | Before first battle | Better long-term stats |
| Town exploration | First 10 minutes | Free potion, berry access |
| Coverage catches | Before level 15 | Safer evolution grind |
| First evolution | Mid early-game | New stats and moves |
FAQ
Q: What type is the Squirrel starter in Pokemon Renaissance?
Community gameplay identifies the Squirrel starter as a Steel-type, with speculation about a Water secondary typing. Steel is a defensive type, making it a sturdy anchor for the early game while you build coverage around it.
Q: Which Pokemon Renaissance starter is best for a defensive playstyle?
The Squirrel starter is the clear pick for defensive players. Its Steel typing resists many common early-game attacks, letting you absorb hits while offensive teammates do the damage.
Q: Does nature matter for Pokemon Renaissance starter evolutions?
Yes. Nature affects stat growth, and since your starter stays with you all game, resetting for a nature that matches its role, such as a Defense-boosting nature for the Squirrel line, meaningfully improves long-term performance.
Q: What weaknesses should I cover when running a Steel starter?
Steel lines are weak to Fire, Fighting, and Ground attacks. Add Water or Rock, Flying or Psychic, and Grass or Ice teammates respectively to close those gaps before your starter's evolution window.
Because Pokemon Renaissance starter evolutions are still being documented, share your own evolution findings with the community wiki. Confirmed evolution levels and final-form typings come from players like you.