- Pokemon Renaissance starter pokemon define your whole Chapter 1 run through the new Aldiris region.
- Starters cover different types — including a Steel-type squirrel — so playstyle matters more than raw stats.
- Soft-resetting for the right nature can take time, so decide your pick before you commit.
- Project Renaissance is a nonprofit fan-game built on PSDK with 60+ new Pokémon, in English and French.
- Chapter 1 offers 10-15 hours of content, making your starter a long-term investment.
Starter Pokemon Overview: Your First Big Choice
In Pokemon Renaissance, your adventure through the Aldiris region begins the moment you pick your partner. Project Renaissance — a nonprofit fan-game developed on PSDK and not affiliated with Nintendo or Game Freak — launched Chapter 1 with more than 60 new Pokémon, custom tiles, NPCs, and an original soundtrack. That makes your starter pokemon selection the single most important early decision in a 10-15 hour campaign.
Early gameplay footage of Chapter 1 shows a laboratory scene where the three starter options are presented, and players quickly learn each option's typing before confirming the choice. One confirmed starter is a Steel-type squirrel line, while other options hinted at during exploration include Ice/Grass and Ground-oriented partners.
Video Highlights:
- Full starter selection sequence inside the opening town's laboratory
- The squirrel starter is confirmed as a Steel-type, a defensively oriented choice
- Over two hours of soft-resetting for the right nature shows how much natures matter
- Early exploration includes a berry merchant, potions, and save points before the lab
Talk to NPCs in the starting town before entering the laboratory. Residents and signs hint at each starter's typing and strengths, giving you information the selection screen alone doesn't spell out.
Starter Pokemon Comparison: Typing and Playstyle
Each starter pokemon in Pokemon Renaissance leans toward a distinct combat role. Based on Chapter 1 content, here's how the three options compare at a glance:
| Starter | Primary Type | Playstyle | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squirrel starter | Steel | Defensive, status-resistant | Easy | New players, long battles |
| Frost-type starter | Ice/Grass hints | Offensive, frail | Hard | Experienced players |
| Ground-type starter | Ground hints | Balanced, physical | Medium | Flexible team builders |
The Steel typing of the squirrel starter is confirmed in Chapter 1 gameplay. Other typings are inferred from in-game hints and community discussion — verify in your own playthrough before building a team around them.
Squirrel Starter (Steel)
- Defensive Steel typing
- Resists many common attack types
- Suits patient, attrition-based play
- Confirmed in Chapter 1 gameplay
Frost Starter
- High offense potential
- Ice/Grass traits hinted in-game
- Fragile against Fire and Rock
- Rewards aggressive play
Ground Starter
- Balanced physical attacker
- Strong early-game coverage
- Weak to Water and Grass
- Good all-around pick
Steel's long list of resistances makes the squirrel starter a reliable anchor for tougher boss fights, while offensive starters clear random encounters faster but punish mistakes harder.
Step-by-Step: How to Choose and Soft-Reset Your Starter
Follow this sequence to lock in the ideal starter pokemon and nature without wasting hours.
Explore the Starting Town First
Before entering the laboratory, walk the town. Grab the free potion, visit the berry merchant, and talk to NPCs — several hint at starter typings so you can plan ahead.
Set Up Your Controls
Configure your keys or controller settings before the selection. The default menu key can be remapped (for example, to Z) so you can soft-reset quickly without menu conflicts.
Save Before the Laboratory
Create a manual save right before the starter selection scene. This is your reset anchor for nature rerolling.
Pick Your Starter and Check the Nature
Choose your starter, immediately check its nature and stats in the menu, and evaluate whether it supports your intended role — defensive natures for Steel, offensive natures for the frail attackers.
Soft-Reset Until Satisfied
Reload your save and repeat the selection until you get a nature you're happy with. Players have reported spending over two hours hunting the right one — set a personal limit and stick to it.
A two-hour soft-reset session is real and documented in Chapter 1 playthroughs. If a neutral nature appears within 20-30 minutes, taking it is a perfectly reasonable call for a first playthrough.
Early Team Building Around Your Starter
Your starter shapes your first gym-level challenges, so plan complementary catches around its weaknesses.
| Starter | Key Weaknesses | Recommended Early Partners |
|---|---|---|
| Steel squirrel | Fire, Fighting, Ground | Water-types, fast special attackers |
| Frost starter | Fire, Rock, Steel | Bulky Water or Ground-types |
| Ground starter | Water, Grass, Ice | Grass-types, Steel or Flying support |
Additional Chapter 1 progression tips:
- Stock potions from the town shop before leaving — healing resources are limited early
- Berries from the merchant provide free in-battle recovery
- The save system is manual, so save frequently in the open menu
- Weather effects (such as rain in the starting town) can influence battle conditions
Project Renaissance's official channels confirm Chapter 1 delivers 10-15 hours of content across a whole new region, available in both English and French with a new original soundtrack — plenty of runway to grow your starter into a core team member.
Starter Selection Checklist
Run through this list before finalizing your Chapter 1 run:
Before You Commit:
- Explored the starting town and collected free items
- Talked to NPCs for starter typing hints
- Saved before entering the laboratory
- Confirmed your starter's typing matches your playstyle
- Checked nature and stats, then decided whether to reset
FAQ
Q: What is the best starter pokemon in Pokemon Renaissance?
There's no single best pick, but the Steel-type squirrel starter is the most forgiving choice thanks to Steel's many resistances. Offensive players may prefer the faster-paced options hinted at Ice/Grass and Ground typing.
Q: Is the squirrel starter really a Steel type?
Yes. Chapter 1 gameplay confirms the squirrel starter is a Steel-type, oriented toward defensive play. Whether it gains a secondary typing later in its evolution line remains to be seen.
Q: Can I change my starter after choosing?
No. Once selected, your starter is permanent for that save file. Use a manual save before the laboratory scene if you want the option to reconsider, or start a new file to try another starter.
Q: Is soft-resetting for a good nature worth it?
It can be — one documented Chapter 1 run spent over two hours resetting for the right nature. For a first casual playthrough, a neutral nature is fine; save serious rerolling for competitive team building.
Q: Where can I download Pokemon Renaissance?
Project Renaissance distributes Chapter 1 through its official launcher, announced on the project's official X account (@PkmnRenaissance). The fan-game is nonprofit, available in English and French, and not affiliated with Nintendo or Game Freak.