- Pokemon Renaissance starters define your early-game difficulty and team synergy.
- The squirrel starter is a Steel-type, leaning defensive with steady matchups.
- Other starter lines cover Ice/Grass and Ground themes, giving each run a distinct pace.
- Save before confirming your pick so you can reset for a better nature.
- Your starter matters most in the opening hours; the roster expands quickly after the first town.
Pokemon Renaissance Starters Overview
Your starter choice in Pokemon Renaissance is the first real decision you make after leaving the opening sequence, and it shapes the first several hours of your run. The game hands you three partner options in the starting laboratory, each built around a different type identity. Rather than the classic Fire/Water/Grass triangle, Renaissance leans toward defensive and terrain-influenced typings, which changes how early routes and gym-style challenges feel.
Here is a full first-episode playthrough that shows the starter selection process from start to finish:
Video Highlights:
- Full download, launcher setup, and controller configuration before the run begins
- Exploration of the starting town, including the laboratory, berry merchant, and NPCs
- The starter selection moment and the squirrel starter's Steel typing revealed in the menu
- A soft-reset session of over two hours to obtain the right nature
- Early quest progression starting in a rainy opening town
Talk to every NPC in the starting town first. Several of them, including the berry merchant near the laboratory, give hints about the starters' typings and the early route challenges ahead.
The three starter archetypes break down like this:
| Starter | Type Identity | Playstyle | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squirrel starter | Steel (secondary type TBD) | Defensive, tanky, attrition wins | Beginner-friendly |
| Forms starter | Ice/Grass themes | Balanced, flexible matchups | Moderate |
| Ground-line starter | Ground themes | Offensive, terrain-oriented | Moderate-Hard |
Starter Comparison: Strengths and Weaknesses
Each starter carves out a different niche. The squirrel's Steel typing gives it a wide defensive profile with many resistances, making it forgiving when you misjudge a matchup. The Ice/Grass-flavored line offers more varied coverage but carries more weaknesses. The Ground-leaning line rewards aggressive play and hits hard early.
Squirrel Starter
- Steel-type core
- Excellent resistances
- Slow but reliable damage
- Best for defensive players
Forms Starter
- Ice/Grass elements
- Flexible movepool potential
- Good mid-game scaling
- Punished by Fire/Fighting
Ground Starter
- Ground-type offense
- Strong early routes
- Terrain synergy
- Weak to Water/Grass hits
Type matchups drive most of the early difficulty spikes. Here is how the core typings interact:
| Type | Strong Against | Weak Against | Early Route Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel | Ice, Rock, Fairy | Fire, Fighting, Ground | High — many resistances |
| Ice | Grass, Ground, Flying, Dragon | Fire, Fighting, Rock, Steel | Situational |
| Grass | Water, Ground, Rock | Fire, Ice, Flying, Bug | Moderate |
| Ground | Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, Steel | Water, Grass, Ice | High if timed well |
The full secondary typings of the Renaissance starter lines are still being documented as the game updates. Confirm typing in your in-game menu after capturing your starter before committing to a long-term team plan.
Step-by-Step: Choosing and Optimizing Your Starter
Follow this sequence to lock in a starter you will not regret.
Set Up Controls First
Configure your controller and menu shortcuts before starting. The default menu key can be remapped, so bind it to a comfortable key like Z to avoid fumbling during selection.
Explore the Starting Town
Visit the laboratory, berry merchant, and townsfolk. Collect the free potion and any dialogue hints about the upcoming routes before entering the lab.
Review Each Starter
Open the menu after previewing each option and check its typing. The squirrel line is confirmed Steel; weigh that defensive profile against the offensive pace of the alternatives.
Save Before Confirming
Save your game right before the final selection. This lets you soft reset if the nature or stats you receive are poor.
Soft Reset for a Good Nature
Reset and re-confirm until you get a nature that suits your playstyle. Players have spent over two hours resetting for the right one, so set your own threshold and stick to it.
A nature that boosts your starter's core attacking or defensive stat compounds over dozens of levels. Even fifteen minutes of resets is a meaningful long-term investment.
Which Starter Should You Pick?
| Player Type | Recommended Starter | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New to Pokemon Renaissance | Squirrel (Steel) | Forgiving resistances, hard to KO early |
| Defensive/attrition players | Squirrel (Steel) | Walls most early route encounters |
| Flexible team builders | Forms (Ice/Grass) | Adapts to varied rosters |
| Aggressive players | Ground line | Fast clears, snowballs momentum |
| Nuzlocke-style challengers | Squirrel (Steel) | Survivability reduces early wipe risk |
The community has also been documenting run progress on the Nuzlocke Forums thread for Pokemon Renaissance Emerald, which is useful reading if you plan a challenge run with your starter.
Your starter dominates the opening town and first routes, but the wild roster and fossil-adjacent options expand your team quickly. Pick for the early game, not the whole game.
Early Game Starter Checklist
Starter Launch Checklist:
- Configure controls and menu shortcut before starting
- Explore the starting town and collect the free potion
- Check all three starters' typings in the menu
- Save immediately before final confirmation
- Soft reset for an acceptable nature
- Stock berries from the merchant before the first route
FAQ
Q: What type is the squirrel starter in Pokemon Renaissance?
The squirrel starter is a Steel-type. Its full secondary typing, if any, has not been fully confirmed, but the Steel core gives it a defensive, resistance-heavy profile that suits cautious players.
Q: Can I change my Pokemon Renaissance starter later?
No confirmed method exists for swapping starters mid-save. If you regret your choice, start a new save file and save before the selection screen so you can re-roll efficiently.
Q: Is soft resetting for a nature worth it?
Yes, if you plan a long run. A favorable nature compounds across every level. Set a personal limit, as some players reset for hours chasing a specific nature.
Q: Which Pokemon Renaissance starter is best for beginners?
The Steel-type squirrel starter is the most forgiving option. Its wide set of resistances covers early route mistakes and keeps you alive while you learn the game's pacing.