Which Pokemon Winds and Waves starter would you pick and why?

[Sylveon_Grl]

For me, it is easy.

Pombon, because it is so cute and I wanted to have a fire puppy starter at some point. The one I came up with as a Fakemon is its alter ego: Pupfurno

[sans the skeleton]

none of them.

i really didn't like any of them. they're really plain and feel like they gave up on the whole idea pretty quick. even pombon is a pale imitation of the real thing.

if i had to pick, probably pombon and then i'd put it in the box and get old pokemon i usually play with, if they're offered. if not, either hope for better designs or just skip the generation entirely.

this is all a moot point anyway as i cant afford the switch 2 so i'm sort of forced to skip the gen anyway.

[DrampardonMe]

^I wasn't impressed with them, either, and it makes me worry what they'll evolve into. I guess I could say I like Browt the best, but I already betrayed my Water Starter loyalty back in Sun (Worth it, though, I like every member of the Rowlet line) so I'll probably at least give Gecqua a shot... but the minute it evolves into something I don't care for, I'm boxing it and replacing it with Wailord (because I always wanted to try raising one, which for some reason I never had before now despite having ample chance to, lol)

Honestly, the trailer had me interested enough until the starters themselves were revealed. Outside of that, I'm not opposed to getting Waves when/if I'm able. On the subject of using older Pokemon, I somehow never used a Swellow before, so I'm happy to see Taillow back!

this is all a moot point anyway as i cant afford the switch 2 so i'm sort of forced to skip the gen anyway.

Yeah, I feel that. I have other (non-Pokemon) games I've been wanting to try, but I haven't gotten past the hurdle of saving up enough for a Switch 2. There's also trying to find a comfortable spot for it once I do get one, but that's neither here nor there, lol

[Del]

I think they all look fine, I don't have particularly strong feelings about any of them, but I'm mostly a Grass picker, so it'll probably be Browt. I don't really know why people seem to dislike them so much, I don't think they're showstoppers, but they're all Fine at least. I hope they have good final evos, at least.

[DrampardonMe]

^To be fair, they seem to be a real "Either you like them or you don't" trio so far. I suppose it depends on whom you ask and where, but I've seen more like for each of them than not. I'll try and keep a more open mind myself, at any rate!

Ditto on the final evos, though I'm curious as to what they'll all be, type-wise. I'd theorize and/or say what I'd think would be neat, but at this point it's just easier to wait and see.

[wilbie]

i havent played any new pokemon games for quite a while, so i won't experience the feel of having really experienced it, but i'm quite fond of gecqua! a neat lil guy

if you'll allow me to be pessimistic for a second, it's certainly a desire to perpetuate the franchise that theyre adding new creatures that more and more people are seeing as contrived rehashes; oftentimes i feel a little disillusioned with the new generations of pokemon in the games, but it could just be that i don't get the opportunity to bond with them like i used to. it's still cute seeing what they cook up and it's nothing beyond a small gripe so i'm not upset about it! i've heard theyve spent a lot of time on the game, and it looks quite good! so there's a lot to look forward to, even if i'm not gonna be the one playing.

[Iceduck]

I really like them all. Pombon seems especially fresh. I'll probably go Browt, though - that face!

[DrampardonMe]

Haven't been keeping up with outside opinions/discourse on the starters since they were announced, but I guess now's as good a time to ask: Anyone else getting worried about the lack of announcements? I know it's probably not coming out until late 2027, but I'm impressed there hasn't been any major leaks or such since. Good on Game Freak, etc. for keeping their cards close, and if I'm optimistic, they're hiding some big things, but... Well, I was hoping to see some basic regional Pokemon by now. I guess compared to previous gens, it's better than just Announcing Everything Outright, but I dunno what to make of it. I mean, I'm just guessing there's a new gimmick, but what else can surprise at this point? New types? Whether we need more of those or not is up for debate, but place ya bets, I guess!

Anyway, more directly on topic, I've since decided I might want to do a mono-Water run (It's my favorite type and I've never done that before), so I feel like starting with Gecqua only makes sense. Since Pelipper is in, might as well do a rain team. Haven't done that since *squint* the X and Y days, I think.

I know I was gonna hold off on theorizing on their evos, but I hope Gecqua is Water/Poison. Already seems halfway there, honestly. Pombon... idk, as long as it doesn't stay pure Fire for no good reason, I'm not picky. I think it'd be cool if Browt's final evo was some sort of bean-based owlbear-type thing, but we already have TWO (2) Decidueye forms, probably don't wanna triple up there, lest I give Game Freak ideas, lol. As for typing... I honestly dunno, but I hope it's cool, too.

[Richard and Blaziken]

The third generation in a row that I've been uninterested in the starter trio. I'd probably go Gecqua if I get the games, but I'd need to see final evos. I feel like I've found my own personal favorite starter of each type, so it's a little unfair to expect to do it again, I suppose. These just don't inspire anything in me. Pombon in particular looks designed for the internet to fawn over. Browt feels like I need to see the final evo to see why they're doing yet another Grass bird this soon. Gecqua also feels like a retread in some ways, but it at least feels a bit distinct visually.

I'm sure they're all fine, I'm just old.

[DrampardonMe]

^Personally, I'm getting tired of middle evos for starters being awkward. I don't think we've had a good mid-stage Water starter (in terms of design and also my humble opinion) since... Well, Gen 5 if I'm being generous and Gen 2 if I'm being cynical. (Sorry, Marshtomp! Prinplup's okay I guess) Overall, I don't think mid-starters got worse than in Gen 8, but I suppose it remains to be seen how bad they CAN get, huh?

Sorry for the tangent, I just think it's easy for people to go "First stage so cute!!" or "Final Stage So Awesome!!" to a point where Game Freak feels they can go on the cheap for mid-stage starters' designs because, statistically, most people don't care about them as much. I guess I'm waiting for another starter line that really draws me in with every stage, but other than Blastoise and Decidueye... not so much!

More or less agree with your assessment on Browt, Pombon and Gecqua, though.

I'm sure they're all fine, I'm just old.

At this point, I'm pretty sure it's a bit from Column A ("We're just old") and a little from Column B ("It's not JUST Nostalgia!!"). I don't consider myself difficult to please-- even if I'm a little (nit)picky here and there-- I just think Game Freak have shifted gears over the years, for better or worse... and I'm not sure which of their decisions is which sometimes, haha.