I've always foudn it kinda hard to choose between the starters in this generation, because they're all amazing. I mean, the only one that really falls short is Sceptile, but it still has amazing speed to make up for it, and their standards are just sooo much higher than those of any other generations in my opinion.
The Treecko family would honestly get my vote if it all came down to design. I don't know why, but I've always found Treecko and its evolutions' designs to be rather... intriguing for a lack of better word. I don't know what it is about them, but I've just always liked their design. Perhaps because I thought it looked a lot cooler compared to both Blaziken and Swampert which I've admittedly found to be relatively ugly :( I know a lot of people love Blaziken, but I just never really saw the appeal in its design. So when it comes to design, Sceptile all the way!
As for battle performance, I've found Swampert and Blaziken to be kinda tied. Again, a lot of people love Blaziken, but I've always found Swampert to be both strong, as well as having an interesting and original typing. Well, I know, it's not that original, seeing as Quagsire also had it, but at least it's not Fire/Fighting! (yeah okay, it was a new idea back then, but that's also one of the things that made Blaziken so awesome :p) But yeah, they're both insanely strong, and can hold their own in battle. Well above Sceptile, whom I found to be kiiinda struggling in staying strong all the way through the game. By the time I reached the E4, even though it was a few levels above the rest of my team, it was definitely not the strongest, and only really helped me in the battle against Glacia, where its speed really helped take down the part Water types. And that was pretty much the best thing about Sceptile. Its speed was definitely something I loved, and was the main reason I initially picked it, but yeah, it still fell kinda short in comparison to the other two. So yeah, in battle performance, Swampert and Blaziken are kinda tied from my viewpoint.
And when it all comes down to actually choosing the favourite, I honestly reckon I'd have to go with the Mudkip family. Not only is it great in battle and has an interesting and unique typing, it's also generally very lovable. I know I said I didn't like Swampert's design, but I sure as heck like Mudkip's, just because of the cute and derpy, yet somehow strong looking dynamic. It's not like Torchic that just looks like a little weak bird, but turns out to be one of the strongest and most popular starters to have ever been made, but more like you know that you're gonna get something strong out of it. And well, you probably herd i liek mudkipz ;)
The Treecko family would honestly get my vote if it all came down to design. I don't know why, but I've always found Treecko and its evolutions' designs to be rather... intriguing for a lack of better word. I don't know what it is about them, but I've just always liked their design. Perhaps because I thought it looked a lot cooler compared to both Blaziken and Swampert which I've admittedly found to be relatively ugly :( I know a lot of people love Blaziken, but I just never really saw the appeal in its design. So when it comes to design, Sceptile all the way!
As for battle performance, I've found Swampert and Blaziken to be kinda tied. Again, a lot of people love Blaziken, but I've always found Swampert to be both strong, as well as having an interesting and original typing. Well, I know, it's not that original, seeing as Quagsire also had it, but at least it's not Fire/Fighting! (yeah okay, it was a new idea back then, but that's also one of the things that made Blaziken so awesome :p) But yeah, they're both insanely strong, and can hold their own in battle. Well above Sceptile, whom I found to be kiiinda struggling in staying strong all the way through the game. By the time I reached the E4, even though it was a few levels above the rest of my team, it was definitely not the strongest, and only really helped me in the battle against Glacia, where its speed really helped take down the part Water types. And that was pretty much the best thing about Sceptile. Its speed was definitely something I loved, and was the main reason I initially picked it, but yeah, it still fell kinda short in comparison to the other two. So yeah, in battle performance, Swampert and Blaziken are kinda tied from my viewpoint.
And when it all comes down to actually choosing the favourite, I honestly reckon I'd have to go with the Mudkip family. Not only is it great in battle and has an interesting and unique typing, it's also generally very lovable. I know I said I didn't like Swampert's design, but I sure as heck like Mudkip's, just because of the cute and derpy, yet somehow strong looking dynamic. It's not like Torchic that just looks like a little weak bird, but turns out to be one of the strongest and most popular starters to have ever been made, but more like you know that you're gonna get something strong out of it. And well, you probably herd i liek mudkipz ;)