Timbjerr

T-o-X-i-C

Age 36
Female
Texas
Seen May 30th, 2022
Posted January 28th, 2016
7,415 posts
19.7 Years
I've recently discovered that there are a variety of opinions regarding whether you like to keep your starter throughout the whole game or box and/or release it at the first opportunity.

Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?
-If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon?
-If you prefer to drop your starter, what kinds of pokemon do you replace it with?

Perriechu

i make this look easy tik-tik boom like gasoline-y

Age 27
Male
England
Seen December 11th, 2021
Posted August 12th, 2020
4,076 posts
14.1 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?

I prefer to keep them, although on certain games, I'll ditch it, most notably, the 2nd Generation games and remakes, I don't like the 2nd Generation starters, and If I've already used all the starters at some point I'll ditch them in a new game. Like in my new White run through, I've ditched Tepig because' I've used it and don't like it.

-If you prefer to drop your starter, what kinds of pokemon do you replace it with?

I'll just replace it with the same type, or if my team doesn't need a Water/Grass/Fire, I'll just use a random Pokemon.









PlatinumDude

Nyeh?

Age 29
Male
Canada
Seen July 31st, 2020
Posted May 30th, 2020
12,958 posts
12.7 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?: Yes, I've always kept my starter in every Pokemon game I played
-If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon?: In a way, yes.

Age 27
Male
Unova's Kantotown
Seen March 30th, 2016
Posted June 17th, 2014
263 posts
13.9 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different Pokemon?
Eh, most of the time I'll keep it throughout the main game and boot it into the PC once I go to the Battle Tower/Frontier/Subway. Exceptions include Pikachu in Pokemon Yellow, (swapped for Jolteon) Quilava in SoulSilver, (swapped for Flareon) and Charmander in Pokemon Red (swapped for a....crap, I forgot :p)

If you prefer to drop your starter, what kinds of Pokemon do you replace it with?
Most of the time it'll be a cooler looking Pokemon or a stronger Pokemon.
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Male
Seen September 29th, 2015
Posted March 13th, 2012
55 posts
12.2 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?

I keep it the ENTIRE game, it's always my strongest pokemon.

-If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon?

Sort of, its just the first pokemon you get in the game. Why abandon it? The LEAST you could do with it is use it for the bs HM's.
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Mr Cat Dog

Frasier says it best

Age 32
Male
London, UK
Seen September 29th, 2017
Posted July 12th, 2017
11,344 posts
19.1 Years
Most of the time, I don't get rid of my starter, but that's normally because I pick a Fire type, of which there aren't that many to begin with. In Black, however, I chose Oshawott, and kept it until the Elite Four. But if I'd gotten a Rod earlier, it would have been "bai bai, Samurott".
Male
Hiougi City
Seen April 12th, 2020
Posted September 11th, 2014
2,543 posts
14 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?
I always keep my starters. I thought you had to xD But seriously, it's the first Pokemon you get, and I keep it because of that, it's special regardless of whether there are stronger Pokemon out there.

-If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your Pokemon?
It definitely does. It's your oldest companion afterall. The first child.
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skyluigi2

Male
United Kingdom
Seen October 4th, 2022
Posted July 21st, 2019
988 posts
13.6 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?
It depends, but usually, yes. In Unova, I didn't even evolve it into it's final form before switching it for a different Pokemon because I really didn't like it, or any of the other Unova starters.
-If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon?
Yes! My Empoleon (Nicknamed Pengi) was my first level 100 on a Pokemon game :3 I still have it today. And even though I ditched Dewott, I still felt kinda bad about it.
-If you prefer to drop your starter, what kinds of pokemon do you replace it with?

In Unova, I replaced my Dewott with a Vanilluxe. So, I guess stronger, different typed Pokemon, and Pokemon that appeal to me more.

-totodile42

Edsbob

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The Soda Pop Shop.
Seen May 4th, 2013
Posted March 11th, 2013
92 posts
12.1 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?
I like to keep my starter almost all the time. If anything other than that, I may trade it for it's kids instead.
-If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon?
I suppose there's that feeling of mutual loyalty when you have that Pokemon that's been with you from step one... for a straight answer I'll say yes. I'd feel bad too every single time I talk to the professors, even though I know they're never going to say anything.

But my starter is always the one that I'll put my shades on with and say "LEZ DO THIS".

Pokemon Trainer Touko

春野サクラ ♥

Age 25
Female
Konoha ★
Seen June 3rd, 2012
Posted March 7th, 2012
1,712 posts
12.3 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?
Yes, my starter Pokémon is always in my team because I feel bad for it when I keep it in the PC box. ;__; Plus, it is usually my strongest Pokemon. :D

If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon?
Yes.
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Age 28
Male
Wouldn't You Like To Know?
Seen April 12th, 2012
Posted April 7th, 2012
84 posts
12.2 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?

- I always keep my starter pokemon. Its always the strongest.

-If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon?

- Well apart from the fact its just a game and they are not capable of feeling, yeah I suppose it does.
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Sydian

fake your death.

Age 30
they/them
Georgia
Seen May 22nd, 2022
Posted November 29th, 2021
33,354 posts
15.2 Years
I usually do keep my starter, unless I have a challenge that involves not using it. And I never like to keep them in DPPt cause that's my least favorite batch of starters (almost typed challenges wtf?). I don't think it deepens any bond though...lol

If I drop it, I usually replace it with something of its type (even though Stoutland replaced my starter on my last Black playthrough, I did teach it Surf, and I started with Oshawott...sooo...sorta? lol). In the case of challenges though, I usually enter challenges that might involve not using a starter type at all. They're usually pretty random. @[email protected]
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BHwolfgang

kamikorosu

Age 28
Male
Virginia
Seen February 24th, 2014
Posted May 9th, 2013
3,905 posts
14.2 Years
I actually depend on my starter Pokemon for most of my journey. It is my strongest and should be the leader of my party. There are only a few times when I toss it in the box, and that's only for a little bit. I only went through one monotype challenge, so I chose Squirtle. Yes, this does deepen my bond with my starter Pokemon. I just grow a certain kind of affection towards it.

There was only one time when I actually released my starter Pokemon. I received a Chikorita through a trade and its nickname was very inappropriate. I didn't want my cousin to see it, so I decided to bid it farwell. I hate releasing Pokemons, so the chance of me releasing a starter is even more slim.
Male
Seen November 2nd, 2013
Posted May 31st, 2013
958 posts
13.9 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?
I usually do, largely do to me not being big on competitive teams. I usually make sure I pick my favorite starter so I don't regret it later.

-If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon?
Yes, to an extent. I usually feel as though the starter is the mascot of my team that stand at my side and lead my team into battle. More often than not I level them up to make sure its one or more levels ahead of the rest, to assert the dominance of this role.

I use a couple of starters in my ultimate team (cross-generation, most high preferences team). Its not made to be competitive in Pokemon choice, just other areas like type, IV, movesets, etc,

Male
Somewhere on the earth
Seen December 20th, 2015
Posted May 15th, 2015
247 posts
12.8 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon? Yes I usually do, most times. Sometimes I'll use 2 starters, but trash the second.
If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon? No not really
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UltiMoth

The Ultimate Ulgamoth

Female
California
Seen April 26th, 2011
Posted April 19th, 2011
8 posts
12.1 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?
I would usually keep it with me till midpoint or endgame, if I find another pokemon of the same type to replace it with that I think may be stronger with better IVs and/or a better movepool, or if I just plain like that pokemon better.

If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon?
The bond would definitely be very deep when you go all the way with your starter. It was like that with Yellow, and when I talked to my Pikachu, he had all these hearts floating around his head and he looked so happy to be with me. But staying true to the anime, Pikachu had refused to evolve, so I kept feeling tempted to replace him with a much stronger, fully evolved electric pokemon. But I kept him; he just loved me so much and I couldn't let him go!

If you prefer to drop your starter, what kinds of pokemon do you replace it with?
I would replace it with another pokemon of the same type, depending on which ones I feel would be a better option.

Elite Overlord LeSabre™

On that 'Non stop road'

Age 97
Shimoda City
Seen 3 Days Ago
Posted January 25th, 2022
9,705 posts
15.5 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?
Except for Yellow and that epically weak Pikachu I keep my starter throughout my entire game. It typically only gets boxed when I battle with my bred "competitive" team. I always get the starter up to level 100 as I do with my entire in-game team.

If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon?
Not quite that, but something similar: I do feel guilty if I don't use my first partner all the way through the game. It would feel like I abandoned the one member I had since the very beginning.

If you prefer to drop your starter, what kinds of pokemon do you replace it with?
In Yellow only, that Pikachu got replaced by Voltorb as soon as I could.

Elite Overlord LeSabre™
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champagnepapi

exile

Male
new england
Seen September 4th, 2016
Posted June 25th, 2016
1,795 posts
12.5 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?
Keep it, but once I sent my Mudkip packing.

-If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon?

The only time I ever "bond' with my Pokemon, is in a Nuzlocke run, and I always keep my starters in Nuzlockes.

-If you prefer to drop your starter, what kinds of pokemon do you replace it with?
Early game stuff, like the regional derps and regional birds. Maybe some stronger ones, later.

paired to kaori & vrai
Seen May 28th, 2014
Posted May 18th, 2012
531 posts
12.1 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?

I keep my starter all the time. Also, I never ditch my Pokèmon with a high happiness ratio.

If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon?

Yes. I don't know why. I think it's because...nah, I really don't know.

If you prefer to drop your starter, what kinds of pokemon do you replace it with?
Some random Pokèmon wearing a berèt with a French accent who likes painting.

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ShinyMeowth

Gone forever

Age 26
Male
Greece
Seen March 23rd, 2012
Posted May 14th, 2011
397 posts
12.4 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?
I always keep my starter, and it's either the most powerful pokemon of my team at any given time, or sometimes, the only pokemon in my team other than HM slaves.
-If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon?
Sometimes.

Shiny ★ Meowth

~Ryukaa

total nerd

Age 26
Male
Melbourne, Australia
Seen April 5th, 2021
Posted September 16th, 2015
1,328 posts
15.9 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?
I prefer keeping the Pokemon.

-If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon?
Yeah, definitely. By the time you've finished the game, you seem really like the starter. Well, that's how I feel. xD;
Age 29
Male
Australia
Seen July 7th, 2013
Posted July 7th, 2013
222 posts
12.7 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?
gen 1-4 yes, i will always keep my starter all the way through the game. gen 5 no. only time i haven't. starters this gen were a disapointment...
If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon?
yeh usually.


raspberrybat
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Age 30
Female
Sweden
Seen July 21st, 2013
Posted May 3rd, 2011
29 posts
12.1 Years
I dislike starters, because I find them generic and plain, so I release them right away and replace them with a Pokemon I like, not necessarily of the same type. In second gen, for example, I dropped Chikorita for a Zubat and Magicarp (call me lame), but it was very challenging and satisfying to level and evolve them, and see them become real butt-kickers over time.
<---- evil pokemons of doom >8D

Vrai

can you feel my heart?

Age 28
Male
Seen October 24th, 2022
Posted April 1st, 2016
2,896 posts
14.9 Years
Do you prefer to keep your starter with you through the entire game or do you prefer to drop it for a different pokemon?

I've never actually released any of my Pokémon ever. If I don't use it, it'll sit in my box forever, but I won't release it. I've played a couple games where I got tired of using the starters but that mostly came around DPPt, when I restarted the game more times than I could count. x__x

If you prefer to keep your starter with you for the entire game, do you feel like it deepens your bond with your pokemon?

Sure. It doesn't do the opposite, at any rate. :3

If you prefer to drop your starter, what kinds of pokemon do you replace it with?

There has never really been a specific kind of Pokémon I'd replace a starter with. Maybe something functional of the same type, but aside from that I never had any specifications.