Best Pokemon Unbound Starters: Which One to Choose?
Choosing your starter in Pokemon Unbound sets the tone for the entire adventure. Unlike the official games, Unbound gives you three unusual options: Froakie (Water/Dark), Litten (Fire/Dark), and Rowlet (Grass/Flying). Each one evolves into a powerhouse, but the right choice depends on the difficulty mode you pick and your preferred playstyle.
This guide breaks down each starter’s stats, evolution lines, strengths, and weaknesses so you can make an informed decision. For a full walkthrough of the game, check out our best Pokemon Unbound guide. If you haven’t patched the ROM yet, see our how to patch Pokemon Unbound guide first.
Froakie – Water/Dark
Froakie evolves into Frogadier and then Greninja, a fast special attacker with a great movepool. Its Water/Dark typing gives it excellent coverage – Water hits Ground, Rock, Fire; Dark hits Ghost and Psychic. The only common weakness is Fighting, and you can patch that with a teammate like a Ghost type. Greninja’s ability Protean (changes type to match the move used) makes it unpredictable and strong in any battle. If you want a fast, offensive starter that can sweep late-game bosses, Froakie is your pick.
Best difficulty mode: Expert or below – Protean shines when you have full control over move selection.
Litten – Fire/Dark
Litten evolves into Torracat and then Incineroar, a bulky physical attacker with Intimidate. Incineroar’s Fire/Dark typing is identical to Greninja’s offensively, but it trades speed for bulk and utility. Intimidate lowers the opponent’s Attack, which helps the whole team survive. Its movepool includes Flare Blitz, Knock Off, and Throat Chop. Litten is a solid choice if you prefer a slower, tankier style that can pivot and support your team.
Best difficulty mode: Insane – Intimidate and bulk let you survive hits that would KO Greninja.
Rowlet – Grass/Flying
Rowlet evolves into Dartrix and then Decidueye, a mixed attacker with a unique Ghost/Grass typing (after final evolution). Decidueye gets Long Reach, which prevents contact effects like Rocky Helmet or Static. Its movepool includes Spirit Shackle, Leaf Blade, and Brave Bird. The Grass/Flying typing has a 4x weakness to Ice, but you can cover that with a Fire or Steel type. Rowlet is the best choice for a balanced team that needs a reliable Grass STAB and a priority move (Shadow Sneak).
Best difficulty mode: Vanilla or Expert – Decidueye’s speed is good but not top-tier, so it benefits from lower enemy stats.
Which starter should you pick?
| Starters | Type | Final Evolution | Best For | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Froakie | Water/Dark | Greninja | Fast special sweeper | Expert & below |
| Litten | Fire/Dark | Incineroar | Bulky pivot / support | All, especially Insane |
| Rowlet | Grass/Flying | Decidueye | Balanced mixed attacker | Vanilla / Expert |
There is no wrong choice – each starter has a clear role. Froakie is the best speedster, Litten the tank, and Rowlet the balanced option. If you’re playing on Insane difficulty, Litten’s Intimidate and bulk give you the most breathing room. For a casual playthrough, pick the one you like the most.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get all three starters in Pokemon Unbound?
Yes. You can catch the other two starters later in the game via the Safari Zone or by trading with NPCs. Your initial choice only affects the first few gyms.
Which starter is best for a mono-type run?
Froakie and Litten share the Dark type, so they fit a mono-Dark team. Rowlet is Grass/Ghost – good for a Ghost run but not mono-Grass due to its secondary typing.
Do the starters have hidden abilities available?
Yes. Froakie gets Protean, Litten gets Intimidate, and Rowlet gets Long Reach. These are available from the start – no need to breed or use Ability Capsules.
For more detailed tips, see our full Pokemon Unbound walkthrough. If you need help setting up the ROM, the patching guide covers everything from downloading the patch to applying it correctly.