Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon Starter Pokémon and Partner Choices
Compare the 20 choices and build a pair with complementary ranges and types.
Edition covered
Original Nintendo 3DS release (2015 Japan/North America, 2016 Europe). Covers the offline adventure; discontinued Internet services are not required for these guides.
Choose the species you want to keep
The personality quiz proposes a Pokémon, but you can decline the result and choose directly. The partner must differ in type from the player, so decide which of the pair you most want to control before confirming.
| Region / group | Choices | Selection note |
|---|---|---|
| Kanto | Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle | Grass, Fire, Water |
| Johto | Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile | Grass, Fire, Water |
| Hoenn | Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip | Grass, Fire, Water |
| Sinnoh | Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup | Grass, Fire, Water |
| Unova | Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott | Grass, Fire, Water |
| Kalos | Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie | Grass, Fire, Water |
| Additional choices | Pikachu, Riolu | Electric and Fighting |
Compare moves as well as types
A ranged move can let the second Pokémon help from behind the leader. Two individually strong species may be awkward together if both need the same adjacent tile to contribute. Check new moves as they become available.
| Check | Why it matters | Practical choice |
|---|---|---|
| Different types | Partner eligibility restricts the pair | Choose a different type |
| Ranged attacks | An ally can act from behind | Keep a useful line attack |
| Shared weakness | Some opponents threaten both members | Carry a disabling wand |
| Move PP | A good attack can run dry | Keep an Elixir for a long trip |
Keep both partners supplied
The story pair is a long-term investment. Carry enough recovery for both and disable an ally move when its range or remaining PP makes it unsuitable for the current corridor.
Treat evolution as a later goal
The main adventure keeps the starting pair in their initial forms. Choose for the story experience rather than expecting immediate evolution at the level used by the main-series games.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Nintendo instruction manual | csassets.nintendo.com |
| Starter roster | www.serebii.net |