Nine choices
Pokémon SoulGold Starters
SoulGold is not HeartGold or SoulSilver. The official README says you choose from 9 starters, and the official FAQ explains how to get the rest.
ChespinGrass
FennekinFire
FroakieWater
ChikoritaGrass
CyndaquilFire
TotodileWater
SprigatitoGrass
TorchicFire
PopplioWaterThe nine choices
The starter case contains exactly three Grass, three Fire, and three Water choices. The list below is taken from the project’s starter selection code and pairs with the local Pokédex stats.
| Starter | Type | Base stat total | Regular / notable ability | Role cue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chespin | Grass | 313 | Overgrow / Bulletproof | Physical-leaning early partner with useful defenses. |
| Fennekin | Fire | 307 | Blaze / Magician | Special attacker with the highest early Speed among the Fire choices. |
| Froakie | Water | 314 | Torrent / Protean | Fast Water choice; flexible offensive typing through its ability. |
| Chikorita | Grass | 318 | Overgrow / Leaf Guard | Durable support-oriented Johto pick. |
| Cyndaquil | Fire | 309 | Blaze / Flash Fire | Fast special Fire line with a familiar Johto progression. |
| Totodile | Water | 314 | Torrent / Sheer Force | Physical Water line with strong attack growth. |
| Sprigatito | Grass | 310 | Overgrow / Protean | Fast, flexible option for players who like momentum. |
| Torchic | Fire | 310 | Blaze / Speed Boost | Offensive Fire/Fighting route with strong later payoff. |
| Popplio | Water | 320 | Torrent / Liquid Voice | Highest BST of the opening set and a special-leaning Water line. |
Stat note: these are base stats, not a promise about final in-game damage. Nature, EVs, learnset access, and the rest of your team still matter. Open any species in the local Pokédex for its full SoulGold record.
Choosing for a first run
- Want the simplest Johto identity? Pick Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile.
- Want immediate speed or special pressure? Fennekin, Froakie, Sprigatito, and Popplio make that plan easy to see in the stat line.
- Want a high-ceiling ability route? Torchic’s Speed Boost, Froakie/Sprigatito’s Protean, and Chespin’s Bulletproof are distinct long-term hooks.
- Want a future Mega target? Typhlosion, Meowscarada, and Primarina are explicitly called out as new starter Megas; the Bondstone list also includes Meganium and Feraligatr.
How to collect the rest
The Gachapon machine is behind the rewards counter in Goldenrod Casino. Entry costs at least 3,000 coins; putting in more coins improves the chance of avoiding a duplicate. The project gift guide describes it as a source for starters from any generation.
- Find the Coin Case in Goldenrod Underground.
- Build a coin reserve before spending if you want a complete starter set.
- Keep one save before a pull if you are testing the duplicate behavior or planning a specific collection order.
Shiny starter reset
Save in front of Elm’s starter case, inspect the balls, and hover the sprite. A shiny starter shows a gold-colored ball and a shiny sprite preview. If it is not the result you want, soft reset and check again. The shiny guide records no shiny locks and the global 1/256 odds.