The Three Starters of Sinnoh - Guide for Pokemon Pearl

1. Introduction

2. The starters

2.1 Turtwig, Grotle, and Torterra

2.2 Chimchar, Monferno, and Infernape

2.3 Piplup, Prinplup, and Empoleon

3. Strengths and Weaknesses

4. Closing
           1. Introduction

            Hello.  My name is Joseph.  This is my first guide, so read this if 
you want to know all about the starters and their forms.  All these Pokemon 
evolve twice, and change type at some point.

           2.The starters

            The three starter Pokemon that you choose from are Turtwig, a Grass 
type, Chimchar, a Fire type, and Piplup, a Water type.  They are all Level 5, 
so choose wisely; you only get one, and you won't be able to get the other two 
anywhere else (unless you trade with a friend, but I'm not going to go that 
far).  
           2.1  Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra

           Turtwig evolves into Grotle and that evolves into Torterra, which is 
a Grass-Ground type.  My opinion: Turtwig is very easy to riase and does a good 
job in the first and fourth gyms.

           2.2  Chimchar, Monferno, and Infernape

           Chimchar evolves into Monferno and that evolves into Infernape, with 
both second and final forms being Fire-Fighting types.  My opinion: Chimchar is 
farby the hardest starter to riase, but is the only fire type for quite some 
time.  I don't recommend choosing chimchar unless you're ready to lose in the 
first and fourth gyms (well, maybe the fourth gym, but you Chimchar users just 
get lucky in the first gym).

           2.3  Piplup, Prinplup, and Empoleon

           Piplup evolves into Prinplup and that evolves into Empoleon, which 
is a Water-Steel type.  My opinion: Piplup isn't very hard, yet not so easy to 
riase.  Perfect for beginning and expert trainers.  Yes, I really did choose 
Piplup to start with.  Unlike Chimchar, Piplup does a good job in the first 
gym, but...

           3.  Strengths and Weaknesses
           
           Now to cover the strengths and weaknesses of all the starters plus 
their forms:
           Turtwig and Grotle are weak against Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, and 
Bug type moves.  They are resistant to Water, Grass, Electric, and Ground 
moves.  Torterra is weak against Fire.  However, Ice type move cause FOUR TIMES 
the damage to this Pokemon. Yikes!!  It is immune to Electric type moves, but 
what's the point?
           Chimchar is weak to Water, of course, Ground, and Rock type moves.  
It is resistant to Fire, Grass, Ice and Bug moves.  Monferno and Infernape are 
weak against Water, Ground, Flying, and Psychic. They are resistant to Fire, 
Grass, Ice, and Dark moves.  Thanks to that big change, you now have a double 
Bug resistance.
           Piplup and Prinplup are weak against Grass and Electric type moves.  
They are resistant to Fire, Water, Ice, and Steel moves. Empoleon is weak 
against Electric, Fighting, and Ground moves. It is resistant to Normal, 
Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Ghost, Dragon, and Dark.  Thanks to that big 
change, you now have a double Ice AND Steel resistance plus, an immunity to 
Poison, preventing the PSN (Poison) status from ever happening. Also, the Steel 
side prevents the grass weakness, although Fire types now do normal damage.

           4.  Closing

            Now you know everything about the starters and their forms, so 
remember; choose wisely and have fun with it.