Picking a starter is basically the most stressful ten minutes of any Pokémon game. You’re sitting there in Cabo Poco, looking at three tiny creatures, knowing this choice defines the next forty hours of your life. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the choice for the gen 9 fire starter is Fuecoco, a goofy little crocodile that looks like it doesn't have a single thought behind those big, vacant eyes.
He’s adorable. Honestly, he’s probably the most "friend-shaped" starter we’ve seen in years. But beyond the aesthetics, there is a massive mechanical reason why this spicy pepper croc dominates the Paldea region meta.
Most people just pick based on looks. That's fine. If you want a grass cat or a pompadour duck, go for it. But if you actually want to breeze through the early game and have a literal monster on your team by the time you hit the Elite Four, you need to understand what makes the gen 9 fire starter tick.
The Fire Croc Evolution: From Derpy to Deadly
Fuecoco starts off as a pure Fire-type. Simple. Clean. Effective. You’ve got decent HP and physical defense right out of the gate, which is a lifesaver because the early game in Paldea can actually be kind of brutal if you wander into the wrong area too early. Unlike some past fire starters that felt like glass cannons—looking at you, Chimchar—Fuecoco can actually take a hit.
At level 16, he evolves into Crocalor. He gets a little egg-shaped hat that is actually a fireball. It’s weird, but it works. The real magic happens at level 36 when he becomes Skeledirge.
Skeledirge is a Fire/Ghost type. This is a massive deal. Having a Ghost typing gives you immunity to Normal and Fighting-type moves, which are everywhere in the mid-to-late game. But the real reason Skeledirge is the king of the gen 9 fire starter line isn't just the typing. It's his signature move: Torch Song.
Why Torch Song Changes Everything
Imagine a move that does 80 base power damage and guarantees a Special Attack boost every single time you use it. That is Torch Song. It’s broken. In a long battle, Skeledirge just gets stronger and stronger while the opponent struggles to chip away at his bulky HP pool. By the third turn, you’re hitting like a nuclear truck.
Most starters have a gimmick. Meowscarada has Flower Trick which always crits. That’s cool. Quaquaval has Aqua Step which raises speed. Also cool. But in the context of a playthrough, raising Special Attack while dealing damage is objectively the most efficient way to sweep through Gym Leaders.
Comparing the Gen 9 Fire Starter to Past Legends
We’ve had some heavy hitters in the past. Charizard is the classic. Blaziken defined the "Fire/Fighting" era that lasted way too long. But Skeledirge feels different. He’s a "bulky attacker," a role usually reserved for slow, boring Pokémon.
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He’s not fast. Let’s be real. Skeledirge has a base speed of about 66. You are going to get hit first. A lot. But because his physical defense is sitting at a comfortable base 100, he just shrugs it off. It’s a very different playstyle compared to Cinderace or Infernape. You aren't outspeeding the world; you're outlasting it.
The Ghost secondary typing also puts him in an elite club with Hisuian Typhlosion. While Typhlosion is more of a glass cannon with Eruption, Skeledirge is the wall that hits back. If you’ve played competitive matches on the ladder, you know how annoying a well-timed Unaware Skeledirge can be. Oh, did I mention his Hidden Ability? Unaware ignores the opponent's stat changes. That means if a boss Pokémon uses Swords Dance three times, Skeledirge literally does not care. He takes damage as if they never boosted at all.
Navigating the Paldea Gym Circuit
Let's look at the actual map. The first gym most people hit is Katy’s Bug-type gym in Cortondo. Fuecoco eats that for breakfast. Then you have Brassius and his Grass-types in Artazon. Again, easy mode.
The gen 9 fire starter gives you a massive head start. By the time you reach the more difficult challenges, like the Team Star bases or the Titan Pokémon, you’ve likely evolved into Crocalor or Skeledirge. The coverage you get from Ghost moves like Shadow Ball or Hex allows you to handle the Psychic and Ghost-type challenges that usually trip up Fire-type trainers.
There is one downside, though. Water and Rock are still your enemies. The Klawf Titan can be a nightmare if you aren't prepared. But that’s what team-building is for. You grab a Paldean Wooper or a Smoliv to cover your weaknesses, and suddenly your fire croc is unstoppable.
Hidden Mechanics: What the Game Doesn't Tell You
A lot of players overlook the importance of the "singing" aspect of Skeledirge. The little bird on his nose? That’s his microphone. In the lore, and visually in the game, the bird turns into a fireball when he attacks. It's one of the best designs Game Freak has put out in years because it actually integrates the Pokémon’s personality into its movepool.
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If you’re looking to optimize your gen 9 fire starter, you want a Modest or Bold nature. Modest boosts that Special Attack even further, making Torch Song terrifying. Bold boosts Defense, turning you into a physical tank. Stay away from Adamant or Jolly; Skeledirge is not a physical attacker, and he’s never going to win a race.
Also, don't sleep on Slack Off. It’s an egg move or can be learned via Mirror Herb. Having a reliable recovery move on a bulky Fire/Ghost type is almost unfair for in-game content. You can basically sit in front of an opponent, heal when needed, and boost your stats with Torch Song until you're ready to one-shot their entire team.
Community Reception and The "Ugly" Phase
There was a lot of talk when the final evolutions leaked. People loved Fuecoco, but some were put off by Skeledirge’s long, rectangular body. They wanted a bipedal "cool" crocodile. But honestly? We have enough bipedal starters. Skeledirge standing on four legs makes him feel more like a prehistoric beast.
He’s grown on the community. Hard. Especially since he became a staple in the VGC (Video Game Championships) competitive scene. While the grass cat Meowscarada saw a lot of play early on due to its speed, Skeledirge’s staying power has proven to be a massive asset in Regulation sets. He counters some of the most annoying physical attackers in the game just by existing.
Actionable Tips for Your Paldea Journey
If you’re just starting your journey or thinking about a second playthrough, here is exactly how to maximize the gen 9 fire starter:
- Don't over-level too early: The game has an open-world feel but the levels don't scale. If you blast through with only Fuecoco, you'll find the late-game gyms trivial and boring.
- Prioritize the Mirror Herb: As soon as you can, get a Mirror Herb from Delibird Presents in Cascarrafa. Use it to teach Skeledirge Slack Off by having a picnic with a Pokémon that already knows it (like Hippowdon). This makes him nearly unkillable in the main story.
- Terra Type Strategy: Stick with the Fire Tera type for raw damage, or consider switching to Fairy or Grass if you’re playing competitive. A Fire/Ghost type that can suddenly turn into a Fairy type is a nightmare for Dragon-type users like Hassel of the Elite Four.
- The Moveset: Your final build should ideally be Torch Song, Shadow Ball, Slack Off, and a coverage move like Earth Power or Will-O-Wisp. This setup covers almost every threat the game throws at you.
Skeledirge isn't just a starter; he's a win condition. Whether you’re a veteran player or this is your first time picking up a Nintendo Switch, the fire croc offers the most consistent and rewarding experience of the three Paldean starters. Just embrace the derpy pepper phase, because what comes next is a powerhouse that defines the generation.