All Grass-type starters in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC, ranked

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Regulation G ruleset has brought restricted Pocket Monsters back into competitive play. While this was a bit of a struggle for many metagame staples at the time of the transition, Grass-type starters have remained some of the most consistent creatures in the games' competitive scene.

However, as the titles age, certain Grass-type Pokemon shift in power through buffs to movepools, stats, alternate forms, hidden abilities, and so on. This means it can be a bit difficult to keep track of which ones are good in the current competitive format.

Here is every Grass-type starter in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's VGC, ranked from worst to best.

Note: This list is made from usage stats and data collected from Pikalytics, as well as the author's opinions.

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Ranking Grass-type starters in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC

9) Meganium

Meganium has no viability in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's competitive scene whatsoever.

When used in competitive play, it's mostly for Heal Pulse and Safeguard to support the player's restricted Pocket Monsters. There are much better support options in the metagame.

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8) Torterra

Torterra received great buffs with the addition of Shell Smash to its movepool, as well as its possession of the Loaded Dice item that gives it great damage with Bullet Seed and Rock Blast. However, this only really helped it in single battles.

Since VGC is strictly a double-battle format, these buffs do not help Torterra. With Icy Wind being such a common move, being a Grass- and Ground-type critter in the current meta is a big liability.

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7) Decidueye

Decidueye is a decent offensive choice, with Grass and Ghost being an almost unique type combination in the franchise. It also has decent bulk with 75 Defense and HP, but 110 Special Defense.

Decidueye's main use in the metagame is to set Tailwind and damage with priority moves. However, Tornadus is much better at setting the field condition.

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6) Serperior

One hidden ability is all it takes to turn this normally-atrocious Starter Pokemon into an absolute menace.

With Contrary as its ability and the move Leaf Storm, Serperior can deal incredible Grass-type damage while receiving a boost to its Special Attack, increasing the damage of the next Leaf Storm.

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5) Sceptile

Sceptile gained access to Shed Tail, a new move introduced in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. This move allows it to sacrifice a portion of its health to switch out with a teammate, leaving behind a substitute for the now-active battler.

This substitue acts as a shield from damage and status moves from the opponent.

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4) Chesnaught

Chesnaught is a decent wall in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, thanks to its hidden ability, Bulletproof.

With access to defense-stacking moves like Iron Defense, as well as support moves like Spiky Shield, Helping Hand, Feint, and Wide Guard, Chesnaught has the capacity to stay on the field for quite some time.

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3) Meowscarada

Meowscarada is a great utility attacker for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's VGC format.

Not only does the critter have access to hard-hitting moves like Flower Trick and Sucker Punch, but it also has decent utility. Moves like U-Turn help the Pocket Monster switch itself out, and Knock Off removes its opponent's held items.

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2) Venusaur

Venusaur is one of the best sun sweepers in the current metagame. With the Chlorophyll ability and access to Solarbeam and Weather Ball, the Pocket Monster has the speed and power to obliterate most of the metagame.

Venusaur can also use Sleep Powder to put an opponent to sleep, skipping their turns until they wake up.

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1) Rillaboom

Rillaboom is the definitive best Grass-type starter of all time.

With access to Grassy Glide and Grassy Terrain from its Grassy Surge ability to give the move priority, Rillaboom has quickly become the most potent attackers in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's metagame when paired with Incineroar.