Starter Pokemon in Diamond: Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup Guide

Starter Pokemon in Diamond: Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup Guide

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Introduction

Choosing the right starter pokemon in diamond is one of the most memorable decisions in Pokémon Diamond. That opening choice—Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup—shapes your early game, matchups against gym leaders, and team chemistry throughout the Sinnoh region. This guide breaks down each Sinnoh starter, their evolutions, type advantages, ideal movesets, and practical tips so you can pick the best starter for your playstyle.

Why your starter choice matters in Pokémon Diamond

The starter you pick affects early routes, rival battles, and how smoothly you clear the first gyms. In Pokémon Diamond Version, each starter has clear strengths and weaknesses against gym leaders and common wild Pokémon. Beyond early game, starters evolve into powerful forms—Turtwig into a Grass/Ground powerhouse, Chimchar into a Fire/Fighting attacker, and Piplup into an Ice/Water special attacker. Understanding those evolutions, abilities, and type advantages helps with team building and competitive planning.

Overview of Sinnoh starters: Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup

Here’s a quick snapshot of the three Sinnoh starters you can choose in Pokémon Diamond:

  • Turtwig — Grass type that becomes Grass/Ground when fully evolved. Excellent physical defense and longevity.
  • Chimchar — Fire type that becomes Fire/Fighting. Fast, high offensive stats, great for sweeping.
  • Piplup — Water type that becomes Water/Steel by evolution in some later games, but in Diamond it evolves to Water/Ice (empahsis on special attacks in team roles).

Each starter has a unique evolution line, signature moves they learn early, and differing usefulness against key gyms like Oreburgh and Eterna.

Deep dive: Turtwig — the durable Grass/Ground starter

Turtwig evolves into Grotle and then Torterra, gaining Ground typing that gives it powerful STAB (same-type attack bonus) with moves like Earthquake. Torterra is bulky and hits hard physically, making it an ideal choice for players who want a tank that also deals steady damage.

Strengths

  • Great bulk and HP for taking hits.
  • Access to strong physical moves: Earthquake, Wood Hammer, Seed Bomb (via TM/HM).
  • Excellent against Electric-type early threats thanks to Ground typing.

Weaknesses

  • 4x weakness to Ice (dangerous later vs. some gym leaders and wild Pokémon).
  • Slower speed means setup or support needed vs. faster sweepers.

Tips for using Turtwig

  • Use Turtwig to handle early Rock- and Ground-type gyms with a physical moveset.
  • Pair with a Flying or Fire teammate to cover the 4x Ice weakness.
  • Teach Earthquake (TM) as soon as possible to maximize Torterra’s damage output.

Deep dive: Chimchar — the fast Fire/Fighting attacker

Chimchar evolves into Monferno and then Infernape, gaining Fighting as a secondary type. Infernape is a top-tier offensive Pokémon in many formats because it combines speed and mixed attacking power. If you like aggressive play, Chimchar rewards with early momentum.

Strengths

  • High Speed and Attack/Special Attack stats—excellent sweeper.
  • Versatile movepool: Flamethrower, Close Combat, Mach Punch, Fire Blast via TM.
  • Great for beating Grass, Bug, and Ice types commonly found throughout Sinnoh.

Weaknesses

  • Relatively frail defenses—can be OHKO’d by strong Rock- or Water-type moves.
  • Early game can be tricky versus Rock-heavy trainers without backup.

Tips for using Chimchar

  • Capitalize on speed—use priority moves like Mach Punch and STAB moves.
  • Pair with a bulky Water or Rock teammate to handle tough gym encounters like Crasher Wake in later titles.
  • Consider EV training in Speed and Attack for a physical sweeper set, or mixed for more flexibility.

Deep dive: Piplup — the reliable Water/Ice special attacker

Piplup evolves into Prinplup and then Empoleon. Empoleon’s final typing offers unique resistances and a special-focused playstyle. In Diamond, a Piplup starter gives you strong coverage against Fire, Ground, and Rock types and synergizes with varied team comps.

Strengths

  • Great special attack stats with access to Surf, Ice Beam, and Hydro Pump via TM.
  • Useful resistances to Steel and Fire moves, making it a dependable core member.
  • Good defensive typing when used alongside Grass and Electric coverage in your team.

Weaknesses

  • Electric and Grass types can threaten Piplup and Empoleon.
  • Lower Speed than some sweepers—may need support or priority moves.

Tips for using Piplup

  • Teach Ice Beam to handle Dragon and Flying types effectively.
  • Pair Piplup with Electric-resistant teammates (Ground or Grass) to manage weaknesses.
  • Consider Calm or Modest natures for special attack growth if you plan to use Empoleon competitively.

How to pick the best starter pokemon in diamond for your playstyle

Not every trainer has the same goals. Below are common playstyles and the recommended Sinnoh starter for each:

  • Beginner / Balanced Play: Piplup gives reliable coverage and smoother gym progression.
  • Defensive / Turtwig Tank: Choose Turtwig if you prefer a bulky team anchor and slower, strategic battles.
  • Aggressive / Speed and Sweeps: Chimchar is perfect for players who like to take initiative and knock out opponents quickly.
  • Competitive / Mixed roles: Chimchar/Infernape is popular in higher-level play for mixed Attack types, while Empoleon offers unique tech with Water and Steel interactions.

Early-game gym matchups and the rival battle

Understanding how each starter fares against early gym leaders and the rival is essential:

  • Oreburgh Gym (Rock): Turtwig can struggle due to low speed, but Chimchar and Piplup both handle it well—Chimchar’s Fire attacks and Piplup’s Water moves make this gym easy.
  • Eterna Gym (Grass): Chimchar has a big advantage—Fire moves are strong. Piplup is neutral, while Turtwig will have a tough time.
  • Veilstone and Past Gyms: Piplup and Chimchar typically clear these faster thanks to wider movepools, but Turtwig shines later against Ground and Electric threats.
  • Rival Battles: Your rival’s team often balances against your choice; plan coverage moves (TM/level-up) to exploit weaknesses—in Diamond, Chimchar’s speed frequently helps in rival rematches.

Practical tips: movesets, EVs, and team building

To maximize your starter’s potential, consider these practical tips for movesets, EV training, and team synergy.

Movesets

  • Turtwig/Torterra: Earthquake, Wood Hammer, Synthesis, Stone Edge (coverage).
  • Chimchar/Infernape: Flare Blitz/Flamethrower, Close Combat, Mach Punch, Thunder Punch (coverage).
  • Piplup/Empoleon: Surf, Ice Beam, Flash Cannon, Whirlpool (utility).

EV/IV and Nature tips

  • For physical starters (Turtwig/Torterra): invest EVs in Attack and HP; sturdy natures like Adamant or Impish depending on role.
  • For Chimchar/Infernape: invest in Speed and Attack for physical, or Speed and Sp. Atk for mixed; Jolly or Timid natures often work.
  • For Empoleon: invest in Special Attack and HP or Speed if you want to outspeed threats; Modest or Calm are suitable.

Team building tips

  • Balance coverage: if your starter doubles up on weaknesses with another team member, you’ll be vulnerable to specific types.
  • Include an Electric or Grass counter if using Piplup; include a Fire or Flying check if using Turtwig; include a bulky Rock or Water if using Chimchar early on.
  • Use HMs and TMs strategically—Surf (HM03) and Strength (HM04) are often helpful for exploration in Sinnoh.

Examples and sample team comps

Here are practical team examples to illustrate synergy with each starter.

Team with Turtwig (example)

  • Torterra (starter): Earthquake, Wood Hammer, Leech Seed, Stealth Rock
  • Staraptor: Brave Bird, Close Combat, U-turn
  • Floatzel: Water moves for coverage
  • Lucario: Fighting/Steel coverage and priority
  • Gastrodon: Electric absorb and special tank

Team with Chimchar (example)

  • Infernape (starter): Flare Blitz, Close Combat, Mach Punch, Thunder Punch
  • Roserade: Grass/Poison special attacker
  • Garchomp: Dragon/Ground powerhouse
  • Staraptor: Physical flyer and priority
  • Blissey: Special wall and support

Team with Piplup (example)

  • Empoleon (starter): Surf, Ice Beam, Flash Cannon, Roar
  • Gyarados: Physical Water/Flying utility
  • Togekiss: Special attacker and flier
  • Roserade: Grass/Special coverage
  • Steelix: Ground/Steel for Electric resistance

Competitive considerations and long-term value

Thinking past the main story: some starters have a strong presence in competitive formats. Infernape (Chimchar evolution) is notably versatile and often used for its mixed attacking sets and high speed. Empoleon brings unique resistances and can serve as a special tank or utility lead. Torterra has niche usage with Ground STAB and access to powerful Earthquake.

Breeding, IVs, and EV training are important for competitive play: consider using the Day Care and Battle Tower to raise EVs, and use breeding chains to pass on desirable natures and moves. If you plan to trade to later games like Platinum or use online battle simulators, think about move tutor moves and compatibility across titles.

Common mistakes trainers make when choosing a starter

  • Picking based only on appearance—while aesthetic matters, ignoring type matchups can make early gyms harder.
  • Not planning team coverage—many players forget to add a teammate to handle the starter’s glaring weaknesses.
  • Neglecting EV training and TMs—starters shine with proper movesets and training.

FAQ

Below are five common questions about the starter pokemon in diamond with clear answers.

Q1: Which starter is best overall in Pokémon Diamond?

A1: There’s no single best option—each starter fits a playstyle. Chimchar is often seen as the strongest for aggressive players due to Infernape’s versatility; Piplup offers balanced special coverage; Turtwig is the best defensive anchor.

Q2: Does starter choice affect anything besides early battles?

A2: Yes. Your starter influences your midgame and late-game team synergy, available moves and TM usage, and some rival encounters. It can also affect competitive viability if you plan to develop the Pokémon for tournaments.

Q3: Can I change my starter later in the game?

A3: In Pokémon Diamond, you cannot change your chosen starter without trading. However, you can catch other similar types in the wild or trade with friends to adjust your team.

Q4: Which starter has the easiest early-game progression?

A4: Piplup often provides smooth early progression because Water-type moves are useful against many early gym trainers. Chimchar can make certain gyms trivial due to Fire effectiveness, while Turtwig may require more careful planning.

Q5: Should I worry about HMs and field moves when picking a starter?

A5: Field moves (HMs) like Surf and Strength are important regardless of your starter. Make sure your team can learn necessary HMs for exploration—starters can learn some HMs, but it’s better to have multiple Pokémon that can carry HMs so your starter remains a competitive combatant.

Conclusion

Choosing your starter pokemon in diamond is a fun, important decision. Turtwig offers durability and late-game power, Chimchar brings speed and offensive pressure, and Piplup provides balanced special coverage and team flexibility. Match your starter to your preferred playstyle—greedy sweepers pick Chimchar, methodical strategists choose Turtwig, and adaptable trainers pick Piplup. With the right movesets, EV training, and team synergy, any starter can carry you through Sinnoh and beyond.

Good luck, trainer—may your starter evolve into a cornerstone of a winning team in Sinnoh!