- Pokemon Rejuvenation Tier List ranks Torchic, Grookey, and Scorbunny as the undisputed S-Tier kings.
- Field Effects are the most critical factor in determining a starter's viability in this difficult fan game.
- Crest Items significantly buff lower-tier starters like Samurott, Meganium, and Torterra into late-game powerhouses.
- Speed and Priority moves are essential for surviving the brutal boss battles and Gym Leader encounters.
Pokemon Rejuvenation Tier List: S-Tier Starters
Choosing the right starter is the most important decision you will make in your journey through the Aevium region. Unlike official games, this title features a punishing difficulty curve where a single bad matchup can lead to a total team wipe. The S-Tier represents Pokemon that possess "broken" abilities or mechanics that allow them to bypass standard game constraints.
Video Highlights:
- Speed Boost Mastery: Why Torchic remains the "Easy Mode" choice for most players.
- Field Control: How Grookey uses Grassy Surge to overwrite dangerous enemy terrains.
- Versatility: The power of Libero and Protean on Cinderace and Greninja for type-matching.
- Early Game Dominance: Starters that can solo the first three gyms with minimal support.
Torchic (Blaziken)
- Speed Boost Ability
- High Jump Kick / Blaze Kick
- Can solo most late-game bosses
Grookey (Rillaboom)
- Grassy Surge Ability
- Immediate Field Control
- Massive priority with Grassy Glide
Scorbunny (Cinderace)
- Libero Ability
- High Speed and Attack
- Pyro Ball field-breaking power
Torchic is widely considered the best overall pick because Speed Boost allows it to outpace even the fastest "Pulse" or "Mega" variants used by enemy trainers in the late game.
A-Tier and B-Tier: Reliable Performance
The A-Tier and B-Tier consist of Pokemon that are exceptionally strong but may require specific team support or the acquisition of their Hidden Ability to truly shine. These starters often excel in specific niches, such as weather setting, dual screens, or field-effect manipulation.
| Tier | Pokemon | Primary Strength | Key Ability |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-Tier | Greninja | Protean versatility | Protean |
| A-Tier | Incineroar | Intimidate / Parting Shot | Intimidate |
| A-Tier | Mudkip | Water/Ground defensive typing | Damp / Torrent |
| B-Tier | Fennekin | Magician / Mystical Fire | Magician |
| B-Tier | Snivy | Leaf Storm / Contrary setup | Contrary |
| B-Tier | Chimchar | Iron Fist / High Speed | Iron Fist |
Incineroar is a standout in the A-Tier due to its utility in Double Battles, which are frequent in the Aevium region. Its access to Intimidate and Fake Out can shut down physical attackers effectively. Meanwhile, Mudkip's evolution, Swampert, provides a crucial immunity to Electric-type moves, which is vital for the early-game challenges against Julia and Tesla.
If you pick Snivy, do not evolve it too early. Snivy learns Leaf Storm much earlier than its evolved forms, allowing you to abuse the Contrary ability sooner.
The Impact of Crests on Rankings
One of the unique mechanics in the pokemon rejuvenation tier list is the inclusion of "Crests." These are held items specific to certain Pokemon that provide massive stat boosts or additional secondary types. Several starters that are traditionally considered "weak" become S-Tier contenders once you obtain their respective Crest.
| Pokemon | Crest Effect | New Viability |
|---|---|---|
| Samurott | Adds Fighting type / Attack boost | S-Tier (Late Game) |
| Meganium | Dual Screens on entry / Def boost | A-Tier (Support) |
| Torterra | Massive Bulk / Field Shattering | A-Tier (Tank) |
| Typhlosion | Special Attack boost / Fire buff | B+ Tier (Sweeper) |
| Empoleon | Competitive boost / Defenses | A-Tier (Utility) |
The Samurott Crest is a game-changer, transforming the pure Water-type into a Water/Fighting powerhouse. However, because Crests are often found in the mid-to-late game, these Pokemon may struggle during the initial gym badges compared to the "natural" power of Torchic or Grookey.
Crests are not available at the start of the game. You must explore side quests and hidden areas to find them, meaning your "Crest-reliant" starter will be weaker for the first 30-40 hours of gameplay.
Starter Selection Step-by-Step Guide
Choosing your starter involves more than just looking at a tier list; you must consider your intended team composition and the specific difficulty settings you are playing on (Casual, Normal, or Intense).
Identify Your Playstyle
Decide if you want a "Hyper Offensive" team or a "Stall/Balance" team. Offensive players should lean towards Torchic or Scorbunny, while defensive players will prefer Mudkip or Piplup.
Check Hidden Abilities
In Pokemon Rejuvenation, you can change abilities using Ability Capsules or Patches. Ensure your chosen starter has a viable Hidden Ability (like Protean or Speed Boost) available.
Analyze Early Gyms
The first few gyms (Electric, Poison, Grass) are notoriously difficult. Picking a Fire-type like Fennekin or Charmander can make the early-game much smoother.
Plan for Field Effects
Learn how your starter interacts with fields. For example, Turtwig's Earthquake can shatter many terrains, removing the opponent's home-field advantage.
Avoid Tepig (Emboar) if you are playing on Intense difficulty. Its slow speed and poor defensive typing make it a liability against the high-speed, high-damage teams used by early-game bosses.
Lower Tier Starters: Challenges and Niches
The C-Tier and D-Tier starters aren't necessarily "bad," but they are outclassed by other options or require too much setup to be effective in the Aevium meta. Squirtle, for instance, is traditionally weak, but in V13.5, it gains access to Shell Smash at level 24, which gives it a temporary niche as a setup sweeper.
| Pokemon | Tier | Reason for Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Tepig | D-Tier | Low speed, common weaknesses |
| Oshawott | C-Tier | Needs Crest to be viable |
| Chikorita | C-Tier | Pure Grass is a poor defensive type |
| Chespin | B-Tier | Great early, falls off late-game |
| Squirtle | C-Tier | Only viable with Shell Smash |
While Squirtle is "hot garbage" in similar fan games like Pokemon Reborn, the specific move-pool changes in Rejuvenation allow it to function as a powerful early-game sweeper. However, it still lacks the raw utility and late-game scaling found in the S-Tier.
If you choose a lower-tier starter for the challenge, make sure to pair it with strong "Encounter" Pokemon found early on, such as Meowth (Technician) or early-game Flying types.
Checklist for Starter Success
To maximize the potential of your chosen starter, follow this checklist as you progress through the Aevium region.
Essential Starter Milestones:
- Obtain the Hidden Ability Patch for your starter
- Locate the specific Crest item if applicable
- EV train for Speed and Primary Attack stat
- Teach field-changing moves (e.g., Nature Power, Mist)
- Reach final evolution before the 4th Gym Leader
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which starter is best for a beginner in Pokemon Rejuvenation?
Torchic is the best for beginners. Its Speed Boost ability and strong Fire/Fighting typing allow it to brute-force through many difficult encounters.
Q: Can I get other starters later in the game?
Yes, all starters from Generations 1-8 are available as rare encounters or rewards for side quests later in the game, but your first choice remains your primary partner for the early sections.
Q: Why is Grookey ranked so high on the tier list?
Grookey provides Grassy Surge, which changes the field effect to Grassy Terrain. This is vital for removing dangerous enemy fields and provides passive healing and a boost to Grass-type moves.
Q: Is the Pokemon Rejuvenation tier list different from Pokemon Reborn?
Yes, because Rejuvenation features unique items called Crests and different move-pool availability (like early Shell Smash for Squirtle), which changes the viability of several Pokemon.