"Determining Easy, Normal, and Hard modes for each region, based on Starter Pokémon."

Everyone knows the idea that, in the Kanto-based games, Bulbasaur is easy mode because it has an advantage against the first few gyms, Squirtle is normal mode because it has an advantage over the first, and Charmander is hard mode because it is weak to the first two gyms. I was curious, and had some free time, so I decided to figure out based on each region.There were certain factors that were hard to put together in a way that made sense, but I think I found a satisfying rulesets, based on a point system.If a Pokémon's main type of either Grass, Fire, or Water is super effective against the Gym Leader or Elite Four member's primary type, then they get +1 point.If a Pokémon resists the Gym Leader/Elite Four member's type, or they have an immunity to the attacking type, they get +.5 points.If a Pokémon is weak to the Gym Leader/Elite Four member's type, they get -1 point.If the Gym Leader/Elite Four member's type resists Starter's type, or is immune to it, then they get -.5 points.Lastly, if the Starter Pokémon and the Gym Leader/Elite Four's type do neutral damage to each other, than no points will be added or subtracted.There were other factors, such as multiple typings and evolutions, that I included accordingly. I based where each Pokémon would evolve based on the idea that the starter Pokémon will always be a couple levels higher than the Gym Leader's Pokémon, and discounted Mega Evolutions, because they really only affect Hoenn, so it was really unnecessary. Also, for trainers without a type, like Blue or Cynthia, they were not counted. Finally, since I know Alola does not have Gym Leaders, I instead used the Trial Captains and Totem Pokémon as a basis for their type advantages.Editor's Note: I included two score numbers. The first is based on how well the Starter Pokémon did against the 8 Gym Leaders, while the second is based on that, plus how well they did against the Elite Four and Champion. In essence, the second number is based on the overall score, and is the ultimate deciding factor for the Pokémon.Kanto+Easy: Squirtle. I'm sure this will come as a surprise to many, but yes, taking the full region's league into account, Squirtle has by far the most advantages. Squirtle has a type advantage over Brock, Blaine, and Giovanni (+3) while also resisting Blaine and Lorelai (+1). However, Squirtle has the type disadvantage against Lt. Surge and Erika, (-2) and is resisted by Erika and Lance (-1) (side: with one exception, Dragon type trainers will always resists the Starter Pokémon, so they are almost always -.5). That being said, and with Squirtle being neutral to all other members, Squirtle ended up with the highest total score, at 1, which was for both the Gyms and the overall League.+Normal: Bulbasaur. Now, technically speaking, Bulbasaur and Charmander were tied, and there were several ties throughout this little research. And, whenever there was a tie, I based the numbers on Gyms, since that is the early game, and by the Elite Four, you've got your team set. Getting back on track, Bulbasaur, as we all know, as the type advantage against Brock, Misty, and Giovanni, (+3) and resists Misty, Lt. Surge, and Bruno (+1.5). Bulbasaur, in the later stages of the game, has the disadvantage against Sabrina, Blaine, and Lorelai, (-3) and is resisted by Koga, Blaine, and Lance (-1.5). The overall score was 1 for the 8 Gym Leaders, and 0 for the overall.+Hard: Charmander We all knew this poor guy was gonna be the hard choice. Charmander only has the advantage against Erika and Lorelai (+2), and resists Erika, Giovanni (because of Charizard's immunity to Ground type attacks), and Bruno (+1.5). Charmander has the opposite problem that Bulbasaur had: weak in the early game, but strong late game. Charmander just can't ignore having the disadvantage and resistants' from Brock, Misty, and Lance (-3.5). From the Gyms, Charmander had a score of -1, and 0 for the overall league.+Lunatic: Pikachu. Yes, I'm counting it. Not that it matters, because Pikachu was always going to get the short end of the stick in Yellow, because it was stuck in its first stage. Pikachu only has the type advantage against Misty (+1), and resists none of the Gym Leaders/Elite Four. Pikachu is at a disadvantage against Giovanni, who is also immune to Electric types (-1.5). Pikachu is also resisted by Erika and Lance (-1). Being neutral to all other members, Pikachu's score was -1 for the Gyms, and -1.5 overall.Johto+Easy: Cyndaquil. Just as a spoiler, the Johto League is by far the most skewed. With the new Gym Leaders being used as the types that weren't used by the original 8 Gym Leaders, the Fire types rain supreme. Cyndaquil is super effective and has resistance against Bugsy, Jasmine, and Pryce (+4.5). None of the Gym Leaders or Elite Four members are super effective against Cyndaquil, with the only members being resistant to Fire are Clair and Lance (-1) (both Dragon users). Cyndaquil's score for Gyms is 4, with an overall League score of 3.5.+Normal: Totodile. Not much to say here. Totodile actually doesn't have either a type advantage or disadvantage in the Johto League. Totodile resists Jasmine and Pryce (+1), and is resisted by Clair and Lance (-1). Totodile has a score of .5 for the Gyms, and 0 as an overall score.+Hard: Chikorita. Poor, poor Chikorita. Chikorita has the unfortune distinction of not having an advantage or type resistance against ANY Gym Leader or Elite Four. It has the disadvantage against Falkner, Bugsy, Pryce, and Koga (-4), and is resisted by Falkner, Bugsy, Jasmine, Clair, Koga, and Lance (-3). Chikorita's score for Gyms is -5, already one of the lowest scores we'll be seeing today, but has an overall score of -7, the lowest number here. Overall, Chikorita is technically the worst Starter, based solely on the regions.Hoenn+Easy: Mudkip. Yep, another Water type is the easiest. Mudkip has the advantage against Roxanne and Flannery (+2), & resists Flannery and Steven (+1). Mudkip is also immune to Wattson, because of Marshtomp being part Ground, and thus immune to Electric attacks (+.5). Like Cyndaquil and Totodile, Mudkip doesn't have the type disadvantage against any Gym Leader or Elite Four. Mudkip though, is resisted by Wallace (normally Pokémon of the same type wouldn't be included, because they are both resisted by and against each other, but because of Swampert's Ground typing, they take normal damage from Wallace, while Wallace resists Water types) and Drake (-1). For the Gyms, and the overall League, Mudkip has a score of 2.5.+Normal: Treeko. Again, this one is technically a tie, but because Treeko did better in the Gym portion, he gets to be the Normal difficulty. Treeko has the type advantage against Roxanne and Wallace (+2), and resists Wattson and Wallace (+1). However, Treeko is at a disadvantage against Flannery, Winona, and Glacia (-3). Treeko's Grass typing is also resisted by Flannery, Winona, Drake, and Steven (-2). Treeko's score for Gyms was 0, and overall was -2.+Hard: Torchic. The Fire type really is the "Bad at Gyms, better at Elite Four" type of Starter. Torchic only has the type advantage against Glacia and Steven, and resists those two (+3), as well as Sidney, thanks to the oh so popular Fire/Fighting type combination (+.5). However, Torchic is at a disadvantage against Roxanne, Winona, Tate+Liza, and Wallace (-4). Torchic's Fire is also resisted by Roxanne, Wallace, and Drake (-1.5). Torchic's score for Gyms was -5, and overall was only -2.EmeraldIn Pokémon Emerald, rather than fighting the Steel expert Steven, players fight the Water expert Wallace. This did have the following affects on the numbers, but not on overall rankings. Discounting Steven, and counting Wallace, Mudkip has 1.5 points, Treeko has 0 points, while Torchic has -5 points.Sinnoh+Easy: Piplup (noticing a pattern?). Piplup has the type advantage against only Roark and Flint (but does not resist him because of Empoleon's Steel typing) (+2), and resists Byron, Candice, Aaron, and Lucian (+2). Piplup is at the disadvantage against Gardenia (who also resists water), and Volkner (-2.5) For Gyms, Piplup was actually the lowest of the three Sinnoh Starters at -.5, but bounces back in the Elite Four, for an overall score of 1.5.+Normal: Chimchar. Yep, for once the Fire Starter isn't either Hard or Easy mode, we finally have a middle grounder. Chimchar is strong against, and resists, Gardenia, Byron, Candice, and Aaron (+6), but is weak against Roark, Crasher Wake, Bertha, and Lucian (-4). Chimchar is also resisted by Roark and Crasher Wake (-1), giving him a score of 1.5 for Gyms, and 1 overall.+Hard: Turtwig. Turtwig is at the advantage against Roark, Crasher Wake, and Bertha (+3), and also resists Crasher Wake, Volkner, and Bertha (+1.5). However, Turtwig is at the disadvantage against Candice, Aaron, and Flint (-3), and has its Grass type resisted by Byron, Aaron, and Flint (-1.5). Turtwig starts strong in the Gyms, with a score of 1.5, but ends up with a 0. Not the worst compared to some other Hard mode starters, but it is the worst for the Sinnoh Starters.Unova 1(I decided to split up Unova into two sections, one for Black and White, and the other for Black 2 and White 2)+Easy: Tepig. We have another tie, this time for Easy and Normal modes. Technically, each of the Unova Starters begin at a disadvantage, because the first Gym Leader changes depending on the Starter chosen, giving each of them -1.5 to start. Tepig, however, has the type advantage against Burgh and Brycen (+2), and resists those two, along with resisting Grimsley (+1.5). Tepig is at a disadvantage against Cress, Clay, Skyla, and Caitlin (-4). Tepig is resisted by Cress, and Drayden/Iris (-2), giving Tepig a score of -1 for Gyms, and -1.5 overall.+Normal: Oshawott. Oshawott is super effective against only Clay (+1), and resists Brycen (+.5). Oshawott, however, is at a disadvantage against Cilan and Elesa (-2), and is resisted by Cilan and Drayden/Iris (-1). Because Oshawott is neutral to each member of the Elite 4, Oshawott's overall score is -1.5.+Hard: Snivy. Snivy, like Oshawott, is only super effective against one Gym Leader, Clay (+1), but resists Elesa and Clay (+1). It all goes down hill for Snivy, however, because it is at a type disadvantage against Chili, Burgh, Skyla, and Brycen (-4), and is resisted by Chili, Burgh, Skyla, and Drayden/Iris (-2). Like Oshawott, Snivy is neutral to the entire Elite 4, giving it a total score of -4. As we can see, the Unova starters did not have the best luck compared to the other Starters, with the highest scores being negative.Unova 2+Easy: Oshawott. There weren't that many additions to the Unova League in B2W2, but they did have an impact on the rankings here. Oshawott keeps the sole advantage against Clay (+1), it does not resist any other type in Unova. It keeps the disadvantage against Elesa (-1), and is resisted by Drayden and the new Champion Iris (-1), giving it a score of -.5 for Gyms, and -1 overall.+Normal: Snivy. Snivy keeps the advantage and resistance against Clay, but now also has the upper hand against Marlon (+3), and still resists Elesa (+.5). Snivy though, still is at the disadvantage and resistance against not only Burgh and Skyla, but also new Gym Leader Roxie (-4.5), With Snivy also being resisted by the Dragon experts Drayden and Iris (-1), Snivy has a score of -1.5 for Gyms, and -2 overall.+Hard: Tepig. While the other two starters benefited from the loss of the Striaton Gym Leaders, Tepig is still loses to the new Water Gym Leader. Tepig only had the advantage and resistance against Burgh (+1.5), and the resistance against Grimsley (+.5), but is still at a type disadvantage against Clay, Skyla, Marlon, and Caitlin (-4), and is resisted by Drayden, Marlon, and Iris (-1.5). This leaves Tepig with a score of -2.5 for Gyms, and -3.5 for an overall score. The Unova Starters just all around got the short end of the stick.Kalos+Easy: Fennekin. Once again, when Fire dominates, it dominates hard. Fennekin has the type advantage against Viola, Ramos, Wulfric, and Wikstrom (+4), and resists each of those four, along with Valerie and Olympia (+3). Fennekin does have the disadvantage against and resistance against Grant and Siebold (-3). Fennekin is also resisted by the Dragon trainer Drasna, giving is a Gym score of 4, and an overall score of 3.5.+Normal: Froakie. Will Water ever be considered Hard mode? Maybe. Froakie is actually only super effective against Grant and Malva (+2), but resists Wulfric, Malva, and Wikstrom, along with being immune to Olympia's Psychic typing as a Greninja (+2). Froakie, however, is at a disadvantage against Ramos, Clemont, and Valerie (-3), and is resisted by Ramos and Drasna (-1). This leaves Froakie with a score of -1.5 for Gyms, and 0 overall.+Hard: Chespin. That leaves poor Chespin as Hard mode. Chespin is only super effective against Grant and Siebold (+2), and only resists Clemont and Siebold (+1). However, Chespin, and its Fighting evolution Chesnaught, is weak to Viola, Valerie, Olympia, Wulfric, and Malva (-5), and has its Grass type resisted by Viola, Malva, Wikstrom, and Drasna (-2). This leaves Chespin with -3 at the Gyms, and -4 overall.Alola+Easy: Popplio. Finally, based on the Island Challenge and the Alola Elite 4, Popplio wins by a landslide. It is super effective against at Kiawe, Olivia [both in the trial and Elite 4], and Hapu (+4), and resists Kiawe, Nanu, and Hala during the Elite 4 only because of Primarina's Fairy typing (+1.5). Popplio is only at a disadvantage against only Mallow and Sophocles (-2) and is only resisted by Mallow (-.5). Because of Primarina's Fairy typing, Popplio is the only Starter that is even with the Dragon type, since, while the Water isn't very effective, the Dragon moves won't his Primarina. After all the trials are done, Popplio has a score of 1.5, and an overall score of 3.+Normal: Rowlet. Rowlet is super effective against Lana, Hapu, and Olivia during the Elite 4 (because Rowlet takes super effective damage as a Flying type from the Rock type, but not as Decidueye) (+3). Rowlett also resists Hala, Lana, and Hapu, and also is immune to Hala during the Elite 4 (+2). Rowlet, however, is weak to Kiawe, Acerola [during the Trial and Elite 4], Nanu, and Kahili (-5). The Grass type is resisted by Kiawe, Kommo-o, and Kahili (-1.5). This leaves Rowlet with a Trial score of -.5, and an overall score of -1.5.+Hard: Litten. Fitting, that Fire was the original Hard mode, and is Hard mode again for the 20th anniversary. Litten is only super effective against Mallow (+1) but resists Mallow, Acerola [both the Trial and Elite 4 versions], and Nanu (+2). Litten, though, mostly because of the Dark typing, suffers the worst from the Alola starters. Litten is at a disadvantage against Lana, Olivia [both the Trial and Elite 4 versions], Hapu, and Hala during the Elite 4, (-5). Litten's Fire is resisted by Lana, Olivia [both versions], and Kommo-o (-2). Thus, Litten is left with a Trial score of -2, and a League score of -4.USUMIn Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, rather than fighting Hala at the Elite 4, you fight the Steel trainer Molayne. This changes the scores and rankings for the Alolan starters. Popplio is still Easy with a score of 2.5, Litten is now Normal with -1.5, and Rowlet is Hard with a score of -2.5.tl;dr version+Easy: Squirtle, Cyndaquil, Mudkip, Piplup, Tepig (BW), Oshawott (B2W2), Fennekin, and Popplio (SMUSUM)+Normal: Bulbasaur, Totodile, Treeko, Chimchar, Oshawott (BW), Snivy (B2W2), Froakie, and Rowlet (SM) or Litten (USUM)+Hard: Charmander, Chikorita, Torchic, Turtwig, Snivy (BW), Tepig (B2W2), Chespin, and Litten (SM) or Rowlet (USUM)+Lunatic: Pikachu via /r/pokemon https://ift.tt/2IQyyA1