Which Is The Best Starter Temtem?

So, you've just started your official Temtem adventure, and you're immediately tasked with picking the creature that'll get you off to the best combat possible, but the question is: who do you pick? Let's look at the current starting Temtem gifted to you by Professor Konstantinos, their abilities, pros, cons, and everything in between to help you become the number one Tamer in Airborne Archipelago. 
 

Best Starter Temtem: Houchic

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Houchic is the Mental-type Temtem and is a great first starting pick. Houchic is known for their speed and abilities when it comes to special attacks, and also they're very rare to find early on in the game - giving you an advantage over the competition. However, it's useful to bear in mind that they WILL struggle when it comes to Electric-type attacks early on until you build them up into beasts, and you also won't get the full benefits of the Mental Alliance trait early on in the game until it is further developed.

Strong against: Neutral, Melee
Weak Against: Crystal
Trait: Soft Touch (when attacking a sleeping Temtem, it won't wake up)

Starting Stats:
HP: 24
Stamina: 22
Speed: 16
Attack: 14
Defence: 14
Special Attack: 17
Special Defence: 15

This Temtem is perfect for battling against common neutral types early on in the game, so if you plan on focusing more on special attacks, you're going to want to invest in Houchic. 

Best Starter Temtem: Crystle

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Crystle Temtems are a Crystal-type Temtem, making them defensively strong with a pretty solid attack. They're also rare early on in the game, similar to Houchic, and are useful when going against Barnshe at the beginning of the game. However, with all things that are good, Crystle does also have its fair share of cons. It's not the speediest of Temtem, doesn't hold up too well against the Fire Dojo and its move coverage isn't as good as the other Temtem. Not the end of the world, but important to bear in mind when choosing your starter. 

Strong against: Electric, Mental
Weak Against: Fire, Earth
Trait: Amphibian (When attacked with Water, speed increases)

Starting Stats:
HP: 27
Stamina: 22
Speed: 13
Attack: 16
Defence: 17
Special Attack: 14
Special Defence: 14

Best Starter Temtem: Smazee

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If you're planning on focusing on attack and speed, then you're going to want to invest in Melee-type Temtem, Smazee. Fever Rush trait is strong, I mean really strong, and will help carry you in combat if you're not the type of Tamer who wants to learn all the ins and outs of the abilities and techniques. Smazee's offensive stats are also unreal, but on the flip side, Smazee's defence ability is a lot lower than the other two options. You can also encounter a few other Melee-type Temtems early on in the game that you may even prefer like Saipat and Skunch, making your first pick ever so slightly redundant. 

Weak Against: Mental
Trait: Fever Rush (when getting a status condition, attack increases)

Starting Stats:
HP: 26
Stamina: 22
Speed: 16
Attack: 17
Defence: 14
Special Attack: 13
Special Defence: 13

Ultimately, your choice is going to shape the entire gameplay for you, but remember it's supposed to be fun - so take a look at the Temtem you feel is more YOU and go from there. Everything else can be taught along the way, but your first Temtem is sentimental and should be personal to you, regardless of the stats.