Gen 10 Starters Revealed for Pokémon Winds and Waves Ahead of 2027 Launch

The long-awaited Gen 10 starters are officially here. During a Pokémon Presents broadcast on Friday, February 27, 2026 (ET), The Pokémon Company unveiled the starter trio for Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, the next mainline entries set to launch in 2027 exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2.

As always, the reveal instantly divided fans across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, with early debates focusing on design direction, possible final evolutions, and competitive potential.

Gen 10 Starters: Names, Types, and Abilities

The Gen 10 starters follow the classic Grass–Fire–Water structure that has defined the franchise since the very first generation.

While the abilities—Overgrow, Blaze, and Torrent—are traditional starter defaults, fans are already speculating about hidden abilities and secondary typings that could dramatically change how each Pokémon performs in battle.

Design Direction: Back to Simplicity With Personality

One of the biggest talking points about the Gen 10 starters is their visual clarity. Each Pokémon features a clean silhouette and strong color identity, making them instantly recognizable even in brief trailer clips.

• Browt (Grass) appeals to players who love bird-based starters and nature-forward aesthetics. Its leaf-like brow gives it personality without overcomplicating the design.

• Pombon (Fire) fits the “best friend” archetype—cute, expressive, and marketable. Fire-type dogs have historically performed well in popularity polls.

• Gecqua (Water) leans into cool-factor minimalism, with aquatic markings and a streamlined body that suggests speed or agility in its evolved forms.

The early consensus among fans is that this trio feels more “classic Pokémon” in spirit—less busy, more mascot-ready.

Competitive Speculation: Which Gen 10 Starter Could Dominate?

With no final evolutions revealed yet, competitive speculation is wide open. Historically, secondary typings and movepools determine long-term viability far more than base forms.

Here are the biggest theories circulating:

• Browt may gain a Flying or Fairy secondary typing, leaning into its avian traits.

• Pombon could evolve into a Fire/Fighting or Fire/Dark form, depending on how its personality develops.

• Gecqua is widely predicted to gain Water/Dragon or Water/Poison traits, based on its sleek, reptilian design.

Of course, starter evolution surprises have become a franchise tradition. What looks cute and simple at reveal can transform into something far more complex by final stage.

Why Gen 10 Starters Matter More Than Ever

The launch of Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves marks the franchise’s tenth generation—a symbolic milestone. As a result, expectations are unusually high. The Gen 10 starters are more than just companions; they set the emotional tone for an entirely new era.

This generation is also tied to Nintendo Switch 2 exclusivity, which suggests upgraded visuals, larger explorable environments, and more detailed animations. If the games lean further into open-world exploration, starter mobility and battle roles could become even more central to gameplay identity.

What Comes Next for Gen 10

With a 2027 release window, fans can expect a long marketing runway that includes:

• Starter evolution reveals

• Regional Pokédex introductions

• Legendary Pokémon announcements

• Battle mechanic details

• Competitive format previews

For now, the Gen 10 starters—Browt, Pombon, and Gecqua—have accomplished the most important first step: sparking conversation, fan art, and fierce loyalty debates. And if history is any guide, the real arguments won’t start until their final evolutions are finally revealed.