Your first pet in Prodigy is the friend who fights beside you from the very first battle, so pick it with care, but do not worry about picking wrong: every starter pet evolves twice into a strong final form, and you can catch the others later. The five modern starters are Charfoal (Fire), Sproot (Plant), Wott (Storm), Mermina (Water) and Snowfluff (Ice). This guide compares all five, shows what each one becomes, and helps you pick the starter that fits the way you want to play.
Meet the five starter pets
When you start Prodigy, the game offers you a choice of starter pets, one for each of the five original elements. Charfoal is the Fire starter, a little horse-like pet with a burning mane. Sproot is the Plant starter, a small dinosaur-like sprout. Wott is the Storm starter, a bat-like pet with big ears. Mermina is the Water starter, a small fish-like pet. Snowfluff is the Ice starter, a fluffy little creature built for the cold. Each one is free, each one is yours for the whole game if you want it to be, and each one evolves twice as it levels up, growing stronger and learning better spells. No starter is a trap: the game is balanced so that any of them can carry you through the early story, and the real difference is which element you want on your side in your first battles. If you want the full picture of every pet in the game, the Prodigy pets list: all pets and where to find them covers the whole collection in one place.
Charfoal: the fire starter
Charfoal is the Fire starter pet, and it is the pick for players who like to hit hard and fast. Fire spells hit plant pets hardest, so Charfoal is strong against the plant pets of the early game, and its evolutions keep that attacking style: Charfoal evolves into Inferneigh, and Inferneigh evolves into Pyromane, a powerful fire horse. Charfoal replaced Dragic as the fire starter in the 2019 Starter Pet Update, and it has been the fire choice ever since. Pick Charfoal if you want your first pet to be an attacker, and if you like the idea of a pet that grows from a small foal into a blazing horse. Its weakness is water: a water pet will hit Charfoal hard, so keep that in mind when you meet the water pets of Shipwreck Shore.
Sproot: the plant starter
Sproot is the Plant starter pet, and it is the steady, reliable pick. Plant spells hit water pets hardest, so Sproot is strong against the water pets you will meet early on, and its line is one of the best documented in the game: Sproot evolves into Budbeak at level 20, and Budbeak evolves into Pompalm at level 40. Sproot looks like a little dinosaur with a sprout on its head, and Pompalm is a big, friendly plant dinosaur that can take a hit as well as deal one. Pick Sproot if you want a balanced pet that stays useful all the way through the game, and if you like the idea of raising a pet from a tiny sprout into a towering plant dinosaur. Its weakness is fire, so a fire pet will burn it, but its bulk makes up for that in most early fights.
Wott: the storm starter
Wott is the Storm starter pet, and it is the pick for players who like speed and surprises. Storm spells hit water pets hardest, so Wott is strong against the water pets of the early game, and its line is fast and hard hitting: Wott evolves into Zipzap at level 20, and Zipzap evolves into Vamplifier at level 40. Wott is a little bat-like pet, and Vamplifier is a striking storm bat that hits hard. Pick Wott if you want your first pet to be quick and exciting, and if you do not mind a pet that hits hard but cannot take as many hits in return. Its weakness is plant, so a plant pet will trouble it, but in the early game its speed usually wins the fight first.
Mermina: the water starter
Mermina is the Water starter pet, and it is the pick for players who want a pet that is strong where it counts. Water spells hit fire pets hardest, so Mermina is strong against the fire pets of Bonfire Spire, and its line grows into something special: Mermina evolves into Cuddlefin, and Cuddlefin evolves into Aquamarina, a beautiful and powerful water pet. Do not confuse Mermina with Squibble: Squibble is a common water pet you can rescue in the wild, while Mermina is the starter you choose at the start of the game. Pick Mermina if you want a water pet from day one, and if you like the idea of a pet that starts small and grows into a graceful water creature. Its weakness is storm, so a storm pet will hit it hard, but its water spells are some of the most useful in the game. The water pet family is covered in detail in Water pets in Prodigy: how to catch and evolve them.
Snowfluff: the ice starter
Snowfluff is the Ice starter pet, and it is the pick for players who like a tough little fighter. Ice spells hit plant pets hardest in the old matchup, and Snowfluff’s line is one of the hardiest: Snowfluff evolves into Hail-Tail, and Hail-Tail evolves into Frostjaw, a big ice beast. Snowfluff is a small fluffy creature, and Frostjaw is a powerful ice pet that can stand up to hard hits. Pick Snowfluff if you want a pet that feels sturdy from the start, and if you like the cold mountain areas of the game, where ice pets feel at home. Its weakness is fire, so a fire pet will melt it, but its toughness makes it a good partner for long battles and boss fights.
How to choose your first pet
Choosing a starter comes down to three questions. First, which element do you like? Fire, Plant, Storm, Water and Ice each beat one element and lose to another, so there is no element that wins everything, and the one you enjoy is the right one. Second, do you want an attacker or a steady fighter? Charfoal and Wott hit hard and fast, while Sproot, Mermina and Snowfluff are steadier and tougher. Third, do you care about the final form? Every starter evolves twice into a strong final pet, so look at the final forms, Pyromane, Pompalm, Vamplifier, Aquamarina and Frostjaw, and pick the one you would most like to see fighting beside you at the end of the game. And remember the safety net: your choice is not permanent. You can rescue the other starter lines’ pets in the wild later, and the rules for growing any pet are the same, as explained in How to evolve pets in Prodigy. Pick the pet you like, train it by battling and answering questions, and evolve it when it is ready: that is the whole secret of a good first pet.
Frequently asked questions
What are the starter pets in Prodigy?
The five modern starter pets are Charfoal (Fire), Sproot (Plant), Wott (Storm), Mermina (Water) and Snowfluff (Ice). You pick one when you start the game, and each one evolves twice into a stronger final form.
Which starter pet is the best in Prodigy?
There is no single best starter: each one beats one element and loses to another, and all five evolve into strong final pets. Charfoal and Wott hit hard and fast, while Sproot, Mermina and Snowfluff are steadier. Pick the element and final form you like most.
Can I get the other starter pets later?
Yes. The starter pets can be found and rescued in the wild later in the game, and their evolution lines can be caught too, so your first choice does not lock you out of the others.
Is Squibble a starter pet in Prodigy?
No. Squibble is a common Water pet you can rescue in Firefly Forest, Shipwreck Shore or Skywatch. The Water starter pet is Mermina, which evolves into Cuddlefin and then Aquamarina.
What happened to Dragic and Peeko?
Dragic was the old Fire starter pet, replaced by Charfoal in the 2019 Starter Pet Update. Peeko was an early starter pet that is currently unobtainable in the game.
Related guides
- Prodigy pets list: all pets and where to find them
- How to evolve pets in Prodigy
- Water pets in Prodigy: how to catch and evolve them
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