Why do so few get a starter pokemon?

[MasterTrainer]

It used to be said that ALL new trainers start their journeys with a starter Pokemon. But in both the anime and games that point has been disproven as trainers with starter pokemon and their evolutions are rare. Only few have them and usually those trainers who are considered "special." Eg: protagonist, rival, gym trainers, cool trainers, lead characters in the anime?

But what qualifies a trainer to receive a starter pokemon from their regional professor?

Both the game and anime show no reason why any trainer can't pick a starter anytime. Any guesses to what gives someone the right to have a starter?

 

[Falconwing]

well, because destiny shines on your character, you jsut by chance get a rarer starter than the average trainer, who start with rattata or bidoof.

 

[Kaguya]

They stay near to the lab and the Professor recognize them?

 

[Envoy]

They put them in the box and never see them again?

 

[Usagi-Zakura]

In the anime quite a few people are apparently given starters.. Either a local professor or a Pokèmon-center.
It may just be that some parents chose to give kids their Pokèmon from other places.

In the games you usually get them because the professor wanted your help with the Pokedex/running errands, or he just likes you.

 

[Hytarin]

Most trainers start off on their own. These people either have pokemon who stumbled into their backyard or pokes passed down through the family. If you know a professer then you can have him help you. If he likes you.

 

[IslandWalker]

If you lived in Snowpoint, would you go ALL the way to Sandgem WITHOUT Pokémon for a starter? And may I add by FOOT. I think that's why.

 

[pikachu200]

depends on whether the professor like the person or if the starter pokemon likes the person or he/she has a pet pokemon that really likes him/her

 

[Stuntology]

They probably get starters, just not the same choice as the 3 we always get during the games.