Pokemon Discussion

[Jasik]

In order to remove clutter from the Cbox, all Pokémon discussion will be conducted in this thread.

[Prince Inigo]

Coolio.

Alright, I want to ask some advice on my current team and the moves they might learn through breeding - but more towards my choice of Pokemon. Here's the types I want to cover (but not be final):
-- Water (Feraligatr)
-- Steel (Skarmory)
-- Flying (Skarmory)
-- Electric (Ampharos/that lion thing from Sinnoh?)
-- Fire (Arcanine/Blaziken?)
-- Psychic (Alakazam/Gardevoir?)
-- Rock (Golem [subject to change])
-- Ground (Golem [subject to change])

I definitely do want a tank on my team (Golem and Skarmory) but Golem is rather slow and - though having high Defense - sucks in the Special Defense department. I'm considering replacing him with with the Aron family, but he won't have the STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) from Earthquake or other Ground moves.

I know no Pokemon from Sinnoh, really. If you want to suggest a Sinnoh Pokemon I can get in the game (or from you guys in trade - or however that goes), I'll be open for debate. Here's what I'm planning to breed into my Pokemon:

Bold - move gotten from Father; cannot be obtained otherwise than breeding or TMs
Italics - move gotten from TM-/Hm-usage
Underline - move gotten from breeding both Mother and Father with move(s) that baby can learn in later levels
-- Totodile: Surf, Crunch, Shadow Claw, Ice Beam
-- Mareep [subject to change; highly unlikely]: Charge, Signal Beam, Strength, Thunderbolt
-- Skarmory: Fly, Swords Dance/Night Slash/Agility/Slash, Steel Wing, Rock Slide
-- Growlithe: Heat Wave, Extreme Speed, Dig, Flare Blitz/Crunch/Take Down
-- Abra [subject to change; considering Gardevoir]: Psychic, Recover/Psybeam, Focus Blast, Calm Mind
-- Geodude [subject to change; likely]: Stone Edge, Earthquake, Double-Edge, Brick Break

As you guys see, I'm trying to cover all my defenses with the move choice. Questions are: which do you guys think I should go, and which Pokemon should I consider keeping/dropping for another?

Open for discussion.

EDIT: I am perhaps thinking of replacing Golem with a Special Defense wall, but I assume there are no Rock/Ground Pokemon that specialize in Special Defense? :/

[∂αмєη]

Actually, now that I see this, I too should probably work on my team. I don't play as often as I would like too, but when I have the time I usually pop on, connect to the internet and play around. Instead of focusing on elements--which is something I should focus on-- I make sure to have one team member who is dominant in one of the Stats, yet able to handle themselves in battle. So, here's my current team.

-Jolteon [Speed]
--Arcanine [Attack]
---Blissey [HP]
----Steelix [Defense]
-----Alakazam [Sp. Attack]
------Lugia [Sp. Defense]

So. I like to usually start off with somebody who's fast so I can get in a first move, hopefully being able to K.O, or at least damage them enough to be able to bring out my Blissey and end them. Blissey basically goes out to absorb all the attacks as she finishes them off. My Arcanine is basically set with all fire with Earthquake. He is my powerhouse and deals insane amounts of damage. If Jolteon doesn't complete the job, he does. Steelix and Lugia are basically there to block out damage, not absorb it like Blissey. However, they both kick ass at attacking, specifically Lugia. And Alakazam is there to basically serve as another attacker.

Jolteon | Thunder / Volt Tackle / Thunder Wave / Quick Attack
Arcanine | Flamethrower \ Fire Blast \ Earthquake \ Ember
Blissey | Double Edge / Healing Wish / Sing / Double Slap
Steelix | Metal Burst \ Doom Desire \ Iron Tail \ Iron Head
Alakazam | Psychic / Luster Purge / Zen Headbutt / Future Sight
Lugia | Hyper Beam \ Ancient Power \ Aeroblast \ Swift

So, yeah. (: Your thoughts, Pokemon fans?

[Jasik]

While Luna's questions are being answered in the Cbox, I have some of my own.

So I wanted to make a trio of Pokémon for use in the Battle Frontier, but I wanted opinions on the team I've designed. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Roserade
Toxic Spikes Lead
Natural Cure
4 HP / 252 SpAtk / 252 Spd
Focus Sash
-- Toxic Spikes
-- Sleep Powder
-- Energy Ball
-- Leech Seed
_{I start out with her, put the opponent to sleep, lay out Toxic Spikes to poison any Pokémon that switches in, plant a Leech Seed, and then spam Energy Ball. I may switch out while the other Pokémon is asleep to counter opponents that resist Grass moves in order to take them out.}


Ninetales
Special Sweeper
Flash Fire
4 SpDef / 252 SpAtk / 252 Spd
Leftovers
-- Nasty Plot
-- Hypnosis
-- Flamethrower
-- Extrasensory
_{I switch her in, put the opponent to sleep (if they're not poisoned from Toxic Spikes), get the Special Attack boost from Nasty Plot, and attack with whichever move will be the most effective. The only reason Extrasensory isn't Energy Ball is because Roserade already has the Grass-type covered. The four Special Defense EVs are just filler, but it does no harm.}


Magnezone
Primary Offense
Magnet Pull
4 HP / 252 SpAtk / 252 Spd
Choice Specs
-- Thunderbolt
-- Flash Cannon
-- Explosion
-- Mirror Shot
_{Basically, he just all-out attacks. Choice Specs will lock him into only using one move, but it will greatly increase his Special Attack. Thunderbolt is a powerful Electric move, Flash Cannon will cover various other types, and Mirror Shot can take care of Rock-types. Explosion is more of a desperation move, as it will take Magnezone out but will seriously harm the opponent, most likely taking them out as well.}

[∂αмєη]

I like your choices Jasik. They are all really well balanced, yet they all stand out in the specific tasks you've given them.

The only thing I see that could be better, but is still fine is the Explosion on Magnezone. If he's acting as your primary defense, would it not be more beneficial for him to have another move that didn't kill him right away? I understand if the scenario was that they were on the last person and the explosion would K.O them, but that's only one scenario.

But otherwise, I think it's a well thought out strategy that will do good. (:

[Prince Inigo]

Sue me for double-posting. I came up with a replacement for Golem, thanks to Jasik and Damen. Besides, I kind of did want a Special Defense wall of a Pokemon.

-- Duskull (to become Dusknoir): Earthquake, Shadow Punch, Ice Punch, Brick Break/Fire Punch/Thunder Punch

These moves can't be learned until Duskull evolves; but, thankfully, Earthquake and Brick Break can be taught by duplicated TMs. I chose Brick Break in case Dusknoir encounters a Dark Pokemon; Earthquake is for Electric Pokemon.

New thoughts/suggestions? I think if I change Golem out for a Dusknoir, I'll be set for the rest of my team. Basically reviewing over my alternate choices, Gardevoir has lower Speed and sturdier than Alakazam, but Alakazam is more powerful and can try to Focus Blast right away. As Luxray only has two Electric moves that are Physical (and it's a Physical attacker), I'm going to keep Ampharos.

Other than that, discuss: Pokemon you tended to have on your party despite a new playthrough/different starter Pokemon? In Red/Blue, I had Pidgeot and Dragonite as my definite members of my team. Gold/Silver is hard; I hardly played those as much, but I think I had Espeon or Umbreon on my permanent team. Ruby/Sapphire: Mightyena. Fo sho.

---

EDIT: @damen: Usually I don't suggest legendary usage, mainly because you can't really customize them as you can with breeding. You have to waste TMs or make due with their learned moves. (As a person who is an Item Collector, TM-usage is D: ). As you can see with my team, they rely on bred moves or TMs that you can buy duplicates of, yet they are still good choices for their respective stats/types.

Your Achilles' heel is Ground-type users. Ground-types usually have a Rock-type move, so your Lugia is in trouble if it can't kill the Pokemon. Arcanine, Steelix, and Jolteon all have a weakness to Ground, with Steelix having a quadruple weakness. While I suppose that your Lugia will take out the Pokemon in a go, anyone with a fragile but fast Dugtrio, you're in the red zone fast, as it can learn Stone Edge.

What I'm surprised to see is that you don't have any Water- or Ice-type moves. I'd suggest having a Pokemon with any of these moves. Or a Grass move. Cover more of your bases; you have a bad spot open for Ground-type users.

Also, one more thing: Blissey is a horrible Defense Pokemon. Horrible, horrible, horrible. Don't rely on her for absorbing attacks. She's only a decent Special Attacker compared to someone like Ampharos. Just a warning.

---

Jasik: I like the strategy of Magnezone being one with Explosion. As you said, it can severely harm - if not kill - the other Pokemon, which can lead to a killing move with other Pokemon. Your Pokemon tactics are good, with Roserade using Toxic Spikes and Ninetails being a Special Sweeper. I always suggest a Special Attacker and an Attacker, so this is a good thing.

Your open spot is Water-type Pokemon. I know; you have Magnezone. You'd think that Magnezone would be great against the Water Pokemon; however, the problem is this: Water Pokemon tend have an Ice move. This already puts a disadvantage to Roserade, who might not be the fastest to lay down the pain quite yet. Those EV investments are definitely a plus, but the other downside to Roserade could be that Sleeping Powder might not always work. As is any move. Well, you definitely covered your spot better, but Water-type Pokemon will be bad if they happen to have a Sleep-curing berry on them and happen to get a Ice-type move on Roserade, kill off Ninetails, and use a Water-move on Magnezone (which does normal damage).

Just opening up the possibilities. You guys are welcome to bash at my choices. xD

[Jasik]

Hmm... you do have a good point. I never really considered Water-types having Ice moves, although that is a pretty common scenario. I'll take a look into that.

[lifetocereal]

LUNA:

-- Mareep [subject to change; highly unlikely]: Charge, Signal Beam, Strength, Thunderbolt
-- Skarmory: Fly, Swords Dance/Night Slash/Agility/Slash, Steel Wing, Rock Slide
-- Growlithe: Heat Wave, Extreme Speed, Dig, Flare Blitz/Crunch/Take Down
-- Abra [subject to change; considering Gardevoir]: Psychic, Recover/Psybeam, Focus Blast, Calm Mind
-- Geodude [subject to change; likely]: Stone Edge, Earthquake, Double-Edge, Brick Break
If this is going to be a Wi-Fi team, then nononononono. I've tested Dusknoir for a LONG TIME and it is not worth your time. Btw, never have an HM in a Wi-Fi team. Too weak. If this is a regular game team, it's pretty good.

[Prince Inigo]

Oh, no, definitely not a Wi-Fi team. I wouldn't give Ampharos Strength, I don't think, if this was a Wi-Fi team.

Though why not a HMs like Surf or Fly? Those are powerful moves, right? Out of curiosity.

[Jasik]

Surf and Waterfall are both VERY good moves, and are rarely out of place as Water-type moves on competitive teams. Fly is alright, but there are better options like Brave Bird (though I'm not sure if Skarmory can learn that).

[Prince Inigo]

Hm. Yeah. If I wanted a Wi-Fi team, I suppose I would put Brave Bird on Skarmory (seeing as he's a Physical tank) and some other move on Ampharos. The thing about Ampharos is that he has horrible TM move choices, with Focus Blast, Thunder, and Rock Climb being the better offensive moves; however, the first two have a 70% accuracy (which I never fully trust) and Rock Climb is a Physical move, which is not really Ampharos' forte.---

Well, I guess I could trust it to use Hyper Beam. Or help my defenses with Light Screen or Reflect. I don't know.

Really, though, I wanted some Pokemon to use Earthquake and possibly be a Special Defense wall. Someone to kind of replace Golem and not be subjected to Speed and low Special Defense so badly that they are left dead without getting a turn in. (Against Red's Pikachu at lv. 57, he dies in one hit from Iron Tail). So... if you want to suggest some other Pokemon for Wi-Fi, okay. xD I don't know what to do or why Dusknoir is not preferred to be good for them.

---

@damen: For now, let me suggest new Pokemon/give advice to the current team you have.

-- Keep Jolteon. I know you probably aren't playing competitively, but the Jolteon you're using is not orientated right for the moves he currently has. Volt Tackle is a Physical move, while Jolteon himself is a Special Attacker. Some might say he's a Special Sweeper: a Pokemon where they act first and kill instantly using Special moves. Thunder is great - if it can hit always. As for me, I don't usually keep Thunder Wave around for long. It has its quirks, but - like my example above - a Dugtrio might be faster than Jolteon and be unaffected by Thunder Wave. For Jolteon, I would recommend Thunderbolt instead of Volt Tackle, but I wouldn't discount Volt Tackle entirely. Really, Volt Tackle would be more subjective for - say - if you were fighting a Chansey/Blissey, who is a horrible Defense Pokemon. Hyper Beam and Shadow Ball wouldn't be bad choices either, in my opinion. For Hyper Beam, you just better damn know well what you're doing (as you drop a turn recharging), and Shadow Ball would be nice to cover your Psychic/Ghost defense.

-- Keep Arcanine. As a Trainer using Arcanine for the first time EVER, I adore his moves and stats. However, as I am noticing, you must have evolved your Growlithe earlier. While it's not bad to evolve earlier on Growlithe, you miss some FANTASTIC moves later in the levels. Flare Blitz acts like a Take Down, but it's a Fire-type move (thus getting Same-Type Attack Bonus, or STAB) and has a recoil damage of 1/3 instead of 1/4. Unlike other Pokemon, Arcanine actually has a decent Special Attack stat, making his Heat Wave a deadly Special Attack move. Looking at Fire Blast, it's not a bad move either. (It certainly hits more than Thunder, that's for sure). Personally, I never trust moves with under 100% so well. The Trainer Curse has it that Blaine can hit me 839408439 times with Fire Blast, but I can only hit once or twice with Fire Blast, with me missing the other three. (Of course, I don't really give my Pokemon Accuracy-increasing items, but that's not the point). I want to ask: how does Arcanine have Earthquake? According to Bulbapedia, I can't find that he learns Earthquake either in his Growlithe form or Arcanine form. Well, other than that, I would suggest a Ground-type move to cover his Rock weakness. Now, this one is more subjective of what you want: Crunch, Overheat, Dragon Pulse, or even Iron Tail. As for myself, I had Skarmory to be my Steel-move user, Feraligatr for Ice, Feraligatr for Dark, and my Arcanine already has enough Fire-type moves. (Not to mention, Overheat decreases the user's Special Attack by two phases, which I definitely don't want). I went with ExtremeSpeed for a Normal-type balance on his move set and the move being the FIRST turn priority move with a decent enough power is a plus. Whatever is in your tastes, I do recommend looking up moves of Growlithe/Arcanine and exploiting his talents.

-- Watch out for Blissey. As I stated before, the Chansey family has horrible Defense stat. They are absolutely great if you're up against a Special Attacker. But, guess what? Dugtrio can be a problem to your Blissey. Now, why do I use Dugtrio a lot as my Ground-type example? I used him in the first generation of the games, and he was an excellent Pokemon. Having a decent/good Attack stat and - basically - godly Speed made him a force to be dealt with. He can naturally learn one of the most powerful Ground-moves (Earthquake) and gets STAB from it. Another thing about your Blissey is that you made her ill-fit with her moves. Her Attack is the same exact base value as her Defense, meaning she sucks in Attack and will generally continue to suck in Attack. Looking at her level up move set, she can't learn anything but Physical moves. Unfortunately, you will need to rely on breeding and TM-usage in order to make Blissey something to really be afraid of. I wouldn't be surprised if she was the one you wanted to make her learn Water- or Grass-type moves with. She can learn Ice Beam, Water Pulse, and Solarbeam, for starters. This one depends on your tastes; but, the right moves can make Blissey a deadly foe if given the right stuff. (Psychic might be good for the Fighting Pokemon that want to kill her, by-the-by).

NOTE: I thought Steelix was a Steel/Rock type earlier, much like Aron. I apologize for my idiocy in failure of realizing Steelix is a Steel/Ground Pokemon. I've changed my information to be correct here.
-- Watch out for or get rid of Steelix. Much like Arcanine and Earthquake, how is Steelix able to know Metal Burst and Doom Desire? Is there something I'm missing here? Anyways, you should have some balance with Steelix. Don't be afraid to give him Stone Edge or Rock Slide. Steelix is a Physical Pokemon, and he should stick with Attack moves. Giga Impact probably wouldn't be so bad, though he is a weaker Physical attacker of a Pokemon. He can learn Earthquake, if you need someone to kill Electric-type Pokemon. Out of the Steel-type moves, Iron Head is more reliable and powerful. It has a decent amount of PP, so I don't see the real need for Steelix to have another Steel move.

I don't know exactly what you have in mind for Steelix. He can block out Poison and Electric moves, but his offset is that he is weak to Water, Ground, Fighting, and Fire. He tends to be slower than most Pokemon and has a weaker Special Defense. I heard that Weezing is a decent Defense wall, and I've seen him in action in a Let's Play of Crystal (Shiny, even!). He won't be able to know Steel or Ground moves like Steelix, but I am a bit concerned for your major weakness if encountering a Ground-type Pokemon. Look into that.

-- Keep Alakazam. I like to use Alakazam when I can't get my hands on another Psychic. Really, I think Alakazam and Gardevoir have their own quirks. Both are pretty decent Special Attackers, both have their moves focused solely on Psychic-type moves, and both are, at least, a little bit speedy. It depends on whether you want Gardevoir, the more sturdier, or Alakazam, the faster and stronger. Anyways, I'm missing where Alakazam is able to learn Luster Purge. Alakazam is a Special Attacker, for sure. Why did you give him Zen Headbutt, a Physical move? Generally, I'm going to suggest the moves I used for my own Alakazam. Psybeam[b/] or Recover is interchangeable; it's a matter if you think you need more with Psychic (which I suggest, considering Psychic only has 10 PP) or Recover (I'm thinking of getting rid of this move in the final breeding, as Alakazam hardly gets hit to need it and is a pretty fragile Pokemon in the first place that he might not even get a chance to use it). One move I HIGHLY recommend for protection of his type is Shadow Ball. Honestly, it helps against other Ghosts; but, it depends also if you want Focus Blast. It's the only Fighting-type move that is Special he can learn. It'll guard against Dark-types - if it hits, of course. (Perhaps equip an Accuracy-increasing item on him for that Focus Blast).

-- Lugia. It's complicated. Seriously, I haven't used a Legendary since Ruby - with Groundon. And I found he wasn't as good as he could be. I wouldn't dare say Legendaries are cool to use when used right (which I probably didn't do with Groundon back in Ruby), but I've discouraged myself on using them ever since, and I honestly don't know what real advice to give you on Lugia. Psychic and Flying is a cool combination (Natu/Xatu) but he has the same weaknesses as Natu/Xatu: Electric, Rock, Dark, Ghost, and Ice. His Defense is good enough, but this is still he's weakest aspect of defense. Thunder Fang, most Rock moves, Bite/Crunch, a few Ghost moves, and Ice Fang really take advantage here. You might be able to use Pressure to your advantage. There's really nothing I can suggest for Lugia, as his base stats for Attack and Special Attack are the same. (They'll generally be around each other without considering EV distribution). Take advantage of STAB with Psychic and Aeroblast (maybe even Sky Attack). I'll probably leave the last move up to you--- Well, then again, all of these were suggestions. All of them.

Wow. I wrote a lot. LOL