Piplup grows into a water/steel hybrid Pokémon, and can learn ice moves as well. Because it is both water and steel, he has very few weaknesses and can learn a variety of useful moves, making his evolved form very powerful. Often seen as the best possible starter. [1] X Research source Turtwig is slow, but has great attack and defense and functions well against almost every gym leader in the game. He is a good pick for entry-level players. [2] X Research source Chimchar becomes a fire-fighting hybrid, which makes him useful in a lot of scenarios and useful in almost every gym. Platinum has less fire Pokémon than other games, so Chimchar is a good choice if you want to save the hassle of looking for other fire Pokémon.
A status move will have the same effect no matter what type it is used on. Most effectiveness is based on logic – Flying beats Bug (because birds eat bugs), Water beats Fire, Steel beats Rock, etc. A Fire-type Pokémon who uses a Normal-type move, like Tackle, will not be effective against Grass-type Pokémon. It will do normal damage as Normal-type moves aren’t super effective against Grass types in most scenarios. However, if a Pokémon has an ability like ‘Pixilate’ which turns certain typed moves to another type, this may be the case. Some moves will do no damage whatsoever to the right type. For example, a Ground attack will never hurt a Flying Pokémon. [3] X Research source
Sweeper: The most common Pokémon in your team, sweepers are powerful offensive Pokémon used for dealing damage and taking out the enemy. You will likely have 3-4 in your team of 6, and some players want 5-6. Try Alakazam, a Legendary Pokémon, Metagross, Luxray, Scizor. Wall These Pokémon have high HP (health points) and defense. They can survive a lot of damage while you use items to heal up the rest of your team, making them invaluable for staying in the fight. Sometimes called “Tanks. " Try Shuckle, Steelix, Bastiodon, Torterra, Rhyhorn, Aggron or Blissey. Support: These Pokémon use a variety of stat-boosting (for themselves) or stat-depleting (for your enemy) moves to weaken the opposing team. For stat boosts, they need to know the move “Baton Pass,” which gives the next Pokémon you sub in the same stat boosts that you just used. [4] X Research source Try Raichu, Sandslash or Umbreon HM ‘Slave’: Generally not used for fighting, HM Slaves are sometimes used for travel, as they can learn a variety of moves like Surf, Fly, Strength, etc. that are essential for moving the game along. They are usually subbed in and out when needed, not used for battles. Try Linoone, Charizard or Bibarel. Catcher: This Pokémon, usually not used in battles, is used to catch new Pokémon in the wild. They usually have a mixture of powerful moves, some neutral, weak moves, and sometimes Sleep or Paralyze to make a Pokémon easier to catch. They almost always know the move False Swipe. Try a Scyther, Farfetch’d, Raticate or Gallade. [5] X Research source
Try Alakazam, a Legendary Pokémon, Metagross, Luxray, Scizor.
Try Shuckle, Steelix, Bastiodon, Torterra, Rhyhorn, Aggron or Blissey.
Try Raichu, Sandslash or Umbreon
Try Linoone, Charizard or Bibarel.
Try a Scyther, Farfetch’d, Raticate or Gallade. [5] X Research source
Attack: Affects the power of a physical attack such as Scratch or Tackle. Special Attack: Refers to mental or indirect attacks, like beam attack or environmental attacks. All non-physical attacking moves utilize the Special Attack stat. Defense: Determines the amount of damage taken by a physical attack. Special Defense: Determines the amount of damage taken by special attacks. Speed: Determines who attacks first. Speed stats are compared between the two fighting Pokémon and the fastest Pokémon attacks first. In a tie, it is chosen randomly. [6] X Research source
Think about the roles your Pokémon play. While you want mostly “Sweepers” (strong, attacking Pokémon), you should get at least one “Wall,” like Snorlax or Blissey, (lots of HP and defense) to help you heal everyone in a time of need.
Try Electivire or Raichu if you don’t want a Luxray. If you can catch the Legendary Bird Zapdos then you will be well armed for the challenges ahead. [7] X Research source Use moves like Thunderbolt, Thunder, and Thunder Fang.
Floatzel, Gyarados, or Vaporeon. Utilize moves like Surf, Waterfall, Hydro Pump.
Metagross, Alakazam, Espeon, Gallade and Hypno are all Psychic or Dark types. Get moves like Psychic, Night Slash, Bite and Psycho Cut.
Mamoswine, Bastiodon, Golem, Infernape and Lucario are examples of Fighting types. Use Earthquake, Rockslide, Rock Smash, and Close Combat when possible.
Tropius, Torterra, Carnivine and Venusaur are all grass-type Pokémon. [9] X Research source Use moves like Giga Drain, Energy Ball, and Leaf Blade.
Legendary Bird Moltres is a great choice as well if you can get your hands on one. You can get an Eevee in Hearthome City in the house above the Pokémon Center. This Pokémon can evolve into a Fire, Water, Electric, Psychic, Dark, Grass, or Ice type if you have the requirements completed. Learn moves like Flare Blitz, Fire Blast, and Sunny Day. [10] X Research source Fire Pokémon are not strictly necessary – a good Fighting Pokémon can often compensate for a missing Fire type. [11] X Research source
Flying Pokémon, like the powerful and popular Staraptor (must know Fly and Close Combat). [12] X Research source Any Legendary Pokémon. These are the Pokémon that only appear once in each game, like Mewtwo or Latios. They are incredibly powerful and will be a valuable asset on any team. Try Giratina. It is a Ghost and Dragon type of Pokemon, so you get the advantages of Dark type moves and Dragon type ones that have a wide variety of effectiveness and low weaknesses. Find Heatran, a strong Fire and Steel type Pokémon that works well if you need some heat.
You want to balance offensive and defensive moves in every Pokémon. STAB moves give you a 50% attack bonus if the type of move (ie. a Fire Move, like Ember) matches the Pokémon’s type (ie. Infernape, a Fire Pokémon, using Ember). When possible, teach Pokémon moves that match their type. [13] X Research source
