CodeHelmet
Banned
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- Age 38
- Hayward
- Seen Jun 9, 2019
Feel free to post what you feel is the best team for Generation 1. My picks are slightly biased towards Yellow version where the moves Pokemon can learn are different(Ex: Charizard being able to learn Fly). Anyways, before I list my top 6, I disqualified Legendary Pokemon(Moltres, Zapdos, Articuno, Mewtwo and Mew) and a few "quasi-Legendary" Pokemon(Anything 450 or above on this list. Pretty much Arcanine, Lapras, Exeggutor, Cloyster(yes Cloyster), Gyrados, Tauros and Dragonite).
Top 6 according to me(CodeHelmet):
1) Pikachu/Raichu. This pick is largely influenced by Yellow version where Pikachu is your starter and I know that Jolteon(stat-wise) is just better. However, in Yellow version, Pikachu's learnset is just superior than its Red/Blue counterparts by being able to learn Double Team at 15 and Thunderbolt naturally at 26! Even then, I like Pikachu/Raichu on Red/Blue due to how early one can catch one in Viridian Forest. That allows you to use it for several rival battles(including Route 22 if you backtrack) and for Misty(a huge plus) whereas Jolteon comes much later. Competitively Jolteon is the better option but for single player gameplay, Pikachu/Raichu is really, really good.
2) Ninetales. Disclaimer: Vulpix(and its evolved form) are my #1 and #2 favorite Pokemon respectively. Despite that, Ninetales is a pretty strong Fire Type for Generation 1. The popular pick here would be Charizard and while Ninetales doesn't have Flying Typing(thereby making it immune to Earthquake and Dig), it takes solace in not having a x4 from Rock(has x2 though), x2 from Ice and x2 from Electric. Furthermore its speed is equitable to Charizard and has a much stronger Special(hence better Flamethrower!).
3) Tentacruel. I must confess I've never used this Pokemon in a run yet(might change in the next run I do) but this Pokemon probably doesn't get the attention it deserves due to its Typing(Water/Poison). However, you will find no other Water Type with a better Special, hence Surf and other Special moves really do hurt and its speed is 2nd only to Starmie for Water Types.
4) Sandslash. Being a pure Ground Type, its weakness is only to Grass/Water/Ice(and only x2 and not x4 like other Ground Types due to having a secondary Typing). Although its learnset leaves much to be desired with regards to Ground Type moves(must teach it Earthquake and/or Dig), it learns Slash, Sand Attack and Swift(three quality moves). Its speed is also respectable for a Ground Type while boasting a formidable Attack and Defense.
5) Venusaur. This one was really easy given that it learns a particular move in Leech Seed. Being able to exploit Toxic and this lone move along with Growth and my favorite Grass move in Razor Leaf makes this Pokemon a solid option and best Grass Type under the circumstances. Exeggutor is the other option here but it has a 455 base stat(hence is quasi-Legendary).
6) Gengar I couldn't go without naming this Ghost Pokemon. Although Ghost moves are complete crap on Generation 1, what makes this Pokemon so worthwhile is its Speed and Special stat. Furthermore, if you give it an Evasion move like Double Team, you're all but impossible to hit since Swift won't work on the Gastly line :)
Honorable mentions:
Slowbro: Tied with Parasect and Lickitung for slowest Pokemon in the game but what it lacks in speed it makes up for in power and Typing. It naturally learns Amnesia, multiplying its base Special of 80 by a factor of 4 after 3 uses and being a Water/Psychic type makes Surf and Psychic(which gain STAB) scary powerful.
Vaporeon: 130 HP stat along with a 110 Special, this Pokemon can be a sheer Tank if allowed to power up its Defense with Acid Armor. Plus with Water STAB and naturally learning an Ice Move in Aurora Beam, this Eevolution can sweep teams.
Pidgeot: Favorite Flying Type with balanced stats to go with it. Only drawback is lacking Drill Peck but can be caught early and can learn Sand Attack(a move that is not to be underestimated).
Top 6 according to me(CodeHelmet):
1) Pikachu/Raichu. This pick is largely influenced by Yellow version where Pikachu is your starter and I know that Jolteon(stat-wise) is just better. However, in Yellow version, Pikachu's learnset is just superior than its Red/Blue counterparts by being able to learn Double Team at 15 and Thunderbolt naturally at 26! Even then, I like Pikachu/Raichu on Red/Blue due to how early one can catch one in Viridian Forest. That allows you to use it for several rival battles(including Route 22 if you backtrack) and for Misty(a huge plus) whereas Jolteon comes much later. Competitively Jolteon is the better option but for single player gameplay, Pikachu/Raichu is really, really good.
2) Ninetales. Disclaimer: Vulpix(and its evolved form) are my #1 and #2 favorite Pokemon respectively. Despite that, Ninetales is a pretty strong Fire Type for Generation 1. The popular pick here would be Charizard and while Ninetales doesn't have Flying Typing(thereby making it immune to Earthquake and Dig), it takes solace in not having a x4 from Rock(has x2 though), x2 from Ice and x2 from Electric. Furthermore its speed is equitable to Charizard and has a much stronger Special(hence better Flamethrower!).
3) Tentacruel. I must confess I've never used this Pokemon in a run yet(might change in the next run I do) but this Pokemon probably doesn't get the attention it deserves due to its Typing(Water/Poison). However, you will find no other Water Type with a better Special, hence Surf and other Special moves really do hurt and its speed is 2nd only to Starmie for Water Types.
4) Sandslash. Being a pure Ground Type, its weakness is only to Grass/Water/Ice(and only x2 and not x4 like other Ground Types due to having a secondary Typing). Although its learnset leaves much to be desired with regards to Ground Type moves(must teach it Earthquake and/or Dig), it learns Slash, Sand Attack and Swift(three quality moves). Its speed is also respectable for a Ground Type while boasting a formidable Attack and Defense.
5) Venusaur. This one was really easy given that it learns a particular move in Leech Seed. Being able to exploit Toxic and this lone move along with Growth and my favorite Grass move in Razor Leaf makes this Pokemon a solid option and best Grass Type under the circumstances. Exeggutor is the other option here but it has a 455 base stat(hence is quasi-Legendary).
6) Gengar I couldn't go without naming this Ghost Pokemon. Although Ghost moves are complete crap on Generation 1, what makes this Pokemon so worthwhile is its Speed and Special stat. Furthermore, if you give it an Evasion move like Double Team, you're all but impossible to hit since Swift won't work on the Gastly line :)
Honorable mentions:
Slowbro: Tied with Parasect and Lickitung for slowest Pokemon in the game but what it lacks in speed it makes up for in power and Typing. It naturally learns Amnesia, multiplying its base Special of 80 by a factor of 4 after 3 uses and being a Water/Psychic type makes Surf and Psychic(which gain STAB) scary powerful.
Vaporeon: 130 HP stat along with a 110 Special, this Pokemon can be a sheer Tank if allowed to power up its Defense with Acid Armor. Plus with Water STAB and naturally learning an Ice Move in Aurora Beam, this Eevolution can sweep teams.
Pidgeot: Favorite Flying Type with balanced stats to go with it. Only drawback is lacking Drill Peck but can be caught early and can learn Sand Attack(a move that is not to be underestimated).