Do you pick your Pokemon on your team because of design, or battle prowess?

[Yumetaro]

I normally choose mine by design in the games. On Pokemon Showdown, that is where I choose of battle prowess and stuff like that?

So do you choose Pokemon on your team to be the strongest in OU/UU/Whatever-U? Or how cool or cute a Pokemon is?

 

[Magikarp From Hell]

Interesting thread. I def. go for Design.

 

[Boilurn]

I don't usually care about the design, no matter who the Pokemon is. Prowess seems to be the more important choice for me. I like picking up Pokemon who have a certain quality such as Attack or Special Attack. That's why I picked up so many Drilburs and Litwicks in the games.

 

[Flushed]

I try for both. I like having a creative, but powerful team. Sometimes you have to sacrifice prowess for creativity and design, but that's what makes battling interesting.

 

[Firox]

I always go for design! To me doesn't matter if they have good stats or move pools - I figure something out along the way, some how all my teams work, if my top 2 favorite Pokemon aren't with me it isn't a team (at least once I gotten them - they are Watchog & Mienshao)

 

[BadPokemon]

I do about 60% design and 40% battle prowess. I like to use the pokemon I like, not just the ones that are good.

 

[Hikamaru]

I tend to mainly use Pokemon I like the looks of as well as good movepools and stats.

 

[Hiatus]

In-game, it's both. If the Pokémon's got a good-looking design and has enough strength to carry itself throughout a match, then I will have no problem putting it onto my team. When it comes to competitive battling though, I base my Pokémon off stats only. d:

 

[Azire]

I pick the most effective, if it comes between two or more I'll go with whatever I like more. I also prefer Gen 1 Pokémon. If it comes down to filling a hole and I can use a Gen 1 Pokémon, I will. For example:

Gengar > Aegislash
Starmie > Other Spinners
Chansey > Blissey

That is only as long as that decision doesn't hurt me. If it helps less but still helps I will use Gen 1. I am a self proclaimed Genwunner after all.

 

[Sopheria]

I guess it's a mix of all three for me. I prefer battle prowess, but when there's a Pokemon I really like in terms of design, I do my best to optimize it for battle, which can be a really fun challenge. I'm going through White 2 with a Cincinno in my main team. I just chose her because she's adorable, but it turns out Cincinno is actually pretty darned good in battle :)

 

[TheKantoKid]

Design all the way. If a pokemon has good design but bad battle prowess then I do my best to make them playable. Example Regigigas. A legendary that's weak for the first five turns. I would make it a stall set until it can Return kill everything

 

[Lunarose]

I'm more inclined to go for those Pokemon whose designs I like, but if they're powerful that's a plus for me :D Sometimes I do go for those who are pretty powerful but designs aren't as great. Like for example, personally I'm not a fan of Gliscor's design but one of my favorite Pokemon to use in battle.

 

[The Admiiral]

I actually don't have a preference.
Dedenne can fight on it's own
Metapod is funny to use
It's hilarious killing things with a Jigglypuff.
I love sweeping with Xerneas
And so on.

 

[curiousnathan]

My in-game teams are completely based of design. I only like to play with my favourites.
Whereas naturally when I battle competitively, its stats and move pools that take priority when I'm constructing a team.

 

[Timbjerr]

Design for the most part, but when a pokémon I love for its design just happens to be adopted into Smogon's OU tier, it's just icing on the cake, so to speak.

I should probably also mention that my taste in pokémon design seems to differ greatly from most in the fandom. I think the Garbodor and Vanilluxe familes are the most creative and well-thought-out pokémon from the fifth generation, for example, while most are content to simply pile hate on them.

 

[Sopheria]

I should probably also mention that my taste in pokémon design seems to differ greatly from most in the fandom. I think the Garbodor and Vanilluxe familes are the most creative and well-thought-out pokémon from the fifth generation, for example, while most are content to simply pile hate on them.

Vanillite is cute, but I don't like its evolutions. I had a Vanillite in my main team in my playthrough of Black, but I gave it an everstone and kept it from evolving. Another example of a cute Pokemon that can be surprisingly effective in battle if done right.

 

[slim spazzy]

I definietly take pokemon depending on their prowess over design because according to me looks are just skin depp.I usually go for pokemon with high speed and sp attack or attack.

 

[Blueredemption]

My teams are usualy based on design. I balance out the types and have a pokemon for most situations. I tend to stick with high attack and special attack though, force of habit

 

[classiccartoonsftw]

I mostly take battle prowess in account when building a team, but at the same time, I also pick Pokemon that look good and aren't Uber. I'd pick the likes of Raichu, Feraligatr, and Dodrio over stuff like Kyogre or Lugia any day of the week!

 

[Satoshi Ookami]

Of course battle prowess is the most important... but I also go for availability (when and where are they available).
Design doesn't really matter that much. I like some cool looking Pokemon but it's not the most important factor.