Intro + In-Game Team

[DStevens5833]

Hello everyone! I posted this on Serebii.Net, but I thought I might see what kind of advice I might get on this forum too :).

I've never introduced myself on this board, and I believe now would be a great time since I just purchased a DSi, Platinum, and SoulSilver! Before I get to my "planned" team and questions, I might as well give you my history with Pokemon games.

My parents bought me Red, Blue when they first came out, and I played them until both of my cartridges would no longer save. These two titles were followed by Yellow until Gold and Silver came out; I played them until they broke too. I briefly played Crystal before I moved on to actual consoles, and after consoles I went to the PC. Due to the switching, I completely missed out on Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen, and of course, Pearl, Diamond, and Platinum. After ~9 years, I'm back!

I must say, things have COMPLETELY changed. Things such as: natures, abilities, held items, individual and effort values are new to me. Even all of the pokemon add to the confusion. 493?! I actually feel overwhelmed!

Anyways, sorry for the tl;dr. I remember back in 1st and 2nd Gen, my typical gameplay involved only using and over-leveling my starters: Charizard and Typhlosion. After reaching a certain point in the game, I would actually catch and train more pokemon allowing me to beat the Elite 4. I'm not sure if anybody ever did this or still uses this method. Another thing to note, I've always used only STAB attacks on my pokemon. After reading around, I understand this is not recommended - especially in competitive battles. Does this actually apply in-game too?

Finally, my "planned" team:

Gyarados(Lonely, Adamant, Naughty, or Hardy) @?
-Aqua Tail
-Surf(hm03)
-Waterfall(hm07)
-Ice Fang/Bite

(HM Slave)
Dragonite (Lonely, Adamant, Naughty, or Hardy) @?
-Fly(hm02)
-Cut(hm01)
-Rock Smash(hm06)
-Whirpool(hm05)

Scizor (Lonely, Adamant, Naughty, or Hardy) @?
-X-Scissor
-Iron Head
-Steel Wing
-Strength(hm04)

Gengar (Modest, Mild, Rash, or Bashful) @?
-Shadow Ball
-Dark Pulse
-Dream Eater
-Hypnosis

Typhlosion (Modest, Mild, Rash, or Bashful) @?
-Flamethrower
-Lava Plume
-Eruption
-Rock Climb(hm08)

I believe I have left a few weaknesses open like water and ground. Am I headed in the right direction? Please remember, my teams will only be used for in-game purposes.

 

[Weavile05]

Dragonite as an HM slave? No, just, no. Get a Bibarel. Fly can stay on the Dragonite though. Don't give Typhlosion so many Fire moves. Give it Focus Blast. Also maybe Earthquake. Give Gyarados Dragon Dance over Aqua Tail. It will make it so much faster against the few things that do outspeed it, and will raise the power of all it's moves except surf (cuz IceFang and Waterfall are physical, surf is special). Give Scizor Brick Break instead of Steel Wing. Or Roost, or Aerial Ace. But preferably Brick Break. As for the last slot (you still have an open slot) Get a Grass type. Which game is this for anyway?

 

[Amore]

I'm guessing this is HeartGold, right?


Typhlosion could do with Focus Blast. I don't think it learns that many moves, sadly (it's awesome though).

Gyarados - Dragon Dance, Ice Fang, Waterfall, Earthquake (find this in Victory Road, I think. So, it'll be a while).

Gengar - Hypnosis, Shadow Ball, Thunderbolt, Energy Ball. The last two are tms, don't know how long it takes, sorry.

Dragonite - Fire Punch, Thunderpunch, Dragon Dance, Outrage.

Scizor - X-Scissor, Iron Head, Brick Break, Roost. If it has an ability "Technician, swap Iron Head for Bullet Punch.

As for your 6th slot...I recommend a grass-type, like Victreebel or something. Or a ground-type like Donphan or Rhydon.

And for those natures, go for Adamant/Naughty, and Modest/Mild/Rash.

 

[DStevens5833]

Actually, I'm playing SoulSilver :).

Thanks for the helpful replies!!

 

[Weavile05]

Oh, SoulSilver? your gonna have to trade over that Bibarel. Or you could probably get something like Rattata and then just some Random Water type for Surf.