Team Help - New to pokemon

[Simon123]

Hi, I have HeartGold and it's my first pokemon game ever. So I don't know what I'm doing exactly. I would appreciate your help. This is my current team. As you can see they are quite young and I'm still training them. So just suggest pokemon replacements, moves, moves I should teach them when they level up etc.

MEGANIUM - Lv. 45
Calm Nature
----------------
Petal Dance
Magical Leaf
Frenzy Plant
Light Screen

I know this is bad. I have so many grass type attacks. I have a lot of heart scales, what should I replace with what?


HO-OH - Lv. 48
Rash Nature
----------------
Extrasensory
Sunny Day
Fire Blast
Sacred Fire

Again, I know this is bad. Have a lot of fire.


GYARADOS - Lv. 40
Rash Nature
----------------
Twister
Ice Fang
Bite
Surf


DRAGONAIR - Lv. 40
Naive Nature
----------------
ExtremeSpeed
Thunder Wave
Aqua Tail
Dragon Rush


PIDGEOTTO - Lv. 31
Gentle Nature
----------------
Twister
Fly
Gust
Quick Attack

Weak. I know.


AMPHAROS - Lv. 32
Lax Nature
----------------
Tackle
ThunderPunch
ThunderShock
Thunder Wave

So many electric moves. Help?

I will appreciate any help! This is for in-game.

Pokemon is a great game! :) Have a lot of fun, but when I look at other people's teams, I have no idea what I'm doing.

Edit: Also, this may not be the place, but what are EVs? I looked at some guides and it sounds extremely confusing :S

Regards,
Simon

 

[larrysturtle]

I'd recommend a really fast pokemon that can learn water/ ICE moves (ice beam blizzard icepunch)

it'll be a lot less of a hassle once you fight lance in the elite 4. A good pokemon i would recommend would be a Starmie

 

[shookie]

Also, this may not be the place, but what are EVs? I looked at some guides and it sounds extremely confusing :S

Think of Pokémon stats as currency. An EV is a quarter, so a stat point (+X when you level up) is a dollar. 4 EVs (quarters) = 1 stat point (dollar) at level 100. You're limited to 255 EVs per stat and only 510 total. It only seems confusing at first but it becomes second nature once you're used to it.

 

[Simon123]

I'd recommend a really fast pokemon that can learn water/ ICE moves (ice beam blizzard icepunch)

it'll be a lot less of a hassle once you fight lance in the elite 4. A good pokemon i would recommend would be a Starmie

Thanks! Any idea who I should replace? What would be a good moveset for Starmie?

Think of Pokémon stats as currency. An EV is a quarter, so a stat point (+X when you level up) is a dollar. 4 EVs (quarters) = 1 stat point (dollar) at level 100. You're limited to 255 EVs per stat and only 510 total. It only seems confusing at first but it becomes second nature once you're used to it.

Ahh ok. I think that makes sense. So if my Meganium's Attack is 89, it's EV Attack is ~22 or something?

Simon

 

[shookie]

Ahh ok. I think that makes sense. So if my Meganium's Attack is 89, it's EV Attack is ~22 or something?

Not quite that simple. You'll still gain a residual amount to each stat every time you level...EV training just gives your stats that extra "oomph." You gain EVs even when you run around killing random mobs as you go through the story, which is why something like a Staraptor that was the first Pokémon you caught (as a Starly) has stats in the couple-hundreds once it's a high level. All of those stats are around the average though, since you got defense EVs from one mob and speed from another, and so on.

EV training, in a sense, helps raise specific stats to its maximum so the Pokémon works at its peak performance. Which stats you raise depend on each different Pokémon, and both its natures and IVs contribute to this as well.
I dunno, it's hard to explain, and I might not be absolutely correct.

 

[Timbjerr]

Ampharos generally has higher Special Attack, so it doesn't need physical attacks like Thunderpunch. Replace it with Signal Beam once it learns it (lv.42) and Tackle with Power Gem (lv.59) Also, ThunderBolt is superior to Thundershock. You can get the TM for it by gaming in the Goldenrod Game Corner if you're really up to it. XD

Thanks! Any idea who I should replace? What would be a good moveset for Starmie?

I'm not sure what Larrysturtle had in mind, but I'd replace Gyarados for it if anything (having two water-types on the same team being redundant and all) A good set for Starmie would be:

Starmie
Modest nature
-Thunderbolt
-Ice Beam
-Surf
-Psychic

This set works best with a Choice Specs hold item, but I don't expect you to have one for in-game usage (I think you can only get it from spending BP at the Battle Frontier once you beat the game). Personally, I'd stick with Gyarados. Ice Fang/Waterfall will be enough for anything Lance throws at you (except his own gyarados, which Ampharos can make quick work of)

Ahh ok. I think that makes sense. So if my Meganium's Attack is 89, it's EV Attack is ~22 or something?

Simon

...not exactly. It's hard to explain, and for in-game purposes, I wouldn't bother with it because your pokemon are most likely already EV'd inefficiently from battling the wild pokemon and in-game trainers.

Basically, the formula for determining your pokemon's stats takes into account several things, including values hidden to you. EVs are one such hidden value that you accrue by beating pokemon in the game. When you beat a pokemon, you get 1-3 EVs for their strongest stat. Every four EVs you gain, will be one "bonus" point to that stat at lv.100. You can only have 255 EVs in any given stat (meaning a max of 63 "bonus" points at lv.100) and 510 EVs total (so a max of two stats with maxed "bonus" points at lv.100)

 

[Simon123]

Not quite that simple. You'll still gain a residual amount to each stat every time you level...EV training just gives your stats that extra "oomph." You gain EVs even when you run around killing random mobs as you go through the story, which is why something like a Staraptor that was the first Pokémon you caught (as a Starly) has stats in the couple-hundreds once it's a high level. All of those stats are around the average though, since you got defense EVs from one mob and speed from another, and so on.

EV training, in a sense, helps raise specific stats to its maximum so the Pokémon works at its peak performance. Which stats you raise depend on each different Pokémon, and both its natures and IVs contribute to this as well.
I dunno, it's hard to explain, and I might not be absolutely correct.

Ahh ok. I think I'm too in the game to worry about it. Is it that important? I don't plan on doing competitive battles.

Ampharos generally has higher Special Attack, so it doesn't need physical attacks like Thunderpunch. Replace it with Signal Beam once it learns it (lv.42) and Tackle with Power Gem (lv.59) Also, ThunderBolt is superior to Thundershock. You can get the TM for it by gaming in the Goldenrod Game Corner if you're really up to it. XD



I'm not sure what Larrysturtle had in mind, but I'd replace Gyarados for it if anything (having two water-types on the same team being redundant and all) A good set for Starmie would be:

Starmie
Modest nature
-Thunderbolt
-Ice Beam
-Surf
-Psychic

This set works best with a Choice Specs hold item, but I don't expect you to have one for in-game usage (I think you can only get it from spending BP at the Battle Frontier once you beat the game). Personally, I'd stick with Gyarados. Ice Fang/Waterfall will be enough for anything Lance throws at you (except his own gyarados, which Ampharos can make quick work of)


...not exactly. It's hard to explain, and for in-game purposes, I wouldn't bother with it because your pokemon are most likely already EV'd inefficiently from battling the wild pokemon and in-game trainers.

Basically, the formula for determining your pokemon's stats takes into account several things, including values hidden to you. EVs are one such hidden value that you accrue by beating pokemon in the game. When you beat a pokemon, you get 1-3 EVs for their strongest stat. Every four EVs you gain, will be one "bonus" point to that stat at lv.100. You can only have 255 EVs in any given stat (meaning a max of 63 "bonus" points at lv.100) and 510 EVs total (so a max of two stats with maxed "bonus" points at lv.100)

Thanks for the help! What about my other pokemon/moveset. I'd really appreciate the help.

And with Nature, is that important? If I was to get a Starmie, do I just catch one and can somehow change it's nature or do I keep catching Starmies until I get a Modest one? I think I might stick with my gyarados. So what moveset for Gyarados?

Sorry, still learning :)

Thanks for the help so far everyone! I really appreciate it.

Simon

 

[Safetyfirst]

MEGANIUM - Lv. 45
Calm Nature
----------------
Energy Ball
Body Slam
Frenzy Plant
Light Screen



HO-OH - Lv. 48
Rash Nature
----------------
Punishment
Sunny Day
Fly
Sacred Fire

Again, I know this is bad. Have a lot of fire.


GYARADOS - Lv. 40
Rash Nature
----------------
Dragon Dance
Ice Fang
Bite
Waterfall <- Surf is physical and therefor sh*t on gyarados


DRAGONAIR - Lv. 40
Naive Nature
----------------
ExtremeSpeed
Thunder Wave
Aqua Tail
Dragon Rush


PIDGEOTTO - Lv. 31
Gentle Nature
----------------
Return
Fly
Sand attack
Quick Attack


AMPHAROS - Lv. 32
Lax Nature
----------------
Signal Beam
ThunderPunch
Replace either ^ or v with Charge, depending on either atk or sp.atk is higher
ThunderShock
Thunder Wave

My comments are in bold. I hope you enjoy your first pokemon experience, and if you need help, just come to the S + M section or Pm me.

 

[Gymnotide]

MEGANIUM - Lv. 45
Calm Nature
----------------
Petal Dance ==> Aromatherapy
Magical Leaf ==> Leech Seed / Synthesis
Frenzy Plant ==> Energy Ball
Light Screen ==> Reflect

Unfortunately, Meganium isn't the best in offense. Where it does shine is in support for the team. You want to replace Frenzy Plant with Energy Ball since it's much more reliable and it will do more damage over two turns than Frenzy Plant. Meganium's other good moves are Aromatherapy (which it learns at level 60) and Leech Seed. You'll want to fit those in somewhere. Reflect is also an option over Aromatherapy if you want to dual screen. I wrote to replace Light Screen in this case because I gave Ampharos Light Screen too.


HO-OH - Lv. 48
Rash Nature
----------------
Extrasensory ==> Brave Bird
Sunny Day ==> Roost
Fire Blast ==> Earthquake
Sacred Fire

Ho-Oh is a Physical fighter more than a Special one, though it has pretty decent stats there too. You can keep Fire Blast if you like, though Sacred Fire is usually going to be enough to defeat most foes. You can use either Roost or Recover. Using Roost means for a turn you'll be weak to Ground, but less weak to Rock (and Electric / Ice).


GYARADOS - Lv. 40
Rash Nature
----------------
Twister ==> Earthquake
Ice Fang
Bite ==> Stone Edge
Surf ==> Waterfall / Aqua Tail

Gyarados is a Physical fighter that has terrible Special stats, so you want to stockpile Physical moves on him. Twister is weak, so you want to give Gyarados its best Physical move. Replace Bite with Stone Edge -- Bite offers coverage, but his Water-type attack will end up doing more damage than it anyway, even if Super Effective. Replace Surf with either Waterfall or Aqua Tail. While Waterfall can Flinch, Aqua Tail trades out 10% accuracy for 10 more Power than Waterfall. One's more reliable and has an effect, while one packs a bit more of a punch. Your call. Ice Fang can stay for coverage.


DRAGONAIR - Lv. 40
Naive Nature
----------------
ExtremeSpeed
Thunder Wave
Aqua Tail
Dragon Rush ==> Outrage

Wait, I like this. Just replace Dragon Rush with Outrage. It's better. You could opt for Dragon Dance instead of Extremespeed, or Earthquake over one of his other attacks though. Roost is also an option if you want your Dragonite to last longer.


PIDGEOTTO - Lv. 31
Gentle Nature
----------------
Twister ==> Toxic / Featherdance
Fly
Gust ==> Roost
Quick Attack ==> Featherdance

Wait, really? Are four of your Pokemon Flying-types? Fly can stay since I understand it's in-game, but a better choice would be Brave Bird (but Pidgeot only learns it as an Egg Move). Since Pidgeot doesn't end up too strong in the long run, it's good to run Toxic or Featherdance... Or both.

If you're really object to this, the only other real option is to give Pidgeot a Choice Band and hope he goes first in combat with

Return
Brave Bird
Steel Wing / U-Turn
Quick Attack / Pursuit

Swellow and Staraptor do this a lot better though.


AMPHAROS - Lv. 32
Lax Nature
----------------
Thunderbolt
Signal Beam
Charge
Light Screen

I didn't like your moveset, so this is what I'm using on my Ampharos at the time being. For competitive, it lacks a lot of coverage, but for in-game it acts as a really powerful Special Wall as well as Special attacker. With Charge + Light Screen, Ampharos can absorb near any Special attack and fires off Thunderbolts at double power after setup. You don't even have to Charge up, because Ampharos has ridiculously high Special Attack (of 115 base) anyway. You can replace any of the moves except Thunderbolt with Power Gem, Focus Blast, or a Water / Grass / Ice-typed Hidden Power. Personally, I like keeping Light Screen. Don't use any Physical moves, though.

Comments posted in bold. Feel free to post a follow-up.