Best Starter For Pokemon Black

Choosing the Best Starter Pokémon in Pokémon Black: A Comprehensive Guide

Picking your first Pokémon is a pivotal moment in any Pokémon journey. The choice significantly impacts your early game experience, shaping your team's strengths and weaknesses. This comprehensive guide will delve into the best starter Pokémon for Pokémon Black, examining their stats, movepools, and overall effectiveness throughout the game. We'll explore the advantages and disadvantages of each, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your playstyle. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of which starter will best equip you for your adventure in the Unova region.

Introduction: The Trio of Unova

Pokémon Black offers players a choice between three distinct starter Pokémon: Snivy, the Grass-type; Tepig, the Fire-type; and Oshawott, the Water-type. Each boasts unique strengths and weaknesses, making the selection a strategic one. This isn't just about picking your favorite; it's about understanding the challenges ahead and choosing a partner capable of overcoming them. We'll analyze each starter in detail, considering their evolutionary lines, type matchups, and overall viability throughout the game.

Snivy: The Grass-Type Grace

Snivy, the Grass-type starter, evolves into Servine and finally Serperior. Serperior is a powerful and elegant Pokémon, boasting high Special Attack and Speed stats. This makes it a formidable special attacker, capable of dishing out substantial damage.

Advantages of Choosing Snivy:

• High Special Attack: Serperior’s impressive Special Attack allows it to decimate opponents vulnerable to Grass-type moves.
• Good Speed: Its high Speed stat ensures it often strikes first, gaining a significant advantage in battles.
• Access to Leaf Storm: This powerful move, though it lowers Serperior's Special Attack after use, can be devastating against opponents.
• Type Coverage: Grass-type moves are effective against many common Pokémon encountered throughout the game, including Water and Ground types.

Disadvantages of Choosing Snivy:

• Weaknesses: Grass-type Pokémon are notably weak against Fire, Ice, Poison, Bug, Flying, and even other Grass-types. This makes carefully managing battles crucial.
• Early Game Challenges: The early game in Pokémon Black presents several Fire-type opponents, making Snivy more vulnerable initially compared to the other starters.
• Physical Attack Deficiency: Serperior's Physical Attack stat is relatively low, limiting its physical attacking options.

Tepig: The Fiery Fire-Type

Tepig, the Fire-type starter, evolves into Pignite and then Emboar. Emboar is a powerful physical attacker, excelling in strength and raw power. It's a straightforward and effective choice for those who prefer brute force over strategic finesse.

Advantages of Choosing Tepig:

• High Physical Attack: Emboar's physical attack is exceptional, making it a force to be reckoned with in physical combat.
• Effective Against Grass and Ice: Fire-type moves are super effective against Grass and Ice types, common weaknesses in many Pokémon.
• Early Game Advantage: Tepig has a strong advantage in the early game against certain opponents, particularly against those weak to Fire.
• Good Bulk: Emboar has reasonably good HP and Defense stats which improves its survivability.

Disadvantages of Choosing Tepig:

• Water Weakness: Water-type moves are super effective against Fire-type Pokémon. Many Water-type opponents will pose a significant threat.
• Ground Weakness: Ground-type moves are also super effective against Fire types, and the game features several strong Ground-type opponents.
• Special Attack Deficiency: Emboar's Special Attack is rather low, limiting its Special Attack options.

Oshawott: The Aquatic Ace

Oshawott, the Water-type starter, evolves into Dewott and then Samurott. Samurott is a balanced Pokémon with decent Attack and Special Attack stats. It is a viable option for both physical and special attacking styles, offering more versatility than the other two starters.

Advantages of Choosing Oshawott:

• Balanced Stats: Samurott has a more balanced stat distribution compared to Serperior and Emboar, providing a degree of versatility in battle.
• Effective Against Fire and Ground: Water-type moves are super effective against Fire and Ground types, two common types throughout the game.
• Good Movepool: Samurott has access to a variety of both physical and special moves, offering flexibility in team composition.
• Mega Launcher Ability: This ability boosts the power of any moves that have a wide range of attack, making certain moves like Aqua Jet even stronger.

Disadvantages of Choosing Oshawott:

• Grass Weakness: Grass-type moves are super effective against Water-type Pokémon. Many Grass-type opponents will pose a threat.
• Electric Weakness: Electric-type moves are also super effective against Water-type Pokémon, meaning Electric-type opponents will be particularly challenging.
• Can be Outsped: Depending on its moveset and EVs, Samurott can be outsped by some faster opponents.

Comparative Analysis: Choosing Your Champion

Beyond the Starter: Building Your Team

While the starter Pokémon is crucial, remember that it's just one piece of the puzzle. Building a well-rounded team with diverse type coverage is essential for success. Consider Pokémon that cover your starter's weaknesses and provide synergistic advantages. Think about type matchups and the overall synergy within your team.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: Can I change my starter Pokémon? A: No, once you choose your starter Pokémon, you cannot change it. This is standard across most Pokémon games.
• Q: Which starter is easiest to use? A: Tepig/Emboar is often considered easier for beginners due to its strong offensive capabilities in the early game.
• Q: Which starter is best for competitive battling? A: All three starters can be viable in competitive battling, but their effectiveness will depend greatly on the player’s strategy and chosen movesets. Serperior and Samurott are generally preferred for their speed and attack.
• Q: Are there any hidden advantages to choosing a specific starter? A: While no significant hidden advantages exist, the choice of starter subtly shapes the early game experience and the types of Pokémon you might encounter.

Conclusion: Your Unova Adventure Awaits

The choice of starter Pokémon in Pokémon Black is a personal one, influenced by your playstyle and preferences. There's no single "best" starter; the ideal choice depends on your individual strategies and comfort level. This guide has provided a detailed analysis of each starter, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and overall viability. Carefully consider the information presented, and choose the partner that you believe will best accompany you on your epic adventure through the Unova region. Remember, the most important factor is to choose a Pokémon that you enjoy playing with and that excites you to embark on this unforgettable journey. No matter your choice, you're in for an exciting experience filled with challenges, discoveries, and unforgettable moments. Good luck, Trainer!