Pokemon Black Version 2 Starters

Choosing Your Champion: A Deep Dive into Pokémon Black Version 2 Starters

Choosing your starter Pokémon is one of the most crucial decisions in any Pokémon game, and Pokémon Black Version 2 is no exception. This decision sets the tone for your entire journey through Unova, influencing your team composition, battle strategies, and overall gameplay experience. This comprehensive guide delves into the strengths, weaknesses, and potential team synergy of each starter Pokémon available in Black Version 2: Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott. We'll explore their evolutionary lines, type matchups, and even provide some strategic advice for building a successful team around each one. By the end, you'll be equipped to make an informed decision and embark on your Unova adventure with confidence.

Introduction: The Trio of Unova

Pokémon Black Version 2 offers players the classic choice of three distinct starter Pokémon, each belonging to a different typing: Grass, Fire, and Water. This diversity ensures a balanced gameplay experience, with each starter providing unique advantages and disadvantages throughout the game. Let’s explore each one in detail, covering their evolutionary stages, movepools, and overall viability in both early and late-game battles.

1. Snivy: The Grass-Type Grace

Snivy, the Grass-type starter, embodies elegance and speed. Its slender physique hints at its agile nature, and its evolution line reflects a focus on speed and special attack.

• Snivy: Snivy starts with surprisingly good speed and decent Special Attack, making it a viable offensive threat early on. However, its low defense and HP make it vulnerable to physical attacks.

• Servine: Servine retains Snivy's speed advantage and sees an increase in its special attack, solidifying its role as a special attacker. Its access to moves like Leaf Storm and Giga Drain further enhances its offensive capabilities.

• Serperior: Serperior, the final evolution, boasts incredible speed and high Special Attack, making it a powerful sweeper. Its elegant design reflects its prowess on the battlefield. While defensively frail, its speed allows it to often outspeed opponents and deal significant damage before being countered. Its access to powerful STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) moves like Leaf Storm and Giga Drain makes it a formidable force. However, its Grass typing leaves it vulnerable to Fire, Ice, Poison, Bug, Flying, and especially Ice-type attacks.

Strategic Considerations: A Serperior-led team benefits from including Pokémon that can cover its weaknesses, such as Fire, Ice, and Flying types. Consider Pokémon like Chandelure or a strong Fighting-type to deal with its vulnerabilities.

2. Tepig: The Fiery Fire-Type

Tepig, the Fire-type starter, is a spirited pig Pokémon with a passionate nature. Its evolution line emphasizes physical attack and powerful fire-type moves.

• Tepig: Tepig boasts decent Attack and HP, making it a solid physical attacker right from the start. It's a little slower than Snivy, but its higher HP and Attack allow it to withstand some hits.

• Pignite: Pignite's physical attack stat increases significantly, making it a real powerhouse in the mid-game. Its access to moves like Flare Blitz and Head Smash allows it to deal devastating damage.

• Emboar: Emboar, the final evolution, is a robust physical attacker with incredible power. Its high Attack and HP make it a formidable opponent, capable of taking and dishing out heavy damage. Emboar's Fire/Fighting dual typing provides more offensive versatility, but also makes it vulnerable to Ground, Water, Psychic, and Flying-type moves.

Strategic Considerations: Emboar's dual typing can be both a blessing and a curse. While it provides coverage against Steel and Dark types, it also increases its vulnerability. A balanced team with Pokémon capable of handling Ground, Water, and Psychic types is crucial for maximizing Emboar's potential.

3. Oshawott: The Water-Type Warrior

Oshawott, the Water-type starter, is a determined and skillful Pokémon. Its evolution line emphasizes balanced stats and a strong physical attack.

• Oshawott: Oshawott starts with balanced stats, offering a good mix of attack and defense. Its speed is decent, making it an all-around effective starter Pokémon.

• Dewott: Dewott’s balanced stats continue to develop, making it a reliable physical attacker. Its access to moves like Waterfall and Aqua Jet makes it a force to be reckoned with.

• Samurott: Samurott, the final evolution, is a well-rounded physical attacker with high Attack and Defense. Its unique dual typing of Water/Dark grants it advantages over Ghost and Psychic types but makes it vulnerable to Fighting, Bug, Electric, and Grass type moves. Its signature move, Razor Shell, is particularly effective.

Strategic Considerations: Samurott's balanced stats allow for flexibility in team composition. However, its vulnerability to Electric-type attacks should be considered when building your team. Consider including a strong Ground-type Pokémon to counter its Electric weakness.

A Closer Look at Type Matchups and Synergies

The effectiveness of each starter heavily depends on the Pokémon you choose to accompany them. Understanding type matchups is essential for building a balanced and powerful team.

• Snivy/Serperior (Grass): Grass is weak against Fire, Ice, Poison, Bug, and Flying. Consider adding Fire, Water, or Ground-types to counter these weaknesses.

• Tepig/Emboar (Fire/Fighting): Fire/Fighting is weak against Ground, Water, Psychic, and Flying. Ground-type moves are particularly devastating against Emboar. Including a strong Ground or Water-type Pokémon will be beneficial.

• Oshawott/Samurott (Water/Dark): Water/Dark is weak against Electric, Grass, Fighting, Bug, and Fairy. Include Electric, Grass, or Bug-type Pokemon in your team to counter these weaknesses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Which starter is the easiest to use?

A: This is subjective and depends on your play style. Tepig/Emboar might be considered easier for beginners due to its high HP and straightforward physical attacking style.

Q: Which starter is the best for competitive battling?

A: All three starters can be viable in competitive battling, depending on the build and team composition. Serperior excels in speed-based strategies, while Emboar's raw power makes it a force to be reckoned with. Samurott's balanced stats allow for more flexibility in team building.

Q: Can I change my starter Pokémon?

A: No, you cannot change your starter Pokémon once you've made your initial selection.

Q: Which starter has the best movepool?

A: Each starter boasts a varied and powerful movepool. Serperior has access to powerful special Grass-type moves, while Emboar’s access to Fire and Fighting moves provides a good type coverage. Samurott’s access to Water and Dark moves also provides excellent coverage.

Q: Are there any hidden abilities for these starters?

A: In the original Black and White games, there are no hidden abilities for the starter Pokémon.

Conclusion: Your Unova Adventure Awaits

The choice of starter Pokémon in Pokémon Black Version 2 is a significant one, shaping your gameplay experience. Each starter possesses unique strengths and weaknesses, requiring careful consideration of team composition and battle strategy. Ultimately, the "best" starter is the one that best suits your play style and preferences. Whether you choose the elegant Snivy, the fiery Tepig, or the steadfast Oshawott, an exciting Unova adventure awaits! Remember to carefully consider their typing, movepools, and evolutionary lines before making your final decision. Good luck, trainer!