Pokemon Black White 2 Starters

Choosing Your Path: A Deep Dive into Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Starters

Picking your first Pokémon is one of the most crucial decisions in any Pokémon journey. In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, this choice sets the tone for your entire adventure through the Unova region. This comprehensive guide will explore each of the three starter Pokémon – Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott – analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, team synergy potential, and overall effectiveness throughout the game and beyond. Whether you're a seasoned trainer revisiting Unova or a newcomer embarking on your first adventure, understanding the nuances of each starter will help you make the best choice for your playstyle.

Introduction: The Trio of Unova

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 offer a refined experience compared to their predecessors, including subtle changes to the starter Pokémon themselves. While the core designs remain the same, their evolution lines and movepools have been subtly adjusted to better balance the competitive landscape and offer more strategic depth. Let's delve into each starter, examining their individual journeys from humble beginnings to powerful evolutionary forms.

Snivy: The Grass-Type Grace

Snivy, the Grass-type starter, embodies elegance and speed. Its initial stats lean towards a special attack focus, making it a formidable attacker from the start. Its evolution line culminates in Serperior, a regal and powerful Pokémon known for its graceful movements and surprisingly high speed.

• Strengths: Snivy's greatest asset is its high Special Attack and Speed. This allows it to outspeed and outdamage many opponents, especially early in the game. Its Grass-type moves are effective against many common opponents, providing a consistent advantage. Serperior's access to powerful STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) moves like Leaf Storm and Giga Drain ensures significant damage output.

• Weaknesses: Grass-type's vulnerability to Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug, and Ice is well-documented. Snivy and its evolutions are relatively frail, requiring strategic play to avoid taking significant damage. Their lower defense necessitates careful team composition and strategic maneuvering in battles.

• Team Synergy: Snivy's high Special Attack complements Pokémon with strong physical attacks. Pairing it with a Fire or Water-type to cover its weaknesses is crucial. Pokémon that can set up hazards or provide support are also excellent additions to a team with Serperior.

• Evolution Line: Snivy evolves into Servine at level 17 and then into Serperior at level 36. Each stage offers a gradual increase in power and stats, making Snivy a consistent performer throughout the game.

• Movepool Highlights: Leaf Storm, Giga Drain, Dragon Pulse, Sludge Bomb, Hidden Power (Fire). The wide array of STAB and coverage moves gives Serperior significant versatility.

Tepig: The Fire-Type Fury

Tepig, the Fire-type starter, embodies raw power and aggression. Unlike Snivy's graceful approach, Tepig's strength lies in its high physical attack. Its evolution into Emboar signifies a transition to a powerful physical powerhouse, capable of devastating blows.

• Strengths: Tepig's high Attack stat shines throughout its evolutionary line. Fire-type attacks are super effective against Grass, Ice, Bug, and Steel-type Pokémon, providing a strong offensive presence. Emboar's access to strong physical moves like Flare Blitz and Head Smash ensures significant damage output.

• Weaknesses: Fire-type's vulnerability to Water, Ground, and Rock is a significant drawback. Emboar's lower Speed stat can be a significant hindrance, making it vulnerable to faster opponents. Careful strategic positioning and support are necessary to maximize its effectiveness.

• Team Synergy: Tepig works well alongside Pokémon that can absorb hits or create opportunities for its powerful physical attacks. Water or Ground-types can help to mitigate its weaknesses. Stealth Rock setters can also be useful in wearing down opponents before Emboar unleashes its devastating attacks.

• Evolution Line: Tepig evolves into Pignite at level 17 and then into Emboar at level 36. The evolution process gradually increases its bulk and offensive power, making it a formidable physical attacker.

• Movepool Highlights: Flare Blitz, Head Smash, Earthquake, Wild Charge, Superpower. Emboar’s movepool allows for a balance of powerful offensive moves and coverage.

Oshawott: The Water-Type Warrior

Oshawott, the Water-type starter, represents a balanced approach. Its stats are relatively well-rounded, making it a versatile Pokémon throughout the game. Its evolution into Samurott highlights its defensive capabilities while still maintaining significant offensive potential.

• Strengths: Oshawott boasts a good balance of Attack, Defense, and Speed, allowing for more strategic flexibility compared to the other starters. Water-type moves are effective against Fire, Ground, and Rock, covering some key weaknesses of the other starters. Samurott's access to moves like Aqua Jet allows it to strike first and prioritize speed in many matchups.

• Weaknesses: Water-type's weakness to Grass and Electric requires careful consideration. While more balanced than the other two starters, Samurott lacks the raw power of Emboar or the speed of Serperior, necessitating a more calculated approach to battles.

• Team Synergy: Oshawott's balanced nature allows for flexibility in team composition. Pairing it with Grass or Electric-type Pokémon helps to mitigate its weaknesses. Pokémon with supportive abilities, like those that can boost its attack or defense, significantly enhance its performance.

• Evolution Line: Oshawott evolves into Dewott at level 17 and then into Samurott at level 36. Each stage refines its stats, leading to a powerful and versatile final evolution.

• Movepool Highlights: Aqua Jet, Razor Shell, Megahorn, Waterfall, Ice Beam. Samurott's movepool offers a good mix of physical and special attacks with varied type coverage.

The Competitive Landscape: Post-Game Considerations

While the choices above highlight the starters’ effectiveness throughout the main story, their value extends into the competitive scene. The metagame of competitive Pokémon battles is constantly evolving, but understanding each starter’s potential is vital for success.

• Serperior: Its high Speed and Special Attack make it a viable choice, often utilizing sets built around Leaf Storm and Giga Drain. However, its frailty remains a concern.

• Emboar: Emboar's raw power and access to physical moves like Flare Blitz make it a force to be reckoned with. However, its lower Speed and predictable offensive strategy can be exploited.

• Samurott: Samurott's balanced nature and access to Aqua Jet provide some niche utility. It can surprise opponents with its speed and hard-hitting attacks. However, it may lack the sheer power or speed to compete with the top tier competitive Pokémon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Which starter is the "best" in Black 2 and White 2?

A: There's no single "best" starter. The optimal choice depends entirely on your preferred playstyle and team composition strategy. Snivy excels in speed and special attack, Tepig offers raw power, and Oshawott provides a balance.

Q: Can I change my starter Pokémon?

A: No, once you choose your starter Pokémon, you cannot change it. This decision is permanent, so choose wisely!

Q: Are there any significant differences between the starters in Black 2 and White 2 compared to Black and White?

A: The core designs and evolution lines remain the same. However, minor adjustments to movepools and stats have been made, particularly to better balance the competitive scene.

Q: What are some good Pokémon to pair with each starter?

A: This depends on the starter you choose and your preferred strategy. Generally, consider Pokémon that cover your starter's weaknesses and complement its strengths. For instance, a Fire-type might pair well with Snivy, a Water-type with Tepig, and a Grass-type with Oshawott.

Conclusion: Embark on Your Unova Adventure

Choosing your starter in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 is a significant step. This decision shapes your gameplay experience, influencing your team building and strategic approaches. By understanding the strengths, weaknesses, and potential synergies of Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, you can confidently embark on your Unova adventure, making choices that align with your playstyle and maximizing your chances of success. Remember, there's no wrong choice—each starter offers a unique and rewarding journey through the vibrant world of Pokémon!