Pokemon Black 2 Starter Pokemon

Choosing Your Partner: A Deep Dive into Pokémon Black 2 Starters

Picking your first Pokémon is arguably the most crucial decision in any Pokémon journey. In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, this choice sets the tone for your entire adventure through Unova. This article will delve into the three starter Pokémon – Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott – examining their strengths, weaknesses, and overall viability throughout the game and beyond. We'll explore their evolutionary lines, movepools, competitive potential, and ultimately, help you decide which furry friend best suits your playstyle. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision, ensuring a successful and enjoyable playthrough.

Introduction: The Unova Trio

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 offer a refreshing take on the familiar starter Pokémon formula. Each starter presents a unique and balanced approach to gameplay, encouraging players to consider their strategic preferences beyond simple type matchups. Unlike some generations where one starter clearly outshines the others, Black 2 and White 2 provide a more nuanced and engaging selection process. Let's get acquainted with our potential partners.

Snivy: The Grass-Type Grace

Snivy, the Grass-type starter, embodies elegance and speed. Its slender frame belies its surprising resilience, making it a surprisingly well-rounded choice for beginners.

Snivy's Evolutionary Line:

• Snivy: A fast and agile Grass-type with decent Special Attack. It learns useful moves early on, making it effective against many early-game opponents.
• Servine: Servine retains Snivy's speed and adds a bit more bulk. Its movepool expands, offering greater versatility.
• Serperior: Serperior, Snivy's final evolution, is a graceful and powerful Grass-type Pokémon. It boasts high Special Attack and Speed, making it a formidable offensive threat. Its elegant design also makes it a favorite among many trainers.

Strengths and Weaknesses:

• Strengths: High Special Attack and Speed, access to strong STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) moves like Leaf Storm and Giga Drain. Its typing offers advantages against Water, Ground, and Rock types.
• Weaknesses: Serperior's Grass typing makes it vulnerable to Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, Bug, and Ice-type attacks. This necessitates careful team composition and strategic maneuvering.

Gameplay Considerations:

Snivy's speed is a major asset, allowing it to outpace and potentially one-shot opponents. Its Special Attack focus means investing in Special Attack-boosting items and moves is crucial. While its defensive stats are lower, Serperior's high HP can mitigate some damage.

Tepig: The Fire-Type Fury

Tepig, the Fire-type starter, is all about raw power and aggressive tactics. This fiery pig Pokémon is perfect for those who prefer a more straightforward, offensive approach.

Tepig's Evolutionary Line:

• Tepig: A fiery and energetic Fire-type with good Attack stats. It excels in dealing damage early in the game.
• Pignite: Pignite, Tepig's second evolution, gains access to Fighting-type moves, adding a new dimension to its offensive capabilities. It becomes a powerful mixed attacker.
• Emboar: Emboar, the final evolution, is a formidable Fire/Fighting-type. It boasts high Attack and HP, making it a tanky physical attacker.

Strengths and Weaknesses:

• Strengths: High Attack and HP, access to strong STAB moves like Flare Blitz and Head Smash. The Fire/Fighting typing provides excellent coverage.
• Weaknesses: Emboar's dual typing makes it vulnerable to Ground, Water, Psychic, and Flying-type attacks. Its Speed stat is relatively low, making it susceptible to faster opponents.

Gameplay Considerations:

Tepig's high Attack stat makes it a consistent damage dealer. However, its lower Speed requires thoughtful strategizing, often necessitating the use of priority moves or strategic positioning.

Oshawott: The Water-Type Warrior

Oshawott, the Water-type starter, is the most balanced of the three, offering a blend of offensive and defensive capabilities. Its charming design hides a powerful and versatile nature.

Oshawott's Evolutionary Line:

• Oshawott: A cute but capable Water-type starter with balanced stats. It learns a variety of useful moves early on.
• Dewott: Dewott maintains Oshawott's balanced stats and gains access to more powerful Water-type moves. Its design evolves into a more mature and sophisticated look.
• Samurott: Samurott, the final evolution, is a strong Water-type with decent Attack and Special Attack. It possesses a unique and powerful design.

Strengths and Weaknesses:

• Strengths: Samurott boasts a balanced stat spread, making it adaptable to various playstyles. It has access to both physical and special moves, giving it excellent versatility.
• Weaknesses: Its Water typing makes Samurott vulnerable to Electric and Grass-type attacks. Its defenses aren't as high as Emboar, requiring careful consideration during battles.

Gameplay Considerations:

Oshawott's balanced nature allows it to function effectively in various roles. Whether you build it as a physical or special attacker, Samurott can be a powerful asset to your team. Its versatility makes it a popular choice among players.

Comparing the Starters: A Strategic Overview

Choosing between Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott depends heavily on your preferred playstyle. Here's a breakdown to help you decide:

• For speed and special attackers: Snivy's Serperior is the clear choice. Its high Speed and Special Attack stats make it a formidable offensive powerhouse.
• For raw power and physical attackers: Tepig's Emboar offers unmatched offensive power, but its lower Speed necessitates a more strategic approach.
• For balanced gameplay and adaptability: Oshawott's Samurott is the most versatile, providing a blend of physical and special attack capabilities.

Movepool Deep Dive: Maximizing Potential

The movepool each starter gains significantly impacts their effectiveness. Understanding movepool diversity is essential for strategic gameplay. While the specific move sets depend on TMs, HMs, and level-up moves, certain moves are crucial for maximizing each starter's potential. This includes moves like Leaf Storm for Serperior, Flare Blitz for Emboar, and Aqua Jet for Samurott.

Competitive Viability: Beyond the Main Story

While all three starters are viable for the main story, their competitive viability differs. Serperior's speed and powerful STAB moves make it a competitive threat, while Emboar's raw power can also be effective with the right strategy. Samurott, though versatile, faces stronger competition in higher-level competitive battles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Which starter is easiest to use? Tepig's straightforward offensive approach makes it arguably the easiest for beginners.
• Which starter is the best overall? There's no single "best" starter; the optimal choice depends entirely on your playstyle and preferences.
• Can I catch all three starters? No, you only get to choose one starter Pokémon at the beginning of the game.
• What are the type advantages and disadvantages of each starter's final evolution? Each starter’s final evolution’s type advantages and disadvantages are listed above in their respective sections.
• Are there any hidden abilities or alternate forms for these starters? No, these starters do not have hidden abilities or alternate forms in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.

Conclusion: Your Unova Adventure Awaits

Selecting your starter Pokémon in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 is a significant decision, but it's also an exciting one. Each starter Pokémon offers a unique path to victory, reflecting diverse playstyles and strategic approaches. By understanding the strengths, weaknesses, and potential of Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, you'll be well-equipped to choose the perfect partner for your Unova adventure. No matter your choice, the journey will be filled with thrilling battles, captivating characters, and unforgettable moments. So, pick your starter, and let the adventure begin!