Choosing a starter Pokémon is one of the most crucial decisions in any Pokémon game, and Pokémon White is no exception. Unova offers three fantastic choices: Tepig, Snivy, and Oshawott. Each of these starters has its own strengths and weaknesses, making the decision a bit more complex for players who want the best experience. In this article, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of each starter, helping you decide which one is the best for your journey through Unova.
Tepig: The Fire/Fighting Powerhouse
Tepig is the Fire-type starter of Pokémon White. As a Fire/Fighting type, Tepig is often seen as a solid offensive choice for players who enjoy high attack power and a diverse movepool. Tepig evolves into Emboar, a bulky Fire/Fighting-type Pokémon with great offensive capabilities.
Strengths:
- High Attack Stat: Emboar’s strong attack makes it a formidable foe against most opponents.
- Movepool: With access to powerful moves like Flare Blitz, Hammer Arm, and Wild Charge, Emboar can hit hard against a variety of types.
- Solid for Playthroughs: Emboar is an excellent choice for beginners, as it can handle most of the gym battles and Elite Four members without much trouble.
Weaknesses:
- Slow Speed: Emboar’s slow speed can be a disadvantage against faster Pokémon.
- Fire/Fighting Typing: While this dual-typing offers offensive power, it also leaves Emboar vulnerable to Water, Ground, and Flying-type moves.
Despite these flaws, Emboar remains a fan favorite for its power and versatility. If you’re looking for an easy-going playthrough where offense is key, Tepig might just be your best option.
Snivy: The Elegant and Strategic Grass-Type
Snivy is the Grass-type starter and evolves into Serperior, a sleek and graceful Pokémon known for its speed and defensive potential. While it lacks the raw offensive power of Tepig, Serperior compensates with its speed and access to status moves that can turn the tide of battle.
Strengths:
- Speed: Serperior’s high speed allows it to outspeed many Pokémon, giving it the upper hand in battle.
- Utility Moves: Snivy’s evolutions can learn moves like Glare (to paralyze opponents) and Leech Seed, which can be extremely useful for wearing down foes over time.
- Good Hidden Ability: With its Hidden Ability, Contrary, Serperior can become a very strong contender by reversing stat changes, though this is not available in Pokémon White.
Weaknesses:
- Lack of Coverage: Serperior’s movepool is somewhat limited in terms of type coverage. It struggles against Steel, Poison, and Fire-types, and its offensive capabilities are not as powerful as Emboar’s or Samurott’s.
- Difficulty Against Certain Gyms: While Snivy can handle some early opponents, it struggles against tougher battles, particularly those with strong Fire or Bug-types.
Despite these issues, Serperior is still a popular choice for players who enjoy a more tactical approach to battles. Its speed and utility moves make it an excellent pick for strategic players.
Oshawott: The Reliable Water-Type
Oshawott is the Water-type starter and evolves into Samurott, a balanced Water-type Pokémon that excels in both offense and defense. Samurott offers a well-rounded movepool and can perform well in most situations. It’s a reliable and solid choice for anyone who prefers consistency over gimmicks.
Strengths:
- Balanced Stats: Samurott’s stats are well-distributed, making it a versatile Pokémon that can take on various roles.
- Strong Movepool: Samurott has access to powerful moves like Surf, Ice Beam, Megahorn, and Aqua Jet, which allow it to cover multiple threats, especially with the addition of Ice Beam to deal with Dragon and Flying-types.
- Good Against Many Gyms: Samurott’s Water typing gives it a distinct advantage over many gym leaders and opponents.
Weaknesses:
- Lack of Special Attack Focus: While Samurott is good offensively, its special attack stat isn’t the highest, meaning some special-based Water-types, like Jellicent, may outperform it in certain scenarios.
- Water-Type Competition: In Pokémon White, players can find strong Water-type alternatives like Seismitoad and Jellicent, which could take some of the shine off Samurott.
Samurott is a reliable and strong choice for players who like a balanced approach to their team. It’s especially useful for handling a wide variety of types during the course of the game.
Which Starter Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the best starter for you will depend on your playstyle and preferences.
- Tepig (Emboar) is perfect if you enjoy strong offensive strategies and want a powerful, straightforward playthrough.
- Snivy (Serperior) is great for players who prefer a more tactical approach, focusing on speed and utility, but be prepared for a few challenges along the way.
- Oshawott (Samurott) is the best option if you’re looking for a reliable, balanced Pokémon that performs well in a variety of situations.
For your first run in Pokémon White, many players recommend Emboar for its sheer offensive power and ability to get through the game with ease. However, if you prefer a more challenging and strategic experience, Serperior or Samurott might be better suited for you.
No matter which starter you choose, Unova is full of exciting adventures and strong Pokémon to discover. Happy gaming!
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