Actually, Slowking wins in tanking Hyper Beams, which are specially-based in HGSS.
There's also Charizard with his Shadow Claw making the water/psychic typing a bit of a nuisance.Yeah, not the Hyper Beams; the real boons of Slowbro's physical bulk are in taking Crunch/Thunder Fang from Aerodactyle and STAB Outrage.
I wouldn't say using items and using X-items is the same. Items are available for everyone and are one of the best way how one can manage their money. Would you say moves like Swords Dance, Bulk Up, Calm Mind don't deserve a moveslot just because they have an inferior item equivalent? Nasty Plot is a darn good move, and not one available to most of the Pokemon who wish they had it. You're probably not using it every battle but with Surf, you don't have to.I don't like the idea of relying on Nasty Plot as a crutch, and then saying "hey, it's okay to not have Slack Off because you can Hyper Potion," because that's ultimately the same result as throwing on X-items onto Pokemon to boost their stats. If X-Acc + Horn Drill doesn't jump a Pokemon to Top Tier in RBY's tier list, Nast Plot + H-Potion shouldn't push a Poke to the top of this one either.
Slowbro's encounter rate is 9 times lower compared to Slowpokes', and their levels still vary from 15 to 30 according to Bulbapedia. Why aren't you concerned about time spent catching something as much as you're concerned about the relatively small difference between levels 25 and 30? You'd still go for Slowbro (maybe ignoring its level) if trading is out, or if you're so negative to Slowking (for whatever reason).I don't know what games you've been playing, but 5 levels means a lot in a Pokemon's performance-- In game, you're trying to avoid grinding for every level, and you're trying to avoid wasting trainer battles (experience) on Pokemon. If you can get them at a higher level instead, that's a big deal. Especially in HGSS where there is so little available experience from trainer battles, and your team is liable to still be in its late 30's going into the Elite Four.
Does that mean we're soloing the game with our starter if we're so afraid that their experience will be given to something else? Feraligatr solos are fine with me and people who find that sort of playstyle fun may stick to it if they wish, but that essentially puts a big question over the usage of anything besides the starter, Red Gyarados and the version exclusive legendary, because everything makes a claim to experience.This carries on to Slowpoke as well. Why would I use a severely under-leveled Pokemon that will be a minor contributor at best? When the alternative is to get a high-leveled fully evolved Poke right at the point in the game where it will start to excel?
You don't have to Curse every battle, only when it makes a difference. Physical water-types moves are best not used on Slowdude, I'd argue, since those are mostly unavailable, and Surf is too good.I'll add some notes about Physical Bro later though, and mention Yawn and Curse. I wouldn't use a full physical Bro in-game because Cursing every battle is pretty inefficient, and Surf is powerful and convenient, while Aqua Tail / Dive are pretty damn inconvenient. Avalanche is cool though-- it appears right before you really need Ice moves, and it's much more reliable than Blizzard. Avalanche would be the main reason you'd go for a Cursing/Physical Slowbro. I'll be sure to add these details in.
We tried to keep the X-items out of tiering as much as possible, but just mentioned the trick for the Pokemon with those moves.I wouldn't say using items and using X-items is the same. Items are available for everyone and are one of the best way how one can manage their money. Would you say moves like Swords Dance, Bulk Up, Calm Mind don't deserve a moveslot just because they have an inferior item equivalent? Nasty Plot is a darn good move, and not one available to most of the Pokemon who wish they had it. You're probably not using it every battle but with Surf, you don't have to.
You could make a similar point about stats and movepools not mattering because X items can replace whatever shortcomings Pokemon have in those aspects. Caterpie with 6 X Attacks and some defensive/speed boosts is sweeping the game just fine. X items can turn anything into a monster, and erase all discrepancies Pokemon may have between one another. Nasty Plot gives you the boost of 2 X Specials, to use your thinking.
Anyway, I do recall X accuracy strats being stressed in the RBY reviews of Kingler, and I think Nidoking as well? I think most would agree Recover/Moonlight et al are a poor choice for 4th moveslot besides the instances where you really don't have anything better to put there (like GSC Staryu).
As mentioned, you're forgetting the repel trick.Slowbro's encounter rate is 9 times lower compared to Slowpokes', and their levels still vary from 15 to 30 according to Bulbapedia. Why aren't you concerned about time spent catching something as much as you're concerned about the relatively small difference between levels 25 and 30? You'd still go for Slowbro (maybe ignoring its level) if trading is out, or if you're so negative to Slowking (for whatever reason).
As mentioned, Slowpoke's contributions will be minimal compared to the amount of experience he'll suck. You want to give him a slice of the massive Miltank Pie? No way-- that one enemy can give 1-2 levels to one of your more useful Pokemon. If you're using the traded Machop (that's basically tailor made to kill Miltank), that thing could jump 3 levels by taking that battle exclusively.There are also numerous benefits to training a Pokemon over catching a high-level wild one, such as its actual contributions during the extra time it exists and all the EVs it accumulates in that time.
No, but you're not going to catch/train a wild Magikarp when you can get the Red Gyarados right? Same thing here.Does that mean we're soloing the game with our starter if we're so afraid that their experience will be given to something else? Feraligatr solos are fine with me and people who find that sort of playstyle fun may stick to it if they wish, but that essentially puts a big question over the usage of anything besides the starter, Red Gyarados and the version exclusive legendary, because everything makes a claim to experience.
It definitely is.40 special on Slowpoke is nothing impressive, but its water/psychic dual STABs and physical bulk are good enough for the earlygame until you get a King's Rock. It's definitely not a hurdle.
The PokeAthlon is Hell on emulators, by the way.Don't forget that Evo Stones are obtainable in Pokeathlon, but only certain days. For example Fire Stone only Tuesdays(before National Dex)
There isn't much of an issue really, but annoys if you are also playing other games that rely on DS clock.
And playing over, over and over the minigames of Pokeathlon becomes tiring and boring.
Edit: I have just tried by myself, 488 points(388 + 100 by winning) using two Scythers and Rattata on the Speed Course, 7 minutes counting since entering to the Pokeathlon minigame until out of it)
Scythers may be replaced by Rattata or Gastly which have better availability.
Buy a DS then! :PThe PokeAthlon is Hell on emulators, by the way.
Anyway, GODDAMNIT MISSY. I haven't been able to get a female for awhile now. Hunting in the Safari Zone. I'm already putting it on Mid or below unless it amazes me.
Well if you run it alongside Gyarados you can just keep Slowbro as your Special Water (Surf, Fire Blast, Psychic, Shadow Ball/Slack Off) and Gyarados as your physical Water (Waterfall, Dragon Dance, Ice Fang, Earthquake/Taunt).I'll add some notes about Physical Bro later though, and mention Yawn and Curse. I wouldn't use a full physical Bro in-game because Cursing every battle is pretty inefficient, and Surf is powerful and convenient, while Aqua Tail / Dive are pretty damn inconvenient. Avalanche is cool though-- it appears right before you really need Ice moves, and it's much more reliable than Blizzard. Avalanche would be the main reason you'd go for a Cursing/Physical Slowbro. I'll be sure to add these details in.
They can also be used, though I always thought Shadow Ball and Psychic were the opposite way around.About Lugia, TM Psychic is impossible to have until Kanto, so...
Lugia is hindered by the low PP of Aeroblast(5) and Hydro Pump, which can be replaced by Surf.
Against Koga's bugs, Extrasensory>Aeroblast, because the low PP of Aeroblast.
Shadow Ball smashes Will if you don't mind to spend that unique TM.