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What is the Best Grass Starter in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP)?

The best Grass starter in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP) is arguably Turtwig. While the final evolution, Torterra, has its drawbacks, Turtwig’s early game advantages against key Gym Leaders like Roark and Crasher Wake provide a smoother start for new players. The Grass/Ground typing of the Turtwig line offers a unique strategic advantage, making it a solid choice for trainers looking for a reliable and powerful Pokémon throughout their journey.

Turtwig’s Early Game Dominance

Type Advantages and Gym Battles

One of the most significant factors in choosing a starter Pokémon is its effectiveness against early Gym Leaders. Turtwig excels in this aspect, boasting a type advantage against Roark’s Rock-type team and Crasher Wake’s Water-type lineup. This immediate advantage can make the initial stages of the game significantly easier, allowing players to progress smoothly without excessive grinding. The Ground-type added upon evolution also provides coverage against Electric-type Pokémon, which can be problematic early on.

Survivability and Stats

While not as offensively powerful as Chimchar (Infernape), Turtwig and Torterra have respectable HP and Defense stats, making them surprisingly tanky for a Grass-type. This survivability is especially useful in the early game when players have limited access to healing items and strategic moves. Torterra can withstand powerful attacks, giving players more opportunities to strategize and exploit enemy weaknesses.

Torterra: Strengths and Weaknesses

Dual Typing Benefits

The Grass/Ground dual typing of Torterra is both a blessing and a curse. While it grants crucial resistances and immunities (Electric), it also introduces several weaknesses, notably to Fire, Flying, Bug, and a massive 4x weakness to Ice. Despite these vulnerabilities, the Ground typing is invaluable for its coverage and ability to deal with common threats.

Movepool Versatility

Torterra boasts a diverse movepool, allowing it to adapt to various combat situations. It can learn powerful Grass-type moves like Leaf Storm and Wood Hammer, as well as strong Ground-type attacks like Earthquake. Furthermore, it has access to coverage moves like Stone Edge, Rock Slide, and even Earthquake from TMs. This versatility makes it a formidable opponent against a wide range of Pokémon.

Late Game Viability

While Torterra’s speed stat isn’t ideal, its high Attack and Defense stats make it a reliable choice for both in-game battles and competitive play. With proper training and strategic use of its movepool, Torterra can become a core member of any BDSP team. It also learns Synthesis and Leech Seed, allowing for survivability.

Comparing Torterra to Other Starters

Infernape’s Offensive Prowess

Chimchar’s evolution line, culminating in Infernape, is renowned for its exceptional Attack and Special Attack stats. Infernape’s Fire/Fighting typing offers a unique offensive advantage, allowing it to blaze through many opponents. However, Infernape’s frailty can be a drawback, requiring careful planning and strategic use of its speed to outmaneuver opponents. According to the provided text, “Infernape is my favorite Sinnoh starter, because its dual Fire/Fighting types allow it to blaze (literally)through all of the Gyms except for Roark, and that’s easily fixed by evolving early to get Fighting moves.”

Empoleon’s Defensive Capabilities

Piplup’s final evolution, Empoleon, boasts excellent Special Attack and Special Defense stats. Its Water/Steel typing provides numerous resistances and immunities, making it a defensively solid choice. However, Empoleon’s weaknesses to Fighting, Ground, and Electric can be problematic, and its movepool may lack the raw power of Infernape’s or the versatility of Torterra’s.

Alternative Grass-Type Options

Roserade: A Versatile Alternative

For players seeking a powerful Grass-type Pokémon early on, Roserade is an excellent option. Roserade is easily accessible and offers a remarkable Special Attack stat, making it a formidable offensive threat. Its Grass/Poison typing provides valuable coverage and resistance, making it a valuable addition to any team.

Leafeon: The Elegant Grass-Type

The article notes, “To be clear, they do both have the same 525 base stat total, but both rely on their high Attack and Defense stats and Leafeon has Torterra beat in each of these departments.” Leafeon, an evolution of Eevee, is a pure Grass-type known for its high Attack and Defense stats, making it a solid physical attacker with good survivability.

Conclusion

While Torterra might not be the flashiest or fastest Pokémon, its early game advantages, survivability, and versatile movepool make Turtwig the best Grass starter in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Its Grass/Ground typing offers a unique strategic advantage that sets it apart from other starters and makes it a reliable choice for trainers of all skill levels.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Torterra weak to many types? Yes, Torterra’s Grass/Ground typing makes it weak to Fire, Flying, Bug, and Ice types, with a significant 4x weakness to Ice.
Is Turtwig better than Torterra? In the early game, Turtwig’s advantages against the first Gyms make it a strong choice. However, Torterra has a diverse movepool and can be powerful in the late game if trained properly.
Is Infernape better than Torterra? Infernape boasts higher offensive stats and can sweep through opponents quickly, while Torterra is more durable. It depends on your playstyle, but Infernape is generally regarded as the most powerful starter, while Torterra is known for its tankiness.
What is the best starter in BDSP overall? Many consider Chimchar/Infernape to be the best starter due to its advantageous matchups and high offensive capabilities throughout the game.
Why is Turtwig a good starter? Turtwig’s type advantage against early Gym Leaders like Roark and Crasher Wake makes the early game significantly easier.
What is the fastest Grass starter Pokémon? According to the text, “The Pokémon who holds this special crown is none other than Sceptile, the Grass-type starter from the third generation of games.”
Is Roserade a good early game Pokémon? Yes, Roserade is a great choice for players needing a strong, versatile Grass-type early in the game due to its accessibility and high Special Attack stat.
Is Turtwig rare in Pokémon Legends: Arceus? Yes, Turtwig is considered one of the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
Can you get a shiny starter in BDSP? Yes, any of the starters in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl can be shiny, but it requires resetting the game multiple times.
Is Torterra a good Pokémon in Brilliant Diamond? Yes, Torterra is a hardy Pokémon with high HP and defensive stats, making it a reliable choice for battles.
What are the best secondary typings for Grass-type Pokémon? According to the article, some of the best secondary typings for Grass-type Pokémon include Grass/Poison, Grass/Water, Grass/Ground, Grass/Ghost, and Grass/Steel.
Is Chikorita a good starter? While not as offensively strong as other starters, Chikorita has balanced stats and can be a viable choice for players prioritizing overall stats over specific strengths.
Which starter Pokémon does the most damage? While the article doesn’t directly answer this for BDSP, it mentions that Rillaboom has the highest base Attack stat of all the starters.
Why is Piplup a good starter? Piplup has few major weaknesses.
Where can I find more information about learning and games? You can learn more by visiting the Games Learning Society website.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the best Grass starter in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each starter Pokémon and offering valuable insights for trainers of all levels. For more information on gaming and learning, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.

What is the best grass starter in BDSP?