Which Horse is Better in Crown Tundra: Glastrier or Spectrier? A Comprehensive Guide
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The age-old question that has plagued Pokémon trainers since the release of the Crown Tundra DLC for Pokémon Sword and Shield: which steed is better for Calyrex: Glastrier or Spectrier? The short answer is: it depends entirely on your battle strategy and team composition. However, Spectrier is generally considered the superior choice for competitive play due to its blistering Speed and Special Attack, making it a formidable offensive threat. While Glastrier boasts impressive bulk and Attack, its lower Speed often leaves it vulnerable to faster opponents. Choosing wisely depends on your personal preference.
Understanding Calyrex’s Steeds: A Detailed Comparison
The choice between Glastrier and Spectrier is more than just picking a cool-looking Pokémon. It’s a strategic decision that significantly impacts Calyrex’s role on your team. Let’s dive into a more detailed comparison:
Glastrier: The Icy Fortress
- Type: Ice
- Calyrex Form: Ice Rider Calyrex (Psychic/Ice)
- Strengths: Phenomenal Attack and Defense stats. High HP allows it to take a beating. Its ability, Chilling Neigh, boosts Attack every time it knocks out an opponent.
- Weaknesses: Low Speed makes it difficult to outspeed opponents and land the first hit. Vulnerable to common attacking types like Fighting and Fire.
- Role: Physical Attacker, Tank
Glastrier excels at absorbing physical hits and dishing out powerful physical attacks. Its low speed can be mitigated with Trick Room strategies or by providing speed boosts. Ice Rider Calyrex is a force to be reckoned with under Trick Room, where its slow speed becomes an advantage.
Spectrier: The Spectral Speedster
- Type: Ghost
- Calyrex Form: Shadow Rider Calyrex (Psychic/Ghost)
- Strengths: Incredible Special Attack and Speed. Its ability, As One, combines Calyrex’s and Spectrier’s abilities, granting it an additional boost.
- Weaknesses: Low Defense makes it susceptible to physical attacks. Struggles against opponents with high Special Defense.
- Role: Special Sweeper
Spectrier is all about speed and power. Shadow Rider Calyrex is one of the fastest and hardest-hitting Special Attackers in the game. Its Astral Barrage move is devastating. It can quickly dispatch opponents before they even have a chance to react. The primary difficulty is keeping it alive long enough to sweep.
Key Considerations When Choosing
- Team Synergy: Does your team need a bulky physical attacker or a fast special attacker?
- Metagame: What are the popular Pokémon and strategies being used in competitive battles?
- Personal Playstyle: Do you prefer a more aggressive or defensive approach?
Ultimately, the “better” steed depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you make a more informed decision:
1. Is Ghost or Ice Calyrex better in terms of competitive viability?
Shadow Rider Calyrex (Ghost) is generally considered better due to its higher speed and special attack. This combination allows it to sweep teams effectively and quickly. The metagame reflects this reality.
2. Can you get both Calyrex steeds in one game?
No, you can only obtain one steed in a single playthrough of the Crown Tundra. You will have to trade with another player, or use another Nintendo Switch profile.
3. Why does Calyrex have two steeds?
In the lore, Glastrier and Spectrier were once a single horse. However, that steed died, and Glastrier is the body of the horse, while Spectrier is its spirit. Calyrex eventually forgot what the horse looked like.
4. Which carrot should I plant to get my preferred steed?
Planting the carrot seeds in the icy patch will yield an Iceroot Carrot, attracting Glastrier. Planting in the graveyard patch will yield a Shaderoot Carrot, attracting Spectrier.
5. Is Calyrex worth using a Master Ball on?
While you don’t have to, Calyrex is a perfectly reasonable target for your Master Ball. Its catch rate can be challenging, and using the Master Ball guarantees a successful capture.
6. Is Zacian faster than Calyrex?
Shadow Rider Calyrex is faster than Zacian. Zacian has a base speed of 148, while Shadow Rider Calyrex has a base speed of 150.
7. Are Glastrier and Spectrier Legendary Pokémon?
Yes, Glastrier and Spectrier are Legendary Pokémon.
8. Can Spectrier be shiny?
Unfortunately, Spectrier, Glastrier, and Calyrex are all shiny locked in Pokémon Sword and Shield. That means it is impossible to find shiny versions of them through normal gameplay.
9. What happens if I separate Calyrex from its steed?
Separating Calyrex from Glastrier or Spectrier will cause it to forget the special move associated with that steed. You will lose Glacial Lance (Glastrier) or Astral Barrage (Spectrier).
10. Is Calyrex the most powerful Pokémon?
While Calyrex is undoubtedly strong, it’s not the most powerful. It is one of the strongest, with a base stat total of 680. Several Pokémon exceed this number through Mega Evolution or other forms.
11. Which are the most offensive and defensive types?
The article mentions that Fighting and Fire are the most offensive types, while Water and Steel are the most defensive.
12. Is Urshifu a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon?
Urshifu is a Legendary Pokémon, introduced in the Isle of Armor DLC.
13. Is there an advantage to a certain gender of Calyrex’s steed?
The gender is irrelevant in terms of gameplay and stats. It purely aesthetic.
14. How does the weather effect the battle between the steeds?
Weather conditions can play a significant role. Snow boosts Ice-type moves for Glastrier. While Rain weakens Fire-type moves and benefits Water types, indirectly hindering Glastrier’s common weaknesses.
15. Where can I find Keldeo and Zacian?
Keldeo is found in the Crown Tundra after catching the Swords of Justice Pokémon (Cobalion, Virizion, and Terrakion). Zacian is found in Pokemon Sword, and can be caught above the tower of Hammerlocke Gym.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between Glastrier and Spectrier comes down to your individual needs as a trainer. Consider your team composition, battle strategy, and the current metagame. While Spectrier offers a compelling offensive option, Glastrier can be a formidable tank under the right circumstances. Experiment with both and discover which steed best suits your style!
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