Which is the Best Unova Starter? A Comprehensive Guide
The Unova region, introduced in Pokémon Black and White, brought with it a fresh trio of starter Pokémon: Snivy, the Grass-type; Tepig, the Fire-type; and Oshawott, the Water-type. Each has its unique appeal and strengths, but the question remains: which is the best Unova starter? The answer isn’t straightforward and depends on various factors, including personal play style and strategy, however, considering the overall balance of strengths, weaknesses, and in-game usability, Oshawott edges out the competition, particularly in its final evolution as Samurott. While Tepig offers raw power, and Snivy has defensive advantages, Samurott’s overall package of movepool versatility, balanced stats, and effectiveness against key in-game challenges make it the top pick.
A Closer Look at Each Starter
To fully understand why Oshawott often comes out on top, let’s delve deeper into each of the Unova starters:
Snivy: The Regal Grass Type
Snivy, with its smug demeanor, is the Grass-type starter of Unova. Its final evolution, Serperior, is known for its speed and, with the ability Contrary, would have become an even stronger contender if it had been available during the original release of the games. However, in the original Black and White, Serperior struggles with its movepool, relying on Grass-type moves which can be easily countered. While Snivy possesses the highest Defense stat amongst the starters, its offensive capabilities are somewhat lacking, making it a less than optimal pick for many. It shines brightest when speed control and support are needed.
Tepig: The Fiery Powerhouse
Tepig, the Fire-type, evolves into the powerful Emboar. It’s all about sheer strength. It has a high base attack and HP stat, allowing it to take and dish out a lot of damage. Tepig excels at raw damage output, making it a viable option for players wanting to steamroll through opponents. However, Emboar’s slow speed can be a significant drawback, especially against faster opponents. While it has advantages against more of the games’ gym leaders than the others, that raw power is what holds its value and its reliance on attacking can prove problematic.
Oshawott: The Balanced Water Type
Oshawott, the Water-type, eventually evolves into Samurott. Samurott boasts a balanced stat distribution and a versatile movepool. Its movepool is very diverse, allowing for various offensive and defensive strategies, and its typing is useful against a significant amount of opponents in the region. Samurott’s movepool includes options like Waterfall, Razor Shell, Megahorn, and a range of special attacks. It performs exceptionally well against the Elite Four, making it one of the easiest to use, especially for newer players. Also, its dual Water/Dark form in Pokémon Legends: Arceus makes it a great contender to use in the future.
Why Oshawott/Samurott is the Best
While each starter has its merits, Samurott’s overall package of balance, moveset versatility, and general effectiveness makes it a top choice. Here’s why:
- Movepool Versatility: Samurott has a broad and diverse movepool, allowing it to adapt to various situations. This includes strong Water-type moves, physical moves like Megahorn, and other coverage options that are key to dealing with different opponents effectively.
- Balanced Stats: Samurott’s stats are well-balanced, providing a solid mix of offense and defense. While not the fastest, it can withstand its share of hits while still delivering powerful blows.
- In-game Effectiveness: Samurott proves to be particularly effective against the Elite Four, a crucial part of the game for any player. Its Water-typing allows it to counter common threats and makes it generally easier to complete the main campaign.
- Ease of Use: Its relative ease of use and adaptability makes it great for newer and veteran players alike.
- Excellent Offense and Defense: Samurott can play both offensive and defensive roles, a feat that Snivy and Tepig cannot boast as much.
While Tepig provides raw power and Snivy boasts a good defense, Samurott provides the best overall package that makes playing through the game a more straightforward experience, and its balanced stats and movepool are what make it the best overall starter in the Unova region.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which Unova starter is the most popular?
While popularity can be subjective and change over time, Oshawott is generally considered the most popular Unova starter, thanks in part to its adorable design and effective final evolution.
2. Is Snivy a bad starter?
Snivy is not necessarily a “bad” starter, but it is the weakest of the three in terms of overall usability in the original Black and White versions. It requires more strategic planning due to its limited movepool and lower offensive stats.
3. How does Tepig fare against the gym leaders?
Tepig has an advantage against more of the Unova gym leaders than Oshawott and Snivy, particularly against the first gym. However, this advantage doesn’t make it the best overall choice due to its lower speed and limitations.
4. Is Samurott’s movepool really that diverse?
Yes, Samurott’s movepool is notably diverse, featuring not only powerful Water-type attacks but also coverage moves like Megahorn and various special attacks, allowing it to adapt to different opponents and situations.
5. Does Samurott have any weaknesses I should worry about?
Samurott is primarily weak against Grass and Electric-type attacks. However, these are relatively easy to counter by incorporating other types of Pokémon in a well-balanced team.
6. How does Oshawott compare to other Water-type starters?
Oshawott and Samurott hold their own against other Water-type starters due to its unique movepool and decent stats. Compared to other Water-types, such as Squirtle and Totodile, Samurott’s access to powerful Water and Dark-type moves sets it apart.
7. Which starter is the fastest in its final form?
In its final evolution, Serperior (Snivy’s final evolution) is the fastest of the Unova starters, but its moveset isn’t as diverse, holding it back from the top spot.
8. Can Tepig/Emboar be viable despite its low speed?
Yes, Tepig and Emboar can be viable if you build your team around it and work to make it work.
9. Does the starter choice in Unova impact the overall gameplay experience?
Yes, the choice of starter in Unova can significantly impact the gameplay experience. Each starter has different strengths, weaknesses, and match-ups, influencing how easily players navigate the game.
10. Is it possible to obtain all three starters in a single game?
In the original Pokémon Black and White, you can only get one starter per save file, so you’d need to trade with others to get the other two. However, trading has not been supported in recent years, meaning it is only possible to obtain through using older systems.
11. Is Oshawott a good choice for new players?
Yes, Oshawott is considered a great choice for new players due to its balanced stats, diverse movepool, and ease of use. It makes the initial gameplay more accessible.
12. How does the Hisuian Samurott compare to Unova’s Samurott?
Hisuian Samurott is a dual-type Water/Dark Pokémon, offering a different set of strengths and weaknesses. It has more offensive power than its Unova counterpart, and its typing gives it more flexibility to deal with a greater number of types.
13. If I value offense, should I go for Tepig over Oshawott?
If raw offensive power is your primary focus, then Tepig/Emboar might be tempting. However, Samurott offers enough offensive prowess while also having better defense, mobility, and adaptability.
14. Are there any Pokémon that pair particularly well with Oshawott/Samurott?
Pokémon with resistances to Electric and Grass-type moves pair well with Samurott, such as Flying-type Pokémon. Pairing these types can make an unstoppable team.
15. Are the Unova starters available in all modern Pokémon games?
While not all the Unova starters appear in every game, they are available in most recent releases, so there is usually at least one way to get ahold of each of the three starters if you are looking to.