Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen In-Game Tiers

[Jubilee]

OK well since every other written in-game tier article copied the introduction from Mekkah I suppose I will too (edited a few parts of it to sound better in my opinion).

GP Checks: [2 (Fatecrashers) / (Oglemi) 2]

Introduction:

The best possible Pokemon for an in-game team are the ones that are obtained at the start of the game, can OHKO enemies easily, take little damage from nearly any enemy, can learn many HMs, can heal itself, can learn useful moves upon level up, doesn't need excessive TMs, and has a useful ability. Such a Pokemon doesn't exist of course, but this means that Pokemon closer to this ideal are obviously the best ones possible.

The goal of this in-game tier list is to recommend a select group of Pokemon for an efficient run through the game. The ones that fit most of the above requirements are placed in the high tier. Very inefficient Pokemon will be put in the low tier. Things that are neither efficient nor inefficient, for example Pokemon that have some opportunity costs but don't end up as good as high tiered ones, will be put in the middle tier.

Don't confuse an efficient run with a speed run. Speed runs are often ones that are segmented and recorded with luck manipulation through resets, and aim for the absolute fastest time recorded, but the real time spent on them is usually much more. Just assume you want to play through in a relatively fast time frame.

Team size is actually by far most efficient if you use only one member, but I'm assuming something more like 3 members, as otherwise you get extremely centralized lists with starters and early game Pokemon at the far top with everything else pretty much too inefficient to bother with.

Also note when reading through this guide that some of the moves and abilities listed for a Pokemon may only be obtained by their evolutions. Some Pokemon may be placed in higher tiers due to their evolutions capabilities as well.

High Tier:

Abra
Availability: Early
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Average
Additional Comments: Psychic typing is very useful for all the Poison-types that are in the game. High Special Attack and Speed stats net quick and easy KOs. However, needs to be traded to fully evolve, which requires two Gameboy Advances/SPs and a link cable or wireless adapter.

Articuno
Availability: Late
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has very well-rounded stats and an especially high Special Defense stat. Obtained late in the game but at a high level of 50 which makes up for it.

Bulbasaur
Availability: Beginning
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Learns 3 useful status moves and has a useful Grass-typing in the beginning of the game. However, there are many Poison-types in the game, which both of Bulbasaur's STABs are not very effective against.

Charmander
Availability: Beginning
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Wide
Additional Comments: Learns useful moves through level up and TM, such as Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Mega Punch, Fly, and Dragon Claw. Learns a vast amount of HMs as well. Has high Special Attack and Speed stats.

Clefairy
Availability: Early
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Very wide
Additional Comments: Learns a vast amount of TMs and useful moves upon level up, and is very bulky both physically and specially. Can also be evolved as soon as it is obtained with a Moon Stone.

Cubone
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Useful Groundtyping for OHKOing the vast amount of Poison-type Pokemon in the game, and has an incredibly high Attack stat once equipped with the Thick Club item, allowing it to OHKO many other Pokemon as well.

Diglett
Availability: Early
Stats: Average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Useful Groundtyping for OHKOing the vast amount of Posion-type Pokemon in the game. Instead of catching Diglett you can also capture his evolution Dugtrio who is available in the same area and time as Diglett and is at a significantly higher level.

Hitmonlee
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Average
Additional Comments: Has a very high Attack stat and learns useful moves upon level up and through TM.

Jynx
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Wide
Additional Comments: Very high Special Attack and Speed stats, learns Lovely Kiss upon level up, and her Psychictyping is very useful for OHKOing the vast amount of Poison-types in the game. Unfortunately, you need to trade a man in Cerulean City a Poliwhirl to receive her, but since she is obtained via trading she gains double experience points, quickly making up for the extra effort.

Lapras
Availability: Late
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Very wide
Additional Comments: Available late in the game and at a much lower level than your party at that point in the game. However, it has above average stats all around, and a very wide movepool consisting of notable attacks, such as Surf, Ice Beam, Blizzard, Thunder, and Psychic.

Machop
Availability: Early
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Average
Additional Comments: Has a very high Attack stat and learns useful moves upon level up and through TM. However, needs to be traded to fully evolve which requires two Gameboy Advances/SPs and a link cable or wireless adapter.

Mankey
Availability: Early
Stats: Average
Movepool: Average
Additional Comments: Useful for defeating the Pewter City gym leader Brock if you choose Charmander as your starter. Has high Attack and Speed stats.

Nidoran (M)
Availability: Early
Stats: Average
Movepool: Very wide
Additional Comments: Has well-distributed stats and learns a vast amount of TMs and in-game move tutor moves.

Snorlax
Availability: Late
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Very wide
Additional Comments: Has a massive HP stat and a high Attack and Special Defense stat. Learns many useful moves upon level up and through TM, such as Body Slam, Brick Break, Shadow Ball, and Rest.

Staryu (LeafGreen only)
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Very wide
Additional Comments: Very high Speed stat, learns Recover upon level up, and learns a vast amount of useful TMs and HMs, such as Surf, Ice Beam, Blizzard, Thunderbolt, Thunder, and Psychic.

Squirtle
Availability: Beginning
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Average
Additional Comments: Learns 3 HMs, Rock Smash, Surf, and Strength, and has decent stats all around.

Vaporeon
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has a massive HP stat and very high Special Attack and Special Defense stats.

Zapdos
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has very well-rounded stats and an especially high Special Attack stat. Although it has a shallow movepool it really only needs Thunderbolt / Thunder and Drill Peck to be of good use. It is obtained late in the game however, but at a high level of 50 which compensates for it.

Middle Tier:

Bellsprout (LeafGreen only)
Availability: Early
Stats: Average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Learns 3 useful status moves upon level up.

Doduo
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has a very high Attack stat and learns two powerful STAB moves upon level up (Tri Attack and Drill Peck).

Electabuzz (FireRed only)
Availability: Late
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Wide
Additional Comments: Has a wide movepool consisting of Thunderbolt, Thunder, Brick Break, Psychic, and Mega Punch. However, outside of a wide movepool, he is outclassed by Zapdos in every way.

Exeggcute
Availability: Late
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Learns Sleep Powder upon level up, has a very high Special Attack stat and useful Psychictyping.

Geodude
Availability: Early
Stats: Decent
Movepool: Average
Additional Comments: Useful Groundtyping for handling the vast amount of Poison-types in the game, learns useful moves upon level up including Selfdestruct.

Growlithe (FireRed only)
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Although its stats are very high all around, it has a shallow movepool outside of Fire-type attacks.

Hitmonchan
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Average
Additional Comments: Has a high Attack stat and learns useful moves through level up, TMs, HMs, and in-game move tutor moves. However, it is basically outclassed by the stronger, faster Hitmonlee.

Jolteon
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Very shallow
Additional Comments: Has a very shallow movepool outside of Electric-type attacks. However, it has very high Special Attack and Speed stats and is capable of dealing lots of damage to foes with just Thunderbolt or Thunder.

Magnemite
Availability: Late
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has a shallow movepool outside of Electric-type attacks, however its Steel typing is very useful in-game, and it has a very high Special Attack stat.

Mr. Mime
Availability: Early
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Useful Psychictyping for all of the Poison-types in the game. Since it is obtained through trading it also gains double experience. However, it has a shallow movepool outside of Psychic-type attacks.

Nidoran (F)
Availability: Early
Stats: Decent
Movepool: Wide
Additional Comments: Has well-rounded stats in all areas and learns a lot of TMs.

Oddish (FireRed only)
Availability: Early
Stats: Decent
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Learns 3 status moves upon level up but is outclassed by Bulbasaur. However, if one does not choose Bulbasaur as the starter then Oddish is a good replacement.

Pikachu
Availability: Early
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Wide
Additional Comments: Has an above average Attack, Special Attack, and Speed stat, learns Thunderbolt upon level up at level 26, and learns a vast amount of TMs and in-game move tutor moves such as Brick Break and Mega Punch.

Slowpoke (LeafGreen only)
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Very wide
Additional Comments: Learns a vast amount of useful TMs and HMs including Surf, Psychic, Ice Beam, Blizzard, Flamethrower, and Fire Blast. Also has very high Defense and Special Attack stats; however, it is very slow.

Spearow
Availability: Early
Stats: Decent
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Is outclassed by Doduo statwise but is available much earlier than Doduo.

Tentacool
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has well-rounded stats, but a shallow movepool outside of Water-type attacks.

Voltorb
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Decent
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Is the fastest Pokemon available in the game and learns Selfdestruct upon level up.

Low Tier:

Caterpie
Availability: Early
Stats: Very poor
Movepool: Very shallow
Additional Comments: Has no useful STAB attack and is weak offensively. However, has a very accurate Sleep Powder due to its ability Compoundeyes when it evolves into Butterfree.

Drowzee
Availability: Early
Stats: Below average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has a shallow movepool outside of Psychic-type attacks.

Flareon
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has good stats, but has a very shallow movepool outside of Fire-type attacks.

Grimer
Availability: Late
Stats: Decent
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has below average stats and has a shallow movepool.

Horsea
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Below average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Shallow movepool outside of Water-type attacks and can't be fully evolved until the National Pokedex is acquired.

Jigglypuff
Availability: Early
Stats: Below average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has poor offensive stats.

Kangaskhan
Availability: Late
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Decent
Additional Comments: Has a massive HP stat and a high Attack stat, but is only available late in the game and is very hard to capture.

Koffing
Availability: Late
Stats: Below average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has poor offensive stats and is available too late in the game.

Lickitung
Availability: Late
Stats: Below average
Movepool: Decent
Additional Comments: Outclassed by other Normal-types such as Kangaskhan and Snorlax.

Magikarp
Availability: Early
Stats: Very poor
Movepool: Very shallow
Additional Comments: Incredibly useless until it evolves into Gyarados. Gyarados isn't very useful either due to it not gaining STAB on any of its physical attacks.

Magmar (LeafGreen only)
Availability: Late
Stats: Decent
Movepool: Wide
Additional Comments: Although it has a wide movepool it is available too late in the game.

Meowth
Availability: Early
Stats: Below average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Poor offensive stats and has a shallow movepool outside of Normal-type attacks. However, it does have a useful ability in Pickup.

Moltres
Availability: Late
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Poor
Additional Comments: Has a shallow movepool outside of Fire-type attacks and is obtained very late in the game.

Paras
Availability: Early
Stats: Poor
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Doesn't have a useful STAB attack, bad typing, and poor stats besides its Attack. However, it does learn a 100% accuracy sleep move in Spore.

Pidgey
Availability: Early
Stats: Below average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has below average offenses.

Pinsir (LeafGreen only)
Availability: Late
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Very shallow
Additional Comments: Doesn't learn a useful STAB attack and is very hard to capture.

Poliwag
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Below average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has a shallow movepool outside of Water-type attacks. Has a poor Special Attack stat, so Water-type attacks aren't very viable.

Ponyta
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Decent
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has a shallow movepool outside of Fire-type attacks.

Psyduck (FireRed only)
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Below average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Doesn't learn any useful moves.

Rattata
Availability: Early
Stats: Below average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Learns Hyper Fang early. However, later in the game it starts to become less useful.

Rhyhorn
Availability: Late
Stats: Decent
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Evolves at a high level of 42 and has poor Speed and Special Defense stats.

Sandshrew (LeafGreen only)
Availability: Early
Stats: Average
Movepool: Decent
Additional Comments: Useful Ground typing for the vast amount of Poison-types in the game; however, relies on TMs for its movepool.

Scyther (FireRed only)
Availability: Late
Stats: Average
Movepool: Poor
Additional Comments: Very hard to capture and has no decent STAB attack outside of Aerial Ace. It also can't be fully evolved until the National Pokedex is acquired.

Seel
Availability: Late
Stats: Below average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Weak offensively and has a shallow movepool outside of Water-type and Ice-type attacks.

Shellder (FireRed only)
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Decent
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has a shallow movepool outside of Water-type and Ice-type attacks.

Tauros
Availability: Late
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Decent
Additional Comments: Available only late in the game and very hard to capture.

Venonat
Availability: Late
Stats: Average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has a very shallow movepool and no decent STAB attack.

Vulpix (LeafGreen only)
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Has a shallow movepool outside of Fire-type attacks.

Bottom Tier:

Aerodactyl
Availability: Late
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Decent
Additional Comments: Although Aerodactyl has very good stats and can be taught many useful TMs, it is available too late in the game and at a very low level of 5.

Chansey
Availability: Late
Stats: Poor
Movepool: Wide
Additional Comments: Has terrible offensive stats, incredibly low Defense stat, and is very hard to capture.

Ditto
Availability: Late
Stats: Poor
Movepool: Very shallow
Additional Comments: Obtained too late in the game and can only learn the move Transform which makes it completely useless.

Dratini
Availability: Late
Stats: Below average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Available only very late in the game and at a very low level, evolves at a very high level, very weak until it does evolve, and is very hard to capture.

Ekans (FireRed only)
Availability: Early
Stats: Below average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Shallow movepool and doesn't have a strong STAB attack.

Farfetch'd
Availability: Early
Stats: Below average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Shallow movepool, below average stats, and there are much better Flying-types in the game.

Gastly
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Wide
Additional Comments: Both its STABs are physical, which is unfortunate since its Attack stat is much lower than its Special Attack stat. It also needs to be traded to fully evolve, which requires two Gameboy Advances/SPs and a link cable or wireless adapter.

Goldeen
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Poor
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Doesn't have a powerful STAB move since Water-type attacks in this generation are special and it has a very poor Special Attack stat.

Kabutops
Availability: Late
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Available very late in the game and obtained at a low level of 5.

Krabby
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Poor
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Doesn't have a powerful STAB move since Water-type attacks in this generation are special, and it has a very poor Special Attack stat.

Omanyte
Availability: Very late
Stats: Above average
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Available very late in the game and obtained at a low level of 5.

Onix
Availability: Early
Stats: Poor
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Very slow, bad typing, shallow movepool, and can't be fully evolved until you acquire the National Pokedex.

Porygon
Availability: Mid-game
Stats: Below average
Movepool: Wide
Additional Comments: Too expensive to obtain (9,999 Game Corner coins for FireRed and 6,500 for LeafGreen). Also, can't be evolved until you acquire the National Pokedex.

Tangela
Availability: Very late
Stats: Decent
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Available too late in the game, is very slow, and has a shallow movepool outside of Grass-type attacks.

Weedle
Availability: Early
Stats: Poor
Movepool: Very shallow
Additional Comments: Very poor stats and movepool.

Zubat
Availability: Early
Stats: Poor
Movepool: Shallow
Additional Comments: Can't be fully evolved until you have acquired the National Pokedex.

Un-Tiered:

Mewtwo- Is only available once you have completely beaten the game.

-----------------------

Any opinions on whether a Pokemon should be moved up or down a tier is appriciated.

 

[Baztard]

Nidoran (f) to the same Tier as Nidoran (m). They are extremely similar in Stat layout (Nidoking has a slightly higher Attack and Sp. Attack) but it is barely noticeable in-game. Also they work wonders against Lt Surge, Erika and Koga. Immune to Electric, and can be fully evolved before the 2nd badge (Nidorino and Nidorina don't learn anything useful after level 23 which is the best time to evolve them imo).

Vaporeon to Top tier: Bite, Ice Beam and Surf = killer.

 

[Aerodactyl Legend]

Moltres is missing. Would put it in the Middle Tier only because of it's high SpA and decent speed mixed with useful Fire moves. It deserves low though, because like Articuno, it has a terrible offensive movepool (only consisting of Fire moves).

 

[Jubilee]

Nidoran (f) to the same Tier as Nidoran (m). They are extremely similar in Stat layout (Nidoking has a slightly higher Attack and Sp. Attack) but it is barely noticeable in-game. Also they work wonders against Lt Surge, Erika and Koga. Immune to Electric, and can be fully evolved before the 2nd badge (Nidorino and Nidorina don't learn anything useful after level 23 which is the best time to evolve them imo).

Vaporeon to Top tier: Bite, Ice Beam and Surf = killer.

Nidoran (F) doesn't deserve high tier in my opinion. It's offensive stats are below average but since it has a decent movepool Middle tier is fine with me. I just don't see why you would use Nidoran (F) over Nidoran (M) either.

As for Vaporeon high is fine. I'm actually playing through FR right now and using a Vaporeon and its doing really good at the moment.

Moltres is missing. Would put it in the Middle Tier only because of it's high SpA and decent speed mixed with useful Fire moves. It deserves low though, because like Articuno, it has a terrible offensive movepool (only consisting of Fire moves).

Ah oops. Since Moltres is obtained on one of the Sevii Islands (the first one) I guess I forgot to put it in, but it is obtainable before the elite four.
I agree with low as well, shallow movepool outside of fire-type attacks.

EDIT: Got Nidorans mixed up fixed my post now...

 

[jwoozie]

You say Dratini is obtained very late, but it is available at Celadon City's Game Corner if a player saves their money. It is very tough to level up but is very strong and very bulky once fully evolved. I would put it Middle Tier.

 

[Nexus]

You forgot Spearow...

and a quick fix

Pikachu - Available early in the game, above average offensive stats, high speed stat, can learn a lot of TM's, and learns Thunder-bolt at level 26.

Should be Speed and Thunderbolt

 

[Aerodactyl Legend]

Haunter is pretty decent though you'd have to use TMs such as Psychic and Thunderbolt, which you get sorta late. I'd give Gastly low, though until you get those TMs, he can't fight himself with his own moves.

Gyarados is not high, but even with no physical STABs, he makes good use of TMs, such as Return of Earthquake, especially after getting Dragon Dance. I'd put Magikarp in low while stating it will come through if you put in the effort. I might be just biased, as Gyarados is my second favorite Pokemon (and I have used him on my team for each and every single game).

Solid though. A lot of those decent Pokemon are hampered by when you get them, like those caught in the Safari Zone.

 

[Jubilee]

You say Dratini is obtained very late, but it is available at Celadon City's Game Corner if a player saves their money. It is very tough to level up but is very strong and very bulky once fully evolved. I would put it Middle Tier.

Again this list isn't based on stats alone, its based on effiency as well.

One you would need to get 2,800 coins for Pokemon FireRed and 4,600 coins for Pokemon LeafGreen.
Two he evolves at level 55.
Three the only useful moves upon level up it learns are Slam and Twister...
Dratini deffinately doesn't deserve middle tier.

EDIT: I think Gastly is fine where he is. Even though he can be taught useful TM's why use them on him when they can be used on something that can actually get STAB off them?

As for Magikarp I'm fine with low thanks!

And Nex fixed thank you as well. :)

 

[Aerodactyl Legend]

Again this list isn't based on stats alone, its based on effiency as well.

One you would need to get 2,800 coins for Pokemon FireRed and 4,600 coins for Pokemon LeafGreen.
Two he evolves at level 55.
Three the only useful moves upon level up it learns are Slam and Twister...
Dratini deffinately doesn't deserve middle tier.

Yeah, unless you get Dratini near the beginning of the game, you're not going to hit 55 by the Elite Four. It has a good movepool, but you'd have to use HMs and TMs to get that benefit. Post Elite Four, he would obviously be good, but before, you'll be stuck with an average Dragonair for a while.

EDIT: I think Gastly is fine where he is. Even though he can be taught useful TM's why use them on him when they can be used on something that can actually get STAB off them?

Mostly because of his Speed and Special Attack. Back then, Psychic was a pratical move on Gengar. He can stay on Bottom though. Staryu can evolve to Starmie anytime, and makes better use of Thunderbolt in addition to using Ice Beam and its Stabs.

 

[Nix_Hex]

You forgot Rhyhorn. He would probably be low tier due to its horrendous Speed and Special Defense, but at least deserves a mention for completeness, and it evolves into Rhydon at Level 42 which is what most Pokémon should be at by the time you reach the Elite 4. It does get Rock Blast at Level 29, but it doesn't get its best attack, Earthquake, until well after it evolves. Still, it can it earlier from TM26 if you can afford to use it. Also, if you are brave enough to use the gimmicky X-Accuracy, you can spam Horn Drill whenever you want.

 

[Jubilee]

You forgot Rhyhorn. He would probably be low tier due to its horrendous Speed and Special Defense, but at least deserves a mention for completeness, and it evolves into Rhydon at Level 42 which is what most Pokémon should be at by the time you reach the Elite 4. It does get Rock Blast at Level 29, but it doesn't get its best attack, Earthquake, until well after it evolves. Still, it can it earlier from TM26 if you can afford to use it. Also, if you are brave enough to use the gimmicky X-Accuracy, you can spam Horn Drill whenever you want.

Low tier is fine with me. You can also teach him Rock Slide from the move tutor in Rock Tunnel.
But his Speed, poor Sp.D, available late in the game (Safari Zone) is what brings him down unfortunately. Thanks!

 

[Nexus]

Poor Rattata seems to have been forgotten as well, maybe mid tier as it is useful early in the game with Hyper Fang and Quick Attack, and Super fang isn't half bad later on, learns a nice assortment of TMs, but can be replaced by stuff like Snorlax or Kangaskhan later on. Although, it's frailty is an issue that could make it low tier, so you make the last call.

 

[Nix_Hex]

What Nexus said. I totally attest to Rattata's usefulness early on. Raticate's kind of frail but it's fast enough to survive at least until mid game. I typically raise Rattata and Spearow early on and they get me through the game fine.

 

[Texas Cloverleaf]

Flareon should be at least mid-tier. It doesn't need a movepool when Overheat/Flamethrower, Return, Shadow Ball, Iron Tail/Dig completely rapes the game. Hitmonlee should be moved up for similar reasons as you get it at the same time and level as Flareon.

Also Mankey and Tentacool should be moved down a tier. They are both (Mankey espescially) just too underpowered to be of lengthy use.

 

[tawp64]

Lapras is actually pretty good. It gets ice beam at 31, it's incredibly bulky, a reliable surfer (at perfect timing) and well rounded stats. 25 isn't too bad, atleast not as bad as Dratini for example. Not to mention that it basically covers it's weaknesses. For example, in game about the only rock move is rock tomb early in.

 

[Jubilee]

Poor Rattata seems to have been forgotten as well, maybe mid tier as it is useful early in the game with Hyper Fang and Quick Attack, and Super fang isn't half bad later on, learns a nice assortment of TMs, but can be replaced by stuff like Snorlax or Kangaskhan later on. Although, it's frailty is an issue that could make it low tier, so you make the last call.

What Nexus said. I totally attest to Rattata's usefulness early on. Raticate's kind of frail but it's fast enough to survive at least until mid game. I typically raise Rattata and Spearow early on and they get me through the game fine.

While Rattata may be useful very early in the game with Hyper Fang I see little use for him mid-game. Weak defensive stats and shallow movepool outside of normal-type attacks too. No point in raising Rattata mid-game if your just going to ditch him, thats just wasting experience points in my opinion.

Flareon should be at least mid-tier. It doesn't need a movepool when Overheat/Flamethrower, Return, Shadow Ball, Iron Tail/Dig completely rapes the game. Hitmonlee should be moved up for similar reasons as you get it at the same time and level as Flareon.

Also Mankey and Tentacool should be moved down a tier. They are both (Mankey espescially) just too underpowered to be of lengthy use.

Flareon doesn't deserve middle tier in my opinion.
All of its moves rely on TM's, it has a low speed stat, and is utterly stomped by the elite four...
Plus Iron Tail and Shadow Ball are both received from the Celadon Game Corner for 3,500 coins. Sorry but I'd rather use my money on something more useful like Revives and such.

Hitmonlee to high is fine with me, high attack and strong stab fighting attacks early.

Mankey deserves high tier. Other then him there is like no way to beat Brock if you choose Charmander... Also learns useful fighting type moves early like Karate Chop, Low Kick, can be tutored Mega Punch, Mega Kick, and Rock Slide.

Tentacool moving down to mid is fine with me as well.

EDIT: Lapras for Middle? Fine with me, very wide movepool (Thunder, Psychic, Ice Beam, Blizzard, Surf).

 

[Texas Cloverleaf]

While it is true that its moves rely on TM's, if I recall correctly all of the TM's are available either before obtaining Flareon or shortly after. The TM's are also generally in low demand, with Shadow Ball being the only one with significant competition.

I concur with Lapras for Middle an honestly I think it should be high. It is more or less a more easily obtained Starmie with more bulk.

I think Drowzee should be moved up a tier to Low. While I agree with the statements in the OP, it evolves early at level 26, has an excellent Stab in Psychic and is actually quiet bulky (Hypno) especially on the Special side.

 

[Jubilee]

While it is true that its moves rely on TM's, if I recall correctly all of the TM's are available either before obtaining Flareon or shortly after. The TM's are also generally in low demand, with Shadow Ball being the only one with significant competition.

I concur with Lapras for Middle an honestly I think it should be high. It is more or less a more easily obtained Starmie with more bulk.

I think Drowzee should be moved up a tier to Low. While I agree with the statements in the OP, it evolves early at level 26, has an excellent Stab in Psychic and is actually quiet bulky (Hypno) especially on the Special side.

While I still don't agree with Flareon being moved up because of the reasons I already listed Lapras for high, and Drowzee for Low sounds good to me. Edited them in.

 

[Its_A_Random]

You missed Porygon...

As far as Porygon is concerned, it should be in the bottom tier imo. The reason is because it's so expensive to get (9,999 coins in Fire Red, 6,500 coins in Leaf Green), is rather slow, & isn't exactly powerful. Sure it learns a wide range of TM's, but it just doesn't have the speed or the bulk to pull it off. On top of that, you can't evolve it until you get the National Dex. So I think Porygon should be in the bottom tier.

 

[Texas Cloverleaf]

Final critiques,
Kangaskhan should be moved from mid to low albeit high low. Low encounter rate, hard to capture, power level drops significantly around Blaine.

Perhaps Meowth should be moved up to Low? It has a fairly good movepool, gets Pickup for item farming and can learn a boatload of HM's. Pretty good for in-game.

 

[Jubilee]

You missed Porygon...

As far as Porygon is concerned, it should be in the bottom tier imo. The reason is because it's so expensive to get (9,999 coins in Fire Red, 6,500 coins in Leaf Green), is rather slow, & isn't exactly powerful. Sure it learns a wide range of TM's, but it just doesn't have the speed or the bulk to pull it off. On top of that, you can't evolve it until you get the National Dex. So I think Porygon should be in the bottom tier.

Yeah Porygon for bottom definitely.
Way too much money to get, and like you said can't be evolved without the National Pokedex. Thanks. :)

Final critiques,
Kangaskhan should be moved from mid to low albeit high low. Low encounter rate, hard to capture, power level drops significantly around Blaine.

Perhaps Meowth should be moved up to Low? It has a fairly good movepool, gets Pickup for item farming and can learn a boatload of HM's. Pretty good for in-game.

Kangaskhan for low... Sure. Better Normal-types before him I suppose.
And Meowth for Low sure. Useful Pick-up ability but outside of that it isn't very useful. Also I wouldn't say boatload of HM's as it only learns two (Cut and Flash).

 

[Texas Cloverleaf]

Really?!? I was sure it learned Strength and Surf. Ah well, still good early-game.

 

[Oglemi]

Texas, you're thinking of Sentret/Furret.

Anyway, it looks good to me Jubilee, except for this part:

Poliwag- Has a very shallow movepool outside of Fighting-type moves.

Maybe Water and Normal-type moves? ??

 

[Jubilee]

Texas, you're thinking of Sentret/Furret.

Anyway, it looks good to me Jubilee, except for this part:



Maybe Water and Normal-type moves? ??

Ah sorry, when I said that I was implying he had a poor SpAtk stat (meaning weak Water-type attacks), I could've worded that better.
EDIT: Fixed.

 

[Baztard]

About choosing Nidoran (f) over Nidoran (m): In LeafGreen NidF is a lot more common than NidM. And I mean a lot.

Also I'm for Sandshrew to High Tier. In this game Ground types are amazing, especially against all those Poison lot (Team Rocket and Koga). STAB Dig and later Earthquake is great, so is Slash.

Caterpie to Low. Sure it's weak Later game but Early - Mid game it's great, with the nearly 100% accurate Sleep Powder and Psybeam doing decent damage. I used it in the E4 and although not as powerful as the rest of the team, it did it's job: statusing.

At least Low.