[Lucchini]

Originally Posted by Fat Chou Toshio

Yeah, not the Hyper Beams; the real boons of Slowbro's physical bulk are in taking Crunch/Thunder Fang from Aerodactyle and STAB Outrage.

There's also Charizard with his Shadow Claw making the water/psychic typing a bit of a nuisance.

Originally Posted by Fat Chou Toshio

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.

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).

Originally Posted by Fat Chou Toshio

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.

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've never once visited E4 with late 30s aside from challenge runs, though I never skip trainers and prefer not to raise a team of 6 (usually 4 + 2 slaves).

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.

Originally Posted by Fat Chou Toshio

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?

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Fat Chou Toshio

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.

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.

Agreed on Avalanche.