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Pokemon you won't use in-game

mertyville

mertyville

This thread idea came to my mind during a certain playthrough where I kept rejecting the use of a specific Pokemon for various reasons. These reasons are not because I have a vendeta against it. Usually in my first playthrough on a game I prefer using new generation Pokemon often avoiding using something like Geodude. There are rare cases I break the rule if it is a particually good Pokemon, a favorite or it has a Type I need on my team.

My picks specifically will address these various cases.

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Luvdisc might be one of the Pokemon that fit various of categories why I won't use it. One reason being that it is just an awful Pokemon in-game. If I want to use it as Surf target, often there is a Water-type already in my team that does that role. Specifically in Hoenn it is very late game never finding really a spot.
I am not a partilar fan of 'challenge' runs or Nuzlock so I don't think there will ever be a case of me adding this into my team unless I want that viarity for my future Gen 3 team where I need someone to learn Dive and Waterfall. This brings me to the last reason which is that there are too many water types especially in the too much water region to where I have already several targets to pick from I could add. It feels pointless to seek out a Luvdisc when any Water-type that is easier to find can be added to my team. Funny enough, in XY I could have used it to trade for a Steelix but I had no interest to use Steelix in my only XY playthrough.

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Emboar is a Pokemon I just dislike. It is the 3rd Fire/Fighting starter in the row and to me Game Freak made the other starters like you are inclined to use Emboar. It is a dual type, it gets high base power moves, it has a good match up against most gymleaders. It gave me DPP flashbacks where the game was designed to where you are gonna use Chimchar unless you don't want to have fun. So I have never picked and probably will never pick Tepig as a starter.
Even in Z-A they put them in a game with Totodile and Chikorita trying to make it look like the 'more appealing' option.
That's Fire/Fighting propaganda at its finest.
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I kinda allured to it but not because of the reasons I mentioned. Trade evolutions I rarely use in-game runs often because I do not have the means to evolve them. In the last few times I had access to consoles to trade, I was able to use Steelix, E-Vire, Alakazam (I needed Synchronize), Slowking, Rhyperior, Gengar (Mew Glitch).
But there I many I didn't get to use even if I wanted to like Kingdra due to it being a Water-type that you need Surf for AND trade evolve.
Also I prefer to fully evolve my Pokemon so in very rare cases I use the regular form.
Geodude is unfortunate due to being slow, specially awful and from my experience with other Pokemon probably a pain to use in games without stat experience but with the EV system. Way too much investment and I need to trade to get the most out of it.
However, the worst offenders of Pokemon I might never use a Clampert's evolutions as in Gen 3 the evolution item fetch-quest for this mediocre Pokemon isn't worth it.
 
I mostly play randomizer runs nowadays, but it can apply to standard in-game minus random Abilities.

:delibird::volbeat::illumise::luvdisc:
When I play Pokémon games, I rather not bother with unevolvable Pokémon with 450 BST or lower unless I can obtain them much early on (i.e. Minun and Plusle in XY), is a Wishiwashi or have a Mega Evolution available, since they feel like undermining the concept of friendship and Evolution all things considered.

This is true in my randomizer runs at that, unless it happens to have Huge Power or other very strong Abilities with randomzied Abilities on, then at worst they would be dropped before lategame (as I set all opposing Trainers’ Pokémon to be fully evolved to avoid anti-climatically facing, say a Pichu or a Cascoon) but still have solid uses before then.

:glalie::hydreigon:
For normal runs, I also avoid Pokémon that evolve very late (lv 40 or more) where the first stage is relatively weak. It’s part of why I avoid Ice-types like Snorunt into Glalie (or preferring Froslass in this case) unless I play very casually. Several Gen 5 Pokémon suffered this the most due to absurd level requirement to evolve, chief of them all the Deino line.
 
For me it's mostly mons that I've used regularly, rather than ones I have beef with. Gyarados and Geodude are perfect examples, good mons that are so easy to include on a team that I refuse to do that on principle now. There's not many who I actively hate. I might dodge particularly weak mons(unless it's a challenge run where that's the point), but I've taken Wormadam to the League before, there's no such thing as a mon that's unable to contribute.

That said, never touching Dreepy again. I can deal with abnormally weak until evolution, I can deal with extremely late evolution levels, I can't deal with both.
 
I used a slow bulky Ice type who evolves at Level 40 in Shield, so either I'm not as bothered if a Pokemon isn't considered very good or Snover is better than it looks.


I don't think I need to say Steel types are way too good defensively when it's the one type where it's easier to remember what it doesn't resist than what it does resist. I decided not to use them for any more playthroughs after using a Shiny Corviknight in Shield. Steel is just too good. That said, I found a Shiny Corvisquire in Scarlet and used it because there's no way I'm not using a Shiny! Using a Shiny is more important than not using a Steel type. :P Dual Screens and Roost meant it wasn't in danger of getting KOed by anything, especially if I'd used Leech Seed on the opponent before switching to Corviknight.

These are items instead of a Pokemon, but after Shield, I also decided no Leftovers or Black Sludge for the same reason as no Steel types. They're way too good defensively, especially if it's a game where you can get more than one Leftovers. Besides, Power Weights being sold in Mesagoza was broken enough in Scarlet. It's pretty obvious those items are insanly good, but if you want to see how good they can be, Leech Seed and Protect.
 
I agree with my disc. After this Gen trauma, flutter mane, too stupid and op. Dnitwnis late, and of optional, Evo. So maybe.

Otherwise I guess some potential mystery gifts like new and celebi, and bar mega Lucario cause meh def and basic kinda with the fanbase
 
I try to only ever use a Pokémon in one game, though branching evos are still OK. The only exceptions have been Serperior in W2 and Incineroar in UM, since I don’t like to ditch my starter.

I also have yet to use Gyarados in any games since I also don’t like to use Pokémon of the same type that share weaknesses, and I usually need a Water and Flying type, though with the phasing out of HMs I could end up putting it on a team at some point.

I also don’t want to add any more team members after Gym 5, so that’s several options going out the window.
 
I tend to actively avoid using Gyarados unless I'm playing GSC or HGSS (Red Gyarados is too iconic, plus the level curve justifies busting it out). It's super easy to grab in some games without even dealing with the Magikarp stage (EXP Candies in Gen 8+ go brrrrr), so it goes from an investment to an effortless nuke pickup. Also, just a basic bitch team choice. This isn't helped by later gens buffing Gyarados's in-game performance indirectly. For example, SV Gyarados instantly has access to Ice Fang due to the Move Reminder changes, while its level-up movepool puts Waterfall at 21 and Crunch at 24. Your moveset is basically set from the word "go" until Dragon Dance at level 36, which frankly isn't even too deep into the game, and before then natural Rain Dance at 28 + Tera (you're almost certainly Tera Water) can fill in for a little bit.
 
Scorpio said:
I try to only ever use a Pokémon in one game, though branching evos are still OK. The only exceptions have been Serperior in W2 and Incineroar in UM, since I don’t like to ditch my starter.

I also have yet to use Gyarados in any games since I also don’t like to use Pokémon of the same type that share weaknesses, and I usually need a Water and Flying type, though with the phasing out of HMs I could end up putting it on a team at some point.

I also don’t want to add any more team members after Gym 5, so that’s several options going out the window.
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I get that. Especially when you need a Fly user and most flying users are Flying Types. Gyarados sadly cannot learn Fly.
 
The Magnemite line, especially early game, is a really good way of sucking all challenge out of a game. Nevermind that you get 120 base SpA pretty handily, but many games are not equipped to deal with a Steel Type that also hits very hard. And for some reason they keep putting them in early to midgame places too. Theyre cool good mons but when im doing a first runthrough or a challenge, I'll try not to get such an easy win.
 
I’ve never been particularly good at team building even though the idea of it does interest me. I got some practice with this a couple years ago I believe it was with a thread I made where I offered to build teams for people, both so I practice team building and because I was interested in seeing what people might like to try that had not been considered.

With the newer games having more options to pick from than the older games, any methods to help narrow down decisions helps. In-game teams generally follow this kind of structure, I’ve noticed:

  • A starter Pokémon- should be self explanatory; in-game teams without starter Pokémon do exist but there’s a reason they’re so reliable
  • A secondary Pokémon obtained early and sticks on the team for the long haul
  • A Pokémon that provides type coverage for your starter and/or any hard fights your team is weak to for that game
  • In the older games, at least one Pokémon dedicated to Fly and/or other HMs
  • At least two Pokémon of choice
  • A Shiny Pokémon, should the player find one in the wild- many players like to use Shinies as a surprise team upgrade or an extra life in Nuzlockes
My own script I like to follow when making teams varies from game to game but I generally try and avoid anything that shows up too late and struggles to make up ground in the endgame. I also started trying to avoid type overlap in recent games. My favorite team I’ve ever made looks something like this, for HeartGold & SoulSilver:

:dp/feraligatr: :dp/crobat: :dp/ampharos: :dp/heracross: :dp/dragonite: :dp/espeon:

Every Pokémon on this dream team of mine represents exactly what I’m looking for in a Johto team, save for the limited options available in single player for Clair and that STUPID Kingdra, and you’ll notice that all of these can be obtained before the fourth Gym and don’t require any multiplayer or anything external. I’m not about to act like this team is super original or anything, but I’m struggling to think of a single bad matchup this team has off the top of my head, which is saying something seeing as I’ve beaten this game three or four times.
 
Count Bleck said:
The Magnemite line, especially early game, is a really good way of sucking all challenge out of a game. Nevermind that you get 120 base SpA pretty handily, but many games are not equipped to deal with a Steel Type that also hits very hard. And for some reason they keep putting them in early to midgame places too. Theyre cool good mons but when im doing a first runthrough or a challenge, I'll try not to get such an easy win.
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Ah good pick! It's definitely true that the early parts of B2W2 and SM/USUM simply can't handle a strong Steel-type. Buffed Sturdy makes the line even stronger and more flexible, making virtually every 1v1 favourable and letting them soften up ace mons and Totems with utility moves. Mag's more balanced in other gens, though, and as a Steel-type enthusiast I do enjoy using it in those games.

I'm never gonna use one of the elemental monkeys in another game (I used Simisage once in a mono-Grass run of White). They just represent the nadir of Pokemon game design to me. Other Pokemon have become boring through overuse, like Gyarados and Crobat, but I don't think I'll never use them again. For me, most Pokemon can feel fresh again if I set myself a challenge that brings different strengths and weaknesses to light.
 
Karxrida said:
I tend to actively avoid using Gyarados unless I'm playing GSC or HGSS (Red Gyarados is too iconic, plus the level curve justifies busting it out). It's super easy to grab in some games without even dealing with the Magikarp stage (EXP Candies in Gen 8+ go brrrrr), so it goes from an investment to an effortless nuke pickup. Also, just a basic bitch team choice. This isn't helped by later gens buffing Gyarados's in-game performance indirectly. For example, SV Gyarados instantly has access to Ice Fang due to the Move Reminder changes, while its level-up movepool puts Waterfall at 21 and Crunch at 24. Your moveset is basically set from the word "go" until Dragon Dance at level 36, which frankly isn't even too deep into the game, and before then natural Rain Dance at 28 + Tera (you're almost certainly Tera Water) can fill in for a little bit.
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I fully agree. The other issue is that you, essentially, HAVE to evo it. Other op full evos, or even 2nds like magneton sorts for game, can be kept base. Good luck with silly Karp, .ist you can do is wait for bounce then Evo, it can't fight well obvi.

I think what people dont use boils down to what's top easy to win with, or too hard. I also don't think I'll use zigzag on reg ever, despite playing Omega Ruby again several times. It's like a better magikarp but no nuclear option with Evo, it is crap too. Worse even, for an Evo than going is for an NFe.
 
I’ve only started disliking Gyarados more and more over time because above all else, it’s just so available relative to its power level. Yeah, yeah, switch training, whatever, Magikarp is arguably the most widespread Pokémon in the core series and it becomes fully evolved at only Level 20. Gyarados has base stats on par with third stage fully evolved Pokémon and comes much earlier than those and even at its worst can learn a slew of HMs without really giving up on much of why you would want to use a Gyarados in the first place. This is not good game design. If Gyarados evolved noticeably later I could maybe see what they were thinking back in Gen 1, what with the whole “starts out useless but becomes broken” concept, but what we got is such a power disparity with none of the opportunity cost.
 
I generally dislike Mons with bad abilities. So pre ha, the nidos. This goes esp for mystery dungeons, I don't use most starters
 
bdt2002 said:
I’ve only started disliking Gyarados more and more over time because above all else, it’s just so available relative to its power level. Yeah, yeah, switch training, whatever, Magikarp is arguably the most widespread Pokémon in the core series and it becomes fully evolved at only Level 20. Gyarados has base stats on par with third stage fully evolved Pokémon and comes much earlier than those and even at its worst can learn a slew of HMs without really giving up on much of why you would want to use a Gyarados in the first place. This is not good game design. If Gyarados evolved noticeably later I could maybe see what they were thinking back in Gen 1, what with the whole “starts out useless but becomes broken” concept, but what we got is such a power disparity with none of the opportunity cost.
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I think it works in the context of Gen 1.

The first Magikarp you can get is the one from the Route 4 salesman at level 5, training it is actually a pretty major investment, and there's a very decent chance a kid playing the games for the first time during the 90s wouldn't know about Gyarados. However, anyone stubborn enough to continue training Magikarp on the off chance it'll get better will be rewarded with a beast that can easily muscle past Misty (an actually scary boss) and continue to be useful for the rest of the game. Like I said before, later games just made it way easier to get it Gyarados.

Plus iirc older gens locked fishing catches to specific levels based on the rod and Magikarp wasn't part of the Super Rod table, so you couldn't cheat a Gyarados later on. You had to invest in it regardless of what part of the game you were in.
 
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Not to mention, as generations come out, older gen Pokemon tend to get easier to obtain. Even Gyarados is far more accessable as generations go on and it does so much for your team: Beats most the game, learn a bunch of moves, does work well as HM slave, washes your dishes etc.
Compare that to something like Sunkern that is usually hard to find and as difficult to evolve due to the rarety of its evolution stone.
I think the earliest you can get is in BW2 and even there I don't think I ever used Sunkern.

Ironically due to this rant I remembered that I probably never gonna use Sunkern because of these factors and generally being a very underwhelming Pokemon with limited movepool and mono-grass typing.
 
I've never used Sandile in a playthrough (outside of when I did a Pokedex challenge on White) because it just feels so overpowered. Moxie is a ridiculously good ability and very easy to activate. It's just not my style (to say nothing of the way I really don't like the way Krookodile looks, it's so awkward and goofy). It doesn't even have a dud ability like a lot of species with a choice of two do, Intimidate is if anything even better.

I've always fancied the idea of using Larvesta as a challenge at some point, but haven't yet brought myself to do so.
 
I just never used Sandile in BW because the equally good (or possibly superior) Drilbur is in the same game and I didn't feel like double-dipping on Ground-types. I should play BW again just to fix that lol.
 
Off the top of my head, friendship evolutions in older games is generally up there at the top of the list these days. I was willing to humor the mechanic back then but over time due to now being familiar with what most of those evo lines can do, better alternatives, and frankly decreased tolerance towards the idea of grinding an invisible number for middling payoffs hasn't really endeared me much. Would have put time-based evolutions here as well pre-PLA as a sort of honorary mention but that can be worked around by tweaking the clock if needed.
 
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