What is a good in-game team for Diamond and Pearl?
Share your best in-game teams forPokemon DiamondandPearlon this thread! Teams should be aimed toward making casual runs of the game efficient, enjoyable and hassle-free.
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With Turtwig as the starter: Torterra, Staraptor, Gengar, Rapidash, Floatzel, Lucario
Torterra- Earthquake- Rock Slide- Razor Leaf- Rock Climb / Cut
Your starter. Earthquake is STAB and it is excellent at that. Rock Slide is coverage. Razor Leaf is Grass type STAB. Rock Climb is an HM attack, as is Cut. Rock Climb is the better attack but I think Cut is more useful ingame.
Staraptor- Fly- Return- Close Combat- Aerial Ace
Your Flying type. Needs to have Fly, which is one of the most useful utilities in-game. Aerial Ace provides more reliable STAB though. So does Return, although Return doesn’t have SE coverage. Close Combat does though. Having high attack, high Speed, and the excellent Intimidate makes this thing more usable than past Flying types. This thing is BL, which is pretty much OU.
Haunter / Gengar- Shadow Ball- Thunderbolt- Energy Ball- Sludge Bomb
Shadow Ball and Sludge Bomb are STAB while Thunderbolt and Energy Ball are coverage. Haunter and Gengar are great because that they have excellent typing (immunities are even more amazing in-game than in competitive, as many foes won’t have coverage attacks) and excellent Special Attack and Speed.
Rapidash- Flamethrower- Strength- Megahorn- Iron Tail
Pretty much the only Fire type you can get in-game, at least before the E4. It has decent offenses, and nice Speed. An immunity with Flash Fire isn’t the greatest in DP in-game, but it doesn’t hurt. Flamethrower is STAB. Megahorn and Iron Tail are coverage, and Strength is a helpful HM.
Floatzel- Surf- Waterfall- Crunch- Rock Smash
Every in-game team needs a Water type, if only for the fact that Surf is the most important move in the game. Like everything else on the team, Floatzel has good offenses and good Speed. It can be obtained early, again like most everything on the team (the entire team can be obtained before the 7th Gym, and five can be obtained before the 3rd Gym). Floatzel is an HM slave, as it has Surf, Waterfall, and Rock Smash. Crunch is coverage.
Lucario- Aura Sphere- Flash Cannon- Dark Pulse- Dragon Pulse
Everybody wants a Lucario. An awesome Pokemon with the coveted Steel typing, plus the lovely Fighting type. Excellent offenses and solid Speed makes this Pokemon a keeper for in-game. Flash Cannon and Aura Sphere are STAB, while Dark Pulse and Dragon Pulse are coverage.
Let me provide a team for each starter.
Infernapeteam:[Infernape, Floatzel, Staraptor, Luxray, Hippowdon / Garchomp, Roserade]Empoleonteam:[Empoleon, Staraptor, Rapidash, Raichu, Hippowdon / Garchomp, Weavile]Torterrateam:[Torterra, Floatzel, Staraptor, Rapidash, Raichu, Weavile]
[The options for ground types depending upon the availability of Earthquake TM, i.e. if you can gain momentum and jump off the particular ledge in Wayward Cave]
InfernapeAbility: Blaze- Flare Blitz / Fire Blast / Flamethrower- Close Combat / Focus Blast- Grass Knot- Shadow Claw
Infernape is a starter. Pick Chimchar from Rowan’s suitcase if you want Infernape. It can learn Close Combat and Flare Blitz by Level up (41 and 57 Respectively). Fire Blast and Flamethrower are TMs which can be used until he learns Flare Blitz. Use focus Blast if you want a Special Alternative, but it has low accuracy. Grass knot and Shadow Claw are coverages and are TMs.
RapidashAbility: Run Away / Flash Fire- Flare Blitz / Fire Blast / Flamethrower- Bounce- Sunny Day- Solar Beam
I wouldn’t recommend you to use this ‘mon. Since there are only two Fire types in DP, you might need him. Flare Blitz and Bounce are learnt by level up (level 58 and 49 respectively). Fire Blast and Flamethrower are TMs which can be used until he learns Flare Blitz. Sunny Day is just a filler and Solar Beam is for coverages (and are TMs).
EmpoleonAbility: Torrent- Surf- Waterfall- Drill Peck- Flash Cannon
Surf and Waterfall are useful HMs. Drill Peck for Coverage and is learnt at level 52. Flash Cannon is TM.
Floatzel @Ability: Swift Swim- Surf- Waterfall- Ice Beam / Ice Punch- Crunch
Surf and Waterfall are HMs. Ice Beam is TM and Ice Punch is from Move Tutor, choose whichever is easy to obtain, it is for coverage. Crunch is neutral Coverage and is learnt at level 26.
TorterraAbility: Overgrow- Wood Hammer- Earthquake- Crunch- Leech Seed
Wood Hammer is STAB and requires Heart Scale to obtain it. Crunch is neutral coverage and is learnt at level 45. Earthquake is Stab and is learnt at level 32 and Leech Seed for Bulky ‘mons and is learnt at level 33.
RoseradeAbility: Nature Cure- Petal Dance / Grass Knot- Shadow Ball- Sludge Bomb- Leech Seed / Giga Drain
Petal Dance, Sludge Bomb and grass knot are Stab. Petal Dance learnt at lvl 40 as Roselia. Shadow Ball is for Coverage. Leech Seed is for Bulky ‘mons and Giga Drain heals you often.
Staraptor @ Shell BellAbility: Intimidate- Brave Bird- Close Combat- Roost / Defog- Fly
Brave Bird and Close Combat are mandatory for this beast, learnt at level 49 and 34 respectively. Fly and Defog are HMs, and Roost is to heal you often. Shell Bell is located in Hearthome City.
LuxrayAbility: Intimidate / Rivalry- Charge- Spark / Thunder Fang- Crunch- Thunderbolt / Scary Face
Charge is to raise SpD and double the damage of Electric moves, learnt at level 9. Crunch is neutral coverage, learnt at level 35. Spark and Thunder Fang are good physical electric moves, learnt at level 18 and 42 respectively. Thunderbolt if you want high power electric move and Scary Face to help its poor Speed.
RaichuAbility: Static- Thunderbolt- Strength- Grass Knot- Whatever TM
Thunderbolt is Stab and learnt at level 26. Strength is a HM. Grass Knot is Ground coverage. The last slot is of your choice.
HippowdonAbility: Sand Stream- Crunch- Earthquake- Yawn- Fire Fang / Rock Slide / Rock Tomb / Stone Edge
Crunch, again, is neutral coverage move. Earthquake is STAB and is learnt at level 40. Yawn puts the foe to sleep, learnt at level 13. Fire Fang requires Heart Scale, and the rest are TMs, which are coverage.
GarchompAbility: Sand Veil- Crunch- Earthquake- Rock Climb- Dragon Claw -> Dragon Rush
Ability: Pressure- Ice Shard- Night Slash / Thief- Slash / X-Scissor- Brick Break
Ice Shard is Priority (doesn’t matter since he is already fast), and the only Ice stab, learnt at level 49 as Sneasel. Night Slash is Stab, learnt at level 35 as Weavile. Thief is 60 base power TM which you can use. Slash is high crit hit, is neutral coverage, learnt at level 35. X Scissor is just neutral coverage and is a TM. Brick Break is for coverage and is a TM.
Roark(Rock): Handled by the starters.Gardenia(Grass): Handled by Monferno and StaraviaMaylene(Fighting): Handled by Monferno and StaraviaCrasher Wake(Water): Handled by Luxray, Roselia and RaichuFantina(Ghost): Handled by Floatzel and LuxrayByron(Steel): Handled by Infernape, Staraptor, Torterra, Gabite, Hippowdon and RapidashCandice(Ice): Handled by Infernape, Staraptor and RapidashVolkner(Electric): Handled by Torterra, Gabite and Hippowdon
Aaron(Bug): Handled by Staraptor, Infernape, Rapidash and WeavileBertha(Ground): Grass Knot SweepFlint(Fire): Handled by Hippowdon, Floatzel, Rapidash or Infernape and Empoleon, GarchompLucian(Psychic): Handled by Infernape, Rapidash, Floatzel, Luxray, Torterra, Hippowdon, Garchomp and Weavile.
Cynthia:Spiritomb: StaraptorGastrodon: Grass KnotRoserade: Rapidash / Infernape / Staraptor / WeavileMilotic: Grass Knot / ThunderboltLucario: Infernape / Staraptor / GarchompGarchomp: Weavile / Floatzel
You see, how many times Infernape has repeated, clearly stating that it is a suitable starter.
The ground Types I have mentioned can learn Earthquake by level up, where it is difficult to obtain a TM.
These items make the sweeping gyms and E4 easy (Optional)
Dread Plate(Dark) - Fantina and LucianLocation: Old Chateau
Earth Plate(Ground) - Byron, Volkner and FlintLocation: Oreburg Gate
Fist Plate(Fighting) - Byron and CandiceLocation: Route 215
Icicle Plate(Ice) - CynthiaLocation: Route 217
Miracle Seed(Grass) - Crasher Wake, BerthaLocation: Floaroma Meadows
Mystic Water/Splash Plate(Water) - FlintLocation: Pastoria City / Route 219
TM LocationsHope this helps :)
Empoleon/Drifblim/Rapidash/Lucario/Raichu/Hippowdon
EmpoleonAbility: Torrent- Surf- Waterfall- Earthquake- Drill Peck
Surfis STAB and and an HM.Waterfallis STAB, can flinch (but Empoleon has low speed), and is an HM.Earthquakefor covering its Electric weakness.Drill Peckfor covering its Fighting weakness.
DrifblimAbility: Aftermath / Unburden- Shadow Ball- Fly- Hidden Power [Fighting]- Cut
Shadow Ballis STAB and can lower Special Defense.Flyis STAB and an HM.Hidden Power [Fighting]for covering Dark, Rock and Ice.Cutis an HM.
RapidashAbility: Flash Fire- Flare Blitz- Flamethrower- Solar Beam- Sunny Day
Flare Blitzis STAB and will usually be the strongest move.Flamethroweris STAB with a chance to burn.Solar Beamis for Rapidash’s weaknesses to Water, Ground, and Rock.Sunny Dayis for support: use Solar Beam in one turn, and power up Flamethrower and Flare Blitz.
LucarioAbility: Steadfast / Inner Focus- Aura Sphere- Flash Cannon- Water Pulse- Rock Climb
Aura Spherenever misses and has 90 base power, so it’s one of the strongest Fighting move.Flash Cannonis STAB and can lower the opponent’s Special Defense.Water Pulseis to cover Lucario’s Ground and Fire weaknesses, and can confuse the target.Rock Climbis an HM and can confuse the target.
RaichuAbility: Static- Thunderbolt- Grass Knot- Volt Tackle- Rock Smash
Thunderboltis STAB and can paralyze.Grass Knotfor Ground types.Volt Tackleis STAB, but takes recoil and can paralyze.Rock Smashis an HM that can lower the target’s Defense.
HippowdonAbility: Sand Stream- Earthquake- Strength- Thunder Fang- Fire Fang
Earthquakeis a STAB move, deals high damage, and can hit all Pokemon in Double Battles.Strengthis a strong HM move.Thunder Fangfor Water Pokemon.Fire Fangfor Ice and Grass Pokemon.
This was my team as I played through Diamond. They were amazing.Keep in mind that Honchkrow is exclusive to Diamond and is not available in Pearl.There are many other Pokemon you can substitute as a Flying type in Pearl though. Also, I feel items are preference, whether you like berries, or items to boost a Pokemon’s stat, it is up to you.
Empoleon- Surf- Ice Beam- Drill Peck- Aqua Ring
Empoleon is a special attacker. Surf is a STAB. Ice Beam is for coverage. Drill Peck… because why not. Aqua Ring is an Egg Move though, so it is up to you. If you don’t want to go through the trouble of breeding, use another move to your preference.
Raichu- Thunderbolt- Brick Break- Agility- Attract
Thunderbolt is a great STAB move. Brick Break is good because we are not going to be really dedicating one Pokemon to fighting. Agility to make it fast. For Raichu, Attract is preference. I personally love it on Raichu, very effective. Keep in mind that Raichu is both a special and physical attacker.
Rapidash- Flamethrower- Flare Blitz- Iron Tail- Double Team
Rapidash is pretty much the only Fire type you can use if you don’t pick Chimchar as your starter. Flamethrower is your STAB. Flare Blitz is very good on Rapidash because her physical attack is higher then her special. Iron Tail is also good as it is also a physical attack. The last move is up to you. I put on Double Team because I thought it fit nicely.
Roserade- Magical Leaf- Toxic- Synthesis- Sludge Bomb / Solar Beam
Roserade is huge on Special Attack. Magical Leaf = STAB. Synthesis because recovery is nice. Toxic is perfect for long battles, as it increases in damage over time. Use Sludge Bomb if you want a good Poison type move on your Roserade, but Solar Beam if you wanna be cool.
Honchkrow- Fly- Dark Pulse- Shadow Ball- Nasty Plot
Honchkrow is by far one of my favorite Pokemon. Fly, Dark Pulse, and Shadow Ball are all amazing moves. Nasty Plot boosts your Special Attack by two stages, helping out the damage your Dark Pulse and Shadow Ball do. You may also use Perish Song, which is a very fun move to use. It is an Egg Move though.
Garchomp- Earthquake- Dragon Claw- Crunch- Swords Dance
Garchomp is another great one. Earthquake + Dragon Claw + Crunch = <3. And all Swords Dance does is just make all those moves better. So yeah.
Hope I helped! :)
Infernape- Flamethrower- Flare Blitz / Fire Blast / Blast Burn- Close Combat- Stone Edge
Staraptor- Fly- Brave Bird- Close Combat- Hyper Beam / U-turn
Luxray- Thunderbolt- Thunder- Crunch- Iron Tail
Floatzel- Surf- Waterfall- Ice Beam / Ice Punch- Brick Break
Roserade- Energy Ball- Petal Dance- Sludge Bomb- Shadow Ball
Garchomp- Dragon Claw- Dragon Rush / Outrage- Earthquake- Crunch
I would catch a random Bibarel or two and teach it some HMs, and use it when you need it. Also, if you don’t like any of these movesets, just keep in mind the different Pokemon stats. DO NOT GIVE GARCHOMP SPECIAL ATTACKING MOVES, HE IS A PHYSICAL ATTACKER NO MATTER WHAT.
Torterra- Earthquake- Giga Drain- Rock Smash- Rock Climb
This Pokémon has a decent moveset, and can destroy Cynthia’s Milotic, Lucario and Gastrodon, along with Roark, Byron, Volkner, Crasher Wake, and Maylene. It only has problems with Candice, Aaron, and Flint.
Staraptor- Fly- Close Combat- U-turn- Steel Wing
This Pokémon can handle Aaron, Maylene, and Cynthia’s Roserade. It also can destroy most of Flint’s team.
Luxray- Strength- Crunch- Thunder- Rain Dance
This Pokémon can easily beat Crasher Wake, and it has a good Attack stat, being able to OHKO most opponents.
Drapion- X-Scissor- Cross Poison- Rock Slide- Fire Fang
This Pokémon is great for Fantina and Lucian. Since it has access to Fire Fang, it can destroy Bronzong and Aaron.
Weavile- Ice Beam- Night Slash- Metal Claw / Shadow Claw- Surf
Due to Weavile’s great Speed, it can take out Cynthia’s Garchomp with an Ice Beam. It also can demolish Flint’s Drifblim, Cynthia’s Roserade and Lucian.
Gyarados- Flamethrower- Waterfall- Dragon Pulse- Earthquake
Gyarados was chosen over the other Water types because its 4x weakness is rarely seen, and you should know by then that water doesn’t like electricity. Rock is its 2x weakness, but a Waterfall or Earthquake should OHKO/2HKO most Rock types.
The team I used for both Diamond and Pearl (not going to use version exclusives):
Infernape- Flare Blitz- Close Combat- Grass Knot- Stone Edge
Starter: Infernape is the best starter because it sweeps the first two Gyms and has great Attack and Speed. It also helps against the Steel Gym in Canalave City, the Ice Gym in Snowpoint City, Aaron, Lucian’s Bronzong, and Cynthia’s Roserade.
Staraptor- Brave Bird- Close Combat- Roost- Return
Flyer: Staraptor is probably the best Flying sweeper you can ask for. You can get Starly really early game, and it destroys the Fighting and Grass Gyms. When you finally get Staraptor, it deals massive damage because of Close Combat and Brave Bird. Helpful against Flint and Cynthia’s Roserade.
Raichu- Thunderbolt- Brick Break- Iron Tail- Thunder Wave / Attract
Raichu: for the Water Gym. Didn’t need a Grass type because of Grass Knot on Infernape, which wipes out Quagsire, so Electric would be best for Crasher Wake’s Gyarados. You get Shinx early game, but Pikachu gets Thunderbolt early and Luxray has a bad movepool. The Light Ball is really rare, so I just got a Thunderstone by Sunyshore. Also good against the bird trainers, swimmers, and Cynthia’s Milotic.
Steelix- Earthquake- Double-Edge- Gyro Ball- Crunch
Steelix: For Volkner. With Earthquake, it can deal massive damage. The reason I used Steelix and not any other Ground type(s) that are a little better is because I’m lazy. You can literally pick it up at Iron Island at a decent level, and you can train it with Riley to earn more exp. It also destroyed the Ice gym with Gyro Ball (from Veilstone Game Corner prize) or Iron Tail (but it’s low accuracy). It also helps against Flint. For Flint’s Steelix and Lopunny, I used Infernape and Staraptor.
Weavile- Night Slash- Ice Punch / Avalanche- Aerial Ace- Dig
Weavile: Useful against the Elite Four, has great Attack and Speed, destroys Lucian and Cynthia’s Garchomp. You can pick up the Razor Claw in Victory Road to evolve Sneasel. Ice moves are also good against Bertha.
Last slot: Your choice, but I only used five Pokemon because my last slot was my HM slave Bibarel. Not worth leveling up because of bad stats and not good in battle against Gyms or the Elite Four. Used Bibarel as my surfer, too.
Hippowdon may be a better substitute for Steelix, due to stats, but I find the Steel typing more useful in-game. Also, I was too lazy to level up a Hippopotas at that point in the game. Same goes for Gible, it’s obviously better, but training it to Garchomp is time consuming when Steelix can do the job just as well, without all that leveling up.
I plan on rerunning my diamond game with my old team and I thought I would share it with you.
Empoleon
Ability: TorrentMoves: Surf, Ice Beam, Grass Knot, Stealth RockGood special attack, resistances against common attacking types, coupled with stealth rock makes Empoleon a strong force in-game. Also grass knot and stealth rock are obtained early in-game and surf is a useful HM.
Rapidash
Ability: Flash FireMoves: Megahorn, Flare Blitz, Poison Jab, StrengthMy physical powerhouse, obtained early-midgame and is the only other fire type besides Infernape and GBA insertion Pokemon. Strength is another useful HM which I threw in because I was unsure on it’s 4th moveslot, Only downside is it evolves at level 40.
Roserade
Ability: Natural CureMoves: Sludge Bomb, Synthesis, Energy Ball, FacadeThe reason I threw in facade is because I planned on teaching shadow ball to another Pokemon, also, paired with natural cure you can switch out after using facade to remove the status effect. It is obtained early on in the gale but is pretty much useless until it evolves from Budew to Roselia so I tend to catch a Roselia later on ingame, around Pastoria. Also I beleive shiny stone can be obtained underground.
HonchkrowAbility: Super LuckMoves: Nasty Plot, Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, RoostFound it difficult to fill the moveslots of a physical Honchkrow without the use of the move tutor which is only in PtHgSs so I went for a special sweeper instead. Threw in Roost because of frail defences. Murkrow is obtained early on and has to be evolvled with a dark stone, which I think can be found underground along with shiny stone.
StaraptorAbility: IntimidateMoves: Close Combat, Brave Bird, Fly, U-TurnI know it’s not a good idea to have 2 flying type Pokemon but I made an exception because I liked both Honchkrow and Staraptor. Found very early on and easy enough to train, starly was the first Pokemon I caught. Staraptor is my glass cannon, with poweful moves such as close combat and brave bird that have hindering effects to itself it easily OHKOs or 2HKOs most Pokemon. Fly is for convenience as is U-Turn.
GarchompAbility: Sand VeilMoves: Dragon Claw, Brick Break, Earthquake, CrunchProbably the last Pokemon I caught anf difficult to train but, when it evolves it is completely worth it a better physical attacker than Staraptor and Rapidash, I often just bring PP restoring items and spam earthquake for most of the E4.
I hope you will use my team in future playthroughs and I am happy to have been of anyones assistance.
This was my team back when I played diamond:InfernapeAbility: Blaze- Flare Blitz- Close Combat- Grass Knot- Shadow Claw (?) (Note:The answer originally had Metal Claw, which Infernape can’t learn. He said it covered psychic, so I assume he meant Shadow Claw.)Flare Blitz and Close Combat are STABs. Grass Knot covers rock. Shadow Claw covers psychic.Staraptor @ Quick ClawAbility: Intimidate- Fly- Brave Bird- Heat Wave- Close CombatFly is STAB and is an HM. Brave Bird is STAB. Heat Wave and Close Combat are coverage against Ice and Rock, respectively.FloatzelAbility: Swift Swim- Aqua Tail- Brine- Dig- Ice PunchAqua tail and Brine are STAB. Dig beats Electric. Ice Punch beats grass.MismagiusAbility: Levitate- Shadow Ball- Nasty Plot- Ominous Wind- ToxicShadow Ball is STAB. Ominous wind is STAB and can raise stats. Nasty Plot boosts SpA. Toxic is, well, Toxic.AbomasnowAbility: Snow Warning- Wood Hammer- Blizzard- Water Pulse- Brick BreakWood Hammer and Blizzard are STABs. Water Pulse covers fire. Brick Break covers rock.GarchompAbility: Sand Veil- Dig- Draco Meteor- Flamethrower- Dragon RushDig, Draco Meteor, and Dragon Rush are STAB. Flamethrower covers ice.
recommended teamempoleonmoves:hydro cannon,surf,drill peck,ice beamitem:quick claw since speed may be slowempoleon is awesome at defense but lacks speed
garchompmoves:draco meteor,dragon pulse,flamethrower,anymoveitem:amulet coin to gain moneygarchomp is all round awesome
leafeonmoves:grass whistle,xscissor,leafblade,shadowballitem:anythingleafeon is a speeedy devillish easy to evolve grass type
raichumoves:thunder,thunderwave,iron tail,brickbreakitem;magnetraichu is probably the best electric type but electivire could be better
honchkrowmoves:meanlook,night shade fly, aerial aceitem:blackglassesgood special attacker and mean look sure comes in handy
aggronmoves:metalburst,earthquake,focus punch,any move of your choiceitem:anything reallyaggron is a tank he is really hard to take out he was my last Pokemon against cynthia and he beat her lucario spiritomb and gastrodon .
thanks for readingby bimbo22!!!
Okay,Let’s Do This!
Torterra It is a VERY Bulky Pokemon and has very good attack too,the only problem is that it’s speed is 50 but other than that is is very goodMoveset:Wood Hammer(Stab),Giga Drain/Leech Seed(More stab,+it heals torterra)Earthquake(Even more Stab),Crunch(Even more stab than that)
Luxray None of it’s stats are bad at all with physical attack being the highestMoveset:Thunder(Stab)Thunderbolt(More stab,Cruch(Coverage against ghost types),Scary Face(lowers Speed).
Staraptor This Pokemons Attack is VERY good at a height of 125! Trust me you want this Pokemon very badly.Moveset:Fly(Good stab and good hm move too),Brave Bird(Now These ARE words of clemont the scientist,“Brave Bird is By Far one of the strongest flying type moves!",If he says it,you know it’s true),Close combat(coverage for rock type weakness),aerial(It always hits even after protect)
Garchomp None of it’s stats are bad honestly,it is actully kinda like dragonite,accept somehow better. Moveset:Dig/Earthquake(Regular stab)Dragon Claw,Dragon rush(both of these are just stabs),Crunch(Well,why not,It’s crunch and it’s powerful so i’m keeping it)
Gyrados Most of you will hate me for this because ik Magikarp is VERY hard to train,but once you get that Magikarp to lvl.20 your hard trainin days are OVER Moveset:Surf(Stab and Hm),Ice beam(Coverage against dragon-types),Hydro pump(“staby’ water-type move),Crunch(again no reason for having it,it’s there because crunch is a good move)
Rapidash It’s the awsome fire-type member,Great at attack and speed,It’s RAPIDASH!Moveset:Megahorn(Staby bug-type move),Flare blitz(staby fire-type move,ignore the recoil),Stomp,(good stab and has a chance of making target flinch),Bounce(kinda like fly and it’s just really good.
Piplup - Prinplup - EmpoleonSurf Drill PeckWaterfal Ice Beam
Starly - Staravia - StarraptorFly Brave BirdClose Combat Aerial Ace
Budew - Roselia - RoseradeSludge Bomb Giga DrainSolar Beam Sunny Day
Shinx - Luxio - LuxrayThunder Thunder FangStrength Crunch
Riolu - LucarioAura Sphere Close CombatWater Pulse Dragon Pulse
Gible - Gabite - GarchompEarthquake Dragon RushDraco Meteor Slash
I’ll try to keep it brief… and please note, there will not be a fire type but I don’t think they’re extremely helpful in this game besides infernape.
Torterra
EarthquakeWood HammerLeech SeedCurse
super reliable tanky starter of pure death. try to make it a decent nature like adamant or impish. despite its severe ice weakness, it can take ice punch and ice shard like a champ. just leech the opponents life away while you set up curse, then kill.
Machoke/Machamp with no guard
Dynamic PunchStone EdgeStrengthRock Climb
Machop is obtained early in the game by the first gym, and is super reliablewith no guardas it kills things so easily through the game and is really reliable for strength and rock climb. I used mach amp instead of the usual Rapidash because Machamp is more usable in game and Rapidash is kinda disappointing.
Staraptor
Brave BirdClose CombatFlyRoost/U-Turn
Most reliable flying type in game. I like honchkrow and Togekiss, but Staraptor is super easy to obtain, is your first encounter in the game, and learns amazing moves. Close combat is always helpful, Fly is almost required, Brave Bird for an all out attack in hope to kill, and Roost or U-Turn to heal or switch from brave bird’s recoil.
Garchomp
EarthquakeDragon ClawCrunchBrick Break
Ok I’m not sure about this moveset, but you can change it if you need to. Gible can be obtained under the cycling road in a hidden cave, so look it up if you can’t find him. Garchomp is a super reliable Pokemon that can do things quickly. These moves take care of most ice types, and give good coverage and stab like all of these other Pokemon.
Lucario
Flash CannonAura SphereDragon PulsePsychic/ Shadow Ball
Wow I wish this thing could have 5 moves. Riolu is given to you on iron island in an egg by riley. Level it up with happiness in day time and you now have a Lucario. This is just a hard hitting coverage machine that is very useful.
Gastrodon
RecoverIce BeamSurfEarth Power
Again, this thing needs 5 moves. I want waterfall, but its a sp. attacker so, ill just go with this. a super reliable tank given to you early on that is good at taking hits. I chose this rather than the more popular floatzel, because floatzel is not a glass cannon, but more so a Paper cannon. It will maybe take one hit, then die. Thats why I like gastrodon.
Yes, I know there are 2 fighting, and 3 ground types, But this isn’t the best competitive team. This is best in game team for Pokemon diamond and pearl. and besides ice for ground, this isn’t a problem whatsoever really. Hope This Helped!
Torterra: wood hammer, crunch, leaf storm, earthquake. Leaf storm and wood hammer is STAB crunch is coverage and earthquake because it’s earthquake
Infernape: Flamethrower, fire blast, close combat, brick break. Flamethrower and fire blast are STAB and close combat is just strong and brick break gets rid of reflect and light screen.
Gastrodon: surf, waterfall, ice beam, earthquake. Surf and waterfall are necessarily and STAB ice beam is coverage and earthquake is powerful and STAB.
Staraptor: fly, brave bird, aerial ace, close combat. Fly is necessary, brace bird STAB aerial ace never misses and coverage and close combat is OP.
Mismagius: Shadow ball, psychic, confuse ray, thunderbolt. Shadow ball STAB, psychic and thunderbolt is coverage and confuse ray is useful to have.
Snorlax: Body slam, rock climb, yawn, belly drum. Body slam and rock climb STAB yawn is coverage and belly drum halves hp for attack snorlax is a tank so this move is buff.
Empoleon:- Surf- Flash Cannon- Ice Beam- Aqua Jet
Roserade:- Sludge Bomb- Giga Drain- Solar beam- Shadow Ball
Luxray:- Crunch- Thuderbolt- Iron Tail- Thunder
Staraptor:- Fly- Aerial Ace- Close Combat- U-Turn
Rapidash:- Flamethrower- Fire Blast- Strength- Megahorn
Lucario:- Close Combat- Aura Sphere- Dragon Pulse- Rock Climb
(easy obtainable Pokemon)
This was the team I used (Sorry Pearl users, this is a Diamond team because 2 version exclusives)
TorterraArea - StarterMovesWood Hammer (Heart Scale Once evolved into Torterra)Earthquake (Learns as soon as evolving into Torterra)Rock Climb (HM at the snowy route)Crunch (Level Up)
Wood Hammer is STAB. Watch out for recoil though. Earthquake is also STAB, and a really useful move to have. Rock Climb is filler, you can acctually replace it with whatever move you want, and Crunch is useful for Lucian and Fantina. You’ll need him for Roark, Wake, Volkner, and Bertha.
MachampArea - Route 207MovesCross Chop (Level Up)Return (TM at (If I Remember correctly, Lost Tower?))Brick Break (TM at Oreburgh gate, unobtainable without Rock Smash and Bike)Fire Blast (TM at Veilstone Mart)
Cross Chop and Brick Break are really good STAB. Return is for coverage, and Fire Blast is for other Pokemon. Not much to say here. If you cannot Trade, Machoke should (Hopefully) Work. Super Helpful For Roark, Byron, and Candice.
HonchkrowArea - Eterna ForestMovesAerial Ace (TM By Pastoria)Dark Pulse/Night Slash (Both By Level Up)Fly (HM at Veilstone)Steel Wing (TM By Solaceon)
Aerial Ace is STAB. Fly is for getting around easily, and also kinda useful in-battle. Dark Pulse/Night Slash is STAB, and Steel Wing is coverage. Will be helpful for Gardenia, Maylene, Fantina, Aaron, and Lucian.
RampardosArea - UndergroundMovesRock Slide (TM at Mt. Coronet)Head Smash (Level Up)Zen Headbutt (Level Up)Strentgh (HM at Lost Tower)
Rock Slide is STAB. Head Smash, while stronger, has MASSIVE recoil. Zen Headbutt is coverage, and Strentgh is for HM purposes. Nice to have for Candice, Aaron, and Flint.
AzumarillArea - Safari ZoneMovesSurf (HM at Celestic)Waterfall (HM at Sunnyshore)Blizzard (TM at Veilstone Mart)Iron Tail (TM at Iron Island)
Surf and Waterfall are STAB. Waterfall is the better of the two, ESPECIALLY if you have Huge Power. Seriously, if your marill has Thick Fat, find a new one with Huge Power. Blizzard is for Garchomp. Iron tail is for coverage, and helps with Huge Power. Double Edge and Aqua Tail are other options as well. Pretty Good for Byron, Bertha, and Flint.
GarchompArea - Wayward CaveMovesCrunch (Learns as soon as evolving into Garchomp)Dragon Claw (Level Up)Dragon Rush (Level Up)Earthquake (TM in Wayward Cave)
Dragon Claw/Rush are both STAB, equally as good. Earthquake is other STAB, and Crunch is for coverage. Helpful for Volker and Flint.
I hope you enjoyed the team. If you are playing Pearl, you should do with Mismagius instead of Honchkrow, and Bastiodon or Golem instead of Rampardos. Anyways, Toodles!
Hello friend! This is a team that I really like, and I hope you’ll find useful as well. So, let’s get it started
Empoleon: Empoleon is a great Pokémon, it’s dual typping is great, as stell has few weaknesses. For move set, I suggest. -> Metal Claw, drill peck, hydro pump and bubble beam. Hidro pump has low pp, so bubblebeam as a backup is always a good idea. Of course, bubble beam can be replaced by swords dance, if you’re going for strategy.
Staraptor: One of the great things about Pokémon diamond, platinum and pearl is that you have early access to great Pokémon. One example is starly, almost everyone that played this game has a Staraptor on their team. This Pokémon is both normal and flying type, and I think that this gives the Pokémon some advantages, and also, of course, some disadvantages.Now, about learnset, I suggest -> aerial ace, close combat, brave bird and endeavor.
Luxray: another example of a great Pokémon available early in game. This is a freaking monster, high speed and all stats are incredible.Learnset-> Thunder, crunch, charge, rain dance. This is a killing set. Kills everything that it comes across.
Houndoom: now, this is a super underestimated Pokémon. It’s dual typing opens many possibilities. This is only possible if you have a platinum copy, though. Mine has a very diverse learnset -> reversal (breeding), thunder fang, crunch, flame thrower.
Bronzong: Bronzong is a great Pokémon, as I said before, Steel is a great type, as it has few weaknesses. Learnset -> Hypnosis, confuse ray, pay back and extrasensory,
Drapion: this one might be kinda difficult to get, as it has low chance of appearing in the great marsh, but bear with me because it is a great Pokémon. Learnset -> cross poison, crunch, earthquake and iron tail
Hope this is useful to someone, this is the team I have and I think it’s pretty good, and covers pretty much every weakness as a whole
My team is unusual but is easy to obtain.This team is In-Game ONLY and is quite rare to find, feel free to copy, but good luck
Infernape@LeftoversFlamethrowerStealth RockU-TurnThunder Punch
Gastradoon@Damp RockStone EdgeEarthquakeSurfBody Slam
Carnavine@Big RootsSeed bombHidden power [rock]CrunchSwords Dance
LuxrayNo ItemThunderboltIron TailCrunchIce Fang
BlisseyNo ItemThunderboltIce BeamFlamethrowerEarthquake
Rampardos@Rocky HelmetZen HeadbuttEarthquakeStone EdgeThunder
Alright. So I was looking through all the answers, but most of the suggested teams were only available post-game or through trading (which I don’t have any friends to trade with). I needed good Pokemon that are available as you progress. So after looking through the teams, I picked out Pokemon suggested, tinkered with some moves here and there, and made a battle team. Note, you may need an HM slave outside of this team, which is really its biggest downfall. Also Ice Beam is a TM you can get at the Game Corner, but if you don’t feel lucky or rich, you can replace any Ice Beam move with something else of your choosing, while using the one you can find enroute. So here’s my suggested team for those reading in the future so you can beat down anyone in your way.
Empoleon(Starter)HM: SurfTM 13: Ice BeamLevel up: Drill Peck (Can’t find any better moves)Level up: Hydro PumpIf you plan on taking Empoleon to the future games such as US & UM where Surf isn’t required, I recommend replacing Surf with Flash Cannon through TM. You can replace it before or after transfer, since Flash Cannon stays a TM in later games.
Rapidash(Find Ponyta in Route 206, North of Oreburgh, in the grass below the Cycling Road)TM 35: FlamethrowerHM: StrengthEvolution/Move Maniac: MegahornTM 23: Iron Tail
Drifblim(Find Drifloon during the day on Friday at Valley Windworks, East of Floroma. Must be after you completed Valley Windworks.)TM 10: Hidden Power (It is Fighting Type)Level up: Shadow BallHM: FlyTM 29: PsychicIf you plan on taking Drifblim to a future game where Fly is not required, I suggest Replacing it with Air Cutter. Note that it’s only available to teach through a Move Tutor, and Drifblim won’t be able to learn it in future games. So remember to do this BEFORE you transfer.
Lucario(Get Riolu as an egg on Iron Island)Level up: Aura SphereTM 91: Flash CannonEvolution/Move Maniac: Dark PulseEither Dragon Pulse (Through TM 59) or Bone Rush (Through leveling up)I prefer Bone Rush since it has more type advantages, but if you want more raw power, Dragon Pulse might be better for you.
Weavile(Find Sneasel in the grass in the routes between Mt. Coronet and Snowpoint)TM 13: Ice BeamLevel up: Night SlashLevel up: Metal ClawTM 65: Shadow ClawIf you plan on taking Weavile into US & UM, you can use the move tutors in those games to replace Ice Beam with Ice Punch. Ice Punch has lower power, but Weavile specializes in Atk and has relatively low Sp. Atk, so it kinda makes up for that.
And that’s that. As far as items go, I feel that’s a matter of perspective. For example, you may want Roserade to have a Miracle Seed, a Poison Barb, or even a berry. Any will impact how Roserade would play, so give each Pokemon an item that compliments your specific playstyle.
Mido the Roserade @ Big RootAbility: Natural CureNaughty Nature- Giga Drain- Growth- Sludge Bomb- Protect
The main goal of Roserade is to get a Growth or two off and use your STAB moves to inflict damage. Protect is to stall with Toxic your team members will inflict.Natural Cure is the preferred ability but Poison Point is solid too. For a Grass type, it doesn’t get much better than Roserade.
Flo the Floatzel @ Mystic WaterAbility: Swift SwimNaughty Nature- Crunch- Ice Beam- Protect / Aqua Jet- Waterfall / Surf
Floatzel is a solid Water type. Physical and special moves both work well! Waterfall can be replaced with Surf. Protect is to stall but can be replaced with Aqua Jet for a pure attacking set. Ice Beam is GREAT for Cynthia’s Garchomp.
Daruk the Bastiodon @ Iron BallAbility: SturdyImpish Nature- Roar- Metal Burst- Stealth Rock- Toxic
Bastiodon is such a tank. Iron Ball is the item of choice to ensure you’re slower than the opponent, so Metal Burst will work 100% of the time. Bast’s main goal is to set up SR, Toxic, and Roar the opponents out and around.
Nox the Skuntank @ Silk ScarfAbility: StenchAdamant Nature- Poison Jab- Night Slash- Shadow Claw- Explosion
Skuntank is an…OK Pokemon. He lacks Speed and power. I ended up with Stench, but Aftermath is the preferred ability.Poison Jab and Night Slash are solid STAB. Shadow Claw is for Lucian, and Explosion paired with Silk Scarf is the bread, butter, AND dessert of this set.
Ichi the Honchkrow @ Lum BerryAbility: InsomniaQuirky Nature- Shadow Ball- Dark Pulse- Nasty Plot- Substitute
Shadow Ball and Dark Pulse hit everything you need to. Honchkrow will be the main receiver of the Sub and Agility passed by Lopunny. Get as many Nasty Plots up as you need and sweep. Use Substitute when you need it.
Playboy the Lopunny @ No itemAbility: KlutzBashful Ntaure- Substitute- Baton Pass- Agility- Return
Lopunny is strictly used for passing Agility and Substitute to teammates. You won’t be attacking much with Lopunny. He will set up everyone. THIS is the way to use Lopunny.
Overall, I enjoyed this team. MVP was Lopunny/Honchkrow combo. Swept 4/6 of Cynthia’s pokes with Nasty Plot+6, Agility+6. Ended with a bang…Explosion vs Roserade. Loved it. Recommend
