Make a Balanced Team in Pokémon Platinum

If you enjoy playing Pokémon, and jumped at the chance to buy Pokémon Platinum, then you probably want a good, balanced team to help you breeze through the game. Having a well-balanced team will help you find the perfect balance of types and attacks to handle any gym, trainer, or Elite 4 member your find.

Steps

Understanding Pokémon

  1. Choose your starter wisely. The first Pokémon you get in the game will, in many ways, determine how the rest of your team develops. You have three options to begin, the water-based Piplup, the fire-based Chimchar, and the grass-based Turtwig.
    • Piplup grows into a water/steel hybrid Pokémon, and can learn ice moves as well. Because it is both water and steel, he has very few weaknesses and can learn a variety of useful moves, making his evolved form very powerful. Often seen as the best possible starter.[1]
    • Turtwig is slow, but has great attack and defense and functions well against almost every gym leader in the game. He is a good pick for entry-level players.[1]
    • Chimchar becomes a fire-fighting hybrid, which makes him useful in a lot of scenarios and useful in almost every gym. Platinum has less fire Pokémon than other games, so Chimchar is a good choice if you want to save the hassle of looking for other fire Pokémon.
  2. Understand the effectiveness or some types against others. The main concern when building a team is making sure you are not weak to any one type of Pokémon. That is because the game is built on a complex "rock-paper-scissors" system where one type of Pokémon will get an advantage over another based on type. For example, Fire attacks are effective against Grass Pokémon, and their moves do twice as much damage. The inverse is also true, as a Grass attack will only do half its normal damage to a fire Pokémon. Attacks of the same type will only do half damage as well in most scenarios (Flying attacks against flying types do not have any extra effectiveness.) A complete table of effectiveness can be found on the Pokémon Database.
    • A status move will have the same effect no matter what type it is used on.
    • Most effectiveness is based on logic -- Flying beats Bug (because birds eat bugs), Water beats Fire, Steel beats Rock, etc.
    • A Fire-type Pokémon who uses a Normal-type move, like Tackle, will not be effective against Grass-type Pokémon. It will do normal damage as Normal-type moves aren't super effective against Grass types in most scenarios. However, if a Pokémon has an ability like 'Pixilate' which turns certain typed moves to another type, this may be the case.
    • Some moves will do no damage whatsoever to the right type. For example, a Ground attack will never hurt a Flying Pokémon.[2]
  3. Know the informal classes of each Pokémon. Longtime players have developed a lingo around certain Pokémon that makes it easier to think about building teams. These terms don't refer to a type of Pokémon, like Fire or Ghost, but rather the function of the Pokémon.
    • Sweeper: The most common Pokémon in your team, sweepers are powerful offensive Pokémon used for dealing damage and taking out the enemy. You will likely have 3-4 in your team of 6, and some players want 5-6.
      • Try Alakazam, a Find Legendary Pokémon Metagross, Luxray, Scizor.
    • Wall These Pokémon have high HP (health points) and defense. They can survive a lot of damage while you use items to heal up the rest of your team, making them invaluable for staying in the fight. Sometimes called "Tanks."
      • Try Shuckle, Steelix, Bastiodon, Torterra, Rhyhorn, Aggron or Blissey.
    • Support: These Pokémon use a variety of stat-boosting (for themselves) or stat-depleting (for your enemy) moves to weaken the opposing team. For stat boosts, they need to know the move "Baton Pass," which gives the next Pokémon you sub in the same stat boosts that you just used.[3]
      • Try Raichu, Sandslash or Umbreon
    • HM 'Slave': Generally not used for fighting, HM Slaves are sometimes used for travel, as they can learn a variety of moves like Surf, Fly, Strength, etc. that are essential for moving the game along. They are usually subbed in and out when needed, not used for battles.
      • Try Linoone, Charizard or Bibarel.
    • Catcher: This Pokémon, usually not used in battles, is used to catch new Pokémon in the wild. They usually have a mixture of powerful moves, some neutral, weak moves, and sometimes Sleep or Paralyze to make a Pokémon easier to catch. They almost always know the move False Swipe.
      • Try a Scyther, Farfetch'd, Raticate or Gallade.[4]
  4. Understand how a Pokémon's stats affect its effectiveness. Different attacks do different damage based on your stats, and knowing how the stats work will help you craft an effective team. For example, if you have a Sweeper who uses mostly Special Attacks, like Luxray, you want to make sure it has a high Special Attack. If you are fighting a trainer with lots of Physical Attacks, like a rock gym, sub in a Pokémon with a high defense stat, like Shuckle.
    • Attack: Affects the power of a physical attack such as Scratch or Tackle.
    • Special Attack: Refers to mental or indirect attacks, like beam attack or environmental attacks. All non-physical attacking moves utilize the Special Attack stat.
    • Defense: Determines the amount of damage taken by a physical attack.
    • Special Defense: Determines the amount of damage taken by special attacks.
    • Speed: Determines who attacks first. Speed stats are compared between the two fighting Pokémon and the fastest Pokémon attacks first. In a tie, it is chosen randomly.[5]
  5. Level up your team to at least level 50. You will need a team with all the Pokémon around this level in order to compete against the best trainers in the game, specifically the final bosses, the Elite 4. Leveling up increases your stats, teaches your Pokémon new moves, and gives you the chance to evolve your Pokémon into stronger forms.

Making a Balanced Fighting Team

  1. Aim for balance in your team, not just the strongest Pokémon. Having three Electrics and three Fire type Pokémon, no matter how strong, is going to mean trouble when you run into a Ground Pokémon. You want a wide variety of types so that you don't have any of the same types of Pokémon in your arsenal. This is the biggest key to a balanced team, and this will get you through just about every single battle.
    • Think about the roles your Pokémon play. While you want mostly "Sweepers" (strong, attacking Pokémon), you should get at least one "Wall," like Snorlax or Blissey, (lots of HP and defense) to help you heal everyone in a time of need.
  2. Grab an Electric type Pokémon. Probably one of the most important types, electric Pokémon are weak against only Ground, but are resisted by Grass and Dragon type Pokémon. They can learn a large variety of moves. You can catch a Shinx early in the game, and it's evolved form, Luxray, can be an indispensable member of your team.
    • Try Electivire or Raichu if you don't want a Luxray.
    • If you can catch the Legendary Bird Zapdos then you will be well armed for the challenges ahead.[6]
    • Use moves like Thunderbolt, Thunder, and Thunder Fang.
  3. Make sure you snag a water type: Water Pokémon can use Ice moves and only have two weaknesses, Electric and Grass. However, since Ice moves are effective against both Grass and Dragon types and work normally against Electric Pokémon, Water Pokémon are incredibly useful, and HM Surf is actually powerful. If you didn't start with Piplup, you can try:
    • Floatzel, Gyarados, or Vaporeon.
    • Utilize moves like Surf, Waterfall, Hydro Pump.
  4. Have a Psychic/Dark type Pokémon. These rare but powerful Pokémon are invaluable to your arsenal, especially a Pokémon that can learn both types of moves. You will be good against other Psychics, Bugs, Poison, and other Dark Pokémon. More importantly, these Pokémon usually have a high Sp. Attack and a lot of special moves.
    • Metagross, Alakazam, Espeon, Gallade and Hypno are all Psychic or Dark types.
    • Get moves like Psychic, Night Slash, Bite and Psycho Cut.
  5. Get a Ground, Rock or Fighting-type Pokémon. Many of these Pokémon share types and can learn moves from each set, making them viable against a variety of Pokémon. They also cross frequently with other types, making the even more versatile. Fighting types are usually quite frail, while Rock and Ground types are usually quite bulky.
    • Mamoswine, Bastiodon, Golem, Infernape and Lucario are examples of Fighting types.
    • Use Earthquake, Rockslide, Rock Smash, and Close Combat when possible.
  6. Consider a Grass-type if you didn't start with one. Grass Pokémon, though weak to a lot of types, have a wide and powerful moveset that makes them great in certain situations. Roserade is generally the most common, as it can learn Psychic and Poison moves and has a high Special Attack.[6]
    • Tropius, Torterra, Carnivine and Venusaur are all grass-type Pokémon.[7]
    • Use moves like Giga Drain, Energy Ball, and Leaf Blade.
  7. Find a Fire-type Pokémon. Since there are unfortunately not many Fire-types in Platinum, snag a Ponyta early in the game that you can level up to the quick, powerful Rapidash. If you chose Chimchar to start, he will be able to get you out of just about every mess needing Fire Pokémon, including almost every gym. You will also be super effective against Grass, Ice, Bug, Rock and Steel types.
    • Legendary Bird Moltres is a great choice as well if you can get your hands on one.
    • You can get an Eevee in Hearthome City in the house above the Pokémon Center. This Pokémon can evolve into a Fire, Water, Electric, Psychic, Dark, Grass, or Ice type if you have the requirements completed.
    • Learn moves like Flare Blitz, Fire Blast, and Sunny Day.[6]
    • Fire Pokémon are not strictly necessary -- a good Fighting Pokémon can often compensate for a missing Fire type.[4]
  8. Fill out any holes with good overall Pokémon that compensate for your weaknesses. There is an online generator that lets you plug your team in to see it's stats. It will tell you where you are weakest and offer suggestions to fill the hole. Some good Pokémon to consider are:
    • Flying Pokémon, like the powerful and popular Staraptor (must know Fly and Close Combat).[6]
    • Any Legendary Pokémon. These are the Pokémon that only appear once in each game, like Mewtwo or Latios. They are incredibly powerful and will be a valuable asset on any team.
      • Try Giratina. It is a Ghost and Dragon type of Pokemon, so you get the advantages of Dark type moves and Dragon type ones that have a wide variety of effectiveness and low weaknesses.
      • Find Heatran, a strong Fire and Steel type Pokémon that works well if you need some heat.
  9. Know that having solid move sets, which are a Pokémon's four moves, are as important as choosing balanced Pokémon. While having the right types of Pokémon is essential to survive against any type of Pokémon you face, you won't be able to succeed offensively without the right move set. Just like you need to balance your Pokémon types, you need to balance the types of moves you have to fight well against anyone.
    • You want to balance offensive and defensive moves in every Pokémon.
    • STAB moves give you a 50% attack bonus if the type of move (ie. a Fire Move, like Ember) matches the Pokémon's type (ie. Infernape, a Fire Pokémon, using Ember). When possible, teach Pokémon moves that match their type.[8]

Tips

  • Remember to pick Pokémon you feel have a good balance of type and attack. You want to have as much advantage over your opponent as possible.
  • When in a fight, remember to rotate your Pokemon. Don't be afraid of HP loss; if there is a better Pokémon in your team that could easily take down your opponent, switch it out! There's always a Pokémon Center nearby in almost all cases, so when you know you've got backup, let loose!

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.kidzworld.com/article/16747-pokemon-platinum-picking-your-starter-pokemon
  2. ↑ http://pokemondb.net/type
  3. ↑ http://www.psypokes.com/rsefrlg/roles.php
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.neoseeker.com/pokemon-platinum/faqs/192379-team-building-shadownc.html
  5. ↑ http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Stats
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 http://pokemondb.net/pokebase/96808/what-is-a-good-in-game-team-for-platinum
  7. ↑ http://www.gamespot.com/forums/nintendo-fan-club-1000001/pokemon-platinum-need-suggestions-on-good-grass-ty-26871097/
  8. ↑ http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Same-type_attack_bonus
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