In the tradition of mainline Pokemon games, exceptions being Yellow and Let’s Go, a new trainer is required to pick one of three pokemon, which can only be found during the selection process. The other two, you would have to get in one of two ways: 1. Trading with other players, after everybody breeded their starters to get a spare. 2. From Pokemon Go, using Pokemon Home as a middleman between the two.
Starter pokemon are like a full round of rock-paper-scissors, where after you pick one, your rival, Nemona, picks the one with the type disadvantage of yours. While Director Clavell, the person that brought you the starter pokemon, claims the one that has the type advantage over yours.
Three different paths, leading to one connected ending
In this game, you need to collect a total of 18 badges that represent each pokemon type available in the franchise. As you can see from the picture, they are each divided into three separate storylines that are required to complete, in order to enter Area Zero in the center. In the order of badges you wish to obtain, you can choose where to start that journey, but you would better start from the bottom-up, mostly. Due to the levels at the bottom being easier to handle, except in the bottom-left corner, you would definitely need the experience for the rest.
As for the three storylines, I’ll break them down for you. Victory Road is your typical defeat of 8 gym leaders, which lead to a final showdown with Nemora. Starfall Street has you fighting 5 Team Star bosses, working a mysterious figure named Cassiopeia, which leads you to learning a dark secret about the academy’s past. Path of Legends has you fighting 5 Titan Pokemon, alongside your classmate, Arvin, in order to find some mysterious herbs.
Now to break down each team for each starter pokemon, from their basic form, to their fully evolved forms. Any team created, should be designed to where each type provides strength, to cover each other’s weaknesses. Also, at certain points in the game(s), you would need to make some changes to the team in order to prepare for a big, important battle.. Along with the fact that all pokemon in the team gains experience points, whether they battled or not, so you can leave a slot or two open, if you need to complete the pokedex.
As for the teams I am about to suggest, they would be based on my experiences from playing the games. Yes, I did change them quite a bit, and the ones listed proved to be a big help along the journey. Don’t be afraid to look up walkthroughs online, if you want to find inspiration in how to build up your team, between badges. As for my inspiration, I used this walkthrough on IGN to help come up with some ideas on which pokemon I intend to use to get a badge: Walkthrough - Main Quests by Level - Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Guide - IGN
Fuecoco (Fire)
Does it see food nearby?
Team:
- Bounsweet (Grass)
- Ralts (Psychic/Fairy)
- Makuhita (Fighting)
- Nymble (Bug)
- Shinx (Electric)
Now this isn’t the exact team I used throughout the whole game, none that I mention will ever be. The ones shown here helped me get the Rock, Bug, Grass, Flying and Dark badges, while I also had to adjust for any pokemon that had two types. With Fuecoco, it can provide a small advantage in both versions, especially since Fire-types are a rare type in this game.
What makes this team work?
- Fuecoco’s type advantage helped with the Cortondo Gym to get the Bug Badge, while Nymble provided good backup for the Grass Badge in Artazon.
- Bounsweet and Makuhita can both take on Stony Cliff Titan, a Rock-type, for the badge you get after defeating it.
- Ralts and Shinx can be a big help against the Open Sky Titan, which is Flying/Dark type
- Makuhita and Nymble would be the top runners to take on Team Star Dark Crew
- Paldean Wooper is immune to Electric-type moves
Crocalor (Fire)
Wandering the road of life
Team:
- Mudbray (Ground)
- Steenee (Grass)
- Kirlia (Psychic/Fairy)
- Buizel (Water)
- Wattrel (Electric/Flying)
By mid-game, with Crocalor still being only a Fire-type, the only badge it can help you gain is the one for defeating the Lurking Steel Titan, obviously a Steel-type pokemon in order to move along one storyline. Everything else, it’s to deal with wild pokemon of certain types, or trainers that battle with those certain types. The other badges, Electric, Fire, Water and Poison, are going for the rest of the team to shine. Also, by the final badge mention, a lot of pokemon would be fully evolved.
What makes this team work?
- Crocalor is the best option for the Lurking Steel Titan
- Mudbray is the best option for the Levincia Gym to gain the Electric badge, along with maybe a rock-type for backup
- Buizel and Mudbray can be the main contenders against the Team Star Fire Crew
- Steenee and Wattrel can back each other at the Cascarrafa Gym for the Water Badge
- Kirlia and Mudbary, or rather Mudsdale, can put up a strong fight against the Team Star Poison Crew
Skeledirge (Fire/Ghost)
Always nice to hang out in the sun with a good friend.
- Team:
- Gardevoir (Psychic/Fairy)
- Kilowattrel (Electric/Flying)
- Tyranitar (Rock/Dark)
- Lucario (Fighting/Steel)
- Baxcalibur (Dragon/Ice)
By the end of the game, Skeledirge really begins to shine, since after evolution, becoming part ghost-type becomes quite the game changer. It is also a good time to make sure you have a team of pokemon that will carry you to the end of the main game. The rest of the badges you will be trying for are the Normal, Ghost, Ground, Psychic, Ice, Fairy, Dragon and Fighting, although two of them come with a catch. The Ground badge has you fighting a Titan Pokemon that is different in both versions, while the Dragon badge will be a multi-stage battle.
What makes this team work?
- Lucario is the best option to get the Normal Badge in Medali
- Skeledirge and Tyranitar can work together in Montenevera for the Ghost Badge
- In Scarlet, Gardevoir can take care of the Quaking Earth Titan, which would be a Ground/Fighting type
- In Violet, Skeledirge can be of better help, since the Titan would be a Ground/Steel type
- Skeledirge and Tyranitar can team up again in the last two gyms, Alfonada and Glaseado, while Lucario can bring up the rear in the latter.
- Lucario might have some luck against the Team Star Fairy Crew, with backup from a steel type and poison-type pokemon
- Kilowattrel can take care of the first and final battle stage against the False Dragon Titan, while either Gardevoir or Baxcalibur can handle the middle
- Gardevoir and Kilowattrel, along with maybe Skeledirge, can make strong work against the Team Star Fighting Crew
Sprigatito (Grass)
Oh look at the flowers.
- Team:
- Charcadet (Fire)
- Rookidee (Flying)
- Pawmi (Electric)
- Flabebe (Fairy)
- Nacli (Rock)
As for the other two starters, in my personal opinion, they would probably shine better in a single version, due to their final evolutions, along with certain version exclusive pokemon. With Sprigatito, it would thrive better in the Scarlet Version. And with them, some useful evolutions along the way.
What makes this team work?
- Sprigatito can make quick work out of the Stony Cliff Titan
- Charcadet and Rookidee can both team up at the Bug and Grass Gyms
- Pawmi, Flabebe and Nacli can handle the Open Sky Titan
- Flabebe and Pawmi, after evolving can take down the Dark Crew, with maybe a Bug-type as a backup
Floragato (Grass)
Here fishy, fishy . . .
Team:
- Armarouge (Fire/Psychic)
- Pawmo (Electric/Fighting)
- Naclstack (Rock)
- Mudbray/Mudsdale (Ground)
- Floette (Fairy)
By mid-game, after evolving into Floragato, it can only help with getting one badge, while like with Crocalor, can only take on battles in between badges. The rest would require a lot of rotations, in order to put up a decent fight for the rest.
What makes this team work?
- Mudbray and Naclstack can team up in the Electric Gym
- Mudbray, Naclstack, and a Water-type, can take on the Fire Crew
- Armarouge and Pawmo can team up against the Lurking Steel Titan
- Floragato, Pawmo, and Floette with Grass-type moves, can work together for the Water Badge
- Armarouge, Naclstack and Mudsdale can be more of a match against the Poison Crew
Meowscarada (Grass/Dark)
Anything on your mind, right now?
Team:
- Armarouge (Fire/Psychic)
- Pawmot (Electric/Fighting)
- Garganaci (Rock)
- Tinkaton (Fairy/Steel)
- Garchomp (Ground/Dragon)
At this stage, when Meowscarada has evolved, it becomes a Grass/Dark type pokemon. If raised right, it can take on the Scarlet Version of the Quaking Earth Titan, a Ground/Fighting type, with little trouble. Although having it terastallize helps out by removing that one weakness. Also, make sure to build a strong enough team to help you finish up all the main game storylines.
What makes this team work?
- Pawmot is more than capable of handling the Normal Gym by itself
- Meowscarada and Tinkaton could team up for the Ghost Badge
- Meowscarada, Armarouge and Garchomp have a strong change against the Scarlet Version of the Quaking Earth Titan
- Meowscarada and Tinkaton can team up once more to gain the Psychic Badge
- Armarouge, Pawmot, Garganaci or Tinkaton can be used to win the Ice Badge
- Tinkaton, with a Poison-type and Steel-type pokemon, could defeat the Fairy Crew
- Meowscarada or Pawmot can do the first and final battle against the False Dragon Titan, while Tinkaton deals with the middle part
- Armarouge, Tinkaton and Garchomp can bring down the Fighting Crew
Quaxly (Water)
Nice view of the water.
Team:
- Charcadet (Fire)
- Rockruff (Rock)
- Mankey (Fighting)
- Fidough (Fairy)
- Smoliv (Grass/Normal)
Okay, now onto Donald Duck, er, Quaxly. The Water-type of the trio, that I, once again in my opinion, would work best in the Violet Version, due to its final evolution. Also, due to its bird form, it can learn a few Flying-type moves, so it can fight a few extra types. With this pokemon, one has to really be flexible on what team to create for it, since it would have fewer weaknesses, at the moment, compared to the other two starters.
What makes this team work?
- Quaxly can defeat the Stony Cliff Titan
- As stated before, Charcadet can earn you the Bug and Grass Badges
- Rockruff and Fidough can hold their own against the Open Sky Titan
- Makuhita and Fidough can takedown the Dark Crew
Quaxwell (Water)
Always a good time to dance.
Team:
- Ceruledge (Fire/Ghost)
- Lycanroc, any form (Rock)
- Dolliv (Grass/Normal)
- Mudbray/Mudsdale (Ground)
- Espathra (Psychic)
Like the other two starters, Quaxwell is only able to help earn one badge midway. You would need to pick what pokemon you would like to see grow more, that would become more permanent members of your team.
What makes this team work?
- As stated before, Mudbray, and this time with Lycanroc, can earn you the Electric Badge
- Quaxwell, Mudbray and Lycanroc can team up to take down the Fire Crew
- Ceruledge can take down the Lurking Steel Titan
- Dolliv, along with an Electric-type, can earn you the Water Badge
- Lycanroc, Mudsdale and Espathra are the most effective team against the Poison Crew
Quaquaval (Water/Fighting)
Swimming or walking in the water?
Team:
- Ceruledge (Fire/Ghost)
- Lycanroc (Rock)
- Dachsbun (Fairy)
- Arboliva (Grass/Normal)
- Revavroom (Steel/Poison)
Quaquaval, like the other starters, gains a few extra advantages when it gains a second type, as well as weakness. By becoming a Water/Fighting type, you can find more creative ways to build up your team to finish up the main game.
What makes this team work?
- Quaquaval can help you gain a Normal Badge
- Ceruledge, along with a Dark-type, and maybe a Steel-type, are the best options to gain the Ghost Badge
- Quatuaval can be enough of a match against the Violet Version of the Quaking Earth Titan
- Ceruledge, along with a Dark-type and Bug-type can achieve the Psychic Badge
- Quaquaval, Ceruledge, Lycanroc and Revavroom are the best options to gain you the Ice Badge
- Revavroom, along another Steel-type and Poison-type, are a good enough team against the Fairy Crew
- Arboliva can handle the first and final part of the battle, while Dachsbun handles the main part
- Ceruledge, Dachsbun, along with a Psychic or Flying-type pokemon, are a good team against the Fighting Crew.
The final part of the main game
After completing the three stories, you would end up going into Area Zero, in order to learn more about the story behind Koraidon/Miraidon. As well as prevent a catastrophe, that you would have to find out for yourself. Sorry, trying to keep the spoilers to a bare minimum. Afterwards, well, there are the DLCs, The Teal Mask, and The Indigo Disc. Which each carries new pokemon, and new stories, to experience.
So anyway, have fun with your adventures in the game(s). Take your time in building a team that suits you, and if you intend to do so, take into competition with, during events. While also making a few friends along the way.
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