u/Few-Orchid-9804

Realistically, 95% of the time I use Blastoise I’m just using surf or ice beam, so the other 2 moves are just for niche purposes. Water isn’t effective against grass, dragon, and water. But, ice beam covers grass and dragon, so realistically you’re only looking for something to cover water types.

I gave my Blastoise toxic, since it’s really good and gives coverage against any type. Plus, Blastoise has decent defensive stats, so he can take a hit while toxic kicks in. What’s the best 4th move to run along with it? Right now, I have dig, which I like because it stalls a turn while toxic ramps up. It’s kind of weak though and doesn’t add much- even against electric you’re better off just using STAB surf. Any other good moves to pair? I’m already using the earthquake TM elsewhere.

I thought it’d be fun to make a team of who I find the most overrated and underrated/slept on pokemon. This also isn’t saying the underrated are better than the overrated, just who I find slept on vs. overrated. Curious to hear others thoughts!

Overrated:
Blastoise: he has good stats, water is one of the best types in the game, and surf/ice beam are a really nice 1-2 punch. I have 2 issues with Blastoise. 1. Outside of ice beam and surf, his move set leaves a lot to be desired. 2. With water being the best type in the game, there are simply better options, including multiple that can learn thunderbolt and psychic.

Arcanine: he has really good stats and flamethrower + extreme speed is fun. Fire just isn’t that useful of a type (grass strength is nice, but ice and big are fairly uncommon. Likewise, your weakness of water, rock, and ground are very prevalent). Likewise, its move set leaves a lot to be desired and doesn’t cover many of its weaknesses.

Gengar: he’s really cool and has good speed and SP attack, plus psychic, gigs drain, and thunderbolt are a nice move set. My problem with him is his STAB is nonexistent and psychic and giga drain are one time TMs that probably have more use elsewhere. If your team doesn’t have an option for these TMs he’s solid, just typically I find I want to give to someone else.

Jolteon: fast, high sp attack, and thunderbolt STAB is really nice considering how prevalent flying and water types are. The problem is Jolteon has no flexibility and its move set outside of thunderbolt leaves a lot to be desired. Thunderbolt is also a multi use TM that a lot of pokemon can learn, so dedicating a roster spot when you could just slap it on Lapras, Mr. Mime, etc. isn’t worth it IMO

Charizard: once again, fire just is not very strong in FRLG. Dragon claw, brick break, and wing attack (stab) are nice and give you a bit of coverage, but overall I think you’re better off just bypassing fire types.

Dragonite: frustrating is a better term than overrated. Dragonite is very good and probably a top 6 in the game. There are a couple reasons it’s frustrating. It doesn’t fully evolve until level 55, so you’re grinding an underpowered Dratini or Dragonair most of the game. Once it does evolve, its stats favor physical moves, but its move set is more geared towards special moves. As a physical attacker, earthquake is its best move, but it’s a one time use TM that probably is better used on another pokemon, especially if your run Nidoking or Snorlax.

Underrated:

Buttefree: its stats are underwhelming and its STAB is worthless given its low physical attack. But, it may have one of the most lethal abilities in compound eyes+ sleep powder. If you outspeed the opponent it’s basically GG. Even if you get hit first and survive, Butterfree is a good candidate for giga drain and/or dream eater and can heal up nicely. It also evolves super early, and having a fully evolved pokemon by the first gym lets you breeze through the early game, especially if you choose Charmander who struggles early.

Golem: high attack and defense, he’s an absolute tank. It also has one of the best move sets of any physical attack. It learns earthquake (STAB) without a TM, saving it for a teammate. Rollout (STAB) is really strong and can decimate entire lineups with just 1 PP, especially if you pump it up with defense curl. The rock head ability is fun too for a 120 damage double edge with no downside.

Clefable: solid stats and really versatile move set. One of the few pokemon that can learn soft boiled, which is a nice recovery move both inside and outside of battle.

Weezing: poison can be an underwhelming type, as it essentially is not super effective against anyone. With Weezing’s levitate ability however, its only weakness is psychic. Weezing also has access to a very versatile move set including Thunderbolt, shadow ball, and flamethrower, giving it an advantage against a lot of types.

Muk: another slept on poison type, there’s a lot to like with Muk. It learns the best poison move, toxic sludge, without eating its TM. Sludge armor is another really nice move, dishing damage while simultaneously boosting defense. It plays a really nice synergy with toxic, allowing you to bulk up while your opponent is whittled down by bad poison.

Mr. Mime: he’s overshadowed by Alakazam, but Mr. Mime is a really good pokemon. Psychic is the best type in the game. It learns psychic (STAB) without eating a TM. Unlike Alakazam, he also has nice coverage thanks to Thunderbolt and magical leaf. With a high speed and SP. attack mixed with strong versatility, he can make up for his low HP and defense by just one shotting most opponents.