Trainer EXP only Run Team Feedback

[Dr. C]

I’m doing a trainer experience only run of Pokémon Blue and this is my second attempt so I learn from my mistakes and aim to establish a core team early on.

Thus far my team consists of a Wartortle, Nidorino and a Dugtrio I caught in Diglett’s Cave to counter Serge.

i also am sporting a Mew I got using the teleport/fly glitch for HM purposes only.

So that leaves two more slots for my team and I’m trying to figure out what I should incorporate into my team to better round it out.

And finally there’s the question of TMs and how to allocate them for the game. 

Nidorino is due for a new move since he still only has his base lead set which isn’t too hot. It’s a question of Bubble Beam vs Thunderbolt.

Finally I need to ask if it’s better to evolve Nidorino sooner rather than later since Double Kick gives him Fighting Type access but level 50 is a long time to wait on Nidoking.

[Shanty Pete's 1st Mate]

14 hours ago, Dr. C said:

Nidorino is due for a new move since he still only has his base lead set which isn’t too hot. It’s a question of Bubble Beam vs Thunderbolt.

Finally I need to ask if it’s better to evolve Nidorino sooner rather than later since Double Kick gives him Fighting Type access but level 50 is a long time to wait on Nidoking.

IMO definitely Thunderbolt. It's stronger than Bubblebeam, and you already have a water-type attacker in Wartortle. I'd forego waiting for Double Kick - Nidoking can learn Submission or Earthquake through TM. Better to evolve sooner than later, probably.

14 hours ago, Dr. C said:

So that leaves two more slots for my team and I’m trying to figure out what I should incorporate into my team to better round it out.

If you're not using Mew for battle, how about a Psychic type? Drowzee is attainable early on, and evolves into Hypno not too much later, with both Psychic and Hypnosis as tools. Exeggcute is a bit harder to get, but it also offers grass-type defense and offense. Or you could trade (Abra) for Mr. Mime, or (Poliwhirl) for Jynx. Any of these would help against Erika, Koga, and Sabrina. Not to mention Agatha.

What else? Well, Snorlax is always a safe bet. It's not out of your way to pick up, it comes at a high level, its Normal STABs can tear through most foes, it's very bulky, and Amnesia opens up special offense as well (say Fire Blast, or Ice Beam). What it lacks up in type effectiveness, it makes up for in overwhelming stats.

Good luck! Let us know what you end up using.

[Eltosian Kadath]

On 6/3/2021 at 2:34 AM, Dr. C said:

 

Thus far my team consists of a Wartortle, Nidorino and a Dugtrio I caught in Diglett’s Cave to counter Serge.

Surprised you didn't start with Bulbasaur, but it sounds like it is going fine.

 

On 6/3/2021 at 2:34 AM, Dr. C said:

 

i also am sporting a Mew I got using the teleport/fly glitch for HM purposes only.

That is one way to ignore HMs

 

On 6/3/2021 at 2:34 AM, Dr. C said:

 

So that leaves two more slots for my team and I’m trying to figure out what I should incorporate into my team to better round it out.

You could probably finish the game with just Nidoking if you wanted. Getting early Nidoking and crushing the game with him is one of the classic Pokemon Gen 1 speedrunning routes (it might be outdated at this point). If you are looking for new party members, a Psychic type comes to mind thanks to how broken the typing is in Gen 1, and to deal with Eirika (only Tangela isn't weak, and its only moves are Wrap and Constrict...) and Koga (although Earthquakes might be able to do the job as well) easier. A dedicated Special attacker to give Thunderbolt to might be a good idea as well if you want another member, as that move works really well in the Elite Four fights (It deals with most of Lorelei's mon, you face two Gyrados that get bodied by it, plus the flying types Pigeot and Aerodactyle).

 

On 6/3/2021 at 2:34 AM, Dr. C said:

 

Nidorino is due for a new move since he still only has his base lead set which isn’t too hot. It’s a question of Bubble Beam vs Thunderbolt.

My advice is teach Bubblebeam to give him an edge up in Rock Tunnel, and if you are taking on the game corner Rockets (instead of skipping that area by using the Pokedoll to skip past the Ghost Marowak, and thus the need for Silph Scope) against the first Giovanni fight, but switch it for Thunderbolt if you are going with the Nidoking solo plan before facing the Rival battle in poketower for the Gyrados there (OK that might be overkill given the levels disparity there, but definitely before Rival Fival in Silphco), or Icebeam/Blizzard before the Elite Four otherwise.

 

On 6/3/2021 at 2:34 AM, Dr. C said:

 

Finally I need to ask if it’s better to evolve Nidorino sooner rather than later since Double Kick gives him Fighting Type access but level 50 is a long time to wait on Nidoking.

You should evolve him as soon as you can, as none of Nidorino's moves are worth waiting for (you can even argue Nidoking gets a better levelup move from evolving early, as he learns Thrash at 23 only as a Nidoking...)

[Dr. C]

On 6/3/2021 at 5:39 PM, Shanty Pete's 1st Mate said:

IMO definitely Thunderbolt. It's stronger than Bubblebeam, and you already have a water-type attacker in Wartortle. I'd forego waiting for Double Kick - Nidoking can learn Submission or Earthquake through TM. Better to evolve sooner than later, probably.

If you're not using Mew for battle, how about a Psychic type? Drowzee is attainable early on, and evolves into Hypno not too much later, with both Psychic and Hypnosis as tools. Exeggcute is a bit harder to get, but it also offers grass-type defense and offense. Or you could trade (Abra) for Mr. Mime, or (Poliwhirl) for Jynx. Any of these would help against Erika, Koga, and Sabrina. Not to mention Agatha.

What else? Well, Snorlax is always a safe bet. It's not out of your way to pick up, it comes at a high level, its Normal STABs can tear through most foes, it's very bulky, and Amnesia opens up special offense as well (say Fire Blast, or Ice Beam). What it lacks up in type effectiveness, it makes up for in overwhelming stats.

Good luck! Let us know what you end up using.

I used Drowzee and Snorlax in a previous Trainer EXP only playthrough.

I HAVE to catch the Snorlax anyways since fainting them would net wild Pokémon experience.

i want to try out different Pokémon in each playthrough.

I ended up teachingThunderbolt to Nidoking as well as Ice Beam and Earthquake. I’m holding onto Horn Attack for now since it still seems to do decent damage.

I did end up picking up Mr. Mime and Kangaskahn as my final two Pokémon. Kangaskahn will be interesting to use since I can’t really use him as the special sweeper I would normally want because I used so many good TMs on Nidoking. I’ve never used him before though so I’m looking forward to seeing how he plays.

9 hours ago, Eltosian Kadath said:

Surprised you didn't start with Bulbasaur, but it sounds like it is going fine.I

You could probably finish the game with just Nidoking if you wanted. Getting early Nidoking and crushing the game with him is one of the classic Pokemon Gen 1 speedrunning routes (it might be outdated at this point). If you are looking for new party members, a Psychic type comes to mind thanks to how broken the typing is in Gen 1, and to deal with Eirika (only Tangela isn't weak, and its only moves are Wrap and Constrict...) and Koga (although Earthquakes might be able to do the job as well) easier. A dedicated Special attacker to give Thunderbolt to might be a good idea as well if you want another member, as that move works really well in the Elite Four fights (It deals with most of Lorelei's mon, you face two Gyrados that get bodied by it, plus the flying types Pigeot and Aerodactyle).

 

My advice is teach Bubblebeam to give him an edge up in Rock Tunnel, and if you are taking on the game corner Rockets (instead of skipping that area by using the Pokedoll to skip past the Ghost Marowak, and thus the need for Silph Scope) against the first Giovanni fight, but switch it for Thunderbolt if you are going with the Nidoking solo plan before facing the Rival battle in poketower for the Gyrados there (OK that might be overkill given the levels disparity there, but definitely before Rival Fival in Silphco), or Icebeam/Blizzard before the Elite Four otherwise.

 

You should evolve him as soon as you can, as none of Nidorino's moves are worth waiting for (you can even argue Nidoking gets a better levelup move from evolving early, as he learns Thrash at 23 only as a Nidoking...)

First time I did the playthrough I used Charmander as my starter. I opted for Squirttle because short term, Bubble is learned much sooner than Vine Whip for Brock. Incidentally Blastoise is the other speedrunning Classic. Pokémon to use.

I’ve never done the pokedoll trick before though Is be crazy to skip out on the Rocket Casino dungeon because Rare Candy and all that sweet sweet EXP!

Anyways , I took the advice and just evolved Nidorino

[Eltosian Kadath]

6 hours ago, Dr. C said:

First time I did the playthrough I used Charmander as my starter. I opted for Squirttle because short term, Bubble is learned much sooner than Vine Whip for Brock. Incidentally Blastoise is the other speedrunning Classic. Pokémon to use.

You don't need Vine Whip for Brock, Leech Seed and Growl can deal with him fairly easily.

 

6 hours ago, Dr. C said:

 

I HAVE to catch the Snorlax anyways since fainting them would net wild Pokémon experience.

You can also run from the Snorlax encounter, to avoid Exp from it. I must admit, the fact that this works is really counter intuitive.