Pokemon's Gen 5 games were a unique venture for the series as the first generation to feature a pair of games that are direct sequels rather than a third, definitive version. The first games of this generation, Pokemon Black and White, served as somewhat of a reboot for the Pokemon series with only Gen 5 mons available before the post-game, while the sequels, Pokemon Black 2 and White 2, were set two years after the first games and featured a remixed version of the Unova Region and mons from previous generations. Although these games still aren't the most difficult in the series, players may still be looking to optimize their Gen 5 playthroughs.

Given the differences in region layout and Gyms between Pokemon Black and White and Pokemon Black 2 and White 2, it can be hard to find the perfect team for all Gen 5 games. While this team is primarily suited for a Pokemon Black and White playthrough since the Pokedex in those games is far more limited, it can also function well for their sequels without much of a change. The only exception might be Seismitoad and Vanilluxe, which players would want to swap out for mons like Azumarill and Beartic since Seismitoad and Vanilluxe become available too late in the game to be useful.

Related

The Best Pokemon to Use in Gen 4 Playthroughs Explained

For players looking to complete the Gen 4 Pokemon games as smoothly as possible, there are a few mons they will want to make sure are on their team.

The Best Pokemon Team for a Successful Gen 5 Playthrough

Compared to Gen 4, the Gen 5 games didn't shake up the series' battle mechanics too significantly, but there are a few interesting new challenges players will need to prepare for. Triple Battles and Rotation Battles were introduced in Gen 5, and while they aren't as common as Double Battles are throughout the franchise, the ones players will encounter can be a bit tricky to master. Hidden Abilities were also introduced via the Dream World, which gave most mons access to a third ability that could drastically change how they were used in battle, and the addition of seasons changed the availability of some mons depending on the time of year.

Emboar

The best choice for a starter in Gen 5 is Tepig since it has a type advantage over several early-game Gyms. While the Striaton City Gym changes the Leader players will face depending on their starter choice, Tepig will have an advantage against the Normal-type Nacrene City Gym if players evolve it into Pignite beforehand and teach it a Fighting-type move, as well as Castellia City's Bug-type Gym. Beyond the first few Gyms, Emboar is also useful against Brycen's Ice-type Gym and Elite Four Grimsley's Dark types, meaning Emboar will be invaluable throughout the playthrough.

Seismitoad

Seismitoad has one of the best type combos in the series as a Water/Ground type, giving it an immunity to Electric moves when it would normally have a weakness. Tympole can be caught fairly early on in Pinwheel Forest and evolves into Palpitoad at level 25, making it a perfect mon to use against Elesa's Electric Gym in Nimbasa City. Seismitoad can also be useful against Driftveil City's Gym Leader Clay and his Ground types, and this mon can also learn Surf, giving it great all-around utility for the team.

Lilligant/Whimsicott

Lilligant and Whimsicott are version exclusives, with Lilligant available to players in Pokemon White and Whimsicott available to players in Pokemon Black, but both mons are great additions to the team. Both are pure Grass types in Gen 5, since Whimsicott doesn't get the Fairy type until Gen 6, but both are still fantastic support mons. Lilligant has access to Aromatherapy which can heal the status conditions of the party, while Whimsicott can learn Tailwind to boost the Speed of the party, and both are great to use against Gym Leader Clay's Ground types.

Archeops

The fossil Pokemon, Archeops, can be a double-edged sword thanks to its ability Defeatist, which halves its Attack and Special Attack when its HP falls below 50%. While this makes it suboptimal to use for competitive battles, Archeops can be quite strong in a normal playthrough since players won't have to worry about Defeatist activating very often. This mon has insane stats, which are typically balanced out by its detrimental ability, but players who can keep Archeops' health above 50% will get a fantastic mon who can deal with Gym Leader Skyla's Flying types, as well as Elite Four Marshal's Fighting types.

Vanilluxe

Heading into the late game for a Gen 5 playthrough, players will want a strong Ice type to deal with several powerful Dragon types they will have to face. Vanilluxe becomes available at the perfect time to fill this role, as Vanillite can be caught at the Cold Storage in Driftveil City, which also makes it useful for the battle against Gym Leader Clay. Having Vanilluxe on the team becomes crucial when facing Opelucid City's Dragon-type Gym, and it can also help in the fight against N's Zekrom in Pokemon Black, as well as Ghetsis' Hydreigon in the games' finales.

Haxorus

While Vanilluxe is the primary mon that players will want to have to tackle these tough late-game battles, Haxorus is another great team member to use for them as well. Despite not being a pseudo-Legendary, Haxorus still has some fantastic stats, with high Attack and Speed, as well as solid defenses, and Axew can be found in Mistralton Cave, meaning it's accessible just before many of these end-game battles. Haxorus is a great mon to have to use against Opelucid City's Dragon-type Gym alongside Vanilluxe, and the Dark-type moves it can learn are also useful against the Elite Four's Caitlin and Shauntal.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Franchise

Pokemon

Platform(s)

Switch

Released

November 18, 2022

Developer(s)

Game Freak

Publisher(s)

Nintendo , The Pokemon Company

Genre(s)

RPG

ESRB

E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence

How Long To Beat

32 Hours

Metascore

72

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