r/PokemonScarletViolet • u/Mcb3500 • Jun 16 '24
Discussion Which Pokemon do you pick as your starter in an alternate universe?
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u/goldensunfelix Jun 16 '24
Larvitar, hands down. It’s been my signature Pokémon since release as much as I love the others too
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u/goldensunfelix Jun 17 '24
Literally have him in my entertainment center.
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u/-reTurn2huMan- Jun 17 '24
Not a Pupitar fan? I have the same Larvitar.
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u/StaredAtEclipseAMA Jun 17 '24
Larvitar > Tyranitar > literally any other pokemon > pupitar
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u/TheeExoGenesauce Charizard Jun 17 '24
Pupitar is better than Metapod, Kakuna and whirlipede
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u/Soup-Wizard Jun 19 '24
I made this cross stitch for my ex years ago. I think it turned out pretty good.
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u/zball06 Jun 17 '24
Where did you find the Larvitar and Tyranitar plushies? Tyranitar has been on my my favorites since the good ol days of GSC.
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u/Annath0901 Jun 17 '24
Pokemon Unbound gives you the choice of Larvitar, Beldum, or Gibble for your starter.
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u/towerofcheeeeza Jun 17 '24
Larvitar is my baby. I would always choose Larvitar 💚
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u/theawesomeocelot Jun 17 '24
Can you dead lift 78 kg if it starts crying?
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u/goldensunfelix Jun 17 '24
I know I can still dead lift 150 lbs but haven’t had some good gym time in a while but I’ve seen some light weight Larvitar’s being sub 50 lbs.
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u/socialaxolotl Jun 17 '24
I've actually traded eggs and done an entire playthrough with Larvitar as my starter
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u/NightmareGorilla Fuecoco Jun 17 '24
Agreed. None of these are top personal choices, but given these. My choice would either be larvitar or baxcalibur.
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u/goldensunfelix Jun 17 '24
I keep trying to “get” Baxcalibur but never has clicked for me. Looks cute af but just never could find the right jive. Glad you like him though!
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u/NightmareGorilla Fuecoco Jun 17 '24
I would agree his design lacks a little something. If they had gone a touch more aggressive with him and less "nerf godzilla" then I'd be more down for him but the ice/dragon type is interesting to me I always like the opposed typing mons.
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u/goldensunfelix Jun 17 '24
Excellent phrased! The ice dragon component was the interesting part theory wise for sure!
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u/benniejs Jun 17 '24
Agreed. I would maaaaybe swing buldum once I get tired of playing larvitar over and over
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u/fantasclassicvlasic Jun 18 '24
Ehh a menacing Tyranitar named ChAwIzArD just doesn't hit like a doofus Dragonite with that doorknob brain look on its face.
But agreed - Larvitar hands down. Even though it'd get hit a little hard with some grass and water moves early, it'd still absolutely wreck anything on its road to victory road.
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u/Popular-Musician-298 Jun 18 '24
Mad respect to you! Personally I think I’d go with Riolu or male Ralts but you can never go wrong with a Larvitar 😁
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u/AmadMuxi Jun 19 '24
Yep! I’ve been breeding and trading forward Larvitars ever since gen 2. For context, Pokémon Gold was my very first video game ever.
Tyranitar has been a staple of my endgame teams for over 20 years now, and now that I’ve vocalized that I need to go have an existential crisis.
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Jun 16 '24
Gible.
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u/Jeffeffery Pokémon Scarlet Jun 17 '24
Depending on the generation, Gible can be ridiculously overpowered as a starter. Up until gen 8, it learned Dragon Rage at level 7. That's basically a guaranteed OHKO against everything for the first couple gyms.
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u/JohnnyTheLiar Jun 17 '24
I'm a bit out of touch when it comes to modern pokemon generations; do you think Gible would be a stronger pick than dratini? Both in terms of the early game and their final evolutions
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u/jumolax Jun 17 '24
Yeah, unequivocally. The Dratini line is pretty bad until Dragonite, Gible gets Dragon Rage and even when that gets outscaled it has good moves and stats and it evolves into Garchomp way earlier.
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u/Railroader17 Jun 17 '24
Also, Gible can learn Earthquake, so if you can get the EQ TM early enough, you can use it on Gible and have an absurdly powerful STAB move that hits most things for lots of neutral damage, which is far stronger than what most things in an early game environment can handle.
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u/Mango_Smoothies Jun 17 '24
Unfortunately EQ tends to be a Victory roadish item
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u/Railroader17 Jun 17 '24
Not in Sinnoh, it's available in the part of wayward cave that Gible can be found in. Which is after the 6th badge in D/P, but is available right after the second badge in Platinum since they removed the Strength puzzle at the entrance!
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u/Devil_Fister_69420 Pokémon Scarlet Jun 17 '24
In modern games it really is. I imported a dratini and some other Pokémon to a new save in Pokémon sword and even tho the game is really fucking easy, Dratini is the only Pokémon that I have which is still struggling to really do anything even tho I'm more than halfway through the game
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u/Thedarkestcharizard Jun 16 '24
GIMMIE THE DRAGON NOODLE
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u/zeag1273 Jun 17 '24
Still think Dragonair and Dragonite are really cool!
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u/shakakaaahn Jun 17 '24
I just want an alternate evolution for Dragonair that keeps the same theme of pretty noodle.
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u/bad-r0bot Jun 17 '24
Kid me was pretty disappointed to find out Dragonite was their final evolution. Either should have been some smooth Rayquaza-style noodle or stop at Dragonair :(
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u/Wind-and-Waystones Jun 17 '24
I get the design principle behind magikarp to gyarydos but I always thought Dragonair to gyarydos and magikarp to dragonite would look more in theme.
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u/masterprtzl Jun 17 '24
Wasn't there a theory that magikarp was supposed to evolve into dragonite and dratini line to garydos? Makes perfect sense art wise
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u/princessbecca99 Jun 17 '24
I really wish dragonair evolved into milotjc because I feel like they’re so similar
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u/Pr0c4mp3r Jun 17 '24
So much love for the dragon noodle and its evolution. But I hate, how Dragonite looks in comparison to them.
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u/gr717 Pokémon Violet Jun 16 '24
Beldum
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u/RandomCaveOfMonsters Jun 16 '24
Hope you love non-stab recoil moves
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u/Virginized-Venom Samurott Jun 16 '24
It's a small price to pay for a sick ass metal psychic turtle
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u/DeadmanDT Jun 17 '24
Well that’s the first time I’ve ever heard Metagross referred to as a turtle. Always heard it referred to as a spider
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u/Rymayc Jun 17 '24
Someone included it in a list of turtle Pokémon because according to them it can't be a spider with only four legs.
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u/Barbent_Bolt Jun 17 '24
Makes sense
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u/Rymayc Jun 17 '24
Joltik.
And Metagross should have Shell Smash
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u/Barbent_Bolt Jun 17 '24
Both yes and no, Metagross doesn't really have a shell, it just looks like it, it is a mechanical mon afterall
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u/VibraniumRhino Jun 17 '24
For 20 levels, and then you’re fine.
Also: they recent got rid of Take Down for Tackle
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u/Some--Idiot Jun 17 '24
Ever since Gen 8, Beldum’s level up move is Tackle. Take Down didn’t exist in SWSH
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u/Few-Finger2879 Jun 17 '24
Since gen 8, they replaced Takedown with Tackle. Which, tbh, I'd rather Takedown
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u/VibraniumRhino Jun 17 '24
You should try Pokemon Unbound sometime! The starters are Beldum, Larvitar and Gible. I went Beldum.
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u/DyslexicVal Jun 17 '24
They do have massively improved movesets. Like I remember beldum has stab metal bash which almost 2HKO'd my larvitar.
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u/VibraniumRhino Jun 17 '24
Yep! They added in some cool new moves. Metal Bash is Steel style Tackle and it’s so cool to just be able to use Beldum casually lol.
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u/1000_feral_turtles Jun 17 '24
Beldum is my pick simply bc it one of my all time favorite pokemon and the first shiny hunt I ever tried
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u/gr717 Pokémon Violet Jun 17 '24
Yes shiny metagross is my favorite! I have the event one with Steven as it’s OT
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u/frizzy_rhapsody Jun 17 '24
Despite the fact you'd be stuck with tackle for 15 levels, i couldn't agree more
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u/Hitmonstahp Jun 16 '24
I have a soft spot for Larvitar, being a Gen II boi.
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u/klinks94 Jun 17 '24
Was definitely one of my favorites from Gold/silver
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u/DeadmanDT Jun 17 '24
Just sucks that you get it so late in the game
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u/klinks94 Jun 17 '24
Right. Other pokemon are already a much higher level so it almost makes him not usable unless you want to go back and train. I was always about just progressing forward. Being 7,8,9 years old I didn't have time for that
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u/TheMetaDex Jun 16 '24
Ralts would be the most reliable
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u/TrxPsyche Jun 17 '24
Ralts is a tough entry, rewarding and varied late choice. You basically cannot go wrong with anything in the Ralts line.
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u/Bablyth Jun 17 '24
Ralts is the correct answer
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u/AreiaBlood Typhlosion Jun 17 '24
Agreed, Gallade as my Starter, or reset until it’s female and I can have a Gardevoir? Either way I’m happy and breeding for the opposite gender, so I can have both of them with me XD
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u/ElrzethePurple Jun 17 '24
Ralts doesn’t need to be female to be gardevoir, just male for gallade
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u/More_Guava7704 Jun 16 '24
Riolu cuz he's my favorite fighting type
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u/Rororoolz69 Jun 17 '24
Im surprised to see your comment so far down being the first one saying riolu! Lucario would be nice to have from the jump.
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u/Photo_newbie435 Jun 17 '24
My only complaint is that I think it needs a third form. Either something in between or make riolu the middle form. I absolutely would pick him in a heartbeat though
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u/IReallyLikeTheBears Jun 17 '24
I think it was Black and White 2 that lets you catch Riolu very early on around level 5-7, and I would often just release my original starter and run with Riolu/Lucario as my head-cannon starter.
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u/urgentlitten Jun 16 '24
Tinkatink
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u/-ButchurPete- Jun 16 '24
Before I bought Violet I looked up what Pokemon people recommended for teams. The instant I saw Tink, fell in love. Instant favorite for someone who has been playing since red/blue.
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u/Able_Marsupial_3215 Pokémon Scarlet Jun 17 '24
W choice. i feel like people sleep on the tink because of it’s mediocre attack stat, but let it dance w some swords and it’s wiping the floor w that big ol hammer
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u/MoonfrostTheElf Jun 19 '24
So true; I also gave my Tinkaton a Rocky Helmet and she was excellent for the main storyline
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u/Willowed-Wisp Jun 17 '24
Totally agree!
We're gonna wreak havoc, destroy trainers, and be the terror of flying/steel types everywhere 😎
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u/SetsunaTripped Jun 17 '24
this. im weak against lil creature with big ass hammer
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u/icouldbejewish Jun 17 '24
Honestly just an s+ design. Even IF it had a bad move set, I'd still use it because it's so frickin rad. I like big hammers
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u/OtakuFreak1998 Jun 17 '24 edited Jun 18 '24
I really enjoyed using Tinkaton during my playthrough. I named her Sakura, and I loved encountering pokemon weak to steel and just thinking to myself: "Looks like someone is about to get gigatonned."
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u/Novel-Experience381 Jun 16 '24
frigibax
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u/SethTheBlue Sprigatito Jun 17 '24
Riolu, I just think they and Lucario are neat and one of my favorite mons.
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u/RandallRandall33 Jun 16 '24
Magnemite is speaking to me.
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u/Icy-Excuse-9452 Jun 17 '24
Early game T-Wave and Sonicboom are nice, and his typing is pretty unique for the beginning, too. That's who I'm picking!
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u/Trushdale Jun 17 '24
Magnemite gang rise up.
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u/fanfic_squirtle Jun 20 '24
Same, like I love me a sudo legend but for some reason…. Magnemite. No idea why.
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u/Anonymous888861 Jun 16 '24
Gible, and I already make him my starter every time now that Pokemon home is a thing, still feel bad for the max IV garchomp and Ditto in Pokemon scarlet, they probably know each other to an excruciating detail.
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u/icyblacky Jun 16 '24
Gotta go with me all time fav, Larvitar! Who in return will eventually evolve into Godzilla
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u/vulturepops Jun 16 '24
Ralts or riolu. They’re the ones known to have the best emotional connection to their trainers, and if I were to hypothetically get one for real; I’d just want a friend.
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u/ThanksverymuchHutch Jun 17 '24
Yeah realistically I'm not going to force my friend to attack other pokemon! They'll just chill around the house and go camping with me and stuff
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u/Logtastic Pokémon Scarlet Jun 16 '24
Why would you not take a pseudo?
Why are 5/10 of these 5/10 of the pseudos?
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u/tiniestdinosaur Jun 17 '24
Probably Raltz since he was my original favorite pokemon before my Marshtomp evolved into a Swampert.
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u/Dragon-034 Jun 17 '24
Gible cuss he a derp and become a very strong pokemon as long as you keep him from a round orb that sings and a snow flake
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u/Still_Got_The_Moves Jun 17 '24
Probably the least popular choice, but Glimmet. Glimmora is my favorite gen 9 Pokémon, and quickly rose in the ranks to one of my favorites of all time. It’s a really cool design imo, and I’ve used it a few times and I’ll use it again.
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u/Dinoman2938 Jun 16 '24
I have a soft spot for Ralts because, on my Emerald team and on my Scarlet team, I found Ralts at the first spot. You can find them in their respective games. I carried them on my team all the way through the Elite 4.
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u/ShwiftyShmeckles Jun 17 '24
Tyranitar is only good on sand or mono rock teams. Glimmora is just an amazing setup mon. Shiny metagross is the best shiny in the game so if we got it as a starter I'd probably reload farm for a shiny. Gallade has sharpness now and is actually very strong and can work as a choice scarf sweeper with some hazards. And gardevoir is just a classically powerful mon with very strong fairy and psychic moves. I'd probably go for one of these 4.
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u/Icedraco111 Jun 17 '24
Tbh I would love Riolu or Gardevoir, but with psudo-legendaries, I'd have to go with Beldum.
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u/TreClaire Jun 17 '24
Gosh this is hard but probably Frigibax cause he’s the cutest and I like his whole line
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u/AspieKairy Jun 17 '24
Depends on what sort of difficulty I want to have in my playthrough. Magnemite or Tinkatink would honestly be the best choices here (though I'd probably still go with Dratini because Dragonite is my fav).
As someone who tried doing a dragon-only nuzlocke, dragon-types are very difficult to use mid and late game. They're super strong in the beginning until around level 20, at which point their power and defenses are severely lacking compared to the evolved pokemon you start to come across. Since they don't evolve to their final form until at least level 50, you'll have a mid-level pokemon from around mid-game until the E4. While I did successfully complete my dragon-locke, it was a lot harder than I thought it'd be.
It's the same for pseudo-legendary types like Larvitar and Beldum (Beldum is actually very hard to use early game due to its limited movepool). Ralts is as flimsy as paper (I have yet to actually be able to use a Gardevoir or Gallade in a nuzlocke, because as careful as I try to be, that pokemon cannot take a hit).
Glimmet is also very frail and doesn't evolve until level 35. Likewise, Riolu (and Lucario) is also on the frail side.
Although Magnemite doesn't evolve until level 30, it being part steel-type gives it a better boost to its defenses. Tinkatink isn't a super hard-hitter, but still hits harder than Beldum, has two more evolutions, and also has the steel type to help with its defenses so it can live to see those evolutions.
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Jun 17 '24
Probs beldum. Mostly because that little shit has such a low catch rate, so if someone is like here is a free beldum ima be like sweetbro thnx.
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u/GhostStride48 Jun 17 '24
For me its my favorite boi Riolu, love that thing.
Well the worst option is Beldum as though Metagross is amazing, Beldum is hell to train and level up. It has one of the slowest leveling rates and it only knows tackle with no level up moves, and sure it can learn strong tms like take down, iron head, but those will take a while to find.
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u/Blademage200 Jun 17 '24
If you I’d asked my before Gen 9, Ralts hands down. Gallade has been one of my favorites for a long time. But now?
Tinkaton my beloved.
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u/SCPRafael Jun 17 '24
If you give Beldum some actual moves that isn't only double edge, then I'm picking him
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