This week, we will be taking a closer look at the final evolved forms of the Kanto starters.
In our own ranking, Charizard made the cut for the best out of all three, but what are the fine details? We're going to be breaking down each Pokemon's movepool and overall strengths and weaknesses in order to get a more accurate view on the three Pokemon that essentially started it all (suck it, Pikachu).
Up first, Blastoise!
Introduction
Blastoise's design seems to be comprised of a strange but workable combination between a tortoise and a tank. It doesn't get much cooler than a tortoise tank with TWO cannons. Say what you want, but Blastoise is freaking cool.
He is the Kanto region's lone single-typed starter, being pure Water. As such, Blastoise also has the fewest amount of weaknesses (Grass and Electric). While mostly known for his defensive abilities on both ends of the spectrum, Blastoise also has a fairly diverse movepool along with decent attack stats, and the ability to truly unleash the potential of his ability.
Capture/Training
Blastoise can never be found in the wild without a cheating device. The only ways to obtain Blastoise are through evolution or trading (or Pal Park).
In the games Red, Blue, FireRed, and LeafGreen, Blastoise can be obtained by choosing Squirtle as the starting Pokemon, training it up to Level 16 to evolve into Wartortle, and then training the Wartortle to Level 36 for a second evolution. Blastoise is also obtainable in Yellow through evolution, though the player receives Squirtle as a gift in-game.
In all other games, Blastoise (or a prior evolution) must be sent over through trading or Pal Park.
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| Somebody needs a nail trim. |
HP:79 Atk:83 Def:100 SpAtk:85 SpDef:105 Spd:78
Clearly heavy in defense, Blastoise has more statistical opportunity than most to take hits while dealing considerable amounts of damage. Employing Rain Dance only makes Blastoise even more dangerous, as all of his Water-type moves will be much more powerful than an 80-range Attack or SpAtk stat would indicate.
Even considering his array of attacking capabilities, Blastoise also boasts the highest base Special Defense stat among ALL starter Pokemon across every region.
Abilities
Torrent is the standard ability given to Blastoise, which allows all Water-type moves used when Blastoise is below 1/3 his full health to be increased in power even more. Given its ability to take hits, Blastoise has a clear advantage over his starter brethren, in the sense that where Charizard would most likely get knocked out and be unable to take advantage of his Blaze ability, Blastoise would have a better chance of surviving and capitalizing.
With the addition of Dream World in Gen V, Blastoise may also have the Rain Dish ability, which allows him to recover 1/16 of his full HP on every turn during which it is raining. This can be extremely useful when used on teams that rely on keeping the weather in a downpour, and when combined with Leftovers can lead to a difficult to counter amount of natural recovery.
Moves
We are going to approach this from a Gen 5 standpoint so as to be able to include Rain Dish in the discussion.
As far as level-up moves, Blastoise tends to aquire a lot of defensive moves and moves that raise defense stats, such as Iron Defense, Skull Bash (which also raises Defense in addition to attacking on the second turn), Withdraw, and Protect. Though, with Blastoise's already sensational defensive stats, wasting a turn attempting to raise them further seems to be a waste. Protect is an exception, as it can be used in conjunction with other moves to create deadly combo and stalling tactics.
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| Seriously, don't piss him off. |
Water Pulse, Aqua Tail, and Hydro Pump are all nice, but Blastoise's STAB move of choice is a toss up between Scald (via T.M.) and Surf. Scald is assuredly the clear cut choice in Double and Triple battles, since Surf will attack all Pokemon on the field. Blastoise doesn't have a more reliable Water choice than Scald, which boasts 100 percent accuracy, 80 base power, AND a 30 percent chance of inflicting a Burn condition.
Rain Dance is a must if using the Rain Dish ability. However, it could be passed up in such a situation pending a Dream World Politoed is in order (which has the Drizzle ability), or some other way of creating a downpour. In Single battles, bring Surf in place of Scald, and go for TM 26, Earthquake, to counter Electrics trying to take advantage with Thunder.
Rapid Spin is a surprisingly useful move in competitive battles, being able to remove the ever-present entry hazards like Toxic Spikes, Spikes, and Stealth Rock. In-game, it's best to stick with higher powered attack moves, so take your pick.
Via the Move Relearner, Blastoise can pick up a Level 1 move, Flash Cannon, which isn't nearly the pleasant surprise you would think. Steel only has advantages over Ice and Rock-types, the latter of which Blastoise already has the advantage over.
Sadly, Blastoise did not get Shell Smash, which makes all of zero sense, considering he is a TURTLE.
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| Or never. |
Lastly, Water Spout can be bred onto Blastoise, but is USUALLY impractical (see moveset 4).
That's it for level-up moves, so let's move to TMs.
Scald and Surf are obvious choices, as well as Earthquake for weakness protection and extra coverage.
Protect, Toxic, and Rain Dance can be a nightmare for many opponents when combined with Blastoise's Rain Dish ability. Hidden Power can always have its uses, so try for a coverage type like Fire or Bug.
Ice Beam is fantastic to take down Water resistant Dragons, as well as Flying, Ground, and the especially pesky Grass types. Brick Break and Focus Blast are your options for Fighting-type moves, though Blastoise hardly needs them.
Bulldoze can be used as an alternative to Earthquake, while Rock Tomb can provide the same effects in Rock-type form. Rest and Substitute are always good choices for utility moves.
Of course Hyper Beam, Hydro Cannon, and Giga Impact are options, though not highly recommended.
Movesets
1. Utilitoise
-Scald
-Rapid
Spin-Toxic/Yawn
-Rest/Ice Beam/Protect
Notes: Rapid Spin for removing entry hazards, Toxic for stalling out opposing Waters or Yawn for Phazing support, and either Rest for keeping Blastoise healthy (helped along by Leftovers AND Rain Dish recovery), Ice Beam to remove Grass-types, or Protect to buy an extra turn of Poison/Burn damage. Rain dish is the preferred ability on this defensive set, but Torrent will also work if you don't have a reliable way of getting Rain up.
2. Stall Whore
-Substitute
-Scald/Surf
-Aqua Ring/ Yawn/ Protect
-Toxic
Notes: Again, go for Rain and Rain Dish support, along with Leftovers. This time, however, with Substitute AND Aqua Ring thrown into the mix, this set becomes an almost instant nightmare for any opponent.
3. Covertoise
-Scald/Surf
-Ice Beam
-Earthquake
-Brick Break/Focus Blast/Rock Tomb
Notes: An Expert Belt would be best here. Nothing fancy, just go where the weaknesses lead you. Torrent ability if possible, Rain Dish if downpour can be produced.
4. Ninja Turtle
-Water Spout
-Hydro Pump
-Ice Beam
-Hidden Power (Grass/Bug/Fire)
Description: This set is complicated. Make sure it is raining. Begin with a Smeargle and use Shell Smash followed by Baton Pass to Blastoise. Blastoise should be holding a Life Orb and running the Rain Dish ability. Blastoise's Water Spout will be at full capacity from full HP, plus STAB bonus, Rain bonus, Life Orb bonus, PLUS the increase from Shell Smash. Moreover, all damage as a result of the Life Orb will be regenerated thanks to its Rain Dish ability. Difficult to set up, but nearly impossible to stop.
Conclusion
Blastoise doesn't get a lot of attention with Charizard lumped into the same group. Perhaps this is rightfully so, but Blastoise is more than just "not as good as Charizard."
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| WARNING: Too many nights out at Red Lobster might turn you into a giant blue tortoise with cannons. |
But now YOU do.
Next up in our Kanto Starters Poke-Focus marathon is the underrated Venusaur!