Man, I remember booting up Pokemon White for the first time back in 2011. That starter choice screen? Heart-pounding stuff. Snivy, Tepig, or Oshawott – seriously, how are you supposed to pick just one? I've replayed this game more times than I count, sometimes choosing based on my mood, sometimes researching for hours. Let me save you the headache.
Look, everyone online screams "Tepig is broken!" or "Snivy is trash!" but they're missing the point. Your pokemon white best starter depends entirely on how you play. Are you a speed demon who loves outmaneuvering opponents? Or do you wanna tank hits while dishing out pain? Maybe you're just here for the storyline. Let's break this down without the hype.
Meet Your Starter Trio (No Fluff Edition)
First things first - no starter here is truly "bad". GameFreak balanced these better than you'd think. But each has wildly different gameplay experiences. I learned this the hard way during my first playthrough when I picked Oshawott because he looked cute. Big mistake against Burgh's Leavanny.
Snivy: The Overlooked Speedster
Man, Snivy gets way too much hate. That smug leaf snake becomes Serperior, and let me tell you - outspeeding almost everything feels amazing. But man, those early gyms? Rough. Like, really rough.
Why Snivy Shines:
- Blazing Speed (123 base speed at final evolution)
- Coil setup turns it into a dodge tank
- Leech Seed + Giga Drain combo sustains itself
- Only starter immune to powder moves (Sleep Powder etc.)
Why Snivy Sucks Sometimes:
- First two gyms (Bug and Normal) resist Grass moves
- Paper-thin defenses early on (faints to a stiff breeze)
- Limited movepool until late game
- That awful Fire weakness hurts against half the Elite Four
Tepig: The Fan Favorite
Okay, I get why everyone loves this fire pig. Emboar hits like a truck loaded with dynamite. But carrying potions constantly? Gets old fast. Still, if you like punching holes through teams...
| Evolution Stage | Key Moves Unlocked | When It Shines |
|---|---|---|
| Tepig (Level 1) | Tackle, Tail Whip | Literally only against first Route Pokémon |
| Pignite (Level 17) | Arm Thrust, Flame Charge | Finally useful against Burgh's Bug gym |
| Emboar (Level 36) | Heat Crash, Hammer Arm | Melts Steel-types like Clay's Excadrill |
Oshawott: The Reliable Workhorse
Don't be fooled by the adorable face – Samurott is a physical sweeper beast. That Razor Shell attack? Carried me through half the game. Though grinding those water levels feels like watching paint dry.
- Early Game MVP: Destroys Chili's Fire gym and Lenora's Normal gym
- Signature Move: Razor Shell (50% defense drop chance)
- Hidden Gem: Learns Megahorn naturally to crush Psychic types
- Downside: Slowest starter evolution speed (70 base)
Gym Leader Matchups: Who Actually Performs?
This is where your pokemon white starter choice really matters. I charted performance against every major battle:
| Gym Leader | Snivy | Tepig | Oshawott | Nightmare Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chili (Fire) | Gets roasted | Fire vs fire stalemate | DOMINATES with Water Gun | His Pansear spams Work Up |
| Lenora (Normal) | Resisted moves = pain | Fighting moves crush | Water Pulse confusion saves | Retaliate after Herdier faints |
| Burgh (Bug) | Finally useful! | Fire destroys everything | Swarm resists water | Leavanny's Leaf Blade |
| Elesa (Electric) | Fast enough to dodge | Ground moves recommended | Pray she doesn't use Volt Switch | Zebstrika's Double Team spam |
Notice something? Oshawott handles the brutal early game best. Tepig dominates mid-game. Snivy? You'll suffer until Dragonspiral Tower. But man, when Serperior gets Coil... chef's kiss.
Post-Game Reality Check
Everyone talks about the main story, but what about Battle Subway or Elite Four rematches? Here's the cold truth after grinding competitive teams:
Snivy's Late Bloom
Serperior with Contrary ability (from Hidden Grotto) plus Leaf Storm? Absolutely disgusting. But getting there requires insane luck or trading. My shiny hunt took 82 hours. Not worth it.
Tepig's Brick Wall
Emboar hits hard but holy recoil damage. Wild Charge + Flare Blitz leaves it at 10% HP constantly. Spent more on potions than evolution stones.
Oshawott's Consistency
Samurott learns Swords Dance naturally. With Life Orb? Waterfall sweeps entire teams. Still use mine in online battles today. Not flashy, just reliable.
Pokemon White Best Starter Questions (Real Player Concerns)
Can I catch other starters later?
Nope. Unlike newer games, you're stuck with your choice. My cousin reset his game after getting stuck on Drayden with Tepig. Brutal.
Which starter helps most against the Elite Four?
Marshal's Fighting types murder Tepig. Shauntal's Ghosts laugh at Snivy. Grimsly's Dark types? Oshawott's Megahorn one-shots. Caitlin's Psychic arena though... bring backup regardless.
Is there a "correct" choice for N and Ghetsis?
Ghetsis' Hydreigon murders all starters equally. Just pack Revives. Seriously though - Oshawott's Ice Beam helps against Zekrom/Reshiram fights.
Can starters be competitive?
Emboar sees occasional OU play. Serperior dominates with Contrary. Samurott... well, it's outclassed by Gyarados nowadays. Still viable for casual battles though.
My Final Take (After 7 Playthroughs)
For new players? Oshawott no question. The early game advantage prevents ragequitting. Veterans wanting challenge? Snivy rewards patience. Tepig... well, if big numbers make you happy go for it.
But let's be real - picking your pokemon white best starter should be fun. I chose Tepig first because fire pig. Zero regrets even when Elesa demolished me. Game's about bonding with your Pokémon, right?
Whatever you pick, teach it Return early. That friendship damage boost? Carries harder than type matchups. Learned that after my Serperior survived a crit with 1HP. Still got chills.
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