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in the title which one is better?

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I will begin by highlighting a few common issues all of the rodent creatures face. First of pure Normal typing isnt that great at anything, it gives rubbish coverage and even worse defenses. Secondly, all the rodents have low to abysmal stats, making them overall weak. Lastly, they all really on some gimmick to remotly function. This means they are either one-trick-ponies (and utterly predictable) or very weak unless they can set up. Overall these are the main obstacles all the rodents face. Now we will look at each of them individually, from worst to best.


Worst of the bunch is definitely Watchog. Its greatest flaw compared to the other rodents is its lack of usable gimmick. It have nothing that makes it special, or worthwhile. Thunder Wave and Hypnosis is the extent of its movepool, and most if not all other Pokemon have access to these moves. This, together with its abysmal stats and poor moves/ability, Watchog just have nothing going for it.

Watchog @ Leftovers
Ability: Analytic
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Return
- Knock Off
- Super Fang


Just barely missing the worst place on the list is Furret. The same lack of usable gimmick plague Furret, but it have a surprisingly good movepool. With access to usable Ice, Fire, Thunder, Dark, Bug, Ghost and Fighting moves it have the best coverage out of all the rodents. Sadly, its stats make it unable to properly use this good coverage. Lacking the raw power necessary to utilize its moves and along with its poor typing make Furret a poor Pokemon overall.

Furret @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Return
- Fire Punch
- Ice Punch


We could consider this place shared with Furret, because Bibarel is just barely less crap. Despite having less coverage than Furret, Bibarel's is better because of its abiloity to utelise it. Better STAB and access to just enough coverage to keep it afloat, but its Ability allow it to be above decent. Moody need no introduction, its insane randomness could allow Bibarel to fight god's with ease, but since it is banned in most fields of competative battling it rarely helps it. Simple is the second best option, and allow it to set up to an insane degree. Simple and better STAB/coverage makes it better than Furret and Watchog, but that's about it, its a gimmick at best and death fodder at worst.

Bibarel @ Leftovers
Ability: Simple
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Curse
- Return
- Waterfall
- Super Fang


Raticate have the honor of being the first rodent to not be complete crap. Similarly to Bibarel it have the coverage it needs, but also access to the amazing Ability Guts. This, accompanied by STAB Facade and decent stats make Raticate kinda ok. Its not good compared to other sweepers, but it is miles better than the previously mentioned rodents. That being said, status sweeping is risky buisness, as it easily get worn down and is deadly vulnurable to any attack. Overall though, it isn't great but its usable.

Raticate @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 36 SpD / 220 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Facade
- Wild Charge
- Sucker Punch


Missing the number one spot by a wide margin we have Linoone. Despite poor coverage and just as bad stats as its brethren it outshines them all thanks to a completely unique combination, Extreme Speed+ Belly Drum could have made this rodent a top threat, but alas it was not meant to be. It is more or less walled to death by all Steel types, and it is a sitting duck(?) to anything that can survive a hit and retaliate. It is a risky Pokemon to use and it rarely pays of. But in comparison to the other rodents Linoone have opportunities its lesser friends could only dream of.

Linoone @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Gluttony
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Extreme Speed
- Belly Drum
- Seed Bomb
- Shadow Claw


Remember what I mentioned in my opening about the common issues with the rodents? Poor typing, bad stats and a reliance of gimmicks? Watchhog don't even have a gimmick to rely on, Furret is a bunch of missed potential, Bibarel's gimmick is poor to say the least, Raticate's status sweeping is good but others can do it better and Linoone is a high risk-high reward sweeper. But they are all weak, and it is only in comparison to other rodents Raticate and Linoone could be considered good.

Why I am mentioning this is because our last and latest contender don't suffer from any of these issues. It have good stats, good typing, good moves, good Ability and it rely on no gimmick, it is a pure sweeper and it is good at it, not just in comparison to its rodent kin but in competition with other, better Pokemon. Diggersby's is just a great sweeper, and thanks to a plethora of moves it can set up or use Choice items with deadly efficiency. Overall it is just a good Pokemon, be it in comparison to its rodent peers or other Pokemon. In competitive terms it surpasses the other's by a Ponytalength.

Diggersby @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Earthquake
- Return
- Knock Off

Diggersby is so good it gets a second moveset.

Diggersby @ Expert Belt
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Return
- Knock Off


Overall Diggersby is the clear winner. The other's are just to poor or to risky to be properly usable,. That was a lot of text for something that simple.

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The fast master has fasted me!
Don't forget, you should compare these rodents on their environment. No one is going to bring their Bibarel to OU; in randbats or even low tiers like NU or PU, Bibarel could be put to some use.
Sorry for Double-Post, but it's from Worst to Best, not what you wrote :P
Thanks, and apart form Linoone and Diggersby the other rodents will perform just as well in the PU tier as in Ubers. Overexaggeration aside they aren't that good in PU either.
Yeah Flaf, you're right.
2 votes


                     ## Raticate ##

Raticate is really meh. Looking at its possible abilities, Hustle and Guts stand out as good abilities for physical attackers. However, it has pathetic stats holding it back, with no stat standing out barring for a decent 97 base speed backed up by 80 base attack. Throwing a look at its movepool, Raticate gets pretty colorful viable attacks on it like Sucker Punch, Wild Charge, U-Turn, Ice Fang, Flame Wheel, Return, Iron Tail, Zen Headbutt or Reversal. These options look appealing, but they won't do a lot of damage from a basic rat with passable stats.
In short, avoid Raticate.

Possible Moveset:

Youngster Joey (Raticate) @ Choice Band
Trait: Hustle
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Adamant / Jolly Nature

  • Return
  • U-Turn
  • Wild Charge
  • Crunch

Other acceptable moves: Flame Wheel, Ice Fang, Reversal, Sucker Punch
This set is designed to be as hard-hitting as possible. A Choice Band, Hustle, STAB Return hits hard, no matter what. Raticate is going to leave a fissure into even sturdier Pokemon. But this set is outclassed as other Pokemon can do it better.

Other options to consider: Life Orb, Super Fang, Guts, Sleep Talk


                       ## Furret ##   

Furret is even worse than Raticate. It may sport a better bulk than wet-paper rat sturdiness but nothing, nothing helps this furret. From its middling 76 / 90 offensive stats to a lesser appealing movepool, Furret doesn't have anything over any rodent that could put it to any use. I may like Furret a lot but that doesn't justify I'm going to rate it for what it doesn't stand for.
In short, don't use Furret at all.

Possible moveset:

Literally useless (Furret) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Frisk
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Jolly Nature

  • Trick
  • Fire Punch
  • Return
  • U-Turn

This makes for an acceptable scout in the lowest tiers. Trick can cripple defensive Pokemon to no end; Ferrothorn will miss stacking hazards, Chansey will miss walling with Toxic + Softboiled and I could go on. Attacking moves are here to decorate as Furret has even less power than Pignite, a non-fully-evolved Pokemon.

Other Options: Unfortunately nothing. Furret is a good-to-nothing.


                     ## Linoone ##

Finally a good rodent. Linoone is a great Pokemon. Overshadowed, sure, but it's great. I like it, but there's a reason to why it's good compared to the two others aforementioned. It has less attack than even the weak furret and less bulk than Raticate, but it's the speediest of them two, and gets 2 moves any rodent would dream of: Belly Drum and ExtremeSpeed. Oh, and its movepool is acceptable, albeit less extensive than Raticate's.
In short, you should try Linoone.

Arceus maybe(Linoone) @ Sitrus Berry
Trait: Gluttony / Quick Feet
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Adamant / Jolly Nature

  • Belly Drum
  • ExtremeSpeed
  • Shadow Claw
  • Seed Bomb

Remember E-Killer from Ubers? Linoone is kind of E-Killer in lower tiers. It can insta-sweep unprepared teams. Adamant could easily be used with Quick Feet and even without it because you'll be spamming ExtremeSpeed unless you come by a Ghost-type. Seed Bomb is decorative actually. Gluttony will make you eat the Sitrus Berry as soon as possible, but it's not very functional. Quick Feet allows you to come on a predicted Toxic and grab some speed.

Other Options: Use Linoone as an in-game slave for HM; Surf, Rock Smash, Strength and Cut.


                    ## Bibarel ##

Bibarel is a very meh Pokemon. It has less offensive presence than any of the rodents with its bad speed compared to those speedster above it, and less attack than Raticate or BD Linoone. But it stands out with excellent abilities. Sadly, it can't use them adequately for it isn't backed up by anything stellar, and Moody is banned in Competitive gaming. Nothing stops you to use Moody in Anything Goes though; it's really worth a shot.
In short, don't underestimate Bibarel.

Possible Moveset:

HM Slave (Bibarel) @ Leftovers
Trait: Simple
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Brave Nature

  • Curse
  • Waterfall
  • Return
  • Quick Attack

Since Water/Normal has amazing neutral coverage together, you won't really need coverage moves. Curse will double its Attack and Defense stat at once with Simple, but will lower its already low speed to very low levels. Quick Attack can patch this up, especially if you need to pick up a weakened foe. Return and Waterfall are your go-to STAB options.

Other Options: Use Bibarel as a slave; it learns every HM barring Fly. If you want to use it competitively with something else than Curse, try Moody in Anything Goes or Unaware if you feel like it; but Simple is the best for standard Competitive gaming.


                      ## Watchog ##

His eyes. Are your brains on drugs. On a serious note, easily the worst of rodents. Please, don't use Watchog. Bad offensive stats, weak bulk. Heck, it's very slow too. There's nothing Watchog can do and that other rodents can't do... except maybe. Well nothing.
In short, Watchog is the worst rodent, you MUST avoid it at all costs.

Possible Moveset: Nothing. It can't freaking pull off any good moveset. Except to be an annoyance against Team Plasma and Lenora with Hypnosis + Confuse Ray.


                      ## Diggersby ##

Oh, my good goodness. This is your bunny on drugs. No, let's be real now: Diggersby is an excellent Pokemon to use. It's even banned from UU! It's the only Rodent that made it that far. And for good reasons. Unlike Linoone which could be better, it has acceptable bulk of 85 / 77 / 77, which makes it pretty hard to take down with non-SE attacks. Then, while it only has 56 base attack, it gets Huge Power. I'm looking at Azumarill right now; it also has Huge Power, and that's why it's in OU, its typing apart. And finally, it can patch up its poor speed with a Scarf.
In short, Diggersby is easily the best rodent.

Possible Set:

Diggersby @ Choice Band / Choice Scarf
Trait: Huge Power
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Jolly / Adamant Nature

  • Earthquake
  • Return
  • Ice Punch
  • Knock Off

It also gets Fire Punch and ThunderPunch, U-Turn, Bounce (lol why), Gunk Shot and Superpower. Very colorful pool. Diggersby is a great scout with U-Turn, outclassing Furret; it also beats Raticate with its STAB Earthquake whilst Raticate is only purely normal; and Bibarel and Linoone don't compare because these are setup sweepers.


TL;DR: In order:

  1. Diggersby
  2. Linoone
  3. Bibarel
  4. Raticate
  5. Furret
  6. Watchog

Bibarel and Raticate are very disputed actually. But I give mention to Bibarel's usefulness in-game too, whilst Raticate is Youngster Joey's mate, the first trainer you ever meet (correct me if I'm wrong). I hope this helps you choosing your rodent! ;)


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Actually, isn't your rival the first trainer you meet?
Your rival is Youngster Joey ~(O.o)~

I once read a comparison between Ash and Youngster Joey… it made so much sense. His best friend is a mouse, he always loses to the first trainer he meets in a region, etc.
^what my buddy said :P
To MechSteelix: Facing the rival, you're not going on a serious fight. Tackle to death. Joey uses something else. He is special. ALL HAIL YOUNGSTER JOEY
0 votes

Diggersby

Diggersby packs quite a punch because of it's ability Pure Power which makes it a potent wall breaker. And if a choice scarf is used it will be able to outspeed a fair amount of pokes while dealing nice damage.

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1 it's huge power
2 not enough detail on them.
What sort of details are you looking for?
mainly movesets and roles and comparisons.
You should mention that in the question then ^.  :)