What is a good in-game team for Diamond and Pearl?

Question

Share your best in-game teams for Pokemon Diamond and Pearl on this thread! Teams should be aimed toward making casual runs of the game efficient, enjoyable and hassle-free.

Please follow these guidelines regarding detail in your post:

1. For every Pokemon on the team, give recommended moves for use throughout the playthrough. Ideally, comment on more than just the four moves you'll finish with post-game.
2. You can include items, abilities, etc. but they are not necessary.
3. Provide explanation and detail. Justify your Pokemon and moveset choices; possible discussion points include ease-of-use, team synergy, and coverage for key battles.

Please also follow these guidelines regarding the contents of your team:

1. If you recommend a Pokemon that is restricted by version exclusivity, trade evolution or events, please mention alternatives for people who cannot get the Pokemon. Do the same if you recommend moves, etc. that are only available by breeding or grinding.
2. There are some unspoken rules of in-game teams, such as to keep the starter on the team and avoid legendaries. It's kind to give other options if you break these rules.
3. Do not recommend Pokemon, moves, etc. that are only available through glitches and cheats. Please also avoid Pokemon etc. that are only available through trade or transfer.
4. Original content only. You may use ideas you found elsewhere, but do not steal written content.

Submit your team as an answer, not a comment. To keep things tidy, we will remove any teams posted as comments in this thread. If you want to update your post, use the 'edit' button.

Please be sparing with images and formatting.

Please use the Platinum thread to share teams for Platinum. Please use the BD/SP thread to share teams for BD/SP.

Answer 1

This team uses Turtwig as the starter. There will be no version exclusive Pokémon, no trade evolutions, and no Pokémon that are exclusive to the Great Marsh. Natures and hold items are included, but they're optional. Bold denotes STAB attacks.

Torterra @ Leftovers

Overgrow; Adamant/Impish/Careful
Woodhammer/Razor Leaf
Earthquake
Crunch/Protect
Rock Slide/Leech Seed/Curse

Turtwig is, of course, gifted to you by Professor Rowan. Torterra has high HP, attack, and defense, but its other stats range from subpar to abysmal. It has just base 56 speed, so it won't be outspeeding anything. Woodhammer should be the main grass type STAB, but it has recoil and requires a Heart Scale. If you don't like the recoil, then Razor Leaf is an option. However, it is not very powerful and it inaccurate. Earthquake is incredibly powerful ground type STAB that is learned at level 32. Crunch is coverage that is learned at level 45. Bite will serve you well before you get Crunch. The last slot is up to you and how you like to play. Rock Slide is good coverage, but it has 90% accuracy and its flinch chance in nullified by Torterra's low speed. The TM for it is found in Mt. Coronet, and it requires Surf and Rock Climb. Leech Seed can be used to recover some health every turn, and it can be learned at level 33. It can be used in conjunction with Protect if you don't want to use Crunch. Curse is good for raising attack and defense. The speed drop isn't that bad due to Torterra's already low speed. Curse is learned by Turtwig at level 17.

Staraptor @ Shell Bell (Soothe Bell until max happiness)

Intimidate; Adamant/Jolly
Return
Brave Bird
Fly/Aerial Ace/Steel Wing
Close Combat

Starly can be caught immediately after obtaining Poké Balls. Staraptor has great attack and speed. Return is very powerful normal type STAB when Staraptor is at max happiness. The TM for it is found in the Lost Tower. Brave Bird and Close Combat are learned by level up at levels 49 and 34 respectively. If you are not going to have an HM slave for Fly, then it will need to go on Staraptor. Otherwise, you can use Aerial Ace (level 28) or Steel Wing (Route 209, requires Cut). Aerial Ace gets STAB and never misses. It is more powerful than Steel Wing after STAB, but Steel Wing provide coverage and a chance to raise Staraptor's defense.

Luxray @ Magnet/BlackGlasses/Metal Coat

Intimidate; Lonely/Mild/Hasty/Adamant/Jolly/Neutral Nature
Thunder Fang/Spark
Thunderbolt/Discharge
Crunch
Iron Tail

Shinx, like Starly, can be caught immediately after obtaining Poké Balls. Luxray has great attack and special attack, but its other stats are just average. Thunder Fang or Spark can be used to take advantage of Luxray's high attack stat. Both are learned by level up, at levels 42 and 18 respectively. Thunder Fang is generally better due to its flinch chance, but this is only useful against oponents that Luxray can outspeed with its base 70 speed. Either Thunderbolt or Discharge are also good options for Luxray. Discharge is learned by level up at level 56, and Thunderbolt is learned by the TM in Valley Windworks. Crunch is good coverage that is learned at level 35. Iron Tail is also good coverage, albeit innaccurate. It's found on Iron Island.

Floatzel @ Mystic Water/Nevermelt Ice

Swift Swim; Adamant/Jolly
Waterfall
Surf/Aqua Jet
Crunch
Ice Fang/Ice Beam

Buizel is found at Valley Windworks, which you can reach after obtaining the first badge. Floatzel has great speed and attack, but it has very bad defensive stats. In short, its a glass cannon. Waterfall and Surf are STAB attacks that double as HM moves. You could put Surf on a Bibarel and run Aqua Jet (level 21) on Floatzel, but Surf is generally better (even with an Adamant nature). Crunch (level 26) and Ice Fang (move relearner) are for coverage. Ice Fang is generally better because of its flinch chance, but Ice Beam is an option for those who can't/don't want to obtain a Heart Scale. Either way, Floatzel needs an Ice type move to KO Cynthia's Garchomp.

Rapidash @ Charcoal

Flash Fire; Adamant/Jolly
Flare Blitz
Flamethrower/Fire Blast
Megahorn
Poison Jab/Bounce/Stomp

Ponyta can be found fairly early on. The earliest you can encounter one is on Route 206. Rapidash has great speed and attack, like Floatzel. However, Rapidash's defenses are much better than that of Floatzel. Flare Blitz is a powerful fire type STAB attack that is learned at level 58. Unfortunately, it is the only fire type move that takes advantage of Rapidash's high attack stat. Flamethrower and Fire Blast will be used as the main fire type attack until level 58. Fire Blast is learned at level 38 and Flamethrower is found in Fuego Ironworks. Megahorn and Poison Jab are learned via the move relearner and require a Heart Scale. Alternatively, you could use the TM for Poison Jab, which is found on Route 212. However, this will prevent you from using it on the next Pokémon on the team. Bounce is an alternative to Poison Jab, and it is learned at level 49. You may also choose to use Stomp, which is learned at level 19 (shortly after you catch Ponyta).

Weavile @ Nevermelt Ice/Blackglasses

Pressure; Adamant/Jolly
Night Slash
Avalanche/Ice Shard
X-Scissor
Aerial Ace/Poison Jab/Metal Claw

Sneasel is found rather late in the game on Route 216. It is the final member of the team. To evolve Sneasel, you will need to locate the Razor Claw on Route 224 (or Victory Road). Weavile has very good stats, but it has a poor movepool. Its only options for a physical ice type attack are Avalanche and Ice Shard. Avalanche has decreased priority, nullifying Weavile's high speed stat. Ice Shard has less power, but it has priority. However, Ice Shard is only learned by Sneasel at level 49. The TM for Avalanche is earned in the Snowpoint City Gym. Night Slash is great dark type STAB because of its base power and high critical hit ratio. Weavile learns this move at level 35. X-Scissor is learned by the TM found on Route 221. Aerial Ace is learned by the TM found on Route 213. Poison Jab is learned by the TM found on Route 212. Metal Claw is learned by Weavile at level 42.

Comments

I think a breeding snealsel with Ice Punch is better.

Answer 2

This team uses Chimchar as the starter. There will be no version exclusive Pokémon, no trade evolutions, and no Pokémon that are exclusive to the Great Marsh. Natures and hold items are included, but they're optional. Bold denotes STAB attacks.

Infernape @ Charcoal

Blaze; Adamant/Jolly
Flare Blitz
Fire Blast/Flamethrower/Rock Slide
Close Combat
Brick Break/Rock Slide

Chimchar is, of course, gifted to you by Professor Rowan. Infernape has high attack, special attack, and speed. Flare Blitz and Close Combat, learned at levels 57 and 41 respectively, are powerful STAB attacks. They have detrimental secondary effects, so you will likely want to use Fire Blast/Flamethrower and Brick Break as secondary options. Both Fire Blast and Flamethrower are learned via TM. The TMs can be obtained at Lake Verity and Fuego Ironworks, respectively. Rock Slide (TM in Mt. Coronet) can be used in place of Fire Blast/Flamethrower or Brick Break for coverage.

Staraptor @ Shell Bell (Soothe Bell until max happiness)

Intimidate; Adamant/Jolly
Return
Brave Bird
Fly/Aerial Ace/Steel Wing
Close Combat

Starly can be caught immediately after obtaining Poké Balls. Staraptor has great attack and speed. Return is very powerful normal type STAB when Staraptor is at max happiness. The TM for it is found in the Lost Tower. Brave Bird and Close Combat are learned by level up at levels 49 and 34 respectively. If you are not going to have an HM slave for Fly, then it will need to go on Staraptor. Otherwise, you can use Aerial Ace (level 28) or Steel Wing (Route 209, requires Cut). Aerial Ace gets STAB and never misses. It is more powerful than Steel Wing after STAB, but Steel Wing provide coverage and a chance to raise Staraptor's defense.

Roserade @ Miracle Seed/Poison Barb/Leftovers/Shell Bell/Big Root

Poison Point/Natural Cure; Timid/Modest
Petal Dance/Giga Drain
Sludge Bomb
Shadow Ball/Giga Drain
Stun Spore/Toxic/Toxic Spikes/Leech Seed/Synthesis/Growth

Budew can be found early on in the game, just north of Jubilife City. The Shiny Stone required for evolving Roselia into Roserade can be found on Iron Island. Roserade has excellent special attack and good special defence and speed. Much of Roserade's moveset is determined by how what role you want it to fill. Petal Dance is a powerful STAB attack. Roserade will become confused after a few turns, but this is easily remedied by switching out (which also pairs well with Natural Cure). Giga Drain can be used in place of Petal Dance or Shadow Ball for healing purposes (if you decide to use Giga Drain, remember to let Roserade hold a Big Root). Giga Drain is learned at level 25 by Roselia. Sludge Bomb is Roserade's only source of reliable poison type STAB, and it can be found in the Galactic Warehouse. Shadow Ball is a good coverage attack, and the TM for it is found on Route 210. The last slot is mostly up to you. Stun Spore is learned by Budew at level 10, and it is my personal favorite for this slot. It is useful for catching Pokémon. Toxic and Toxic Spikes (levels 37 and 28 on Roselia respectively) are useful for poisoning opponents, but pair better with Natural Cure than Poison Point. Leech Seed and Synthesis (levels 16 and 46 on Roselia respectively) are useful for healing. However, you will likely need a Heart Scale for Leech Seed (Budew usually evolves around levels 20-23) and Synthesis will likely come several levels after obtaining the Shiny Stone. Growth (learned by Budew when you catch it) is an option for those who want to raise Roserade's special attack, but that stat is already very high as it is. However, it is very useful early on for Budew.

Floatzel @ Mystic Water/Nevermelt Ice

Swift Swim; Adamant/Jolly
Waterfall
Surf/Aqua Jet
Crunch
Ice Fang/Ice Beam

Buizel is found at Valley Windworks, which you can reach after obtaining the first badge. Floatzel has great speed and attack, but it has very bad defensive stats. In short, its a glass cannon. Waterfall and Surf are STAB attacks that double as HM moves. You could put Surf on a Bibarel and run Aqua Jet (level 21) on Floatzel, but Surf is generally better (even with an Adamant nature). Crunch (level 26) and Ice Fang (move relearner) are for coverage. Ice Fang is generally better because of its flinch chance, but Ice Beam is an option for those who can't/don't want to obtain a Heart Scale. Either way, Floatzel needs an Ice type move to KO Cynthia's Garchomp.

Garchomp @ Soft Sand

Sand Veil; Adamant/Jolly
Dragon Claw/Dragon Rush
Earthquake
Crunch
Sandstorm/Shadow Claw/Fire Fang

Gible can be obtained by going into the secret entrance to Wayward Cave. You'll need strength to get to the area with wild Gible. The TM for Earthquake can also be found via this secret entrance, and it can be put on Gible immediately. It will be Garchomp's main ground type STAB. Dragon Claw and Dragon Rush are learned by level up at levels 33 and 55 respectively. Dragon Rush is more powerful, but it's inaccurate. Crunch is also learned by level up at level 48. Sandstorm is on Gible when you catch it. Sandstorm is only necessary if you want to utilize Garchomp's ability, Sand Veil. Otherwise, go with Fire Fang (Heart Scale) or Shadow Claw (TM from gym leader Fantina).

Weavile @ Nevermelt Ice/Blackglasses

Pressure; Adamant/Jolly
Night Slash
Avalanche/Ice Shard
X-Scissor
Iron Tail/Poison Jab

Sneasel is found rather late in the game on Route 216. It is the final member of the team. To evolve Sneasel, you will need to locate the Razor Claw on Route 224 (or Victory Road). Weavile has very good stats, but it has a poor movepool. Its only options for a physical ice type attack are Avalanche and Ice Shard. Avalanche has decreased priority, nullifying Weavile's high speed stat. Ice Shard has less power, but it has priority. However, Ice Shard is only learned by Sneasel at level 49. The TM for Avalanche is earned in the Snowpoint City Gym. Night Slash is great dark type STAB because of its base power and high critical hit ratio. Weavile learns this move at level 35. X-Scissor is learned by the TM found on Route 221. Poison Jab is learned by the TM found on Route 212. Iron Tail is learned via TM, and it can be found on Iron Island.

Answer 3

This team uses Piplup as the starter. There will be no version exclusive Pokémon, no trade evolutions, and no Pokémon that are exclusive to the Great Marsh. Natures and hold items are included, but they're optional. Bold denotes STAB attacks.

Empoleon @ Mystic Water/Quick Claw

Torrent; Timid/Modest
Surf
Flash Cannon
Ice Beam
Drill Peck/Grass Knot/Waterfall

Piplup is gifted to you by Professor Rowan. Empoleon has high special attack and special defense, but its other stats are just average. Surf is a powerful STAB move that doubles as an HM. Flash Cannon is powerful steel type STAB for Empoleon, and it can be taught to it via the TM earned at the Canalave City Gym. Ice Beam is a good coverage move, and the TM for it can be found on Route 216. Drill Peck (level 52) is another good coverage move, but it is a physical move that pairs poorly with a Timid or Modest Empoleon. Grass Knot is an alternative, and the TM for it can be earned at the Eterna City Gym. Waterfall is another option that also operates as an HM move. However, it is another physical move. Its flinch chance is also unhelpful due to Empoleon's low speed (although this is rectified by giving Empoleon a Quick Claw to hold).

Staraptor @ Shell Bell (Soothe Bell until max happiness)

Intimidate; Adamant/Jolly
Return
Brave Bird
Fly/Aerial Ace/Steel Wing
Close Combat

Starly can be caught immediately after obtaining Poké Balls. Staraptor has great attack and speed. Return is very powerful normal type STAB when Staraptor is at max happiness. The TM for it is found in the Lost Tower. Brave Bird and Close Combat are learned by level up at levels 49 and 34 respectively. Additionally, having Staraptor hold the Shell Bell will allow it to heal back about 1/3 of the Brave Bird recoil damage, making the move much more viable. If you are not going to have an HM slave for Fly, then it will need to go on Staraptor. Otherwise, you can use Aerial Ace (level 28) or Steel Wing (Route 209, requires Cut). Aerial Ace gets STAB and never misses. It is more powerful than Steel Wing after STAB, but Steel Wing provide coverage and a chance to raise Staraptor's defense.

Luxray @ Magnet/BlackGlasses/Metal Coat

Intimidate; Lonely/Mild/Hasty/Adamant/Jolly/Neutral Nature
Thunder Fang/Spark
Thunderbolt/Discharge
Crunch
Iron Tail

Shinx, like Starly, can be caught immediately after obtaining Poké Balls. Luxray has great attack and special attack, but its other stats are just average. Thunder Fang or Spark can be used to take advantage of Luxray's high attack stat. Both are learned by level up, at levels 42 and 18 respectively. Thunder Fang is generally better due to its flinch chance, but this is only useful against oponents that Luxray can outspeed with its base 70 speed. Either Thunderbolt or Discharge are also good options for Luxray. Discharge is learned by level up at level 56, and Thunderbolt is learned by the TM in Valley Windworks. Crunch is good coverage that is learned at level 35. Iron Tail is also good coverage, albeit innaccurate. It's found on Iron Island.

Roserade @ Miracle Seed/Poison Barb/Leftovers/Shell Bell/Big Root

Poison Point/Natural Cure; Timid/Modest
Petal Dance/Giga Drain
Sludge Bomb
Shadow Ball/Giga Drain
Stun Spore/Toxic/Toxic Spikes/Leech Seed/Synthesis/Growth

Budew can be found early on in the game, just north of Jubilife City. The Shiny Stone required for evolving Roselia into Roserade can be found on Iron Island. Roserade has excellent special attack and good special defence and speed. Much of Roserade's moveset is determined by how what role you want it to fill. Petal Dance is a powerful STAB attack. Roserade will become confused after a few turns, but this is easily remedied by switching out (which also pairs well with Natural Cure). Giga Drain can be used in place of Petal Dance or Shadow Ball for healing purposes (if you decide to use Giga Drain, remember to let Roserade hold a Big Root). Giga Drain is learned at level 25 by Roselia. Sludge Bomb is Roserade's only source of reliable poison type STAB, and it can be found in the Galactic Warehouse. Shadow Ball is a good coverage attack, and the TM for it is found on Route 210. The last slot is mostly up to you. Stun Spore is learned by Budew at level 10, and it is my personal favorite for this slot. It is useful for catching Pokémon. Toxic and Toxic Spikes (levels 37 and 28 on Roselia respectively) are useful for poisoning opponents, but pair better with Natural Cure than Poison Point. Leech Seed and Synthesis (levels 16 and 46 on Roselia respectively) are useful for healing. However, you will likely need a Heart Scale for Leech Seed (Budew usually evolves around levels 20-23) and Synthesis will likely come several levels after obtaining the Shiny Stone. Growth (learned by Budew when you catch it) is an option for those who want to raise Roserade's special attack, but that stat is already very high as it is. However, it is very useful early on for Budew.

Garchomp @ Soft Sand

Sand Veil; Adamant/Jolly
Dragon Claw/Dragon Rush
Earthquake
Crunch
Sandstorm/Shadow Claw/Fire Fang

Gible can be obtained by going into the secret entrance to Wayward Cave. You'll need strength to get to the area with wild Gible. The TM for Earthquake can also be found via this secret entrance, and it can be put on Gible immediately. It will be Garchomp's main ground type STAB. Dragon Claw and Dragon Rush are learned by level up at levels 33 and 55 respectively. Dragon Rush is more powerful, but it's inaccurate. Crunch is also learned by level up at level 48. Sandstorm is on Gible when you catch it. Sandstorm is only necessary if you want to utilize Garchomp's ability, Sand Veil. Otherwise, go with Fire Fang (Heart Scale) or Shadow Claw (TM from gym leader Fantina).

Weavile @ Nevermelt Ice/Blackglasses

Pressure; Adamant/Jolly
Night Slash
Avalanche/Ice Shard
X-Scissor
Poison Jab

Sneasel is found rather late in the game on Route 216. It is the final member of the team. To evolve Sneasel, you will need to locate the Razor Claw on Route 224 (or Victory Road). Weavile has very good stats, but it has a poor movepool. Its only options for a physical ice type attack are Avalanche and Ice Shard. Avalanche has decreased priority, nullifying Weavile's high speed stat. Ice Shard has less power, but it has priority. However, Ice Shard is only learned by Sneasel at level 49. The TM for Avalanche is earned in the Snowpoint City Gym. Night Slash is great dark type STAB because of its base power and high critical hit ratio. Weavile learns this move at level 35. X-Scissor is learned by the TM found on Route 221. Poison Jab is learned by the TM found on Route 212.

Answer 4

This team has a version exclusive: Honchkrow. Alternatives for it are Staraptor or Crobat.

Diamond and Pearl are interesting when talking about team options. Having a more limited dex than Platinum makes you use mons you might not consider in other games.

My team is: Infernape, Roserade, Gastrodon, Ambipom, Honchkrow, Bronzong.

Infernape

Flamethrower for Fire STAB. You can find it at the Fuego Ironworks.
Brick Break for Fighting STAB. It's at the Oreburgh Gate but you'll need Surf and Rock Smash to get there.
Shadow Claw for psychic coverage. Fantina will give you the TM when you beat her.
Rock Slide for fying coverage. You can find it at Monte Coronet (I don't remember which part tho).

Infernape probably has the best performance out of the three Sinnoh starters as it has an advantage against Roark, Gardenia, Byron, and Candice, that's half of the leaders, it's insane. Infernape is also useful with Aaron in the league. The fighting type just does well here and without Gallade (Ralts is Platinum only) it is probably the best one.

Roserade

Giga Drain for grass STAB and healing. ONLY ROSELIA can learn it at level 25 so don't evolve it before that.
Sludge Bomb for posion STAB. You can get the TM at Team Galactic's HQ.
Shadow Ball for psychic coverage. TM's at Route 210.
Toxic is always nice. ONLY ROSELIA can learn it at level 37 so don´t evolve it until that.

Roserade is the best grass type in Sinnoh imo. It does great with Infernape as it will cover it's water type weakness in the early game. Really useful against Roark if you haven't evolved Chimchar yet. It also does great against Crasher Wake, Volkner, and Bertha. Besides, Toxic is always useful.

Gastrodon

Surf for STAB and it is an HM so it's a must have. Cynthia's grandpa will give it to you at Celestic Town.
Mud Bomb for ground STAB. Shellos will learn it at level 11.
Ice Beam for grass coverage. You can find the TM at Route 216.
Waterfall useless in battle because it's physical but it's an HM so that's another must have. Jasmine will give you the HM when you beat Volkner.

Gastrodon is slow and it's not better than Floatzel but I wanted another special mon and it's still a neat surfer and it only has 1 weakness: grass. It can help out with Byron and Volkner and Flint at the league.

Ambipom

Strenght for normal STAB and it's an HM. The HM is at the last floor of the Lost Tower.
Aerial Ace for flying type coverage. You'll get it at Route 213.
Iron Tail for rock type coverage. At the Iron Island.
Agility because boosting yourself is never bad. Aipom will learn it at level 29.

Yeah, Ambipom is a filler mon, but it's a good one. Normal types always have good movesets and I think this one is a bit underrated and I think it will be nice to try it if you have never used it.

Honchkrow

Fly is just a necessity. You can get it at Team Galactic's HQ.
Night Slash for Dark STAB. Honchkrow will learn it at level 45.
Steel Wing for rock coverage. You'll find at Route 209 but you'll need Cut.
Roost is kinda filler but still neat. A girl will give you the TM at Route 210.

Yes, a Diamond exclusive but I already mentioned some alternatives for Pearl above. Honchkrow is a really cool and useful mon. Fantina is probably the hardest leader here and it is really hard to get a counter and this one's probably the best. You can use it to battle Gardenia, Maylene and Fantina as I already said. It is also great against almost all the Elite Four: Aaron, Bertha, and Lucian in the Elite Four.

Bronzong

Psychic for psychic STAB. Unfortunately, Bronzong doesn't learn any physical psychic moves but it's special attack is good anyways so psychic is still good. The TM is on Route 211.
Gyro Ball for steel STAB and great because of Bronzong speed. Bronzong will learn it at level 38.
Feint Attack for ghost coverage. Bronzong will learn it at level 50.
Stealth Rock is nice but it's here for filler as it's not that necessary for the in-game. Roark will give you the TM when you defeat him.

Psychic doesm't do that good in Sinnoh and there are few options but Bronzong is a really good one. It can help you out with Maylene. Yeah that's it and I know it's not a lot but I like this mon.

Comments

Honchkrow has really good stats and typing, but I think it is generally outclassed by Staraptor for a number of reasons.  It requires a Dusk Stone to evolve, so you're going to be stuck with the frail Murkrow until you get to the Galactic Warehouse after the Snowpoint City Gym.  On the other hand, the Staravia evolves into Staraptor at level 34.  The line also gets Intimidate to cover its defense.  Murkrow/Honchkrow also doesn't get reliable flying type STAB attacks.  Other than Fly (a two turn attack), Aerial Ace (learned via TM) is the best option.  Staraptor gets Brave Bird and gets STAB from Return, which is ridiculously powerful for most of the game.  Staraptor can also get Close Combat, a very powerful fighting type attack.  It may lower Staraptor's defense and special defense, but the defense drop won't matter if the foe's attack is lowered from Intimidate.  Finally, Honchkrow lacks speed, and Staraptor has it in abundance.

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I also consider Staraptor to be better, but this is made more for people who want to do another playthrough and not for people who want to play it for the first time. People who have completed DP before have probably used Staraptor in a Sinnoh playthrough so I wanted to give an alternative. If you see the answers, like 80% of them have Staraptor as flyer, that's why I put Honchkrow in there.

Answer 5

Starter: Torterra@ Meadow Plate
Ground/Grass type
Trait: Overgrow
Jolly Nature (-SpA +Spe)
-Earthquake (STAB)
-Wood Hammer (STAB)
-Rock Slide (Coverage)
-Rock Polish (Setup)

Flyer: Crobat@ Sky Plate
Flying/Poison type
Trait: Inner Focus
Adamant Nature (-SpA +Atk)
-Fly (STAB)
-Cross Poison (STAB)
-Roost (Healing)
-Toxic (Poisoning)

Surfer: Tentacruel@ Splash Plate
Water/Poison type
Trait: Clear Body/ Liquid Ooze
Modest Nature (-Atk +SpA)
-Surf (STAB)
-Sludge Bomb (STAB)
-Giga Drain (Coverage, Healing)
-Toxic Spike (Setup)

Sweeper: Weavile@ Icicle Plate
Dark/ Ice type
Trait: Pressure
Adamant Nature (-SpA +Atk)
-Ice Punch (STAB
-Night Slash (STAB)
-Double Team (Setup)
-Aerial Ace (Coverage)

Filter: Rapidash
Fire type
Trait: Run Away/ Flash Fire
Adamant Nature (-SpA +Atk)
-Flare Blitz (STAB)
-Iron Tail/Double Kick (Coverage)
-Megahorn (Filter)
-Bounce (Filter)

Filter: Lucario@ Iron Plate
Steel/Fighting type
Trait: Steadfast/Inner Focus
Jolly Nature (-SpA +Spe)
-Return -> Extreme Speed (Filter)
-Bullet Punch (STAB, Priority)
-Sword Dance (Setup)
-Close Combat (STAB)

Filter: Luxray@ Zap Plate
Electric type
Trait: Rivalry/Intimidate
Jolly Nature (-SpA +Spe)
-Spark (STAB)
-Crunch (Filter)
-ThunderWave (Paralyzing)
-Ice Fang (Coverage)

HM Slave: Bibarel@ Quick Claw
Type: Water/Normal
Trait: Simple/Unaware
Adamant Nature (-SpA +Atk)
-Rock Climb (STAB)
-Strenght (STAB)
-Waterfall (STAB)
- Rock Smash (Filter)

Answer 6

Good and coolest team for Diamond and Pearl.

-Infernape@Fist Plate/Flame Plate
Fire/Fighting type
Trait: Blaze
No change Nature
-FlameThrower(STAB)
-Grass Knot (Coverage)
-Close Combat (STAB)
-U-turn/Shadow Claw (Coverage)
Good starter for Hoenn gym, Mix sweeper.

-Floatzel@Icicle Plate/Splash Plate
Water type
Trait: Swift Swim
Adamant Nature (+ATK, -SPA)
-Waterfall (STAB)
-Dig (Coverage)
-Ice Fang (Coverage, for Cynthia’s Garchomp)
-Brick Break/Crunch (Coverage)
Nice Water type, great Speed and Attack.

-Luxray@ Zap Plate
Electric type
Trait: Intimidate
Jolly Nature (+SPE, -SPA)
-Spark/Thunder Fang (STAB)
-Crunch (Coverage)
-Ice Fang (Coverage, for Garchomp again)
-Filter move
Cool and strong Pokemon but bad movepool.

-Staraptor@Sky Plate
Flying/Normal type
Trait: Intimidate
Jolly Nature (+SPE, -SPA)
-Fly/Brave Bird (STAB)
-Close Combat (Coverage)
-Double Edge/Return (STAB)
-Roost (Healing)
Strong and cool bird, nice movepool, who doesn’t want to use this guy?

-Drapion@Dread Plate/Toxic Plate
Poison/Dark type
Trait: Battle Armor/Sniper
Adamant Nature (+ATK, -SPA)
-Poison Jab (STAB)
-Crunch (STAB)
-Fire Fang (Coverage)
-Sword Dance (Setup)
Strong, bulky Pokemon, can easily sweep the E4.

-Garchomp@Earth Plate/Draco Plate
Ground/Dragon type
Trait: Sand Veil
Adamant (+ATK, -SPA)/Jolly Nature (+SPE, -SPA)
-Earthquake (STAB)
-Dragon Claw (STAB)
-Stone Edge (Coverage)
-Sword Dance (Setup)
Best Pseudo Legendary for playthrough, strong and why it can’t learn Dragon Dance?

Answer 7

Infernape

Flamethrower/Flare Blitz
Close Combat
Shadow Claw
Stone Edge/Rock Slide

The best starter for a Sinnoh playthrough. Infernape has really solid mixed attacking stats and good movepool being incredibly fast meaning it can pull off so many sweeps on certain opponents depending on the moveset you run on it.

Staraptor

Aerial Ace
Close Combat
Return
Fly

Your flyer. Staraptor is hands down the best flyer for these games as it has got an insanely high 120 base attack stat and a solid 100 base speed to make use of that really good attack stat. It has good psychical coverage, Close Combat for Rock and Ice types and it gets the move via evolution. I recommend this for anyone who's looking for a solid flyer to use on their team.

Hippowdon

Earthquake
Iron Tail
Rock Slide/Stone Edge
Ice Fang/Thunder Fang/Fire Fang

Hippowdon is so overlooked. Its very bulky and can dish out some good damage with its 112 base atk stat and its 108 base hp to make use of its good defense. Good movepool to work with having access to the elemental fangs you can have either Ice Fang for Dragon types, specifically Cynthias Garchomp or Thunder Fang for coverage against Water and Flying types, Fire Fang is a good option for Ice Types and Grass types however I believe that Ice Fang is the best choice as Cynthias Garchomp without a counter to it can be deadly and its immense bulk makes it able to take a hit from her Garchomp and retaliate with Ice Fang that should be enough to knock it out with the Icicle Plate/NeverMeltingIce attached onto it. Overall Hippowdon is a very solid Ground Type that should be used more often.

Floatzel

Waterfall
Ice Fang/Ice Beam/Blizzard
Crunch
Surf

Our surfer for this team. Flotatzel is a really good water type, high attack stat and decent special attack makes it useable with its 115 base speed stat it should be able to outspeed and KO the nightmare of playthroughs, Cynthias Garchomp and the Water typing is useful in general being good against 2 of the E4 members Birtha and Flint. Access to Crunch makes it extremely useful against Fantinas Ghost Types and Lucians Psychic types. I highly recommend using this if your looking for a solid water type with good coverage and can be your surfer at the same time.

Roserade

Petal Dance
Shadow Ball/Giga Drain
Sludge Bomb
Psychic

Another special attacker and a good one. Roserade is a really solid grass type having access to moves outside of its typing such as Shadow Ball and Psychic being there to counter some of its weaknesses. Shadow Ball is to counter Psychic types and the move Psychic is there to counter other Poison types and Fighting types to take advantage of its resistance to Fighting types. Insanely high special attack and really good speed this will be your answer to Crasher Wakes entire team of Water types expect for his Gyarados that you need to watch out for. Overall Roserade is a really solid Grass type I highly recommend this for anyone looking for another special attacker with good coverage and typing.

Girafarig

Psychic
Thunderbolt
Charge Beam
Shadow Ball

Girafarig is underated. Unqie typing and decent all around stats, its solid 90 base special atk and its wide movepool means it will be a coverage killing machine with good enough speed to work with. Normal/Psychic give it only 2 weaknesses being Dark and Bug with its Normal typing removing its Ghost weakness and its Psychic typing removing its Fighting weakness, I've used this in a playthrough of Platinum then on my in-game team for Ruby version and it was pretty solid. I recommend this if your looking for something decent with a typing that makes it not have that many weakenesses and its movepool is very wide.

D/P might be lacklustre however they are remembered as the first ever set of Sinnoh games with new features that gen 4 have introduced, whilst I love gen 3 these set of games changed Pokemon forever with the special/psychical split making certain Pokemon more viable. However you should play Platinum over the its predecessors.

Have fun using this team :D

Answer 8

Infernape @ Leftovers / Flame Plate / Fist Plate / Scope Lens
Ability: Blaze
- Close Combat / Focus Blast
- Flare Blitz / Fire Blast
- Flamethrower (If you want a Fire type move with greater accuracy and higher PP)
- Brick Break (If you want a Fighting type move with no negative side-effects and higher PP)

~It's up to you if you want to change the last two moves.

Staraptor @ Leftovers / Sharp Beak / Sky Plate
Ability: Intimidate
- Close Combat
- Fly
- Aerial Ace
- Brave Bird

Gastrodon@ Leftovers / Soft Sand / Earth Plate / Splash Plate
Ability: Sticky Hold / Storm Drain
- Surf
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam / Blizzard
- Waterfall

Luxray @ Magnet / BlackGlasses / Dread Plate / Zap Plate
Ability: Intimidate / Rivalry
- Thunder / Thunderbolt
- Crunch
- Swagger
- Toxic (if you don't want, you can change it)

Bronzong @ Mind Plate / Iron Plate
Ability: Levitate / Heatproof
- Psychic / Extrasensory
- Gyro Ball (takes advantage of its low Speed)
- Payback (just like what I said for Gyro Ball)
- Grass Knot (so you can easily defeat Water/Ground types)

Garchomp @ Draco Plate / Dragon Fang
Ability: Sand Veil
- Dragon Rush
- Draco Meteor
- Earthquake (you can change this too)
- Brick Break (for decent coverage for Ice type Pokemon? :D)

If you don't want a double Ground Type, then I recommend replacing Garchomp with Skuntank.

Skuntank@ Dread Plate / Toxic Place / BlackGlasses / Poison Barb
Ability: Stench / Aftermath
- Night Slash
- Toxic
- Sludge Bomb / Poison Jab
- Flamethrower (for Steel types, but you can change this if you want)

Comments

I would better prefer metagross . And I would not keep gastrodon and bronzong in my team. Nor I kept skuntank and garchomp.