By Matt
We begin with the fifth generation of Pokemon with three new starters: Snivy, the Grass-type, Tepig, the Fire-type, and Oshawott, the Water-type. Usually, my favorites are the Fire-type starters (Charmander,Cyndaquil, and Torchic), but Sinnoh and Unova have the Grass starters that get my attention: Turtwig and Snivy.
When you first start out in Pokemon Black and White, you will receive a box of starters from Professor Juniper. If you picked Snivy, your friend Bianca will pick Oshawott, and Cheren (the friend youwill battle more often) will get Tepig. I assume that if you pick another starter, Bianca will pick the one weak against it, and Cheren, the one strong against it.
Snivy starts out at level 5, as usual, with Tackle and Leer as its first moves. Its ability (as we all know) is Overgrow, which powers up Grass-type moves when its HP is at 33% (1/3) or below. Pokemon that use moves that are identical to its type will have a 1.5x power bonus when it attacks; Overgrow therefore is a useful ability if you have something to defend it in Double or Triple battles. I picked Snivy at the time, because it looked like the best one when the starters of Pokemon Generation V were announced in Japan.
I only regret this just a little bit, because I like Dewott, which is what Oshawott evolves into. Then again, Dewott evolves into Samurott, which doesn’t look as great as Serperior (which, in my opinion, looks like a Rayquaza). A useful move that Snivy will learn when is Leech Seed, one of many strategical moves. The problem is that it will not affect other Grass-types, so this is not a great last resort move.
Mega Drain is learned early, which can soon be replaced with Giga Drain when it is a high enough level. A special move it can learn is Grass Pledge. The move tutor can be found in one of the houses in Driftveil City. Grass Pledge is not too much of a powerful move, but when combined with Water Pledge, it will do much more damage. Remember, this move can only be taught to starters, so it is a good idea to trade and breed your friends’ starters so you can teach them this move. And, you need two Pokemon for this strategy to be pulled off successfully. Water/Grass Pledge will do massive damage if used in conjunction in Double or Triple Battles. (I believe this won’t work in Rotation, because only one Pokemon can move at a time.)
I find it a strange coincidence that the 666th episode of Pokemon has to deal with Ash trying to capture a Snivy. On Serebii, the Japanese episode name translates to, “Get Snivy With Attract”, which probably means that Snivy will use the move Attract to avoid being captured. (If Ash’s Pikachu is female, than this means that Snivy, in fact, is a male.) Snivy would make a great partner, if Pokemon really did exist (and knowing me, I wish it did). Even in the games
Tags: Dewott, Generation V, Nintendo DS, Pokemon Black & White, Snivy
You should know that Ash’s Pikachu is a male so his Snivy is a female!!!