Your starter Pokémon can be a cornerstone of your team throughout your journey. Here are some general build recommendations for the fully evolved forms of the Unova starters, focusing on their strengths and common strategies.
Serperior (Snivy's Evolution Line):
- Nature: Timid (+Speed, -Attack) or Modest (+Special Attack, -Attack)
- Ability: Overgrow (or Contrary, if you get a Hidden Ability Serperior later)
- Moveset: Leaf Storm, Dragon Pulse, Hidden Power (Fire/Ice), Giga Drain/Substitute
- Strategy: Serperior is a fast special attacker. With its high Speed, it can outspeed many threats. Leaf Storm is a powerful STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) move. If you have Contrary (Hidden Ability), Leaf Storm actually boosts Special Attack, making Serperior incredibly dangerous. Otherwise, Giga Drain provides recovery, and Dragon Pulse offers good coverage.
Emboar (Tepig's Evolution Line):
- Nature: Adamant (+Attack, -Special Attack) or Naughty (+Attack, -Special Defense)
- Ability: Blaze (or Reckless, if you get a Hidden Ability Emboar later)
- Moveset: Flare Blitz, Superpower, Wild Charge, Head Smash/Stone Edge
- Strategy: Emboar is a powerful mixed attacker, but often shines as a physical attacker. Flare Blitz and Superpower are strong STAB moves, though they come with recoil or stat drops. Wild Charge provides coverage against Water-types, and Head Smash or Stone Edge can hit Flying-types hard. Reckless (Hidden Ability) boosts the power of recoil moves, making Emboar even more devastating.
Samurott (Oshawott's Evolution Line):
- Nature: Adamant (+Attack, -Special Attack) or Modest (+Special Attack, -Attack) or Naive (+Speed, -Special Defense)
- Ability: Torrent (or Shell Armor, if you get a Hidden Ability Samurott later)
- Moveset (Physical): Waterfall, Megahorn, Aqua Jet, Swords Dance
- Moveset (Special): Hydro Pump/Surf, Ice Beam, Grass Knot, Air Slash
- Strategy: Samurott is versatile and can run both physical and special sets. A physical set with Swords Dance can boost its Attack to sweep. Waterfall is reliable STAB. A special set uses Hydro Pump or Surf for STAB, with Ice Beam and Grass Knot for excellent coverage. Its balanced stats allow for flexibility in its role.