These Pokémon are easily accessible early in the game and can carry your team through many challenges:
Staraptor (Normal/Flying)
- Location: Route 201 (as Starly)
- Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -Sp.Atk) or Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
- Ability: Intimidate (Lowers opponent's Attack)
- Held Item: Choice Band, Sharp Beak
- Moveset: Brave Bird, Close Combat, U-turn, Return
- Why: Excellent Attack and Speed, Intimidate is invaluable, and a wide physical movepool.
Luxray (Electric)
- Location: Route 202 (as Shinx)
- Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -Sp.Atk)
- Ability: Intimidate or Guts (Boosts Attack when afflicted by status)
- Held Item: Expert Belt, Magnet
- Moveset: Spark / Thunder Fang, Ice Fang, Crunch, Superpower
- Why: Strong Attack, good coverage with elemental fangs, Intimidate is useful.
Roserade (Grass/Poison)
- Location: Route 204 (as Budew)
- Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk) or Modest (+Sp.Atk, -Atk)
- Ability: Natural Cure (Heals status upon switching out)
- Held Item: Life Orb, Focus Sash, Poison Barb
- Moveset: Sludge Bomb, Giga Drain / Energy Ball, Sleep Powder, Extrasensory / Hidden Power (Fire/Ice)
- Why: High Special Attack and Speed, good support with Sleep Powder, excellent against Water/Ground/Rock types.
These Pokémon provide crucial type coverage and offensive presence early on, making Gym Battles much smoother.