Choosing your starter Pokémon in HeartGold and SoulSilver is one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make at the beginning of your Johto journey. This guide dives deep into the strengths and weaknesses of each starter – Totodile, Chikorita, and Cyndaquil – to help you make the best choice for your playstyle and conquer the challenges that await in the Johto region and beyond. We’ll break down how each starter fares against Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, and offer insights into their overall viability as you aim to become a Pokémon Master in HeartGold and SoulSilver.
Feraligatr: The Adaptable Water-Type Powerhouse
Totodile, the Big Jaw Pokémon, evolves into the formidable Feraligatr, a Water-type starter known for its impressive adaptability and raw power. While Johto boasts a strong selection of Water Pokémon, Feraligatr distinguishes itself with a versatile movepool and consistent performance throughout your adventure in HeartGold and SoulSilver.
Strengths of Feraligatr
Feraligatr’s strength lies in its balanced stats and access to a wide range of moves, allowing it to cover various type matchups. It learns powerful moves like Waterfall and Crunch naturally, and can be taught a diverse set of TMs and HMs, including Ice Beam, Earthquake, and even Dragon Claw. This adaptability makes Feraligatr a reliable choice for tackling the diverse challenges of HeartGold and SoulSilver.
One key advantage is its access to Ice-type moves like Ice Fang (learned by level-up as Croconaw) or Ice Beam (TM13). This is particularly crucial for facing Lance and his Dragon-type Pokémon in the Elite Four, a significant hurdle in the late game.
Gym Leader Battles with Feraligatr
Let’s see how Feraligatr, or its pre-evolutions Totodile and Croconaw, perform against the Gym Leaders of Johto and Kanto:
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Falkner (Violet City): As a Water-type, Totodile doesn’t have a type advantage against Falkner’s Flying-types. However, Totodile’s respectable Attack stat allows it to deal solid damage with Water Gun against Falkner’s Pidgey and Pidgeotto, overcoming their lower Defense.
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Bugsy (Azalea Town): Again, no type advantage here. Croconaw will need to rely on its raw power. Consider utilizing other team members, like a Flying-type Pokémon such as Pidgeotto or a Mareep/Flaaffy to handle Bugsy’s Bug-types, especially Scyther.
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Whitney (Goldenrod City): Whitney’s Miltank is notorious for being a challenge. Paralyzing Miltank with Thunder Wave (TM73, available in Goldenrod Department Store) is highly recommended. Croconaw’s Bite and Water Gun can then chip away at Miltank’s health.
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Morty (Ecruteak City): Here, Croconaw gains a significant advantage. By this point, Bite becomes a Dark-type move, which is super effective against Ghost-types. Croconaw’s high Attack stat will be effective against Morty’s Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar. Be mindful of Gengar’s Shadow Ball, which can still deal significant damage.
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Chuck (Cianwood City): Water-types resist Fighting-type moves, giving Croconaw a defensive edge against Chuck’s Pokémon. While Feraligatr can’t use Surf effectively in this Gym battle due to the rules, its powerful attacks can still contribute. An Electric-type like Ampharos remains a strong choice against Chuck’s Poliwrath.
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Jasmine (Olivine City): Magnemite’s Electric-typing is super effective against Water-types. It’s advisable to bring a Fire-type Pokémon like Houndour, Magmar, or Arcanine to deal with Magnemite and Magneton. However, Feraligatr can shine against Jasmine’s Steelix, which is weak to Water-type moves like Surf.
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Pryce (Mahogany Town): While Water-types are weak to Ice-types, Feraligatr’s high HP and Defense can help it withstand some Ice attacks. Ampharos is again invaluable here for dealing with Pryce’s Ice-types with Electric attacks. Feraligatr’s Surf can be effective against Piloswine.
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Claire (Blackthorn City): Claire specializes in Dragon-types. This is where Feraligatr’s access to Ice-type moves becomes crucial. Ice Fang or Ice Beam will be super effective against Claire’s Dragonair and Dragonite. Be cautious of Dragonite’s Thunder Wave and Hyper Beam.
Pokémon League Breakdown with Feraligatr
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Will (Elite Four): If you’ve taught Feraligatr Crunch (level up at level 49), it will be highly effective against Will’s Psychic-types. Shadow Claw (TM30) is another excellent option. Ampharos can handle Will’s Xatu, and a Fire-type Pokémon will be helpful against Exeggutor.
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Koga (Elite Four): Fire-types are generally effective against Koga’s Poison and Bug-types. Feraligatr can contribute, but focusing on Fire-type attacks from other team members might be more efficient.
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Bruno (Elite Four): Flying-type Pokémon are ideal for Bruno’s Fighting-types. Feraligatr can contribute with its powerful attacks but might not have a type advantage.
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Karen (Elite Four): Karen’s Dark-types can be tricky. Umbreon is particularly bulky. Houndoom is weak to Water, making Feraligatr useful here. A strong Fighting-type or Bug-type Pokémon can be helpful against Umbreon and Vileplume respectively.
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Lance (Champion): Lance’s Dragon-type team is the ultimate test. Feraligatr, with Ice-type moves, is a star player here. Ice Beam or Ice Fang will be crucial for taking down Lance’s Dragonite. Be wary of the Dragonite that knows Thunder.
Meganium: The Grassy Guardian and the Challenge
Chikorita, the Leaf Pokémon, evolves into Meganium, a Grass-type starter known for its defensive capabilities and support moves. Choosing Chikorita offers a unique and more challenging playthrough of HeartGold and SoulSilver. While Grass-types have several weaknesses, Meganium can be a rewarding choice for players seeking a different kind of Pokémon journey.
Challenges with Chikorita
Chikorita faces an uphill battle early on due to its Grass typing, which is weak to common types like Flying and Bug, prevalent in the early gyms. Offensively, Grass-type moves are not super effective against many types encountered early in the game. This means you’ll need to rely more on strategic team building and type coverage to overcome challenges.
Gym Leader Battles with Meganium
Let’s examine how Chikorita and Meganium fare against the Gym Leaders:
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Falkner (Violet City): Falkner’s Pidgey and Pidgeotto are Flying-types, which are super effective against Grass. This is a tough first Gym for Chikorita. Consider catching a Geodude in Route 46 and teaching it Rock Throw (level up) to exploit Falkner’s Flying-type weakness. Pidgey can also be effective here with Gust.
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Bugsy (Azalea Town): Bug-types are also super effective against Grass. Bugsy’s Gym is another early hurdle for Chikorita. Again, rely on Pidgeotto with Gust and Geodude with Rock Throw. Mareep/Flaaffy can also be useful.
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Whitney (Goldenrod City): Similar to Cyndaquil and Totodile, Bayleef doesn’t have a type advantage against Whitney’s Normal-types. Paralyzing Miltank is crucial. Chip away at Miltank’s health with Bayleef’s attacks and consider using a Fighting-type like Machop (available in Goldenrod Department Store basement).
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Morty (Ecruteak City): Ghost/Poison-type Pokémon resist Grass attacks and are immune to Ground attacks due to Levitate. Psychic types are weak to Ghost, but Gengar’s high Speed can be problematic. Bayleef’s good Special Defense can help it withstand Shadow Ball. Employ a similar strategy to Whitney – paralyze and wear them down.
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Chuck (Cianwood City): Finally, a Gym where Meganium has a type advantage! Grass-types are super effective against Water-types. Meganium’s Razor Leaf can be very effective against Chuck’s Poliwrath.
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Jasmine (Olivine City): Steel-types resist Grass-type moves, and Electric-types are neutral against Grass. Fire-types like Houndour or Magmar are recommended for Magnemite and Magneton. For Steelix, a Pokémon with Dig (TM28, available in Goldenrod Department Store) can be effective, or a Fire or Water-type.
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Pryce (Mahogany Town): Water/Ice dual-types are common in Pryce’s Gym. While Grass is super effective against Water, Ice is super effective against Grass. Pryce’s Pokémon can pose a threat to Meganium. Ampharos and a Fire-type Pokémon are crucial here to deal with Pryce’s Ice-types quickly.
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Claire (Blackthorn City): Meganium isn’t particularly strong or weak against Claire’s Dragon-types. However, Dragon-types don’t resist Grass either. One of Claire’s Dragonair knows Fire Blast, so be cautious. Meganium can potentially deal some damage to Kingdra as it’s not resistant to Grass.
Pokémon League Breakdown with Meganium
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Will (Elite Four): Will’s team features Flying and Ice-types, all weaknesses of Grass. Avoid using Meganium in this battle. Rely on other team members.
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Koga (Elite Four): Poison-types resist Grass. Again, Meganium is not ideal here. Fire, Rock, or Psychic-type Pokémon are better choices.
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Bruno (Elite Four): Ground and Fighting-types are not particularly problematic for Meganium, except Onix. Meganium can handle Hitmontop and Hitmonlee reasonably well. A Flying or Psychic-type is better suited for Hitmonchan and Machamp.
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Karen (Elite Four): Houndoom is a major threat to Meganium due to its Dark/Fire typing. However, the rest of Karen’s team is less problematic. Vileplume (Grass/Poison) has a double weakness to Fire, making a Fire-type Pokémon very effective.
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Lance (Champion): Lance’s Dragonite have coverage moves like Blizzard and Fire Blast, which are super effective against Grass. Aerodactyl knows Aerial Ace (Flying-type), and Charizard is Fire/Flying. Gyarados is Water/Flying, reducing the effectiveness of Grass attacks. Lance is a very challenging matchup for Meganium.
Cyndaquil: The Balanced Fire-Type Option
While this guide primarily focuses on Totodile and Chikorita, Cyndaquil, evolving into Typhlosion, remains a solid and balanced starter choice in HeartGold and SoulSilver. Typhlosion provides a more straightforward playthrough compared to Chikorita, offering type advantages in key battles and consistent offensive pressure. A detailed guide for Cyndaquil can be found in our previous article.
Conclusion: Choose Your Adventure
Ultimately, the best starter Pokémon in HeartGold and SoulSilver depends on your preferred playstyle and the type of challenge you seek.
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Totodile/Feraligatr: The most adaptable and arguably easiest starter, offering a smooth playthrough with a powerful and versatile Pokémon. Ideal for players who want a reliable and strong partner throughout their journey.
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Chikorita/Meganium: The most challenging starter, demanding strategic team building and careful planning. Rewarding for players who enjoy a greater level of difficulty and want to master type matchups.
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Cyndaquil/Typhlosion: A balanced option, providing a good offensive presence and type advantages against key Gym Leaders and Elite Four members. A solid choice for players seeking a more traditional Pokémon experience.
Consider your playstyle, weigh the pros and cons of each starter, and embark on your unforgettable adventure in the world of Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver with your chosen partner!
