The best starter of Pokemon X&Y

The one thing that I hate about a new Pokemon generation is picking a starter Pokemon. I am a little pedantic about this sort of stuff, it simple isn’t a task of picking one and calling it a day. I always look at these sort of decision from a usable and practical point of view. I want to be the very best, like no one ever was. So it is only natural for me to pick the best of the lot. Here is my opinion of who is the best starter in Pokemon X&Y.

Before, I proceed further, let me say this – that this is purely my opinion so don’t take this as a bible. In fact, it is alright to have a different opinion that differs from mine.

Like in all generations you can pick a starter 3 starter’s: Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie, but accessing them purely on the starter form is counterproductive. Obviously, it would be more appropriate if we judge by the value of the final evolution, that is Chestnaught (grass/fighting), Delphox(Fire/Psychic) and Greninja (Water/Dark).

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Looks

The art design of the starters is an improvement of the previous generation, I honestly, disliked the designs of Black & Whites starters.  Serperior and Samurott looked lame with Emboar looking the coolest amongst the three. Chesnaught, Delphox and Greninja all looks pretty amazing to me. If I had to pick which one looks the best – my money would be on Delphox closely followed by Greninja. Chesnaught does look badass, but he looks a tad stiff.

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Stats

 

Chesnaught

		HP	Attack	Defense	Sp. Attack	Sp. Defense	Speed
Base Stats – Total: 530		88	107	122	74	75	64
Max Stats	Lv. 50	148 – 195	100 – 143	114 – 156	71 – 113	72 – 114	62 – 104
Hindering Nature	Lv. 100	286 – 380	197 – 281	224 – 308	137 – 222	139 – 224	119 – 204
Max Stats	Lv. 50	148 – 195	112 – 159	127 – 174	79 – 126	80 – 127	69 – 116
Neutral Nature	Lv. 100	286 – 380	219 – 313	249 – 343	153 – 247	155 – 249	133 – 227
Max Stats	Lv. 50	148 – 195	123 – 174	139 – 191	86 – 138	88 – 139	75 – 127
Beneficial Nature	Lv. 100	286 – 380	240 – 344	273 – 377	168 – 271	170 – 273	146 – 249

 

Delphox

		HP	Attack	Defense	Sp. Attack	Sp. Defense	Speed
Base Stats – Total: 534		75	69	72	114	100	104
Max Stats	Lv. 50	135 – 182	66 – 108	69 – 111	107 – 149	94 – 136	98 – 140
Hindering Nature	Lv. 100	260 – 354	128 – 213	134 – 218	209 – 294	184 – 269	191 – 276
Max Stats	Lv. 50	135 – 182	74 – 121	77 – 124	119 – 166	105 – 152	109 – 156
Neutral Nature	Lv. 100	260 – 354	143 – 237	149 – 243	233 – 327	205 – 299	213 – 307
Max Stats	Lv. 50	135 – 182	81 – 133	84 – 136	130 – 182	115 – 167	119 – 171
Beneficial Nature	Lv. 100	260 – 354	157 – 260	163 – 267	256 – 359	225 – 328	234 – 337

 

Greninja

		HP	Attack	Defense	Sp. Attack	Sp. Defense	Speed
Base Stats – Total: 530		72	95	67	103	71	122
Max Stats	Lv. 50	132 – 179	90 – 132	64 – 107	97 – 139	68 – 110	114 – 156
Hindering Nature	Lv. 100	254 – 348	175 – 260	125 – 209	189 – 274	132 – 216	224 – 308
Max Stats	Lv. 50	132 – 179	100 – 147	72 – 119	108 – 155	76 – 123	127 – 174
Neutral Nature	Lv. 100	254 – 348	195 – 289	139 – 233	211 – 305	147 – 241	249 – 343
Max Stats	Lv. 50	132 – 179	110 – 161	79 – 130	118 – 170	83 – 135	139 – 191
Beneficial Nature	Lv. 100	254 – 348	214 – 317	152 – 256	232 – 335	161 – 265	273 – 377

Each respective Pokemon has a base total stat of around 530 ( Delphox has 534), with obvious strength and weaknesses.

Chesnaught: Good Attack, excellent defense but slow.

Delphox: Good speed, good Special defense and excellent Special Attack but poor attack stat.

Greninja: Good Attack Stat, good special attack stat and excellent speed stat but relatively fragile.

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Movepools (Click link, don’t worry its Serebii – the number one source for Pokemon information)

Chesnaught

Delphox

Greninja

In my opinion, in terms of movepools they are quite even with Chesnaught at a slight disadvantage with its risky STABS.

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Signature Move’s

Chesnaught

Spiky Shield: In addition to protecting the user from attacks, this move also damages any attacker who makes direct contact.

Delphox

Mystic Fire: The user attacks by breathing a special, hot fire. This also lowers the target’s Sp. Atk stat

Greninja

Water Shuriken: The user hits the target with throwing stars two to five times in a row. This move always goes first.

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Competitive Pokemon

In my opinion, Greninja will be the most popular out of the new starters, simply because of his speed and adequate offensive capabilities, not to mention he has a good movepool and excellent offensive typing. Greninja has the potential to be a good suicide lead able to use spikes, late game sweeper and a revenge killer. I’d liken Greninja to a Starmie both fast and versatile water types.

While Delphox does look good on paper, I fear in practice the Fire fox will simply be out of its league, with so many fast and heavy hitting Pokemon running around. Things gets worse, as Delphox weakness to Stealth Rocks doesn’t help its case. Still, Delphox has its perk, especially as a fairly solid fire type. Delphox full potential can be reached with the proper team support.

Chestnut speed is not enough to cause fear in the opponents hearts and his typing isn’t particularly good to run a defensive set. Unfortunately, his movepool isn’t impressive with his strongest stab is the risky Wood Hammer and Hammer Arm. I predict that Chesnaught will fall into lower tier play.

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My Verdict

Overall, I think Greninja is the best of the three, purely for the fact that I believe he is the most lethal. He has all the tools to be an excellent Pokemon, plus he looks cool The other starters, Delphox and Chesnaught are still excellent Pokemon and you cannot go wrong with picking them, especially if you are playing the game purely for fun.

What is your opinion? Which do you think is the best starter of Pokemon X & Y.

Source: Serebii

 

 

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