best starter for heartgold

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The Ultimate Guide: Choosing the Best Starter for HeartGold!

Discover the perfect Pokémon companion for your Johto adventure.

Pokémon HeartGold takes us back to the beloved Johto region, offering a classic Pokémon journey filled with nostalgia and challenging Gym Leaders. A crucial decision at the very beginning of your adventure is choosing your first partner Pokémon. Professor Elm presents you with three compelling options: the fiery Cyndaquil, the aquatic Totodile, and the grassy Chikorita. But which one is the best starter for HeartGold?

This comprehensive guide will break down each starter’s strengths, weaknesses, and overall viability, helping you make an informed decision for your Johto playthrough, whether you’re aiming for a casual run, a competitive challenge, or even a daunting Nuzlocke. Let’s dive in!

The Johto Trio: A First Look at Your Options

Before we crown the ultimate best starter for HeartGold, let’s introduce our contenders:

• Cyndaquil (Fire-type): The Fire Mouse Pokémon, evolving into Quilava and then the formidable Typhlosion. Known for its speed and special attack.
• Totodile (Water-type): The Big Jaw Pokémon, evolving into Croconaw and then the powerful Feraligatr. A versatile Pokémon with good offensive and defensive stats.
• Chikorita (Grass-type): The Leaf Pokémon, evolving into Bayleef and then the elegant Meganium. Specializes in defensive play.

Your choice here isn’t just about personal preference; it significantly impacts your early game experience, gym battles, and overall team composition. The rival’s starter will always be the one that holds a type advantage over your choice, adding an extra layer of strategic consideration right from the get-go.

Cyndaquil: The Speedy Blaze

Base Stats (Typhlosion):

• HP: 78
• Attack: 84
• Defense: 78
• Special Attack: 109
• Special Defense: 85
• Speed: 100
• Total: 534

Why Cyndaquil Might Be Your Best Starter for HeartGold:

Cyndaquil and its final evolution, Typhlosion, shine as potent special attackers with impressive speed. This makes them excellent for dishing out quick damage and often out-speeding opponents.

Early Game Dominance: Fire-type moves are highly effective against Bug, Grass, and Steel types, which you’ll encounter early on.

Scarcity of Fire-types: The Johto region is notably lacking in strong Fire-type Pokémon until later in the game. Choosing Cyndaquil provides you with a reliable Fire-type early, which can be invaluable for team diversity.

Gym Matchups:

* Falkner (Flying): Advantageous (Fire resists Flying but no super-effective moves initially).
* Bugsy (Bug): Super effective! Cyndaquil sweeps Bugsy’s team with ease.
* Whitney (Normal): No type advantage, but decent special attack helps.
* Morty (Ghost): No direct advantage, but can learn Focus Blast later.
* Chuck (Fighting): Neutral.
* Jasmine (Steel): Super effective! Typhlosion is a key player here.
* Pryce (Ice): Super effective! Another gym where Typhlosion can shine.
* Clair (Dragon): No advantage.

Recommended Moves:

* Flamethrower/Lava Plume: Reliable STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) special moves.
* Focus Blast: Excellent coverage against Rock, Normal, Ice, and Dark types, though its accuracy is a concern.
* Solar Beam: Can be paired with Sunny Day, or used for coverage against Water, Rock, and Ground types.
* Thunder Punch/Aerial Ace (TMs): Physical options for broader coverage.
* Eruption: A powerful move if you can maintain high HP.

Considerations for Cyndaquil:

While powerful, Cyndaquil needs to be careful against Water, Ground, and Rock types, which are common. Its defensive stats are decent but not exceptional.

Totodile: The Versatile Crocodile

Base Stats (Feraligatr):

• HP: 85
• Attack: 105
• Defense: 100
• Special Attack: 79
• Special Defense: 83
• Speed: 78
• Total: 530

Why Totodile Might Be Your Best Starter for HeartGold:

Totodile and its final evolution, Feraligatr, are renowned for their raw power, balanced stats, and incredibly versatile movepool. Many consider Totodile the best starter for HeartGold, especially for challenge runs like Nuzlockes.

Balanced Stats: Feraligatr boasts impressive Attack, Defense, and HP, making it a bulky attacker capable of taking hits and dishing them out.

Exceptional Movepool: This is where Feraligatr truly shines. It learns a wide array of physical moves that provide unparalleled type coverage.

Nuzlocke Prowess: Its bulk and diverse movepool make it a top choice for Nuzlocke runs, where adaptability and survival are key. It can handle most of Johto’s threats with ease, especially against otherwise dangerous Grass/Electric specialists.

Gym Matchups:

* Falkner (Flying): Super effective! Water Gun makes short work of Falkner.
* Bugsy (Bug): Advantageous (Water resists Bug).
* Whitney (Normal): Neutral.
* Morty (Ghost): Neutral.
* Chuck (Fighting): Super effective! Brutal effectiveness.
* Jasmine (Steel): Neutral.
* Pryce (Ice): Super effective! Feraligatr dominates here.
* Clair (Dragon): Can learn Ice Fang to counter Dragon types!

Recommended Moves:

* Waterfall/Surf (HM03): Strong STAB physical/special moves, depending on your nature. Waterfall is often preferred for physical Feraligatr.
* Ice Fang: Learns naturally at level 21. Crucial for Grass and Dragon types, especially for Clair and Lance’s Dragon Pokémon.
* Earthquake (TM): Covers Electric, Rock, Fire, and Steel types. Incredible coverage move.
* Dragon Claw/Dragon Pulse (TM): Solid options for Dragon-type coverage.
* Superpower (Move Tutor): Powerful Fighting-type attack.
* Crunch: Dark-type coverage for Ghost and Psychic types.
* Swords Dance (TM): Can set up for massive damage.

Considerations for Totodile:

While Feraligatr is a powerhouse, it can struggle against Grass and Electric types. However, its expansive movepool often allows it to bypass these disadvantages with smart play.

Chikorita: The Defensive Strategist

Base Stats (Meganium):

• HP: 80
• Attack: 82
• Defense: 100
• Special Attack: 83
• Special Defense: 100
• Speed: 80
• Total: 525

Why Chikorita Might Be Your Best Starter for HeartGold (if you like a challenge):

Chikorita and its final evolution, Meganium, are excellent defensive Pokémon with a focus on support and recovery moves. While often considered the „hardest“ starter, it can be a rewarding choice for players seeking a unique challenge or those who prefer a more strategic, defensive playstyle.

High Defensive Stats: Meganium boasts high Defense and Special Defense, allowing it to tank hits effectively and stay on the field longer.

Supportive Moves: Meganium learns a variety of valuable support moves like Reflect, Light Screen, Synthesis, and Leech Seed, making it an excellent team player.

Unique Challenge: For experienced trainers, Chikorita offers a more demanding playthrough, forcing creative team building and battle strategies.

Gym Matchups: This is where Chikorita generally struggles the most.

* Falkner (Flying): Disadvantageous (Flying is super effective against Grass).
* Bugsy (Bug): Disadvantageous (Bug is super effective against Grass).
* Whitney (Normal): Neutral.
* Morty (Ghost): Neutral.
* Chuck (Fighting): Neutral.
* Jasmine (Steel): Disadvantageous (Steel resists Grass).
* Pryce (Ice): Disadvantageous (Ice is super effective against Grass).
* Clair (Dragon): No advantage.

Recommended Moves:

* Giga Drain/Energy Ball (TM): STAB special Grass moves, Giga Drain offers recovery.
* Synthesis: Reliable healing.
* Light Screen/Reflect: Boosts team defenses.
* Leech Seed: Damages opponent and heals Meganium.
* Toxic/Poison Powder: Chip damage and status conditions.
* Earthquake/Body Slam (TM): Physical coverage options, though less effective with Meganium’s lower Attack.

Considerations for Chikorita:

Chikorita’s biggest weakness is the sheer number of early and mid-game Johto Gym Leaders who have a type advantage against Grass Pokémon. This makes the early game particularly tough, requiring careful planning and reliance on other team members.

The Rival’s Choice: Indirectly Influencing Your Game

An often-overlooked aspect of choosing your best starter for HeartGold is the rival’s selection. He will always choose the Pokémon that counters yours:

• If you choose Cyndaquil: Rival gets Totodile.
• If you choose Totodile: Rival gets Chikorita.
• If you choose Chikorita: Rival gets Cyndaquil.

This means you’ll consistently face a challenging battle against your rival, tailored to exploit your starter’s weaknesses. Keep this in mind, as it’s a recurring battle throughout Johto.

Early Game Availability of Other Types

Another factor in determining the best starter for HeartGold is the availability of other Pokémon of those types later in the game.

• Water-types: Johto has an abundance of good Water-type Pokémon (e.g., Wooper, Poliwag, Marill, Gyarados after fishing). This means if you don’t pick Totodile, you’ll still have many strong options.
• Fire-types: Strong Fire-types are quite rare in Johto. Beyond Cyndaquil, options are limited to Ponyta (late game), Growlithe (Gold exclusive, or Fire Red import), Vulpix (Silver exclusive), Magmar, and Houndour (post-game, in Kanto). This makes Cyndaquil a valuable asset for type diversity.
• Grass-types: While not as scarce as Fire-types, Good Grass-type options can also be limited. Bellsprout, Oddish, Tangela, and Sunflora are some alternatives, but none match the early availability of a starter.

This scarcity often pushes players towards Cyndaquil to ensure they have a powerful Fire-type throughout their journey.

Community Consensus and Popularity

While personal preference always plays a role, community discussions and tier lists often reflect certain trends:

• Totodile (Feraligatr) is frequently praised for its balanced stats, incredible movepool versatility, and strong performance in both casual and Nuzlocke runs. Its ability to learn Ice-type moves is a game-changer for the Elite Four.
• Cyndaquil (Typhlosion) is a strong contender due to its offensive power and the scarcity of other Fire-types in Johto. It provides an easier early game experience compared to Chikorita.
• Chikorita (Meganium) is generally considered the hardest starter, recommended for those who actively seek a challenge or prefer a more defensive, support-oriented playstyle.

Which Starter is „Best“ for You?

The „best“ starter ultimately depends on your playstyle and what you’re looking for in your journey.

• For the Easiest & Fastest Journey: Cyndaquil is often the top choice. Its speed and special attack make sweeping through opponents quick and satisfying, especially against Bugsy and Jasmine.
• For the Most Versatile & Reliable Team Member (especially Nuzlocke): Totodile is arguably the overall best starter for HeartGold. Its balanced stats and expansive movepool provide exceptional coverage and adaptability against almost any opponent, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of your team through the Elite Four and beyond.
• For a Challenging & Strategic Playthrough: Chikorita is your go-to. If you enjoy building a team around a defensive core and overcoming tough odds, Meganium will provide a unique and rewarding experience.

FAQs: Answering Your HeartGold Starter Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions to further guide your decision:

Q: Which starter Pokémon is the easiest for HeartGold?
A: Cyndaquil is generally considered the easiest due to its strong offensive presence and advantageous type matchups against early Gym Leaders.

Q: Is Totodile the best choice for competitive play or Nuzlocke runs?
A: Totodile is highly recommended for Nuzlocke runs due to its bulk, powerful attack, and versatile movepool, allowing it to adapt to various threats and provide crucial coverage.

Q: Is Chikorita a viable starter in HeartGold?
A: Yes, Chikorita is viable, but it presents a significantly harder challenge, especially against many Johto Gym Leaders who have type advantages over Grass Pokémon. It suits players who enjoy defensive strategies.

Q: Does the rival’s starter affect your choice?
A: Yes, the rival always chooses the starter with a type advantage over yours, meaning you’ll face tougher battles against them based on your initial choice.

Q: Can I replace my starter’s expertise later in the game if I pick the „wrong“ one?
A: Absolutely! While your starter is your first partner, the Johto region offers many other Pokémon. Water types are abundant, Fire types are scarce but available, and Grass types have several alternatives. Your starter doesn’t lock you into a single strategy.

Q: What are the key moves to teach each starter?
A:

• Typhlosion: Flamethrower/Lava Plume, Focus Blast, Solar Beam, Thunder Punch.
• Feraligatr: Waterfall/Surf, Ice Fang, Earthquake, Crunch, Dragon Claw.
• Meganium: Giga Drain/Energy Ball, Synthesis, Reflect, Light Screen, Leech Seed, Toxic.

Conclusion: Your Adventure, Your Choice

Choosing the best starter for HeartGold is a deeply personal decision that shapes your entire journey through Johto. Whether you opt for Cyndaquil’s speed, Totodile’s versatility, or Chikorita’s challenge, each Pokémon offers a unique and memorable experience.

Consider your playstyle, your desire for challenge, and the type of team you want to build. Remember, there’s no single „wrong“ choice, only the one that best fits your adventure. Good luck, trainer, and have a fantastic time exploring the Johto region!

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Gerne weitere Verlinkungen einfügen (Platzhalter):

• [Link zu einem HeartGold Nuzlocke Guide]
• [Link zu einem Guide für die besten Johto Pokémon für dein Team]
• [Link zu einer detaillierten Johto Gym Leader Strategie]