I'm playing HeartGold on my 3DS and decided very early on to focus on training only 4 pokemon that I like, since I won't be playing competitively. I just beat the dragon gym in Johto and it actually struck me: why are my pokemon (apart from Feraligatr) so weak?
Here's a breakdown:
- Feraligatr: lvl 43, 137 hp, attack 115, defence 121, sp. atk 85, sp.
def 81, speed 84 - Onix: lvl 41, 97 hp, attack 51, defence 153, sp. atk
42, sp. def 40, speed 75 - Haunter: lvl 41, 90 hp, attack 55, defence
56, sp. atk 100, sp. def 58, speed 104 - Growlithe: lvl 38, 99 hp,
attack 66, defence 53, sp. atk 66, sp. def 46, speed 59
Why would the other three's stats be so low? I remember playing Crystal with a Feraligatr, Charizard, Gengar and Venusaur and not having any problems whatsoever – does it mean HeartGold is much more different or difficult? I understand pokemon aren't equally strong but it looks to me like the difference is too big, isn't it?
Should I be concerned with IVs and EVs? I'd prefer not to…
Should I catch the same pokemon again and hope their stats would be higher? I'd love to be able to get a Steelix and a Gengar but I don't think that's going to happen.
Best Answer
Your other pokemon (apart from Feraligatr) are all not fully evolved. The stats of unevolved pokemon are inherently lower than the stats of fully evolved pokemon. Onix, a defensive pokemon, with 153 defense, actually still looks pretty strong, if not an offensive powerhouse. Haunter's special attack is fine as well. Growlithe does look fairly underpowered, but that is just the nature of some pokemon versus others. Arcanine is solid but he's never going to be the hardest-hitting pokemon in your party.
I don't think there's anything to worry about. If you have a trade partner, you could evolve Onix and Haunter, and you can use a fire stone to evolve Growlithe, which will give you some extra stat boosts.