Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver starter strategy guide

Welcome to the greatest Pokemon adventure yet – a remake of the classic Game Boy games which, covering both new region Johto and the original Kanto region, is a massive time sink to get your teeth into. Over the next three days we’re going to take you through team building and monster raising, point out some of the areas’ easily missed treats and give you a full breakdown of those all important Gym and boss battles. First up are the fundamental strategies every Pokemon wrangler needs to know to not get smoked on the battlefield…

Check back tomorrow for our Hidden Secrets Guide.

Starter Pokemon

It’s not just a case of picking the cutest – your initial choice of Pokemon has a significant effect on your Heart/Soul experience.

Cyndaquil
Type: Fire
Evolutions: Quilava (Level 14) Typhlosion (Lv 36)

The beginner’s choice. Given the types of enemies you face early on, picking ol’ Cynda will make things easier at the beginning – though its end-game is not that great.

Totodile
Type:  Water
Evolutions: Croconaw (Lv 18) Feraligatr (Lv 30)

A solid choice for the whole of the game, balanced in attack and defence. However, if it’s a specialist water ’Mon you’re after, there are much better ones to use later on.

Chikorita
Type: Grass
Evolutions: Bayleef (Lv 16) Meganium (Lv 32)

The best choice for advanced players. Its poor damage early on means Chikorita’s potential is only realised in the second half of your adventure – Meganium can be formidable.

State of grind

Getting your team’s levels up to speed…

The first patch of grass you come across in Johto, spend a good 15 minutes to half an hour, just getting experience. Make your starter Pokemon a powerhouse early on. Dedicate plenty of time to training in between towns or Gyms.

When you’ve caught a new Pokemon, switch it to the top of your team and then, as soon as a battle starts, switch it to a more powerful ’Mon to share the experience. This is the best way to help groom lower level Pokemon.

Making the team

Creating a powerful posse is not easy. Use these tips…

Getting a good spread of Pokemon types is vital. As you progress, aim to train up at least one monster of each type – you never know when you’ll need them.

Small but strong. Concentrating your efforts on smaller teams of four Pokemon at a time will mean you can level faster, leaving space for Slave Pokemon.

Don’t use HM’s weaker moves (cut, flash, etc.) on your good Pokemon. Catch a couple of monsters for this task. And make sure you’ve got your star Pokemon covered.

Poke Balls

Take it from us, never leave town without them!

We’ve lost count how many times we’ve come across a Rare, only to then lose it because of bad preparation. Better balls become available as you progress. Catching the harder Pokemon we like to use Quick, Heavy, Dusk and Ultra Balls. Remember to collect Apricorns so you can get Kurt in Azalea to make balls for you.

Advanced training

Making your ’Mon the best they can be…

You know when your Pokemon level up and you’re presented with a list of its stats, and how they’ll increase? Did you know there’s a way to influence those stat increases? It’s called Effort Value (or EV) Training and it’s a hugely complicated process.

On a basic level, fighting loads of fast Pokemon will improve your ’Mon’s speed stat. Fighting loads of Steelix should improve your defence stats more than if you fought lots of Pikachus. Picking the Pokemon to grind through will give you the edge! For a more in-depth guide click here.

Check the next page to learn all about the TMs and HMs.