The BEST (And Worst) Encounters For Your Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen Nuzlocke

[@Patterrz]

Late game Raticate is great because it provides emotional damage to the rival due to his dead rat making him misplay more often

[@Squirtle_Squad_Supremacy]

Based Patterrz

[@abrarkadabrar7829]

EMOTIONAL DAMAGE

[@petercross1879]

@@heinzdoofenshmirtz8643 false. At no point in the games is it stated that you killed blies raticate. He was just looking for a marrowack

[@Nick_eh_30990]

@@heinzdoofenshmirtz8643 Don't you have an inator ro build?

[@venomgaming7014]

HE WENT FOR THE THROAT.

[@fleeper20]

For what it's worth in regards to all fighting types for this game you can get brick break infinite times after gym 2 because it's buyable in celadon so basically all fighting types guaranteed a 75 bp 100 accuracy move for most of the game

[@rileymosman2808]

Fighting types really need brick break since their move pool is so shallow in this gen, thanks so much for the tip!

[@zeldaarmy8630]

And it's also in the s.s anne.

[@tibeerius3656]

Damn y'all are really out here breakin' a man's bricks?

[@Coletrain9001]

I also have to give Mankey a shoutout for being the only non-starter you can get early game that has a super-effective matchup against Brock

[@AvatarN]

@@Coletrain9001 nidoran

[@Begeru]

I think Butterfree’s utility with almost 100% Sleep Powder is pretty darn useful. You can switch/set up with another Mon for a sweep and it helps you catch Abra. It’s definitely B tier if you think Parasect is, and its Speed is way, way higher. And really Parasect belongs in F tier. I don’t see anything good about its 30 speed, weak moves (other than spore, but you’re slow af) and multiple weaknesses.

[@Matt68416]

Yeah he did Butterfree dirty here. Huge utility for catching and basically a free sleep/paralyse/poison/whatever in any fight

[@ame-chan579]

I love the Butterfree justified appreciation in here 😤😤

[@justinchoy476]

Parasect isn’t that bad. spore is nice, it’s got enough power, and it has enough bulk to take a hit sometimes. It’s just alright.

[@LordLucario12]

@@justinchoy476 The problem is that HORRENDOUS typing coupled with that speed

[@LordLucario12]

Yeah Butterfree is B tier minimum. It does fall off later but by the time it does its put in great work with Psybeam and Powders

[@herhhetj5372]

Nidoking is an mid S Tier pokemon, it evolves at 16 with moon stone, learns pretty much every tm in the game just a monster

[@Bentleysaint15]

I like the varied moveset and if you train it in EVs with speed it can 1 hit most Pokémon with type advantage or even normal hits. It’s one of my Favs

[@michaelbrown7455]

Nidoqueen is also a tank. And they both shrug off all of Team Rocket.

[@gg41451]

Oh so you think nidoking is S tier but on nidoqueen? Wow how misogynistic.

[@michaelbrown7455]

@@gg41451 who asked you? They're both great. Both S tier. Nidoqueen is a bit tankier and Nidoking throws attacks better. If you don't like it, go petition to Nintendo instead of me like the gender-confused keyboard warrior that you pose to be.

[@gg41451]

@@michaelbrown7455 Lol chill it is just a joke

[@gabbywills98]

FlygonHG: *puts Venusaur straight into S tier* Me: SO PROUD OF MY CABBAGE SON

[@athath2010]

8:36 Correction here: Don't delay the evolutions of your Nidos for "better moves." Their level up move lists (after level 16) have pretty much nothing you'd want to give them, and arguably IMPROVE when they stone evolve.

[@AzureKite]

Yeah both Nidos are actually better if you evolve them early when you get the moon stone from Mt. Moon because then you have this pokemon with really high base stats who can just stat check everything in their path, and then you just give them TMs as you get them.

[@noraslob5461]

I think you meant level 22, cause that's when they learn horn attack/bite, but yes, hard agree. I'd actually say it's a big part of what makes them so good, as you have the power of a fully evolved 3 stage evolution just after the 2nd badge

[@alessandrapierri4905]

In let's go you need to bring them to level 44 for a better poison move than poison sting(it's poison jab)

[@noraslob5461]

@@alessandrapierri4905 You're thinking of a different generation. Poison jab doesn't even exist as a move in gen 3.

[@alessandrapierri4905]

@@noraslob5461 I know, I just wanted to say it

[@noahwizda2924]

Now do a hardcore nuzlocke with only your F tier picks

[@davidgardner6677]

FRLG snaplocke when?

[@borisdejong8962]

Look up garbage green

[@glowingpineapple619]

@@borisdejong8962 yeah but garbage green changes the routing and pokemon available in the game

[@RichardBlaziken]

Something every tier list misses with FRLG specifically: MEOWTH IS AN S TIER ENCOUNTER! Pickup in FRLG doesn't check the level of the Pokemon, so free Nuggets, Rare Candies, PP Ups, and berries means you should *always* have one on your team. It's not like FRLG is hard enough to require you to have 6 fully trained Pokemon. I kept mine as a Meowth until the Elite Four, then trained it and evolved it as an honorary member of my team. :)

[@jasonreed7522]

Same logic for zigzagoon in Ruby/Sapphire which has the same pickup logic (difference is Kanto has a focus on berries which can't be grown in FRLG). And the bonus for zigzagoon is that linoone learns bellydrum to sweep the E4. (Just try and protect it until then)

[@simonalbert7518]

Pickup just gives berries in FRLG

[@TheGhostFart]

@@simonalbert7518 FRLG pickup table on the wikis says otherwise

[@simonalbert7518]

@@TheGhostFart There are four items on the table that aren't berries, the rest are

[@SoulmongerV2]

@@simonalbert7518 Other than berries and the aforementioned items you can also get TM10 (Hidden Power) which can be a blessing for your team.

[@Osama_Rashid]

Butterfree is a menace with Sleep Powder and Dream Eater. The guy who standing near a pond in Viridian City can teach you Dream Eater.

[@erickortiz765]

Butterfree saved my HeartGold playthrough with sleep powder. Speed investment let it out speed most of Lance's Pokemon

[@ikethekiller5236]

I would say Jynx is S tier, low S tier maybe. It is a guaranteed encounter and you can get her as early as the 5th gym, and she beats most of the gym leaders remaining (Koga, Sabrina and Giovanni) and ALL elite four can be swept by her. You can free calm mind vs Lorelei Dewgong and sweep, one shot all Bruno, one shot all Agatha (May depend on speed evs/nature vs Gengar) and destroys Lance pretty hard too outside Aerodactyl. Basically her stab combination destroys 80% late game, I recently did a restricted hardcore nuzlocke in FIre Red and she totally carried my entire team

[@diamondminer5459]

Depending on how you map your encounters, you can trade for Jynx before the fourth gym; destroys Erika, Sabrina, Koga, Giovanni, most/ all of the Elite 4, and probably some other important parts of the game I’m forgetting off the top of my head. S tier Pokémon for sure.

[@owenaspinall2046]

How does Jynx beat Sabrina or Lorelei?

[@fossilsussy8862]

​@@owenaspinall2046I think unresisted stab Ice punch/Ice beam for Sabrina and unresisted stab Psychic for Lorelei (except Slowbro and Jynx). With a +1 or 2 calm minds, Jynx can sweep.

[@MrJcalvino]

Finally some Jynx appreciation! I even EV trained in S Att and Speed and swept everything in the League. Underrated Also Dodrio is at least A tier(High A tier in my opinion). The only pokemon that can OHKO all the Sabrina team with Return. Also in the League it take care of Bruno, Ágatha too and performs well against Blue (Venusaur,Exeg, Alakazam). Stab Return / Drill Peck OP

[@slashb7836]

I think you underestimate Muk. It's a pretty good special wall, and you can get Leftovers in FRLG if you get your Dex to 30 Caught (shouldn't be too hard in a regular nuzlocke by late game). Also, Chansey does get Seismic Toss. There's the tutor in the museum she can learn it from

[@danieldavies3092]

While agreeing with Chansey, I think the Muk point is kind of glossing over the fact that you're getting Muk instead of the other possible encounters. By the time you can get it without foregoing your eevee gift, it's not really that useful any more, compared to Vaporeon or Flareon for example, which can round out a team nicely going in to the end game.

[@rileymosman2808]

Muk also gets acid armor pretty early so it can be a great physical wall if you're able to set up. Good for toxic stall of course, and can learn screech so it allows for many different playstyles.

[@slashb7836]

@@rileymosman2808 yeah I think the main thing is just that it's a late encounter, you usually have your team direction set by that point, so it gets overlooked.

[@rileymosman2808]

@@slashb7836 I don't disagree. I think Muk won't be a pokemon that you'd bench a team member for, but if someone dies there are far worse options (like Rapidash or ditto)

[@HomeCookinMTG]

I've used muk in a Leaf Green nuzlocke before and I thought it was going to be awesome I even EV trained it and everything, I think it's biggest issue is by the time you can actually capture a grimer or a muk, you're at Blaine more than likely, and Muk isn't particularly useful in the remaining important battles.

[@yaboiskittlez7943]

21:26 Real fast just want to say you CAN get leftovers and recovery items in this game. There are 2 leftovers before the 5th gym. The item finder can find them under the Snorlaxes blocking your path IF you stand right where they were blocking the road. You may not get the item finder in some challenges, like if you don't allow yourself to catch Pokemon to get it from the aide, but it's technically there if you want it.

[@royalts8434]

You dont need the item finder, hidden items are always there

[@mrpiccionedivino5598]

@@royalts8434no i think you can only pick them with the finder

[@SjorsTea]

@@mrpiccionedivino5598 Yeah there are indeed a couple of hidden items that can only be found using the Item Finder

[@SoulmongerV2]

@@SjorsTea Yep. Leftovers on each of the Snorlax spots and Macho Brace where Giovanni stood in his gym. Have to use Item Finder on those exact tiles to get them.

[@richarddill692]

@@SoulmongerV2 Don't forget the Max Revive (or Max PP Up, I can never remember which) on Two Island. It's on the one land space surrounded by water you have to land on by the small waterfall, so you can only pick it up with the Itemfinder

[@DSA2797]

Tbh Muk is hella underrated. I taught mine explosion from the move tutor on Ember Island and it tanked 2 hydro pumps from the champ’s Blastoise and pulled an Android 16 to get the W.

[@bloemkoolendestreetgang450]

Muk also has surprisingly solid stats and a great movepool, used it in a recent Black 2 playthrough and it really held up

[@cheese0_4]

It rocket punched blastoise? Awesome!

[@DSA2797]

@@cheese0_4 let’s just say he had no other options.

[@xtraplayz7204]

Muk thinking he's Vegeta

[@nahqiv]

@@bloemkoolendestreetgang450 its movepool isn't great in earlier gens, but he's tanky and that's perfect for a nuzlocke

[@moxiejju7014]

I genuinely wonder what Gamefreak was thinking when they made physical water/grass/whatever-types before the physical/special split. Like... why?

[@vinceivansantilices9704]

Cries in gen 3 absol who I can never use

[@Thund3rDrag0n12]

My theory is that a physical/special split was intended for Gen 2 with Pokemon like Sneasel showcasing it. However Gen 2 used every last bit of space they could (Iwata had to step in and optimize the game just so they could fit Kanto into the game) As for the Gen 3 games... I got nothin. Maybe they just forgot

[@Neogeddon]

@@Thund3rDrag0n12 Not likely; tons of gen 2 romhacks have the phys/special split. Really doesn't take up much space. I think the real answer is just, some Pokemon are meant to be kinda bad. Adds flavor I guess¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@Thund3rDrag0n12]

@@Neogeddon I mean GameFreak is notoriously pretty fucking bad at optimizing their games so I wouldn't doubt it. Like I said if it wasn't for Iwata coming in and cleaning stuff up they wouldn't even have been able to fit Kanto in the game so I'd bet they found a way to make the split take up more space than it should

[@TerminalMonk]

I think they were honestly expecting STAB to be less important than it is. And I mean, after Alakazam's showing with non stab coverage, can you blame them? It just seems that they believed the stats would mean more than the bonus damage.

[@KatnissMalfoyMalik]

I really appreciate you being the only KZbinr I watch, who consistently puts out top-tier content. I can’t thank you enough for providing videos I can always watch over and over again.

[@bimblor9858]

Great list! If I can dispute a placement, I'd argue Primeape is actually around the same level as Hitmonlee, and definitely stronger than Hitmonchan. On the surface, Hitmonlee appears to be stronger than Primeape due to higher base attack (Hitmonlee possesses a base 120 Attack stat, compared to Prineape's 105 Attack). However, Primeape actually outdamages Hitmonlee on average due to its access to a far stronger STAB Fighting move in Cross Chop, which has 100 BP and a high crit rate compared to High Jump Kick's 85 BP. While Cross Chop has unreliable accuracy, High Jump Kick isn't too great of an improvement in that regard, so it's not that much of an drawback. Primeape also possesses a far better ability in Vital Spirit, over Hitmonlee's Limber. Paralysis is extremely rare after the Surge fight, so it doesn't come into play that often. In contrast, sleep moves are far more common, with Erika abusing Sleep Powder, and the relatively common use of Hypnosis, so an immunity to sleep is far more valuable. Primeape still has flaws, it's extremely frail and doesn't hit hard enough without Cross Chop, making it unreliable. But I still have a lot of fondness for the little monkey, especially with it being available very early on as Mankey.

[@packerphan66]

Manley + low kick = RIP Brock. (I picked charmander)

[@skeetermania3202]

Looks like someone learned from False Swipe Gaming.

[@piku2able]

Chansey does get Seismic Toss. You can learn it from the scientist in Pewter City, in the same room where you "obtain" Aerodactyl Just for that reason she's at least high A- low S tier imo

[@loudwhispre9406]

Don't forget, a good way to implement a Safari Zone Clause (SZC for short) is whatever you first encounter, you can continue to find and attempt to catch, should the first one run away. If infinite retries on an encounter seems too broken, maybe go for a "3 strike" system. If that doesn't seem too broken and you want *more* Safari Zone encounters, count each section of the Safari Zone as separate legal encounters.

[@wallywedge968]

Just wanted to come here and say thank you. Yesterday I finally finished my first ever nuzlocke and also first hardcore nuzlocke on Platinum. Took me months to finish because I did it on 3ds but I was able to run through the E4 deathless and even the champ but I honestly was only prepared as well as I was because of all the info I learned from watching your nuzlockes Blissey, Tangrowth, and Gliscor were all mons that I had never used before but brought on to the E4 and all did very well. Also Gayardos and Infernape were MVPs and Jolteon rode the bench but was there if everything went wrong with Cynthia(It had hidden power fire). But seriously thank you I had alot of fun and I would of never had the confidence, drive, nor entertaining resources without your videos. That is my last one,, I will certainly though be leaving it to the professionals 😂

[@jasonreed7522]

I'm currently doing a ruby run (my first not randomized nuzlocke, also on the actual gameboy so no emulator QOL stuff) I had a series of bad encounters (whismer before the tunnel stole an encounter) and Watson almost wiped me and by shear luck my linoone was the sole survivor. (I intend on bellydrum sweeping the E4, but my replacement team sucks, it has a volbeat...)

[@wallywedge968]

@@jasonreed7522 volbeat might be able to sweep Sidney though with tail glow though might not be much use after that

[@jasonreed7522]

@@wallywedge968 on review of its stats and move pool it learns signal beam at 25 for 75 base power stab (but super effective into dark, psychic, and grass; weak into fight, fire, flying, ghost, poison, steel) Wait, tailglow boosts spec attack and thanks to being pre split signal beam is physical, its not a good encounter. Hopefully i find a better answer into Sidney's dark types if my Linoone sweep plan fails. (I lost combusken, aron, tentacool, swellow, and nuzleaf to watson. I was left with minun, whismer, magikarp, beautifly [dead to a hiker], volbeat, and linoone and have since gained a sandshrew, swablu, and torkoal) Lets just say plan B is use cut to ensure a feebass encounter for Milotic and pray for better luck. (Gyrados won't be good until surf which is after Norman)

[@wallywedge968]

@@jasonreed7522 sorry for some reason I read omega ruby like a dunce. My bad. Yeah volbeat is pretty bad until the remakes. You could still pick up a claydol or even a trapinch. There are alot of routes left so you should be able to pick up some decent mons later. Heck maybe you pick up a Bagon

[@wallywedge968]

@@jasonreed7522 also Volbeat can learn thunderbolt and gigadrain so could maybe useful for Wallace if nothing else plus it could be a sackable pokemon towards the end to get a free switch if nothing else lol I used an unknown vs Cyrus😂 just to get a safe switch

[@Razorsanchi]

Love the fact that both Slowbro and Starmie are a Leafgreen exclusive... Almost like LeafGreen is the better one to play if you want strong units

[@noraslob5461]

Weird that they made both water/psychics exclusive to the same version, you would have expected that they would be split up

[@InsertFunnyThingHere]

My counterpoint is that Vileplume is my darling and he's exclusive to FR

[@dc_dachi]

I think Flareon is kind of underrated in FRLG. It's not the best Fire-type, and you'd have to be kind of desperate to evolve your Eevee into a Flareon in the first place, but if you do decide to run it for some reason, it isn't a bad choice. I've only used it on certain challenge runs, but I've always been pleasantly surprised by it. It's maybe a low B tier, but I think it's definitely more useful than a Wigglytuff or a Lickitung. It obviously has that huge attack stat, which makes it a viable candidate for your Return TM. Combining Shadow Ball with its good special bulk also makes it a decent Psychic killer, which is pretty important against Sabrina and Blue's Alakazams. Base 95 special attack really isn't bad for a Gen 1 mon, so it can throw out some pretty powerful STAB Flamethrowers/Fire Blasts as well.

[@typhoonboom]

7:27. pikachu isn't that good into misty, in my first nuzlocke my pikachu almost died due to starmie's water pulse, and pikachu probably doesn't outspeed (mine didn't and it had a timid nature), i think raichu is good for lorelei tho, but i can't confirm, my raichu died during the silph co rival fight

[@superlombax1561]

Oh yeah. Even at the level cap, my Pikachu usually got one-shotted by Starmie if it couldn't kill it, which is likely since it only has Thundershock by then. And those were when I wasn't doing Nuzlockes.

[@SoulmongerV2]

You can outspeed it with decent IVs and some EV investment but Pikachu is indeed too weak and too frail to beat Misty on its own reliably. It can take out Staryu, after that I'd Thunder Wave the Starmie and either stay in expecting to sack it or switch to something that can handle paralyzed Starmie.

[@heracross3323]

I had a Raichu during a run of Blue, and it made mincemeat of Lorelei! I agree with Pikachu not being all it’s cracked up to be on Misty, though.

[@papij8834]

For the Misty fight Ivysaur is ideal, but if you didn’t pick the grass starter you have Oddish (FR) or Bellsprout (LG) who evolve right at the level cap and have a good chance of being encountered at the routes north of Cerulean. Every other Pokémon is going to lose to Starmie’s speed and water pulse. Even Raticate struggles, I almost lost my shiny rat to this battle.

[@typhoonboom]

@@papij8834 true, and wartortle is also really good with bite

[@cashflow559]

Love these videos. The emerald one inspired my first nuzlocke. I would love to see a Slowlocke, where you can only use slow pokemon (speed of 50 or lower?).

[@cliffjumpercc3261]

Why

[@erniehines]

@@cliffjumpercc3261 it seems interesting

[@Math.Bandit]

I think it makes sense to have rankings that look similar to Emerald, since it's the same gen/abilities, same lack of physical/special split, and similar moves.

[@Squirtle_Squad_Supremacy]

@@heinzdoofenshmirtz8643 similar type specialties Misty to Juan Brock to Roxanne Surge to Wattson Flannery to Blaine Tate & Liza to Sabrina Agatha to Phoebe Lorelei to Glacia Lance to Drake

[@FantasyJared]

Great video! :) I love your content. I think Flareon deserves a better placing, personally? The thing has 130 Attack, 110 Special Defense, and learns Shadow Ball via TM. This means it's a surprisingly effective check into Sabrina, and unlike Seaking or Kingler, it still has a very respectable 95 Special Attack to smack things with Flamethrower.

[@juliuswatcher1157]

Also, he is a good FIRE replacement if yo didn't pick Chamander and was not able to get Growlithe (freaking Roar), that helps against Erika, and, with some Speed ev trainig, can be used to outspeed and solo Agatha (Shadow Ball and Dig); also, and it is a niche use, but if your Rival got Charizard, you can pivot it, thanks to Flash Fire, and then use Rain Dance (which he can learn by TM) to make easier for your Water type to survive Fire Blast. Jolteon and Vaporeon may be better, but Magneton and Tentacruel exist.

[@BelligerentPenguin]

I have a Muk I actually grew really attached to in one of my many attempts at a Firered hard-core nuzlocke. I named him Pudding, and I lost the run at Lance, but guess who the last 'mon standing was? He carried me through a lot of battles with Toxic strats. Also, Strength is quite good on it.

[@RiveroftheWither]

It's funny to look back at the physical special split, so many Pokemon were screwed over while so many others improved immensely.

[@ninacochrane569]

Of note, you get lickitung on route 18 by trading away a *golduck or slowbro*, both of which are far far better than lickitung could ever be. Jynx is what you get for Poliwhirl.

[@jolteongaming9433]

Persian’s main use imo is as a Meowth, the only Pickup user in Kanto. Berries are hard to come by in FRLG so Meowth giving them to you is quite helpful

[@InsertFunnyThingHere]

Also Pay Day can stack a lot of money real quick which is really good because the Game Corner exists and has a lot of really expensive but really good stuff

[@adamakemon1856]

My last FR nuzlocke I went for my E4 with Venosaur, Lapras, Jolteon, Snorlax, Golduck, and Rapidash. I’d say the most useful mons were Jolteon, Snorlax, and Golduck surprisingly. Golduck can learn calm mind which is incredibly good on a semi bulky water type (stab surfs one shot almost everything) Rapdiash was also surprisingly fun. I swept the Ice E4 member with Sunny day FT/solar beam(which it can learn for some reason) Edit: also, I know that the last grind to get the the E4 level cap of 60 it takes a lot of grinding, the best place I found is on 1 island, surf toward the back and there are a few trainers around the entrance of the spa where you can get rock smash. Use the vs seeker against the trainers, i promise it’s the best grinding you can do, plus there’s a free heal spot in the spa which saves time from going to the poke center

[@trollingthunder1426]

Aside from butterfree being so low, and beedrill being so high, I mostly agree with this. Those would be the two main disagreements I have with your list, but it's neat hearing your thought process on each pokemon. Good video.

[@COMICSAREAWESOME]

Thank you for continuing this series💜🖤

[@alessiodaniotti264]

I disagree for some points: - Fist of all Electrode: it has a bad movepool, and not great defenses and HP, but its speed is very high (140), so it can be a good special glass cannon if it use STAB electric moves (80 base stat SpAtt + 50%= dealing damage like a 120 base stat pokemon, and electric moves are resisted or nullified by few types) such Spark (level 21) or thundershock or thunder (TM), and with that speed it could outspeed nearly everything else. Even if it hasn't much other than a good typing, decent SpAtt and a great speed, those weapons are enough for me to put it above most of the others B tier pokemons. Also it is a nearly guaranteed catch in route 10 (the other 2 encounters are spearow and Ekans (FR)/Arbok (LG), and 99% you have both). For me it is a high B/low A tier. - Second: Rhydon, Graveler and Golem should be mid-to-low B tier, or maybe even (high) C tier for Graveler, since they are usefull only against few types, but they suffer a lot with all their weaknessess and their poor special defense, and they aren't even so good in dealing damage outside earthquake. I use Graveler/Golem in a nuzlocke, but beside resisting LT Surge, it were always on dangerous position despite guessing right most of the pivoting, since most of the trainers have pokemons with a special move or a fighting move/ earthquake. - Third: Obviously, the same logic of the previous point works for Onix too, with a difference: most ground/rock types are dangerous to use, but they can do a few things quite well, Onix sucks nearly 360°, it must be an F tier! - Kingler is not a good encounter, but is not F tier: 115 base def, 130 base Att and good abilities (1 that prevent nerfs to its attack, one that protect for critical hits) made it a decent fisical wall and attacker, that can learn some good normal moves (Strenght, Facade, Secret power), and he learn protect by level up that (always usefull have that move) - Lickintung F and Wigglytuff C tier: the first has bad att and spAtt base stats, and also mid-low defense, so good for nothing, the second is good only in the HP stat and mid-high spAtt (a stat it can't use with STAB moves), and some gimmick moves, but there are many other better pokemons than this pink ball for same duty. Also their encounters means missing some better option. I woukd say Wigglytuff C (since it has some decent use and its encounter means delaying, but not surely missing, the nidorans to the safari zone) and Lickintung F (since it has no decent use, and one must trade Golduck or Slowbro, so 2 fully evolved superior pokemons). - In exchange, maybe i will put Muk and Weezing in low B tier: Immune to poisoning, both with a good defense (Muk special, Weezing physical), both learn Toxic via TMs, with the accuracy bonus for being poison type. Also Weezing with levitate is weak only to psychic, it have both decent Att and Sp Att (90 and 85) and while level up moveset is trash (only decent move is STAB Sludge), it learn some usefull TMs (Shadowball, Thunder, Thundershock, FireBlast, Flamethrower, many normal damaging moves, plus Protect, Substitute, DoubleTeamand and other for Toxic stall). Muk is not immune to ground, but is a good special tank, it has moves that bost its defenses even more, learn nearly all stalling moves (taunt, torment, protect, disable, minimize, rest, doubleteam, substitute) and can also hit hard with physical attacks, since it can learn Sludgebomb via level up ( 90 STAB moves only 4 types resist, for good neutral damage) and good normal and fighting moves by TMs. It can be used in many ways. - Vileplume could be (low) A tier: decent HP and defenses, immune to poisoning, it learn all powder moves, and with 110 SpAtt tha combined with mega/gigadrain makes it survive easily all neutral matchups (it goes down only against psychic, fire, flying and ice and most times it deals good damage before fainting) and moonlight helps even more. It is the best grass Kanto pokemon after Venusaur. For the others, i agree, in particular all other S tier, and in particular for Snorlax, that could be even the top pokemon: i used it in a nuzlocke with Leftover+ moves Rest, SleepTalk, BodySlam, Strenght... it destroyed all Lance pokemons while sleeping and ending with 3/4 of the life. A beast! Sorry for the poem!

[@wheatleythebrick2276]

the thing with blastoise in kanto is that it's a legitimate pick, cause you don't get good water pokemon for a while outside of gyarados who isn't great at using its water stab, and it helps with brock and misty (although venusaur is better at that obviously)

[@mushroom5209]

It's going to be an amazing great day because you posted whenever you post I try to watch it as soon as possible cuz it always makes my day :-)

[@garrettnewell5481]

Vulpix actually learns flamethrower at 29 lol so it gets it really early. Also one of the only mons in this gen that learn wilo wisp.

[@Idkwhoiam1400]

venomoth is wayyyy underrated here. by the time you get it, it has favorable matchups against so many random trainers and rocket grunts since poison types are really common in kanto. psychic + giga drain hits much of the targets you want it to hit and does so well. it’s good into koga, the fighting dojo, the rockets at silph co, pokemon tower, erika, giovanni, bruno and agatha. and if your rival has venusaur, it can’t do anything to venomoth. don’t sleep on moth!

[@thebandanadee8265]

In a fairly recent FireRed HC Nuzlocke I did, as a promise to a friend of mine, I caught a Tangela to use, and to my surprise, it clutched out a victory against my rival's Blastoise and Rhydon, the latter of which he survived on 3 HP because was already damaged a fair amount by the Blastoise's Hydro Pump. He was an absolute trooper, and I don't even regret using him

[@DangerousPython]

Vulpix learns flamethrower at 29 so it’s not that big of a deal having to wait

[@superlombax1561]

It is admittedly rough having to try and grind it up with just Quick Attack though. Then again, you could just spend time grinding for money or coins in the Game Corner to speed it up I guess if you're into that.

[@DangerousPython]

@@superlombax1561 I usually rare candy to the level caps but yeah I can imagine grinding with it mustn’t be a joy

[@adamakemon1856]

Venomoth is actually a really good counter for Kogas gym which is one of the trickier parts of the game with the 6th and 5th gym having the same level cap. I always use it on Koga

[@TeamRocketReal]

"Hot take": Multiple Onix would be similar to multiple moose, just "Look at all the Onix".

[@sarthakkhare9843]

I recently did a LeafGreen nuzlocke(it was my first ever) and my elite 4 team was Starmie and Slowbro and 4 others who were never used because MY GOD Starmie literally swept everything. I gave it Thunderbolt so even Gyarados wasn't an issue. Gary got my Starmie in the end but Slowbro finished the game easily. Kinda broken these two, for Kanto E4

[@abrarkadabrar7829]

Psychic types can get pretty broken with their higher than average special stats. Starmie is extra dangerous because of its stupid high speed so it's a sweeping machine. Slowbro is the other side of the coin where it's slow af but it's super bulky and can survive most things then hit back with lethal damage. There's a reason why they needed Dark types in Gen 2 to be immune to psychic types. Alakazam might be the poster child for broken psychic types, but Starmie and Slowbro and even Hypno are stupidly good too. I think Jynx is probably the only unreliable psychic type, but even then it can pull its weight if you really need it. In short, psychic types are super strong. Anyway, I'm glad to hear you use Starmie and Slowbro successfully. Would love to see how the entire run went for you. 😁

[@sarthakkhare9843]

@@abrarkadabrar7829 I did bunch of guts strats in the beginning, thought haunter would sweep Sabrina and it died in the first trainer battle lol, some careless deaths here and there, 1st snorlax killed half my team and the 2nd snorlax I was much better prepared. These were the main highlights as I recall em. Ngl, it was much easier than I thought it would be. Then I tried radical red immediately after and realised I should master vanilla nuzlockes before going to THAT level lol... Probably emerald next

[@ismetcehic5581]

I did a HC Nuzlocke of Leaf Green and I used Butterfree, Ninetales, Primeape, Magneton Snorlax and Starmie. I mean the last 3 were incredible S tier pokemon but Butterfree helps catching mons and constantly sleep confusing your opponent and dishing out twisted spoon Psychics (caught an Abra but it died lol) it's actually a beast. Primeape with Aerial Ace, Brick Break, Dig and Rock Slide covers almost every type with strong physical attacks, and Ninetales with Confuse Ray, burns and Flamethrower being actually bulky and even with Sunny day is hard to take out. Didn't lose a single mon with this team in E4. I think Butterfree Ninetales and Primeape should be higher in A tier as they're early mons and are actually super useful. Ninetales also hits basically everything neutraly mid-late game as there aren't mandatory water trainers except when swimming to Fuschia or from Fuschia

[@sscout191]

Lapras' obtained at will say Silph Co. while the Hitmons will say Saffron City. Going from those, getting both is possible under standard nuzlocke rules.

[@darkninjafirefox]

I don't usually start a game with the intent of a nuzlocke, but sometimes I'll start a game and put it down for a long while before coming back to it and playing it as a nuzlocke from then on. I did this recently for a copy of leafgreen I started in back in high school and all of my pokemon were named after the dumb fandoms I was in back in the day. Makes a fun time capsule

[@lancelee338]

Recently I opened up an old Firered save and all the Pokémon were named “BEASTLY.” I don’t know what it meant other than descriptors maybe

[@4DznSalamanders]

@@lancelee338 was it because of that really terrible Twilight/Beauty and the Beast movie in the 2010's?

[@jthecaffeinatedcrow6456]

6:17 "Raticate, raticate". I seriously thought you were gonna make a "patty cake" joke

[@iohan2801]

My Hall of Fame of my first Fire Red Nuzlocke: Venusaur Lapras Gyarados Alakazam Arcanine Snorlax Yawn Snorlax +Subs Dragon Dance Gyarados or Calm Mind Alakazam: Press F for Elite Four.

[@SSardonic]

Great video! Just finished the 8th gym in LG and am happy to see I picked a lot of S tier mons for my current team. Btw at 32:50 you labelled Elektabuzz as Venusaur

[@VictoryStar16]

Vouching for Butterfree here. 91% accurate semi-fast Sleep Powder is very valuable. Dream Eater is also accessible from the Viridian move tutor after getting cut, and 100 BP psychic moves in Kanto can get you pretty far just on its own. It deals with a lot of mid game stuff pretty well like Koga, Giovanni’s Nidos, and the general plethora of poison types in the region. It’s frail defensively but can eat some special hits decently well. Obviously falls off late game but I don’t think it’s nearly as bad as a lot of people might think.

[@Naxhus2]

Butterfree can learn Dream Eater W H A T

[@MrJcalvino]

Isnt the precision 99% with Compound Eyes?

[@VictoryStar16]

@@MrJcalvino Compoundeyes multiplies accuracy by 1.3. I thought that sleep powder was 70% but it’s actually 75% so it comes out to 97.5% with Compoundeyes.

[@coalesced_]

Starmie is better than Slowbro because it also learns Thunderbolt, allowing it to better deal with Lorelei plus Lance's Gyarados and Blue's Blastoise/Gyarados. Poliwrath also functions as a fantastic Lorelei counter since it learns Bulk Up and resists all of Lorelei's Water- and Ice-moves (she has no Psychic moves).

[@ForDerrick]

Chansey can learn seismic toss in FRLG. It is a move tutor move, and is taught in the Pewter City Museum after you get access to Cut and can go behind the desk. One of the NPCs behind the desk teaches it.

[@MANNAT.]

I love this type of tierlist content a lot tbh, the biggest issue is just making them more concise and digestible I feel like

[@101alan1]

@31:45 I actually said Scyther the same time you did lol. Great list Flygon, but maybe next time you could add another tier. That B tier was pretty full.

[@Begeru]

Lots of his B tier Pokémon should be in C or F.

[@mrpiccionedivino5598]

@@Begerustill wonder how tangela,pinsir and parasect slip at B

[@briandinh9169]

Parasect in B tier is cursed

[@robert8311]

Personally don't see how charizard is good in a nuzlocke if you really can't use it on a gym battle until 3 even then it's so risky

[@pengie-gw2lu]

Vulpix gets Flamethrower at level 29, at Erika's level cap.

[@Hats502]

Once again quality content. Low key went through making one myself earlier today, I actually put Blastoise as best starter, just above Venusaur. Bulky water types are so good and ice beam coverage is great. It’s very useful through out the game. Venusaur just under because after Lt Surge it doesn’t really do much outside of doing very well against Giovanni’s gym, who’s pretty free anyway. I actually put charizard at C tier because it’s so bad for the first two gyms and the only main battles it does well in are Lt Surge if you give it Dig and Erika who once again is super easy. Glad you’re giving my boy Beedrill some love though! So underrated in this game. Twineedle is great against Sabrina and good stab, it’s typing is pretty solid and it’s stats really aren’t too bad. Especially considering how early it evolves. He should be higher up in B tier imo but just glad you didn’t place it in C or lower

[@Tomisgreatful]

Well, you put exactly 6 Pokemon into F tier, sooo........ FRLG F tier nuzlock when?

[@DarkIceKrabby]

Poor Flareon. "It's special attack stat is not good" Base 95 is pretty good tbh. Way better than Ninetales base 81 special attack. With Flamethrower, Shadow Ball, Quick Attack, and some other move, Flareon can put in a decent amount of work, more than a lot of other Fire types in FRLG. But then Fire types in FRLG aren't great since Flying types are abundant for fighting Grass types, and Lorelei is just as much a Water type trainer than an Ice type one, and only one party member that's even weak to fire.

[@carlazuz3985]

Figuring it was just a lapse in memory when you said leftovers wasn’t in the game, but for those who don’t know: Leftovers is in FRLG if you use the itemfinder on the tile that the snorelax was on, right of vermilion city. Standing on that tile and using the itemfinder will show stars above the player’s head and award them with leftovers. There are a few other items you can obtain like that but from what I remember, leftovers is the main good one. These items require the itemfinder to pick up btw. I think leftovers makes the more bulky water types like Vaporeon and Slowbro a lot better as it lets them run moves to set up and sweep with their good coverage while keeping healthy.

[@aaronsmith5480]

I feel like in game traded pokemon such as Mr Mime and Jynx should get a slight edge to be placed higher since they get the boosted xp from being traded. If you aren't the kind of player that hacks in rare candies, these two especially, save you a bunch of time.

[@ProfJayBee]

Thunder type. That was an lol moment for me. From here onwards, I’m now referring to electric types as thunder types.

[@daniellivengood426]

Hey Flygon just wanna say I’m always very impressed with the quality of your videos and edits. Always informative and very neat looking while still keeping the video from having too much going on at once. Not to mention you always have a happy vibe to you, it’s hard not to sit back and enjoy watching one of your vids. For what it’s worth from a random commenter, you’re consistently amazing, keep up the awesome work mate!

[@inanimategaming]

I'd say Weezing is objectively better than Muk because of Levitate, more coverage options, and last ditch effort Explosion/Destiny Bond for the end-game when you're done with it. Maybe low B tier at best.

[@ceci905]

I wanted to give you some (unasked for) input on the design of this video, when you show the abilities i think the sound effect is really good but the text was a little bit hard to discover and read! Maybe a bigger box on the bottom of the screen (that fades out so it's not in the way when you move on) could be an improvement? Really enjoyed the video, love nerd pokemon talk! Cheers, loving the Inclement Emerald run too!!🥰

[@pokadotplot]

Have you ever considered doing a run in blue/ red? Or is gen 1 just too old to enjoy (due to graphics, weird type advantages, lack of certain move types, etc)?

[@IndexInvestingWithCole]

Thanks Flygon from the FlygonHG youtube channel! I cant wait to download BLOODLINE: HEROES OF LITHAS while finding out the best and worst encounters for pokemon fire red and leaf green nuzlockes!

[@The_CretinCreature]

npc energy

[@bigrat8402]

bro's a straight npc

[@nielsmokkenstorm5779]

Loved your analysis of Slobro; one minor note is that Slowbro actually doesn't learn Slack Off until gen IV.

[@hekirb3382]

"You're not gonna use this for lorelei because she has too many Ice types" *flashback to my nuzlocke where both my gyarados and snorlax got frozen on their 1st turn out and wouldn't thaw out so I had to send out vileplume and clutch a win with a few solar beams*

[@qorv4973]

Vileplume has almost the same stats as Venusaur, but the speed makes it take a lot more hits than you want it to.

[@mikebieser4175]

Awesome vid! Definitely the best firered tier list I’ve seen. I agree with almost every single placement.

[@newergamer7974]

Thanks for still making content like this I watch most your locks and videos and they never fail to be interesting while they last :)

[@izme1000]

Your humor is part of why I come back. "Fruit punch from a chalice, and playing fetch."

[@jdlopez912]

Actually just started my first ever nuzlocke in Fire Red, thanks for posting this!

[@Squirtle_Squad_Supremacy]

Nice! (Choose Squirtle)

[@MysticlLemonLimes]

Have you ever thought about doing a Nuzlocke tutorial video? Something more catered to people who have never done one, where you go through each major fight and their biggest threats, and then some good ways to counter them? Maybe even important item locations, ways to guarantee certain spawns?

[@j.m.g2417]

By the way, Tauros having Intimidate, being very fast with a respectable 100 Atk stat + Return, in my opinion, at least high B-tier, maybe even low A-tier. It is difficult to get, but a very, very good Pokemon and far better than Kangaskhan / Chansey.

[@zeoxyman]

Generally agree, I would put Poliwrath in mid B. Probably some personal experience bias here, but here's my case: - It gets Damp, which is very helpful to stop things from exploding on Cycling Road and in the Koga fight. - The stats are very average, but Surf + Brick Break + Ice Beam makes for great coverage. And EVs kinda do the rest. It will kill the last 2 gyms, and definitely help vs Lance. - It's super available by fishing in cities once you get the Good Rod. To the point where, if you play with a fairly loose Dupes Clause, you can actually catch multiple if the first one dies or doesn't have Damp (or if you want the Jynx trade). Water Stones are buyable too, so that's also not a problem. So maybe give the swirly boy some love if you do another water mono locke. I agree he's still one of the weaker water types, but I'd say he's better than Golduck probably. :-)

[@DanielCornwall519]

Also Leftovers are in Fire Red & Leaf Green, if you have the itemfinder go stand on the exact tiles where the 2 Snorlax we’re sleeping and use the item finder and you can get 2 Leftovers. ;)

[@TheGamingCamel22]

Firered is a game I've Nuzlocked a few times, and I have to say, Dodrio with Attack EV training on Cycling road (using Vs Seeker on trainers with Machops, Mankey, etc.) is friggin insane, I would honestly put Dodrio as High A Tier easily.

[@MrJcalvino]

My man. Ev training in Attack and Speed, learn Return and you OHKO Sabrina and in the League sweep Bruno and Agatha and fairly good against Blue . Stab Return and Drill Peck is too good.

[@urpalalis]

overall really enjoyable video! fr/lg are some of my most played pokemon games and it's cool to see your perspective on different evolution lines (also really glad to see someone give venusaur the respect it deserves). I agree with almost every single placement except clefable. I'd personally put clefable in s tier because it gets softboiled+calm mind guaranteed and has access to great coverage moves (or just boltbeam if you grind coins). it can easily take down 4/6 of the final battles in the game unassisted. also a slight correction: chansey has access to seismic toss in these games via the move tutor in the pewter city museum. pretty much irrelevant because of how impossible chansey is to get, but the option is there.

[@cellgoondude]

Just a quick note that Seismic Toss is actually in this game as a tutor and pretty early so Chansey would have a chance to just slam people.

[@jesseo2103]

I’m not sure how well your tier lists do numbers wise but they’re so great and entertaining. This one was a bit more serious than usual as well haha. Anyways great video!

[@toadfanatic]

Slowbro doesn't get Slack Off in FRLG, it's an exclusive move to the Slaking line. Slowbro can still learn Rest along with a billion other useful moves, so it's still an S tier pick IMO

[@HamsterBoom]

How can i open KZbin everyday, and get a unseen flygon video, and be just as excited. I appreciate your content so much, the way you do, you. It’s so comforting in these dark times and personal stuff as everyone else’s has, and I hope everyone who reads this, has a wonderful time watching this culminating masterpiece of a video❤

[@samthedigital]

I guess that this is late, but I think that Cloyster is maybe a tad underrated; it gets Shell Armor, and I find that this can be fairly useful.

[@ssjmatt8424]

Thank you for this guide for sure. But I want to try my first nuzlocke in probably one of my favourite games, Pokemon Y. But I will definitely do my second in this game.

[@barscsdk7903]

Hey! I have a Nuzlocke idea for you. It name is Nuzlocked. You can use your pokemons on your catching order. Quick sample: If you catched bulbasaur rattata pidgey weedle geodude and zubat. If you want to use new pokemon you need to release or kill your pokemon in your team use 7th pokemon you catched. Other rules: you need to catch first pokemon when you get encounter in that route (Repels are allowed after the first encounter.) I think it will be a good nuzlocke challenge for using early game pokemons and if you want to use stronger pokemons you need to sacrifice your pokemons. Thank you.

[@griffincrowley1349]

Oh! I love these ones! Keep doing the other generations- it is super helpful to a newer nuzlocker ❤️

[@indigotyrannova6113]

Leftovers is in the game. Twice as both are underneath the spots of the snorlax's. Ya gotta use the itemfinder

[@manyhands9240]

Butterfree is an absolute beast of an early game mon, status powders help alot especially sleep powder with dream eater, always loved having a Butterfree early game

[@handocommando4090]

I just completed a fire red hardcore Nuzlocke, my championship team was venusaur, haunter, dragonite, lapras, rhydon, and snorlax. Lapras and snorlax with leftovers is OP

[@lumineinfinitussilverkagat8094]

Solid list, the few notes I have are you can get Seismic Toss for Chansey since there's a move tutor that teaches it when you get the Old Amber, though I'm not sure how useful that is since I've never been able to get Chansey in a nuzlocke. Regarding Mr.Mime if you're only able to use Kadabra then it and Mr.Mime are pretty equal in terms of stats, Kadabra has slightly better Sp.Atk and Speed but Mr.Mime has higher Sp.Def, Mr.Mime does get boosted exp for being a traded Pokemon and it always has a timid nature while the Abra you catch could have a nature that hinders it(I know natures don't matter too much but you never know when that 10% difference in a stat might be a factor in an important battle) Mankey I feel is almost necessary if you pick Charmander but otherwise I'd say the 3rd best fighting type if you can't use Machamp, Geodude is great if you pick Bulbasaur since it deals with the rival's Charmander line and Lt.Surge. and I usually get a lot of use out of it up till the 7th gym.

[@VALDiesel01]

definitely gonna watch this before bed tonight! your videos are so chill to watch before bed lol. i'm game for these types of videos altaria!!

[@mazharsiddiqi7288]

Another great video Leaf Green is my most replayed Pokémon game to date so was cool to learn something about the Pokémon I've used and have yet to use

[@jiffbombastic3694]

This is irrelevant, but I wish the gen 2 starters had the psychic, dark, and fighting type added to them. GF has a tendency to not give out secondary types to starters that make too much sense to have one, particularly when they introduce a new type to that generation. I thought about this when you brought up Poliwrath, since I thought Feraligatr would’ve been a great fighting type. Typhlosion looks like a dark type and would greatly benefit from another special STAB, Meganium as well with the psychic typing.

[@c_f0rce]

Not giving out dual type starters? Why do people just make up this stuff. You mean, Venusaur, Charizard, Swampert, Blaziken, Infernape, Empoleon, Torterra, Emboar, Chesnaught, Delphox, Greninja, Decidueye, Incineroar, Primarina. The majority of starters have dual typings. Gold and Silver and Sword and Shield are the only gens where every starter doesn't have a secondary typing.

[@jiffbombastic3694]

@@c_f0rce I meant that there are many starters that are monotypes when they could greatly benefit from a secondary type that makes sense for it. I think it’s a missed opportunity particularly when they introduce a new typing to a generation then don’t include it with their starters when it only makes sense to.

[@clarkkent1616]

@@jiffbombastic3694 then say that instead of prefacing your premise with a blatant exaggeration. that’s one of the biggest problems in all online discourse and ppl need to realize how regressive that is

[@jiffbombastic3694]

@@clarkkent1616 hey I fixed it guy. Don’t get mad.

[@clarkkent1616]

@@jiffbombastic3694 i can be mad all i want. it’s worth getting mad about. just say what you mean the first time, not after getting called out for spreading misinformation

[@abrarkadabrar7829]

Nuzlockes are fun and challenging, especially with hard core rules. I'd like to see some other challenges from you possibly, like MahDryBread with solo runs or weird niche challenges like move set limitations or two type nuzlockes maybe. A challenge that I did back in the day on a Leaf Green rom, when Legend of Korra was relevant and booming, was an Avatar Elemental challenge, where you can use 4 types per element for the 4 elements. Water has Water, Ice, Grass, and Poison. Fire has Fire, Electric, Dragon, and Dark. Earth has Rock, Ground, Steel, and Fighting. Air has Flying, Psychic, Ghost, and Fairy. Normal and Bug types are neutral because they're not really elements. There was a post on deviantart that posted the full rule set which may or may not still be there. I went by those and did a Air run so I could use Charizard and get the Haunter line and stack up with Psychic types. Wasn't really a challenge by the end lol. Idk. That's something I think you may have fun with. It's kind of like a solo run but with a slightly expanded type accessibility, which may or may not screw with your dupes. Idk. Maybe add nuzlocke rules on top of it or just catch like all grass and water types in the same route and pull up at a gym with like potentially 5 different types for different major battles in the game. You can have a bit more flexibility with this challenge. All I played with was the type rule and the death rule so if my Pokémon fainted then bye bye. I over leveled for a few gyms. Maybe you might not need to.

[@bunnyhat-cm7fx]

Nidoking can learn water pulse and shock wave/ the one surge gives to you so it sweeps your rivals team unless you need pick squirrel but it will always beat 5/6 of your rivalsteam

[@rutgerkoenders6527]

FlygonHG: Electabuzz! Subtitles: Venusaur

[@piercehabberfield536]

Something I think is pretty cool is that if this was a tier list for RBY there would definitely be some differences, mostly due to the special split not happening and some of the other various gen one mechanics. Most notably, Chansey and Tauros, while still safari zone encounters, they are both kind of monsters. Chansey has a really high special, and Tauros can just click body slam and hyper beam and kill a lot of serious threats. Those two and Snorlax basically dominate RBY OU. Normal and Psychic are by far the two best types in gen one

[@karanthenoob5927]

Lance doesn't have chairzard in this game

[@ikesileth2270]

Hitmonlee in my opinion is high A tier because it learns both endure and reversal by level up. This lets it absolutely smash through bruno, a good chunk of blue’s team, lance’s aerodactyl and dragonairs, and half of lorelai (though watch out for hail!). Kangashkhan can also do this, but it is slower and doesn’t have STAB on reversal

[@mrpiccionedivino5598]

At what level he learns both moves?

[@justinchoy476]

@@mrpiccionedivino5598Learns both by 51 which is within the level cap of Blue. That being said, its a cheese strat so be careful.