The BEST (And Worst) Encounters For Your Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 Nuzlocke!

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This video is meant to be a resource for people who want to start Nuzlocking! But, these are just my thoughts and opinions, don't take anything too seriously! Thanks for watching!
Time Stamps
0:00 - Introduction & Ranking Criteria
00:56 - Overall Thoughts on Nuzlocking Black 2 & White 2
02:58 - Major Threats
07:53 - Starters & Early Game Encounters
21:15 - Burgh & Elesa Split Encounters
36:44 - Clay & Skyla Split Encounters
47:07 - Drayden Split Encounters
58:20 - Late Game Encounters
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#Pokemon #Gaming #Nuzlocke #HardcoreNuzlocke #Rankings

[@omarbaziz6344]

Love how the encounters are presented in actual encounter order and not dex order, thats what this kind of videos need !

[@lochievaughan9323]

oh i know right! Pokemon Challenges does his tier lists (which are great) but this is the missing link.

[@camillalapolentona8420]

Although Unova encounter order Is pretty much the dex order

[@TheFourthBlackReaper]

Fun fact! There are actually 6 Pokemon that can have Sturdy that are not Rock or Steel type: -Pineco [Bug] -Donphan [Ground] -Sawk [Fighting] -Bergmite [Ice] (Hidden Ability) -Avalugg [Ice] (Hidden Ability) -Cosmoem [Psychic]

[@fluffythecat2113]

Damn, there were six and I couldn't think of a single one 😅

[@spencerbrummett6712]

I was so excited when I remembered avalugg, then I realized I have donphan in a draft league rn and knew something wasn't right. Maybe he meant fully evolved mons with sturdy as of B2W2?

[@TheFourthBlackReaper]

@@spencerbrummett6712 That would make sense, also I’m not sure if Cosmoem really counts as I don’t think you can actually use it in-game, but I don’t 100% remember, I haven’t played Gen 7 in a while…

[@spencerbrummett6712]

@@TheFourthBlackReaper I feel like you can get cosmog as a gift in post game, bc I remember leveling one up and you'd have to to fill the dex page, right? But still not applicable in a nuzlocke sense bc I'm pretty sure they both don't learn any moves and it's post game.

[@TheFourthBlackReaper]

@@spencerbrummett6712 I kinda remember it being something like that, but I thought you just might have gotten to scan it once Nebby evolved from a Cosmog but before they evolve into whichever Box Legendary you get and go with you afterwards.

[@jacobtarallo7079]

the guaranteed hidden grotto cincinno with skill link is amazing. Guaranteed 5x hit on tail slap, rock blast, bullet seed is really powerful even towards the late game.

[@Ash-Hole2000lmao]

Yea especially with encore,charm,captivate or tickle as good support options for that 4th move slot or wake up slap for steel types but I would go for support. Scope lens or kings rock also gives it a strong hold item for hax to brute force stuff it normally can't kill.

[@kristianpomida8259]

​@@Ash-Hole2000lmaosadly kings rock is post game

[@bestbeekeeper8931]

Dr. HG did not mention this, but one of the things that makes Stoutland work for so long is early access to return and silk scarf. If you're not a bad person and Stoutland likes you, you get a version of return which has close to 150 base power*, accounting for STAB and assuming silk scarf. That plus intim, decent natural bulk, and a base 110** attack stat is pretty darn good into more than you might think *actually well over 150! i did my math thinking STAB was ×1.2, for whatever reason. Silk scarf is 1.2, STAB is 1.5, so 102×1.5×1.2=183(and change)! **100, actually. i am a goober

[@that-guy-pearce]

Tragically only base 100 in gen 5 but still, very true

[@bestbeekeeper8931]

@@that-guy-pearce I did not know it was only 100 in gen 5. Learn something new every day, I guess. Still respectable for single player

[@keksauce]

if you account for STAB it's way stronger than 150 BP 102 * 1.2x from Silk Scarf * 1.5 from STAB is very powerful

[@bestbeekeeper8931]

@@keksauce thought STAB was 1.2 for whatever reason, my bad!

[@N12015]

Stoutland is basically the gen 5 Kanghaskan: Fast enough, bulky enough and strong enough for the adventure so it always has uses. I would say it's better in Black/White though due to less steel and rock types.

[@deathmerchant4565]

Would be cool to now see a B2 nuzlocke using the top and bottom pokemon of each tier!

[@dylanboczar999]

I think it'd be more interesting to just see a B2 nuzlocke with the top tiers excluded. Have a specific prescribed team would be too limiting I think.

[@matthewcline5040]

@@dylanboczar999 could do two and use the top half and another with the bottom half. But could readjust if one is to limiting

[@TheMadJellyfish]

@@dylanboczar999 B2/W2 but only C tier or lower would be neat

[@Sporeheroforwii]

He could do a bw2 snaplocke

[@Sporeheroforwii]

He could do a bw2 snaplocke

[@karabancha]

I love the unova nuzzlockes. Mostly because of the original's "no past gen pokemons before postgame"

[@Kotenekrazy]

I high-key wish there were a rom like Blaze Black/ Volt White that is just a more challenging updated version of the game, but keeps the original dex. Heck I kinda wish that were the case for all those type of romhacks

[@iSearchYoutube]

@@Kotenekrazy But Blaze Black isn't locked to the Unova dex, you have other region mons available as encounters from the start

[@mgmf46]

@@iSearchKZbin that’s what they’re saying

[@iSearchYoutube]

@@mgmf46 I read it as "wish there were a rom like BB/VW" as in a rom like them that is an updated difficulty mod with the same dex Not "a game like BB/VW but not altering the dex"

[@johncarlonalaunan4991]

17:20 audino renegerator carried my team until drayden, it's super good for pivot switching especially when you need to pp stall some special attacks or just generally taking hits and damaging back the opponent with rocky helmet, if i dont get ferrothorn i keep audino as my main shock absorber ❤️ plus it's great with triple/rotation battles(pesky ace trainers)

[@wienerrrrrrrrrrr]

Regenerator mons in general are just so good in any game. Amoongus saved my most recent run by being able to single-handedly take on the fighting type e4 member after I lost my plan A to a crit.

[@rattyxoxo7397]

Emolga absolutely deserves to be higher as a fast mon who gets Encore in the Skyla split and has a very common immunity to switch in on and just win in certain matchups. Provided it has passable speed, it can switch in on every E4 ground move, outspeed and Encore the user, then paralyse with T-Wave, spam Flash, set up Screens, Volt Switch or even just let Emolga chip it down while continually Encoring whenever it runs out. A near guaranteed Electric type in a ton of shaking grass spots is also fantastic for Skyla, and Static has some utility in getting other good electric mons more reliably. I also think this should be taken into consideration with Magnemite’s ranking as well, as Magnet Pull makes Metagross, Skarmory, Aggron, Ferrothorn and Bisharp all far more accessible, who all are immensely useful mons

[@spindash64]

Encore into Volt Switch was key for gimping HaxRus

[@marcustulliuscicero5443]

Repeling at level 38 in doubles grass gives a 75% chance to encounter Skarmory, which is greater than the 50% chance from Magnet Pull. Also Aggron is an (almost) guaranteed encounter.

[@rattyxoxo7397]

@@marcustulliuscicero5443 magnet pull doesnt decrease the chance down to 50%, it adds an additional coin flip at the beginning. In the case of the doubles grass Repel manip you have a 50% chance to guaranteed get Skarm, then a 75% chance to get Skarm, so odds become 7/8 rather than the 3/4 without. It's not a massive increase, but any increase in chance to get such a fantastic mon is worth it. Magnet Pull also triples the odds of Aron on each floor of Mistralton Cave (20% -> 60%), though granted you probably will have the Boldore and Woobat dupes. theres no downside to using Magnet Pull unless you specifically want a mon that's not steel, which is hardly ever a thing considering how strong most every single available steel type is, and having it just makes getting those mons so much more reliable and less prone to getting rng screwed

[@marcustulliuscicero5443]

@@rattyxoxo7397 That's actually great to know, TIL. However, if you want to Magnet Pull Manip with Zone you have to not bring it against Skyla, which depending on your encounters beforehand can make that fight a bit tricky. Also since Mistralton Cave is two encounters (Mistralton Cave proper and Guidance Chamber), by repelling with a level 30 Foongus you can (almost) guarantee getting both Aggron and Haxorus.

[@aidanpeterbio]

Emolga is special for me, it was the first solo run I ever did on X

[@naftalilipman8153]

Challenge idea: mirror match! For each boss you have to mach their type specialty. For the water gym leader, only water types. Any Giovanni fight, only ground types. You can select any type before your encounter, and choose only between the mons of that type on that route. This way you won't get softlocked by ban encounter luck. Have fun!!!

[@naftalilipman8153]

If you see this Mr HG pls say something so I know, even if you're not interested, that I should stop posting this hoping you'll see it lol ❤

[@RULERZREACHF4N6146]

Cool idea

[@mrwaffleman8732]

​@@naftalilipman8153 parasocial 😨

[@owololcat]

This is actually pretty cool! I'd allow catching multiple pokemon to make up for the fact you might not have the type you need if you go with 1 encounter per route if I played with this idea.

[@dragoniteisbased]

Brock in fire red and leaf green:

[@gonzatek2965]

Fun fact: you have a 50/50 chance of getting a Metang or a Ditto, by using the repel strat in the Giant Chasm (crater forest), that's because only these 2 Pokémon can appear at level 47

[@Glowvie]

This is so helpful because i just started a nuzlocke on Black 2 and im STRUGGLING My first two encounters were Purrloin and SUNKERN 😭😭 Needless to say they died soon after

[@thetakerofknees9737]

That does not bode well for the rest of your run

[@spindash64]

I actually took a Sunflora to the Hall of Fame once. She didn’t do Jack to anyone in the league, but it still worked out, so

[@stevie1493]

Lapras has access to ice beam before Drayden and absolutely should be your Village Bridge target with dupes clause if you already have the Marill line

[@pauldralle8882]

Absolutely, if you happen to get Marill at Floccessy Ranch, get Basculin at Route 14 (where it's 70% to be your surf encounter), and you guarantee yourself a STAB Ice Beam user for Drayden :)

[@anya5054]

I would actually like to briefly correct a small assumption made in this video - it turns out you _can_ access Chargestone Cave before fighting Clay! so this means you can get an earlier magnezone, god bless Oh, and the Chargestone Cave encounter table too. If you're wondering if any of those encounters would be good into Clay, here's my general take: No. Don't even think about it, really. Joltik is a very small Bug/Electric Type who is threatened by the rock coverage Krokorok and Excadrill have while not being able to do much in turn, and Galvantula comes after the level cap Tynamo might be immune to Ground but it also cannot meaningfully damage any of Clay's Pokemon (with another evolution that is levels above the cap!) Klink is weak to Ground and can't _also_ evolve yet Nosepass is either singularly weak or doubly weak depending on if you use Chargestone Cave to evolve it ...and okay, Ferroseed's actually a decent enough counter + wall for Clay with Eviolite & Seed Bomb, but you probably have better counters already planned (like, say, that guaranteed Serene Grace Deerling you can get from the Weather Building on Route 6 already)

[@HonkHonkGoose776]

I did know that, but I never did because why would you need magnezone for clay

[@marcogypaetus9607]

Serene Grace on deerling is not that good tho, its movepool has very little that can take advantage of it

[@anya5054]

@@marcogypaetus9607 oh yeah, 100%. it's more about the fact that it is a Guaranteed Encounter than anything else - you don't have to gamble on getting something good on that route when you can know that there is in fact a decent grass-type that can learn Fighting-type moves, perfect for the nearby ground gym.

[@ramrose3769]

The u-turners, volt switchers, and magic guarders may be a little too low but very, very accurate list. Appreciated Sir

[@justamothygirl2143]

Black 2 was one of the first nuzlockes i ever completed, and I remember losing my starter (samurott) to drayden, and replacing it with the world's most badass golduck, that thing carried me so hard through the rest of the game.

[@ravenscar6348]

Golduck praise let’s go-! 🦍

[@imn_fauler6098]

Fun fact: u can get heracross in black 2 and pincer in white 2 via hidden grotto but the chance are so small it is like a 0,015% chance or something, it is in the hidden grotto u can find the monkes

[@g1829]

Between you and Chuggaconroy, I’m glad there’s a resurgence in BW2 content!

[@phantomnotesca]

and Chugga has a Trapinch on his team, which is very cool to see

[@nishant9289]

As someone who did a hardcore nuzlocke of this game, I'm hoping Garbodor to be B or even A tier Pokémon. Yes, GARBODOR! Both of my fighting types fainted and I my only bug type was shelmet which couldn't evolve! So I really had no solid plan against Grimsley. I ultimately decided using the toxic spikes and switching to stall his Pokémon a bit and then deal damage. But this wasn't a good idea either because my only Dark resist was Weavile. Regardless, I trained my boxed Trubbish. And after levelling Garbodor up to level 45 I realised ... This thing gets DRAIN PUNCH? A combination of Drain Punch and Toxic Spikes along with defense EVs invested in Garbodor made that battle so much easier. I still can't stress enough how much I underestimated Garbodor. It's bad in competitive, but actually decent in nuzlockes. So that's my viewpoint of why Garbodor should be that high: Toxic Spikes. Toxic Spikes are quite good against Grimsley, even better against Marshall and amazing against Iris too. Garbodor is an actual good Elite 4 'mon, especially with drain punch. Other valuable and semi-valuable moves include toxic, clear smog, venoshock etc.

[@TheGodIvy]

Im too lazy to fact check this but theres probably a better pokemon that can set up toxic spikes, and if you can get that pokemon, Garbodors use instantly goes down

[@nishant9289]

@@TheGodIvy Roserade, Amoongus, Drapion or muk? Understandable. Roserade just feels a bit frail to set up toxic spikes, grimer is very unlikely, thus leaving only three players. Obviously Drapion is superior here but in my playthrough I couldn't even run up into a skorupi, thus leaving very few toxic spikes setters and because Garbodor was one of them, it automatically became good for my team.

[@kingcutha1448]

Lilagant also gets pedal dance own tempo making it have a 120 move no downsides

[@raytheman5316]

Tho it does get locked on petal dance

[@kayramah2531]

​@@raytheman5316not like it gets better coverage

[@raytheman5316]

@@kayramah2531 true sadly :c

[@Agumame]

My guy, that bit at the beginning explaining the hard fights and why theyre hard was awesome. it added so much to the video cause it makes so much of the ranking easier to understand and see your logic

[@jasonandrews1770]

I will prob never run a nuzlocke. But i will always care about the logic and strategy behind running one. Great stuff

[@Nuclearstomp]

That was honestly a really fun tier list. It was really cool to see you talk about the non-Gen 5 Pokemon here when I more recently played B/W instead of B/W 2 and it kind of makes me want to return to B/W 2 sometime soon. Anyways, it's time for me to once again recommend returning to a No-Same Type Moves Nuzlocke. This time I'll re-recommend Black / White (Or even Black/White 2 if you want) because of the tier list and also because I actually played through that one with the No-Same Type Moves Challenge.

[@noahwizda2924]

Ferrothorn is an extremely good counter for all of draydens team. Use iron defense turn one followed by ingrain to prevent being dragon tailed out of the battle and then go until you reach max defense. At this point the ai sort of breaks and attempts to spam dragon tail untill the end of the battle due to the stat raises on the ferrothorn then just sweep with iron head or any other move. I could be wrong but I just beat drayden in my nuzlocke using this strategy so if you are looking for a hard counter ferrothorn works perfect.

[@aidanrmacgregor7537]

Hey Flygon, do a *Hardcore Nuzlocke but Every Pokemon is Used Wrong*! For Pokemon with excellent physical attack, use only special moves, and vice versa!

[@ryanmahon2956]

Love this idea

[@omarbaziz6344]

Man i have just rewatched some old tierlists this week and thought that i would love to see more of those ! Thanks Doctor

[@ado-]

the encounters in this game can be so CRAZY! can't wait to see the rankings

[@Galastan]

You can technically grind a Pickup mon in order to obtain a King's Rock for fling strats. Chuggaaconroy got one in his playthrough around the Virbank Complex. It's a 1% chance between levels 11 and 30, so definitely not likely but it's an option if you want to use Gliscor.

[@gavinlee9999]

Loved this vid. Hope to see more tier list videos soon. Especially for Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon

[@kamig2127]

51:04 A slight error, Mantine in this gen doesn't get access to Roost. Mantine didn't receive Roost until Gen 7 where it's a move relearner move that it learns at level 1.

[@justinchoy476]

Put that man in b tier

[@roethedoe]

I CANNOT WAIT TO WATCH THIS!! I love ranking videos. I've done a handful of lockes in Black2, with pokemon who surprised and disappointed me so I cannot wait to see where they may rank

[@CoffeeFlavoredMilk]

My heart sank when I realized that Camerupt's bulk is like 70/70/70 and is slow as hell to boot. I actually like using him in Emerald (yes the water but still) but I imagine he gets powercreeped hard in this game.

[@bigjwill]

yeah it doesn't make sense for it to be frailer than CHANDELURE of all things (60/90/90)

[@delaneymcdonell5774]

I used Surperior in my White 2 nuzlocke and this thing with Coil and Leaf Blade/Storm was destructive it actually made me like Surperior quite a bit

[@MillsMonstrosity007]

Tried a run of White 2 a few months ago and wiped to Shauntal. Got pretty frustrated and set it down for a while. Gonna give it another go after seeing this video. Thanks for the encouragement!

[@teamfriendsquad8079]

Good luck man you will nail it this time 👍

[@murarmight]

Love your videos so much Flygon! Makes me happy to watch them

[@holdommi7505]

This is a really interesting video and I’m really looking forward to other games getting this treatment!

[@johnbuffalo4300]

Hello everyone! I'm currently doing my third attempt at this games' nuzlocke - always wiping to random Victory Road trainers, by the way - and I would love to give you some tips that in my opinion might help you further. 1)Keep in mind some apparently useless pokemons' abilities are broken. A pokemon with Static such as Mareep - if first in your team - boosts your chances of getting Magnemite in Virbank's complex if you're playing Black 2 (White 2 has wild Elekid there instead of Magby, so you wouldn't really make a profit if you want a Magnemite) and Joltik in Chargestone Cave (in this case Elekid too can be used). Keep in mind electric type 'mons - quick ones especially - are very useful as they can learn Volt Switch, the only repositioning move if you forbid yourself U-Turn's TM, which is only available via PWT. Most importantly, if you don't get a Magnemite without Sturdy - a broken ability - consider that the other one, Magnet Pull, *might be* almost better, as it boosts your chances of encountering Pawniard, Skarmory and Metang in their own locations. Another broken utility pokemon you can get is Eevee: once you get to Castelia City, be sure to get yourself one with repel manipulating strats (if you want to), because not only it can evolve in what you want depending on its stats/nature, but most importantly both Espeon and Umbreon have Synchronize, which means if you put them first in the party they will boost the chances of you finding wild 'mons with the same nature. I would give an arm to get myself a neutral nature (or a special attack hindering nature) Sandile instead of the thousand 0 IVS quiet nature I have found... 2)There is a static Minccino encounter in Route 5 and it has Skill Link. Not only it is thousand times better than a regular Minccino, but by getting it you can also reroll it on Route 4, which is the route with arguably the strongest guaranteed encounters. Also, consider making a capture in Desert Resort first, 'coz you might make it so that you get both Darumaka and Sandile there and then on Route 4. 3)I have no idea what the heck does My brother FlygonHG have against Claydol but I think it's a beautiful guaranteed pokemon which can be great when paired up with steel stypes - Magnezone, Bisharp and Aggron especially - making wonderful cores. Don't go for Sandile in the Relic Castle - I never found it - and don't go for Volcarona either: that thing is just broken. If you need a fire type get the guaranteed Litwick and if you need a bug type... Nah, man. You don't. Maybe Galvantula, okay? Or Leavanny. Yeah. And by the way if you truly are getting a Claydol be sure to make it PHYSICALLY defensive. Not specially. The late game special attackers in Black 2 and White 2 are just too strong and one non-resisted move - especially if it crits - is gonna kill you anyway. 4)Let me get this straight: I don't know what Mr OneballHG was smoking before taking this video - though I'd be happy to share it - but you definitely SHOULD get Sewaddle on Route 20 (not really worth it in later locations IMHO, though). First of all you are VERY likely to, as Sewaddle has a 35% spawn rate on Route 20 (the highest rate on that route), but most importantly you better know this: in the very early game, Sewaddle's line is BROKEN. Solid attack, defense and speed stat(s); Bug Bite - virtually 90 power with STAB - learnt at level 8 and String Shot in its moveset already: with these two you *EAT* Cheren (unless you get very unlucky with nature/IVs). It then gets Razor Leaf and Protect; evolves into Swadloon at level 20 *AND THEN* into Leavanny at level 21 (you're gonna walk a lot to find and fight Audino(s) so happyness is gonna get skyhigh in no time), at that point Leavanny just solo-eats Burgh's entire team and his Leavanny's Sitrus Berry with Bug Bite. It's just an amazing early game encounter. It later falls off pretty damn hard and pretty damn fast too, especially once you reach Reversal Mountain and Route 13, but with those solid stats and STAB moves (including Leaf Blade, X-Scissors and Swords Dance) you can always make some use of it, not to mention it quad-resists ground and grass type moves. Also, it can be very useful against Clay, as Leftovers and Protect offer good recovery and will help you smash both Krokorock and Sandslash, although you will need your starter then to get rid of his Excadrill (Eviolite Dewott pairs up pretty good). To play safer, you might need a sacrifice material for free switch-in(s), but I'm pretty sure you will have a lot of sack material at that point, such as any Route 6 encounter, for example. Good luck with your journey my friends!

[@rhonetalsma3089]

Such a huge fan of your content - you're the GoGOAT. It would be so cool if you did these for other games especially SV! I do Gym Leader Challenges with some hardcore nuzlocke rules and I find these tier lists really helpful and interesting.

[@psugamele8]

This video is great!!! Would love to see videos for the other games as well!

[@ArgyleKatt]

Could you do this but for Pokémon Ultra Sun and Moon? I think those games are some of the hardest in the series with it’s plethora of potential run enders and tough early game, so I’d be interested to see your thoughts on those games’ encounters.

[@nishant9289]

Another request before beginning the video, please keep Sneasel in high A tier. That thing trivialises Iris HARD upon evolving. Black 2 was the first game I nuzlocked (along withhardcore mode, after inspiring from people like you, Silph, Andrew and so on). And I did Iris deathless, largely because of Weavile without even using Swords Dance. S Tier is not possible and I understand because Sneasel is available so late! EDIT: Yeah I know, Flygon HG didn't suggest B2 as the very first game to nuzlocke. And he's actually right. I remember breaking one of the rules of hardcore nuzlocke when while training for a substitute to my fire fighting starter, my mienfoo got crit by a wild tangela's giga drain (most of them knew only mega drain). I loaded my previous savestate, because I didn't want to get depressed with quickly following permadeaths and leave the nuzlocke in between 😅

[@nishant9289]

Oh, Weavile is S-Tier. Proud of him!

[@LilPendix10]

I love these! I hope you make this a mini series

[@LilPendix10]

Oh, I see it already is...oops lol

[@MetallicRose87]

I love this nuzlocke tierlist type of video, if you did this for the other games too that'd be super cool!

[@rocksnstarss]

currently attempting my own black 2 nuzlocke, this video came out at just the right time! thank you for making this

[@christianjans1057]

Ampharos has static for electric encounters so i would put it higher for sure. Walrein lefties ice body protect definitely viable for drayden though. But great list overall

[@mazharsiddiqi7288]

Awesome tier list Expected Krookodile and Excadrill as S tier Some of the other S tiers were surprising but your reasoning made sense

[@Balorak146]

This comes just in time for my attempt at a Monotype Lines Only run. Thanks!

[@MallowPokes]

I played a Black 2 challenge mode hardcore nuzlocke earlier this year and lost to Iris. Haven’t picked it back up since but you’ve inspired me to give it another try! Love your content, as always another quality video! Thank you!

[@TrunkaMonk]

Yay was waiting for a good video to listen to while doing school work

[@TheXehanorto]

Before the video, here’s hoping that Riolu is S++ Tier because that is an insane encounter for so early in the game.

[@DeftestAphid2]

My luck got me a damn psyduck...

[@dancook6114]

I would guess it won't be quite that high just because it's encounter rate is so low, so you can't rely on getting it. Its obviously a phenomenal pokemon if you can get it but the low odds probably knock its rating a bit since that is a stated criteria

[@Zoroarkarceus123]

​@@dancook6114 if you use dream radar, you can basically guarantee it

[@rook2215]

I restart runs till I get lucario or azu

[@melon42301]

No doubt THE best encounter

[@trippiehippie2967]

I was starting my W2 nuzlock and you post a video on encounters on the game it was destiny, love the video hope your day is nice.

[@Joenight100]

Did get Lucario early in a Nuzlocke run a bit back and it was wild how easy he made the early game

[@xxxplayer5xxx906]

Hey Flygon! I think a fun idea for a bw or b2w2 nuzlocke would be to do an N challenge where you can only use pokemon caught in the routes before the gym and must release all pokemon after beating a gym (not sure how it would fully work but you could fill in the in between). Would give an interesting twist on a non type exclusive nuzlocke run but I do understand that it would take a lot of time.

[@dragonhunterg6137]

I think Zoroark is slept on. Easy S-tier to me, with its absurd IVs (guaranteed 30 in each stat) plus hasty nature allow it to outspeed everything, and has access to HP-Fighting to curbstomp the entire elite 4 save Marshall

[@lunarixis9957]

Yeah, Illusion is also much more valuable than just a "niche" option, definitely think it's being a little undervalued here

[@yeta.]

Yeh it is good, easily goes S tier as long as you have a Poison type to bait Psychic moves into it

[@zaneheaston8254]

Wait, the Gift Zorua has access to Hidden Power Fighting, are you serious

[@dragonhunterg6137]

@@zaneheaston8254 yup, since it's guaranteed to have 30 IVs in each stat

[@mr.krustykrust]

@@zaneheaston8254pretty sure it’s 70 bp too

[@KG-jz8di]

Hi FlygonHD! Great video as always! I would love to see this for the original Black and White too.

[@NuriaFraga3]

Thank you so much i needed a good water type on my team

[@fussel5000]

That ad was pretty brilliant. The lengths you go through just for your sponsors.

[@subval]

Arcanine is surprisingly bulky. Rip In pieces JJ, you did your best. But Iris was just a little too strong.

[@idontwantahandlethough]

arcanini panini

[@patricklynch4074]

Excellent touch doing them in encounter batch order

[@hibuscis]

i really liked the wailord gag, not sure if anyone pointed it out but i appreciated it

[@mattypanella8027]

I love this video! I’m almost done with my HC Black 2 Nuzlocke (about to fight Ghetsis), and I might do another one because I didn’t know how good some of these Pokémon are (I caught freaking Yamask in Relic Castle instead of waiting for Volcarona)

[@teethcoat4274]

You could always give blaze black/volt white a go (1 or 2) if you want a bigger challenge

[@Duckular]

Thanks to this video I ended up beating a hardcore wedlocke of this game on challenge mode, and may I say that Mienshao is a REALLY good encounter to get. Acrobatics easily sweeps through Marshal and she easily one shots everything on Grimsly’s team and gets fake out for his Liepard. Fake out can also help deal with sturdy and Iris’ Haxorus, and regenerator is also just such a great ability, especially when paired with u-turn. Stab drain punch is also just really good too. All in all an excellent Pokémon that ended up carrying the team since it’s arrival and made it alive to the very end.

[@Nick-zb6xl]

I love these tier rankings! It would be very interesting to see a challenge where you go back and limit yourself to only the encounters in D or F tier and compare it to only using ones in S tier. While just using S would seem like a breeze, I’m sure it could present some challenges due to lack of encounters in the early / mid game

[@quinceekingston4335]

This was my second hardcore nuzlocke I ever did and used the steel type. Challenging but not too bad since steel is amazing.

[@dylansturdivant5404]

I ended up with a ton of psychic and ghost pokemon late game and trainers with Scrafty caused a lot of deaths. Definitely any mon that can deal with dark types are much appreciated.

[@libbyabsher5715]

I watch all of your videos, and I think that this is my favorite one because I caught myself wanting to play rather than wanting to watch! Thanks for all the great content!

[@matomi6296]

I have an idea for a nuzlocke run. You seem to like the concept of team building and it is honestly one of my favourite aspects of the game as well. So how about a run where you have to play the game with at most one active pokemon from each of the tiers that you have mapped out here?

[@johnny5247]

I love this video. Everytime i dont know what to watch i come back to it. Dont even know why

[@holdommi7505]

I think doing some illusion shenanigans with Zoruark and Crobat can be really fun if Zubat is your sewers encounter. Crobat 4x resists Zoruark’s weaknesses in Gen 5, so the trainer AI isn’t likely to use those types of moves if you have Zoruark out and Crobat as its illusion copy. It can be really good into psychic type pokemon, especially, because trainers thinking they can hit you with a super effective psychic will instead do 0 damage.

[@hatguy3119]

I love how the manscaped section is in the "mayor threats" part in the video

[@wibble03]

I love these videos, hope to see a Heartgold Soulsilver one in the future!!!

[@jonwoods4590]

i used an electabuzz for my white 2 nuzlocke and i would actually argue that it belongs in A tier bc low kick is a great answer to all those cryogonals and pawniards from team plasma and its ability to hold eviolite gives it surprisingly useful bulk in the mid/late game to add onto its great speed bc of thunder wave/static, mine lasted from virbank complex all the way to a crit from grimsley without leaving my team once :)

[@earthbloodelf5289]

As someone who decided to attempt a White 2 Nuzlocke maybe only having completely one before in Sword (I honestly can't remember if it got completed or not lol), this is really helpful to see what I need to look out for, there were definitely some in here that surprised me (Darmanitan, Crustle, Jellicent, Drapion, and Skarmory just to name a few) *Additional things I have to add about the early game is that because Sewaddle has pretty great defenses and a decent attack stat for the early game, having one with Bug Bite for Cheren's gym is a lifesaver, especially against the work up Lilipup. Then additionally, Stoutland with Silk Scarf Return is definitely a hard carry

[@mateobonavento3939]

Great timing. I'm currently doing my first B2W2 nuzlocke. It seems my current team consist of mostly top tier mons so I should be fine.

[@spindash64]

I know that Challenge mode is bugged to not update stats for higher levels, but I still think it makes for an overall fun increase to difficulty, for those who can unlock it: for one, the higher level trainers give you more Exp and resources to work with, without overdoing it like in some later games. For another, the movesets and parties of Gym Leaders are more dangerous, without being utter cheese. I’ve got some personal rankings for most of the dex myself by this point, but I suppose you’re the “old master” at this

[@NowiRiley]

1:03:13 There's a lot more than just 2 non Rock or Steel types with Sturdy- There's 4 (6 if you include the pre-evos Bergmite and Pineco): Sawk, Avalugg, Donphan, and Cosmoem.

[@gofglida4155]

I think that sandslash is a bit lower than it should be. It is a fantastic counter to clays excadrill because of its fantastic physical bulk and it can even take some of haxourus’s attacks well.

[@magnum_pig_2004]

This is what I've been waiting for. Great job, buddy.

[@SkullKidman]

I had done Nuzlockes using the 2 lowest tiers of all your previous tier lists... I guess it's time for me do another Nuzlocke using your tier list lol (Although I haven't really Nuzlocked in a good while, so I hope I'll manage fine if I can squeeze that Nuzlocke between me playing the new Zelda and the Ace Attorney trilogy among other things) The selection of D and F tiers look fun to play with

[@MoonDanceGames]

I’m literally Nuzlocking Black 2 right now! This video could not have come at a better time, thank you!!

[@pieoverlord]

Basculin being underestimated as always. Adaptability gives the fish a distressing amount of power and it's pretty darn speedy at base 98 to boot. At least B-tier, even as a sacrifice that goes down swinging.

[@GumyShark]

im having a bit of a shitty day right now, this video helped brighten it up a bit! thank you!

[@madmanmunch9142]

Beautiful video!

[@Teanis.]

Really enjoyed the video! thank you!

[@VerkatosEnsei]

I did my first Nuzlocke in White 2 on Challenge Mode, and it was brutal, but very fun I wanna do it again, since I didn't know about the level disparity, so I think this video will help a lot to see what I could maybe get (again) Unova's expanded Dex allows for a lot of variety, I feel

[@CherryblossomFoxx]

Lucario should be S-tier, it has more use cases than the others and even its frailty is covered by the fact that steel is op in that generation

[@oatmeal0]

I disagree. There’s ‘Mons that do Lucario’s job (outside of priority) much better, be it due to having either higher Attack, Speed, or even bulk. Heracross and Mienshao are much better options due to having higher base power moves and higher Attack (at 125) in general. Heracross’s better bulk allows it to pivot into attacks and smack around opponents with stuff like Megahorn and Night Slash for coverage. Getting Close Combat at level 34? Yes please. You can also get it relatively early in the game, in Lostlorn forest. Rare, but worth it. Meinshao on the other hand has MUCH higher speed (105) and thus can outspeed and annihilate anything that stands in its way with a nasty 130 base power high jump kick, which gives better odds of surviving attacks due to not lowering your defences like Close Combat does, Lucario’s (and disadvantageously Heracross’) best fighting move. And those are just some of the handful of fast attackers that do Lucario’s job better. Unless you’re grinding for that juicy Swords Dance Extreme Speed combo, Lucario isn’t worth it. You’re frail to begin with so resisted hits with that steel typing barely matter, you still take quite a chunk of health. The AI of gym leaders and E4 members isn’t stupid either. It’ll happily select neutral or (even worse) super effective moves and send Anubis here back to Egypt. Also Riolu is rare. B- in my opinion.

[@stans1091]

I’m currently doing a White 2 hardcore nuzlocke with max rare candies on my “Nintendo DSi” and I’ve lost twice to Colress, this is really helpful thank you!!!

[@Bruh_idk69lul]

58:10 Dewgong actually has a very, *very* niche trait, which is that, if you dont got many munz, seel learns dive by lvl up, allowing you to get the stuff in the 1st floor abyssal ruins before postgame. Lol

[@the_godbodor7026]

I’m glad that I can use two of my favorite Pokémon, Lilligant and Leavanny, in a nuzlocke without it being a detriment to my run and Garbodor I wasn’t expecting to be anywhere high, but I was honestly expecting F-tier, so D was a nice surprise.

[@councilhearts1514]

I enjoy these ranking contents. It's nice to hear you go into a bit more depth into why/why not things are good, instead of just slapping something into S tier and calling it a day.

[@XBeamChannel]

hey flygon. love your videos and watch all of them, is there a chance though that you can make the background music more quiet.

[@Lito027]

Great list. I surf spammed through a lot of the game with Golduck and Swanna on challenge mode. So I was sad to see them so low, but I kinda get it I guess.

[@GrandDuchessTaco]

Black 2 was actually my first Nuzlocke! I really enjoyed the run when I did it!

[@stevie1493]

Cofagrigus is a SOLID answer to Clay. Especially with 252 HP / 252 Def EVs. Switch in, Power split, WoW, and you've effectively cut it's attack by 1/4. With my calcs and EV spread the coffin could survive 2 critical hits from full HP, so you're guaranteed to get the power split off with the right EVs. Don't just box the Yamask. A similar strategy can be used against Haxorus. Mummy also removes Haxorus' mold breaker for sturdy strats. Great mon Edit: Also, the stat changes from power/guard split remain until the affected mon switches out, so when you switch the coffin out Excadrill will still have its attack dropped, softening the blow for your switch in

[@quiettitanoboa5096]

Something I notice is that most of the S-tier encounters don't come up early game, and they share a lot of typings; so while it may be easy, I think it'd be interesting to see a run where ONLY those encounters are allowed. No starter, no a-tier; the moment you get a magnemite you're stuck with that until you get more S-tier encounters. It might not be very difficult, especially in late game, but the limited typings might provide an interesting challenge (and maybe there could be a rule about having to go in underlevelled or similar restrictions). Or maybe it wouldn't be interesting at all, idk. D-tier Only might be a more interesting challenge; similarly limited pool of encounters, pokemon not seen often, and it would be just a bit easier than F-tier Only.

[@huskerjon6800]

I've never played blaze black 2 but after this video I'll have to give it a try on casual a few times w soft nuzlocke rules, seems super fun

[@girllloyd1214]

in my experience, serperior actually does pretty well into drayden due to bulk + it gets dragon pulse from move tutor

[@OshawottLuke]

1:03:14 At first I thought Avalugg and then wasn't sure if you meant in general or just mons that are in the game, which Avalugg clearly isn't. But also Pineco and Donphan get it in gen 5 and none of them are available in a nuzlocke of this game. Cosmoem gets it too which is funny. And coincidentally, you can get both Donphan and Pineco in this game, just after the league. Pineco through swarms, and Donphan evolving a Phanpy that you get through the trades with the Lost Xtransceiver side quest.

[@jamesanderson1139]

Pineco was def the answer

[@VaellinTheBard]

Not the first game I nuzlocked--that goes to HeartGold until I quit after a long grind and then immediately (dumbly) losing my dratini and magnemite--but it IS the first one I beat! With only Barbarian the Darmanitan as the survivor at the end

[@manuelferrari6685]

there's one category of encounters mostly ignored in a nuzlocke: the mob crushers. They are the sub-par pokemons that you don't mind losing and use for random trainers to not risk important members. Being able to play risky makes these pokemons much more effective than they seem, so even mediocre encounters like pinsir, unfezant or maractus can pull their weight and more.

[@manuelferrari6685]

@@FlygonHG you don't really need it, but if that excadrill is one of my few answers to a future boss, i'd rather risk the life of an easily replaceable pokemon. It's like carrying around a sacrifice for a clean switch in case something goes wrong in a gym. From personal experience I can assure you that it works great if you are not an expert, yet I've seen a lot of novices lose important encounters in random fights. It's just a strategy that might help new players, that's all.

[@Bruh_idk69lul]

Something to note about Castelia Park Encounters; Although Lilligant is only an encounter for W2, Route 4 has an ingame trade, being Petilil/Cottonee; that game's version for the other's.