Top 10 Strongest Pokémon in Gen 2!

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Top 10 Pokémon in Gen 2!
@Surfshark
Twitter: / thesmithplays
Instagram: / thesmithplays
Credits: Craig Livingstone (Production), Weebra (Editing) Business Inquiries: [e-mail]

[@smithplayspokemon]

Get an exclusive @Surfshark deal! Enter promo code SMITHPLAYS for an extra 3 months free at surfshark.deals/smithplays

[@Jelly_shy_guy_man]

Macop deez nuts

[@epicmarioplayer45]

what's the romhacking software you use?

[@JohnnyVincent420]

Smith i just want to say, i never played a rom hack, i love Pokémon and i had to play yours, im in love with it, please keep doing your great work for the Pokémon comunity, maybe one day after all the gen 1 and 2 work, you could do gen 3, im playing all your hacks in order too, much respect Smith i will 100% complete the rom thats how much i like it 👍

[@Fire_Crotch]

I'll never forget first playing through Silver when it first released and thinking that raising my Machoke to level 100 would make it evolve into Machamp. Aahhh the good old days. I also thought raising my Onix to level 100 would turn it into the Crystal Onix from the show.

[@H3XM4N1AC]

@@RealMendontdeletecommentsI used to think sudowoodo was A LEGENDARY

[@everybodywalktheDinosaur]

Dude it's so crazy me and you had the same experience lol my first level 100 pokemon was the machoke that chick trades you in goldenrod because of me not knowing you had to trade to evolve

[@JohnnyVincent420]

Dont worry first time i got out of Goldenrod city, i went to ilex forest and found a shiny Psyduck and i killed it, because i did not know what those sparkles were, and i kept playing like nothing happened 😅😅

[@H3XM4N1AC]

@@JohnnyVincent420 oh my god

[@JohnnyVincent420]

@@H3XM4N1AC yea man and then i got older and i learned what a shiny was, i instantly think of that moment and i realized i killed a shiny, Pokémon is a deep game 🤣👍

[@liuxaun8385]

When your mom is saving money, she buys you a moon stone around the time you're at Goldenrod. It's not late at all

[@briliantinoprihandikakhari6754]

AHAHAHA 😂😂😂😂😂 REAL MOMENT

[@luisgusta]

Yeah, you're right on Geodude, this is a very common Knowledge between nuzlockers. Rock/Ground types are amazing on regular playthroughs, and even Graveler will carry you through Johto. If you can evolve it to golem, it is even better. When I don't have full access, I usually use Graveler until the Victory Road, when I can replace it with a Rhydon for the E4.

[@TheSmithPlays]

rhydon is a BEAST

[@RyanNash20]

Rhydon is definitely a monster and would take #1 if it had geodudes availability, or even just better availability in general

[@ziqi92]

Lanturn was a critical Pokemon to acquire as soon as you defeated Whitney in Crystal. It’s incredibly useful in a game where Mareep is absent and can learn most of the HMs. With its bulk, it actually puts Whirlpool to good use in the Battle Tower because it also has access to Confuse Ray. Give it Leftovers and it’s very solid.

[@tablesalt2628]

Kadabra with thunderpunch makes electric types unnecessary on the team. Kadabra/Alakazam is just broken.

[@mikemckenzie3175]

Elekid/electabuzz is better

[@MerkhVision]

Wait, the Mareep line is unavailable in Crystal?? Why!? That’s so weird! It’s an iconic Johto Pokémon line!

[@ziqi92]

@@MerkhVision so they can continue to sell copies of GS

[@Mr.WhatzitTooya]

Such an underrated pokemon in that game

[@Hyparbeem526]

Your take on a single Pokemon game has been really refreshing because you talk about them within the context of *the game they are in.* I think nowadays, there are so many Pokemon games and so many Pokemon, that when people think of a single Pokemon, they are left with this weird overall impression of what they may have been like in one game or another, creating this inaccurate depiction of said Pokemon. For example, Tauros. It was one of the KINGS of RBY, but as time went on, it fell off. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't talk about its importance during the game that it was in. It says a lot more about RBY than it does about Tauros. I feel people would enjoy Pokemon a lot more if they focused more on the adventure aspect then just "Oh, Pokemon strong, Pokemon good, Pokemon weak, Pokemon bad." But your take makes Crystal feel like it's own experience, not just a footnote in where Pokemon got to today. It makes Pokemon Crystal itself feel like it has its own special place in the Pokemon Saga, which I think is really neat. Thanks for all your work on bringing it back to life with Crystal Legacy.

[@ShinyShilla]

In sun moon magnetone was such a good 'mon, caught it at the start just to spice things up on my team (I never cared for it) and it quickly became one of my favorite on the team. I play since Red/Blue came out so it's incredible what a simple playthrough utility can do to a 'mon

[@bvd_vlvd]

I have a similar obsession with gen 1 and it's even funnier because the way pokemon worked is even more different than other games. I was shocked while creating a gen 1 nuzlocke tier list (it isn't finished yet, but currently) the best pokemon in the game is, and there's no way you'll guess this, actually just Swords Dance Body Slam Kingler because setup moves and good defence can actually punch through anything. Poliwrath is pretty insane with amnesia and good defences but it's just that damn fighting type that was awful in gen 1 that put it a few spots below. Oh, I just got a shiny Totodile from soft resetting in soul silver. That's cool. You're my lucky comment

[@MarioGomez-zk4fo]

Warm comment from Hyper Beam.

[@pandaman1331]

Liking Pokemon for being good makes more sense to me than liking it for looking cool. Then again, in-game you can win with every Pokemon. Still, solely liking Pokemon for their design is a level of shallowness I don't understand.

[@dutchdude1985]

Tauros is indeed a good example to make that was impacted a lot by the differentiation between sp attack and sp def values. Back in RBY he rocked a spectacular all around special value combined with his wide moveset made for a damn beast of a pokemon. Personally i really like his changes made and only love him more because of it. If you focus on actual melee moves like Strength, Iron Tail and Earthquake he is still truly impressive and it fits his design so well to be that lethal up close n personal.

[@ColonelCorson]

The trade evolutions really let you steamroll Gen II even more than usual, I was just lucky enough to have neighbors with a trading cable back when I was a kid.

[@remote24]

It's not like the game is difficult in general xD a fkn caterpie would get through this game😂

[@adolfhitleroffical]

@@remote24do it

[@Alexander_Grant]

@@remote24 Make a video where you do a run with just caterpie. I'd gladly watch it.

[@timboslice8559]

I didn’t so I actually use to avoid catching the trade evolution Pokémon cuz living in the middle of nowhere I knew I’d never get to trade

[@Philostipher]

Not a surprise that Geodude line makes number 1, it's one of the best utility pokemon in basically every game it appears. They almost always appear early, the good defense and advantage against normal moves mean training Geodude is super easy early on. Magnitude acts as a great stand in for Earthquake, regardless of the rng aspect. Since your starter is and elemental type rock/ground basically always acts as some kind of type coverage (fire/flying if you pick grass, electric if you pick water, rock if you pick fire). Even if you can't evolve Graveler it can hold its own even through the Elite 4, especially with STAB earthquake. The ease of training and reliability plus availability makes it an obvious choice for basically any team.

[@Zmeeed01]

I haven't had much experience with Geodude but I used Larvitar in Crystal Legacy. Rock/Ground is the king, and you can usually see the special weaknesses coming your way from a mile away so they weren't a problem at all

[@briliantinoprihandikakhari6754]

Only need two pokemon at about lvl 80 for Elite 4, namely Vaporeon (surf, growth, rest, sleep talk) and Gengar (Hypnosis and whatever else).

[@ThomatoSauce]

Tediursa with 80 base attack Smith: Yo, this is really good. Flareon with 95 base special attack Smith: *I N T O T H E T R A S H I T G O E S !*

[@smithplayspokemon]

LOL

[@adamwalker3560]

Lol but that is also taking into account the differences in when you get them and moveset. The eeveelutions has horrific movesets in gen 2, and fire types rely heavily on those moves. Normal types have tons of options. Also worth mentioning, Flareon has pretty bad physical bulk and low HP. The horror of trying to fight the Elite Four, using a pokemon that it's only stab fire move is EMBER. 'Nuff said.

[@GiuseppeGaetanoSabatelli]

Flareon is literally an evolution... Lol

[@qgame4941]

During the reel with alternatives to feraligatr I gotta say, the gen 2 backsprites are gorgeous

[@HM-jl8pr]

Not all of them. backsprite of pokemon like forretress sucks.

[@qgame4941]

@@HM-jl8pr yeah that's definitely true

[@RaphaelC94]

IMO best sprites and best soundtrack of the franchise.

[@Generaider]

Gen 2's ost, spritework & warm color palette really set it apart from other Pokemon games

[@daveyosh88]

One of the reasons I want to keep replaying the game. So fun to trade over Gen 1 mons to see their new backsprites

[@gofglida4155]

The BOULDER. I’m so happy he is the king of johto. I think magmar deserves an honourable mention. It is literally the only viable fire type in gold and silver that isn’t the starter. It’s got high speed and special attack along with fire punch and flamethrower at respectable levels. Thunder punch and dynamic punch are some good coverage moves that magmar gets.

[@miguelmejia4656]

magmar is a hot joke at any level

[@MrZrbrownie]

Those honorable mentions make you realize how solid water types are in the early gens. Lapras and Johto are like PB&J to me.

[@tadferd4340]

Water types in general are solid. Water is a strong type.

[@MerkhVision]

The trade Machop is available _after_ the 2nd Gym, (once u get to Goldenrod City) not before like u said. Just a slight mistake. And Magmar can be found in the Burned Tower, u don’t need to get a Magby Egg!

[@theworstchannelever6196]

The Geodude line is great being unable to learn Rock Slide is really unfortunate, not having a reliable STAB attack of one of your types is a huge downside that makes them far worse off than they would have been otherwise.

[@Gemini090693]

I still let it use Defense Curl + Rollout 😂

[@2N3mo001]

It's been a while for gen 1 and 2 for me. Could you trade geodude line to rby, tm rock slide on it, then trade back? I know I did this with my alakazam since elemental punches did not exist in rby so only way to have a severely busted Alakazam in RBY.

[@daveyosh88]

@@2N3mo001Yup, you sure can. That rock slide tm in general 1 is amazing. I just threw it on my kanghaskan in gold.

[@toshio1334]

Probably the most obnoxious ad I've ever seen in a video. Normally ads have their own section... and then there's the Kindra section that basically barely lets you skip the ad.

[@HN9]

Yeah, I stopped watching the video and unsubscribed because of this. I read in the other comments some people liked this way of doing ads, so power to them of course. Maybe it’s just me, but yeah personally I hate it.

[@nightblader1]

This way seriously sucks

[@michaelwasniak153]

You can always get premium if you don't like the ads. But I guess beggers can be chooserS

[@HN9]

@@michaelwasniak153 You understand that premium won’t let you skip the product placement in the video itself right? I actually do have premium because I really dislike ads. Again, it looks like a lot of people actually liked this way of doing ads, but I personally do not.

[@michaelwasniak153]

Ofcourse, all I'm saying is that ads are common thing in everyday life. I don't find them as annoying as someone trying to push their religion on me

[@Bobopoes]

flareon's 95 sp attack isn't awful

[@Kil000999]

Really not

[@philipspigelmeyer959]

You don't get it til Kanto. So it's not great at all for a whole playthru

[@AzureDragon158]

No, but why use your fire stone to get Flareon when you could use it for Arcanine or Ninetales and have your Eevee evolve into Espeon or Umbreon instead?

[@Rainypnw]

@@philipspigelmeyer959 You get a Firestone after the third gym via Schoolboy Alan. You can cheese this by switching on/off DST with your mom to fish for calls with the stone.

[@675gilly]

People just like to complain

[@jameslowell9656]

I would put donphan in this. 120 attack and defense and 90 HP. phanpy can also be acquired early. Mono ground is a nice type in gen 2 as well.

[@14bj337]

One honorable mention I'd add is Donphan. It comes late in Silver, but Phanpy can be gotten as soon as Route 46 in Crystal. Anyway, Defense Curl plus Rollout is just an insane combination, plus its got the bulk to take a hit or two. Just wish it got a better Ground Move (Mud-Slap, oof) before EQ at 49 (or via TM).

[@mikemckenzie3175]

You can get phanpy very early in Crystal as well. Don’t have to wait till route 46. Just go north on the first route and have it Be morning

[@DubCmusicTV]

that's already possible with Geodude. Rock Throw/Rollout, Earthquake to replace Magnitude, Explosion, and defense Curl if you wish to keep.

[@frozenandchosen]

I remember spending forever searching for a Phanpy in Crystal without one fleeing, it was so worth the work though

[@14bj337]

@@DubCmusicTV True enough, and I'm not doubting the greatness of the Geodude line. That said, assuming you can't trade, it's Graveler vs. Donphan. Donphan is higher in... basically every stat. He outspeeds more foes than Graveler, and can take Water- or Grass-type attacks without crumpling. Graveler does have a stronger Rollout, thanks to STAB, but Donphan is hitting harder everywhere else. Magnitude and Normal/Flying resistances are also to Graveler's credit, although Donphan has no worry against Steel- and Fighting-type attacks. So, of the two, which is better? In a "full run" context... probably Graveler. Definitely Golem, if you can get one. That said, I don't think Donphan is far behind, and he arguably has a higher ceiling.

[@DubCmusicTV]

@@14bj337 if they are both like level 45, Donphan is stronger going forward. You can't get him until Victory Road, while for Geodude, many will have been playing with it for eight badges. Geodude has usefulness for every Johto Gym besides Chuck's. I guess you can call that emotional attachment. haha

[@gfditto3390]

The way you integrated that ad read was flawless

[@smithplayspokemon]

thank you lo!

[@yousifkhalil9655]

My Gen II only team: 1. Typhlosion (replacable by Houndoom) 2. Ampharos 3. Kingdra 4. Bollossom 5. Heracross 6. Ursaring and Espeon Skarmory Donphan Tyranatar as back up

[@machoke666]

One of the most fun I've had playing gen 2 was when I had a team of just weak gen 2 single-stage Pokémon, so Pokémon like Dunsparce, Stantler, Corsola, Gligar, and so on, I highly recommend people to try it out

[@timboslice8559]

Why one of the best parts of the game is seeing your Pokémon evolve from the hard work you put in

[@calebshmanderson]

Ive been singing my praises for Geodude ever since my first run of crystal. It practically soloed the entire gym challenge except for Chuck which I just put out with my Fearow.

[@Martyste]

I've JUST done a playthrough, and chose Meganium, Pidgeot, Ursaring, Golduck, Arcanine and Umbreon. They required lots of patience but the payout was immense: Hatched an Eevee with the one Bill gives you on a road ideal to grind his early levels, and fed him stat boosts to get the required happiness to evolve, and after learning Bite. He has the best defenses of the team but his Bite is now STAB. The schoolboy on Route 38 can get you a Fire Stone if you keep his number, so I saved it for Growlithe who had to level up to 50 ( right before Elite 4 and with lots and lots of grind ) to get Flamethrower, then immediately evolve to learn Extreme Speed, and get absolute busted Attack and Sp.Attack to wreck open E4. Gave him Dragon Breath for type coverage. Earthquake and Thunderpunch for Ursaring. Return and Thief for Pidgeot so the team's designated Airship can pack a good punch too. It was the first time I played Johto without choosing to plan for Red Gyarados or any legendary in my active party. Going for a more risky route but enjoying the success of a good strategy. Even if full of flaws, Crystal is an insane game for 2MB...

[@SoundaSheep]

You expertly weaved the sponsorship into the video. It was honestly impressive.

[@smithplayspokemon]

Really appreciate that! Thanks!

[@leopoldakaleopoldalsoknown5050]

I don't care what everyone thinks. Typhlosion is the best

[@alkemyst337]

My first gen 2 Geodude was named Bomber. That was 20 years ago, but I still remember her as my ace, even though Feraligatr was my favorite Pokemon at the time. She just never stopped winning!

[@addambarcelos]

I was expecting at least 3 of the trade evolution pokemon to show up on the list, but machamp was a fair surprise.

[@greyvanity]

idk how anyone else feels, But the elemental punches are deadass GREAT moves for stab and coverage options so the fact that at some point the kinda only existed by move tutor and they aren’t tms for a bit is wild to me, so Totadile getting ice punch by LEVEL UP is kinda crazy

[@matiashall1758]

Can't wait for your rom hack. Watching your videos really makes me want to replay my favourite game - Crystal, but gotta put it of to try your rom hack.

[@dannigro8794]

The good thing with for alligator is once you get it you don’t have to worry about getting another water type Pokémon to use surf so you have an extra slot for a different type of Pokémon.

[@Eric-gp3hi]

This was a great video game talking about the 10 best Pokemon to use in Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal. I would like to see Game Freak and the Pokémon Company make a Gen 1 Collection, Gen 2 Collection, Gen 3 Collection in the future! I’m looking forward to all the improvements you make in Crystal Legacy.

[@christopherstory514]

Dragonite was my favorite late Johto Pokemon. It's already 5 levels higher than Lance's once you evolve it, and having access to all three punches and wing attack means it can walk through the entire Elite Four with only a couple of hitches in Gengar and Houndoom.

[@seantaylor424]

I've heard informative ad-reads and I've heard funny ad-reads, but this is the first ad-read I've heard that didn't stop the plot of the video! Amazing stuff!

[@Rafael9500]

What you said there goes along with my hypothesis that many if not most videos present a narrative!

[@thishouseofglass]

I bred a Vulpix with Hypnosis my last gen2 play through for my in game team, was a lot of fun

[@hanspeter3507]

Congrats on the 100k. Loving your chanel ❤

[@Litchert]

That Kingdra/Surf Shark might be the smoothest and most enjoyable ad read I've ever seen

[@SamFromSolitude]

My Crystal team consisted of quite a few of these. It was Typhlosion, Pidgeot, Kadabra, Machoke, Lanturn, and Red Gyarados which was later switched for Snorlax. I ALWAYS swear by Lanturn. I kinda had to because there’s no Ampharos in that game, but also, the absolutely unfair strategy of Thunder Wave and Confuse Ray has the potential to annihilate the whole game. I was kinda underlevelled for Clair, but Lanturn made it a non-issue by making her Kingdra completely unable to get a move off.

[@kildawg]

Don't forget Flail. I had a Lanturn beat that annoying Kingdra with that move at 1HP left.

[@wimsatt89]

I am so ready for your rom hack. I have put off a gen 2 play through for months now waiting for it!

[@christopherballero866]

Geodude is available absurdly early and due to bad level design it can go against a lot plus potentially fully evolved by the third or fourth gym is very good

[@redvsblueftw]

Been following along with your progress with this romhack for the last few months. Really looking forward to nuzlocking this game!

[@AlejoGoVegan]

As a kid I always though about that, because playing with fire or grass starter, and not liking the fact I had to trade kadabra/haunter to fully evolve, it meant I need to capture a water or ice type for ice-punch to fight Lance. Then I realized rock also was super efective against flying dragons, then after looking in retrospective to the first 3 gymns, I always looked for a geodude at the beggining of the game. Nice video dude.

[@Spoopid0]

lanturn is my favorite water type from gen 2 and im so glad it at least almost made the list

[@DigiRangerScott]

The Geodude getting such a good spot is so weird and cool

[@ObiClon]

I've used at least 9 (and 11 of the 12 honorable mentions) of the Pokemon featured on this list in either the Gen 2 games or in later generation games with some being used in Gen 1.

[@holschermarc]

Ampharos - or better known as "The Nuke in ur Pocket that u get after the first Gym because Yolo i guess". Love it

[@illusionsoulspark]

I did not expect Jamie's theme from sf6 at 3:30. Loved the vid.

[@charoisaur594]

What I don't understand is why Machamp is eligible due to "the assumption you have perfect access to Pokemon". If using Pokemon obtained via trade is allowed, you could also complete the game with Mewtwo.

[@dntremad8290]

We are simply talking about trading for evolutions. This basically means you can also trade with a friend and get the evolution. No one would give you their Mewtwo like that 😂 Obviously if you trade bettween your own games you can just send an OP legend but you should also remember that Mewtwo's minimum level will be 70 and without badges good luck getting it to listen

[@Sononono]

Saying Miltank is only on the honorable mentions when it's LEAGUES better than Ursaring and Machamp is baffling to me, as someone who replayed gen 2 a lot over the year with hardcore nuzlocke rules + a few more very restrictive rules, I can say that Miltank is EASILY an elite four pick that is also good throughout the entire game when you get it. It's arguably a top 5 pick you bring vs Lance and this is also considering reduced level cap, meaning mons are weaker than normal and it still performed much better than expected.

[@jeremyrossi2716]

I feel like Lapras is hella underrated in Gen 2 in game lists like these: -it’s your best option against Clair’s Kingdra and Red’s Snorlax because Perish Song is a guaranteed 3 turn KO (which your basically not getting with any other Pokémon you’d realistically have) and not only Lapras is bulky enough to last that long, not only can it use sing to put them to sleep making those three turns basically free, but even if they attack they’ll probably go for a normal attack because it’ll do the most damage, which you can just switch to Haunter/Gengar, and absorb it and watch them perish. -it has high special attack so it can actually use Surf unlike Gyarados whose Special Attack is really weak and since water moves are all special it can’t just kill things with water mfall. -it is probably the most damage you can do to Lance’s illegal Dragonites by just using Ice Beam (barring maybe Suicune and Lugia, but they’re really difficult to get) -it’s one of your best options against Jasmine’s Steelix so long as you can avoid getting hit with Iron Tail or Steelix using Sunny Day which you can do with Sing. -availability’s a complete non issue. Lapras is a static spawn in Union Cave on Fridays so you can just play through the game until you get Surf, trek back to Union Cave on Friday after putting Surf on something, explore a little and you’ll find it in the water. -It’s not even under leveled by the time you get it, it’s level 20 so it’d probably be just under what your team would be if it defeated Morty before taking on the Kimono Girls for the Surf HM. -it’s physical attack isn’t terrible either so Body Slam can actually do damage for you until you get the special moves it wants -this thing can have perfect neutral coverage in Crystal once it learns Surf, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, and Psychic The only other water type that compares to Lapras in viability is Feraligatr, who is worse than Typhlosion in a lot of ways, so choosing it comes with the opportunity cost of not having Typhlosion. If you could catch this before Whitney it’d probably dominate that fight (especially in Crystal where Ice Beam and Thunderbolt could be tutored) and be one of if not the best Pokémon in the game by having good coverage and utility on a bulky water type with Surf and a good special attack stat to hit back nice and hard.

[@aquartertwo]

One other thing holding Lapras back is bad EXP growth. It's in the Slow category shared by Legendaries. It takes more EXP for it to level up compared to your other party members.

[@jeremyrossi2716]

@@aquartertwo while this is true, Lapras is so good in so many situations that if you just pick it repeatedly the slow EXP isn’t a big deal. Water and Ice stab do go a long way.

[@et34t34fdf]

Lapras is considerably better than Kingdra imo, having no weaknesses is sort of overrated.

[@DavidOsofisan123]

It is very unique and nice that you are the only one I know to reference a sponsorship with the video you are making e.g.how you referenced kingdra's defence capabilities with surfshark's ability to protect your computer from danger.

[@tgyo99]

Typhlosion being higher than feraligatr is a joke

[@Nickxxx85]

exactly

[@nicocchi]

Gotta love ARATAKI NUMERO UNO ITTO's theme song playing in the background

[@flazuki5288]

geodude line was actually used in one of the TASes for gold/silver! Getting it so early and rng manip for highest magnitude always is OP

[@kurisupikurimu1866]

Super surprising seeing a Fire Punch (manga) reference; that really made my day LOL

[@NickyvMLP]

"The Kingdra of VPNs" *ranked Kingdra 7th*

[@Hyrule-Postman]

In my last Crystal run, i completely disrespected Claire with Ursaring and Fury Swipes, really a good pokemon. Became one of my favorite when i beat Gale of Darkness with only Vaporeon and Ursaring 15 years ago

[@thishouseofglass]

I usually taught my Flaaffy Fire Punch, and Thunder Punch if I had the cash, as soon as possible, what a beast

[@abdur-jalil]

6:10 i thought you could get a fire stone from the school boy if you have him registered on the pokegear? There are a couple of trainers around Johto that will call you and say they have something for you, and they will give you evolution stones.

[@Funkytowwn101]

fun fact, a ghastly, haunter or gengar with curse, can completely counter Red’s killing machine snorlax. regardless of level

[@mikemath9508]

5:15 machop before the second gym? i only ever got one for trading in goldenrod which is after the 2nd gym

[@smithplayspokemon]

Sorry, I meant AFTER the second gym!

[@joryknuckles]

Honestly one of the best Pokémon videos ive seen on youtube. Straight to the point and ended perfecrly 10/10 will watch again

[@dano4708]

This is the smoothest ad integration I've ever seen on this platform.

[@jbtom321]

I used ursaring in the post game of crystal and it was a beast.

[@BHox01]

"You caught a Geodude, right?"

[@ProCrastinatorJay]

Yeah, I used a Golem, Gene, on my first Crystal playthrough. My catchphrase during the early game was, "Gene, carry me!"

[@zenmhmd3204]

Golem is actually freakin awesome in gen 2, used it on my last playthrough, defense curl + roll out, defeated red at level 55 XD

[@Veseere]

Hardcore Nuzlockes of the vanilla GSC games are made much easier with Totodile as your starter, it's by far the strongest and fully accessible. You can even solo HC Nuzlocke the game with it.

[@Veseere]

Ursaring is strong but has the flaw of not learning Shadow Ball to give it the classic Normal/Ghost unresisted physical coverage. It's still very good and 75 special attack firing off elemental punches is more than enough if they're super effective.

[@tricky2795]

@@Veseere It also learn earthquake and Dig, and Gen 2 has no abilities like levitate, so another good answer to ghost/rock/steel that walls it's normal stab and then fire punch for Skarmory. edit: maybe Ice punch as well for Graveler as you don't wanna dig into a magnitude

[@SkillsoulXD]

I love that you make gen2 videos!!

[@burlong01]

That was the most effective ad I've ever seen because skipping it means skipping all of kingdra.

[@Elemento-115]

I would say that a honorable mention could definitely be Foretress, as you can get a Drowsy early in Crystal, it learns by lvl UP Headbutt which can open to Pinecone or other evolved pokemon as Noctowl or Ariados early in the game, they won't ger you through al the gyms but it is a great pokemon you can use as a ticking bomb if you need some extra damage in desperate situations

[@RenegadeGamer89]

Finally someone giving the gen 2 Geodude line the respect they deserve.

[@chronology556]

Geodude was amazing in Gen 2, used it in all my playthroughs as a kid, I knew it was great, but no one really talked about it. Kid me just mercilessly went through the game with Graveler/Golem, and knew how awesome it was, but no one sung its praises, only Feraligatr, mostly. I also knew how great Alakazam was back then. Kid me was smart. Adult me, not so much.

[@jeremyrossi2716]

BIG downsides for the Gastly line: ONLY Gengar gets the elemental punches. Haunter and Gastly don’t yet (though they do get Thunderbolt in Crystal via tutor). Meaning if you’re playing a ROM and thus cannot trade, you’re stuck with Haunter, Kadabra, Graveler, and Machoke and of this lot Haunter kinda sucks. They aren’t unusable at all: a fast Hypnosis on top of a normal and fighting immunities are SUPER helpful early game-especially against Whitney’s war crime of a Miltank-but out of all 4 Kanto trade evos Haunter is by far neutered the most if it can’t evolve into Gengar. The worst part is this is basically for next to no reason, Kadabra can learn all 3 without evolving and it’s also a Kanto trade evo special attacker, they could’ve done the same for Haunter and just didn’t. It also doesn’t even have the ability to explode without transferring it from a Gen 1 game, even though Graveler does. Their only gimmicks are their immunities, Hypnosis and using that sleep to either switch out to something like Kadabra or using Dream Eater (you don’t get till 39), or Destiny Bond shenanigans (you don’t get until level 48). I wouldn’t recommend using Haunter for in game late game compared to other better options, but if it’s any consolation prize, Haunter is your absolute BEST option in one particular instance and that’s catching the legendary dogs. It’s your fastest Mean Looker that none of them have a type advantage on so they can’t escape, using Hypnosis so they can’t Roar you out, and by the time you out speed Raikou you have to be at like level 40 so Night Shade actually kinda does decent set damage. If you intend on catching them and using the doggos, definitely catch and raise a Gastly to Haunter, but after that maybe get some priests and lay it to rest-it’s earned it.

[@jordanbasinger4821]

I use the emulator my old boy and can trade with myself between roms, so Gengar and Alakazam are a must to me

[@PopeDope69-420]

I’ve never seen the gen 2 golem sprite from the back. It looks like a zombie crawling out of the grave lol

[@DUKEHadToDoItToEm]

Wow I would've never thought the Geodude line would be top 10 let alone #1 but your reasoning is bulletproof. From availability to matchups to move pool he's all around good

[@RatedRMario21]

Geodude using STAB Mud-Slap is a great strategy for Whitney's infamous MIltank, First of all it resists Stomp and Rollout and after 3 or 4 Accuracy drops, Rollout gets severely nerfed. Female Geodude nullifying Attract is just icing on the cake

[@antoniocastro9614]

I’d wish he’d post the Gen2 stat distribution instead of the Gen4 stats for the Pokémon…

[@ivanbluecool]

Yeah top three are very op pokemon. Used them in my last playthroughs and stomped through everything.

[@brockdowdle]

I loved everything about this video. The editing, content, rankings, and even the sponsor section was done in a way where I found it super interesting and engaging!

[@Thedarksenshi]

Impressive that you were able to weave in talking about your sponsor while still going on about the subject of your video. I actually haven't seen much of, if any content creators do that.

[@Bladee__]

congrats for 100k

[@smithplayspokemon]

thanks!!!

[@Jelly_shy_guy_man]

@@smithplayspokemonhi your my favorite KZbinr

[@FinnGreenland]

TBH that was the cleanest sponsor ever. You cant skip it or youll miss the entry so you have to watch it. Smart.

[@shandog7]

5:20 Machop cannot be encountered before second gym. Only after you get to Goldenrod can you get one via Trade

[@doma3554]

I remember beating Pokemon Red or Blue. He solo'd everything in the entire game from the moment his moveset was complete. Hypnosis, Psychic, Ice Punch, Thunderpunch. Maybe it was Gen 2, and not Gen 1?

[@delta_power3049]

The elemental punches weren't in gen 1

[@dntremad8290]

Funny thing is you can trade Alakazam to gen 2, teach it all 3 elemental punches and then send it back to gen 1 😂😂

[@delta_power3049]

CORRECTION: The punches are in gen 1, but only Hitmomchan can learn all three. Fire punch can also be learned by Magmar, Ice punch is also Jynx, and thunder punch is also Elektabuzz. There were no move tutors that taught these moves, and they weren't tms like in gen 2, so that is it.

[@562.anthony2]

If you pick Tododile the rivals bayleaf is super hard after the 2nd gym. Idk what to to because every Pokémon I can catch is terrible. The geodude gets shitted on, starter shitted on, mareep shitted on, zubat useless.

[@smithplayspokemon]

zubat is a great hard counter with 4x gass resistance and leech life being super effective :)

[@562.anthony2]

@@smithplayspokemon nice it worked! Lol totally forgot leech life is bug and not grass

[@atonofspiders]

People always forget to mention how Typhlosion gets Thunderpunch as a TMin gen 2. In this game it goes off his special attack, and it's so good that you could argue not needing an electric type.

[@bryndenrivers1697]

I've always said that a female Geodude is the best counter for Whitney, glad to see that I'm not the only one who thinks like this.

[@king6595]

I like how you immediately go into the topic and not dance around

[@EastsidedTTV]

Used nidoking during my vc crystal playthrough. Can confirm it’s goated

[@genevievemeuniere4047]

I can only agree to get a Geodude in a Gen 2 Nuzlocke (either base games, remakes or roms) is always a good sign.

[@arrowblade_1238]

When your next video on the postgame improvements coming?

[@04me93]

Great vid but one part confused me...at 8:12 you say Ampharos' 115 special attack lets it take advantage of Fire punch. How does special attack play into this?

[@deemo665]

In gens 1, 2, and 3, the attack stat a move uses was determined by the move type. All fire moves used special attack.

[@MazterP28]

Geodude also has access to rapid spin to get rid of spikes and leech seer

[@AzoiatheCobra]

I hope, right before you release the rom-hack, you make a video telling all the changes you made, why, and their evolution. Like giving karen tyranitar and then removing it

[@Near_Pluto_]

Not a SmithPlays video without Jamie’s theme sneaking in

[@alihasanaxe4936]

Even at 5th, Typhlosion is getting slept on. With halfway decent DVs, it rather easily soloes every major fight in the game at level (without potions, etc. because anything can do that). Usually you don't even need to be at level for Red. 70ish works fine. You get the charcoal super early then just use fire move, dig/eq when you get it, thunder punch, whatever you want in last. And that's just solo. If you decide you want to get another team member and grind, it becomes even easier.

[@iRazenrak]

I think it's a bit misleading to judge a Pokémon based on how well it does in the storyline game. For example, there are barely any ghosts in the game, so normal-type attacks are great. But when battling other players, there might be a plethora of Ghosts they use, so normal-type attacks are less useful. Similarly, Team Rocket spams poison types, making ground-types more valuable than they actually are. And because there are almost no dragons, ice-types might be underrepresented. Whereas each player may choose to run a Gengar and Dragonite on their team, thus you'll encounter more when you fight them.

[@tricky2795]

yea, but that's competitive pokemon, so way different metagame. Ingame storyline is a seperate criteria, and this vid criteria is "how useful is the pokemon is for significant fights in the game" instead of "how good is it against human players?"

[@Raylightsen]

I will never change typhosion for any gen 2 pokemon. He is a killer machine and is damn cool.

[@MortenLongbottom]

The top 10: Seven of them are Kanto Pokémon (and four of them are the four as always), 3 of them are Johto (and two of the three are starters). How creative Game Freak; Gold/Silver/ Crystal needs a remake/reboot/spinoff. And please, bring back Crys.

[@kaysiepena3520]

Not useful against Morty *laughs in confusion*

[@KOSMOS1701A]

not gonna lie, when you said Geodude was number 1 i looked at the upload date to make sure this wasn't put up in April.