What if Johto had Kanto's Gym Leaders?

Pokémon Crystal but the Gym Leaders are FROM KANTO!
Twitter: / thesmithplays
Instagram: / thesmithplays
Credits: Craig Livingstone (Rom Coding), Weebra (Editing)
Business Inquiries: [e-mail]

[@robertlupa8273]

I absolutely love the irony of Misty being in a gym full of bugs.

[@jwatts94]

Advanced form of therapy

[@nift36]

She was okay with heracross iirc

[@paleumbreon8494]

It's almost poetic how that many stars aligned through sheer happenstances that it naturally played out that way

[@timhiltz6323]

She wasn’t scared of pineco in the anime.

[@jwatts94]

@@timhiltz6323 That nigga don’t even look like a bug😂

[@rsaettone]

"Growlithe doesn't learn Flamethrower" Proceeds to show us Growlithe's moveset where he learns Flamethrower at level 50

[@ultimatekirb3979]

I mean, why the hell would you want to wait until Level 50 to evolve a weak Growlithe?

[@azurehorizon4485]

Cause unless you wanna play with Fire blast. Arcanine isn't doing jack with just Ember or Fire spin

[@rockvent918]

and arcanine learns E speed level 50 when you evolve it

[@rockvent918]

the besr way to use growlithe in gen 2 is use it as you main priority of exp , teach hidden power and dig , and buy charcoal to compensate the weak stab moves you have to then evolve at 50. finally you can buy fire blast and use sunny day if you want

[@arkbuble]

If he didnt remove it, then he could have used the Crystal move tutor in Goldenrod city.

[@shiruotakuno28]

The most surprising thing about this video is that you made Chikorita look like a viable choice

[@Macks1913]

Chikorita is a solid choice, just not in the 2nd gen

[@sentient_typewriter]

It's so sad for Chikorita. Johto hates grass typeset much, they don't have a very good time at all. There are videos going over how Chikorita is a much better pokemon in gen 1, for the same reason that Bulbasaur is arguably the best starter in terms of type matchup against major battles.

[@Macks1913]

​@@sentient_typewriter #JusticeForChikorita

[@dingas5632]

Because of physical special split in this game Chikorita is pretty good with reflect and more defensive moves. Typhlosion is still the best choice.

[@solgaleo3533]

I mean, Bulbasaur is really good in Kanto games, so it makes sense

[@dyrezzplays3120]

I love the irony of Team Rocket trying to get Giovanni back and doing all this bad stuff, cause they don’t know where he is, but if they just went through the Ice Cave, they would have found him in Johto’s most isolated town.

[@theeducatedfool]

It’s a little funny how Sabrina’s Venomoth is a better fit for her team here than it is in Gen 1 when you consider that coverage against Dark types. I also appreciate how Giovanni being the eighth gym leader here fits in surprisingly well with this game’s story

[@TCODCynda]

It's really funny how with a simple change like Gym Leaders, It can make Pokemon like Chikorita seem like the best pokemon in the playthrough lmao

[@robertlupa8273]

There's a reason why Bulbasaur is so good in Gen 1. Grass types have pretty good matchup against most Kanto Gyms.

[@groudonvert7286]

@@robertlupa8273 Actually Bulbasaur has a good machup with the 3 first gym. In gen3 remakes, he's the worst of the 3.

[@robertlupa8273]

@@groudonvert7286 is it just because it no longer has 90% crit Razor Leaf?

[@groudonvert7286]

@@robertlupa8273 No, because he doesn't have access to Earthquake to resolve the problem he has with the Fire Gym.

[@LITTLE1994]

Ironically, yeah

[@louie6931]

Getting Phanpy and Teddiursa at Lv. 2 at the beginning of the game made for a unique playthrough. Defense Curl/Rollout strat was fun to use and Ursaring's brute strength was helpful to overcome some tougher battles.

[@laurenthalilaj311]

Using an Alakazam in gen 2 is just amazing. You get to use all the elemental punches alongside it’s high special attack and speed you’re just shredding through the game and also Alakazam speeds up the most enoying things in those games which are lots of team rocket fights who primarily use poison types

[@PlatyRush]

Now, do it again the opposite way : pkmn red with jotho champion. Blue is replaced by Red.

[@Devman56]

It’d be lance

[@MrAlexarctica]

@@Devman56 yeah, but… replace blue with red, you know??

[@PlatyRush]

Also the level difference... 😏

[@ravelnavarro4358]

you'd have to hack gen 2 pokemon into red

[@PlatyRush]

@@ravelnavarro4358 you’re gonna let THAT stop you ?

[@JohnDoe-yc7xq]

Bayleef was my favorite in gen 2 for a long time. I'd intentionally stop it from evolving into Meganium because I liked Bayleef's design more - eventually leveling up to 100 so it would stay Bayleef forever. Those were good times

[@_Majunior]

Me but with Grovyle

[@lesqueegee]

Me but with Dewott

[@gustgcast]

Me but with Quilava

[@ck3837]

Me too but with your mum

[@georgeDeming]

me but with pikachu

[@Unison23]

I love using Girafarig in both Gen 2 and the remakes. It’s really underrated, given how it hard counters Morty and is strong vs Chuck. It does well in the E4 too, especially against the first 3 members with Shadow Ball and Psychic. It does alright vs Karen too as long as you watch out for the Houndoom.

[@Shalakor]

Yeah, I have a soft spot for non-bird Normal types with a second type in general. They're always a rare oddity with more practical application than the two types' effect on each other would immediately reveal.

[@asheliastar7]

I love using Shucky the Shuckle in GSC. it might not do any damage but there is no Pokémon better suited to sitting there and taking hits when you need to toxic stall/ heal up your team. the free berry juices you get from letting it hold berries are great for little cup matches too.

[@thegamingdwiz1448]

I remember using Togetic on my team back in Silver! It had such a versatile moveset, and watching a cute Pokemon using Fire Blast to burn our enemies was a nice treat!

[@JeremyLeaton912]

I loved the grind for getting a dratini in the goldenrod game corner early in the playthrough. It always felt like something I shouldn’t be allowed to have that early, and the grind made it worth it.

[@gowonshealthyscalp2127]

Espeon is my favorite pick on gen 2. Good design and wide moveset. Every time I see Espeon it brings me so much nostalgia.

[@jaredcrabb]

Espeon is my favorite pokemon to this day.

[@Alejandro.Orengo]

I love using Shuckle, his stats are so uneven that it made it challenging when I was young to try to find a way to make him work on the team. Love the design and the look of it too!

[@poppeleseed]

Stantler haunts my memories. I traded one to my brother when he was starting up the game, and he committed hard into training it. By the time he was ready to fight the elite 4, his Stantler was in the 70s.

[@Smileyguy]

Scizor just looked cool. Syther being a favorite for gen 1, the evolution was a real treat

[@tylersoto7465]

Steelix as well , him knowing dragon breath attack was a bonus

[@abf173]

This may be a hot take, but I always loved having Dunsparce on my teams. He was so good early game and he always surprised me late game with how useful he remained

[@andrewmueller9182]

Loved the video! And it was super fun seeing the full video after watching the live stream of you catching the Raikou. My favorite gen 2 Pokémon was always a Donphan or Hitmontop. Not because they were especially good but just always liked their designs.

[@britguy2999]

My favourite niche Pokémon to use is Lanturn. I used it for the first time ever in a Nuzlocke a few years ago and it carried the run with its bulk, versatility and type coverage. I enjoyed using it so much I built my first ever vgc team around it 😄

[@mandykaterina7866]

Man, your challenges are always so fun! You have uniquely fantastic ideas that no one else does, and it's so refreshing and interesting to watch! Thank you for another awesome video! PS. My favorite rare Pokemon to use in a Gen 2 playthrough is Houndour. You have to trade it in at the start if you wanna use it for the main run, but it's so worth it!

[@rsaettone]

Slow level up group also makes it a nice challenge. I've done Houndour as my starter through a mod and it was a lot of fun.

[@captg16]

I actually really enjoyed using Tyrogue and working to get the Hitmon's. It always felt like a nice side quest that felt like a great payoff because of how exclusive they were.

[@StarmenRock]

especially when tyrogue evolves to hitmonlee, then we're talking

[@Supah_Sayin_Rick]

​@@StarmenRock for real, Hitmonlee is honestly the best of the 3

[@StarmenRock]

@@Supah_Sayin_Rick id go as far as saying its the only of the 3 that isnt a piece of shit lol

[@thunderbirdshane]

I played this with a busted gen 2 team of Feraligatr, Ampharos, Golem, Alakazam, Gyarados, and Fearow and it was hilarious. The change in gym leader typings made no difference. One thing I would've liked to see is the dialogue for the Kanto gym leaders change since they would remember you. In any case, this was a TON of fun! Thanks for your efforts!!

[@the_SolLoser]

Why would they remember you?

[@thunderbirdshane]

@solloser2876 Remember all Johto gym leaders were swapped for Kanto leaders. Meaning when you beat the Elite Four and head to Kanto you're fighting them for the second time. The dialogue was changed in Johto, so I just thought it would be a nice touch for them to remember their last battle with you and maybe pledge to beat you this time or something.

[@the_SolLoser]

@@thunderbirdshane Ahh, i thought swapped meant the same as switched. So, the Johto leaders would've gone to Kanto... but i guess it really means "replaced." Now it makes sense; would've made more sense my way. Lol

[@thunderbirdshane]

@@the_SolLoser yeah. Replaced would be a better word. So you end up fighting the same gym leaders twice.

[@raulfreitas6599]

how did u replaced the gym leaders? there's a rom hack? im searching and don't find anything :(

[@CesarTorres61296]

Granbull my beloved. This funky dog can strike down a lot of stuff in one to two hits.

[@joshuarodriguez7500]

New favorite is using the dizzy punch eggs from the day-care. Eventually getting an Electabuzz with Ice Punch really pulled its weight all the way to Red on Mt. Silver. Plus the high shiny chance is always appreciated. A chance at Smoochum/Tyrogue is also fun. Really, it's the mystery that spices everything up.

[@solgaleo3533]

I got a Magby that turned out shiny

[@benjaminfleshman3948]

Discovering how much fun a Donphan can be in my current play through of Crystal. I’m glad they made it available earlier on in that version.

[@BigBeas13]

Great video, definitely gonna do a play through! My favorite gen 2 rare Pokémon to use was Elekid/Electrabuzz. I always liked that Elekid gen 2 sprite.

[@chsr357]

I don't think I could pick just one. There were definitely pokemon I thought were cool whether they were actually good or not. Been a long time since I played gen 2, but I really liked using pokemon like Heracross, Scizor, Houndoom, Misdreavus, Noctowl and the Eeveelutions. I found your channel only a few months ago, but I have been enjoying your challenges and analysis videos.

[@darkcrafter-ht1wc]

I really like the furret and sentret line in gen2. While their level up learn set is shallow their tm/hm is really deep. Stab headbutt with mudslab for the early game, set up with defence curl and curse, even access to roll out, 2 elemental punches, surf, fire blast for coverage. This thing is a beast, I've done a solo playthrough with it and expected a drop off in the mid game but it was only getting more stream. I finished red in the early 60.

[@AdrianaGomez-fs9uc]

I love using Sudowoodo and Quagsire, they´re so cute and very strong, always make the run so much fun and challenging.

[@Gewitt]

I loved using Politoad in crystal as a kid and teenager. I was lucky to have friends who still had the games and hardware so we could do trades. At one point I had a team of almost entirely trade evolutions from that gen which was really fun.

[@mr.mimikyu2342]

This video was a blast and love that you chose chikorita as your starter underrated mon

[@thomasbirtles4633]

Phanpy and Donphan are always underrated favourites to use for me! Loved the video!

[@CFxRenaissance]

Gotta love Scizor! The steel type being added was very exciting

[@pebpebs4810]

I like your choice of music, pretty good stuff! Like Itto's theme

[@eddyleal760]

Hiiii, my favorite from this gen is Lapras, it makes the run sooooo much fun and it’s a great choice for the adventure. Great challenge my man!

[@Z-Tech_Brainburger]

Using a Mew from gen 1 in gen 2 is actually quite interesting because not only could it have any gen 1 TMs from the game it's from, but it also learns all of gen 2 TMs too. It is extremely broken. I got a 2nd 3DS so I could trade. Plus I actually have 3 Mews (probably more soon) across both of them now, and all 3 are from 1 copy of blue.

[@DiegoLeal-dg1cx]

My favorite pokemon for this adventure is Bellossom, it kinda struggles in some battles, but its a pretty interesting choice if you want a challenge in this gen

[@mckenzie403]

I used Bellossom in Heart Gold. I didn’t realise how much of a tank it is. Survived a couple of Draco Meteors from Dragonite. That I could use it to Revive the other team members.

[@manuelbarros4871]

Great video! My favorite pokémon to use in gen2 is definitely Lanturn, I always pick it when I replay those games

[@kildawg]

Lanturn using Flail has come through for me. One time it took out Clair's Kingdra when that beast had 1/4 health left because Lanturn was at like 1 HP.

[@johnmarks4944]

I like using Dunsparce or Granbull in Gen2. With the right support and moves, they can be quite strong.

[@thebandboy]

Even against red?

[@judgementwings]

Dun gonna hit a strike on reds team 😂

[@Shadooowq8]

I KNEW I RECOGNIZED THIS VOICE!! I’ve been a subscriber of your Minecraft channel for a long while..NEVER realized you made Pokemon videos too. Really happy to watch this video!! :D

[@nashawesome2840]

This was very entertaining. Well done. Resisting the urge to bother your friend about romhacking advice.

[@seantaylor424]

5 Fire Blasts and Charizard only missed one? You truly did overcome the odds on this one!

[@olimanrules]

I really enjoyed this run! My favorite niche (I suppose) pokémon in gen 2 is probably Sudowoodo bc he’s a funny guy and hits surprisingly hard! Solo rock type is not great but I remember playing as a kid and using the squirt bottle on him and just thought that was so cool. Enjoyed the video, will be trying this rom hack soon! 🌳🪨

[@nextlevelgamer3]

I have always loved Ledian's design since I was a kid, reminds me of some sort of "Bug Superhero", but never used it for the obvious reasons. I decided to change that for a "Bad Pokemon" run a few years back, and it surprised me with just how useful it could be. As I got had gotten older, I learned more about the games, and learned to play to it niche; It is the ONLY Pokemon that get's both Light Screen and Reflect early. Everything else gets it late, or is caught late. It gets it at 22 as a Ledyba, which is around the time you get to Ecruteak, so much of the game is left, it even gets Safeguard on top of that, defending from plenty of nasty status ailments. Recently, I learned how valuable Baton Pass can be even without passing anything, because before moves like Volt Switch and U-Turn, it was really the only way to do a "safe switch" move, allowing Ledian to take a hit for another team member before tagging them in against faster opponents. It also has good Speed and great Special Defense, allowing it to take a hit or two, and it's lower stats can actually work in it's favor, since it lets it faint easier after setting both screens up. Unlike other "Bad Pokemon", that can easily be replaced when you aren't doing some sort of personal restriction, nothing else can match what Ledian does. I find myself using it in normal playthroughs, even. It was nice to learn after so many years that this Hero can protect others, like a Hero should.

[@IsaiahMurphy-ej8dv]

My favorite rare Pokémon is Hera cross from shaking trees so underrated man also love the content man it’s amazing every time.

[@EJthemad7174]

To be honest, Dunsparce has always been one of my favourites. But in my first Crystal playthrough, it took me quite a while to find one, due to it being a 1% encounter in Dark Cave.

[@arminxvs3372]

1% encounter rate... what sadistic psycho comes up with those numbers? Some devs really hate us haha 😂

[@EJthemad7174]

@@arminxvs3372 Exactly. But it was worth it, despite the fact that when I finally found it, I was just about to give up after searching for HALF AN HOUR STRAIGHT.

[@JoaoMoreira1996]

For me it was Xatu! As a kid he made me feel this wisdom and power for some reason, an I loved (and still do) his typing

[@1CeeDee-gl1iv]

My favorite to use in a play through is Lanturn, the water electric type is so diverse and it’s pretty bulky. A little disappointed you didn’t choose to have it on your team for this. Great video though!

[@cftvdata]

I felt the exact same way! Lanturn is one of my favourite all-time Pokemon. Stats aren't stellar, but he's really bulky and can learn lots of diverse moves that open up tons of interesting strategies. Not to mention the great design (and fantastic typing - only two 2x weaknesses and can be utilized effectively against lots of different types).

[@kingofcombos]

My underrated go-to is probably Ursaring. Picking up the teddiursa from dark cave and watching it grow into a village destroying monster does my heart good, and I feel like it’s usually passed over.

[@BattyBitz]

One of my last GSC play throughs, I used Xatu and really enjoyed it. Way better than I ever thought and it was nice to get catch a Natu as soon as I could

[@marvemes]

Ridge Racer Type 4 Music, a man of Culture! i love it!!

[@jesselindsey9760]

Yeah, if there's one thing I dislike about gen 2, it's that the level scaling is fantastically slow. I get that it's because there are two region to explore and nobody wanted to give the Kanto gym leaders level 70 Starmies and shit, but jesus. Level 50 is gen 2 Lance's ace? Level 50 is where I am right before I hit the 8th gym in gen 1.

[@austinfrancis2012]

Furret. It is my favorite Gen 2 Pokémon. It was my ace in a Gold play through on a team with Feraligatr, Ampharos, Sudowoodo, Forretress, and Xatu.

[@Brenfriend11]

Since I had a copy of gold and silver and a link cable I loved to do run throughs with various starters that would never be possible normally. Such as Houndour.

[@slyph3rz630]

❤ your challenges bro its fun, exciting and interesting how you go about your poké challenges and that ROM hack is nioooce and having a chance at a copy of pokémon scarlet would just be sick as hell too

[@CJ-fu5tf]

I remember my first play through of Crystal I did on the virtual console I really wanted to use Sudowoodo, probably my favorite and an iconic underrated gen 2 Pokémon. He actually helped a lot with champion lance tanking his hyper beams and doing big rock damage so I remember him as the OG dragon slayer

[@Vicnotinho]

Great run!!!

[@FMGachamist]

I’ve always enjoyed using Steelix. Most people opt for the Scizor with metal coat evolution which I can understand. I just love Steelix’s DEF bulk. He has a special spot in my heart. If I wasn’t able to obtain a Steelix it would probably be Hitmontop. I have memories of the pain trying to get the correct stats to get Hitmontop lol.

[@HUblackice]

I love phanpy. You can get him early in the route above the first. I would head to the first gym with mareep, phanpy and the 3 starters from the dupe glitch I learned from your channel 😊

[@JordanMacNeil2]

Hypno was an MVP in my latest Crystal playthrough, a nice substitute for Kadabra/Alakazam that can actually take some hits while having awesome coverage with the elemental punches

[@WitherSnow]

I think this would be a really cool Nuzlocke. Fight the Kanto Gym Leaders at the Johto leaders level cap. Maybe spruce up the wild encounters a bit and that would be a cool ROMhack.

[@yuumijungle548]

15:40 i swear i expected him to say "yup thats right, its the pichu that you can hatch from the egg, thats our electric type" 😂

[@ninecatsandaboxofwine]

cool idea. and that team is really awesome too.

[@austinwilson2724]

My favorite gen 2 Pokémon to add to my teams is most definitely forretress. I used it both in my original crystal play through and my recent soul silver run

[@davidnyman6968]

Forretress. I've gotten into playing nuzlockes the last 3 years or so and have really come to appreciate the defensive stalling plays

[@church348]

I know it would probably not actually be able to work without some major work, but it would be fun to see the other regions with Kanto gym leaders

[@tylrstarch]

My favorite niche pokemon for gen 2 is Cubone at the game corner in Crystal. Love that lil guy. Good learnset, really under-rated.

[@koshercomet]

Crystal was my first pokemon game and oh the memories! I picked cyndaquil and ended up with a Qwilfish for my team's water type. I haven't seen too many people using the cute pufferfish on their teams but that 10% encounter rate could have something to do with it! 😅

[@griffin8762]

Raikou “not even that good” Literally the optimal speedrun strategy lmao

[@JS-hs8dm]

Your videos are 10/10!

[@alejandrop.s.3942]

After all these years, I learn about those evolution stone glitches and the secret chamber in the Unown chamber.

[@blvck5943]

The rapidash being 52 and you figuring out how to get around it woulda been an interesting part of the video

[@juliekilkus4510]

Heracross is such beast. It’s my favorite head butt tree hunt. Loved using it in gen 2

[@riceyydiceyy]

Adding higher level gym leaders in a game where you get like no exp was interesting, good job Pat.

[@Voltorb1993]

I played a VC of Crystal recently and I ran a team that included Forretress, Jumpluff and Xatu. Not the strongest team I ever had but I enjoyed using Pokémon I never did before. It was fun. (The other three Pokémon were much more conventional - Feraligatr, Donphan and Crobat)

[@Icalasari]

Sent over a Misdreavus egg for my Crystal playthrough It's nice getting to use the _Gen II Ghost Pokemon_ in a _Gen II run_

[@macdoeman4560]

I always enjoyed a team with Dunsparce and Gligar ^^

[@azumsauce3699]

My favorite is easily Politoed. Always loved it! I had a friend who loved Steelix, so we used to trade to be able to get our favorites as early as possible. Good times!

[@jesserobinson1929]

I did a fanfic forever ago about johto another 3 years later (kanto 6 years later) with an Elite 4 consisting of Brock, Karen, Clair, and either Blue or Volkner (could never decide on an exact order placement) with Ethan/Gold as the champion. Gen 5 had just come out, so their teams were usually a combo of their classic pokemon rounded out by mons from other gens. It was really fun. Maybe I should dig through my old computers hard drive for it 😂

[@xdefulvi0660]

One I always loved using in gen 2 was sneasel, I didn’t realize how rare it was to find as a kid (or that it was 1 of 2 johto ice types) but always thought he was super cool & fun to use

[@Evan-mt7bc]

I tend to actually build my Johto teams around the Odd Egg surprisingly, specifically Smoochum, Elekid and Magby, there are duds like Pichu, Igglybuff, Tyrogue and Cleffa in it but the chance of getting one of the 3 actually good Pokemon in the egg is ~42%. The real prize in that egg is the Jynx, by far the best ice type you will ever obtain and the best psychic type if you can't obtain an Alakazam but Electabuzz is a good roll and up for the best electric type you can get in Johto (Ice Punch coverage clears Raikou I fear) and Magmar for, a very slightly worse version of Typhlosion which enables you to grab Feraligatr if you're willing to gamble on your run but still clears every other Fire type you can obtain in Johto.

[@rockowlgamer631]

I'm glad that Meganium's line gets to shine in this rom hack.

[@ChiNOo2211]

Great video 👍 my favorite /niche pokemon to run in gen two is rocky the traded onix hes such a tank i knoe his attack is horrible but the fast exp and crazy defense makes for a pefect combo srceech em' n sweep

[@Drag0nzap]

Octillery is one of my favorite Pokémon and I absolutely loved to use it almost every playthrough

[@choicedecision]

Thanks for sharing the ROM hack! Also, to answer the question, hmm, I'd have to say Mantine. It's much bulkier than expected, and has a decent type combo. It being overshadowed though by Gyarados and also being available so late in the game is tough to make use of, unless you actively seek it

[@shadowgoku6009]

Love these videos

[@audunslange2300]

I'm in the middel of my first gen 2 playtrough now and have fallen in love with my skiploom and my furret. Using sleep powder strats with skiploom, and defence curl plus rollout with furret is so much fun. I combined both against Morty and absolutely destroyed him.

[@iowa89357]

I like using dunsparce in gen 2. Always loves its derpy-ness. Not a fan of finding it at times though. Normally gave it hard stone for rollout. But now a days STAB/pink bow strength/headbutt works well on it too. Plus glare helps a ton too

[@ItsFireTiger]

Going in I was thinking that this was going to be what was advertised. And I didn't expect the level caps of the game to change though

[@jonconstant3914]

I had a G/S playthrough where I used Stantler as a big part of my team. Has high attack as really it’s only good stat, but stomp/take down hit like a truck with it, plus it can learn earthquake by tm. Also has early hypnosis and can learn both dream eater and nightmare. It also learns sand attack and confuse ray by level up. So lots of attack plus lots of cheese made it a great switch in when I just needed some damage or something cheesy to dismantle otherwise challenging pokemon. Being available right after sudowoodo makes it fairly early game as well.

[@drunkenmmamaster419]

Best Pokémon channel on yt

[@NoName-cz3wn]

In some alternate universe, Nintendo sold Pokemon to Sony, and we got true HD remakes of Gen I and II, with voice acting, realistic Mon redesigns, in-depth storytelling about things like the creation of Mewtwo and the burning of the Brass Tower, as well as updated teams, pokemon locations, towns that feel like towns, etc. Hopefully this guys mod will at least KINDA scratch that itch.

[@imperialguard5599]

Gotta love having a Smoochum in my playthroughs, I just like my STAB psychics and the unusual designs.

[@ch3rry833]

It's unreal you managed to beat even Blue with a Gen2 adventure team

[@captainwolfos]

I dunno about "niche" but one of my favourites to run with in gen 2 was Donphan. In Gold, I had a Donphan named Dunlop (I'm really bad at names to the point I rarely bother lmao) and I loved him.

[@multilang8624]

This was so cathartic as a lifelong chikorita stan

[@youzettasonsofdigits1639]

I always loved Espeon. I always wanted to use Alakazam for my psychic type but due to no friends i couldnt get one, so I end up always trying to get Espeon. One thing you should always do is make sure your Eevee learns bite before evolving. Dark is special in this move its an amazing move for espeon instead of shadow ball which is physical.

[@solgaleo3533]

What about doing Kanto with Johto leaders? Here’s some teams I came up with, HGSS had a lot of newer Pokémon so I based them on Stadium and even BW2. Falkner: Noctowl at level 52 Fearow at level 50 Dodrio at level 52 Xatu at level 54 Murkrow at level 54 Pidgeot at level 56 Bugsy: Yanma at level 52 Shuckle at level 52 Heracross at level 54 Pinsir at level 55 Forretress at level 56 Scizor at level 56 Whitney: Lickitung at level 50 Girafarig at level 52 Clefable at level 52 Wigglytuff at level 54 Ursaring at level 54 Miltank at level 58 Morty: Ariados at level 52 Marowak at level 52 Wobbuffet at level 54 Misdreavus at level 54 Haunter at level 57 Gengar at level 57 Chuck: Hitmonchan at level 52 Hitmonlee at level 55 Hitmontop at level 54 Machamp at level 54 Primape at level 56 Poliwrath at level 60 Jasmine: Skarmory at level 52 Forretress at level 52 Magneton at level 54 Blastoise at level 56 Mantine at level 56 Steelix at level 60 Pryce: Jynx at level 54 Sneasel at level 56 Lapras at level 56 Cloyster at level 57 Dewgong at level 58 Piloswine at level 60 Clair: Dragonair at level 56 Gyarados at level 58 Dragonite at level 60 Charizard at level 60 Ampharos at level 62 Kingdra at level 64