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Battle Frontier Pokemon Selection help thread

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THE BEST POKEMON FOR EACH FACILITY​
This guide will attempt to bring together the best and most commonly used pokemon for each facility.


THE TOWER

The Battle Tower is a difficult facility that requires some of the best strategies available. When entering the Tower, realize that there will be no "quick and easy" victory over the coming rounds. The following are the pokemon suggestions for the Tower from other trainers.


Starmie @ Brightpowder / Lum Berry / Petaya Berry / Salac Berry
Nature: Modest
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252/ Sp. Attack & Speed, 6/HP
- Surf
- Psychic/Recover
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt


Blissey @ Leftovers
Nature: Bold
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252/ HP & Defense, 6/ Sp. Defense
- Toxic / Thunder Wave / Ice Beam
- Seismic Toss
- Softboiled
- Aromatherapy/ Minimize
(This is really the only set that you can have with Blissey. Others include Calm Mind and some special attack to go with it. Another set could also include Counter.)


This is the Curselax (Snorlax + Curse). If you can get him, do it.

Snorlax @ Leftovers / Chesto Berry / Quick Claw (Go with Leftovers, it's better in the long term.)
Nature: Careful/Adamant
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 140/ HP, 80/ Attack, 136/ Defense, 152/ Sp. Defense
or... 140/ HP, 140/ Attack, 56/ Defense, 172/ Sp. Defense
or... 252/ HP, Split the rest between Attack and Sp. Defense
or... 6/HP, 252/Attack, 140/Sp. Defense, 112/Defense
or... 252/ Defense, 82/ HP, 176/ Sp. Def. (This one's best used with an Adamant Nature.)
- Curse
- Rest
- Return / Body Slam / Earthquake(Return has a higher attack yield, though.)
- Shadow Ball / Rock Slide (optional, go with Shadow Ball)


Heracross @ Choice Band / Lum Berry / Salac Berry (Really, Salac should only be used with the Endure/Reversal (EndRev) set.) / Focus Band (The Focus Band can be used to occasionally survive flying attacks, but I wouldn't recommend it. It relies too much on chance.)

Moveset #1: Basic Sweeper
Nature: Adamant
Ability: Guts
EVs: 140/HP, 116/Attack, 252/Speed. (The first might be better, but this is an option - 252/ Attack & Speed, 6/HP. This allows for even MORE of an attack boost with Swords Dance.)
- Earthquake
- Brick Break
- Megahorn
- Swords Dance / Rock Slide / Facade

Moveset #2: EndRev (Use the Salac Berry with this moveset.)
Nature: Adamant
Ability: Swarm
EVs: (same as first)
- Endure
- Reversal
- Megahorn
- Swords Dance / Flail / Earthquake


(This one is probably the most used and most effective lead-off sweeper.)
Salamence @ Choice Band / Lum Berry
Base Stats: HP-95, Attack-135, Defense-80, Sp. Attack-110, Sp. Defense-80, Speed-100

Moveset #2: DDmence
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 148/HP, 248/Attack, 112/Speed. (OR 252 in Attack and Speed, but the first is probably better.)
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Fly/ Aerial Ace
- Brick Break / Rock Slide

Moveset #1: CBmence (with Choice Band)
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252/Attack & Speed, 6/HP
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Fly/ Aerial Ace
- Brick Break / Flamethrower


Metagross @ Choice Band / Lum Berry

Moveset #1: Basic Sweeper
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252/Attack & Speed, 6/HP (or 252/ Attack & HP, 6/ Speed or Sp. Defense. or 252/ Attack, 200/ Speed, rest in HP)
- Earthquake
- Meteor Mash (MM)
- Brick Break (not the best for all situations, but fantastic in the Frontier!)/ Rock Slide / Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Ball / Explosion

Moveset #2: Agiligross
EVs: 140/HP, 212/Attack, 68/Defense, 88/Speed
- Earthquake
- Meteor Mash
- Brick Break / Shadow Ball / Rock Slide / Explosion
- Agility


Regice @ Leftovers
Nature: Bold
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252/HP, 150/Defense, 52/ Sp. Attack, 56/ Sp. Defense
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Rest
- Thunder Wave / Toxic / Counter


Lati@s @ (You might be thinking “Soul Dew”, but it doesn’t work in the Frontier. Use the same as Starmie.)
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252/ Sp. Attack & Speed (6/HP)
- Psychic/ Dragon Claw / Calm Mind
- Surf/ Recover / Calm Mind
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt



THE BATTLE DOME


The same pokemon and tactics for the Tower can be used for the Dome. The only difference is that the Dome allows more freedom with your strategy. You can even go all-out offensive, even though those aren't the best tactics to use anywhere else.

Slaking @ Choice Band
Nature: Adamant
EVs; 252/ Attack & Speed, 6/HP
- Earthquake
- Shadow Ball
- Aerial Ace / Focus Punch
- Return/ Hyper Beam

Shedinja @ Lum Berry/ Quick Claw / Focus Band
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252/ Attack & Speed, 6/HP
- Silver wind
- Swords dance
- Shadow ball
- Aerial Ace / Return

Expert Evan had an easy gold re-match with Tucker (using Shedinja) here.


THE FACTORY
It's only possible to suggest good pokemon, expert trainers do that

Info on how volteon got his gold factory symbol


Round 1

Based on the list of battle frontier pokemon, here are 15 out of 96 from round 1 in battle factory that Expert Evan recommends the most:

1. DUSCLOPS LEFTOVERS IMPISH WILL-O-WISP, SEISMIC TOSS, PAIN SPLIT, CONFUSE RAY
- ultimate staller, resistant to normal & fighting moves, can always get its health back up.

2. SCEPTILE LEFTOVERS MODEST LEAF BLADE, LEECH SEED, AERIAL ACE, DETECT
- sucks life out of others, can stall too, but watch out for other grass and poison types

3. LUDICOLO SHELL BELL QUIET SURF, RAIN DANCE, THUNDERPUNCH, FIRE PUNCH
- special sweeper for most occasions

4. HERACROSS FOCUS BAND ADAMANT MEGAHORN, BRICK BREAK, ROCK TOMB, COUNTER
- good at ridding pesky normal types

5. DODRIO CHESTO BERRY ADAMANT DRILL PECK, TRI ATTACK, SLEEP TALK, REST
- good at taking out pesky grass types

6. MAROWAK THICK CLUB ADAMANT BONEMERANG, ROCK SLIDE, ICY WIND, HEADBUTT
- thick club makes this beast powerful, but watch out for faster water/ice/grass types

7. SALAMENCE KING'S ROCK HARDY DRAGON CLAW, AERIAL ACE, HEADBUTT, ROCK SLIDE
- intimidate helps, has some of its best moves too

8. METAGROSS LEFTOVERS ADAMANT METEOR MASH, AERIAL ACE, FACADE, LIGHT SCREEN
- resistant to lots of types

9. MACHAMP SCOPE LENS ADAMANT CROSS CHOP, ROCK SLIDE, COUNTER, SCARY FACE
- like heracross, good at ridding pesky normal types, and can dish it back

10. TENTACRUEL PERSIM BERRY IMPISH SLUDGE BOMB, ICY WIND, BARRIER, CONFUSE RAY
- causes problems for many others

11. NIDOKING QUICK CLAW ADAMANT HORN DRILL, DOUBLE KICK, BODY SLAM, COUNTER
- poison point to inflict others, OHKO for most types, counter other steel pests

12. ALAKAZAM FOCUS BAND MODEST THUNDERPUNCH, FIRE PUNCH, ICE PUNCH, THUNDER WAVE
- pesky special sweeper

13. HARIYAMA FOCUS BAND ADAMANT CROSS CHOP, ROCK SLIDE, COUNTER, FAKE OUT
- like other fighting types above, great for handling pesky types

14. WEEZING BRIGHTPOWDER ADAMANT SLUDGE BOMB, WILL-O-WISP, SHADOW BALL, SMOKESCREEN
- inflicting pest

15. HYPNO TWISTEDSPOON QUIET THUNDERPUNCH, FIRE PUNCH, ICE PUNCH, HYPNOSIS
- insomnia keeps it awake, decent special sweeper

The 7 EE least recommends include:
1. CLEFABLE LEFTOVERS BRAVE METRONOME, DOUBLE TEAM, REFLECT, FOLLOW ME
- probably better off for doubles

2. SHUCKLE CHESTO BERRY BRAVE ROLLOUT, DEFENSE CURL, SLEEP TALK, REST
- too annoying

3. EXEGGUTOR QUICK CLAW QUIET SOLARBEAM, SUNNY DAY, SYNTHESIS, LIGHT SCREEN
- only attack move is solarbeam

4. MEGANIUM BRIGHTPOWDER MODEST SOLARBEAM, SUNNY DAY, LIGHT SCREEN, SYNTHESIS
- same as above

5. WALREIN LEFTOVERS QUIET BLIZZARD, HAIL, YAWN, PROTECT
- only attack move is blizzard

6. CHARIZARD FOCUS BAND MODEST FIRE BLAST, SUNNY DAY, ROAR, SCARY FACE
- only attack move is fire blast

7. TYPHLOSION FOCUS BAND MODEST FIRE BLAST, SUNNY DAY, SMOKESCREEN, ROAR
- same as above


Round 2
1. MEGANIUM LEFTOVERS CALM LEECH SEED, SUBSTITUTE, DOUBLE TEAM, GRASSWHISTLE
- once it can setup, this ultimate starter is unstoppable, but watch out for other grass types.

2. BRELOOM BRIGHTPOWDER DOCILE GIGA DRAIN, LEECH SEED, FOCUS PUNCH, SPORE
- grass types rule, and a fighting type with effects is a nightmare for any opponent

3. LUDICOLO SHELL BELL MODEST SURF, ICE BEAM, THUNDERPUNCH, FIRE PUNCH
- special attacking ludicolo can give headaches to any opponent, but watch out for flying and poison types.

4. HERACROSS LUM BERRY JOLLY MEGAHORN, EARTHQUAKE, ATTRACT, BULK UP
- great counter to pesky grass types among others

5. VENUSAUR BRIGHTPOWDER BOLD LEECH SEED, GIGA DRAIN, DOUBLE TEAM, LIGHT SCREEN
- grass continues dominance, what else can I say...

6. RHYDON QUICK CLAW ADAMANT EARTHQUAKE, HORN DRILL, ROCK SLIDE, BRICK BREAK
- nidoking's equivalent from round 1 can wreck foes instantly

7. SHIFTRY CHESTO BERRY IMPISH LEECH SEED, DIG, DOUBLE TEAM, REST
- leech seeder, resistant to psychic, and evading make this one a pest even if only attack move is dig for more evading

8. DODRIO KING'S ROCK ADAMANT DRILL PECK, DOUBLE-EDGE, FAINT ATTACK, PROTECT
- fast and effective against grass make this one necessary

9. GARDEVOIR CHESTO BERRY MODEST PSYCHIC, CALM MIND, DOUBLE TEAM, REST
- once setup is quite unstoppable except against certain dark types.

10. ALAKAZAM LUM BERRY MODEST PSYCHIC, CALM MIND, THUNDER WAVE, RECOVER
- makes a great staller too but watch out for certain physical types

11. TENTACRUEL LEFTOVERS HARDY TOXIC, GIGA DRAIN, CONFUSE RAY, SURF
- liquid ooze actually hurts leech seeders.

12. MILOTIC FOCUS BAND MODEST SURF, ICE BEAM, SAFEGUARD, MIRROR COAT
- would've rate this one higher if it had more speed.

13. GENGAR LEFTOVERS ADAMANT SLUDGE BOMB, SHADOW BALL, CONFUSE RAY, WILL-O-WISP
- makes a decent physical sweeper with STAB and can inflict

14. AERODACTYL CHOICE BAND ADAMANT HYPER BEAM, EARTHQUAKE, AERIAL ACE, ANCIENTPOWER
- choice bander necessary for certain grass types

15. CHARIZARD BRIGHTPOWDER ADAMANT EARTHQUAKE, AERIAL ACE, DRAGON DANCE, SMOKESCREEN
- dragon dancer may have certain problems but can be unstoppable

16. MACHAMP CHESTO BERRY ADAMANT CROSS CHOP, EARTHQUAKE, BULK UP, REST
- great at handling certain normal or dark pests

17. MAROWAK THICK CLUB ADAMANT EARTHQUAKE, ROCK SLIDE, SWORDS DANCE, ICY WIND
- would've rated higher if not for faster grass types, still an awesome physical sweeper

18. SNORLAX CHESTO BERRY ADAMANT EARTHQUAKE, ROCK SLIDE, CURSE, REST
- excellent curselax but may need some setting up still

19. URSARING QUICK CLAW ADAMANT DOUBLE-EDGE, EARTHQUAKE, BRICK BREAK, COUNTER
- quite an annoyer with quick claw

20. TAUROS CHESTO BERRY ADAMANT DOUBLE-EDGE, EARTHQUAKE, DOUBLE TEAM, REST
- so long is it does not get leech seeded can still be quite a force.

21. SLOWBRO LEFTOVERS MODEST SURF, ICE BEAM, CALM MIND, YAWN
- quite annoying as it can still setup

22. SLOWKING SHELL BELL MODEST YAWN, THUNDER WAVE, SURF, PSYCHIC
- similar to above as it has some staying power.

23. SCIZOR QUICK CLAW ADAMANT SILVER WIND, STEEL WING, SWORDS DANCE, LIGHT SCREEN
- may need setting up, can be unstoppable

The following 2 should be avoided at all costs:
1. SHUCKLE LEFTOVERS CAREFUL SANDSTORM, DIG, FLASH, DOUBLE TEAM
- probably better off in doubles

2. PORYGON2 LUM BERRY MODEST SOLARBEAM, SUNNY DAY, THUNDER WAVE, RECOVER
- only attack is solar beam

THE PYRAMID​

For the best Pyramid coverage, go to this guide:
Wild Pokemon in the Pyramid

Expert Evan wrote it, and it is the most detailed Pyramid guide on the forums.

This is the guide on the main site. It has info on the items you will get on different floors and a small amount of info on Brandon.
Pyramid Guide on Serebii.net

These are some very brief strategy summaries. Refer to the links, but this is a good overview.

Suggested pokemon
Round 1: Bring a ground type to deal with early electrics, as well as something to deal with the grass types (a psychic, fire or flying will do [note this one needs to be fast and be able to ohko.]). Since the trainers should be easy, if you want to use a pickup pokémon to get some extra items, now's the time.
Round 2: Just bring a Steel type. I used Metagross. The other 2 can be used for combatting trainers. Pickup would also be good here as well.
Round 3: I'd suggest a quick fire type with earthquake, as well as a quick water type. The fire type can get rid of the fire typed opponents while having no risk of being burned, and the water typed pokémon is to ohko the fire types quickly. Typhlosion and Starmie wouldn't be a bad combo for this. For your last pokémon, I'd suggest something to help you beat Brandon, since this is the round he first appears in.
Round 4: This one's harder to prepare for, since the challenge isn't just a type. Did you manage to find a choice band? If so, attach it to a strong and quick physical sweeper (Salamence, Flygon, Zangoose...) and make sure it has a variety of different typed moves so you can prepare for anything. Oh and make sure you have something to deal with Shedinja.
Round 5: Don't use any avid EQ users. No pokémon here is affected by it. Most of them will go down to a quick shadow ball from something. As for Weezing and Flygon, try bringing that same Starmie again.
Round 6: All I can suggest is: Bring some quick pokémon of the flying type, or with the levitate ability. Wobbuffet and Wynaut will still cause trouble, but the rest you should be able to beat easily, since their earthquake won't work. However, be wary of rock slide if you're using Flyers. Flygon would tear them a new one.
Round 7: Bring a fast pokémon with a strong fire attack, like a Charizard or Typhlosion. These are all ice types. Bring some electric too since there are some that are part water.
Round 8: Bring some ghost types, since some of them will end their life with exploding moves. Other than that, just bring your best sweepers.
Round 9: Bring a strong dark typed pokémon. All wild pokémon are psychic types. Make sure one of your dark types has crunch and is up first, so that you can fend off Wobbuffet.
Round 10: I'd suggest something that can whip rock type's butts, like a quick water type. The other 2 I'd suggest to be different types so you can beat other trainers and of course, Brandon.
From PB88 frontier tips and tricks

Expert evan suggests
Linoone: 1, 2
Flygon: 1, 2
Starmie: 2, 3, 4, 5,
Salamence: 1, 2
Gengar: 1, 2
Metagross: 2, 4, 8, 9, 10
Slaking: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Houndoom: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Lapras: 6, 7
Milotic: 10
Heracross:3


THE ARENA​

For the greta gold round, a strong fighting pokemon like heracross to take out umbreon, a fast psychic pokemon like starmie, alakazam, latios or gardevoir to take out gengar & breloom, and a fast physical sweeper to make up for the weaknesses of the others. Aerodactyl, salamence and other intimidate pokemon are good.

Use mainly a phisical and special sweepers, defensive sweepers are also recomended.


THE PIKE​

The Pike is a difficult facility that tests your Luck. Really, because you need luck to make it through the challenges ahead. When you enter the challenge itself, you will see three curtains. Choose one to go into the next room. Some things that will help you...

Powerful_Blaziken88 said:
Hint Lady
Before you pick which of the 3 doors, talk to the lady standing between the entrances of the centre and right rooms. She'll ask you whether you're having difficulty choosing your path. Say yes, and she'll give you a hint regarding one of the rooms. Below is a list of each message and what could happen if you pick that room.

"Ah, let me see, there is something about the path [path]..."
A trainer? I sense the presence of people - 75% chance of fighting a 3 on 3 single battle against a trainer, 25% of having your team fully healed.
I seem to have heard something, perhaps a whisper - 20% chance of fighting a double battle with trainers each holding 1 pokémon, 80% chance of finding an empty room which still counts for your room streak *yipee*.
It seems to have the distinct aroma of pokémon wafting around it - 25% you fight a stronger than usual (for the round) trainer in which you get fully healed afterwords, 75% chance you will end up in a room which you have to kind of zigzag through in which there are wild pokémon that get in your way.
For some odd reason, I felt a wave of nostalgia coming from it - 50% chance you'll enter a room where either a Dusclops or a Kirlia inflicts 1-3 of your pokémon with a random status condition, 50% chance you enter a room where someone heals 1 or 2 of your pokémon.
I'm sorry to say, but a terrifying event, yes a horrible one, is about to befall you. I urge you to pay the utmost care and prepare for the worst from every path. I sense a dreadful presence - A random number of pokémon are healed (0 is a possibility), and then Pike Queen Lucy approaches and challenges you.

Select pokemon that can handle status, or are immune to status. Try pokemon that have the Natural Cure ability. The Lum berry helps as well, but keep in mind that Lucy's Seviper has Swagger, and if the Lum gets used up by a previous encounter, your lead-off will have no defense against the treacherous confusion-move.



BATTLE PALACE​

Starmie, naive, natural cure, holding brightpowder
- surf
- ice beam
- thunderbolt
- recover

metagross, naughty, clear body, holding lum berry
- meteor mash
- earthquake
- shadow ball
- double team

blissey, bold, natural cure, holding leftovers
- seismic toss
- aromatherapy
- softboiled
- toxic

This is Expert Evans Gold palace team, but it can do everything it's meant for

Here are some important links:
This page has EVERY SINGLE POKEMON from your opponents in the Frontier!
Every Frontier Pokemon
Note:this page doesn't always load

This page has everything you could ever want to know about the Frontier Brains!
The Frontier Brains

Here is the info on Expert Evans gold frontier symbols | Battle frontier beginning trainer help thread | PB88 frontier tips and tricks | Things that may help in the BF | The golden summit | EE's secret base training tips | Breeding help/discussion thread | How natures effect stats

Credits:
1 You, for reading
2 Me, for the idea
3 Absol20/20, for back-up
4 Expert Evan, for back-up and the best suggestions
5 Everyone, who made the suggestions

If anybody has comments and suggestions, come here
 
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Shiny Crobat

Well-Known Member
OK, but the best pkmn for each facility section is a bit small, I mean there are much more good pkmn and "lapras"?
It could use some more work like: palace, latios, starmie, sceptile
 

Shiny Crobat

Well-Known Member

Shiny Crobat

Well-Known Member
^ to use curselax in the tower
off-topic: volteon makes tc's like those?
^Off topic: yes

OK, arcanine could be a good pkmn, and my raikou sweeps the dome (yeah I know strange, but calm mind and light screen are a good combo, and with his flawless speed and modest nature it almost swept my friend whole team and he has the same team as I)
 

Shiny Crobat

Well-Known Member
Just a second:

AAce
xtreme speed
overheat
dig/iron tale/ sunny day?
 

Shiny Crobat

Well-Known Member
Good, i suupose it's adamant, and the ev's should be 252att/speed/6sp.att
it must also have a high iv of sp.att
am adding it now

yeah, if it could learn calm mind that would be good

Suicune can be a great wall and a good sweeper, mybe wanna ad it to your list.
 
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Shiny Crobat

Well-Known Member
^what do you think about flamethrower and return there?

It already has a low spatk so no flamethrower, and xtreme speed is just more effective: image the battle vs tucker a faster charizard, you can kill it using xtreme spd
 

Shiny Crobat

Well-Known Member
so you're against flamethrower?, O.K., but i mean return in the iron tail slot

No i'm not against it, i'm just saying the other one could be a bit more effective
return, ahhh maybe two normal type atk's? It could be possible but.......... OK

A response to my suicune thingy?
 

Absol 20/20

Seasoned Trainer
Bold or Calm would work, too. Simply because it's nearly impossible to get a "custom" legendary without TRUCKLOADS of time and effort.........mostly time, though.
 

Shiny Crobat

Well-Known Member
Milotic isn't on your list. latias isn't either
 
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