PDL's guide to the usefulness of pokemon obtained in Colosseum/XD

[PDL]

(excuse the cumbersome title)

this is the guide to the the usefulness of the pokemon obtained in the GCN games of the advanced generation. It's purpose is to inform people on what can be caught, who's the best and about both games in general (and to possibly cut down on the number of stickies that are in this forum, seriously there's 12 of them right now!)

so what makes Colosseum/XD so special? quite a few things

1. battling in 3-D: this concept's been around since the very first stadium game was introduced in Japan, it gives the feel of battling in realistic* settings

*realistic meaning 3-D models just standing in a 3-D environment

2. 3-D RPG: This is the biggest feature that separates Colo/XD from the stadium games. a 3-D RPG was one of the things most asked for by pokemon fans everywhere... and they got it in Colosseum/XD... sort of.

3. obtaining otherwise unobtainable pokemon: This is the biggest reason why Colosseum/XD have been hugely popular**. Without the CGN games, if you want to capture every pokemon, you would need to spend a huge amount of time and money buying and playing every single GBA game, sometimes playing the same game pack fully... 3 times. However, if you have a gamecube and a GCN/GBA cable! fear not! For with Colosseum, you have access to quite a few pokemon that were previously only found in pokemon GS and C. With XD, you can get a nearly*** all version exclusives from RSE and FRLG. With both, you can obtain both GSC legendary birds, which are otherwise only available through Nintendo events, and we know how many Nintendo had...

**only among pokemon fans, they've never been bestsellers
***the only version exclusive not available in XD is Slowpoke

4. Double battle central: while pokemon Ruby and Sapphire introduced us to the concept of double battles, there were only 10 or so, 9 of them optional. Colosseum expanded upon this though, inventing all sorts of new and unique strategies.

anyway, let's get this train wreck a rollin'

 

[PDL]

Part 1: Colosseum​

Colosseum always had a soft spot in my heart for a number of reasons. First of, it's storyline is the most original in a pokemon game released to date, not even XD is as original as Colosseum is storyline-wise, it's storyline was probably greatly influenced by the 4th pokemon movie Celebi: voice of the forest.

Secondly, it gives the spotlight to the GSC pokemon. Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal have been fan favourites, however it had many flaws, one flaw was the over-representation of old pokemon as opposed to the newer ones. Most GSC pokemon had been shafted by their RBY predecessors, and only a handful actually made it on to standard teams. With Colosseum however, you're pretty much forced to use the pokemon given to you to beat the main game. (and you can't trade either, not until you've beaten the main game)

Thirdly, it gives you access to a number of items that are either only 1 of them, extremely hard to find or not even available at all.

Shiny pokemon: one of the most sought after pokemon are differently coloured pokemon, commonly referred to as “shinies”. Just like in the GBA games, Shinies can be found in Colosseum and XD. However, Colosseum/XD shinies could be considered even rarer since there's only limited chances of finding one. So how do you tell that you have a shiny? Well, it's actually pretty easy. First of, usually the colours of the 3-D model are different from the regular 3-D model. Secondly, when it gets released, you will see 2 yellow orbs that create a sort of lens flare effect. The odds of getting a shiny are the same of getting a shiny in a GBA game. About 1 in 8192.

Shiny Smeargle: the one pokemon that is often mistaken for being a shiny is Smeargle, however, chances are, it's not likely. Since Colosseum and XD reuse the same 3-D models that have been present in all the stadium games, Smeargle's 3-D model is the same as it appeared in Stadium 2 (or 3 in Japan) rather then being the same as the GBA sprite.

So how do you tell whether. you're Smeargle is shiny? Well, in the GBA games, regular Smeargle's tail is green while shiny Smeargle's tail is red. However, in the GCN games, the colours are reversed. Regular Smeargle's tail is red while shiny Smeargle's tail is green.

(credit to Shining Mew for the original Shiny thread)

 

[PDL]

alright now I'll rate each pokemon obtained in Colosseum on a scale of 1-10, and I'll tell you how they're best used, and other interesting tidbits about them.

The Start of the game​

Espeon
Obtained at: you get this pokemon at the start of the game
usefulness:10
Best used as: Special Sweeper
Information: before Colosseum, I have never been too keen on Eeveeultions at all (and technically, I still am not a huge fan of them) but now I guess Espeon and Umbreon are my favourites (that doesn't mean I'm going to draw'em)

Espeon is an extremely useful psychic pokemon, and is best used for sweeping opponent's non-shadow pokemon with Psychic. This one also has Return, which can be useful... sort of. Other moves it can learn is Morning Sun to heal, Reflect and Helping Hand, which can be useful considering that nearly every battle in Colosseum are double battles.

This espeon (and umbreon) are always male so don't try reseting to get a female, it's not going to happen.

Alternate way(s) of getting Espeon: the best thing about getting Espeon/Umbreon in Colosseum is that you get them instantly, the only other way of obtaining it is by trading an Eevee into RSE and evolving it by happiness (which takes plenty of time, and is quite confusing)

Umbreon
Obtained at: you get this pokemon at the start of the game
usefulness: 9.5
Best used as: Tank/Sponge/Annoyer, Capture specialist
Information: Umbreon is the Yin to Espeon's Yang. While Espeon's stat placement make it an awesome special sweeper, Umbreon's best used in non-attacking roles.

This makes it nearly useless in the main game, but you can use this to your advantage by having it battle the shadow pokemon by absorbing damage and whittling away their HP. It can learn a number of moves that take advantage of it's high defense and HP.

This one comes with Bite, Secret Power, Taunt and Snatch. Taunt forces the opponent into attacking (which umbreon can take) and Snatch steals useful effects (however, don't try to use Snatch when Espeon is using Reflect on the same turn or something interesting will happen...) It can also learn Confuse Ray and Moonlight, making it very useful in annoying and tanking.

Alternative way(s) of getting Umbreon: the best thing about getting Espeon/Umbreon in Colosseum is that you get them instantly, the only other way of obtaining it is by trading an Eevee into RSE and evolving it by happiness (which takes plenty of time, and is quite confusing)

 

[PDL]

Phenac City​

by now, you should have had you're first few battles, now you're ready to snag new pokemon to add to your arsanel. Go back to the Outskirt Stand and buy some pokeballs, then you'll be ready to take your biggest challenge yet.

Makuhita
Obtained at: you snag this pokemon from one of Miror B's Peon, Trudly, from inside the mayor's house
Obtained again at: the mayor's house once again when you beat the game.
Usefulness: 3
Best used as: Physical Sweeper
Information: Makuhita is the very first shadow pokemon you capture (or “snag”) in Colosseum, however, it usually ends up in the PC for the rest of the game. Why Makuhita? Well, it completes the psychic/dark/fighting triad started by Espeon and Umbreon.

This pokemon has a lot of HP and attack power, plus it may have the Guts ability. This can be useful in double battles if it's partner has Toxic, of course this maneuver is pretty risky, but it's speed won't be hindered by paralysis or attack by burn. It's kind of unfortunate that Facade isn't available in Colosseum, since that attacks attack power is doubled with a status affliction. This one has Cross Chop, an extremely powerful move which is usually bred onto makuhita.

Alternative way of getting Makuhita(s): it can be easily found in Granite cave or victory road in Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald, thus why it's usually dumped in Colo. One can also be found in XD.

Bayleef
Obtained at: you snag this pokemon from the green mystery troop member, Verde, at one of the gates if Phenac city (not sure which one though, either east, west or south)
Obtained again at: you're second encounter with Verde. It is either at Realgam tower if you tried to get Bayleef the first time around (it's stats will be set at the first encounter), or after you beat the game, either at the Snag'em headquarters or the Shadow research institute.
Usefulness: 9
Best used as: Special Sweeper/Tank
Information: The appearance of this pokemon, along with Quilava and Croconaw, makes it seem like the choosing of the stater tradition that's in nearly every other pokemon game. What makes this so unusual though is that this is the only time where you're able to capture them like a wild pokemon, it's never been done before with any starter, let alone evolved ones. Regardless of who you face, once you get one of them, the other 2 are gone for most of the game. Luckily you can get the other 2 later, rather then never again like in the handheld games. The starter also has a 1 in 8 chance of being female, so it's a good idea to save before capturing.

Bayleef has higher defenses then attack stats, but it can learn a few attacks such as Body Slam or Razor Leaf, and also a few moves like Synthesis, Reflect, Light Screen and Safeguard. The one you get will know Sunny Day, which can prove extremely useful if Espeon and Umbreon know Morning Sun/Moonlight. Solarbeam is an option as well.

Alternative way(s) of getting Bayleef: GSC starter pokemon are extremely rare in the advanced games, the only ways is to get a chikorita by completing the Hoenn Pokedex in Emerald or beat mount battle in XD. Both ways take a long time. So it's best to get Bayleef from Colosseum and breed it. (would it be called an “ender” rather then a “starter” if you get it at the end of the game?)

Quilava
Obtained at: you snag this pokemon from the red mystery troop member, Russo, at one of the gates in Phenac (not sure which one though, either east, west or south)
Obtained again at: you're second encounter with Russo. It is either at Realgam tower if you tried to get Quilava the first time around (it's stats will be set at the first encounter), or after you beat the game, either at the Snag'em headquarters or the shadow research institute
Usefulness: 9.5
Best used as: Special Sweeper
Information: The appearance of this pokemon, along with Bayleef and Croconaw, makes it seem like the choosing of the stater tradition that's in nearly every other pokemon game. What makes this so unusual though is that this is the only time where you're able to capture them like a wild pokemon, it's never been done before with any starter, let alone evolved ones. Regardless of who you face, once you get one of them, the other 2 are gone for most of the game. Luckily you can get the other 2 later, rather then never again like in the handheld games. The starter also has a 1 in 8 chance of being female, so it's a good idea to save before capturing.

Quilava is great at special sweeping, but it only seems to be limited to fire type attacks, and Thunderpunch if you have Emerald. It has a decent physical attack, brick break is useful. As one of the few fire types in the game, it is extremely useful to players who don't want to use the few alternatives. This one has Sunny Day as well, making it useful with movesets which use it to an advantage.

Alternative ways(s) if getting Quilava: GSC starter pokemon are extremely rare in the advanced games, the only ways is to get a cyndaquil by completing the Hoenn Pokedex in Emerald or beat mount battle in XD. Both ways take a long time. So it's best to get Bayleef from Colosseum and breed it. (would it be called an “ender” rather then a “starter” if you get it at the end of the game?)

Croconaw
Obtained at: you snag this pokemon from the blue mystery troop member, Bluno, at one of the gates in Phenac (not sure which one though, either east, west or south)
Obtained again at: you're second encounter with Bluno. It is either at Realgam tower if you tried to get Croconaw the first time around (it's stats will be set at the first encounter), or after you beat the game, either at the Snag'em headquarters or the shadow research institute.
Usefulness: 8.5
Best used as: Physical Sweeper
Information: The appearance of this pokemon, along with Bayleef and Quilava, makes it seem like the choosing of the stater tradition that's in nearly every other pokemon game. What makes this so unusual though is that this is the only time where you're able to capture them like a wild pokemon, it's never been done before with any starter, let alone evolved ones. Regardless of who you face, once you get one of them, the other 2 are gone for most of the game. Luckily you can get the other 2 later, rather then never again like in the handheld games. The starter also has a 1 in 8 chance of being female, so it's a good idea to save before capturing.

Croconaw is probably one of the better water pokemon in the game, though that isn't saying much, It's attack is higher, so physical moves such as Earthquake and Aerial Ace(which isn't really available in the game) are useful. This one also knows Rain Dance and Surf, Ice Beam is also a good idea.

Alternative ways(s) if getting Croconaw: GSC starter pokemon are extremely rare in the advanced games, the only ways is to get a Totodile by completing the Hoenn Pokedex in Emerald or beat mount battle in XD. Both ways take a long time. So it's best to get Bayleef from Colosseum and breed it. (would it be called an “ender” rather then a “starter” if you get it at the end of the game?)

(credit for Ket Shi for the information on 2nd capture chances)