User:Amiosi/Low-BST Challenge: Difference between revisions

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This page is meant as a source of information about low-base stat total challenge runs. The idea or "spirit" of the challenge is to prove the usefulness of very weak fully evolved Pokémon that GAME FREAK took a good look at and said "Yeah, that's good." While playing through and beating games with these Pokémon, the player main gain an insight into why these species were designed they way they are, and gain greater appreciation for them as a whole.

Information that can be found here includes:

Which Pokémon are available to use, when they can be obtained, and the versions they appear in
Recommended versions to play
Tips and strategies
More coming soon...

Pokémon that become available after first watching the credits roll are not listed. The exceptions to this are HeartGold and SoulSilver, which have the battle with Red atop Mt. Silver, as well as Scarlet and Violet, which have most of the content contained within The Indigo Disk.

Ruleset

The maximum BST per Pokémon is generally 400, but in games where less than 6 unique Pokémon are available, the limit is adjusted to allow for a full party.

Non-fully evolved Pokémon (referred to as NFEs) are banned from the challenge starting in Generation V due to the held item Eviolite, which causes them to be much bulkier than other Pokémon with similar BSTs. In earlier Generations, the usage of NFEs is up to the the player, though discouraged (and not covered on this page). Allowing NFEs widens the pool of available Pokémon by a large margin. Some Pokémon (such as Kadabra) have proven to be extremely powerful despite their low BSTs. Others, such as starter Pokémon, are only available to be used in their first stage, making them an experience sink that will fall off in the mid-to-late game. Additionally, Everstone usage and canceling evolution on every level up is an annoyance factor.

Other Pokémon that are typically banned from the challenge include Shedinja and Wishiwashi due to their Abilities Wonder Guard and Schooling, as well as Ditto and Smeargle due to their moves Transform and Sketch. Additionally, forms of Pikachu that are unaffected by Eviolite are banned due to the held item Light Ball, which effectively makes their BST 523.

Mega Stones are banned, due to Mega Evolution increasing all applicable Pokémon's BSTs well above the maximum.

Certain near-universal TMs and Move Tutor moves are potentially banworthy due to allowing any Pokémon to simply rely on luck or the strength of the opponent. Note that this does apply to Pokémon which learn these moves naturally. They are as follows:

Additional rules, such as item restrictions and level caps (often seen in Nuzlockes), can be applied to this challenge as well. If items are allowed, Wobbuffet is banworthy due to HP-restoring items enabling it to counterattack repeatedly.

As with any challenge, it is also reccomended that the game be played in Set mode.

Generation I

BSTs in this Generation are calculated on the modern scale by doubling the Special stat.

BST	Availability	Game(s)
348	1 Badge	R	G	B	Y
350	0 Badges	R	G	B	Y
370	2 Badges	R	G	B	Y
370	2 Badges^JB 3 Badges^RG	R	G	B	Y
375	2 Badges	R	G	B	Y
375	2 Badges	R	G	B	Y
385	0 Badges	R	G	B	Y
385	2 Badges	R	G	B	Y
393	0 Badges	R	G	B	Y
395	2 Badges	R	G	B	Y
400	1 Badge	R	G	B	Y

The recommended game for this set is Green (English Blue). The reasoning is as follows:

Beedrill and Lickitung are available
Porygon only costs 6,500 Coins, as opposed to 9,999^R^Y/8,300^JB
Caterpie is more common in the wild than in Red, and can be found at a higher level
- Butterfree's Confusion is more useful against Brock than Beedrill's Poison Sting

Tips and strategies:

Lickitung is the only available Pokémon capable of learning Surf
If planning on playing Stadium, try not to level up past Lv50
Choose Squirtle as a starter Pokémon in order to make battles with Blue easier
In Mt. Moon, pick up TM12 (Water Gun) on 1F
On Route 24, pick up TM45 (Thunder Wave)
On the S.S. Anne, pick up TM08 (Body Slam) on 1F
At the Celadon Department Store, purchase a Fresh Water and give it to the girl on the roof to receive TM13 (Ice Beam)
- If using Onix, purchase and give her a Soda Pop to receive TM48 (Rock Slide)
- If using Hitmonchan, purchase TM17 (Submission) on 2F
In the Rocket Hideout, pick up TM10 (Double-Edge) on B3F
In Saffron City, speak to Mr. Psychic to receive TM29 (Psychic)
In Silph Co., pick up TM26 (Earthquake) on 10F
- If using Lickitung, pick up TM03 (Swords Dance) on 7F
In the Pokémon Mansion, pick up TM14 (Blizzard) on B1F
Lorelei is difficult, but can be brought down by a combination of a Thunderbolt user, Hitmonlee/Hitmonchan, and a Mega Drain user for cleanup
Bruno and Agatha are completely swept by Psychic, though Earthquake may come in handy for the latter
Lance folds to a BoltBeam user, with Onix's Rock Slide being useful for revenge kills

For convenience, these are the NFEs that are over the maximum BST:

Ivysaur (405)
Gloom (405)
Ponyta (410)
Dragonair (420)
Weepinbell (430)
Kadabra (450)
Haunter (465)

Generation II

BST	Availability	Game(s)
330	7 Badges	G	S	C
336	0 Badges	G	S	C
352	3 Badges	G	S	C
360	2 Badges	G	S	C
380	3 Badges	G	S	C
385	0 Badges^G^C 2 Badges^S	G	S	C
385	0 Badges^S^C 2 Badges^G	G	S	C
385	7 Badges	G	S	C
390	0 Badges	G	S	C
390	0 Badges	G	S	C
390	2 Badges	G	S	C

The recommended game for this set is Crystal. The reasoning is as follows:

The most Pokémon are available
Both Caterpie and Weedle are available early

Tips and strategies:

An HM slave is required to use Waterfall
If planning on playing Stadium 2, try not to level up past Lv50
Begin the game on a Thursday to receive a Hard Stone from Arthur on Route 36
Choose Totodile as a starter Pokémon in order to make battles with Silver easier
Catch an Unown with Rock-type Hidden Power, and use it with the aforementioned Hard Stone to defeat Falkner
On Friday, speak to Frieda on Route 32 to receive a Poison Barb
Skip past the two Hikers in Union Cave, as well as the one on Route 33
Teach Ledyba/Ledian ThunderPunch and Ice Punch via TMs purchased at the Goldenrod Department Store
If planning on using Corsola, pick up TM04 (Rollout) on Route 35
In the National Park, speak to the Teacher to receive a Quick Claw, and also pick up TM28 (Dig)
On Sunday, obtain TM27 (Return) from a woman on 5F of the Goldenrod Department Store, as well as a Magnet from Sunny on Route 37
Morty's Pokémon (except Gengar) can only damage Aipom with Curse or a move copied by Mimic
At the Lake of Rage, speak to the man in the northwestern house to receive TM10 (Hidden Power)
After clearing out Team Rocket's Hideout, speak to the guard in the gate on Route 43 to receive TM36 (Sludge Bomb)
After defeating Team Rocket at the Goldenrod Radio Tower, speak to DJ Mary on 4F to receive a Pink Bow
Will's Pokémon can easily be defeated by Ledian, with the exception of his Jynx
Most of Koga's Pokémon are weak to Butterfree's Psybeam, but Crobat's Wing Attack will quickly take it out
Bruno's Pokémon are also defeated by Butterfree, but Machamp's Rock Slide will OHKO if it hits
Karen's Gengar can only damage Aipom and Lickitung with Curse
Before battling Lance, have Ledian hold a PRZCureBerry in order to to heal the paralysis caused by his Dragonite's Thunder Wave

Generation III

Hoenn-based games

BST	Availability	Game(s)
330	5 Badges	R	S	E
360	2 Badges	R	S	E
375	2 Badges	R	S	E
380	5 Badges	R	S	E
380	0 Badges	R	S	E
380	1 Badge	R	S	E
380	1 Badge^R 7 Badges^E	R	S	E
385	0 Badges	R	S	E
385	0 Badges	R	S	E
400	1 Badge	R	S	E
400	1 Badge	R	S	E
400	1 Badge	R	S	E

The recommended game for this set is Sapphire. The reasoning is as follows:

Both Roseila and Sableye are available
- While Mawile's Intimidate is useful, Sableye has no weakness in this Generation
Battles against Team Aqua are easier than those against Team Magma
Tate and Liza are near-insurmountable in Emerald due to their Claydol's Earthquake

Colosseum

The maximum BST for this game is 405.

Pokémon	BST	Availability
	390	Pyrite Bldg
	405	Post-Miror's Hideout
	390	The Under
	360	Shadow PKMN Lab
	405	Shadow PKMN Lab
	390	Shadow PKMN Lab
	330	Realgam Tower

Shadow Pokémon

Due to the late availability of most Pokémon in this game and the requirement that the player have at least 2 party members at all times, it is permissable to use unpurified Shadow Pokémon.

Pokémon	Level	BST	Location
	Lv30	237	Mayor's House
//	Lv30	405	Phenac City
	Lv30	250	Pyrite Town
	Lv30	340	Pyrite Town
	Lv30	365	Pyrite Town
	Lv20	300	Pyrite Bldg
	Lv33	280	Pyrite Cave
	Lv33	310	Pyrite Cave
	Lv43	340	Shadow PKMN Lab

Kanto-based games

The maximum BST for these games is 405.

BST	Availability	Game(s)
352	2 Badges	FR	LG
385	0 Badges	FR	LG
385	0 Badges	FR	LG
385	2 Badges	FR	LG
405	1 Badge	FR	LG
405	2 Badges	FR	LG

The recommended game for this set is FireRed. The reasoning is as follows:

Lickitung can be obtained by trading a Golduck rather than a Slowbro
- Psyduck requires less grinding/Rare Candies to evolve than Slowpoke
Caterpie is more common in the wild
- Butterfree's Confusion is more useful against Brock than Beedrill's Poison Sting

XD: Gale of Darkness

Due to XD requiring that the player have 2 party members at all times, it is permissable to use an unevolved Eevee alongside Ledyba until Spinarak is caught.

Pokémon	BST	Availability
	390	Gateon Port
	390	Cipher Lab
	380	Cipher Lab
	380	ONBS
	400	Pre Gym
	375	Post-Snagem Hideout
	385	Cipher Key Lair
	385	Cipher Key Lair
	380	Citadark Isle
	352	Citadark Isle
	385	Citadark Isle

Generation IV

Sinnoh-based games

Although the maximum BST for these games is 411, Azumarill and Medicham are not listed due to their Abilities, Huge Power and Pure Power, which effectively make their BSTs 509 and 519, respectively.

BST	Availability	Game(s)
336	2 Badges^DP 3 Badges^Pt	D	P	Pt
384	0 Badges	D	P	Pt
385	0 Badges^Pt 1 Badge^DP	D	P	Pt
385	0 Badges^Pt 1 Badge^DP	D	P	Pt
405	1 Badge	D	P	Pt
410	2 Badges^P 5 Badges^Pt	D	P	Pt
410	0 Badges	D	P	Pt
411	1 Badge	D	P	Pt

The recommended game for this set is Platinum. The reasoning is as follows:

Move Tutors are available
Wurmple is available earlier and learns Bug Bite, though it must be kept from evolving until level 15
Kricketot learns Bug Bite, though it must be kept from evolving until level 16
Kricketune learns Slash and Night Slash
Bibarel learns Curse
The availability of some TMs and HMs was changed:

TM / HM		Availability
TM / HM		DP	Pt
	TM07 (Hail)	2 Badges	6 Badges
	TM10 (Hidden Power)	0 Badges	3 Badges
	TM18 (Rain Dance)	2 Badges	7 Badges
	TM26 (Earthquake)	6 Badges	2 Badges
	TM27 (Return)	2 Badges	0 Badges
	TM37 (Sandstorm)	2 Badges	Postgame
	HM04 (Strength)	2 Badges	5 Badges
	HM05 (Defog)	2 Badges	3 Badges

Johto-based games

BST	Availability	Game(s)
330	7 Badges	HG	SS
336	0 Badges	HG	SS
352	3 Badges	HG	SS
380	3 Badges	HG	SS
385	0 Badges^HG 2 Badges^SS	HG	SS
385	0 Badges^SS 2 Badges^HG	HG	SS
390	0 Badges	HG	SS
390	0 Badges	HG	SS

After entering the Hall of Fame

BST	Availability	Game(s)
330	8 Badges	HG	SS	Pokéwalker
360	8 Badges	HG	SS	Pokéwalker
380	8 Badges	HG	SS	Pokéwalker
380	8 Badges	HG	SS	Pokéwalker
380	8 Badges	HG	SS	Pokéwalker
384	8 Badges	HG	SS	Pokéwalker
385	8 Badges	HG	SS	Pokéwalker
385	8 Badges	HG	SS	Pokéwalker
400	8 Badges	HG	SS	Pokéwalker
400	8 Badges	HG	SS	Pokéwalker

The recommended game for this set is HeartGold. The reasoning is as follows:

Ariados is available
- While Ledian can potentially abuse Baton Pass, Ariados has access to Night Shade and priority moves
Caterpie is available earlier
- Butterfree's Confusion is helpful against Proton, Bugsy, and Silver in Azalea Town

Tips and strategies:

Choose Totodile as a starter Pokémon in order to make battles with Silver easier

Generation V

Black and White

The maximum BST for these games is 461.

BST	Availability	Game(s)
420	0 Badges	B	W
425	1 Badge	B	W
428	3 Badges	B	W
445	1 Badge	B	W
446	0 Badges	B	W
460	4 Badges	B	W
461	3 Badges	B	W

The recommended game for this set is Black. The reasoning is as follows:

The Basculin obtained from the in-game trade in Driftveil City has Reckless rather than Rock Head
- Since Basculin has low defenses, avoiding recoil damage is less useful than the boost in power Take Down and Double-Edge receive

Black 2 and White 2

Although the maximum BST for these games is 420, Azumarill is not listed due to its Ability, Huge Power, which effectively makes its BST 509.

BST	Availability	Game(s)
330	7 Badges	B2	W2
380	7 Badges	B2	W2
380	2 Badges	B2	W2
413	2 Badges	B2	W2
415	1 Badge	B2	W2
420	4 Badges	B2	W2
420	0 Badges	B2	W2

The recommended game for this set is White 2. The reasoning is as follows:

More Pokémon are available
A Flame Orb can be found in Reversal Mountain rather than a Toxic Orb
- Guts Raticate prefers this item, since burn deals less damage over time than bad poison

Generation VI

Kalos-based games

BST	Availability	Game(s)
330	6 Badges	X	Y
330	1 Badge	X	Y
352	0 Badges	X	Y
360	7 Badges	X	Y
380	6 Badges	X	Y
380	1 Badge	X	Y
380	2 Badges	X	Y
380	1 Badge	X	Y
390	1 Badge	X	Y
390	7 Badges	X	Y
395	0 Badges	X	Y
395	0 Badges	X	Y
400	1 Badge	X	Y
400	1 Badge	X	Y

The recommended game for this set is X. The reasoning is as follows:

Weedle can be found on Route 2 rather than Caterpie
- The first mandatory battle of the game, Youngster Austin, blocks access to Santalune Forest. His level 5 Zigzagoon can only be overcome by poisoning it with Weedle, or evolving Caterpie into Metapod

Tips and strategies:

Luvdisc is the only available Pokémon capable of learning Surf before it is required
Choose Froakie as a starter Pokémon in order to make battles with Calem/Serena easier
- Shauna is only battled twice, and her starter only has a Fire-type move in the second one, by which time the player has access to plenty of options to counter it
All Balls thrown on Route 2 are a guaranteed capture
Catch a Bunnelby on Route 2 to trade for Quacklin' the Farfetch'd in Santalune City. It has a Jolly nature and 31 IVs in Speed
On Route 4, pick up a Poison Barb
On the first visit to Lumiose City, purchase TM75 (Swords Dance) and TM76 (Struggle Bug)
- On South Boulevard, speak to the Rising Star on 1F of the building across from Shutterbug Café to recieve a Quick Claw
If planning on using Sableye, pick up TM01 (Hone Claws) on Route 5
In Camphrier Town, stop by Cassius' house and speak to the Punk Girl to recieve TM46 (Thief)
On Route 6, avoid battling the Poké Fan Family, as their two Furfrou are very difficult to beat at this point
After obtaining HM01 (Cut), backtrack to Route 5 and pick up a Sharp Beak
After dealing with Snorlax, pick up a Silver Powder on Route 7
Decline to battle every Sky Trainer encountered, as Butterfree and Ledyba/Ledian are not equipped to handle the multitude of Flying-type moves these Trainers use
In Ambrette Town, speak to a girl outside of the Ambrette Aquarium to recieve TM94 (Rock Smash)
- After visiting the Fossil Lab, speak to the Beauty in the Route 9 gate to recieve a Rocky Helmet
- If planning on using Corsola, speak to a Beauty in Hotel Ambrette to recieve TM96 (Nature Power)
In Glittering Cave, pick up a Hard Stone
- If planning on using Sableye, pick up TM65 (Shadow Claw)
On Route 10, pick up a Mind Plate
After defeating Grant, re-enter Connecting Cave to pick up TM40 (Aerial Ace), and pick up TM73 (Thunder Wave) on Route 10
In Geosenge Town, pick up a Soft Sand, and speak to the Monsieur in the Pokémon Center to recieve TM66 (Payback)
In Reflection Cave, pick up a Black Belt on 1F
- If using Skitty, pick up a Moon Stone on 1F
In Shalour City, purchase TM84 (Poison Jab)
In Korrina's Gym battle, her Machoke's Rock Tomb is the only move that can damage Sableye
After obtaining HM03 (Surf), backtrack to Route 8 and pick up TM19 (Roost)
On Route 12, use Cut to obtain Leftovers
In Azure Bay, pick up a Splash Plate
- If planning on using Ariados, pick up TM81 (X-Scissor)
In Coumarine City, speak to the Monsieur in the house next to the lighthouse to recieve a Silk Scarf
- Speak to the Veteran near Hotel Coumarine once a day until she hands out TM62 (Acrobatics)
- Speak to the Punk Guy in the Route 13 gate to recieve a Black Sludge
On Route 13, pick up TM57 (Charge Beam)
In the Kalos Power Plant, pick up a Zap Plate