Ryota Mitarai
Shrektimus Prime
Previous thread led by Kurona
Previous thread led by Ryota Mitarai
This thread's goal is to act as a place where we work on and archive write-ups for the Pokemon ranked on the FireRed and LeafGreen in-game tier list. The goal of a write-up is to describe in a few sentences per category how a Pokemon performs and why it's a specific rank.
Before reserving a Pokemon, please take some time to read this post for guidelines and other useful information.
Formatting
What to write in each section
You can use a write-ups editor I made for FRLG. The way you use is to write in the fields your entry, which causes real-life updates at the bottom of the application. You can track how the entry looks like and then copy the BBCode to post it here. Note that I am not maintaning the tool actively and therefore won't addres bugs (as this is a pretty short-term tool anyways)
You can use the Black & White, Red, Blue & Yellow, and the (not published at the time of posting) HeartGold & SoulSilver articles to get a good idea of how the entries will/should look like. It is important to note, however, that the RBY list is not a substitute for the entries here and should not be used as a source of information whatsoever; this includes blatantly copy/pasting significant amount of information from there, even if the statements are true for FRLG as well
You can also use some of the prepared entries as guiding points as well.
About changing ranks
Since the FRLG list has officially concluded, this thread will not be accepting any new nominations. There was a countdown in the previous thread about it and you had plenty of time to make a case about a Pokemon. The only reasons for which we are going to change a rank are if it's proven that the rank was based off factually inaccurate data (e.g. we put Alakazam in S-tier because it learns Sheer Cold, which is not true) or a mechanic is discovered that can impact a Pokemon's performance. In either case, I will reevaluate the rank and may change it if I feel the case for change is good enough. Furthermore, I reserve the right to make changes to the ranks in the event of extreme cases (e.g. I forgot to update a ranking from the countdown or I simply didn't pay attention to a Pokemon and didn't give an opportunity to discuss it).
List of Pokemon
If a Pokemon is in strikethrough, it means that the entry has been added and therefore is no longer up for grabs.
Abra
Jynx
Mr. Mime
Clefairy
Eevee (Vaporeon)
Gastly (Trade)
Mankey
Nidoran-M
Snorlax
Squirtle
Staryu
Articuno
Bulbasaur
Charmander
Doduo
Exeggcute
Gastly (No Trade)
Growlithe
Psyduck
Lapras
Magikarp
Nidoran-F
Spearow
Tentacool
Zapdos
Bellsprout
Caterpie
Drowzee
Eevee (Flareon)
Eevee (Jolteon)
Electabuzz
Farfetch'd
Geodude (Trade)
Goldeen
Hitmonchan
Hitmonlee
Horsea
Krabby
Machop (Trade)
Magnemite
Meowth
Oddish
Pikachu
Pinsir
Poliwag
Rattata
Scyther
Slowpoke
Seel
Shellder
Venonat
Voltorb
Vulpix
Aerodactyl
Cubone
Diglett
Dratini
Ekans
Geodude (No Trade)
Grimer
Jigglypuff
Kabuto
Kangaskhan
Koffing
Machop (No Trade)
Magmar
Moltres
Omanyte
Paras
Pidgey
Ponyta
Rhyhorn
Sandshrew
Tangela
Tauros
Weedle
Zubat
Chansey
Ditto
Lickitung
Onix
Porygon
Previous thread led by Ryota Mitarai
This thread's goal is to act as a place where we work on and archive write-ups for the Pokemon ranked on the FireRed and LeafGreen in-game tier list. The goal of a write-up is to describe in a few sentences per category how a Pokemon performs and why it's a specific rank.
Before reserving a Pokemon, please take some time to read this post for guidelines and other useful information.
Formatting
Code:
[b]Name[/b]
:rs/pokemon:
[b]Availability:[/b] Early-/Mid-/Late-game (location (details if applicable), extra details if needed, levels if applicable) (version if applicable).
[b]Typing:[/b] content
[b]Stats:[/b] content
[b]Movepool:[/b] content
[b]Major Battles:[/b] content
[b]Additional Comments:[/b] content
- A Pokemon is classified as early-game if it can be obtained before fighting Misty (including with sequence breaking), mid-game if it can be obtained before fighting Koga (including with sequence breaking), or late-game otherwise. Unlike other lists, this one does not have an end-game due to Kanto's open nature.
- Location should reflect the most efficient way of obtaining the Pokemon, which may not necessarily be the earliest moment you can obtain the Pokemon. If there are other locations that have an inherent advantage over what you picked, you should mention them in Additional Comments (read the Additional Comments section for more details). In regards to Safari Zone vs Game Corner, always go for Game Corner availability, but do mention the Safari Zone one in Additional Comments
- in "details if applicable", you can put things like "surfing", "Good/Super Rod", or specific floor of the location (e.g. (B2F)).
- "extra details" can be any additional information that the reader may need to know in regards to obtaining the Pokemon. This could be the amount of coins needed to obtain it, the Pokemon for which you must trade it, that it requires Cut/Strength/other HM, or anything else you may think is not obvious.
- if a Pokemon is a version exclusive, "(version if applicable)" should be either "(FR)" or "(LG)".
- Encounter rates are not mentioned here. If the encounter rate is particularly bad or there's a good reason to mention it, this should be done in Additional Comments
- Location should reflect the most efficient way of obtaining the Pokemon, which may not necessarily be the earliest moment you can obtain the Pokemon. If there are other locations that have an inherent advantage over what you picked, you should mention them in Additional Comments (read the Additional Comments section for more details). In regards to Safari Zone vs Game Corner, always go for Game Corner availability, but do mention the Safari Zone one in Additional Comments
- in "details if applicable", you can put things like "surfing", "Good/Super Rod", or specific floor of the location (e.g. (B2F)).
- "extra details" can be any additional information that the reader may need to know in regards to obtaining the Pokemon. This could be the amount of coins needed to obtain it, the Pokemon for which you must trade it, that it requires Cut/Strength/other HM, or anything else you may think is not obvious.
- if a Pokemon is a version exclusive, "(version if applicable)" should be either "(FR)" or "(LG)".
- Encounter rates are not mentioned here. If the encounter rate is particularly bad or there's a good reason to mention it, this should be done in Additional Comments
- Explain how the typing helps or hinders the Pokemon. You can help yourself by answering the questions below
- Does the typing have a type advantage/disadvantage against many of the major opponents?
- Does the Pokemon have a type advantage against notably difficult opponents, like Misty, Lorelei, or Lance?
- Does the typing synergize well with the Pokemon's stats and moves? Is it capable of utilizing it well or is it useless in some aspects (for example, Pinsir's typing is useless offensively)?
- It is important to note that you should not repeat the type chart here. For example, do not say that Charmander is good against Grass, Bug, Steel, and Ice Pokemon, while bad against Rock, Ground, and Water Pokemon. Instead, focus on how the typing helps or hinders the Pokemon.
- Does the typing have a type advantage/disadvantage against many of the major opponents?
- Does the Pokemon have a type advantage against notably difficult opponents, like Misty, Lorelei, or Lance?
- Does the typing synergize well with the Pokemon's stats and moves? Is it capable of utilizing it well or is it useless in some aspects (for example, Pinsir's typing is useless offensively)?
- It is important to note that you should not repeat the type chart here. For example, do not say that Charmander is good against Grass, Bug, Steel, and Ice Pokemon, while bad against Rock, Ground, and Water Pokemon. Instead, focus on how the typing helps or hinders the Pokemon.
- Clarify which stats are good and which are bad.
- Similarly to Typing, avoid reciting the stats spread here. Focus on how the stats help or hinder the Pokemon. For example, is the Pokemon slow and thus will require more healing due to always taking damage? Is it frail, meaning that it relies greatly on OHKOs and, if yes, is this a reasonable expectation of the Pokemon to function well? And other similar questions
- You can also mention if the stats are good only for a specific portion of the game. For example, some Pokemon's stats are decent only for the early-game and mediocre later on.
- Avoid talking about stats that have absolutely no relevance to the Pokemon. For example, no one cares about Hitmonlee's low Special Attack, because no one is going to use a special one. On the other hand, though, you could mention that for Hitmonchan and explain that this prevents it from using its decent coverage in the form of elemental punches.
- Similarly to Typing, avoid reciting the stats spread here. Focus on how the stats help or hinder the Pokemon. For example, is the Pokemon slow and thus will require more healing due to always taking damage? Is it frail, meaning that it relies greatly on OHKOs and, if yes, is this a reasonable expectation of the Pokemon to function well? And other similar questions
- You can also mention if the stats are good only for a specific portion of the game. For example, some Pokemon's stats are decent only for the early-game and mediocre later on.
- Avoid talking about stats that have absolutely no relevance to the Pokemon. For example, no one cares about Hitmonlee's low Special Attack, because no one is going to use a special one. On the other hand, though, you could mention that for Hitmonchan and explain that this prevents it from using its decent coverage in the form of elemental punches.
- Talk about useful moves which the Pokemon learns
- It is ideal that you mention explicitly if a Pokemon learns a move through TMs or tutors. If the Pokemon learns the move by level, you can mention the specific level if you think it has relevance.
- Avoid mentioning moves which are on theory good, but which you would never teach to the Pokemon. For example, while Alakazam does learn Shadow Ball, Alakazam wouldn't make a great use of it, so it's best not to mention it.
- It is ideal that you mention explicitly if a Pokemon learns a move through TMs or tutors. If the Pokemon learns the move by level, you can mention the specific level if you think it has relevance.
- Avoid mentioning moves which are on theory good, but which you would never teach to the Pokemon. For example, while Alakazam does learn Shadow Ball, Alakazam wouldn't make a great use of it, so it's best not to mention it.
- Talk about how it performs in major battles. Avoid mentioning route trainers, as those are not considered very relevant.
- In general, there's no problem with going in a little bit more detail as to how a Pokemon beats a certain opponent as long as you haven't written too much otherwise and don't overdo it. Likewise, if a Pokemon notably loses against an opponent (e.g. a Ground-type losing against Lt. Surge), it's fine to explain why.
- You do not have to mention every fight and how the Pokemon performs there. Instead, you can say "[Pokemon] beats/loses to X, Y, and Z and loses/wins against the rest" (in a more descriptive manner obvously) to keep it somewhat concise.
- You do not have to mention only sweeps; anything you deem valuable to mention (e.g. beating most of Lorelei's team) is good to be mentioned
- In general, there's no problem with going in a little bit more detail as to how a Pokemon beats a certain opponent as long as you haven't written too much otherwise and don't overdo it. Likewise, if a Pokemon notably loses against an opponent (e.g. a Ground-type losing against Lt. Surge), it's fine to explain why.
- You do not have to mention every fight and how the Pokemon performs there. Instead, you can say "[Pokemon] beats/loses to X, Y, and Z and loses/wins against the rest" (in a more descriptive manner obvously) to keep it somewhat concise.
- You do not have to mention only sweeps; anything you deem valuable to mention (e.g. beating most of Lorelei's team) is good to be mentioned
- You can put in here any piece of information that you couldn't place anywhere else
- You need to make a small summary of the Pokemon. For example, "Beedrill is all-around a mediocre Pokemon whose niche is being useful in a few key fight" or something along this lines.
- If there are multiple ways to obtain a Pokemon and those ways have distinct advantages over others, you should mention the alternatives, what they have over whatever you listed as availability, but why they are ultimately a worse option.
- If there's a preferred ability and this hasn't been made obvious in the write-up, you can mention it here.
- You need to make a small summary of the Pokemon. For example, "Beedrill is all-around a mediocre Pokemon whose niche is being useful in a few key fight" or something along this lines.
- If there are multiple ways to obtain a Pokemon and those ways have distinct advantages over others, you should mention the alternatives, what they have over whatever you listed as availability, but why they are ultimately a worse option.
- If there's a preferred ability and this hasn't been made obvious in the write-up, you can mention it here.
- Aim to write somewhat professionally; no slang words like "lol/kills/f*ck" and similar.
- Generally, we aim for three sentences per category, but you can go for more if necessary or makes for a better flow.
- Aim to write somewhat coherently. It is understandable that English may not be your first language, but I should not have to rewrite the entire write-up to make it readable.
- You can refer to the spelling and grammar standards thread for clarification on Pokemon-specific grammar.
- We do not have any "length" quotas. Do not worry about an analysis being too short; some Pokemon are very simple to use and, naturally, will end up with more concise entries and that is perfectly fine!
- No cross-referencing (aka referring to another Pokemon's write-up or other information that could only be reasonably gathered by reading its write-up). Each entry is written in a vacuum and assumes that no other write-up has been read. An example of cross referencing could be "Nidoran-F performs like Nidoran-M, but loses against X" or "Moltres hits harder than the Pokemon in S-tier" (the latter is bad because the reader has no way of knowing what the power level of S is like without having read all of the entries there). More general cross-referencing is allowed (e.g. "Omanyte is significantly worse than other Water-types due to the amount of investment it requires to perform comparably") if it can help make a point clear.
- Generally, we aim for three sentences per category, but you can go for more if necessary or makes for a better flow.
- Aim to write somewhat coherently. It is understandable that English may not be your first language, but I should not have to rewrite the entire write-up to make it readable.
- You can refer to the spelling and grammar standards thread for clarification on Pokemon-specific grammar.
- We do not have any "length" quotas. Do not worry about an analysis being too short; some Pokemon are very simple to use and, naturally, will end up with more concise entries and that is perfectly fine!
- No cross-referencing (aka referring to another Pokemon's write-up or other information that could only be reasonably gathered by reading its write-up). Each entry is written in a vacuum and assumes that no other write-up has been read. An example of cross referencing could be "Nidoran-F performs like Nidoran-M, but loses against X" or "Moltres hits harder than the Pokemon in S-tier" (the latter is bad because the reader has no way of knowing what the power level of S is like without having read all of the entries there). More general cross-referencing is allowed (e.g. "Omanyte is significantly worse than other Water-types due to the amount of investment it requires to perform comparably") if it can help make a point clear.
You can use a write-ups editor I made for FRLG. The way you use is to write in the fields your entry, which causes real-life updates at the bottom of the application. You can track how the entry looks like and then copy the BBCode to post it here. Note that I am not maintaning the tool actively and therefore won't addres bugs (as this is a pretty short-term tool anyways)
You can use the Black & White, Red, Blue & Yellow, and the (not published at the time of posting) HeartGold & SoulSilver articles to get a good idea of how the entries will/should look like. It is important to note, however, that the RBY list is not a substitute for the entries here and should not be used as a source of information whatsoever; this includes blatantly copy/pasting significant amount of information from there, even if the statements are true for FRLG as well
You can also use some of the prepared entries as guiding points as well.
Q&A
Can I reserve Pokemon and is there a limit?
You can reserve a Pokemon, but reservations are only valid for 24 hours, after this, they become null. In addition, you don't have any limits as to how many you want to write up and reserve, but be realistic (don't take 10 when you have the time for two only). Avoid reserving the entire list of Pokemon early on (if we don't see much activity here, you may be allowed to take on more Pokemon, provided that you can finish them in a timely manner)
Do I need evidence of having used the Pokemon to write it up?
You do not need any sort of "credentials" to write up a Pokemon, but thorough experience with it is preferred. You can check the linked threads to gather more information on the Pokemon if you feel you need to.
How will the entries be evaluated?
Once you are done writing up an entry, it will receive a QC check from me. Generally speaking, I will simply make any correction as I see fit (be it grammatical or formatting edits) and then put your work on the list of entries, but in more extreme cases, I may ask you to address my concerns before I put your work on the list simply to ensure that you have written up a huge part of the entry.
I don't know if I should add this piece of info
If you are wondering about this, feel free to either add it in your entry or leave a note or something for me and I will tell you what to do with that. Chances are that it won't be too big, so don't worry about "wrong" information being held against you, since I will just correct it myself if I need to
Why are we using the RS sprites?
I have a tool that will convert the entries into HTML code, which will save me tons of time when the time comes to code it. The tool works with the in-built sprites, so we are using those, since there are no FRLG sprites on Smogon. Of course, the actual article will have FRLG sprites, so don't worry about this.
Can I reserve Pokemon and is there a limit?
You can reserve a Pokemon, but reservations are only valid for 24 hours, after this, they become null. In addition, you don't have any limits as to how many you want to write up and reserve, but be realistic (don't take 10 when you have the time for two only). Avoid reserving the entire list of Pokemon early on (if we don't see much activity here, you may be allowed to take on more Pokemon, provided that you can finish them in a timely manner)
Do I need evidence of having used the Pokemon to write it up?
You do not need any sort of "credentials" to write up a Pokemon, but thorough experience with it is preferred. You can check the linked threads to gather more information on the Pokemon if you feel you need to.
How will the entries be evaluated?
Once you are done writing up an entry, it will receive a QC check from me. Generally speaking, I will simply make any correction as I see fit (be it grammatical or formatting edits) and then put your work on the list of entries, but in more extreme cases, I may ask you to address my concerns before I put your work on the list simply to ensure that you have written up a huge part of the entry.
I don't know if I should add this piece of info
If you are wondering about this, feel free to either add it in your entry or leave a note or something for me and I will tell you what to do with that. Chances are that it won't be too big, so don't worry about "wrong" information being held against you, since I will just correct it myself if I need to
Why are we using the RS sprites?
I have a tool that will convert the entries into HTML code, which will save me tons of time when the time comes to code it. The tool works with the in-built sprites, so we are using those, since there are no FRLG sprites on Smogon. Of course, the actual article will have FRLG sprites, so don't worry about this.
About changing ranks
Since the FRLG list has officially concluded, this thread will not be accepting any new nominations. There was a countdown in the previous thread about it and you had plenty of time to make a case about a Pokemon. The only reasons for which we are going to change a rank are if it's proven that the rank was based off factually inaccurate data (e.g. we put Alakazam in S-tier because it learns Sheer Cold, which is not true) or a mechanic is discovered that can impact a Pokemon's performance. In either case, I will reevaluate the rank and may change it if I feel the case for change is good enough. Furthermore, I reserve the right to make changes to the ranks in the event of extreme cases (e.g. I forgot to update a ranking from the countdown or I simply didn't pay attention to a Pokemon and didn't give an opportunity to discuss it).
List of Pokemon
If a Pokemon is in strikethrough, it means that the entry has been added and therefore is no longer up for grabs.
Jynx
Mr. Mime
Eevee (Vaporeon)
Gastly (Trade)
Mankey
Nidoran-M
Snorlax
Squirtle
Staryu
Bulbasaur
Charmander
Doduo
Exeggcute
Gastly (No Trade)
Growlithe
Psyduck
Lapras
Magikarp
Nidoran
Tentacool
Zapdos
Caterpie
Drowzee
Eevee (Flareon)
Eevee (Jolteon)
Electabuzz
Farfetch'd
Geodude (Trade)
Goldeen
Hitmonchan
Hitmonlee
Horsea
Krabby
Machop (Trade)
Magnemite
Meowth
Oddish
Pikachu
Pinsir
Poliwag
Rattata
Scyther
Slowpoke
Seel
Shellder
Venonat
Voltorb
Vulpix
Cubone
Diglett
Dratini
Ekans
Geodude (No Trade)
Grimer
Jigglypuff
Kabuto
Kangaskhan
Koffing
Machop (No Trade)
Magmar
Moltres
Omanyte
Paras
Pidgey
Ponyta
Rhyhorn
Sandshrew
Tangela
Tauros
Weedle
Zubat
Ditto
Lickitung
Onix
Porygon
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