Be the easiest with the very worst

The rerelease of Pokemon Stadium by way of the Nintendo Swap On-line Enlargement Pack has been a combined bag. On one hand, it’s nice to see a by-product like Pokemon Stadium see the sunshine of day once more. Curiosity in aggressive Pokemon battling has taken off exponentially since 2000, so Stadium in some ways feels extra related right this moment than it was at launch.

Alternatively, the best characteristic of Pokemon Stadium was its integration with Pokemon Pink, Blue, and Yellow by way of the N64 Switch Pak. The Swap launch of Pokemon Stadium sorely lacks this, forcing gamers to make use of rental Pokemon with… lower than very best movesets. Pokemon like Alakazam which might be in any other case excellent in Technology 1 are rendered virtually ineffective because of rental movesets. Beating Pokemon Stadium with leases is an uphill battle, however in case you are completely devoted, you can make progress with these monsters. You simply must know who to decide on.

A pair disclaimers. First, the “finest rental Pokemon” will change relying on the encounter. Each Pokemon’s transfer pool adjustments between Cups, which might dramatically have an effect on their viability. Moreover, some rental Pokemon counter particular trainers higher than others. For instance, Dugtrio isn’t on this checklist, however it’s invaluable in outspeeding Lt. Serge’s Raichu earlier than it makes use of Surf.

Moreover, keep in mind that we’re reverting to Technology 1 guidelines in Pokemon Stadium. Particular Assault and Particular Protection are lumped into one stat, and bodily/particular strikes are predetermined by Kind. So strikes like Ice Punch do not scale off Assault. With all that out of the best way, listed here are typically one of the best rental Pokemon in Pokemon Stadium.

10: Kadabra

Right here’s the factor about Psychic-Kind Pokemon in Technology 1: they’re virtually uncontested. Even an unevolved Pokemon like Kadabra turns into a drive to be reckoned with below these circumstances. Sure, Alakazam has higher stats, but it surely utterly lacks the transfer Psychic. In the meantime, Kadabra usually has this staple assault along with Recuperate in Poke Cup and Thunder Wave in Prime Cup. It solely has Psybeam within the Health club Fortress, however that is nonetheless superior to Alakazam realizing… Psywave. Why?

Kadabra is particularly good in Pika Cup, the place it outperforms opponents like Mr. Mime.

9: Rhydon

Rhydon is a robust Pokemon in Technology 1, and it’s serviceable in Pokemon Stadium. It has an unlimited Assault stat, and its entry to strikes like Dig and Earthquake assist it deal critical injury. Its different strikes aren’t particularly notable, as Rhydon lacks the Particular stat to make Thunder or Surf actually work. Luckily, getting Identical-Kind Assault Bonus (STAB) with Floor-Kind assaults justify its spot right here.

8: Chansey

Chansey is one other nice Technology 1 Pokemon that’s merely fairly good in Pokemon Stadium. Its sky excessive HP and Particular stats are wonderful, however its movesets range wildly relying on the place you utilize it. In Pika Cup, Thunder Bolt makes it formidable, and Bubble Beam no less than provides it some protection. Ice Beam and Thunder aren’t dangerous within the Health club Chief fortress both, even when the latter will make you pray to the RNG gods for fulfillment.

In any other case, Chansey is generally right here that will help you wall Psychic-Kind Pokemon that in any other case can’t be countered. Relaxation and Decrease (Poke Cup) or Seismic Toss (Prime Cup) aren’t very best, however they’re higher than what some rental Pokemon deliver.

7: Exeggutor

Exeggutor is a bizarre one. Its predominant offensive transfer in most Cups is Mega Drain, which… isn’t the strongest. This monster primarily makes it right here as a result of, once more, Psychic-Kind Pokemon are good. Because it really resists Psychic, it could actually weaken in any other case impenetrable foes with Leech Seed and Stun Spore. It additionally is aware of both Egg Bomb or Stomp in all however Pika Cup, letting it deal okay bodily injury towards monsters with weaker defenses.

6: Moltres

The Legendary Birds qualify based mostly on stats alone. Within the case of Moltres, regardless of its obvious weak point to Rock-Kind assaults, it fares effectively within the context of Pokemon Stadium. Fireplace Blast is comparatively correct for the large injury it offers, and Fly is a good transfer in Poke Cup. In the meantime, Agility and Mirror assist it arrange a bit in Prime Cup in case you have a great alternative to make use of them.

The opposite Fireplace-Sorts actually don’t outperform Moltres, so give this chook a shot should you want the protection.

5: Articuno

Equally, Articuno is value a choose because of constant entry to Ice Beam. Ice is nice offensively, so overlaying this base alone makes Articuno beneficial. Moreover, a frozen Pokemon is tantamount to a KO’d Pokemon, as the one methods to heal the situation contain objects (which you can’t use) or getting thawed by a Fireplace-Kind transfer (which you received’t use).

Whereas Articuno may be very weak to Rock-Kind assaults, it simply outspeeds the likes of Golem and Rhydon. And with its trademark highly effective Particular stat, it can declare straightforward knockouts earlier than they even act. That mentioned, its Prime Cup variation does know Agility, so you may increase your Velocity even additional should you want it.

4: Zapdos

Rounding out our legendary birds, Zapdos is a remarkably sturdy choose within the Poke Cup. Thunderbolt is the transfer for Zapdos to have, and Thunder Wave lets it debilitate foes if it lacks kind benefit. Mixed with implausible Electrical/Flying Typing, Zapdos turns into a authentic powerhouse.

Within the different Cups, Zapdos is caught with Thunder, which is… effectively, inaccurate. That mentioned, you do have Save States on the Swap On-line model of the sport, so you may restart encounters in the event that they don’t go your manner. Some might say that is dishonest, however taking part in with out the Switch Pak is already unfair, so that you may as effectively degree the taking part in area.

It needs to be famous that Jolteon may be very corresponding to Zapdos. With much less Particular however extra Velocity, the thunder fox could also be your finest choose towards monsters like Tentacruel and Starmie. It has the identical main Electrical strikes as Zapdos in every Cup, so choose whichever counters your potential opponents finest.

3: Vaporeon

Health club Fortress Vaporeon is simply stable. With entry to Surf and Aurora Beam, Vaporeon has good protection and stats to match. It’s nonetheless fairly good within the different Cups, although another Water-Kind Pokemon might wind up being a bit higher. Starmie is a good choose within the Poke Cup, as the mix of Surf and Thunder is just too stable to go up. Vaporeon can work in Prime Cup too, simply notice that you simply’ll use Hydro Pump as a substitute of Surf.

2: Nidoking

Earthquake. That’s why Nidoking is right here. Possibly that doesn’t sound like an enormous deal, however entry to probably the strongest transfer within the sport with a STAB increase goes a good distance. Moreover, whereas Rhydon has the better Assault stat, Nidoking has a definite Velocity benefit. It received’t outspeed really quick Pokemon, however it can run circles round different Floor-Kind choices other than Dugtrio.

You received’t use any of Nidoking’s different strikes exterior of particular circumstances. Horn Drill is there as a final resort should you’re actually backed in a nook, however playing on a 30% probability isn’t nice technique. However as a counterpoint, did I point out Earthquake is de facto sturdy? The truth that Nidoking’s Particular stat will hold it from passing out on the sight of water can also be good.

1: Jynx

Jynx is one of the best rental, fingers down. Whereas each different Pokemon on this checklist is fortunate to have two respectable strikes, Jynx approaches a well-rounded package. Psychic is your highly effective bread-and-butter transfer, dealing stable injury towards nearly each monster within the sport. Ice Punch isn’t one of the best Ice assault, but it surely’s nonetheless advantages from STAB and provides Jynx beneficial protection. Lastly, Beautiful Kiss is a comparatively correct Sleep-inducing transfer, which can assist you safely swap in a brand new Pokemon in a pinch. You simply might need to endure the enemy waking up on flip one a number of instances.

Better of all, Jynx at all times has entry to those strikes. Her fourth transfer might be a Regular-Kind assault relying on the Cup, which does present her a solution to injury opponents with excessive Particular stats. Moreover, a Psychic/Ice-Kind mixture mixed with good Velocity provides Jynx an abnormally excessive set of favorable matchups. Simply be careful for Rock and Fireplace-Kind assaults.

Of all of the rental Pokemon, Jynx is the one one you could possibly feasibly use in each encounter. Her usability falls off laborious in Pokemon Stadium 2, however for the sake of our collective sanity, let’s fear about that later.