How to Raise Pokemon: Tepig

Our star: Tepig! 

Today, we are going to discuss Tepig. Because everybody loves fire types. Let's get started.

Is Tepig Good?

Yes. Tepig is good. He is probably the easiest starter to use. But you shouldn't confuse that with the best starter. Tepig has the huge physical attack and HP, as well as a myriad of high base power attacks.

However Tepig is also the slowest of the three starters, has the lowest defense and special defense, and the most weaknesses. In this respect, Tepig is sort of a glass cannon. Tepig is really useful early in the game, but as you go on you'll start to realize that he can't really fight as wide a range of opponents that Snivy or Oshawott could have given the right mount of attention.



When/How Does Tepig Evolve?


Tepig evolves into Pignite at level 17. Upon evolving his type will change from fire, to fire-fighting. Pignite then evolves into Emboar at level 36.


What Moves Should I Teach Tepig?


With Tepig you want to run a moveset that compliments his "hit their weak point for massive damage" playstyle. Basically you'll be running a fire move, a fighting move, and 2 attacks for hitting what those aren't effective against.



Moves You Should Definitely Teach Tepig


Slot 1: Level 1, Tackle > Level 17, Arm Thrust > Move Relearner (as Emboar), Hammer Arm
Slot 2: Level 3, Tail Whip >Level 23, Rollout > TM, Rock Slide
Slot 3: Level 7, Ember > Level 15, Flame Charge > Level 31, Heat Crash > Level 62, Flare Blitz
Slot 4: Level 9, Odor Sleuth > Level 13, Defense Curl > Level 43, Flamethrower/TM Bulk Up/Earthquake

You might not like defense curl when you first get it, but it's very useful. If Pignite uses defense curl before using Rollout, it will deal even more damage, which is always a good thing. However, you should replace Rollout with Rock Slide as soon as you get the TM for it. Rock Slide does more damage right from the get-go, and doesn't take up two moveslots.

You can replace Defense Curl with just about anything really after you get Rock Slide. I would recommend Flamethrower as a secondary Fire move for heavier Pokémon that Heat Crash would't hit hard enough.


As soon as Pignite evolves into Emboar, you should go to the move relearner and replace Arm Thrust with Hammer Arm. Hammer Arm is the strongest fighting type move Emboar has access to, but it lowers his speed each time he uses it. Of course, Emboar's so slow this isn't really a problem though.

Other Moves to Consider

TM, Overheat

Overheat is a special attack with 140 base power, that lowers Emboars special attack each time he uses it. This move is actually not bad when you consider the fact that most of Emboar's moves are physical anyways. I would put it in slot 4 (defense curl and it's replacements).


Level 50, Head Smash


Head Smash deals 150 base power, but also only has 80 accuracy and 5 pp. It also deals one fourth of the damage dealt back to Emboar. (This is where having a lot of HP comes in handy.) So it's basically a Rock type variant of Flare Blitz. You should put it in slot 2 (rock slide).



Overall


Emboar, is a good old fashioned powerhouse. He hits things hard, and even though he doesn't hit first he does hit last. Pokémon Emboar is weak against will always give him trouble, so you shouldn't rely too heavily on him. 


Be sure to check out the other starter Pokémon before you make any decisions. How to Raise Snivy. How to Raise Oshawott. Leave a comment saying which starter is your favorite!