Generation V

Best Team for Pokémon Black

Pokémon Black features an entirely new roster of Pokémon until the postgame and has the strongest story in the mainline series. The Unova region's Pokémon are diverse and powerful for in-game purposes.

Recommended Team

Emboar

Fire / Fighting — Starter

firefighting

Weak towater2×ground2×flying2×psychic2×

Tepig's Fire/Fighting STAB mirrors Infernape's utility; Emboar is bulkier and handles most Gym Leaders through sheer power with Flamethrower and Hammer Arm.

Excadrill

Ground / Steel — Physical Powerhouse

groundsteel

Weak tofire2×water2×fighting2×ground2×

Drilbur is available in Wellspring Cave (Route 3) before the second gym; Excadrill's Sand Rush and massive Attack make it one of the strongest Pokémon in Unova.

Galvantula

Bug / Electric — Speed Attacker

bugelectric

Weak tofire2×rock2×

Joltik appears in Chargestone Cave (post-5th badge); Galvantula's Thunder Wave and Thunderbolt provide paralysis support and Electric coverage against the Water routes.

Haxorus

Dragon — Physical Sweeper

dragon

Weak toice2×dragon2×fairy2×

Axew is found in Mistralton Cave (post-5th badge); Haxorus has one of the highest Attack stats of any Dragon type available in-game and Dragon Dance makes it unstoppable.

Chandelure

Ghost / Fire — Special Sweeper

ghostfire

Weak towater2×ground2×rock2×ghost2×dark2×

Litwick appears in Celestial Tower (post-5th badge); evolve to Lampent at level 41 then use a Dusk Stone; Chandelure's Special Attack is the highest non-legendary in Gen V.

Seismitoad

Water / Ground — Bulky Coverage

waterground

Weak tograss4×

Tympole is found in Pinwheel Forest and Route 8; Seismitoad covers Water and Ground in one slot with natural immunity to Electric attacks.

Tips & Notes

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Black has the exclusive Pokémon Reshiram, Cottonee/Whimsicott, and Vullaby — none are essential but Reshiram is a great addition for the final battles.
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Haxorus requires patience: Axew doesn't become Haxorus until level 48, but the payoff is the strongest Dragon type available before the Elite Four.
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Chandelure requires a Dusk Stone — there's one in Celestial Tower and one obtainable from Join Avenue or the Dust Clouds in caves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best team for Pokémon Black?

The recommended team for Pokémon Black is: Emboar, Excadrill, Galvantula, Haxorus, Chandelure, Seismitoad. Pokémon Black features an entirely new roster of Pokémon until the postgame and has the strongest story in the mainline series. The Unova region's Pokémon are diverse and powerful for in-game purposes.

What starter should I choose in Pokémon Black?

Emboar (Fire / Fighting — Starter): Tepig's Fire/Fighting STAB mirrors Infernape's utility; Emboar is bulkier and handles most Gym Leaders through sheer power with Flamethrower and Hammer Arm.

What tips should I know for Pokémon Black?

Black has the exclusive Pokémon Reshiram, Cottonee/Whimsicott, and Vullaby — none are essential but Reshiram is a great addition for the final battles. Haxorus requires patience: Axew doesn't become Haxorus until level 48, but the payoff is the strongest Dragon type available before the Elite Four. Chandelure requires a Dusk Stone — there's one in Celestial Tower and one obtainable from Join Avenue or the Dust Clouds in caves.

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Pokémon Black — Game Overview

Gym leaders, starters, Pokédex, and more

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