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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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