Best Team for Pokémon HeartGold

Typhlosion

Fire — Starter

Cyndaquil evolves quickly and Typhlosion's Fire STAB handles the Grass, Bug, and Steel types scattered throughout both Johto and Kanto.

Gyarados

Water / Flying — Physical Sweeper

Fish a Magikarp early on Route 32; Gyarados remains among the top physical Water types in Gen IV and gains Dragon Dance for sweeping both Johto and Kanto Gym Leaders.

Ampharos

Electric — Special Attacker

Mareep on Route 32 is catchable before the second gym; Ampharos covers the Water routes through both regions and handles Whitney's Miltank with Thunderpunch.

Heracross

Bug / Fighting — Physical Attacker

Headbutt trees on Route 33 or outside Azalea Town; Heracross is the strongest physical attacker available in Gen IV Johto and crushes Dark, Normal, and Rock types.

Espeon

Psychic — Fast Special Attacker

Receive Eevee from Bill in Goldenrod City; high daytime friendship evolves it into Espeon, covering the Psychic and Fighting matchups throughout Kanto's Gym Leaders.

Dragonite

Dragon / Flying — Late-Game Ace

Receive a Dratini from the Dragon's Den elder in Blackthorn City after earning the Rising Badge; Dragonite reaches full power in the Kanto stretch and is one of the strongest non-legendary Pokémon in HeartGold.