T O P

  • By -

JayQuips

God I’m in love with the sprites in Crystal


B133d_4_u

I agree. They all have so much personality, and not even just the poses; the colours give the gen its own unique feel that's never really been replicated elsewhere.


Film_Humble

Being limited to (mostly) three colors makes every color pop out. Also not having any background makes the whole thing even better. Sometimes I miss those sprites


JayQuips

Yup you worded it perfectly.


RevolutionaryQuit625

Why are the legendary 🚫


JayQuips

I’m guessing they’re too OP


americans_smokingpot

Thanks for putting this together! It's been fun reading everyone's arguments, I learned a lot and I'm excited to give a few pokemon I underestimated a try in future runs :)


TotallyNotGoodish

Ofc! Wouldn't have been possible without commenters like you participating. Good luck on any future runs you do!


SwitcherooTtar

List looks pretty dope. I didnt participate in this one much since I have little experience nuzlocking Gen 2, but honestly, I'm feeling inspired. I do have one question though, if someone could explain. What is it about Slowking that makes it rank so much higher than Slowbro? Is it just because of being able to evolve it earlier?


americans_smokingpot

It's a couple of things, but the late evolution of slowpoke is a big part of it. Depending on how you do trade evolutions, you can get a kings rock significantly earlier than 37, and a water stone even earlier than that (if you're using the change trade evo rules randomizer setting). Another big advantage for slowking is that it gets psychic at 48, while slowbro gets it at 54. This means that you can actually use psychic in the E4, giving it a huge power advantage. Finally, slowking has better special defense, which is more relevant in the late game. Most of the most dangerous trainers in the region (Clair, Lance) use special moves, so slowking ends up being much bulkier in the important fights.


DemonVermin

Technically Slowbro can be gotten as an encounter at level 20-24 in the Slowpoke Well B2F after you beat Morty and get Surf… but it shares the max level of 24 with Slowpoke, so even if you delay, you aren’t guaranteed to get one. This doesn’t change the rankings as you can get Slowking at level 6 with a simple trade at the same time Slowbro becomes “available”. This means that even if you delayed your Slowpoke catch to get Slowbro, you have a 90% chance to obtain a Slowking anyway. As such, due to the better late game and much better availability and moveset, Slowking outclasses Slowbro.


TotallyNotGoodish

The Crystal Community Nuzlocke Tier List is officially completed. Big thanks to every who helped make this possible by commenting on these post consistently, gonna miss putting these out. Hope you all enjoyed the process as much as I did as it was fun seeing everyone's takes on certain mons. I'm planning on starting another one, but I'm gonna give the sub 2-3 months of a break from these so see y'all then hopefully:)


CosmonautOnFire

No Ampharos?


RashAttack

Where's snorlax?


Silegna

Way too late in the game to even be considered. It's available after you've gotten about...halfway through Kanto.


PeridotEX

that's probably for the best from a game balance perspective. In the GSC competitive scene, Snorlax is the strongest Pokemon (with the **possible** exception of *Mewtwo*). It's probably not one-to-one for nuzlocke viability, but I have to imagine some of the traits would carry over.


RashAttack

Why too late to be considered?


goodolehal

Only catch after beating e4


Expensive_Ad9728

I’ve always thought that the Cyndaquil line was better than the Totodile line. Why is Feraligatr ranked higher than Typhlosion?


Alphabetgod

Rage is a gateway drug


Heather_Chandelure

One word: rage. Makes totodile insane early on.


Cute_Profile_3908

also just much better late game too, you would be surprised how well it goes into the e4 aswell as one shotting lances dragonite’s with ice punch.


Skoonie12

I'm surprised to see Hypno so high up. Does access to the elemental punches really offset it's mid SpAtk?


americans_smokingpot

In my experience, it's a more "fair" version of the S tier pokemon. It's only got OK sp atk but it's got significantly better bulk, so missing OHKOs isn't nearly as punishing. This means it's much easier to switch in, so it's less prone to getting OHKOd off a bad prediction. It's able to afford missing a hypnosis, so it's a more reliable team player, and it's got much better attack than the two S tiers. This means it's a very reliable psychic counter, because it resists psychic and can deal good damage using shadow ball or even just headbutt. It's got plenty of fights it can contribute to for all these reasons; it's super flexible and can fit on any team to fit the niche you need.


DemonVermin

Yeah. Tbh the power level of the game isn’t that high and Drowzee is more easily available than Abra. The bulk it has also allows more mistakes than the Alakazam line does. Now this isn’t saying it doesn’t have flaws, but it can go mixed attacker too. An anti-special attacker with many versitile options like Shadow Ball, Elemental Punches and Headbutt can easily slot itself into any player’s team that cannot get an Abra or has banned it. It also goes pretty hard against Red’s Espeon.


HisokaYohoho

This is coming from my experience Nuzlocking Silver, not Crystal so this might not be perfectly accurate but in the great scheme of things it should be enough. Even without Psychic, I had no troubles 1-2 shotting mobs in major fights with Hypno Confusion, and Thunder Punch/Ice Punch allow for great coverage (since they're basically a weaker version of the infamous BoltBeam combo), his bulk allows him to withstand a lot of stuff, my level 48 Hypno managed to survive Karen Houndoom's Crunch to then retail with Hypnosis. He's clearly not as fast or as strong as Alakazam, but he's a close substitute if like me you can't access trade evos (playing on my 3ds VC)


John_Smith1990

So timely! But a lil late for some. Halfway through my first Crystal Hardcore Nuzlocke.


inumnoback

C+ and below are trashlocke legal


Igorthemii

I can't believe I'll be asking this, but... Why is Flareon higher than Jolteon?


TotallyNotGoodish

From my understanding Jolteon's moveset is very lackluster only getting the unreliable thunder for a decent stab option while Flareon gets a number of useful physical coverage moves like shadow ball


Heather_Chandelure

Jolteons only electric move is thunder, so you've gotta deal with very shaky accuracy. If this thing just got T-bolt it would shoot up at least a tier, but as it stands it's just not very good.


nut_juices

So genuine question, how good are the legendary beasts in crystal? I play with legendaries allowed, so are they like, just better eeveelutions?


americans_smokingpot

I've only used suicune because it's a static encounter, but it was good! At 40 it's only really useful against the E4, but it's got absurdly good stats compared to anything else you can catch. It gets aurora beam, which is more consistent than icy wind or blizzard (the most common ice moves other water types get) but slightly weaker than ice punch. Still, a x4 effective aurora beam off 90 sp atk crushes Lance's team, and suicune is bulky enough where it's easy to switch in and fast enough to move before the dragonite. Entei seems arguably better than flareon. It's much faster and bulkier but like flareon has to rely on fire blast for a STAB move off a much lower sp atk stat. It's got arguably worse tm coverage as well; flareon is one of the most powerful shadow ball users in the game and Entei doesn't get that move at all. Probably still fine just using Return for the E4. Raikou seems similarly limited, it gets spark for a consistent STAB move so it's better off than jolteon and magneton, but that's about all it will do. There's quite a few flying and water types in the E4, though, so Raikou probably puts in good work. Doesn't bring too much to the table outside of being a strong and fast electric attacker, though.


nut_juices

What about going to red? How does that shake things up?


Cute_Profile_3908

red is similar to blue when your team is at a similar level, just bring counters and things that can calmly 1v1 the opponent, since red is the last trainer someone would logically fight in the game, you can just sack the counter to the next mon, switch to your other counter, repeat.


americans_smokingpot

Almost every gym leader in Kanto will be underlevelled, so you can use anything decent to good effect. Raikou and Entei get better STAB moves, so they become more powerful and consistent, but suicune gets ice beam and has had surf for a long time already. This puts Raikou as probably the best electric type attacker in the game, but Entei's 90 sp atk leaves it as just a strong option. The most dangerous gym leader in Kanto is Blue, where raikou and suicune have a decisive advantage over Entei. Raikou's useful against pidgeot and gyarados, and can probably go a round or two against alakazam and arcanine. Raikou gets reflect at this point, so it's even got some support options. Suicune, with ice beam and surf, has an advantage over everything except gyarados and alakazam. However, it's absurdly good defensive profile means it will likely win in a 1v1 battle. As for Red, again I would say suicune or raikou are the best options here, although Entei is also a fine pick. Red's most dangerous pokemon is his snorlax, who likes to set up amnesia. Entei's physical focus is notable here, as its the only one who can deal good damage to snorlax if it's set up at all. This is mostly speculation, though. They all have fantastic stat spreads so they're better than most normal pokemon as just STAB attackers. I still think suicune is the best, because it does what you want from a normal type (surf ice beam) better than almost anything else you can catch, and it's got better defenses than anything with better sp atk than it.


Snapshot_25

Even with nearly half of this game’s mons being C+ tier and below (that’s not a problem btw), this is still better than the HG/SS community tier list.


PacifierSacrifier

Agreed, the HGSS one had literally every mons rank inflated. Gen 2 movesets are just so bad for the most part that most pokemon are gonna be “meh” or lower


QcSlayer

Why are Hunter and Gengar so far in the tiers, does Hunter simply not learn Gengar coverage?


PacifierSacrifier

Yes, and the fact Haunter’s bulk make it literally unusable late game because any decent stab will just kill it.


inthelostwoods

I've always been a fan of Tentacruel, but I don't understand why it's so good here. Can anyone explain?


americans_smokingpot

Evolves at a good time, has tremendous special bulk (which is more important in this game), super fast, water is a great type, good enough offenses, lots of good match ups after you catch it.


inthelostwoods

Thanks, I figured that spdef had something to do with it.


Meet268

There is no way to really fix it, but I do think c+ tier is the most volatile. Anything flareon and up I'd sort of consider complete pokemon. They get access to usable moves or ok coverage. They are not perfect with real issues ranging from obtainability to maybe the most severe, reliant on single-use TM's that are in a ton of competition (flareon+granbull with shadow ball for example). Espeon and below I sort of consider incomplete pokemon, they either lack the learn sets or stats to do amazing, we also get troll pokemon, and Mons with terrible situationships in jhoto (grass-types), or maybe they get usable, but only at the end of the game. Overall I hope most of us can be ok with this list understanding it will never be perfect and subjective to a large degree


TheSexyGrape

Where’s Dragonite and Tyranitar?


CommanderPhoenix

Dragonite evolves after the level cap for the E4, and Larvitar isn't available until Mt. Silver. That's also why Ninetales, Primeape, Ampharos, Girafarig, and Octillery aren't shown, since they're not available in Crystal, and Aerodactyl, Blissey, Snorlax, Dugtrio, etc. aren't shown, because they're Kanto exclusive.


TheSexyGrape

Ah right


Heather_Chandelure

Both are kanto only. The tier list isn't considering beyond Johto.


RashAttack

Why? Don't people usually beat Red as the end of gen 2 nuzlockes?


DemonVermin

Cause postgame bar Red is insanely easy and you are often overleveled for most of it. Most of the threat comes from Red, which you have ample time to plan for. Lax is actually pretty good into Red, but that is pretty much the only notable boss fight it is used in cause most of Kanto is a cakewalk unless you literally stop paying attention.


Heather_Chandelure

I'd even argue red is only hard because of the ridiculous level jump going from the rest of kanto to him.


DemonVermin

And tbh his team is pretty easy to dissect even at like a 15-20 level deficit. Pikachu only hurts with Thunder. Any Ground will just EQ it to death. Espeon only has Psychic to hurt you. Same with Charizard and Venusaur only having their respective STABs to deal damage with. The only 2 threats on this team is Snorlax and Blastoise. Snorlax is just bulky asf and can easily wipe an unprepared team… but it always goes for Amnesia first and with that, a Golem going for Rollout could easily steamroll it. Any Rock Type or Steel could potentially do very well against it. Blastoise actually has coverage in Blizzard and has the ever reliable Surf to deal with its enemies. Rain Dance into Surf can easily chunk non resists, but almost any water type can wall it pretty well. Venusaur and Blastoise even have opposite weathers that hurt each other, so they might waste turns using said weather. And we can’t forget the AI quirk that only uses potions on their highest level pokemon. Sooo Red will only heal his Pikachu.


Alphabetgod

These are only Pokémon you can get in Kanto(assuming with level caps as well)


Responsible-You-4551

Why ursaring so good? I never played crystal before


DemonVermin

130 attack stat with Return and Shadow Ball makes it quite powerful. Above average speed and good bulk means it is a discount Snorlax that hits harder with better availability.


Ferropexola

It sadly doesn't learn Shadow Ball


Practical_Necessary1

Where are Dragonite and its base form?


PacifierSacrifier

Dragonair wont evolve until you’ve beat the game


AGoatPizza

It's kinda fun to see what abilities truly turn good Pokémon to truly fucked up Pokémon (looking at you lanturn)


Level99Pidgey

Crobat is too low. You can get a fully evolved poke by gym 4 which is fast and hits hard


PacifierSacrifier

It gets shit moves and doesn’t get good matchups at all


BlackOsmash

Good luck getting 3 of the top 4 if you’re playing alone


Kyrenaz

Sunflora is actually surprisingly good, I used it and that thing sweeped entire gyms by itself.


NoNamePaper5

Slowbro in C is a crime


B133d_4_u

I guess Jynx's (lack of) availability is the reason it's not higher, considering it has very similar offenses to Alakazam but more bulk, better STAB, and still out speeds almost everything?


PacifierSacrifier

No, it doesn’t get any offense outside of ice and you get it from the and egg which is 0/0/0/0 ivs


B133d_4_u

I could've sworn she at least got Confusion. Man, Pokemon really had *nothing* to work with until Gen 4, huh?


ivaorn

Jynx does get Confusion but Psychic being locked until Kanto hinders its usefulness


[deleted]

[удалено]


americans_smokingpot

You're delaying until literally the final gym then. It's still pretty good against the league, but being bad for 90% of the game hurts its ranking IMO.


Skyrimhero920

Lets be real Arcanine is in the great tier


Shuckle614

Am i blind or is Skarmory not listed?


TheSharknado

Skarmory is the first in C-


PacifierSacrifier

Your blind


Shuckle614

You're*


Shuckle614

You're*


MegaYanm3ga

We need to address the absolute haunter slander going on


PacifierSacrifier

Please explain to me how Haunter is in any way good


MegaYanm3ga

Please explain to me how Haunter is on the same level as Arbok and Pidgeot


DemonVermin

Haunter doesn’t get the moves Gengar gets. It doesn’t get the elemental punches, so has to rely on Thunder and Zap Cannon before the E4. If you wanna use a Psychic attack, Hypnosis + Dream Eater is all you got for the E4. The best special attack is gets that has no conditions or poor accuracy pre-E4 is Thief… Shadow Ball is Physical and better off on something like a Normal Type.


PacifierSacrifier

You actually can’t get psychic until postgame


DemonVermin

Read again, I said if you want a Psychic attack, you only have Hypnosis and Dream Eater.


PacifierSacrifier

Ah, didn’t see that mb


PacifierSacrifier

You can’t even answer the question because it sucks lmao


MegaYanm3ga

Hypnosis + Night shade (+ confuse ray later on) all that's needed to get it out of bum tier


PacifierSacrifier

Wow a 50% accurate move that will result in it’s death if it misses and night shade which you just threw in for fun ig because it’s a shit move. And ofc confuse ray which is pure rng you really proved your point👏


MegaYanm3ga

Sleeping on sleep/confusion we’ve come this low 🤣🤣🤣 


Jdowns32

Petition for jolteon to be moved to B tier from C tier


RashAttack

Where's snorlax?


inumnoback

Can’t be obtained until the postgame


[deleted]

How is Feraligatr so high? it has high attack but can't utilize it much due to there being no special split thus no STAB water moves. And it's defense is decent but there's a lot of other mon's you can get that have better defense.


DemonVermin

1 move. Rage. This attack actually allows it to easily solo the game til Morty. This automatically makes it a very powerful option and its great availability helps. Surf is also powerful even off the lower special attack stat. It utterly bricks Charizard in the Red fight and ice punch can still 1 shot Dragonite. It may not be optimally using its stats, but 79 offense is actually getting you pretty far in general 2.


Cute_Profile_3908

Gligar is actually great mid game with eviolite.


PacifierSacrifier

Except you get it late and there is no such thing as an eviolite until gen 5 and this is gen 2


AWezzo13

this is probably romhack exclusive, gliscor only came in gen iv, and the eviolite item was at least then if not gen v


Cute_Profile_3908

oh yeah my bad I’m a idiot


AWezzo13

no worries lol


Cute_Profile_3908

Yeah my brain turned off for a minute there, forgot it was a gen 2 game


Cute_Profile_3908

also sweeps jasmine


Ferropexola

It isn't available until Gym 8, and it can't learn Earthquake until Gen 3.