HeartGold and SoulSilver are the remakes of the second generation of pokemon. They were made in the engine of Pokemon Diamond and Pearl and are the most beloved pokemon remakes to this date.
They introduced many features and side attractions, but in this guide, I’m going to go over the best team in Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver to tackle the story.
I will go over what role these Pokemon can fill in your team, and at which route you can encounter them the earliest, so you can slowly build your team up.
If you are interested in more Nintendo franchises, consider checking out our guide on Fire Emblem Engage and the best pairings in the game.
Remember though that the best team doesn’t mean the only team. Pokemon as a franchise pushes you to try different combinations and teams.
I will suggest you a team that works well together and will be able to overcome any challenge the game throws your way.
Like the Elite 4 member Karen says: “Strong Pokemon. Weak Pokemon. That is only the selfish perception of people. Truly skilled trainers should try to win with their favorites.”
If you feel like trying out something with a bit more challenge check out Drayano’s SacredGold and StormSilver.
Best Team for Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver
1. Typhlosion
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
| 78 | 84 | 78 | 109 | 85 | 100 |
As you begin the game you will be given the option of a starter pokemon. Of the three choices Typhlosion works best with the team I suggest.
With a solid move pull and the powerful Eruption and Heatwave you will decimate most opponents not resistant to Fire-type moves.
You can give it Solarbeam for coverage and Sunny Day to help power up Fire-type moves and decrease the powerful Water-type moves.
Its Attack stat of 84 is nothing to look down on. You can consider using some physical attacks to increase his range. TMs like Earthquake or Thunderpunch from the Move Tutor are good options.
2. Raichu
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
| 60 | 90 | 55 | 90 | 80 | 100 |
In the Ilex Forest right after Bugsy’s gym, you can find Pichu. You will need to raise its happiness to 220 before evolving into Pikachu.
Walk with him and use him against weaker Pokemon. His happiness value will rise fast.
Raichu will be a very strong Special Attacker in your team. With excellent Move Tutor, moves like Singal Beam and TMs like Thunder, and Rain Dance to make Thunder 100% accurate, or Thunder Wave to cripple your opponents.
You can even delay Pikachu’s evolution by a little, until level 37 and get the move Discharge.
3. Espeon
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
| 65 | 65 | 60 | 130 | 95 | 110 |
Espeon is eeveelution that you get by raising Eevee’s happiness in the daytime. You will receive an Eevee from Bill in Goldenrod and after that, you can very easily evolve it.
If you want Easpeon early but with a Psychic-type move evolve it before level 15. Espeon at level 15 gets Confusion as its first STAB move and the next one is at level 36 Psybeam.
Utilize its high Special Attack with moves like Psychic and Shadow Ball, or buff yourself with Calm Mind. You can even consider Toxic to make tankier opposites slowly lose HP.
Espeon is by far the best and cutest pokemon to use in Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
4. Forretress
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
| 75 | 90 | 140 | 60 | 60 | 40 |
Forretress will be this team’s tank. Whether you need a moment to heal, or a moment to gather your thoughts and figure out a plan Forretress will be able to hold out.
Pineco can be found in a lot of routes by headbutting trees. Once you reach Ilex Forest talk to the NPC that teaches Headbutt to you, and you are ready to find it.
You can give him a fully defensive moveset, with TMs like Light Screen, Reflect, and Protect.
Spikes is a great TM option to have some extra small damage when your opponent switches in a new pokemon or Explosion once Forretress gets low to deal a huge chunk of damage and help out your team.
5. Seadra/Kingdra
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
| 75 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 85 |
Kingdra is a trade evolution. You can obtain it by giving a Seadra to hold a Dragon Scale and then trading it to a friend. Once your friend has the Seadra it will evolve into Kingdra.
While surfing, or fishing with the good or the super rod in the Whirl Islands or the Seafoam Islands you can find Horsea. The Dragon Scale can be found in Mt. Mortar in a Pokeball on the floor.
Kingdra is a mixed attacker but is most prominently used as a physical attacker.
Buff yourself with Dragon Dance which is learned at level 48, then couple that with Outrage, Bounce, and Iron Head from the Move Tutor, HM07 Waterfall, or Ice Beam for coverage.
With a lot of different options for moves to pick from see what your team’s most prominent problems are and try to use Kindra to counter them.
6. Tyranitar
| HP | Attack | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Speed |
| 100 | 134 | 110 | 95 | 100 | 61 |
Tyranitar is a super strong pokemon that is considered a pseudo-legendary. Pseudo-legendaries are Pokemon that have a stat total that rivals legendaries.
Larvitar can be found around Mt. Silver on the first floor. Though a late join time in your time, it will be by far well worth the effort to raise one.
Tyranitar is an amazing pokemon and will deal a lot of damage when sent out. It will also call a sandstorm when it enters the field, which raises its Special Defense.
Use Crunch, Rock Tomb, Earthquake, and Super Power, and most Pokemon against Tyranitar will not survive the turn.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this has been the best team for Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver. An especially strong team that can counter everything the game’s story will throw at you.
Slowly build up your team as you go through the game and work up to challenge Red at the top of Mt. Silver.
If you are interested in the latest entry in the Pokemon franchise, check out our guide on the top 10 strongest Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Let us know in the comments down below which are your favorite Pokemon in HeartGold and SoulSilver.
With thousands of hours played on Nintendo systems since the original Gameboy, Nikiforos is happy to share his endless passion for Nintendo franchises and everything he can get his hands on.
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