Here are some of the best Pokémon to use in Pokémon Platinum, based on type coverage, stats, availability, and overall performance throughout the game:
| Pokémon | Type | Why It’s Great |
|---|---|---|
| Infernape | Fire/Fighting | Fast, strong mixed attacker; excellent for both early and late game. |
| Garchomp | Dragon/Ground | Pseudo-legendary with massive Attack and Speed; great for sweeping teams. |
| Staraptor | Normal/Flying | Strong physical attacker with Close Combat; great early-game flier. |
| Lucario | Fighting/Steel | Excellent typing and movepool; strong Special and Physical options. |
| Roserade | Grass/Poison | Fast and powerful special attacker; good for status and healing support. |
| Weavile | Dark/Ice | High Speed and Attack; destroys Psychics and Dragons. |
| Gardevoir | Psychic | Versatile with great Special Attack and support moves like Calm Mind. |
| Togekiss | Normal/Flying | Bulky special attacker; great with Serene Grace and Air Slash flinch. |
| Electivire | Electric | Strong mixed attacker with excellent coverage (Fire/Ice Punch, Earthquake). |
| Gliscor | Ground/Flying | Excellent physical wall with recovery and status options like Toxic. |
Top Early Game Pokémon
| Pokémon | Type | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Shinx | Electric | Becomes Luxray; solid Electric option early on. |
| Budew | Grass/Poison | Evolves into Roserade; great Special Attack. |
| Zubat | Poison/Flying | Evolves into Crobat quickly; very fast. |
| Machop | Fighting | Helpful for gyms like Roark (Rock-type). |
Honorable Mentions
- Gallade – Physical Psychic-type that also gets Fighting coverage.
- Empoleon – Water/Steel with great defenses.
- Snorlax – Bulky wall and excellent for the Battle Frontier postgame.
- Alakazam – Glass cannon; demolishes teams with pure speed and power.
- Spiritomb – No weaknesses in Platinum; rare but useful.
Team Building Tips
- Balance types: Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Flying, Ground, and either Psychic or Dark for coverage.
- Make sure to carry something with Ice- or Dragon-type moves for the later stages (Cynthia’s Garchomp).
- Use HM slaves like Bibarel if you want to avoid cluttering your main team with moves like Cut or Rock Smash.
Pokemon Platinum offers trainers a great mix of creatures to catch and train. From starters to legendaries, the game gives players many options to build their dream team. The best Pokemon in Platinum include powerful choices like Infernape, Garchomp, and Staraptor, which are considered top tier options for completing the game’s story.
Finding the right Pokemon can make your journey through the Sinnoh region much easier. Some Pokemon stand out because they’re strong right from the start, while others become powerful after evolving. The region has unique Pokemon that fit different battle styles, whether you like attacking first or setting up clever strategies.
1. Infernape
Infernape stands as one of the best Pokemon choices in Platinum. This fire/fighting type evolves from Chimchar, making it a popular starter Pokemon for many trainers.
Infernape shines with its excellent speed and balanced offensive stats. It can hit hard with both physical and special attacks, giving players flexibility when building movesets.
For battles in Platinum, Flare Blitz and Close Combat make a powerful physical moveset core. These moves provide strong same-type attack bonus (STAB) damage.
Adding Thunder Punch helps Infernape deal with Water types that would normally give it trouble. For the fourth move slot, Earthquake or Rock Slide provides extra coverage against Electric and Flying types.
Players wanting a more special attack focus can use Flamethrower instead, which offers good power without recoil damage. Focus Blast adds fighting coverage on the special side.
Solar Beam can be a surprise move that helps against Ground types. This works especially well when paired with Sunny Day, which speeds up Solar Beam and boosts Fire moves.
Some players prefer technical moves like U-Turn, Swords Dance, or even Rest with Sleep Talk for specific strategies. These options make Infernape versatile for different team setups.
Infernape works well on many teams due to its speed and coverage. It can serve as a lead Pokemon or a mid-game sweeper after other Pokemon have weakened the opposition.
Team building with Infernape usually means covering its weaknesses to Water, Ground, and Psychic types. Pokemon like Floatzel, Luxray, and Staraptor complement Infernape well in a Platinum playthrough.
Infernape can easily handle most of the Sinnoh region’s gym leaders and Elite Four members. Its speed lets it strike first in most battles, making it reliable throughout the game.
2. Garchomp
Garchomp stands out as one of the best Pokémon in Platinum. This powerful Dragon/Ground type is a pseudo-legendary with impressive 130 base Attack and 102 Speed stats, making it a fearsome opponent in battles.
Getting a Garchomp requires patience. You’ll need to evolve Gible (found in Wayward Cave) to Gabite at level 24, then to Garchomp at level 48. The journey is worth it for such a strong team member.
Garchomp’s typing gives it only one weakness – Ice – while providing immunity to Electric attacks. This makes it very useful against many Gym Leaders and Elite Four members.
For moves, Outrage is powerful with 120 base power, though it locks Garchomp into using it for 2-3 turns and causes confusion afterward. This Dragon-type move gets STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) for extra damage.
Earthquake is a must-have move for Garchomp. It’s a powerful Ground-type attack that also benefits from STAB, dealing major damage to many Pokémon types.
For coverage, Fire Fang or Stone Edge work well. Stone Edge helps against Flying types that might otherwise avoid Ground moves.
The fourth move slot can be filled with Dragon Claw or Swords Dance. Dragon Claw provides reliable Dragon damage without Outrage’s drawbacks, while Swords Dance boosts Garchomp’s already high Attack stat.
Some players worry about Garchomp’s Defense, which at 95 is lower than its other stats. However, its high HP helps make up for this, and most opponents won’t survive long enough to exploit this weakness anyway.
Garchomp can hold items like Choice Scarf to boost its Speed further, making it an excellent revenge killer that can stop sweeping Pokémon. Life Orb is another good option to increase damage output.
In the battle against Cynthia (the Champion), it’s ironic that one of your best tools is Garchomp – she uses one too! If your Garchomp is well-trained, this mirror match can swing in your favor.
3. Staraptor
Staraptor is one of the best Flying-type Pokémon you can get in Platinum. You can catch its first form, Starly, very early in the game on Routes 201 and 202.
Staraptor stands out from other early Flying types because of its strong Attack stat and good Speed. It evolves from Staravia at level 34, making it ready for the tougher gym battles.
For moves, Brave Bird is a must-have as it gives Staraptor powerful STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) damage. Close Combat helps it deal with Rock types that would normally cause problems.
Return or Double-Edge works well as a reliable Normal-type move. The last slot can be filled with U-Turn for switching out or Quick Attack for priority strikes when you need to hit first.
Staraptor does have some weaknesses to watch out for. It takes extra damage from Electric, Ice, and Rock moves. Also, its powerful moves like Brave Bird and Close Combat have recoil damage or lower its defenses.
When comparing flying options, many players find that Staraptor is faster and hits harder than Togekiss, though it isn’t quite as bulky. The choice often comes down to whether you want raw power or better survival.
The Intimidate ability is great for Staraptor as it lowers the opponent’s Attack when it enters battle. This helps make up for its somewhat fragile defenses.
With its early availability and strong movepool, Staraptor can easily become a team staple from the early game all the way to the Elite Four. Just watch out for those Electric and Rock moves!
4. Roserade
Roserade stands out as one of the best Pokémon you can get early in Platinum. This Grass/Poison type evolves from Roselia when exposed to a Shiny Stone, making it easy to acquire relatively early in your journey.
With impressive Special Attack stats, Roserade excels as a special attacker. Players should consider giving it either a Modest or Timid nature to boost its Special Attack or Speed without harming its strengths.
For abilities, Natural Cure helps by clearing status conditions when switching out, while Poison Point has a chance to poison opponents on contact. Both are useful depending on your battle strategy.
Roserade’s movesets are straightforward since it focuses on Special Attacks. Sludge Bomb makes an excellent choice as it gets STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) with 135 base power and can potentially poison opponents.
For Grass-type moves, Energy Ball provides consistent damage while Solar Beam offers higher power but requires charging. Hidden Power Rock proves useful by covering three of Roserade’s four weaknesses.
What makes Roserade truly shine is its versatility. It can function as both an attacker and a support Pokémon. In competitive play, it’s recognized as one of the best Spikes and Toxic Spikes setters in the game while still maintaining offensive pressure.
Team compatibility is another strong point. Roserade pairs well with Ground and Water types, covering their weaknesses while they protect it from Fire and Flying attacks.
When training Roserade, focus on boosting its Special Attack and Speed EVs (Effort Values). This maximizes its potential as a quick, powerful attacker that can often strike first and hit hard.
Even players who typically choose Turtwig as their starter might consider adding Roserade to their team for its unique typing and move coverage.
5. Togekiss
Togekiss is one of the most valuable Pokémon you can add to your Platinum team. This Flying/Normal type brings excellent special attacking power and surprising bulk to your party.
Getting a Togekiss requires some work. First, you need to find a Togepi, raise it to Togetic, and then use a Shiny Stone to evolve it. The effort is worth it though!
Togekiss shines with its wide and exotic move pool. It can learn powerful special attacks that cover many different types, making it very flexible.
Its signature move combo includes Air Slash and Aura Sphere. Air Slash works as the main STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) move and has a nice 60% chance to make opponents flinch when Togekiss’s ability is Serene Grace.
Aura Sphere complements Air Slash perfectly by hitting Steel, Rock, Ice, Normal, and Dark types that might resist flying moves. Even better, Aura Sphere never misses!
For the other two move slots, players have many good options. Thunder Wave helps against faster Pokémon, while Roost provides healing. You could also add Shadow Ball or Water Pulse for even more coverage.
Togekiss has good defensive stats too. It can take hits from both physical and special attackers, especially with its few weaknesses as a Flying/Normal type.
When comparing it to other flying options like Staraptor, Togekiss offers more special attacking power and better bulk. Staraptor hits harder physically but Togekiss lasts longer in battle.
For tough fights like Cynthia’s Garchomp, Togekiss can be a lifesaver. Its Ice-type attacks can deal massive damage to Dragon and Ground types, making several gym battles and Elite Four challenges much easier.
The best thing about using Togekiss in Platinum is its versatility. It works well as a supporter, attacker, or tank depending on what your team needs.
6. Luxray
Luxray is a powerful Electric-type Pokémon that you can get in Platinum by evolving Shinx. This lion-like creature has a striking black and blue design that makes it stand out from other Electric types.
For battling, Luxray has impressive Attack stats but lacks speed. If you’re planning to use one on your team, you’ll want to focus on physical Electric moves rather than special ones.
The best moves for Luxray include Thunder Fang, Crunch, and Thunder Wave. These give you good coverage against various types of Pokémon. After you beat the game, Luxray can learn Superpower through move tutoring.
Wild Charge is another excellent STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) option for Luxray. Adding Ice Fang gives it coverage against Grass types, which is helpful since many Water-type Pokémon are paired with Grass.
Luxray’s ability Intimidate helps boost its staying power in battle. This ability lowers the opponent’s Attack stat when Luxray enters battle, making it more durable against physical hits.
For held items, consider giving Luxray a Zap Plate. This boosts the power of Electric-type moves and makes Thunder Fang hit even harder.
You can catch Shinx early in the game on Routes 202 and 203. It evolves into Luxio at level 15 and then into Luxray at level 30. This early availability means you can have a fully evolved Luxray before reaching the halfway point of your journey.
While some trainers might suggest other Electric types like Magnezone, Luxray has a unique design and good Attack stat that make it worth considering for your team.
Luxray works well against Water and Flying types but struggles against Ground types, which are immune to Electric moves. Make sure to pair it with Pokémon that can handle these weaknesses.
7. Gardevoir
Gardevoir is a powerful Psychic/Fairy-type Pokemon that can be a great addition to your Platinum team. You can evolve it from Kirlia, which evolves from Ralts found in early routes.
This elegant Pokemon has strong Special Attack stats and decent Special Defense, making it a solid special attacker. Its typing gives it advantages against Fighting and Dragon types that appear later in the game.
For movesets, many players recommend Psychic as the main STAB move. This powerful attack takes advantage of Gardevoir’s high Special Attack and hits many opponents hard.
Adding Thunderbolt helps counter Water-types that are common throughout the game. It provides good coverage alongside Psychic and gives you an edge against Flying types too.
Calm Mind is a useful setup move that Gardevoir learns naturally. It boosts both Special Attack and Special Defense, making your Gardevoir stronger with each use.
For the fourth move slot, Shadow Ball makes a good choice to counter Ghost and other Psychic types. This coverage move helps deal with Gardevoir’s weaknesses.
Some players prefer adding Magical Leaf for Grass coverage, but this is less necessary if you already have Thunderbolt for Water types. Focus on moves that give you the widest coverage.
Gardevoir works well with the Synchronize ability, which passes status conditions back to opponents. This can punish enemies that try to poison or paralyze your Pokemon.
While Gardevoir isn’t the fastest Pokemon, its high special stats make it worth the wait. Its evolution might take time, but the result is a Pokemon that can handle many tough battles throughout Platinum.
Using items like Wise Glasses or Choice Specs can further boost Gardevoir’s already impressive Special Attack, turning it into an even more formidable team member for your journey.
8. Gallade
Gallade is a powerful dual Psychic/Fighting type Pokémon that makes an excellent addition to any Platinum team. This Pokémon evolves from a male Kirlia when exposed to a Dawn Stone, giving players access to it relatively early in the game.
You can get a level 24 Kirlia with just three badges, making Gallade available much sooner than other strong fighting types like Lucario. This early availability gives Gallade more time to grow with your team.
Gallade’s typing gives it strengths against Normal, Rock, Steel, Ice, and Dark types, making it useful for many gym battles and Elite Four challenges. However, it does have weaknesses to Ghost and Flying type moves, so be careful when facing these opponents.
For moves, Gallade has many great options. Close Combat provides strong Fighting-type coverage, while Leaf Blade offers good power against Water and Rock types with its high critical hit ratio.
Psycho Cut makes good use of Gallade’s Psychic typing and high Attack stat. For the fourth move slot, consider Night Slash to help against Ghost types or Stone Edge for Flying coverage.
Gallade can also learn support moves like Will-O-Wisp and Taunt, making it surprisingly versatile for team strategies. These moves help control opponents while setting up your attacks.
Unlike many Psychic types, Gallade is physically focused rather than special attack oriented. Build your Gallade with this in mind, focusing on its Attack stat rather than Special Attack.
Some players might hesitate to use Gallade if they already have a Fighting type on their team. This is a valid concern since you don’t want to double up on the same type weakness. Consider your team balance before adding Gallade.
When trained well, Gallade can become one of your most reliable battlers. Its strong Attack stat and decent Speed make it capable of hitting hard and fast in most battles throughout the Sinnoh region.
9. Lucario
Lucario is a Fighting/Steel type Pokémon that can be a powerful addition to your Platinum team. You can get a Riolu egg from Riley on Iron Island, which evolves into Lucario when leveled up with high friendship during the day.
Some players find that Lucario struggles in Pokémon Platinum if not properly trained. The key is making sure you level it up to match your other team members.
Lucario shines with its excellent type combination and moveset options. It has access to both physical and special attacks, making it very versatile. This fighting champion can hit hard against Normal, Rock, Steel, Ice, and Dark types.
For moves, Lucario has great options. Close Combat is a powerful Fighting-type STAB move that can deal serious damage. You might also consider Extreme Speed for priority attacks or Bullet Punch for Steel-type STAB.
If you want elemental coverage, Lucario can learn Ice Punch and ThunderPunch, which help deal with various Pokémon types. These moves round out its offensive capabilities nicely.
For the best results, many trainers recommend either a physical or special attack focus. Swords Dance with physical moves or Nasty Plot with special moves can make Lucario extremely dangerous.
Lucario works well with the Adamant nature for physical attackers or Modest for special attackers. Focus on Attack/Speed EVs for physical sets or Special Attack/Speed for special sets.
The Pokémon’s main weakness is its fragility. Despite having good defensive typing, Lucario doesn’t have the HP to take many hits. Use it as a strategic attacker rather than a tank.
When facing the Elite Four, Lucario is particularly helpful against Bertha’s Ground types and Lucian’s Psychic types. It can also hold its own against Cynthia’s team with the right moves.
With proper training and moveset planning, Lucario can become one of your most reliable team members for the late game and post-game challenges in Pokémon Platinum.
10. Froslass
Froslass is a unique Ice/Ghost type Pokémon that can be an excellent addition to your Platinum team. You can only get Froslass by using a Dawn Stone on a female Snorunt, making it somewhat special to obtain.
With its impressive base 110 Speed stat, Froslass can outpace many opponents in battle. This speed advantage lets it strike first against slower foes, which is crucial in tough fights.
Froslass has equal Attack and Special Attack stats at base 80, giving you options for how to build its moveset. Many trainers prefer focusing on its Special Attack moves for better results.
For moves, Ice Beam and Shadow Ball are excellent STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) options that provide good coverage. Ice Beam should be your go-to attack in most situations.
Some players like to include Wake-Up Slap to counter Rock, Steel, and Dark types that Froslass is weak against. This helps cover some of its vulnerabilities.
Froslass works well as a lead Pokémon thanks to its speed and typing. It can handle specific threats like Deoxys and Rayquaza effectively when properly trained.
One of Froslass’s strengths is its ability to block opponents from using Rapid Spin, which can help maintain entry hazards like Spikes on the field. This makes it useful for more strategic battles.
When comparing options, some trainers debate between Froslass and Weavile for their Ice coverage. Weavile hits harder and moves faster, but Froslass offers better type coverage and defensive options.
Froslass can be a good answer to Lucian’s Psychic-type Pokémon in the Elite Four due to its Ghost typing. This gives you an advantage in one of the game’s toughest battles.
For the best results, train Froslass to capitalize on its speed. Items like Choice Specs can boost its Special Attack, while Focus Sash helps it survive a powerful hit that would otherwise knock it out.
Understanding Pokémon Platinum
Pokémon Platinum builds on Diamond and Pearl with enhanced gameplay and new features. This version adds significant improvements that make it the definitive Sinnoh region experience.
Game Overview
Pokémon Platinum is the enhanced version of Diamond and Pearl, released for Nintendo DS in 2009. The game is set in the Sinnoh region, where players begin their journey to become a Pokémon Champion.
Players choose one of three starter Pokémon: Turtwig (Grass), Chimchar (Fire), or Piplup (Water). Each offers different advantages throughout the game. Infernape, evolved from Chimchar, has an edge against five of eight gyms, making it a strong choice.
The main story involves stopping Team Galactic from creating a new universe. Players must collect 8 gym badges to challenge the Elite Four and become Champion.
Early game catching options include Starly and Shinx, which can help beginners progress. The game features 210 Pokémon in the regional Pokédex, giving players many team-building options.
Key Differences from Previous Versions
Platinum added the Distortion World, a unique area with reversed physics where players confront Giratina. This legendary Pokémon received a new Origin Forme exclusive to Platinum.
The Battle Frontier replaced Diamond and Pearl’s Battle Park, offering seven challenging facilities with unique battle formats. This post-game content gives players more to do after becoming Champion.
Gym leaders and the Elite Four have stronger teams with different Pokémon. The regional Pokédex expanded to include more creatures like Houndour and Magmar before beating the Elite Four.
Visual improvements include animated Pokémon sprites and a redesigned Sinnoh region with new areas to explore. The storyline was enhanced with more focus on legendary Pokémon Giratina and the creation trio.
Several quality-of-life updates were added, including:
- Faster battle animations
- The VS Seeker for rematching trainers
- Improved Pokétch applications
Tips for Choosing Your Pokémon Team
Building a strong team in Pokémon Platinum requires careful planning and understanding of game mechanics. The right combination of Pokémon can make your journey through the Sinnoh region much smoother.
Balancing Your Team
A well-rounded team should cover different roles in battle. Include at least one tank Pokémon with high HP and defense stats, like Gastrodon or Bronzong.
Add a fast sweeper that can strike first and deal heavy damage. Staraptor is considered one of the best choices for this role due to its impressive speed and attack stats.
Your starter Pokémon is typically worth keeping throughout the game. Many players find that Infernape is particularly valuable as a Fire/Fighting type.
Try to include Pokémon that can learn useful HM moves like Surf, Strength, and Fly without sacrificing battle effectiveness. Bibarel and Floatzel can be great HM carriers while still contributing in fights.
Considering Type Advantages
Type matchups are crucial for success in Platinum. Aim for a team that covers a wide range of types to handle different challenges.
Essential Type Coverage:
- Water types for handling Rock and Ground opponents
- Electric or Grass types to counter Water Pokémon
- Fighting types for tackling Normal, Rock, and Steel foes
- Ground types like Garchomp to deal with Electric Pokémon
Pay special attention to the Elite Four and Champion’s team compositions. Cynthia’s Garchomp is particularly challenging, so having an Ice-type move in your arsenal is highly recommended.
While legendary Pokémon like Dialga and Palkia are powerful, some players prefer to avoid using them for more balanced gameplay. This approach can provide a more rewarding experience.
Exploring Key Locations
Pokemon Platinum offers many exciting locations to explore as you build your team. These areas contain unique Pokemon and challenges that will test your skills as a trainer.
Sinnoh Region Highlights
The Sinnoh region has several standout locations worth exploring. The Underground is a special area where players can dig for treasures and rare items. Bring your Explorer Kit and tap walls carefully to find fossils and evolution stones.
Route 206 features Cycling Road, a fast-paced path with many trainers to battle. This area connects to Oreburgh City and provides good training opportunities.
The Team Galactic Headquarters becomes accessible once you obtain the Galactic Key. The building has multiple floors with important items and story elements.
Many players don’t realize that Platinum hides places throughout the map with valuable rewards. Take time to check every corner!
Important Gyms and Battles
Gym battles represent major milestones in your Pokemon journey. Each gym leader specializes in a specific type, requiring thoughtful team planning.
Fantina’s Ghost-type gym in Hearthome City features a unique puzzle where players must step on correct tiles to proceed. Dark and Normal-type Pokemon work well against her team.
Candice’s Ice-type gym in Snowpoint City presents a slippery floor challenge. Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel-type Pokemon will give you an advantage here.
The Elite Four and Champion Cynthia provide the ultimate test of your team’s strength. Cynthia’s balanced team includes her famous Garchomp, which is vulnerable to Ice-type moves.
Between gyms, you’ll encounter Team Galactic admins multiple times. These battles gradually increase in difficulty, so keep training your Pokemon and diversifying their movesets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pokemon Platinum offers many strong Pokemon choices for your team. Here are answers to common questions about building the best team possible.
Who are the top tier Pokemon to include in your Platinum team?
Garchomp stands out as one of the strongest non-legendary Pokemon in Platinum with its impressive 600 base stat total. This Dragon/Ground type offers excellent offensive coverage.
Infernape is often considered the best starter choice, with type advantages against five of the eight gym leaders.
Staraptor provides a strong Flying type option that you can catch early as a Starly.
Roserade gives excellent Grass coverage and special attack power, making it valuable against Water and Ground types.
Togekiss offers a great Flying/Fairy combination with special attack strength and useful support moves.
What are some optimal Pokemon team combinations for beating the Elite Four in Platinum?
A balanced team should include Pokemon that counter each Elite Four member’s types. For example, Water types help against Flint’s Fire Pokemon, while Electric types work against Aaron’s Bug Pokemon.
Including Infernape, Garchomp, and Staraptor forms a solid core team that can handle most of the Elite Four challenges.
Adding a Dark-type like Weavile or Umbreon helps against Lucian’s Psychic Pokemon. Electric types like Luxray or Jolteon help against Cynthia’s diverse team.
Which Pokemon should you focus on catching early in the game for a strong start?
Starly and Shinx are excellent early-game catches. Starly evolves into the powerful Staraptor, while Shinx becomes the Electric-type Luxray.
Avoid investing too much in Pokemon like Bidoof and Kricketot, as they don’t offer the same long-term value for your team.
Budew is worth catching early, as it evolves into Roselia and eventually Roserade, giving you a strong Grass/Poison type.
What are the most efficient strategies for catching legendary Pokemon in Platinum?
Save before encountering any legendary Pokemon. This lets you retry if something goes wrong during the catch attempt.
Use status conditions like Sleep or Paralysis to increase catch rates. False Swipe is also valuable for reducing HP without knocking out the legendary.
Stock up on Dusk Balls for cave encounters and Timer Balls for long battles. Ultra Balls are good all-around options when specialized balls aren’t effective.
Bring a Pokemon with the ability Synchronize to influence the legendary’s nature, giving you better stat distribution.
How can you maximize the potential of Chimchar in your playthrough of Pokemon Platinum?
Evolve Chimchar into Monferno and then Infernape as soon as possible to access its Fighting-type moves alongside Fire attacks.
Teach Infernape a diverse movepool. Close Combat, Flare Blitz, U-turn, and Stone Edge give excellent coverage against most Pokemon types.
Focus on physical attack EVs since most of Infernape’s strongest moves use the physical attack stat.
Infernape has advantages against five gym leaders, making it extremely valuable throughout your journey.
Which types of Pokeballs work best for different situations in Pokemon Platinum?
Ultra Balls provide reliable performance in most situations with a 2x catch rate over standard Pokeballs.
Dusk Balls are extremely effective in caves and at night, offering a 3.5x catch rate in these conditions.
Timer Balls become more effective as battles drag on, reaching 4x effectiveness after 30 turns.
Quick Balls are best used on the first turn of battle, with a 4x catch rate that drops afterward.
Net Balls work well for Water and Bug types with a 3x catch rate for these specific types.
