Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, Silver, Gold, Crystal, Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, LeafGreen, Emerald, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black, White, Black 2, White 2, X, Y, Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire, Sun, and Moon.

In Pokémon Red, Blue, FireRed, and LeafGreen, choose from: Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle. Pokémon Yellow: only Pikachu. Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver: Chikorita, Cyndaquil and Totodile. Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire: Treecko, Torchic and Mudkip. Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum: Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup. Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2: Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott. Pokémon X and Y: Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie. Pokémon Sun and Moon: Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio.

Normal: < fighting; X ghost Fire: > fire, grass, ice, bug, steel, fairy; < water, ground, rock Water: > fire, water, ice, steel; < grass, electric Grass: > water, grass, electric, ground; < fire, ice, poison, flying, bug Electric: > electric, flying, steel; < ground Flying: > grass, fighting, bug; < electric, ice, rock; X ground Rock: > normal, fire, poison, flying; < water, grass, fighting, ground, steel Bug: > grass, fighting, ground; < fire, flying, rock Ghost: > psychic, ghost, fairy; < dark, ghost Fairy: > dragon, dark, poison; < ghost, fighting, steel; Psychic: > fighting, poison; < bug, ghost, dark Steel: > ice, rock, fairy, dragon, grass; <electric, fire, fighting Dark: > psychic, ghost; < fighting, fairy Dragon: > dragon < fairy, dragon, ice; X fairy

Some players choose to save trainer battles for Pokémon that have difficulty gaining experience, as oftentimes trainer battles give you a greater than normal amount of experience points (XP). Some items, like Rare Candy, give your Pokémon an automatic boost. Use these items with caution; some are expensive, rare, or have a negative trade off. Rare Candy, as an example, cannot be bought, instantly raises the level of the Pokémon on which it is used, but does not give the full stat bonus you would receive from leveling up through battle. [6] X Research source

There are many different varieties of Poké Balls, with better quality Poké Balls having a higher chance of capture. Be conservative using your Master Ball, as it is one of the rarest Poké Balls and guarantees the capture of any wild Pokémon. [7] X Research source

When making your team, try to select Pokémon with a wide range of abilities, or if you know your opponent prefers a type, choose your team accordingly. For example, when at the Fire Gym, you may want to include water and rock type Pokémon, as both are strong to fire attacks.

In Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver, you can battle 16 gym leaders, the Johto League (Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver), and the Kanto League (Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen). Each gym leader uses different types of Pokémon, with the exception of gym leader Blue of Kanto, who does not specialize in one particular type.

In Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen, you must see and catch all of the Pokémon in order to complete your Pokédex. From version Gold and Silver onward, you can transfer your game data, adding the Pokémon you’ve already encountered in previous games. In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, you only need to see all of the Pokémon to complete your Sinnoh Pokédex.

A potential idea for a group costume is to dress up as Pokémon and trainers for a convention, costume party, or Halloween.

Don’t forget to reward your Pokémon for using the right moves. You should also remember the abilities your Pokémon has so you can coach them effectively in battle.

It can be fun to offer a duel to another player by starting off with a catchphrase, much like non-player trainers do in the game. Something like, “My heart is beating for a battle!” might get some laughs and earn you a new friend.