Typhlosion's Best 4th Move In HeartGold

by Lucas 40 views

Hey guys, so you're about to embark on a nostalgic journey through the Johto region in Pokémon HeartGold, and you've decided to roll with the fiery Typhlosion as your starter? Awesome choice! This guide is all about that fourth move slot for Typhlosion and how to fill it to make your playthrough a blazing success. We're talking strategies, move options, and how to make your Typhlosion the ultimate powerhouse. Let's dive into how to equip your Typhlosion for maximum impact, covering everything from sheer power to strategic coverage.

Understanding Typhlosion and Its Strengths

First, let's get to know our fiery friend a little better. Typhlosion, a pure Fire-type, is known for its blazing Special Attack and respectable Speed. This makes it a prime candidate for dishing out some serious damage. Unlike some other Fire-type starters, Typhlosion doesn't have any major defensive advantages, meaning that your Typhlosion will need to be able to make quick work of opponents before they can do the same to you. It's crucial to focus on moves that play to these strengths – moves that hit hard and fast. With a great Special Attack stat, you'll want moves that take advantage of that, but don't ignore the need for coverage. Understanding your Typhlosion's role in your team is the first step to filling that fourth move slot, since that move is likely going to be something to take care of a specific type. Consider what weaknesses your team has and look to cover those with your available move slots. Keep in mind that the Pokémon world is not perfect and sometimes there's no perfect answer to your questions. The best answer is always subjective and relative to the current battle situation. Consider what other Pokemon you have on your team, and how they may or may not compliment Typhlosion.

In HeartGold, Typhlosion learns a decent array of moves by leveling up, but that fourth move slot gives you the chance to add some seriously strategic versatility. You need to think about what other types your opponents are going to be using and what types that Typhlosion is weak against. With a bit of forward thinking, your Typhlosion can become a fearsome force to be reckoned with. Let's find out how to outfit Typhlosion to dominate the HeartGold playthrough.

Core Move Options for Typhlosion

Before we get to that crucial fourth move, let's talk about what your Typhlosion should already know. These moves are the bread and butter, the foundation upon which your strategy is built. Your Typhlosion should have:

  • Eruption: This is Typhlosion's signature move, and it's absolutely devastating. It's a Fire-type move that does more damage the more HP your Typhlosion has. In the early and mid-game, this can often one-shot a number of opponents, and it's always going to hit hard if your Typhlosion is at full health.
  • Flamethrower: Another excellent Fire-type move. It's less powerful than Eruption, but it's still strong and has the benefit of reliability, especially as your Typhlosion takes damage. You don't want to rely on Eruption only to be taken down before you can launch the attack, since Eruption's power depends on your health.
  • Solar Beam: A powerful Grass-type move. The only downside is that it requires a turn to charge up, but in exchange, the move deals massive damage. If you can predict when your opponent is going to switch or go for a status move, you can switch in Typhlosion and launch Solar Beam to take care of a number of the common Water- and Ground-type Pokemon. The best time to use this is when you know you'll have a free turn. This is a TM that you'll definitely want to grab, since it gives you great coverage against Water-types, Ground-types, and Rock-types.

These three moves give you your core offensive power. Eruption and Flamethrower handle most threats, while Solar Beam gives you some crucial coverage against Water, Rock, and Ground types. Your goal is to pick the perfect move to round out this core, and that's what we're here to find out.

Filling the 4th Move Slot: Coverage is Key

So, what to put in that final slot? That's where the strategy comes in. You're looking for a move that covers Typhlosion's weaknesses or hits types that it struggles against. Here are a few top contenders:

  • Focus Blast: A Fighting-type move. While it's less accurate, it offers coverage against Rock-types, as well as a nice boost against Normal-types, which your Fire-type moves will struggle with. If you can get used to missing from time to time, this can be a potent weapon in your arsenal. Note that this is a TM move, so you'll have to find it.
  • Hidden Power: This is where it gets interesting. Hidden Power's type is determined by your Pokémon's IVs. You can manipulate these IVs to get a Hidden Power of a specific type, though it takes some time and effort. Ice-type Hidden Power is a great choice, giving you coverage against Ground, Dragon, and Flying types. However, it might take a while for you to get a Hidden Power of a specific type.
  • Thunderbolt: Yes, that's right, a Special Electric-type move. This is a TM move, giving you coverage against Water and Flying types, as well as giving you an extra move that can be useful in various circumstances. Thunderbolt's coverage is not as great as some other options, but it still adds some utility.

When choosing, think about what types give you the most trouble. If you're struggling against Water types, Thunderbolt or Solar Beam are your best bets. Facing a lot of Rock types? Go for Focus Blast. There's no single “best” option; it all depends on your team and how you like to play. Experiment to see what works best for you, since you can always change things up later.

Other Considerations for Your Build

While these are the main moves, there are a few other things to think about. Remember to teach your Typhlosion a move that covers its weaknesses. When choosing, you should consider the following:

  • Status Moves: Typhlosion is an offensive powerhouse, so you may not want to waste a slot on status moves. However, a move like Sunny Day can boost the power of your Fire-type moves for a few turns and can be useful. You need to be sure you have a good reason to use this, since it can take up a move slot. You can get this from a TM.
  • Move Tutor Moves: In HeartGold, you can find move tutors who can teach your Pokémon some special moves. While Typhlosion does not get any incredible moves from these tutors, it is worth taking a look. Moves like Blast Burn are extremely powerful Fire-type moves, but they have the downside of requiring a turn to recharge. With enough strategy, you can learn a number of special moves that can give you the edge.
  • The Nature of Your Typhlosion: If your Typhlosion has a nature that boosts its Special Attack (like Modest or Timid), you should lean into that. If it has a nature that boosts Speed, go for the fast offensive strategy. Some natures are not going to be helpful, like Adamant, since that boosts Attack rather than Special Attack. It's important to understand what kind of Typhlosion you're working with.

With a little planning, you can make sure that your Typhlosion is the star of your HeartGold team. Pay attention to the types of Pokémon you're facing and pick a move that gives you the best coverage. Consider the other Pokémon you're bringing with you as well, as they can cover the moves you might be missing. A well-rounded team with a strategically built Typhlosion is a winning team. Now go out there and set the Johto region ablaze!