Pokemon Black and White spotlight: Tabunne, Moguryuu and Doryuuzu

Note to Pokemon Monday listeners: Pokemon Monday is taking the week of Thanksgiving off, so there will be no Pokemon Monday on 11/22.Please join us as weresume with episode 27 next Monday, 11/29.

Now we're finally getting to the interesting Pokemon. First up, Doryuuzu is one of the most powerful Pokemon introduced in Black and White, and with the right tips to utilizeitsout-of-control attack and speed,he's easily a top choice for competitive battling. On the opposite end of the spectrum we have sweet Tabunne,whose impressive healing and recovery abilitiesmake ita huge pain in the ass for your opponents to get rid of. Let's take a closer look.

Moguryuu
#035 Isshu / #529 National
Type: Ground
Species classification: Mole Pokemon
Abilities:
Sand Power – Rock, Ground and Steel-type attacks get 30% power boost during sandstorms and gives user immunity to sandstorm damage
Sand Fence – Doubles Speed during Sandstorms and doesn't take Sandstorm damage
Dream World abilities: Mold Breaker – disables opponents' abilities
Location found (Black/White): Cave to the north of Route 3 (west of Day Care), Electric Rock Cave, Fukiyose Cave, Mt. Neji
Wild hold items: None
Egg groups: Ground
Capture rate: 120
Gender ratio: 50/50
Effort values: 1 Attack
Evolution family: To Doryuuzu at level 31

Doryuuzu
#036 Isshu / #530 National
Type: Ground/Steel
Species classification: Deep Earth Pokemon
Abilities:
Sand Power – Rock, Ground and Steel-type attacks get 30% power boost during sandstorms and gives user immunity to sandstorm damage
Sand Fence – Doubles Speed during Sandstorms and doesn't take Sandstorm damage
Dream World abilities: Mold Breaker – disables opponents' abilities
Location found (Black/White): Training Cavern, Victory Road
Wild hold items: None
Egg groups: Ground
Capture rate: 60
Gender ratio: 50/50
Experience at lvl 100: 1,000,000
Base stats: 110 HP / 135 Atk / 60 Def / 50 SAtk / 65 SDef / 88 Spd / 508 Total
Effort values: 2 Attack
Evolution family: From Moguryuu at level 31

Doryuuzu doesn't have the high defense usually associated with its Steel type, and its combination of high HP (the highest of any Steel-type to date) yet fairly low defense and special defense frustratingly cancel each other out. But don't be fooled – this is one of the most powerful Pokemon introduced in Black and White. It's tied with formidable Metagross for the highest attack stat of any Steel-type Pokemon, so it makes an outstanding physical attacker. Pair that with its Sand Fence ability (not sure what this ability is actually going to be called in the English-language version), which doubles its already impressive speed stat during sandstorms, and you have a deadly combination. Add to that Doryuuzu's awesome dual Ground/Steel type, which gives it a whopping nine resistances, two immunities and no double weaknesses, and you're looking at an excellent choice for almost any team.

It's a bit disappointing that Moguryuu/Doryuuzu can only learn one damaging Steel-type move (Metal Claw at level 15) and you won't want to waste your time on it, but Earthquake is an absolute no-brainer for a Ground-type STAB attack. Add Swords Dance to boost your attack and you're looking at a lot of Pokemon that can be easily one-hit KOed.

Next page: The lovely, annoying (in a good way!)Tabunne