BEST CRYSTAL POKEMON
Game Notes
Crystal tweaks Gold and Silver's encounter tables and adds a Suicune storyline that changes how you build your team. Suicune is a guaranteed catch at Tin Tower instead of a roaming headache, making it way more practical to use. Typhlosion and Feraligatr are still the best starters, and the free Red Gyarados at Lake of Rage carries through the back half of the game. The post-game Move Tutor on Route 25 teaches Flamethrower, Thunderbolt, or Ice Beam for free.
Pokemon Spotlight
Tyranitar
Rock/Dark typing with 134 Attack hits hard against almost anything in Crystal. 100 Sp. Def gives it staying power against special attackers, and Crunch provides reliable Dark damage. Crystal's Move Tutor expands coverage options beyond what Gold and Silver offered.
View page detailsTyranitar — S Tier, 600 BST
Rock/Dark typing with 134 Attack hits hard against almost anything in Crystal. 100 Sp. Def gives it staying power against special attackers, and Crunch provides reliable Dark damage. Crystal's Move Tutor expands coverage options beyond what Gold and Silver offered.
Snorlax
Curse raises Attack and Defense while 160 HP soaks hits during setup. Rest plus Sleep Talk keeps it healthy and attacking even while asleep. Crystal didn't change what makes Snorlax dominant: nothing tanks and retaliates like it does across Johto and Kanto.
View page detailsSnorlax — S Tier, 540 BST
Curse raises Attack and Defense while 160 HP soaks hits during setup. Rest plus Sleep Talk keeps it healthy and attacking even while asleep. Crystal didn't change what makes Snorlax dominant: nothing tanks and retaliates like it does across Johto and Kanto.
Mewtwo
154 Sp. Atk and 130 Speed haven't changed, and nothing in Crystal's expanded roster can match both numbers. Dark types resist Psychic but can't take repeated hits at this power level. Crystal's Move Tutor offers new coverage, but Mewtwo barely needs it.
View page detailsMewtwo — S Tier, 680 BST
154 Sp. Atk and 130 Speed haven't changed, and nothing in Crystal's expanded roster can match both numbers. Dark types resist Psychic but can't take repeated hits at this power level. Crystal's Move Tutor offers new coverage, but Mewtwo barely needs it.
- #1MewtwoPsychicSPECIALHP106Atk110Def90SpA154SpD90Spe130Psychic90Future Sight120Dream Eater100Confusion50HP106Atk110Def90SpA154SpD90Spe130
- #2
LugiaPsychicMIXEDHP106Atk90Def130SpA90SpD154Spe110Psychic90Future Sight120Aeroblast100Dream Eater100HP106Atk90Def130SpA90SpD154Spe110 - #3
Ho ohFireMIXEDHP106Atk130Def90SpA110SpD154Spe90Rest–Sleep Talk–Fire Blast110Sacred Fire100HP106Atk130Def90SpA110SpD154Spe90 - #4TyranitarRockDarkMIXEDHP100Atk134Def110SpA95SpD100Spe61ItemMiracleberryRock Slide75Earthquake100Roar–Fire Blast110HP100Atk134Def110SpA95SpD100Spe61
- #5
ZapdosElectricMIXEDHP90Atk90Def85SpA125SpD90Spe100ItemMagnetHidden Power Ice60Thunder110Rest–Sleep Talk–HP90Atk90Def85SpA125SpD90Spe100 - #6
RaikouElectricSPECIALHP90Atk85Def75SpA115SpD100Spe115ItemMagnetRest–Sleep Talk–Thunder110Hidden Power Ice60HP90Atk85Def75SpA115SpD100Spe115 - #7SnorlaxNormalPHYSICALHP160Atk110Def65SpA65SpD110Spe30ItemMiracleberryRest–Earthquake100Curse–Sleep Talk–HP160Atk110Def65SpA65SpD110Spe30
- #8
ExeggutorGrassPsychicSPECIALHP95Atk95Def85SpA125SpD75Spe55ItemMiracleberryPsychic90Giga Drain75Hidden Power Fire60Stun Spore–HP95Atk95Def85SpA125SpD75Spe55 - #9
CloysterWaterIceSPECIALHP50Atk95Def180SpA85SpD45Spe70ItemMiracleberrySpikes–Surf90Toxic–HP50Atk95Def180SpA85SpD45Spe70 - #10
GengarGhostPoisonPHYSICALHP60Atk65Def60SpA130SpD75Spe110ItemLeftoversIce Punch75Thunderbolt90Destiny Bond–Dynamic Punch100HP60Atk65Def60SpA130SpD75Spe110
- #11
BlisseyNormalPHYSICALHP255Atk10Def10SpA75SpD135Spe55ItemMiracleberrySoft-Boiled–Heal Bell–Flamethrower90Ice Beam90HP255Atk10Def10SpA75SpD135Spe55 - #12
JolteonElectricSPECIALHP65Atk65Def60SpA110SpD95Spe130ItemMiracleberryThunderbolt90Baton Pass–Thunder Wave–Thunder110HP65Atk65Def60SpA110SpD95Spe130 - #13
StarmieWaterPsychicSPECIALHP60Atk75Def85SpA100SpD85Spe115ItemMiracleberrySurf90Recover–Rapid Spin50Psychic90HP60Atk75Def85SpA100SpD85Spe115 - #14
SteelixSteelGroundPHYSICALHP75Atk85Def200SpA55SpD65Spe30ItemLeftoversEarthquake100Roar–Curse–Rock Slide75HP75Atk85Def200SpA55SpD65Spe30 - #15
MachampFightingPHYSICALHP90Atk130Def80SpA65SpD85Spe55ItemScope LensCross Chop100Earthquake100Curse–Fire Blast110HP90Atk130Def80SpA65SpD85Spe55 - #16
HeracrossBugFightingPHYSICALHP80Atk125Def75SpA40SpD95Spe85ItemMiracleberryMegahorn120Curse–Rest–Sleep Talk–HP80Atk125Def75SpA40SpD95Spe85 - #17
SkarmorySteelPHYSICALHP65Atk80Def140SpA40SpD70Spe70ItemLeftoversDrill Peck80Rest–Curse–Whirlwind–HP65Atk80Def140SpA40SpD70Spe70 - #18
SeakingWaterSPECIALHP80Atk92Def65SpA65SpD80Spe68ItemMiracleberryReturn–Rest–Sleep Talk–Surf90HP80Atk92Def65SpA65SpD80Spe68 
ElekidElectricSPECIALHP45Atk63Def37SpA65SpD55Spe95ItemLeftoversThunder110Psychic90Ice Punch75Thunderbolt90HP45Atk63Def37SpA65SpD55Spe95
GrowlitheFireSPECIALHP55Atk70Def45SpA70SpD50Spe60ItemMetal CoatCrunch80Agility–Body Slam85Curse–HP55Atk70Def45SpA70SpD50Spe60
RhyhornGroundRockPHYSICALHP80Atk85Def95SpA30SpD30Spe25ItemHard StoneEarthquake100Rock Slide75Curse–Toxic–HP80Atk85Def95SpA30SpD30Spe25
AbraPsychicSPECIALHP25Atk20Def15SpA105SpD55Spe90ItemTwisted SpoonPsychic90Ice Punch75Thunder Punch75Fire Punch75HP25Atk20Def15SpA105SpD55Spe90
- #19
DragoniteDragonMIXEDHP91Atk134Def95SpA100SpD100Spe80ItemScope LensDynamic Punch100Ice Beam90Thunder110Thunderbolt90HP91Atk134Def95SpA100SpD100Spe80 - #20
ArticunoIceMIXEDHP90Atk85Def100SpA95SpD125Spe85ItemMiracleberryIce Beam90Rest–Sleep Talk–Toxic–HP90Atk85Def100SpA95SpD125Spe85 - #21
MoltresFireMIXEDHP90Atk100Def90SpA125SpD85Spe90ItemCharcoalRest–Sleep Talk–Fire Blast110Sunny Day–HP90Atk100Def90SpA125SpD85Spe90 - #22
EnteiFireSPECIALHP115Atk115Def85SpA90SpD75Spe100ItemCharcoalFire Blast110Sunny Day–Solar Beam120Hidden Power Fighting60HP115Atk115Def85SpA90SpD75Spe100 - #23
SuicuneWaterSPECIALHP100Atk75Def115SpA90SpD115Spe85ItemMiracleberrySurf90Rest–Sleep Talk–Ice Beam90HP100Atk75Def115SpA90SpD115Spe85 - #24
ArcanineFireSPECIALHP90Atk110Def80SpA100SpD80Spe95ItemCharcoalExtreme Speed80Fire Blast110Flamethrower90Crunch80HP90Atk110Def80SpA100SpD80Spe95 - #25
GyaradosWaterMIXEDHP95Atk125Def79SpA60SpD100Spe81ItemMystic WaterSurf90Hydro Pump110Hidden Power Flying60Thunder110HP95Atk125Def79SpA60SpD100Spe81 - #26
CrobatPoisonPHYSICALHP85Atk90Def80SpA70SpD80Spe130ItemLeftoversToxic–Confuse Ray–Giga Drain75Haze–HP85Atk90Def80SpA70SpD80Spe130 - #27
CharizardFireMIXEDHP78Atk84Def78SpA109SpD85Spe100ItemMiracleberryEarthquake100Fire Blast110Belly Drum–Rock Slide75HP78Atk84Def78SpA109SpD85Spe100 - #28
TyphlosionFireSPECIALHP78Atk84Def78SpA109SpD85Spe100ItemCharcoalFire Blast110Sunny Day–Dynamic Punch100Hidden Power Grass60HP78Atk84Def78SpA109SpD85Spe100 - #29
VaporeonWaterSPECIALHP130Atk65Def60SpA110SpD95Spe65ItemMintberrySurf90Rest–Acid Armor–Baton Pass–HP130Atk65Def60SpA110SpD95Spe65 - #30
FlareonFireSPECIALHP65Atk130Def60SpA95SpD110Spe65ItemCharcoalFire Blast110Shadow Ball80Quick Attack40Flamethrower90HP65Atk130Def60SpA95SpD110Spe65
- #50
MewPsychicSPECIALHP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100Psychic90Dream Eater100Hyper Beam150Rest–HP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100 - #51
CelebiPsychicGrassSPECIALHP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100Psychic90Future Sight120Solar Beam120Baton Pass–HP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100 - #52
KingdraWaterDragonSPECIALHP75Atk95Def95SpA95SpD95Spe85ItemLeftoversSurf90Ice Beam90Dragon Breath60Rest–HP75Atk95Def95SpA95SpD95Spe85 - #53
LaprasWaterIceSPECIALHP130Atk85Def80SpA85SpD95Spe60ItemLeftoversIce Beam90Confuse Ray–Surf90Thunder110HP130Atk85Def80SpA85SpD95Spe60 - #54
BlastoiseWaterSPECIALHP79Atk83Def100SpA85SpD105Spe78ItemMystic WaterSurf90Ice Beam90Rapid Spin50Earthquake100HP79Atk83Def100SpA85SpD105Spe78 - #55
FeraligatrWaterSPECIALHP85Atk105Def100SpA79SpD83Spe78ItemMystic WaterEarthquake100Hydro Pump110Crunch80Ice Beam90HP85Atk105Def100SpA79SpD83Spe78 - #56
VenusaurGrassPoisonMIXEDHP80Atk82Def83SpA100SpD100Spe80ItemLeftoversLeech Seed–Sleep Powder–Giga Drain75Synthesis–HP80Atk82Def83SpA100SpD100Spe80 - #57
MeganiumGrassSPECIALHP80Atk82Def100SpA83SpD100Spe80ItemLeftoversSynthesis–Body Slam85Swords Dance–Leech Seed–HP80Atk82Def100SpA83SpD100Spe80 
Porygon2NormalPHYSICALHP85Atk80Def90SpA105SpD95Spe60ItemLeftoversRecover–Ice Beam90Curse–Psychic90HP85Atk80Def90SpA105SpD95Spe60- #58
PoliwrathWaterFightingMIXEDHP90Atk95Def95SpA70SpD90Spe70ItemLeftoversBelly Drum–Body Slam85Hydro Pump110Earthquake100HP90Atk95Def95SpA70SpD90Spe70 - #59
AmpharosElectricSPECIALHP90Atk75Def85SpA115SpD90Spe55ItemLeftoversThunderbolt90Thunder Wave–Fire Punch75Hidden Power Ice60HP90Atk75Def85SpA115SpD90Spe55 - #60
NidoqueenPoisonGroundPHYSICALHP90Atk92Def87SpA75SpD85Spe76ItemLeftoversEarthquake100Toxic–Flamethrower90Ice Beam90HP90Atk92Def87SpA75SpD85Spe76
PidgeottoNormalPHYSICALHP63Atk60Def55SpA50SpD50Spe71Agility–Fly90Return–Swift60HP63Atk60Def55SpA50SpD50Spe71
SeelWaterSPECIALHP65Atk45Def55SpA45SpD70Spe45Surf90Waterfall80Rain Dance–Whirlpool35HP65Atk45Def55SpA45SpD70Spe45
EeveeNormalPHYSICALHP55Atk55Def50SpA45SpD65Spe55ItemFocus BandToxic–Quick Attack40Curse–Hidden Power Ghost60HP55Atk55Def50SpA45SpD65Spe55
PsyduckWaterSPECIALHP50Atk52Def48SpA65SpD50Spe55Hydro Pump110Surf90Waterfall80Whirlpool35HP50Atk52Def48SpA65SpD50Spe55
GoldeenWaterSPECIALHP45Atk67Def60SpA35SpD50Spe63Hydro Pump110Surf90Waterfall80Rain Dance–HP45Atk67Def60SpA35SpD50Spe63
BulbasaurGrassPoisonMIXEDHP45Atk49Def49SpA65SpD65Spe45ItemMiracle SeedSleep Powder–Giga Drain75Solar Beam120HP45Atk49Def49SpA65SpD65Spe45
ChikoritaGrassSPECIALHP45Atk49Def65SpA49SpD65Spe45Body Slam85Synthesis–Giga Drain75Leech Seed–HP45Atk49Def65SpA49SpD65Spe45
CharmanderFireSPECIALHP39Atk52Def43SpA60SpD50Spe65ItemBerry JuiceFire Blast110Belly Drum–Rock Slide75Return–HP39Atk52Def43SpA60SpD50Spe65
CyndaquilFireSPECIALHP39Atk52Def43SpA60SpD50Spe65ItemCharcoalFlamethrower90Quick Attack40Swift60Smokescreen–HP39Atk52Def43SpA60SpD50Spe65
VenonatBugPoisonPHYSICALHP60Atk55Def50SpA40SpD55Spe45Sludge Bomb90Leech Life80Poison Powder–Toxic–HP60Atk55Def50SpA40SpD55Spe45
BellsproutGrassPoisonMIXEDHP50Atk75Def35SpA70SpD30Spe40Sleep Powder–Giga Drain75Solar Beam120Swords Dance–HP50Atk75Def35SpA70SpD30Spe40
DratiniDragonSPECIALHP41Atk64Def45SpA50SpD50Spe50Flamethrower90Outrage120Dragon Breath60Thunder Wave–HP41Atk64Def45SpA50SpD50Spe50
Pokemon Comparison
FAQ
Typhlosion is the best starter and one of the strongest Pokemon all game. Suicune gets a guaranteed catch at Tin Tower instead of roaming like in Gold and Silver, which bumps it into the upper tier. The Red Gyarados at Lake of Rage is still free and still one of the best Water-types you can grab mid-game.
The biggest gameplay change is the Suicune storyline. Instead of roaming randomly, Suicune waits at Tin Tower for a proper battle. Some wild Pokemon appear in different locations or at different levels, shifting when certain picks become available. Crystal also added animated sprites, the Battle Tower for post-game, and the Odd Egg from the Day Care (a mystery egg with a high shiny chance). A post-game Move Tutor on Route 25 teaches Flamethrower, Thunderbolt, or Ice Beam for free.
Follow the Suicune storyline through Johto. You'll run into Eusine at several points, and Suicune appears at specific locations as you progress. After clearing the Tin Tower requirements, it waits there as a static Level 40 encounter. Way easier than Gold and Silver where all three beasts roam randomly across the map. Bring Ultra Balls or a Pokemon with Mean Look and you should be fine.
Cyndaquil, same as Gold and Silver. Typhlosion's Fire typing has almost no in-game competition, and its Speed and Sp. Atk are the best of the three final evolutions. Totodile is a strong second choice since Feraligatr hits hard physically. Chikorita remains the challenge pick with defensive stats that don't speed up your playthrough.
One of the best free Pokemon in any game. The Red Gyarados at Lake of Rage is Level 30, already evolved, and has Water/Flying typing with strong physical stats. Teach it Surf and Waterfall for STAB, add Ice Beam for Dragon and Grass coverage, and it carries through the rest of Johto and most of Kanto. The shiny coloring is just a bonus.
A few encounter tables shifted. Phanpy shows up on Route 46 in Crystal (morning only) instead of being Silver-exclusive. Sneasel appears in Ice Path. The Odd Egg from the Day Care gives you one of seven baby Pokemon (Pichu, Cleffa, Igglybuff, Tyrogue, Smoochum, Elekid, or Magby) and it might be shiny. Some time-of-day encounter slots changed too, but the core roster is the same 251.
GAME AVAILABILITY
- Gen IY
Yellow151 Pokemon - Gen IRB
Red & Blue151 Pokemon - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver251 Pokemon - Gen IIC
Crystal251 Pokemon - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire202 Pokemon - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen151 Pokemon - Gen IIIE
Emerald202 Pokemon - Gen IVPt
Platinum210 Pokemon - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver256 Pokemon - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl151 Pokemon - Gen VBW
Black & White156 Pokemon - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2301 Pokemon - Gen VIXY
X & Y457 Pokemon - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire211 Pokemon - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon403 Pokemon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon302 Pokemon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee153 Pokemon - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield400 Pokemon - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus242 Pokemon - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl151 Pokemon - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet400 Pokemon - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A364 Pokemon - Gen XWW
Winds & Waves51 Pokemon