What move should I use on my Ursaring in Crystal?

Question

I'm using Ursaring as an HM slave with Rock Smash, Strength, and Cut but I'm not sure what 4th move to run. I'm thinking Ice Punch or Fire Punch, but I'm not sure.

Comments

If you're using a Pokemon as a HM slave, I think it's not worth giving any experience to it. Just teach it headbutt and keep it in the back of your party. This way your other Pokemon with good moves will gain more experience.

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Oh I'm dumb, I'm already training it (It is a Teddiursa currently). However, I might make it a team member. I think Dig might be a good choice because of coverage and the ability to use Dig outside of battle? I'm going to use Earthquake on my Feraligatr, too.

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In that case, I think it's better to catch an Ursaring in Dark Cave immediately after defeating Morty, so it comes at a higher level. Also teach it return, dig or earthquake, and 2 of the punches and teach your HM moves to some other Pokemon

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Wait in Crystal Teddiursa comes at level 2 right? Edit: Oh the Route 45 side nvm. Dang, that makes my Teddiursa grinding useless because I can get a level 30 Ursaring.

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By the way, where is the Route 45 side where you can get Ursaring?

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Immediately after you defeat Morty, you should be able to enter through Route 31 and surf to the north side of the pool. There's a hole that connects to the other side of Dark Cave.

Answer 1

I think you should use return (higher base power), dig or earthquake (to cover rock, steel, and several other types), fire punch, and thunder punch. Then, replace fire punch with ice punch after defeating both Pryce and Jasmine. Teach your HM moves to some other Pokemon, so you're not wasting experience leveling up a Pokemon with HM moves.

Comments

Thank you. By the way, do you think this in-game team is good enough? https://pokepast.es/0fcf0303738bfa5c

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Don't the elemental punches use special attack?

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@Broccoli Why do you have 2 normal Pokemon on the team? Also your Suicune doesn't need to know rock smash all the time, so I recommend teaching strength to Suicune and return to Feraligatr.
@Ape Yes, Ursaring should use a punch move only when the opponent has a quadruple weakness or high physical defense.

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Fearow is my flyer, but maybe I should get another flyer?

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You might want to replace Fearow with Farfetch'd because Farfetch'd learns cut.

Answer 2

i'd go with ice punch since it's super effective against more than half of clair's team. but fire punch isn't horrible either.