Forget everything you knew about the original Pokémon games because Gen 2 stepped it up with bug fixes and new Steel and Dark types to improve the series' balance. The Johto Pokémon games are longer but not necessarily tougher, and players have the chance to explore both the Johto and Kanto Regions in a single playthrough. To ensure a smooth journey, here are the Pokémon you should consider for your ultimate Gen 2 team.

While the Gen 2 games allow access to both Johto and Kanto Regions, it's crucial to focus on Johto Region Pokémon first since Kanto becomes available only after beating the Elite Four and Champion. The chosen Pokémon aren't necessarily the strongest, but they are the most accessible and effective.

Building the Perfect Pokemon Team for Gen 2

Gen 2 faced criticism for its unusual difficulty curve, with tough battles early in the game and leveling up issues later on. Many Gen 2 Pokémon lack evolution, limiting their strength, and some aren't accessible until late in the game, rendering them useless. Hence, acquiring Pokémon suited for both early and late game is essential.

Typhlosion

Cyndaquil is the ideal starter for Gen 2, as it isn't weak against Falkner's Flying types and holds a type advantage against Bugsy's Bug types. Typhlosion proves beneficial against Jasmine's Steel types and Pryce's Ice types, making it the ultimate choice. Other strong Fire types like Slugma and Houndour are only available in the Kanto Region, making Cyndaquil the best option.

Ampharos

Mareep, found south of Violet City, provides a great advantage in the first gym battle if evolved into Ampharos. Ampharos helps handle numerous Water types encountered on the way to Cianwood City. However, this strategy applies only to Pokémon Gold and Silver, as Mareep is oddly absent in Pokémon Crystal.

Quagsire

Quagsire, obtainable early on Route 32, has the advantage of the superb Water/Ground type combination, granting immunity to Electric types and only a weakness to Grass types, which pose minimal threat in Gen 2. With access to Earthquake and solid Physical Defense, Quagsire is perfect for facing Whitney's challenging Miltank in the third Gym.

Crobat

Crobat, evolving from Zubat found throughout the Johto Region, is a valuable Flying type. Not only does it learn Fly, but it's effective against Chuck's Fighting types in Cianwood City Gym and Bruno's Fighting types in the Elite Four. With a base Speed stat of 130, Crobat evolves from Golbat with high friendship, ensuring a fast, powerful team member early in the game.

Umbreon

For a Gen 2 team, having a Dark type is crucial, and Umbreon fits the bill perfectly. Eevee, obtainable through an event, can be evolved with high friendship into Umbreon just before facing Morty's Ghost-type Gym, providing a type advantage.

Jynx

Jynx, though unconventional, is invaluable in Gen 2. An Ice type is essential for late-game battles against Dragon-type trainers like Claire and Lance. Jynx, found in the Ice Path before Blackthorn City, possesses the powerful Psychic type as its secondary type and the highest Special Attack among Ice types, taking full advantage of Ice being a Special type in Gen 2.