Pokemon Black and White Primer

It's time to catch them all again. Our Pokemon Black and White Primer Guide gets you started with info about new Pokemon, returning favorites, and brand new features. Here's what's inside:

• New Pokemon: Found out about all 156 new Pokemon to collect
• Version Exclusives: Find out what's different about the Black and White versions
• C-Gear: Learn about multiplayer and online C-Gear features

New Pokemon

Type Strengths and Weaknesses

As with the previous entries of the series, each Pokemon has a type that can increase their offenses and defenses. Having a dual type can be a double edged sword: while it can some times increase a Pokemon's offensive potential, it can in turn expose them to new weaknesses or create a double weakness to another type.

Type Name	Attack Bonus Against	Attack Penalty Against	Defense Bonus Against	Defense Penalty Against
Normal	None	Rock, Steel, Ghost (Null Attack)	Ghost (Null Attack)	Fighting
Fighting	Normal, Rock, Steel, Ice, Dark	Poison, Flying, Bug, Psychic, Ghost (Null Attack)	Bug, Dark, Rock	Flying, Psychic
Flying	Bug, Fighting, Grass	Electric, Rock, Steel	Bug, Fighting, Grass, Ground (Null Attack)	Electric, Ice, Rock
Poison	Grass	Ghost, Ground, Poison, Rock, Steel (Null Attack)	Bug, Fighting, Poison, Grass	Ground, Psychic
Ground	Electric, Fire, Poison, Rock, Steel	Bug, Grass, Flying (Null Attack)	Poison, Rock, Electric (Null Attack)	Ice, Grass, Water
Rock	Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice	Fighting, Ground, Steel	Normal, Fire, Flying, Poison	Fighting, Grass, Ground, Steel, Water
Bug	Dark, Grass, Psychic	Fighting, Fire, Flying, Ghost, Poison, Steel	Fighting, Grass, Ground	Fire, Flying, Rock
Ghost	Ghost, Pysychic	Dark, Steel, Normal (Null Attack)	Bug, Poison, Fighting (Null Attack), Normal (Null Attack)	Dark, Ghost
Steel	Ice, Rock	Electric, Fire, Steel, Water	Bug, Dark, Dragon, Flying, Ghost, Grass, Ice, Normal, Psychic, Rock, Steel, Poison (Null Attack)	Fighting, Fire, Ground
Fire	Bug, Grass, Ice, Steel	Dragon, Fire, Rock, Water	Bug, Fire, Grass, Ice, Steel	Ground, Rock, Water
Water	Fire, Ground, Rock	Dragon, Grass, Water	Fire, Ice, Steel, Water	Electric, Grass
Grass	Ground, Rock, Water	Bug, Dragon, Fire, Flying, Grass, Poison, Steel	Electric, Grass, Ground, Water	Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice, Poison
Electric	Flying, Water	Dragon, Electric, Grass, Ground (Null Attack)	Electric, Flying, Steel	Ground
Psychic	Fighting, Poison	Psychic, Steel, Dark (Null Attack)	Fighting, Psychic	Bug, Dark, Ghost
Ice	Dragon, Flying, Grass, Ground	Fire, Steel, Water	Ice	Fighting, Fire, Rock, Steel
Dragon	Dragon	Steel	Electric, Fire, Grass, Water	Dragon, Ice
Dark	Ghost, Psychic	Dark, Steel, Fighting	Dark, Ghost, Psychic (Null Attack)	Bug, Fighting

New Black and White Pokemon

Black and White includes 156 new Pokemon, increasing the total National Pokedex to 649. Keep in mind that you can also come across previous Pokemon, some of which are exclusive to Black or White.

Pokemon Name	Type	Version Exclusive
Victini	Psychic, Fire
Snivy	Grass
Servine	Grass
Serperior	Grass
Tepig	Fire
Pignite	Fire, Fighting
Emboar	Fire, Fighting
Oshawott	Water
Dwott	Water
Samurott	Ground
Patrat	Normal
Watchdog	Normal
Lilipup	Normal
Herdier	Normal
Stoutland	Normal
Purrloin	Dark
Liepard	Dark
Pansage	Grass
Simisage	Grass
Pansear	Fire
Simisear	Fire
Panpour	Water
Simipour	Water
Munna	Psychic
Musharna	Psychic
Pidove	Normal, Flying
Tranquill	Normal, Flying
Unfezant	Normal, Flying
Blitzle	Electric
Zebstrika	Electric
Roggenrola	Rock
Boldore	Rock
Gigalith	Rock
Woobat	Psychic, Flying
Swoobat	Psychic, Flying
Drilbur	Ground
Exadrill	Ground, Steel
Audino	Normal
Timburr	Fighting
Gurdurr	Fighting
Conkeldurr	Fighting
Tympole	Water
Palpitoad	Water, Ground
Seismitoad	Water, Ground
Throh	Fighting
Sawk	Fighting
Sewaddle	Bug, Grass
Swadloon	Bug, Grass
Leavanny	Bug, Grass
Venipede	Bug, Poison
Whirlipede	Bug, Poison
Scolipede	Bug, Poison
Cottonee	Grass	Black
Whimsicott	Grass	Black
Petilil	Grass	White
Liligant	Grass	White
Basculin	Water
Sandile	Ground, Dark
Krokorok	Ground, Dark
Krookodile	Ground, Dark
Darumaka	Fire
Darmanitan	Fire
Maractus	Grass
Dwebble	Bug, Rock
Crustle	Bug, Rock
Scraggy	Dark, Fighting
Scrafty	Dark, Fighting
Sigilyph	Psychic, Flying
Yamask	Ghost
Confagrigus	Ghost
Tirtouga	Water, Rock
Carracosta	Water, Rock
Archen	Rock, Flying
Archeops	Rock, Flying
Trubbish	Poison
Garbodor	Poison
Zorua	Dark
Zoroark	Dark
Minccino	Normal
Cinccino	Normal
Gothita	Psychic	Black
Gothorita	Psychic	Black
Gothitelle	Psychic	Black
Solosis	Psychic	White
Duosion	Psychic	White
Reuniclus	Psychic	White
Ducklett	Water, Flying
Swanna	Water, Flying
Vanillite	Ice
Vanillish	Ice
Vanilluxe	Ice
Deerling	Normal, Grass
Sawsbuck	Normal, Grass
Emolga	Electric, Flying
Karrablast	Bug
Escavalier	Bug, Steel
Foongus	Grass, Poison
Amoonguss	Grass, Poison
Frilish	Water, Ghost
Jellicent	Water, Ghost
Alomomola	Water
Joltik	Bug, Electric
Galvantula	Bug, Electric
Ferroseed	Grass, Steel
Ferrothorn	Grass, Steel
Klink	Steel
Klang	Steel
Klinklang	Steel
Tynamo	Electric
Eelektrik	Electric
Eelektross	Electric
Elgyem	Psychic
Beheeyem	Psychic
Litwick	Ghost, Fire
Lampent	Ghost, Fire
Chandelure	Ghost, Fire
Axew	Dragon
Fraxure	Dragon
Haxorus	Dragon
Cubchoo	Ice
Beartic	Ice
Cryogonal	Ice
Shelmet	Bug
Accelgor	Bug
Stunfisk	Ground, Electric
Mienfoo	Fighting
Mienshao	Fighting
Druddigon	Dragon
Golett	Ground, Ghost
Golurk	Ground, Ghost
Pawniard	Dark, Steel
Bisharp	Dark, Steel
Bouffalant	Normal
Rufflet	Normal, Flying	White
Braviary	Normal, Flying	White
Vullaby	Dark, Flying	Black
Mandibuzz	Dark, Flying	Black
Heatmor	Fire
Durant	Bug, Steel
Deino	Dark, Dragon
Zweilous	Dark, Dragon
Hydreigon	Dark, Dragon
Larvesta	Fire, Bug
Volcarona	Fire, Bug
Cobalion	Fighting, Steel
Terrakion	Fighting, Rock
Virizion	Fighting, Grass
Tornadus	Flying	Black
Thundurus	Dragon, Fire	White
Reshiram	Dragon, Fire	Black
Zekrom	Dragon, Electric	White
Landorus	Ground, Flying
Kyurem	Dragon, Ice
Keldeo	Water, Fighting
Meloetta	Normal, Psychic
Genesect	Bug, Steel

Exclusive Version Pokemon

Both Black and White have exclusive Pokemon to collect. Some of these are from older generations. Many of White's exclusive Pokemon must be caught in the White Forest. You can of course gain them all by trading with other players.

Black Exclusive

Pokemon Name	Type	Pokedex Number
Weedle	Bug, Poison	13
Kakuna	Bug, Poison	14
Beedrill	Bug, Poison	15
Murkrow	Dark, Flying	198
Houndour	Dark, Fire	228
Houndoom	Dark, Fire	229
Shroomish	Grass	285
Breloom	Grass, Fighting	286
Plusle	Electric	311
Volbeat	Bug	313
Honchkrow	Dark, Flying	430
Cottonee	Grass	546
Whimsicott	Grass	547
Gothita	Psychic	574
Gothorita	Psychic	575
Gothitelle	Psychic	576
Vullably	Dark, Flying	629
Mandibuzz	Dark, Flying	630
Tornadus	Flying	641
Resgiram	Dragon, Fire	643

White Exclusive

Pokemon Name	Type	Pokedex Number
Caterpie	Bug	10
Metapod	Bug	11
Butterfree	Bug, Flying	12
Para	Bug, Grass	46
Parasect	Bug, Grass	47
Misdreavus	Ghost	200
Poochyena	Dark	261
Mightyena	Dark	262
Minun	Electric	312
Illumise	Bug	314
Mismagius	Ghost	429
Petilil	Grass	548
Liligant	Grass	549
Solosis	Psychic	577
Duosion	Psychic	578
Reuniclus	Psychic	579
Rufflet	Normal, Flying	527
Braviary	Normal, Flying	628
Thundurus	Flying, Electric	642
Zekrom	Dragon, Electric	644

White Forest Bonus Pokemon

Pokemon Name	Type	Pokedex Number
Pidgey	Normal, Flying	16
Nidoran (Female)	Poison	29
Nidoran (Male)	Poison	32
Oddish	Grass, Poison	43
Abra	Psychic	63
Machop	Fighting	66
Bellsprout	Grass, Poison	69
Magnemite	Electric, Steel	81
Gastly	Ghost, Poison	92
Rhyhorn	Ground, Rock	111
Porygon	Normal	137
Togepi	Normal	175
Mareep	Electric	179
Hoppip	Grass, Flying	187
Wooper	Water, Ground	194
Elekid	Electric	239
Magby	Fire	240
Wurmple	Bug	265
Lotad	Water, Grass	270
Seedot	Grass	273
Ralts	Psychic	280
Surskit	Bug, Water	283
Slakoth	Normal	287
Whismur	Normal	293
Azurill	Normal	298
Aron	Steel, Rock	304
Trapinch	Ground	328
Corphish	Water	341
Bagon	Dragon	371
Starly	Normal, Flying	396
Shinx	Electric	403
Budew	Grass, Poison	406
Happiny	Normal	440

Black City and White Forest

Each version of the game as an exclusive location between Routes 15 and 14 in Unova. In Pokemon Black there is the Black City, while in white there is the White Forest.

Black City has extra items that can be purchased. The available items can change by using Entralink and entering another player's City or Forest. The city also includes high level trainers that use Pokemon ranging from level 30 all the way to level 65. There are Backpackers and Roughnecks that have multiple Pokemon and will offer Triple and Rotation Battles. Black City is a good place for high end fights and finding difficult challenges.

White Forest contains exclusive Pokemon from older generations. Typically they are around level 5 when caught. As with Black City, White Forest can be changed by using Entralink to explore another person's City or Forest. There are also a handful of trainers here, but not nearly the amount in Black City. White Forest is better for catching older Pokemon that you may want to train up.

Poke Transfer

You can transfer Pokemon from Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. Head to Route 15 in Unova and over to the Poke Transfer Lab. Note that transfers will not retain held items or Hidden Machine moves.

A mini-game will start where six Pokemon from the previous game will appear behind several bushes. There is a time limit bar at the top of the screen signaling how long you have to catch the Pokemon. You can catch each Pokemon when they appear out of the bushes or attempt to run around the area.

You can also sleep several Pokemon at once by hitting the pink clouds that float by. Sleeping pokemon can be caught even if they are still behind a bush. Keep in mind that any Pokemon that are not captured will return to their previous game. However, there is no penalty for using Poke Transfer multiple times.

Seasons

Seasons in the game change every real world month: Spring during January, May, and September; Summer during February, June and October; Autumn during March, July, and November; and Winter in April, August, and December. Outside visual appearance and changes in music, seasons can also change parts of gameplay.

Several locations in the game change depending on the season. These include Route 8, Dragonspiral, Undella Bay, and Moor of Icirrus. The season in these locations can effect which wild Pokemon appear. Seasons also have an effect on some Pokemons abilities, such as Sawsbuck and Deerling.

C-Gear

C-Gear is a new system that can be used to access wireless, Wi-Fi, and infrared multiplayer options.

Entralink

C-Gear can be used to quickly warp to the Entralink forest, a location in cnetral Unova. Here you can gain Pokemon from Nintendo's official Pokemon Dream World with Dream Balls. You can also use Entralink to warp to other player's Unova and undertake various missions. These multiplayer missions reward Pass Orbs that can be used to gain exclusive Pass Powers that aid all nearby players.

Xtransceiver

Xtransceiver can be used to directly communicate with players via the DS' mic. If other players are also using the DSi, video phone communication can be achieved with the built in camera.

Global Link

Global Link can be accessed early in the game by entering the Dreamyard and collecting Dream Mist from a Munna. If you bring this item to Fennel in Striaton City she will unlock this new Wi-Fi mode.

You will need a Nintendo Pokemon Global Link account to access the Dream World itself. Due to server traffic, there are limits on time spent in Dream World. Most often you will only have one hour of access a day to this feature.

Dreamworld can be used to gain extra Pokemon, find items, and explore Dream Island. In Dream World you are also given a home which you can furnish and redesign. You can also trade and take items via the Share Shelves in your home.

Triple and Rotation Battles

Triple and Rotation Battles are new means of fighting Pokemon in Black and White.

Triple battles make use of three Pokemon at once that can be used as a team. Not only can Pokemon on a team help one another, but they are also able to harm one another if they are not careful. You can also issue orders to move your Pokemon around, changing their location and order.

Similar to Triple Battles are Rotation Battles. However, during these fights only one Pokemon on each team can use an action at a time, requiring more strategy. These fights mostly happen in Black City, however they can be found in various other locations to offer an interesting challenge.