Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness/Gameplay

Before you start this game, you may want to decide which Pokemon you wish to be. The following are all the Pokemon you can start out as:

Fire Types


 * Charmander
 * Cyndaquil
 * Torchic
 * Chimchar

Special Statistics of the Fire Type: Fire type Pokemon often have higher Attack stats than other Pokemon, and this applies to the Pokemon in PMD2. Also, their Smokescreen works well in tight situations, for it dropss an enemies' accuracy to 0.

Water Types


 * Squirtle
 * Totodile
 * Mudkip
 * Piplup

Special Statistics of the Water Type: Water Pokemon often have higher Defense stats than other Pokemon, and this applies to Pokemon in PMD2. Also, many Pokemon in PMD2 are weak against Water, especially the bosses.

Grass Types


 * Bulbasaur
 * Chikorita
 * Treecko
 * Turtwig

Special Statistics of the Grass Type: Grass Pokemon often have average stats, making them versatile in every range of ability, and this applies to Pokkemon in PMD2. Also, Grass type moves are often long range or wide range.

Others


 * Pikachu
 * Meowth
 * Skitty
 * Munchlax

Special Statistics of the Others: The other Pokemon are often ones you may want to avoid. First off, if you get these Pokemon, your partner will be chosen at random. Second, they don't have attack-boosting abilities, making them useless in bad situations. However, their abilities can cause status effects i.e. Pikachu may paralyze a Pokemon if it hits him. Skitty can get Pokemon Infatuated, making it so that they can't do anything at all. If you choose these Pokemon, use their abilities at the max.

Partners

After you get your Pokemon, you get to choose a partner. The Pokemon you choose will always be a different type than you, so your partner cannot be a Squirtle if you got Totodile. All the Starter Pokemon are able to be chosen, however you get a random choice of seven. Also, it may be wise to choose a Pokemon that can defeat you i.e. if you got Cyndaquil, get a Mudkip or something.