Wingull/Pelipper (R/S -> S/M)
Ruby/Sapphire:
Wingull makes its debut in Ruby/Sapphire and despite being fast for the early game and having a decent Water/Flying typing, it just kind of falls flat. It's available before the first gym leader, but as a Water type it struggles to solo the gym thanks to being weak to Rock. Lotad, Seedot, and Shroomish are also available at the first gym and can do a better job of clearing it. For the rest of the game it suffers stiff competition against the plethora of other Water types and losing Speed upon evolution really hurts it. Pelipper is decently bulky, but this is pre-Roost so it would rather just be fast. All in all it's not terrible, it just kind of falls flat.
DPPt:
Things only get worse in DPPt where Wingull is really more of a Surf Nuisance than actual help. Further competition from fast, strong water types like Buizel and Starly's dominance as the best Flying type out Wingull further behind. It's mostly a trash mon on the level Zubat, something you get sick of seeing.
X/Y:
Things only get worse for the Gull in XY as more Pokemon are added, there's more competition for a teamslot and higher BST Pokemon just tend to perform better. Wingull also lacks a good Flying STAB having been passed over for Hurricane in Gen 5. Tbh I didn't even remember it being in these games.
SM:
This is where arguably the biggest Glow-Up any Mon has ever had occurs. SM not only gives Wingull access to Hurricane, but Pelipper gets a Buff to its Special Attack and a shiny new toy in Drizzle. Combined with its early distribution -literally Route 1- and only needing to be Level 25 to evolve, Pelipper and Wingull can start dominating the game from the get-go. Wingull isn't weak to Ilima's Smeargle (technician fwg coverage can really hurt) and it outspeeds. It also can beat Hala down pretty easily thanks to having Wing Attack at level 8. Not even Peck lol. But the biggest buff comes around the 2nd trial when you get the TM for Scald. Scald in the early 20s is busted. And Pelipper's ability to boost its power with automatic Rain and shiny new 95 base Special Attack let it power through the majority of the game, even clearing the Grass trial decently thanks to Air Cutter (just watch out for Sunny Day). Seriously, if you haven't played a run through of Sun and Moon with Wingull, give it a try. It's ridiculous. USUM does nerf it a bit since Scald is moved, but Water Pulse is still a powerful enough option under Rain.
Ruby/Sapphire:
Wingull makes its debut in Ruby/Sapphire and despite being fast for the early game and having a decent Water/Flying typing, it just kind of falls flat. It's available before the first gym leader, but as a Water type it struggles to solo the gym thanks to being weak to Rock. Lotad, Seedot, and Shroomish are also available at the first gym and can do a better job of clearing it. For the rest of the game it suffers stiff competition against the plethora of other Water types and losing Speed upon evolution really hurts it. Pelipper is decently bulky, but this is pre-Roost so it would rather just be fast. All in all it's not terrible, it just kind of falls flat.
DPPt:
Things only get worse in DPPt where Wingull is really more of a Surf Nuisance than actual help. Further competition from fast, strong water types like Buizel and Starly's dominance as the best Flying type out Wingull further behind. It's mostly a trash mon on the level Zubat, something you get sick of seeing.
X/Y:
Things only get worse for the Gull in XY as more Pokemon are added, there's more competition for a teamslot and higher BST Pokemon just tend to perform better. Wingull also lacks a good Flying STAB having been passed over for Hurricane in Gen 5. Tbh I didn't even remember it being in these games.
SM:
This is where arguably the biggest Glow-Up any Mon has ever had occurs. SM not only gives Wingull access to Hurricane, but Pelipper gets a Buff to its Special Attack and a shiny new toy in Drizzle. Combined with its early distribution -literally Route 1- and only needing to be Level 25 to evolve, Pelipper and Wingull can start dominating the game from the get-go. Wingull isn't weak to Ilima's Smeargle (technician fwg coverage can really hurt) and it outspeeds. It also can beat Hala down pretty easily thanks to having Wing Attack at level 8. Not even Peck lol. But the biggest buff comes around the 2nd trial when you get the TM for Scald. Scald in the early 20s is busted. And Pelipper's ability to boost its power with automatic Rain and shiny new 95 base Special Attack let it power through the majority of the game, even clearing the Grass trial decently thanks to Air Cutter (just watch out for Sunny Day). Seriously, if you haven't played a run through of Sun and Moon with Wingull, give it a try. It's ridiculous. USUM does nerf it a bit since Scald is moved, but Water Pulse is still a powerful enough option under Rain.
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