It is not easy to pick a team when every Pokémon is new. Here are the recruits that really make a difference in Unova, with the location, the catch level and the evolution level, all taken from the game data. First the ones found in both versions, then the exclusives of Black and White.
The criteria: a Pokémon that is available early enough, evolves at a reasonable level and stays useful all the way to the League. The locations given are the first places where you can catch it.
⭐The must-haves in both versions
| Pokémon | Where and when | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Drilbur | Wellspring Cave, dust clouds, levels 10 to 13 (step 6). Evolves at level 31. | Excadrill, Ground and Steel, is one of the best attackers of the adventure. |
 Lillipup | Route 1, levels 2 to 4. Evolves at levels 16 and 32. | Stoutland is sturdy and reliable, with Intimidate. The ideal early companion. |
 Timburr | Pinwheel Forest, levels 13 and 14 (step 8). Evolves at level 25, then by trade. | Gurdurr hits hard from the middle of the adventure. Conkeldurr requires a trade. |
 Sandile | Route 4, in the sand, levels 15 to 18 (step 11). Evolves at levels 29 and 40. | Krookodile, Ground and Dark, is immune to Psychic and Electric, and has Intimidate. |
 Darumaka | Route 4, levels 15 to 18. Evolves at level 35. | Darmanitan and its huge Attack: a Fire sweeper for anyone who did not pick Tepig. |
 Joltik | Chargestone Cave, levels 24 to 27 (step 17). Evolves at level 36. | Galvantula is fast, and has Electroweb to slow the opponent down. |
 Litwick | Celestial Tower, levels 26 to 29 (step 18). Evolves at level 41, then with a Dusk Stone. | Chandelure has the highest Special Attack in Unova outside of the legendaries. |
 Axew | Mistralton Cave, levels 30 and 31 (step 19). Evolves at levels 38 and 48. | Haxorus, Unova’s dragon: Dragon Dance, then sweep. |
 Frillish | Driftveil City, on the water, as soon as you have Surf. Evolves at level 40. | Jellicent, Water and Ghost, is immune to Normal and Fighting. |
 Pawniard | Route 9, levels 31 to 34 (step 24). Evolves at level 52. | Pawniard, Dark and Steel, has few weaknesses. |
 Deino | Victory Road, levels 38 to 40 (step 27). Evolves at levels 50 and 64. | Hydreigon is the best Pokémon in Unova outside of the legendaries, but its final evolution comes late. |
⚫Pokémon Black exclusives
| Pokémon | Where and when | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Gothita | Routes 5 and 16, levels 19 to 22 (step 14). Evolves at levels 32 and 41. | Gothitelle, pure Psychic, with solid Special Defense. A good answer to Marshal, the Fighting specialist of the Elite Four. |
 Vullaby | Route 10, levels 34 to 36 (step 26). Evolves at level 54. | Mandibuzz, Dark and Flying, is very bulky. Catch it just before the League. |
 Cottonee | Pinwheel Forest (inside), levels 14 to 17. Evolves with a Sun Stone. | Whimsicott is fast, with Prankster to get its support moves off first. |
 Reshiram | N’s Castle, level 50 (step 29). | The dragon of your version. A must-catch. |
 Tornadus | Roaming Unova, after the event on Route 7. | The wind genie, to be hunted with a Master Ball or a Pokémon that prevents it from fleeing. |
⚪Pokémon White exclusives
| Pokémon | Where and when | Why |
|---|---|---|
 Solosis | Routes 5 and 16, levels 19 to 22 (step 14). Evolves at levels 32 and 41. | Reuniclus, an enormous Special Attack, and the Magic Guard ability, which protects it from indirect damage. |
 Rufflet | Route 10, levels 34 to 36 (step 26). Evolves at level 54. | Braviary, Normal and Flying, with a great Attack stat. Catch it just before the League. |
 Petilil | Pinwheel Forest (inside), levels 14 to 17. Evolves with a Sun Stone. | Lilligant, Grass, learns Quiver Dance at level 28: a special attacker that powers itself up. |
 Zekrom | N’s Castle, level 50 (step 29). | The dragon of your version. A must-catch. |
 Thundurus | Roaming Unova, after the event on Route 7. | The lightning genie, to be hunted with a Master Ball or a Pokémon that prevents it from fleeing. |
