Starting Pokémon Black 2 or White 2? Here are the essentials to get going: choosing your version and starter Pokémon, the new features to know about and a few tips for the adventure.

Black 2 or White 2?

The story is the same. The differences lie in the mascots (Black Kyurem or White Kyurem), the postgame area (Black City or White Forest), certain legendary Pokémon, the difficulty mode that gets unlocked and several wild Pokémon. The details are in our fact sheet. You can choose without regret: the Unova Link then lets you swap keys from the other version.

Which starter Pokémon?

Bianca, Professor Juniper’s assistant, offers you the three Unova starter Pokémon:

  • Snivy: fast and defensive, it has the advantage against Marlon (Water) and Clay (Ground).
  • Tepig: its final evolution, Emboar, is Fire/Fighting, effective against Cheren (Normal) and Burgh (Bug), but it struggles against Clay (Ground) and Marlon (Water).
  • Oshawott: well balanced, it has the advantage against Clay (Ground).

Hugh, your rival, takes the Pokémon that has the advantage over yours.

New features to know about

Nate, the hero.
Rosa, the heroine.
  • A Pokédex of 301 Pokémon, from every generation, right from the start of the adventure.
  • The Hidden Grottoes, which shelter Pokémon with their Hidden Abilities.
  • Medals, handed out by the Medal Master in Pokémon Centers.
  • PokéStar Studios, in Virbank City, after Roxie’s Gym.
  • The Unova Link, for swapping keys and unlocking events with Black and White.

Six tips for the adventure

  1. Catch widely from the very first routes: the regional Pokédex is very varied.
  2. Prepare a Fighting-type Pokémon for Cheren, whose Normal-type Pokémon are tough early on.
  3. Avoid tackling Roxie without a Ground or Psychic Pokémon: her Poison-type Pokémon like to poison.
  4. Visit the PWT as soon as you reach Driftveil City: you earn useful Battle Points there.
  5. Keep a varied team for the Plasma Frigate, which chains battles together.
  6. Prepare for Iris, the Champion who specializes in Dragon types: rely on Ice and Dragon moves, since the Fairy type doesn’t exist yet.

For what comes next, the complete walkthrough guides you chapter by chapter.