Temtem Starters: Making The Right Pick For You

The Pokémon-like MMORPG game Temtem releases for Early Access later today on Steam, so we take a look at which starter Temtem makes the best pick and dig into the stats and use cases.

First off the mental-type Temtem, Houchic.

Houchic
HP	38
STA	44
SPD	66
ATK	40
DEF	41
SPATK	72
SPDEF	52

Houchic is somewhat of a glass cannon. It has high Speed and high Special Attack, but its Hit Points and Physical Defense are rather meager. As it evolves, the stats stay much the same in terms of their distribution, so it could see use as a late-game special sweeper. It is, however, one of the tougher starters to raise as it doesn’t get an instant STAB (same-type attack bonus) move until level 20 and its priority isn’t much to write home about. Houchic evolves into Tental after 29 level-ups.

List of Techniques Houchic Learns by Leveling

Lvl	Name	Type	Class	Damage	Stamina	Hold	Priority
1	Hypnosis			–	12	1
1	Psy Wave			61	7	1
4	Kick			32	8	0
8	Tenderness			–	3	0
11	Energy Manipulation	(+)		45	11	0
16	Telekinetic Shrapnel			80	8	1
20	Beta Burst			100	23	0
28	Psy Surge			100	15	1
34	Humiliating Slap			90	20	0
42	Lullaby			–	27	2
Italic indicates a technique that gets STAB when used by Houchic (+ ) indicates the technique has Synergy with the type shown in parentheses

Next, we’ve got the crystal-type Temtem, Crystle.

Crystle
HP	60
STA	41
SPD	33
ATK	61
DEF	69
SPATK	46
SPDEF	42

Crystle has the lowest total base states of the three but has an even stat distribution and may be best for beginners and younger players. It has high Hit Points and high physical defense, but its Speed is extremely low. With good physical DEF and ATK it could serve as a fantastic waller with reasonable damage-dealing ability. It is most likely the easiest to raise, despite it not evolving til one level later than the other 2 starters, as it gains a high priority STAB move at only level 9. The other upside is that Crystal-type Temtem are rare early game so it gives you the leg up on type matching in that regard.

List of Techniques Crystle Learns by Leveling

Lvl	Name	Type	Class	Damage	Stamina	Hold	Priority
1	Glass Blade			32	5	0
3	Mirror Shell			–	15	1
5	Nibble			37	7	0
9	Crystal Dust	(+)		60	11	0
14	Head Ram			100	17	0
17	Crystallize			–	18	1
27	Crystal Spikes			120	27	0
35	Rampage	(+)		65	26	1
Italic indicates a technique that gets STAB when used by Crystle (+ ) indicates the technique has Synergy with the type shown in parentheses

Last, but not least, we’ve got the Melee-type Temtem, Smazee.

Smazee
HP	49
STA	55
SPD	66
ATK	69
DEF	44
SPATK	37
SPDEF	37

Smazee is the way I’m leaning, personally. Whilst his stats might not blow you away right out of the gate, despite his high Physical Attack and Speed, he evolves after 29 level ups into Baboong, and then can pick up the passive Brawny. This passive adds an additional 20% damage to physical moves. Though Smazee suffers from no High priority STAB move til level 48, its high damage output and relative damage sustainability (via high stamina stats and low stamina cost moves) will more than makeup for it in most cases. Expect to see Smazee’s final evolution as a physical sweeper late game.

List of Techniques Baboong Learns by Leveling

Lvl	Name	Type	Class	Damage	Stamina	Hold	Priority
1	Kick			32	8	0
4	Martial Strike			50	5	1
8	Tail Strike			50	5	1
10	Sand Splatter			35	7	0
12	Show Off	(+)		–	7	0
16	Uppercut			80	12	0
19	Intimidation			–	12	2
26	Perfect Jab			40	15	0
30	Heat Up			–	23	0
40	Inner Spirit			170	23	2
48	Footwork			–	15	1
Italic indicates a technique that gets STAB when used by Baboong (+ ) indicates the technique has Synergy with the type shown in parentheses