Pokévariate Analysis

Here I delve into a multivariate analysis. Often times, useful data has well over 2 variables and in order to reveal any insights many of those variables have to be plotted together in two dimensional space. To explore this idea, I constructed a dataset using real in-game data from the original Pokémon Red & Blue games made for the Nintendo Gameboy. Across time many have wondered which of the three starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle is the greatest. Since there are many ways to evaluate which is objectively the "best" I set out to explore this question by compiling a spreadsheet of their respective attributes at certain levels of interest such as beginning of the game, evolution, and max level 100.

It's important to note that a Pokémon's attributes are based on sixteen possible "Diversification Values" (DV's), which are basically like Pokémon genes. These are hidden hexadecimal values ranging from 0-15 assigned to every Pokémon that determine their max potential in the following attributes: HP (Hit Points), Attack, Defense, Speed, and Special. In stabilizing this analysis to be as objective as possible, I factored in the max level of "Stat Experience" (extra stat points gained by battling) for each attribute, as well as only recorded the max DV's of 15 for each level. I realized that calculating these values is quite tedious, but luckily I found a reliable website which generates them as seen in the image above.

The subsequent visualization reveals much more to a Pokémon's respective strengths and weaknesses than the famous elemental type system would suggest. Most notably, Squirtle can be seen to have a distinct advantage in defense as compared to Charmander and Bulbasaur. In addition, Charmander is clearly faster than the other two, and Bulbasaur has a greater special attack/defense. HP and attack are the only attributes that are too close in value (+-3 points) to confer a decisive advantage. Interestingly, the distribution of attributes seem to suggest a series of checks and balances, e.g., Squirtle's defensive prowess comes in useful when battling Bulbasaur who has the type advantage. Similarly, Charmander's speed allows for more effective dodging.

Resources:

1. Bulbagarden. (2024, January 12). Main Page. Bulbapedia.From https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Main_Page

2. Erwin, P. (2023, October 27). Damage Vulnerability Calculator. From https://tewky.github.io/dvcalculator/