>>29108535>>29108269I have faith in GameFreak's tendency to pamper their favorite starter. The archer owl is definitely the poster boy this time around: it's the sleek "cool" one, it has a built-in weapon, and Ash seems to be getting Rowlet in the anime. This is our new Greninja, and I wouldn't be surprised if it gets some shiny toys as a result. Offensively, Grass/Flying isn't actually terrible. If it gets a halfway-decent Fighting move, good Attack and Speed, and an ability better than Keen Eye it has potential.
On typing and known spread alone Popplio3 is in the best starting position, true. Rowlet3 isn't doomed just because Tropius and Jumpluff suck. Doesn't mean it'll be as oppressive as Shaymin either, but GameFreak is really pushing this batch of starters as partners so I'd hope they work to make them respectable.
