Kricketune

   Kricketune; the Cricket Pokemon and a Pokemon that can create a melodic sound.  Scientists study these.  Not only that, but there's a village that hosts a contest that is based on the astonishingly variable cries of this Pokemon.

   My first game with Pokemon was Pearl Version.  So obviously, I've sort of "grown up" with this guy.  I'm not saying he's my favorite.  However, for some reason, he looks a little bit cute.  If you look at his face for a minute or so, then you may see what I'm talking about.  When we take a look at Kricketune's stats, we see that he isn't the best Pokemon out there.  He's only the 84th strongest Pokemon with its stat total, and for those who thing 84 isn't so bad, it just cripples in comparison to other strong Bug-Types.  The highest base stat number on Kricketune is 85.  Here's how it goes.  Kricketune has an HP stat of 77, an Attack stat of 85, a Defense stat of 51, a Sp. Attack stat of 55, a Sp. Defense stat of 51, and a Speed stat of 65.  Kricketune's HP and Attack stats are okay, but low Defensive Stats and a low Speed stat can almost guarantee that Kricketune is dead if it doesn't go first.  On the bright side, Kricketune does enough useful Physical moves to support the higher Attack stat and the low-down Sp. Attack stat.

  The strongest Physical STAB move Kricketune can learn is  X-Scissor, which I guess is okay for an Under-Used Pokemon.  Kricketune has some good moves like Bug Bite, Night Slash, Perish Song, Slash, Strength, Brick Break, Aerial Ace, Facade, X-Scissor, & Giga Impact are probably the best moves you can find off of this guy.  Other than that, Kricketune's moves are either poorly matched with its high Attack stat, or are just low on base power numbers.

  Kricketune's ability is Swarm.  Swarm increases the power of Kricketune's Bug-Type-Attacks when your HP is low.  It's a good ability for a Bug-Type, but it isn't as good as Technician.  Technician increases the power of any moves with a base power of 60 or less.  It's my first recommendation, because Kricketune needs all the help a weak Pokemon can get.  However, this ability is Kricketune's hidden ability, which means you need to find a Kricketot or Kricketune in the Pokemon Dream World.  Otherwise, you're stuck Swarm.

So the final verdict would most likely be that without any EV Training for Speed or Defensive stats, Kricketune will be garbage wasted along with other Pokemon, like Watchog, Chatot, & especially Farfetch'd.  But with that aside, unless you don't use this Pokemon with professional game training, this Pokemon doesn't really do much.  And even for the professionals, this is most likely at the bottom of Bug-Types they'd want to use.  I still like the Cricket- I wish he was a bit more useful at times...

Hypno

        Hypno is the Hypnosis Pokemon.  The sight of its swinging pendulum can make anybody sleep within three seconds, even if somebody had just woke up.  When very hungry, it puts humans to sleep and eats their dreams.  While in search of prey, it'll polish its pendulum using its mane.  There was once an incident where a Hypno took away a child it hypnotized.

       What a creepy Pokemon.  Its proboscis-nose isn't creepy, but the fact that he just hypnotizes humans is somewhat disturbing.  Its FireRed Pokedex entry states that "It carries a pendulum-like device.  There was once an incident in which it took away a child it hypnotized."   Am I the only one that finds that disturbing?  Thankfully, I'm not, but for all of you who don't thing it's creepy, you're either brave, a Hypno yourself, or you're just pretty messed up.  That aside, let's review Hypno's stats, shall we?  So Hypno is a somewhat slow Pokemon with a base Speed stat of 67.  He has balanced HP, Attack, Defense, and Sp. Attack.  His highest stat with a base of 115 is his Sp. Defense stat.  When added up, Hypno is rated about the 37th strongest Pokemon.  Not bad, but not enough.  Hypno's problem is that he needs higher stats.  He's outranked by other Psychic Pokemon, like Exeggutor, Gallade, Bronzong, and even Sigilyph.  Hypno is not anybody's first recommended choice, but he isn't completely worthless- just a bit overrated.  

    For a underused Pokemon, Hypno does have some killer moves.  STAB moves include Psycho Cut, Psyshock, Future Sight, Synchronise, Zen Headbutt, and Psychic.  He can use the classic Hypnosis-Dream Eater strategy.  Unlike most other Psychic types, Hypno's Attack and Sp. Attack stats are equal, so you can use both moves, Physical and Special, and not have one do more damage than the other.  He can learn the elemental punching moves, Fire Punch, Thunderpunch, and Ice Punch.  Hypno can also use Nightmare, so you could use Hypnosis and follow it up with Nightmare, a move that, when used on sleeping opponents, will make them lose HP every turn.  Using Hypnosis, Dream Eater, and Nightmare could mean that you're opponents are screwed.  Other than these moves, Hypno learns some overall decent attacks.  

  Hypno's first ability is Foreworn.  It's an ability that determines your opponent's most powerful move.  It's good to see what your opponent's best move is; it might turn around the battle, but it isn't the best ability out there.  Hypno's second ability is Insomnia, which prevents it from falling asleep.  Not too bad of an ability; not the best, not the worst.  

   Hypno is an okay Pokemon.  A creepy Pokemon that's full of surprises and fairly powerful supported with a decent base stat total and a big movepool.   

    

Darmanitan

Darmanitan's internal fire burns at 2500 degrees fahrenheit.  This makes enough power to enable Darmanitan destroy a dump truck with just one punch.
Darmanitan has Sheer Force, which is an ability that powers up attacks, both Physical and Special.  However, they lose their secondary effects.  For example, Flamethrower could burn your opponent, the burn being the secondary effect.  This cannot happen with the ability Sheer Force.  Who cares about Sheer Force when you have Zen Mode?  By catching certain Darmanitan in the Desert Resort, you can get one with this ability.  When your HP is fairly low, Darmanitan changes form.  It changes Darmanitan's stats and typing.  The Darmanitan Zen Mode form is a Fire-and-Psychic type, not just a Fire-type.  Zen Mode is probably the only reason people use this Pokemon, but he's still strong without Zen Mode anyway.
Darmanitan has varied stats, each depending on its alternate forms.  The standard form has good HP, Attack, or Speed stats.  Its only crippled stats are Defense, Sp. Attack, and Sp. Defense stats.  Zen Mode has higher Sp. Attack, Sp. Defense, and Defense stats, but has a drawback of Speed loss.  Zen Mode is a slower Pokemon, not to mention a lower Attack stat.  He still has high HP, and less crippled stats than the standard form.
Darmanitan has a robust movepool.  He can learn a bunch of TM and HM moves, and has good Level-Up moves.  It can use Belly Drum and Taunt, which are two good moves.  Be warned that Darmanitan doesn't have any recovery moves, so Belly Drum can be a tad dangerous if used foolishly.  Good examples of Darmanitan's best level-up moves are Hammer Arm, Superpower, Flare Blitz, Thrash, and Fire Punch.  Of course, it also has one good breeding move.  This move is Focus Punch.  With Substitute, Focus Punch can be a powerful attack.
So in a nutshell, it's pretty simple to show that Darmanitan is another strong and sturdy Pokemon that pretty much outclasses a lot of others in general.  This is a Pokemon that is unique, strong, and actually worth something.  I'm talking to Pokemon like my sister.  She's LIKE a Pokemon.  She beats up her own kind!  Whoops- I went to Lalaland for a minute...

Shaymin

The flowers on Shaymin's body burst into bloom if it is hugged with love.  It can dissolve toxins and transform a ruined land into a field of flowers in just seconds.
Shaymin is a cute hamster or hedgehog of some sort.  It has a second form, but you need to have an item called the Gracidea Flower to change Shaymin's form.  This item can only be obtained through a special event that's long gone right now, and there doesn't appear that another event like this is happening any time soon.  Anyway, when Shaymin does change forms, it becomes a Grass-and-Flying-Type.  Shaymin's Land form has all of its stats with a base of 100.  Base 100 for HP, Base 100 for Attack, Base 100 for Defense, and so on.  The Sky form has different stats.  This form's stats have a base ranging from 100-127; just including the HP, Attack, Sp. Attack, and Speed stats.  The Defense and Sp. Defense stats have bases of 75.  According to stats, the Land form is the stronger one.
Shaymin has a move exclusive to itself.  It's called Seed Flare, which has a base power of 120.  It may lower the target's Sp. Defense stat by about 3 stages!  Moves that only the Land form can learn are Synthesis, Aromatherapy, and Healing Wish.  The Sky form has moves exclusive to itself as well, which includes Quick Attack, Air Slash, and Leaf Storm.  Otherwise, excluding moves it can only learn from Generation IV, the two forms of Shaymin learn the same moves.  Shaymin has plenty of recovery moves, status condition healing moves, and STAB moves.  This makes Shaymin a somewhat offensive Pokemon.
This Pokemon's ability is Natural Cure.  It heals all status conditions just when you switch out Shaymin.  This includes stuff like Poison, Paralysis, and all of that stuff.  A great ability for keeping Shaymin in battle for a long time.
So the final verdict points to Shaymin being a good Pokemon, whether it's a Staller, or just a Pokemon you use to win battles, this is a Pokemon you should use if you can get your hands on it.

Giratina

It is said that Giratina lives in a world on the reverse side of ours, where common knowledge is distorted and strange.
Giratina is the mascot of Pokemon Platinum version.  He has uber written all over him.  His lowest stat is his Speed, with a base of 90.  He has a base HP stat of 150, an Attack with a base of 100, a base Defense stat of 120, a base Sp. Attack stat of 100, and a Sp. Defense stat of 120!  Giratina can also change his form when it is given the Griseous Orb.  This form has similar stats.  The HP and Speed stats still have their usual bases, HP having a base of 150 and Speed having a base of 90.  But the Attack and Sp. Attack stats have bases of 120, and the Defense and Sp. Defense stats have bases of 100.  It's just a small stat base number swap or something.
Being a legendary, Giratina has a large movepool.  Because it has two types, it has a wider variety of STAB moves, like Ominous Wind, Shadow Ball, Dragon Claw, Shadow Claw, Draco Meteor, and a move exclusive to only Giratina, Shadow Force.  All in all, Giratina has a good movepool as well as having good stats.
Giratina's ability is one common amongst many legendaries.  It's Pressure.  When an opposing Pokemon hits you with a move, the PP for it goes down by 2 instead of 1.  Not too good, not too bad.  It can backfire if your opponent uses a move like Trump Card, which gets more powerful the less PP it has.  I guess you could say it's a small price to pay for Giratina's awesomeness.
So the final verdict?  Giratina is a strong Pokemon.  It's a Dragon-and-Ghost-Type; it has a unique type matchup.  It's strength can't even be compared to anything.  Giratina is boss.

Basculin

Usually, the two different types of Basculin get along so poorly, that they'll start fighting almost instantly, as they are very hostile.  However, sometimes members of one school of Basculin mingle with the other members of another school.
Basculin is based off of your typical fish, though it seems like it could be something you would see labeled as "aggressive" at the pet store.  Based off of stats, Basculin is strictly an "in the middle" kind of Pokemon.  To start off, his two highest stats are his Attack and Speed stats.  However, he has no stats that have bases lurking in the triple digits area, but his Speed stat is pretty close to that.  Basculin's two lowest stats are its Defense and Sp. Defense stats.  It doesn't really let Basculin take hits, so it doesn't add up to Basculin being the number one Pokemon.  He has an okay HP stat, though.  I guess Basculin isn't too bad.
Basculin has some fair moves like Crunch, Chip Away, Flail, and Thrash- if you want to be daring.  This guy has a move called Final Gambit.  Basculin faints, but deals the same amount of damage as the amount of HP the user (Basculin), lost.  Basculin has some other okay moves, such as Agility, Revenge, Swift, Surf, Waterfall, Dive, Muddy Water, Hidden Power, Ice Beam, Scald,  Toxic, and Attract.
 Basculin's two abilities are Adaptability and Reckless.  Adaptability powers up your STAB moves.  It's a good power boost to Water-Type moves, as Water is already Basculin's STAB type.  Reckless powers up moves with recoil damage, but because the recoil moves do more damage, you receive more recoil damage.  Your only recoil move is Take Down, so I prefer Reckless.
Basculin is NOT the number one Pokemon at all.  However, it isn't too bad, thus letting Basculin have a little bit of potential.

Gastrodon

A long time ago, Gastrodon's back was shielded with a sturdy shell.  Traces of this shell are left in its cells.  It has no bones in its body.  If any parts of its body fall off, they will grow back again.
Gastrodon is a Pokemon that seems to be based off of a sea slug.  It's two forms make it somewhat unique.  It has fair stats.  Gastrodon's highest stat is its HP stat, with a base of 111.  He has in-between Attack, Defense, Sp. Attack, and Sp. Defense stats; they're okay in general.  The only flaw in Gastrodon's stats is its low Speed stat.  Overall, this Pokemon's stats aren't too bad, but could use some slight improvement.
Here's my favorite part of Gastrodon.  It can use Recover, which restores some of its HP.  A recovery move on a slow Pokemon like Gastrodon is pretty good, but be careful when using it.  Gastrodon can use Muddy Water, which is similar to Surf, but it can sometimes lower your opponent's accuracy.  Not too bad of a move, I know I would use it.  By breeding, Gastrodon learns some wicked moves, like Trump Card, Memento, and Fissure.  Gastrodon also learns Counter and Mirror Coat.  Counter sends back any Physical moves your opponent used on you, dealing twice the damage.  Mirror Coat is the same thing, but it just bounces back Special attacks.  Seeing as how Gastrodon is slow, this move is good to have on it, because if you move first, you'll have nothing to Counter or Mirror Coat against.
This Pokemon's abilities are Sticky Hold and Storm Drain.  If you have Sticky Hold, your item can't be taken.  This counts with moves like Knock Off and Switcheroo.  A good ability, especially when you have a good item on Gastrodon, such as the Quick Claw, which occasionally lets you move first.  Considering how slow Gastrodon is, it's an item you don't want to lose.  Storm Drain is like a Water-Type Lightningrod ability.  You take no damage from Water-Type moves.  You're part Ground-Type, so Water-Type moves aren't "Not Very Effective" on you.  A decent ability, but personally, I'll stick with Sticky Hold (I really bad at comedy).
So Gastrodon is a good Pokemon overall.  In general, this thing isn't the best, but it isn't the worst.  When I say worst, I'm talking to YOU Tynamo...