Pokemon Sword and Shield brought so many new and exciting elements to the series that many have described it as the best game in the franchise to date. However, one of the first points of interest in the game came with the reveal of the starter Pokemon. Sobble was revealed to be the water type starter as there is traditionally a water, fire, and grass type in each starter set-up.

Sobble is the water lizard Pokemon that captured the hearts of gamers everywhere. Despite being loved, and the starter of choice for many, there are some drawbacks to this weeping lizard.

10 Choose Sobble: Useful in the Gym

With each type in the starter selection, based on the one you select, you may find yourself with an advantage in the first three gym battles. The third gym, Motostoke gym, players find themselves up against Kabu. Kabu is a fire type Pokemon trainer. If a trainer manages to teach Sobble some water type moves then there will be a huge advantage for victory.

9 Don’t Choose Sobble: Scorbunny

Scorbunny is the plucky, energetic rabbit Pokemon. There are a plethora of pros that come with selecting Scorbunny. These reasons can range from stats to design but each element aids in the choice to not choose everyone’s favorite crying lizard.

On top of the power it brings to a lot of the gym battles, Scorbunny’s skill set makes it a formidable ally. The hidden ability it has is also another positive trait to consider. There are so many reasons to choose Scorbunny as the starter Pokemon to begin your journey with, hence why it should prevent you from selecting Sobble.

8 Choose Sobble: The Abilities They Bring to the Fight

Similar to most of the water-type starters before them, Sobble possesses the ability Torrent. Torrent has changed slightly through the generations but its main focus is to give water types a boost.

Sobble and its evolution are capable of learning interesting moves that can be used in combat. Furthermore, Sniper is Sobble’s hidden ability in the game. With the ability Sniper, critical hits done by this Pokemon will have a stronger impact as opposed to other Pokemon without this skill.

7 Don’t Choose Sobble: Grookey

Many consider Grookey the dark horse of Pokemon Sword and Shield as Sobble and Scorbunny tend to hog the spotlight. But if there was ever a reason to not select Sobble as your friend, then it would be Grookey.

Grookey, the chimp Pokemon, is the starter trios tank that packs a powerful punch. If you can look past some of the cons to this adorable little Pokemon, who will grow into a very large Pokemon,  then it can very well be worth passing up on Sobble.

6 Choose Sobble: Great Design

Some gamers play Pokemon with a more technological mindset, where stats and strategy rule their choices. Casual gamers, on the other hand, like to play for the story and to collect the Pokemon of their choosing based on aesthetics. Many have argued, even to this day, that Sobble is one of the cutest Pokemon in the game. Furthermore, as it evolves it becomes more cool looking so the design maintains a level of beauty throughout.

5 Don’t Choose Sobble: You will Struggle with the Gym Battles

As with the advantages, come the struggles. Water types can be effective against several other types of Pokemon but at the same time, it will be greatly affected by others.

The first two gym battles will be much harder if you select Sobble as they will not be as effective against other water types or grass types. Aside from those two, there are a few other gyms players may have more difficulty with as Sobble will have no advantage against these types.

4 Choose Sobble: Variety of Moves

Sobble and all its evolution are capable of learning a rich variety of moves. While water type moves are what is to be expected, there are several other types of moves all three evolutions can learn to gain an advantage in battle. Inteleon, for example, can learn Dragon-type moves. It’s two previous forms on the contrary can learn moves that are psychic, ice, bug, and etcetera. Benefits from these different moves in battle will make Sobble and its evolutions a force on the battlefield.

3 Don’t Choose Sobble: Its not a Tank

Sobble, Drizzle, and Inteleon have states that make them look favorable but there are some elements to this Water Pokemon that will make it more difficult to manage in fights. This Pokemon is not known for its tanking abilities like Grookey and its evolutions.

Too many hits and this Pokemon can go down for the count easy. Based on a gamer’s approach to fighting and strategy preferences, Sobble could prove a liability if one expects them to be taking a lot of damage as this cry baby was not built for such rough tactics.

2 Choose Sobble: Everyone wants to Protect Sobble

The phrase, everyone ones to protect Sobble, and similar sayings have trended since this little crying fellas reveal to the public. Even though it becomes more confident down the road with its evolutions, the tears in Sobble’s humble beginnings are all too real.

1 Don’t Choose Sobble: Drastic Transition

In Sobble’s transition to Inteleon, we go from a weeping lizard to a secret agent. The sift in personality is so drastic that some may find it off-putting to a point they question if would have been better to get with Scorbunny or Grookey. This con to Sobble may seem trivial to some but to those who struggle falling in love with their charming little Pokemon’s evolution forms, this change would certainly be unwelcomed.

NEXT: Pokémon: The 10 Strongest Battle Frontier Brains, Ranked