Shell Smash Magcargo vs. Arcanine

[SoggyD]

I have a slugma with, +speed nature. 27 iv in it, and weak armor which I was planning to turn into a shell smash sweeper. However, I just got a Growlithe and now I'm a bit on the fence on whether or not to use that or Slugma... 

 

Btw is the game easy enough that I can get by just using mons I like? Florinia took over 20 tries :L.

[mcpershing]

Try what fits your team better. It really depends on how you play but I wouldn't take a weak but fast slugma if I have a fast growlithe tho

It's definetly not 'easy' enough to do whatever you want. But you don't need to look for the perfect team neither. It's good to own a balanced team from up to 8 or 9 Pokémon that contain most of the types or attacks to counter any gym leader. So if you like water Pokémon the most and do a full water run you will definetly struggle during your progress. It's still possible for sure but I would recommend you to took at least each important type or at least an attack of it in your team (fire,water,electro,steel, ..., e.g.). 

[DelRad]

A shell smash Magcargo is good but low defenses plus having two types that it is four times weak to I expect you to struggle in the late game and most of the main battles.

I recommend using Growlithe and hold off evolving it till it learns Flare blitz since extreme speed can just be relearned with heart scales at the move relearner.

[Lil' Sunny]

a lot of important battles are double battles, and youll find setting up a sweep tends not to work and that you're better with immediate power from the start. Arcanine with flare blitz will serve you better in the long run.

 

 

That being said magcargo has a solid defensive typing as long as it stays away from ground and water types, and lava plume pairs well with flash fire or telepathy. So dont write it out entirely just dont try to sweep with it.

[jbastian1]

Honestly, I would say train both separately. There are so many times that you will be swapping out your mons depending on the challenge you face ahead so it doesnt hurt to train a few of each type. I know I have a box almost completely full of mons that I can swap to if need be. You obviously can win through other methods but its so much easier to have a couple of each type that you like. I know I kept my Slugma til late game and there were many times it came in handy. Additionally though, I used a Rapidash and a Darmanitan just depending on the battle. So I say keep both and level them up accordingly as you play along and you'll probably be glad you did in the long run!