Pokepath Route 1 Master Guide: No-Damage Team & Strategies
Welcome to the ultimate Route 1 guide for Pokepath TD! This comprehensive Pokepath TD Best Team walkthrough covers proven team compositions that guarantee no-damage clears against all three legendary birds: Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.
Whether you're a beginner looking for reliable setups or an experienced player seeking optimization, this guide provides everything you need to conquer Route 1 with confidence.
🎯 Quick Success Checklist
Before diving into the Team, ensure you have these prerequisites for no-damage clears — a quick Pokepath TD Best Team checklist to help you prepare:
- ✅ 10 Pokémon slots unlocked (essential for full team flexibility)
- ✅ Key Pokémon leveled to 100 (focus on your main DPS units first)
- ✅ Practice positioning (terrain-specific placement is crucial)
- ✅ Anti-invisibility coverage (invisible enemies appear in later waves)
📊 Route Overview & Difficulty Assessment
| Route | Difficulty | Key Challenges | Recommended Playtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-1 | ⭐⭐☆ | Basic terrain, straightforward | 45-60 minutes |
| 1-2 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Mountain-heavy, buff optimization | 60-75 minutes |
| 1-3 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Complex repositioning, boss phases | 90-120 minutes |
Current Meta Note: Team optimized for Pokepath TD v1.2.7+. For latest updates, check our community builds section.
📋 Route Navigation
- 🏔️ 1-1 Articuno: Ice Terrain Mastery
- ⚡ 1-2 Zapdos: Mountain Peak Strategy
- 🔥 1-3 Moltres: Dual-Phase Boss Tactics
🎥 Complete Route 1 No-Damage Video Guide
🏔️ 1-1 Articuno: Ice Terrain Mastery
📈 Team Performance
- Success Rate: 95%+ with proper positioning
- Average Clear Time: 45-60 minutes
- Positioning: Zero repositioning required
- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
🎯 Core Strategy: Terrain-Specific DPS Distribution
Route 1-1 features diverse terrain that demands specialized Pokémon placement. This 9-Pokémon composition leverages each terrain type for maximum efficiency, ensuring Articuno falls without a single point of damage taken.
👥 Complete Team Breakdown
| Position | Pokémon | Primary Role | Terrain | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core DPS | EXCADRILL | AOE Ground Damage | Open Ground | Main damage dealer for ground tiles |
| Support | GRUMPIG | Anti-Invisibility | All Terrain | Essential for waves 60+ |
| Support | CORSOLA | AOE Slow + Anti-Inv | All Terrain | Provides crowd control and invisibility breaking |
| Mountain DPS | PIDGEOT | Flying Single-Target | Mountains | Perfect for elevated terrain |
| Water DPS | OMASTAR + DITTO | AOE Water Damage | Water Tiles | Doubled power with Ditto copy |
| Ground DPS | NOIVERN | Single-Target Flying | Open Ground | Exceptional Articuno damage |
| Ground DPS | ABSOL | Single-Target Dark | Open Ground | Backup for Noivern |
| Ground DPS | CHARIZARD | Mixed Damage | Open Ground | Flexible backup option |
🎮 Positioning Guide
No repositioning required - Set your team once at the start and watch the perfect clear unfold. These placements are validated by Pokepath TD Best Team runs and reflect terrain advantages for optimal damage output.
⚡ 1-2 Zapdos: Mountain Peak Strategy
📈 Team Performance
- Success Rate: 92% with buff positioning
- Average Clear Time: 60-75 minutes
- Key Mechanic: Sunflora buff optimization
- Difficulty: Intermediate
🎯 Core Strategy: Buff Synergy & Mountain Dominance
Route 1-2's terrain heavily favors mountain-positioned units, making it the perfect stage for Sunflora's damage amplification. This composition maximizes the legendary's buff potential while maintaining strong coverage across all terrain types.
👥 Complete Team Breakdown
| Position | Pokémon | Primary Role | Terrain | Buff Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core DPS | EXCADRILL + DITTO | Double AOE Ground | Open Ground | ⭐⭐⭐ High priority |
| Mountain DPS | PIDGEOT | Flying Single-Target | Mountains | ⭐⭐ Medium priority |
| Mountain DPS | FLYGON | Ground/Dragon Single | Mountains | ⭐⭐ Medium priority |
| Mountain DPS | AGGRON | Steel AOE | Mountains | ⭐⭐ Medium priority |
| Support | CORSOLA | AOE Slow + Anti-Inv | All Terrain | ⭐ Low priority |
| Anti-Inv | HONCHKROW | Dark Single-Target | Flexible | ⭐ Low priority |
| Ground DPS | CHARIZARD | Fire/Flying Mixed | Open Ground | ⭐⭐ Medium priority |
| Buffer | SUNFLORA | Team Damage Buff | Central Position | ⚡ BUFF SOURCE |
| Ground DPS | NOIVERN | Flying Single-Target | Open Ground | ⭐⭐⭐ High priority |
🎮 Critical Positioning Notes
Sunflora Placement: Position Sunflora centrally to buff your 4 strongest DPS units. The mountain layout allows perfect coverage of EXCADRILL, CHARIZARD, NOIVERN, and at least one mountain unit.
Mountain Advantage: Leverage the elevated terrain for bonus damage. Pidgeot and Flygon excel here against Zapdos's aerial nature.
Alternative Options: Replace HONCHKROW with GRUMPIG for AOE invisibility clearing, or CHARIZARD with MACHAMP/WEAVILE for different damage profiles.
🔥 1-3 Moltres: Dual-Phase Boss Tactics
📈 Team Performance
- Success Rate: 88% with proper execution
- Average Clear Time: 90-120 minutes
- Key Challenge: Wave 99 repositioning
- Difficulty: Advanced
🎯 Core Strategy: Phase-Transition Adaptation
Route 1-3 requires two distinct team compositions due to Moltres's unique boss mechanics. Master both setups to achieve the perfect clear.
🌅 Phase 1: Pre-Moltres Team (Waves 1-99)
Team Composition & Positioning
| Position | Pokémon | Primary Role | Terrain | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core DPS | MARACTUS + DITTO | Grass AOE | Primary Position | Main damage throughout phase 1 |
| Support | CORSOLA | AOE Slow + Anti-Inv | All Terrain | Essential crowd control |
| Ground DPS | WEEZING | Poison AOE | Open Ground | Consistent damage output |
| Ground DPS | NOIVERN | Flying Single | Open Ground | High single-target potential |
| Mountain DPS | PIDGEOT | Flying Single | Mountains | Aerial superiority |
| Mountain DPS | FLYGON | Ground/Dragon | Mountains | Backup mountain damage |
| Grass DPS | LILLIGANT | Grass Single | Grass Tiles | Terrain bonus damage |
| Support | WHIMSICOTT | Healing AOE | Flexible | Error margin insurance |
| Water DPS | CLAWITZER | Water Single | Water Tiles | Practical water coverage |
⚠️ Critical Wave 99 Instructions
MANDATORY REPOSITIONING REQUIRED: On Wave 99, manually reposition PIDGEOT and FLYGON to the high mountain on the right side. Failure to do this may result in 1-2 enemy leaks. Mark this wave in your mental checklist!
🏆 Phase 2: Moltres Boss Team (Zero Repositioning)
Ultimate Boss Composition
| Position | Pokémon | Primary Role | Terrain | Moltres Synergy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core DPS | ABSOL + DITTO | Dark Single-Target | Primary Position | Exceptional Moltres damage |
| Support | CORSOLA | AOE Slow | All Terrain | Boss crowd control |
| Mountain DPS | PIDGEOT | Flying Single | Mountains | Anti-air specialist |
| Mountain DPS | FLYGON | Ground/Dragon | Mountains | Terrain damage bonus |
| Grass DPS | SCEPTILE | Grass Single | Grass Tiles | Type advantage |
| Ground DPS | NOIVERN | Flying Single | Open Ground | High DPS output |
| Ground DPS | SPINDA | Normal Single | Open Ground | Reliable backup |
| Ground DPS | WEAVILE | Dark/Ice Single | Open Ground | Alternative: MACHAMP/CHARIZARD |
| Water DPS | CLAWITZER | Water Single | Water Tiles | Water tile coverage |
🎮 Moltres-Specific Tactics
No Repositioning Required: This optimized setup maintains perfect positioning throughout the entire Moltres fight. Set it once and focus entirely on the boss mechanics.
Damage Distribution: ABSOL/Ditto handles the bulk of Moltres's massive HP pool, while secondary DPS units manage any surviving minions.
Backup Options: If WEAVILE is unavailable, CHARIZARD provides similar single-target performance with fire-type coverage.
📚 Complete Series Overview
| Part | Routes | Legendary Bosses | Difficulty | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 | Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres | ⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Complete |
| Part 2 | 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 | Raikou, Entei, Suicune | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Current |
| Part 3 | 3-1, 3-2, 3-3 | Regirock, Regice, Registeel | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 📝 Coming Soon |
💡 Pro Tips for Success
These tips were collected from Pokepath TD Best Team players and focus on preparation, execution, and troubleshooting.
🔧 Pre-Run Preparation
- Level Priority: Focus on leveling your main DPS units (EXCADRILL, ABSOL, MARACTUS) to 100 first
- Ability Practice: Test each Pokémon's abilities in training mode before attempting live runs
- Wave Knowledge: Study enemy spawn patterns, especially invisible units in later waves
🎮 In-Game Execution
- Positioning Precision: Small positioning adjustments can dramatically impact damage output
- Wave Transitions: Pay special attention to waves where enemy types change
- Resource Management: Use healing/support abilities strategically, not reactively
🛠️ Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Taking Damage? Check for invisible enemies - ensure you have anti-invisibility coverage
- Low DPS? Verify terrain bonuses and ability cooldowns
- Boss Struggles? Focus on boss-specific type advantages and positioning
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What level should my Pokémon be for no-damage clears?
All key DPS units (EXCADRILL, ABSOL, MARACTUS, NOIVERN) should be leveled to 100. Support Pokémon can be slightly lower (95-100), but prioritize damage dealers first.
Do I need to reposition during Route 1-3?
No repositioning is required for the Moltres boss fight, but you must manually reposition PIDGEOT and FLYGON on Wave 99 to the high mountain on the right side to avoid enemy leaks.
What if I don't have all the recommended Pokémon?
You can substitute with similar types: Replace HONCHKROW with GRUMPIG, CHARIZARD with MACHAMP or WEAVILE, and WEAVILE with other strong single-target options.
Why is NOIVERN so important in these Team?
NOIVERN provides exceptional single-target damage on open ground tiles, especially effective against Articuno and Zapdos due to the map layouts.
How long does it take to learn these Team?
With the video guide, most players can learn the positioning in 2-3 practice runs. Full mastery typically takes 5-10 attempts per route.
Are these Team still effective in the latest version?
These Team are optimized for v1.2.7+. For newer versions, check our community builds section for updated compositions, though the core strategies remain similar.
Ready to Play?
Jump into Pokepath TD and start your adventure now — no install required.
Play Now →
🎮 Game Version: Optimized for Pokepath TD v1.2.7+
👥 Player Level: 900-star completion strategies
📊 Success Rate: 90%+ with proper execution
References & Links
- Recommended internal resources
- Pokepath TD Best Team — Part 1: Route 1 Guide — No-damage Route 1 setups, positioning and video walkthroughs.
- Pokepath TD Best Team — Part 2: Route 2 Guide — Route 2 compositions and optimization tips.
- Pokepath TD Best Team — Part 3: Route 3 Guide — Advanced strategies and boss tactics.
- Pokepath TD Tier List — Create and export custom Pokepath TD tier lists.