Yes, I am aware of the existence of the multi-million user behemoth that is the pokemon subreddit along with its expanded universe of spin-off subreddits. Decided to drop this here anyway because I prefer local feedback. Please note that I'm a dirty casual and not a Serious Player in any form, shape, or capacity.

Cracked open my geriatric DS Lite to resume a heartgold/soulsilver run that I hadn't played since 2012. With the power of modern day reddit search function, endless youtube channels, and several fan-created exhaustive guides, I gave into some recommendations to incorporate Snorlax into my main team (note: I caught the level 50 chonk sleeping in front of Diglett Cave.) Eight levels and many in-game battles later, I remain frustrated and disappointed in my experience with the big kitty.

His moveset: Crunch, Focus Punch, Ice Beam, Rock Climb (I had to stick the HM somewhere, and using a HM mule wasn't my strategy for this playthrough.)

The damage from Crunch underwhelms me (isn't this dude's Attack stat supposed to be robust??) while Focus Punch is a (near-)eternal failure to launch due to Snorlax's nonexistent Speed, thus permitting the opposing pokemon to attack first and disrupt the move's execution. Ice Beam is the sole winner. Should have taught it Earthquake, but that TM already went to another. With a high Special Defense but low Physical Defense, how??? Do I EASILY and INTUITIVELY pair this guy up against anything??? I really want to include a fat cat pokemon in my team of six, but this is frustrating 😩

Clearly, my attempts to mold him into a "normal-type with an entirely non-normal moveset that handles the rare baddies like dragon and ghost" aren't going well. Somewhere, I messed up. Or perhaps he and my playstyle aren't compatible. Anyway how are yall using Snorlax effectively?