(Disclaimer: This is not a Gameplay Guide. If you want information on how the PMD2 IQ Groups play in-game, I recommend referring to RatFatKnight's IQ Skill Guide.)

Sources

Renaming the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon IQ Groups

I've been thinking about old Pokemon mechanics recently and thinking about the direction Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX has taken the series as a reimagining of the original where I remembered that the IQ system was replaced with the Rare Quality system in a move some older PMD fans have found controversial. As someone whose played every game in the series since Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, I've always found the IQ system deeply unsatisfying just due to how hard it is to actually grind your IQ stat, as I've been unable to get my Hero and Partner pokemon higher than maybe 2 and a half IQ ranks in a standard story campaign. Perhaps because of this, I'm a deep appreciator of the simplified Rare Quality system and would happily see it return when a new game comes out.

That said, knowing how deep PMD goes with its gameplay-story integration, I do have this desire to "solve" what these IQ groups mean in terms of how the series characterizes its Pokemon inhabitants even with small details like this, which is easier said then done. When I first got into this topic, honestly, the thing that baffled me the most is that the PMD devs made up these whole new categories of Pokemon when in my head, just reusing the Egg Groups from the mainline games would have probably worked just fine, instead of creating this whole new system without even bothering to give them helpful names like the Field, Fairy, and Monster categories used by Egg Groups. Instead, Group A and Group J don't actually tell me anything about the Pokemon these IQ groups get assigned to, so I'm taking it upon myself to give these categories names that I think are reflective of the developers' reasons for putting Caterpie, Unown and Shaymin in the same Group and maybe entertain you along the way. So without further ado, let's begin.

Group A Skill List

Skills marked with * are gained in the same order across every group

Example Members: Caterpie family, Diglett family, Magnemite family, Dunsparce, Snorunt family, Shaymin

Overview

Typically assigned to early game bug types, ground types, ice types, and otherwise mysterious or rare Pokemon like Magnemite, Ditto, and Unown. Excels at gathering items and navigating long dungeons.

Group B Skill List

Skills marked with * are gained in the same order across every group

Notable Skills: Cheerleader, Deep Breather, Wise Healer, Fast Friend, Trap Seer, House Avoider, Nature Gifter

Example Members: Jigglypuff family, Sunkern Family, Celebi, Whismur family, Jirachi, Chatot, Phione, Manaphy

Typically assigned to normal types, fairy types, grass types, water types, Pokemon associated with music, and 100-stat mythical Pokemon. Excels at raising the stats of your allies and recruiting new teammates.

Group C Skill List

Skills marked with * are gained in the same order across every group

Example Members: Fire Starter families, Legendary Bird Trio, Mewtwo, Seedot family, Meditite family, Shinx family, Riolu family, Heatran, Giratina

Typically assigned to fire types, fighting types, and powerful Pokemon like pseudo legendaries and Legendaries. Excels at dealing damage and defeating enemies.

Group D Skill List

Skills marked with * are gained in the same order across every group

Example Members: Pikachu family, Machop family, Marill family, Scizor, Ho-oh, Legendary Beast Trio, Treeko family, Latias, Latios, Rayquaza, Buneary family

Typically assigned to fast flying types, bug types, dragon types, quadrupedal Pokemon, rabbit inspired Pokemon and groups of Legendaries like the Legendary Beasts and the Eon Duo. Excels at good luck, evasion, and accuracy.

Group E Skill List

Skills marked with * are gained in the same order across every group

Example Members: Squirtle family, Snorlax family, Totodile family, Phanpy family, Anorith family, The Regi Quartet, Kyogre, Groudon, Turtwig family

Typically assigned to water types, rock types, steel types, Pokemon with shells, and Powerful tanky pokemon like pseudo legendaries, the Regi Quartet, and Groudon and Kyogre. Excels at taking hits and hunger management.

Group F Skill List

Skills marked with * are gained in the same order across every group

Example Members: Bulbasaur family, Abra family, Cubone family, Eevee family, Mareep family, Sneasle family, Lugia, Mudkip family, Ralts family, Duskull family, Deoxys, Piplup family, Bidoof family

Typically assigned to psychic types, early game normal types, Pokemon that change or gain types by evolving, ghost types, and Pokemon associated with high intelligence and adaptability. Excels at targeting weak points, managing Power Points, and providing utility.

Group G Skill List

Skills marked with * are gained in the same order across every group

Example Members: Vulpix family, Meowth family, Gastly family, Wooper family, Skitty family, Kecleon, Stunky family, Spiritomb, Lake Spirit Trio

Typically assigned to ghost types, poison types, dark types, bug types, and cat-like Pokemon. Excels at exploring dungeons and getting out of danger.

Group H Skill List

Skills marked with * are gained in the same order across every group

Example Members: Mew, Chikorita family, Roselia family, Cresselia

Typically assigned to water types, normal types, fairy types, grass types, flying types and Pokemon strongly associated with healing. Excels at protecting the party, evading attacks, and recruiting teammates.

Notable Skills: Aggressor, All-Terrain Hiker, Extra Striker, Intimidator, Time Tripper

Example Members: Dialga, Darkrai, Arceus (Wii Only)

Notable Skills: Defender, Multi-Talent, Sure-Hit Attacker, Intimidator, Absolute Mover

Example Member: Palkia

Links

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