Oshawott evolves over time into Samurott, a Water-type with powerful offenses- moreso than Emboar- but passable defenses and HP, rather than Emboar’s glut of HP.  Of the three, Samurott has access to the least self-boosting moves naturally and a larger number of powerful offensive moves.  It lacks ways to afflict opposing Pokemon with negative status, though, and has a slightly more restrictive movepool than Serperior.  The large number of Water-type Pokemon that exist in general and its relatively unremarkable ‘I’m an attacker’ stats keep it from really standing out as strong in any particular area, but that same unremarkability makes it very stable and reliable in situations where it doesn’t have a blatant disadvantage.  Access to TMs  gives it a little bit more flexibility, and considerable added power in the form of Swords Dance, but the Move Tutor offerings are sadly uninspiring- just more power moves, for the most part.

This essentially puts your choice between three different things to desire in your starter Pokemon- a swift, sturdy guardian from Serperior; a hefty brute in Emboar; and the simple stable team anchor that is Samurott.  Mind, you don’t have to continue using your starter Pokemon throughout the game if you don’t care to, but none of the three is actually bad by any means.  If you’re looking for a type in particular, be aware that the fifth-generation group of pokemon is a bit lacking in strong Grass-types, and most of the Water-types are either relatively weak, like Basculin, or very specialized, like Jellicent.  Emboar sadly doesn’t stand out very much as typing is concerned- there are plenty of Pokemon available that can handle strong Fire moves, a number of very effective Fighting-types, and it fills a very particular niche defensively that you may not need.  Emboar’s real strength is in the versatility of its movepool.

Whichever you choose, Bianca comments on how perfectly the two of you are matched, and offers you the chance to give your new partner a nickname.  This is followed up with the reciept of your Pokedex, followed by a brief explanation from Bianca of how it works.  She also offers a bit of a laugh over the fact that Professor Juniper sent her out here -before- finding out if the request was going to be accepted.

When you go to leave the platform, Hugh impatiently steps up and whinges about how long you’re taking.  Then he notes your new partner, and encourages you to follow his sister’s advice and take really good care of the Pokemon now in your possession.  He also asks about your Pokedex, which Bianca cheerily explains to him.  After a moment’s thought, he- surprisingly politely- requests that she give him a Pokedex as well, on the grounds that he wants to become stronger; a Pokedex will help him learn more about Pokemon and that, he supposes, will make him tougher.

Bianca interrupts his spiel for a moment to find out who he is, and he introduces himself, explaining that he intends to travel the whole region in search of ‘something very important’.  Bianca assents to his request, thanks to her having a spare Pokedex with her.  She encourages his desire for a journey, claiming that ‘the more the merrier!’