Asthetics > Power in pokemon for me.. I know a few people that play only to win in pokemon and use super harcorez that can't lose.. no fun in using exactly the same pokemon with exactly the same moves as everyone else..
My dream team - Raichu, Salamance, Starmie, Nidoking, Gyarados and Charizard.
(yes I know I said I like Squirtle earlier... but thats cuz it was my first ever pokemon when I played Red version
)