New to BD/ Suck at BD

[nasty_popo1]

Hello BD Pros. I pretty much have no strategey at BD and could really use some help!

I have beaten that stupid clown and the pant devil thats about it. So I have some questions:
-What stats should I improve?
-What items should I be using?
-What abilities should I be using?
-How do I level abilities?
-What are some good strategies for battling?

azarrowhead -

Species : Gelert
Colour : Yellow
Gender : Female
Age : 104 days
Level : 10
Hp : 16 / 16
Health : 16/ 16
Mood : delighted!
Hunger : full up
Strength : immense (16)
Defence : very heavy (13)
Move : speedy (10)
Intelligence : clever

Items:
Genie Orb
Mud Mixture x3
Gelert Helm
Gelert Flying Disc Attack
Liquid Goo
Pale Elixer

Abilities:
Magic Torch (1)
Smoke Screen (1)
Heal (1)

[ScottNak]

Some basic points before the lock is clarified:
- If you want to be a force against these opponents, you will need to improve all your stats. They are quite basic. Improve what you feel is important.
- Leveling abilities makes no difference and shouldn't be a worry
- Go through the IDB (linked in the first topic [the announcement]) to get some good ideas about such things.

And... Please keep these kinds of topics in the sticky provided above. When someone who can help comes a long, they will be able to go through that sticky with one swoop and supply the necessary info. Thanks!