Golduck line is weird
Its RBY niche is strictly an event Amnesia distribution, or Stadium, so its otherwise disappointing in game
In game its movepool is depressing
The TM coverage is good, but too rare too late
FRLG? Well...
Great, the weak moves before evolving lvl 33 are even earlier. Despite comp, Cloud Nine is worthless in game for FRLG, and Damp is to this day still nothing 99% of the time. But the Sp Atk stat boost to 95 is nice, same with tutors that...still kind of are out of the way
So RBY -> FRLG is marginally better. Barely
GSC -> HGSS is a much better difference since Gen 4 actually gives Psyduck/Golduck early Water stab. Tutors are nice too
Sadly the stronger moves are noticeably physical outside Signal Beam (Bug...yay...), so TMs again are needed for special coverage outside Hydro miss
ORAS similarly is based on post Gen 4 movepool, so it's automatically better than RSE. Unfortunately like before, a lot of strong coverage for movepool and tutors are physical. But better than relying on Confusion :[
...they didn't increase its stat? Seriously? Freaking Beautifly did!?
FRLG -> LGPE
Well...it's better. I guess!
...Golduck is a really stagnant mon, huh?
DPP -> BDSP
Not so much better for Golduck, but Psyduck learns Water Pulse really early before evolving, and Hydro Pump lvl 36
So that's better overall, but still sadly boring of a moveset for both
Why Matsuda? It's your fav mon!