After reviving and healing my team, I proceed through the door, still fuming at the injustice of the situation. I've had to beat four trainers in a row. Four of the strongest trainers I've ever faced. And now, without a visit to a Poke Center and without warning, the champion gets to hand me my first defeat ever.
I take a deep breath and march on, finding myself in the middle of a lit, rotating dais. Cynthia stands before me. Cynthia is the champion. I didn't expect that one. She stands there, seemingly emotionless. After an awkward pause, she addresses me...
"Have you been keeping well?"
Oh, you know, the usual. Saved the world. Trounced all the gym leaders. Beat your lackeys. But they softened me up for you. That was your plan all along. Wasn't it?
"Thank you for Mt. Coronet. I'm truly grateful."
Oh. Well, you're welcome. At least someone is grateful, even if it's the greatest trainer in the world, and you know, she was absent for the whole affair. Universe in danger. Person best equipped to save the day just hangs out not doing that. So yeah, you're welcome.
"Together, you and your pokemon overcame all the challenges you faced, however difficult."
Until now, right?
"It means you've triumphed over any personal weaknesses, too."
Oh, I wouldn't go that far. I've got a god locked up in a box that I could have brought to this little party. And I didn't do it.
"The power you learned..."
Yes?
"I can feel it emanating from you."
Cool?
"But that's enough talk. Let's get on with why you're here."
You know, I didn't actually understand how this thing worked. I'll come back another day. My team isn't ready for this. You can keep your champion status or whatever. I'll just see myself out...
"As the Pokemon League Champion, I accept you challenge!"
What? Hey...
You are challenged by Champion Cynthia.
Alright, we're doing this. Her first pokemon is level 61, but it's too late to back out, apparently. Just try your best or whatever, I guess. My first loss won't come easily.
I have Ninhursag use leech seed. Spiritomb uses embargo. Ninhursag can't use items anymore. Oh well. There's one layer of toxic spikes. Spiritomb nearly takes Ninhursag out in one hit with dark pulse. Both layers of toxic spikes have been placed. Ninhursag did her job. Spiritomb uses silver wind. I have Ninhursag use synthesis. She recovers, but another silver wind hits. Time for petal dance. Spiritomb is hurt badly. Cynthia has her pokemon use psychic. Ninhursag survives. Cynthia saves Spiritomb with a full restore. Ninhursag continues with petal dance and Spiritomb uses embargo again. I switch to Khali and run right into a dark pulse. Khali barely survives.. Leech seed finishes Spiritomb. One down.
Cynthia is clever. She sends out Roserade to clear the toxic spikes. Her Roserade hits mine with a shadow ball, then hits Hanuman with a sludge bomb as he switches in. Hanuman hangs in there. I switch to Articuno. Ice beam nearly finishes Roserade, but isn't quite enough. Roserade hits Articuno with extrasensory, then shadow ball. Articuno is hurt badly, but finishes Roserade with an aerial ace. Two down, but four of my team are badly injured.
I leave Articuno in as Cynthia calls for Gastrodon. Articuno roosts twice and gastrodon uses stone edge twice. I use a hyper potion on Ninhursag. Gastrodon misses with stone edge. I use a hyper potion on Khali. Stone edge hits and knocks Articuno out. I bring in Ninhursag and use leech seed. Gastrodon earthquakes. I have Ninhursag synthesis. Gastrodon sludge bombs. I decide I really need toxic spikes. Ninhursag gets one layer of toxic spikes down. Gastrodon hits Ninhursag with muddy water. I place the second layer of toxic spikes. I use a hyper potion on Hanuman. Ninhursag survives another sludge bomb. I have Ninhursag use synthesis again. A critical hit from sludge bomb finishes Ninhursag. I bring in Poseidon. I revive Articuno. Cynthia's Gastrodon earthquakes. I switch back to Articuno. Cynthia fails to anticipate it and has Gastrodon earthquake again. Cynthia uses a full restore, saving the weakened Gastrodon from Articuno's aerial ace. I have Articuno fly. Leech seed continues to heal Articuno a bit. Gastrodon survives and hits Articuno with muddy water. Leech seed finishes Gastrodon. Three down. My team's still in bad shape.
Cynthia's next pokemon is Milotic. I bring in Khali. Khali hits the leviathan with a confuse ray. Milotic uses aqua ring. I have Khali use perish song. Milotic's mirror coat does nothing. Milotic snaps out of confusion. I switch to Articuno. Milotic uses ice beam. Articuno recovers almost completely with roost. Another ice beam does some damage, but isn't as effective because Articuno is roosting. Cythia switches Milotic out to avoid the perish song.
Gachomp takes damage from my Articuno's fly and hits back with dragon rush. Articuno drops Garchomp with ice beam. Four down. I can win this, especially if Cynthia doesn't use any more healing items. But even if she does, I have some more myself.
Lucario is up next. Lucario's dragon pulse devastates Hanuman. Flame wheel hurts Lucario, but not enough. Hanuman is taken out by a psychic. Ryujin comes in, but Lucario is faster and uses dragon pulse. And I beam with pride when Ryujin survives the dragon pulse and finishes Lucario with dig. Cynthia is down to her last pokemon.
Milotic comes in still hurt from poison. I have Khali use perish song. If Cynthia doesn't revive any of her pokemon, I just won. Even if Milotic takes everything out in one hit from now on, perish song will finish it. I switch to Articuno. Milotic uses aqua ring.
"I won't let it end yet. This match is too fun to let it end this easily!"
You don't have a choice, Cynthia. I have Articuno roost. Milotic's ice beam does reduced damage. I have Articuno fly. Milotic's next ice beam misses. Perish song finishes the battle.
Cynthia congratulates me and says that I am the champion.
"That was excellent. Truly, an outstanding battle."
I thought you had me overpowered at first, but brains beat brawn in the end.
"You gave the support your pokemon needed to maximize their power."
Whereas you decided to use embargo and aqua ring.
"And you guided them with certainty to secure victory."
Maybe if you'd been training while I was saving the world instead of doing whatever it was you were doing, you'd still be champion.
"You have both passion and calculating coolness."
Aw, thanks Cynthia. So do you.
"Together, you and your pokemon can overcome any challenge that may come your way. These are the impressions I got from our battle. I'm glad to take part in the crowning of Sinnoh's new Champion!"
It's finally over? I'm not sure what to say, actually.
"Come with me. We'll take the lift."
We go up yet another level and stride through a bizarre corridor with moving lights on the floor. Cynthia stops me as we reach the next doorway...
"The room ahead is the Hall of Fame..."
Cynthia is interrupted by Rowan, who catches up to us from behind. I thought he was still in Sandgem Town...
"Master! Your last battle was splendid!"
Professor Rowan saw my last battle? At least he's not mad that I haven't been working on the Pokedex Project very much...
Cynthia somehow takes until just now to realize that Professor Rowan is here. She greets him. They exchange banter for a while. I ignore it. Then they pull me into the Hall of Fame. Rowan says, "It's been a while since I last entered this room..."
Cynthia remarks, "If your last time here was when I became Champion, then yes, that would be quite a long time ago."
Why was Rowan here when Cynthia became champion? But I hesitate to ask that out loud. Cynthia continues...
"Master, welcome to the Hall of Fame. Your names will be recorded for posterity here. What you are leaving are the memories of your adventures so far. It's time to record your names. You and your pokemon. Remember, your pokemon are partners that grew with you through many challenging battles. This machine will make a permanent record of your achievement.
Ninhursag / Roserade / Female / Level 47 / Met at Route 204
Ryujin / Garchomp / Male / Level 51 / Met at Wayward Cave
Hanuman / Infernape / Male / Level 49 / Met at Lake Verity
Poseidon / Gastrodon / Male / Level 46 / Met at Route 213
Khali / Mismagius / Female / Level 48 / Met at Eterna Forest
Articuno / Articuno / / Level 64 / Met in a Link Trade
Everything goes dark.
Somehow, I end up back in my room at home. Was it all a dream? Wait, that doesn't make sense. I go down the stairs. Mom sees me...
"Master! Slave came looking for you a little while ago. I don't know what it was about, but he was shouting about you needing to get on a ship at Snowpoint City. You know how impatient he is. He was gone before I could ask. Anyway, how's it going, kid? Is your project with Professor Rowan coming along?"
So, there's more after the final battle? Whatever. I'm the champion!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Elite Four Lucian
The last of the Elite Four is apparently this blue-haired man...
"Ah, you timed your arrival well."
I did it on purpose?
"I've just finished reading a book, you see."
Oh. What's the book about?
"Allow me to introduce myself."
Oh.
"I am Lucian. I am a user of the psychic type."
Defensively weak against ghost, dark, and bug. Ineffective against steel and itself. Oh, and dark is immune to it.
"I must say, you've already proven yourself to be outstanding by coming this far."
Thanks.
"They say I am the toughest of the Elite Four."
Save the best for last, right?
"I'm afraid I will have to go all out against you to live up to that reputation."
He leads with Mr. Mime. We both begin defensively: he sets up reflect while I place a layer of toxic spikes. Mr. Mime damages Ninhursag with a thunderbolt as I get a second layer of toxic spikes. One psychic takes Ninhursag out. I don't see why he didn't do that to start with. Khali takes massive damage from psychic as well, but drops the mime in two shadow balls. Lucian's Girafarig finishes Khali with its own shadow ball. I bring Ryujin out and have him dig. I switch to Articuno, figuring that I won't even need an attack, as the poison is about to finish Girafarig. Lucian uses a full restore. Articuno and Girafarig damage each other using fly and shadow ball, with Girafarig taking the worst of the exchange. Lucian switches to Bronzong. This is a problem. Bronzong is the same level as Articuno. I switch to Hanuman. Gyro ball does little damage. Flame wheel doesn't do much more. Bronzong uses calm mind. I have Hanuman flame wheel again. It activates a sitrus berry. Bronzong finishes Hanuman with an earthquake. I bring Poseidon out and hit Bronzong with muddy water. Bronzong uses calm mind again. Bronzong starts missing, but keeps getting more dangerous thanks to calm mind. I have Poseidon use some body slams, but Bronzong survives and eventually hits with psychic. Ryujin finishes Bronzong off with crunch. I am down to two pokemon and Lucian still has three. He calls in Medicham. Articuno flies, but misses. Thunderpunch devastates Articuno. The next one doesn't miss. Lucian's Alakazam comes in and takes Articuno out with psychic. No!
Well, he gets to use items. So do I. Articuno is revived first. Alakazam knocks Ryujin out. I revive Khali. Psychic weakens Articuno. I switch to Khali. Psychic takes Khali out. I heal Articuno with a max potion. Alakazam switches to focus blast. I revive Khali. Lucian uses a full restore. Is this to be a "who has the most healing items" contest? Alakazam's energy ball does paltry damage. I have Articuno fly. He has Alakazam recover while I have Articuno roost. The pokemon exchange attacks with psychic and fly. Alakazam is almost finished, but I have Articuno roost. Recover and roost again. Focus blast is followed by fly. This time, Alakazam drops.
Lucian is down to his last pokemon, and Girafarig just got poisoned again. He has Girafarig use double hit. Articuno withstands the attack and ends the battle with fly. It's over.
"Congratulations. You have now beaten the Elite Four."
Thank you.
"However, that doesn't mean you're done with the Pokemon League."
Oh?
"There remains the Champion."
Wait, what? Then why not just call it the "Elite Five"?
"I should warn you—the Champion is far stronger than the Elite Four."
No! This is stupid.
"Now, go on. Step through the doorway to your final battle."
"Ah, you timed your arrival well."
I did it on purpose?
"I've just finished reading a book, you see."
Oh. What's the book about?
"Allow me to introduce myself."
Oh.
"I am Lucian. I am a user of the psychic type."
Defensively weak against ghost, dark, and bug. Ineffective against steel and itself. Oh, and dark is immune to it.
"I must say, you've already proven yourself to be outstanding by coming this far."
Thanks.
"They say I am the toughest of the Elite Four."
Save the best for last, right?
"I'm afraid I will have to go all out against you to live up to that reputation."
He leads with Mr. Mime. We both begin defensively: he sets up reflect while I place a layer of toxic spikes. Mr. Mime damages Ninhursag with a thunderbolt as I get a second layer of toxic spikes. One psychic takes Ninhursag out. I don't see why he didn't do that to start with. Khali takes massive damage from psychic as well, but drops the mime in two shadow balls. Lucian's Girafarig finishes Khali with its own shadow ball. I bring Ryujin out and have him dig. I switch to Articuno, figuring that I won't even need an attack, as the poison is about to finish Girafarig. Lucian uses a full restore. Articuno and Girafarig damage each other using fly and shadow ball, with Girafarig taking the worst of the exchange. Lucian switches to Bronzong. This is a problem. Bronzong is the same level as Articuno. I switch to Hanuman. Gyro ball does little damage. Flame wheel doesn't do much more. Bronzong uses calm mind. I have Hanuman flame wheel again. It activates a sitrus berry. Bronzong finishes Hanuman with an earthquake. I bring Poseidon out and hit Bronzong with muddy water. Bronzong uses calm mind again. Bronzong starts missing, but keeps getting more dangerous thanks to calm mind. I have Poseidon use some body slams, but Bronzong survives and eventually hits with psychic. Ryujin finishes Bronzong off with crunch. I am down to two pokemon and Lucian still has three. He calls in Medicham. Articuno flies, but misses. Thunderpunch devastates Articuno. The next one doesn't miss. Lucian's Alakazam comes in and takes Articuno out with psychic. No!
Well, he gets to use items. So do I. Articuno is revived first. Alakazam knocks Ryujin out. I revive Khali. Psychic weakens Articuno. I switch to Khali. Psychic takes Khali out. I heal Articuno with a max potion. Alakazam switches to focus blast. I revive Khali. Lucian uses a full restore. Is this to be a "who has the most healing items" contest? Alakazam's energy ball does paltry damage. I have Articuno fly. He has Alakazam recover while I have Articuno roost. The pokemon exchange attacks with psychic and fly. Alakazam is almost finished, but I have Articuno roost. Recover and roost again. Focus blast is followed by fly. This time, Alakazam drops.
Lucian is down to his last pokemon, and Girafarig just got poisoned again. He has Girafarig use double hit. Articuno withstands the attack and ends the battle with fly. It's over.
"Congratulations. You have now beaten the Elite Four."
Thank you.
"However, that doesn't mean you're done with the Pokemon League."
Oh?
"There remains the Champion."
Wait, what? Then why not just call it the "Elite Five"?
"I should warn you—the Champion is far stronger than the Elite Four."
No! This is stupid.
"Now, go on. Step through the doorway to your final battle."
Elite Four Flint
I've met Flint before. I knew that he was a part of this. Apparently he is the third of the Elite Four...
"Yo, trainer!"
Yo.
"You had me counting the days on my fingers waiting for you to come."
No comment.
"I heard from Volkner what you did in Sunyshore."
It wasn't me! I was framed...
"You managed to light a fire in that guy's heart again."
Defensively weak against water, ground, and rock. Ineffective against water, rock, dragon, and itself.
"How could you not expect me to look forward to seeing you in battle?"
He leads with Rapidash. I immediately switch to Ryujin. This goes poorly. Rapidash lands a solar beam and a bounce on Ryujin. I switch. Flare blitz takes out Poseidon. I bring in Articuno and revive Poseidon. Articuno withstands Rapidash's attacks and strikes it down. Flint's Infernape gets a critical hit against Ryujin using mach punch. One hit from flare blitz knocks Khali out. This level disadvantage is getting to be too much. Earthquake hurts Poseidon more than mud bomb hurts Infernape, despite my type advantage. I switch to Articuno and finish the troublesome monkey with a big hit from fly. Steelix is next. Rock smash weakens Steelix, who responds with sunny day. Fire spin wrecks Steelix and the fire fang in retaliation does little to Hanuman. The pokemon trade attacks again. I figure that Steelix has to be weakened enough for close combat. I'm right. Flint brings in Lopunny. Close combat is a critical hit, so the rabbit drops in one move. Flint's last pokemon is Drifblim. I know that Drifblim can be a defensive monstrosity, and this one is 13 levels higher than mine. I have Ninhursag leech seed. Drifblim uses double team first, but leech seed still lands. I switch to Poseidon. Double team again. Poseidon is burned by will-o-wisp. Rain dance, ominous wind, then a muddy water that surprisingly does damage. Flint uses a full restore. Muddy water hits again. Drifblim double teams and Poseidon can't score another hit. After another double team, Poseidon's muddy water finally ends the battle.
This one requires even more healing. I begin to wonder if I'll make it. My team isn't high enough in level for this kind of battle.
"Yo, trainer!"
Yo.
"You had me counting the days on my fingers waiting for you to come."
No comment.
"I heard from Volkner what you did in Sunyshore."
It wasn't me! I was framed...
"You managed to light a fire in that guy's heart again."
Defensively weak against water, ground, and rock. Ineffective against water, rock, dragon, and itself.
"How could you not expect me to look forward to seeing you in battle?"
He leads with Rapidash. I immediately switch to Ryujin. This goes poorly. Rapidash lands a solar beam and a bounce on Ryujin. I switch. Flare blitz takes out Poseidon. I bring in Articuno and revive Poseidon. Articuno withstands Rapidash's attacks and strikes it down. Flint's Infernape gets a critical hit against Ryujin using mach punch. One hit from flare blitz knocks Khali out. This level disadvantage is getting to be too much. Earthquake hurts Poseidon more than mud bomb hurts Infernape, despite my type advantage. I switch to Articuno and finish the troublesome monkey with a big hit from fly. Steelix is next. Rock smash weakens Steelix, who responds with sunny day. Fire spin wrecks Steelix and the fire fang in retaliation does little to Hanuman. The pokemon trade attacks again. I figure that Steelix has to be weakened enough for close combat. I'm right. Flint brings in Lopunny. Close combat is a critical hit, so the rabbit drops in one move. Flint's last pokemon is Drifblim. I know that Drifblim can be a defensive monstrosity, and this one is 13 levels higher than mine. I have Ninhursag leech seed. Drifblim uses double team first, but leech seed still lands. I switch to Poseidon. Double team again. Poseidon is burned by will-o-wisp. Rain dance, ominous wind, then a muddy water that surprisingly does damage. Flint uses a full restore. Muddy water hits again. Drifblim double teams and Poseidon can't score another hit. After another double team, Poseidon's muddy water finally ends the battle.
This one requires even more healing. I begin to wonder if I'll make it. My team isn't high enough in level for this kind of battle.
Elite Four Bertha
"Well, well."
Well?
"You're quite the adorable trainer, but you've also got a spine."
Yes, I have a central nervous system. Amazing, isn't it?
"Ahaha! I'm Bertha."
I'm Master.
"I have a preference for ground-type pokemon."
Defensively weak against ice, grass, and water. Ineffective against bug and grass. Good to know.
"Well, would you show this old lady how much you've learned?"
She leads with Quagsire. I have Ninhursag leech seed. Quagsire double teams. This calls for toxic spikes. Quagsire uses dig. I switch to Khali. Protect blocks confuse ray. Leech seed keeps draining Quagsire. Protect blocks confuse ray again. Back to Ninhursag. I set up the second layer of toxic spikes. Quagsire digs again. Khali is still immune to it. Bertha uses a full restore. I bring in Poseidon, then go back to Khali to avoid dig yet again. Confuse ray misses. Sandstorm damages Khali. Leech seed heals her. Protect blocks confuse ray. Tedious battle, but I'm winning. Back to Poseidon. Protect does nothing. I have Poseidon use rain dance because Quagsire is going down anyway. I switch back to Ninhursag on the last double team and leech seed finally makes Quagsire faint. Bertha's next pokemon is Whiscash. One hit from petal dance takes that opponent down. Up next is Sudowoodo, who survives petal dance and uses sandstorm. Ninhursag's next petal dance finishes it. I bring out Poseidon again as Bertha brings out Hippowdon. Earthquake nearly finishes Poseidon and my muddy water misses. I switch to Ryujin. We exchange attacks. Hippowdon is stronger than Ryujin, but the toxic spikes compensate and Ryujin's sand veil ability compensate for it. Bertha uses a full restore. Dragon claw scores a critical hit. Hippowdon uses curse. Too late for that. Hippowdon withstands the next dragon claw and finishes Ryujin with an earthquake. Cheater. Hippowdon's earthquake takes Ninhursag out too. Hanuman finishes Hippowdon with a rock smash. Golem is her last pokemon. Golem gets a confuse ray. Khali is hurt by gyro ball. Pain split, gyro ball, shadow ball, gyro ball. Now both pokemon are nearly finished. Bertha tells me not to assume that I've won. Shadow ball finishes Golem. I have won.
I heal my team. Who's next?
Well?
"You're quite the adorable trainer, but you've also got a spine."
Yes, I have a central nervous system. Amazing, isn't it?
"Ahaha! I'm Bertha."
I'm Master.
"I have a preference for ground-type pokemon."
Defensively weak against ice, grass, and water. Ineffective against bug and grass. Good to know.
"Well, would you show this old lady how much you've learned?"
She leads with Quagsire. I have Ninhursag leech seed. Quagsire double teams. This calls for toxic spikes. Quagsire uses dig. I switch to Khali. Protect blocks confuse ray. Leech seed keeps draining Quagsire. Protect blocks confuse ray again. Back to Ninhursag. I set up the second layer of toxic spikes. Quagsire digs again. Khali is still immune to it. Bertha uses a full restore. I bring in Poseidon, then go back to Khali to avoid dig yet again. Confuse ray misses. Sandstorm damages Khali. Leech seed heals her. Protect blocks confuse ray. Tedious battle, but I'm winning. Back to Poseidon. Protect does nothing. I have Poseidon use rain dance because Quagsire is going down anyway. I switch back to Ninhursag on the last double team and leech seed finally makes Quagsire faint. Bertha's next pokemon is Whiscash. One hit from petal dance takes that opponent down. Up next is Sudowoodo, who survives petal dance and uses sandstorm. Ninhursag's next petal dance finishes it. I bring out Poseidon again as Bertha brings out Hippowdon. Earthquake nearly finishes Poseidon and my muddy water misses. I switch to Ryujin. We exchange attacks. Hippowdon is stronger than Ryujin, but the toxic spikes compensate and Ryujin's sand veil ability compensate for it. Bertha uses a full restore. Dragon claw scores a critical hit. Hippowdon uses curse. Too late for that. Hippowdon withstands the next dragon claw and finishes Ryujin with an earthquake. Cheater. Hippowdon's earthquake takes Ninhursag out too. Hanuman finishes Hippowdon with a rock smash. Golem is her last pokemon. Golem gets a confuse ray. Khali is hurt by gyro ball. Pain split, gyro ball, shadow ball, gyro ball. Now both pokemon are nearly finished. Bertha tells me not to assume that I've won. Shadow ball finishes Golem. I have won.
I heal my team. Who's next?
Elite Four Aaron
I envision myself turning on my heel and flying somewhere else. I have no deadlines. I can bring Anu out of storage and train a team to demolish the Elite Four. In my last battle, Slave's pokemon were higher in level than mine. But I can face the Elite Four and be overprepared. They're going to force me to battle four top trainers in a row? I'll do it my way. I'll train a team up to level 60. Maybe even higher. Only I don't. I could have done it. But I don't do any of it. I don't know why not. Overconfidence? Impatience? I step through the door, beginning my challenge.
And elevator takes me to another door. As I step through, I am sealed in a strange room with a green-haired young man...
"Hello! Welcome to the Pokemon Leage!"
Thank you.
"I'm Aaron of the Elite Four. It's good to meet you."
Let's do this.
"Oh, I should explain, I'm a huge fan of bug pokemon."
Defensively weak against fire, flying, and rock. Ineffective against fire, flying, fighting, ghost, steel, and poison. Got it.
"Bug pokemon are nasty-mean and yet they're beautiful too..."
Nasty-mean?
"Would you like to know why I take on challengers here, in this room?"
For the ladies?
"It's because I want to become perfect, just like my bug pokemon!"
Oh, yeah, that's a better answer.
"OK! Let me take you on!"
Aaron leads with Dustox. I have Ninhursag. I switch to Hanuman. Dustox uses light screen. I have Hanuman flame wheel. The second flame wheel knocks Dustox down and out. Beautifly is next. Hanuman's flame wheel doesn't quite finish the lepidopteran. Shadow ball damages Hanuman, and Aaron's full restore saves Beautifly from the next flame wheel. The third one drops Beautifly. Aaron brings in Drapion as I switch to Poseidon. We exchange attacks with ice fang and mud bomb. Cross poison and mud bomb. Drapion misses X-scissor and the third mud bomb finishes it. I go back to Hanuman against Aaron's Heracross. Heracross misses its attack and Hanuman takes the beetle out with two flame wheels. Hanuman's flame wheels aren't quite as potent against Vespiquen. Just as I am about to win, Aaron taunts me that my first Pokemon League victory doesn't come easily and heals his Vespiquen with a full restore. Hanuman is weakened from Vespiquen's attack orders, but wins anyway.
Other than my level disadvantage, that was easy. Aaron assures me that the other three are much more challenging than him. I have plenty of hyper potions, so I heal Hanuman and Poseidon. Let's see what the rest of the Elite Four can do...
And elevator takes me to another door. As I step through, I am sealed in a strange room with a green-haired young man...
"Hello! Welcome to the Pokemon Leage!"
Thank you.
"I'm Aaron of the Elite Four. It's good to meet you."
Let's do this.
"Oh, I should explain, I'm a huge fan of bug pokemon."
Defensively weak against fire, flying, and rock. Ineffective against fire, flying, fighting, ghost, steel, and poison. Got it.
"Bug pokemon are nasty-mean and yet they're beautiful too..."
Nasty-mean?
"Would you like to know why I take on challengers here, in this room?"
For the ladies?
"It's because I want to become perfect, just like my bug pokemon!"
Oh, yeah, that's a better answer.
"OK! Let me take you on!"
Aaron leads with Dustox. I have Ninhursag. I switch to Hanuman. Dustox uses light screen. I have Hanuman flame wheel. The second flame wheel knocks Dustox down and out. Beautifly is next. Hanuman's flame wheel doesn't quite finish the lepidopteran. Shadow ball damages Hanuman, and Aaron's full restore saves Beautifly from the next flame wheel. The third one drops Beautifly. Aaron brings in Drapion as I switch to Poseidon. We exchange attacks with ice fang and mud bomb. Cross poison and mud bomb. Drapion misses X-scissor and the third mud bomb finishes it. I go back to Hanuman against Aaron's Heracross. Heracross misses its attack and Hanuman takes the beetle out with two flame wheels. Hanuman's flame wheels aren't quite as potent against Vespiquen. Just as I am about to win, Aaron taunts me that my first Pokemon League victory doesn't come easily and heals his Vespiquen with a full restore. Hanuman is weakened from Vespiquen's attack orders, but wins anyway.
Other than my level disadvantage, that was easy. Aaron assures me that the other three are much more challenging than him. I have plenty of hyper potions, so I heal Hanuman and Poseidon. Let's see what the rest of the Elite Four can do...
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Victory Road
I wade through the usual wild pokemon attacks, finally reaching my first trainer in the cave: a bird fanatic. I didn't think birds lived in caves. Hanuman burns up my aggressor's Noctowl with no trouble. Her Staraptor proves to be more dangerous. Enki is badly damaged by only a single attack, winning the battle with a poison jab and a surf. I treat Enki with a hyper potion. I may need to buy more potions sooner rather than later.
As always, wild pokemon continue to bombard me. The next trainer I encounter is one of those "psychic guys. He leads with Haunter. Hanuman is damaged from attacks by wild pokemon. I switch to Khali. Shadow punch hurts Khali. Shadow Ball easily defeats Haunter. And Gengar. And Alakazam. I use rock climb to get back up the wall and return to the Poke Center for healing.
After dealing with even more wild pokemon, I meet my next challenger. She leads with Golduck. I switch from Hanuman to Enki and attempt poison jab. Golduck's zen headbutt devastates Enki, but doesn't finish him. Too bad Golduck didn't get poisoned. I switch to Inanna anyway. Her first two sings miss and Golduck disable sing, then beats Inanna up with other attacks. I bring in Khali. confuse ray and shadow ball finish Golduck. That's the most trouble one pokemon has given me in a while. This trainer has one more left: a Blissey. Hanuman knocks Blissey out with a single rock smash. I restore most of Inanna's health with a hyper potion, then use softboiled to heal Enki.
I enter another chamber and immediately require rock smash to get anywhere. Fortunately, I have it. Unfortunately, I also need strength to get past boulders that are impervious to smashing. I journey back to the Poke Center and exchange Inanna for Apsu. That makes the wild Golbats even easier to deal with. Cai Shen would be better still, but he doesn't know strength. It's fairly easy to see how I need to move each boulder in order to clear a path.
A wild Graveler takes out Hanuman due to shenanigans, forcing me to waste a revive. I am challenged by another trainer. I switch to Enki to counter Rapidash. The horse hits twice with quick attack, survives surf to quick attack once more, then drops to poison jab. Rampardos is next. One hit from surf takes that one out. I switch back to Hanuman in anticipation of Carnivine. The grass pokemon barely withstands flame wheel, hitting back with crunch. Hanuman easily finishes the battle with his next attack. Ryujin, who hasn't directly engaged much on this venture, has benefited passively through exp. share. He evolves into Garchomp. No wonder he wasn't as strong as the others. He still had another evolution left! I also replace dragon rage with crunch. I give Hanuman a break, letting Khali take the lead.
Another trainer blocks my path. After Khali confuses her Clefable, I switch to Hanuman, taking Clefable out with close combat. My opponent's other pokemon is a grassy creature named Torterra. Apsu's ice fang almost brings Torterra down in one attack. Toterra retaliates with crunch, then Apsu easily finishes the battle.
An old man is waiting for me around the next turn. His Staraptor knocks out Khali with brave bird. I have Apsu ice fang, exacting my chilly vengeance. The old man's other pokemon is Hippowdon. Apsu's waterfall hurts Hippowdon. The hippo responds with crunch. Apsu survives and uses another waterfall.
The path leads me back to the first chamber. My team needs healing badly. I hop down a ledge and return to the Poke Center. I then run back to the stupid boulder puzzles, retreating from wild pokemon as they ambush me. Now I am free to explore the rest of the first chamber.
A black belt intercepts me. He leads with Machamp. Khali uses confuse ray. Machamp hurts itself. I switch to Enki. Machamp hurts itself. Enki uses toxic spikes. Machamp attacks with submission. Machamp hurts itself again. I have Enki use surf, but Machamp manages to withstand it and knocks Enki out with cross chop. Ryujin easily finishes Machamp. And then I realize that this trainer has no other pokemon. I set up two layers of toxic spikes for no reason. And no Enki is knocked out. This is going to take forever.
I leave the cave again and fly to Veilstone City. This calls for a shopping spree. I spend almost half of my personal fortune on enough healing supplies to get through any cave. I hope it's enough, anyway. Now, let's try this again. Actually, let's get some max repels too. That'll do.
I reach another chamber. This one has pools of water. The next psychic to challenge me, rather than talking about my future, claims to be able to see the past. As always, Khali's shadow ball makes quick work of psychic type pokemon. Another trainer is running around. He finally notices me and challenges me. He has Honchkrow. I could switch, but Articuno's ice beam seems like a fine way to start and end this battle. Articuno even gains a level.
Two trainers challenge me to a doubles battle. They have Medicham and Gyarados. I switch Articuno out for Khali and have Enki poison jab Gyarados. Shadow ball drops Medicham in one hit. Gyarados' hydro pump damages Khali. Poison jab further weakens Gyarados. Khali finishes Gyarados with shadow ball. I continue exploring.
I surf through one pool, then walk to the next. Eventually, I need to scale a waterfall, which is no problem for Apsu. A trainer accosts me. He has only Gabite. Articuno's ice beam ends that one easily. He says, "There's no way I could have won!" True.
I arrive in another section of the first chamber. An old man is waiting for me. He leads with Tentacruel. I switch to Khali. Tentacruel uses toxic spikes. Khali uses pain split and Tentacruel responds with screech. Khali pain splits, Tentacruel places a second layer of toxic spikes. I accidentally have Khali use perish song. I meant to go for shadow ball. Tentacruel hits with sludge bomb, so I have Khali pain split again. I switch to Enki, absorbing the toxic spikes. My opponent withdraws Tentacruel and brings in Golem right before I place my own toxic spikes. Enki's surf removes Golem in one hit. I bring Ryujin in to deal with Empoleon. I have Ryujin dig. Metal claw misses, as Ryujin has already burrowed underground. Dig takes Empoleon out. Tentacruel gets the same treatment.
A fat man is blocking a tunnel that he refuses to comment on. I contemplate having Articuno peck this guy to death, then I remember that I never do that sort of thing. No, this tunnel is blocked to me for now, for some very good reason, probably. And eventually, it will cease to be blocked. But not yet.
My next challenger leads with Gible. Ice beam. He has another Gible. I bring in Ryujin. Dragon claw. Now he's bringing in Gyarados. I switch to Apsu. Both pokemon dragon dance. Apsudragon dances again while the other Gyarados rain dances. Apsu hits with strength, Gyarados attacks with hyper beam. Apsu wins. I win. I reach the end of the cave and exit to a starry night. A sign directs me to the Pokemon League. A waterfall is apparently in the way. That would seem to be a problem, but as we all know, I can climb waterfalls.
At the end of the waterfall is a large building. Inside, the lobby looks like a Poke Center. I walk forward. And of course, Slave runs up behind me. Should have seen that coming...
"Hold it! Don't go off without me!"
I wouldn't dream of it.
"You're challenging the Pokemon League, aren't you?"
Yes.
"That's why I'm here too."
And for once, I got here first. Oh wait, I was also first in Sunyshore City. Slave, my friend, you are slipping.
"Let's see who's more worthy of making the challenge with a battle!"
Oh, let's. I lead with Articuno. Slave leads with Staraptor. Ice beam. Staraptor goes down. He brings in Rapidash. I switch to Enki. Rapidash uses bounce, making Enki's surf miss. I switch to Khali. Bounce hits. Khali pain splits. Fire blast, pain split again, sunny day, shadow ball. Rapidash faints. Empoleon is next. I bring in Hanuman. These two have a history. One close combat knocks Empoleon out. Snorlax is up. Close combat almost takes Snorlax out, but somehow the behemoth hangs on and hits back with earthquake. Enki easily finishes Snorlax using cut. Slave calls in Heracross. Poison jab, close combat by Heracross, poison jab again, rock slide misses, poison jab a third time, knocking Heracross out. Slave's last pokemon is Roserade. Too bad Hanuman fainted. I use Khali and pain split, but Slave has Roserade giga drain her back down. I try pain split again. Roserade retaliates with shadow ball. Oh. Khali is still hanging in, but is badly damaged. I try pain split again. Roserade giga drains again. Pain split, giga drain, pain split, miss. Khali's shadow ball finishes Roserade. Slave actually put up something resembling a fight there.
"I guess I'm not ready for the Pokemon League if I'm losing to you!"
Hey...
"Darn it! You watch, though!"
Sure.
"I'll get tougher and win my way through the Pokemon League!"
I believe it.
"Because I'm going to become the Champion, the toughest trainer!"
That's the spirit.
"Master! You better not lose to anyone before me!"
And with that he turns and sprints away.
Well, now that I've beaten Slave once more, it's time to see about this Pokemon League affair. The woman in front of me speaks...
"Let me confirm that you are ready to challenge the Pokemon League. So! Let us examine the Gym Badges you gathered from Sinnoh. Orebugh City's Coal Badge! Eterna City's Forest Badge! Veilstone City's Cobble Badge! Pastoria City's Fen Badge! Hearthome City's Relic Badge! Canalave City's Mine Badge! Snowpoint City's Icicle Badge! And Sunyshore City's Beacon Badge!"
That was suitably dramatic.
"Very well! Trainer, you've indeed collected all the Gym Badges of Sinnoh! Demonstrate the power that brought you here and go for glory!"
Is that it? How does this work?
"You will be facing the Elite Four of the Pokemon League. If you can't beat all four of them in a row, you have to start from the first one again."
Oh. This is different. How to prepare...
As always, wild pokemon continue to bombard me. The next trainer I encounter is one of those "psychic guys. He leads with Haunter. Hanuman is damaged from attacks by wild pokemon. I switch to Khali. Shadow punch hurts Khali. Shadow Ball easily defeats Haunter. And Gengar. And Alakazam. I use rock climb to get back up the wall and return to the Poke Center for healing.
After dealing with even more wild pokemon, I meet my next challenger. She leads with Golduck. I switch from Hanuman to Enki and attempt poison jab. Golduck's zen headbutt devastates Enki, but doesn't finish him. Too bad Golduck didn't get poisoned. I switch to Inanna anyway. Her first two sings miss and Golduck disable sing, then beats Inanna up with other attacks. I bring in Khali. confuse ray and shadow ball finish Golduck. That's the most trouble one pokemon has given me in a while. This trainer has one more left: a Blissey. Hanuman knocks Blissey out with a single rock smash. I restore most of Inanna's health with a hyper potion, then use softboiled to heal Enki.
I enter another chamber and immediately require rock smash to get anywhere. Fortunately, I have it. Unfortunately, I also need strength to get past boulders that are impervious to smashing. I journey back to the Poke Center and exchange Inanna for Apsu. That makes the wild Golbats even easier to deal with. Cai Shen would be better still, but he doesn't know strength. It's fairly easy to see how I need to move each boulder in order to clear a path.
A wild Graveler takes out Hanuman due to shenanigans, forcing me to waste a revive. I am challenged by another trainer. I switch to Enki to counter Rapidash. The horse hits twice with quick attack, survives surf to quick attack once more, then drops to poison jab. Rampardos is next. One hit from surf takes that one out. I switch back to Hanuman in anticipation of Carnivine. The grass pokemon barely withstands flame wheel, hitting back with crunch. Hanuman easily finishes the battle with his next attack. Ryujin, who hasn't directly engaged much on this venture, has benefited passively through exp. share. He evolves into Garchomp. No wonder he wasn't as strong as the others. He still had another evolution left! I also replace dragon rage with crunch. I give Hanuman a break, letting Khali take the lead.
Another trainer blocks my path. After Khali confuses her Clefable, I switch to Hanuman, taking Clefable out with close combat. My opponent's other pokemon is a grassy creature named Torterra. Apsu's ice fang almost brings Torterra down in one attack. Toterra retaliates with crunch, then Apsu easily finishes the battle.
An old man is waiting for me around the next turn. His Staraptor knocks out Khali with brave bird. I have Apsu ice fang, exacting my chilly vengeance. The old man's other pokemon is Hippowdon. Apsu's waterfall hurts Hippowdon. The hippo responds with crunch. Apsu survives and uses another waterfall.
The path leads me back to the first chamber. My team needs healing badly. I hop down a ledge and return to the Poke Center. I then run back to the stupid boulder puzzles, retreating from wild pokemon as they ambush me. Now I am free to explore the rest of the first chamber.
A black belt intercepts me. He leads with Machamp. Khali uses confuse ray. Machamp hurts itself. I switch to Enki. Machamp hurts itself. Enki uses toxic spikes. Machamp attacks with submission. Machamp hurts itself again. I have Enki use surf, but Machamp manages to withstand it and knocks Enki out with cross chop. Ryujin easily finishes Machamp. And then I realize that this trainer has no other pokemon. I set up two layers of toxic spikes for no reason. And no Enki is knocked out. This is going to take forever.
I leave the cave again and fly to Veilstone City. This calls for a shopping spree. I spend almost half of my personal fortune on enough healing supplies to get through any cave. I hope it's enough, anyway. Now, let's try this again. Actually, let's get some max repels too. That'll do.
I reach another chamber. This one has pools of water. The next psychic to challenge me, rather than talking about my future, claims to be able to see the past. As always, Khali's shadow ball makes quick work of psychic type pokemon. Another trainer is running around. He finally notices me and challenges me. He has Honchkrow. I could switch, but Articuno's ice beam seems like a fine way to start and end this battle. Articuno even gains a level.
Two trainers challenge me to a doubles battle. They have Medicham and Gyarados. I switch Articuno out for Khali and have Enki poison jab Gyarados. Shadow ball drops Medicham in one hit. Gyarados' hydro pump damages Khali. Poison jab further weakens Gyarados. Khali finishes Gyarados with shadow ball. I continue exploring.
I surf through one pool, then walk to the next. Eventually, I need to scale a waterfall, which is no problem for Apsu. A trainer accosts me. He has only Gabite. Articuno's ice beam ends that one easily. He says, "There's no way I could have won!" True.
I arrive in another section of the first chamber. An old man is waiting for me. He leads with Tentacruel. I switch to Khali. Tentacruel uses toxic spikes. Khali uses pain split and Tentacruel responds with screech. Khali pain splits, Tentacruel places a second layer of toxic spikes. I accidentally have Khali use perish song. I meant to go for shadow ball. Tentacruel hits with sludge bomb, so I have Khali pain split again. I switch to Enki, absorbing the toxic spikes. My opponent withdraws Tentacruel and brings in Golem right before I place my own toxic spikes. Enki's surf removes Golem in one hit. I bring Ryujin in to deal with Empoleon. I have Ryujin dig. Metal claw misses, as Ryujin has already burrowed underground. Dig takes Empoleon out. Tentacruel gets the same treatment.
A fat man is blocking a tunnel that he refuses to comment on. I contemplate having Articuno peck this guy to death, then I remember that I never do that sort of thing. No, this tunnel is blocked to me for now, for some very good reason, probably. And eventually, it will cease to be blocked. But not yet.
My next challenger leads with Gible. Ice beam. He has another Gible. I bring in Ryujin. Dragon claw. Now he's bringing in Gyarados. I switch to Apsu. Both pokemon dragon dance. Apsudragon dances again while the other Gyarados rain dances. Apsu hits with strength, Gyarados attacks with hyper beam. Apsu wins. I win. I reach the end of the cave and exit to a starry night. A sign directs me to the Pokemon League. A waterfall is apparently in the way. That would seem to be a problem, but as we all know, I can climb waterfalls.
At the end of the waterfall is a large building. Inside, the lobby looks like a Poke Center. I walk forward. And of course, Slave runs up behind me. Should have seen that coming...
"Hold it! Don't go off without me!"
I wouldn't dream of it.
"You're challenging the Pokemon League, aren't you?"
Yes.
"That's why I'm here too."
And for once, I got here first. Oh wait, I was also first in Sunyshore City. Slave, my friend, you are slipping.
"Let's see who's more worthy of making the challenge with a battle!"
Oh, let's. I lead with Articuno. Slave leads with Staraptor. Ice beam. Staraptor goes down. He brings in Rapidash. I switch to Enki. Rapidash uses bounce, making Enki's surf miss. I switch to Khali. Bounce hits. Khali pain splits. Fire blast, pain split again, sunny day, shadow ball. Rapidash faints. Empoleon is next. I bring in Hanuman. These two have a history. One close combat knocks Empoleon out. Snorlax is up. Close combat almost takes Snorlax out, but somehow the behemoth hangs on and hits back with earthquake. Enki easily finishes Snorlax using cut. Slave calls in Heracross. Poison jab, close combat by Heracross, poison jab again, rock slide misses, poison jab a third time, knocking Heracross out. Slave's last pokemon is Roserade. Too bad Hanuman fainted. I use Khali and pain split, but Slave has Roserade giga drain her back down. I try pain split again. Roserade retaliates with shadow ball. Oh. Khali is still hanging in, but is badly damaged. I try pain split again. Roserade giga drains again. Pain split, giga drain, pain split, miss. Khali's shadow ball finishes Roserade. Slave actually put up something resembling a fight there.
"I guess I'm not ready for the Pokemon League if I'm losing to you!"
Hey...
"Darn it! You watch, though!"
Sure.
"I'll get tougher and win my way through the Pokemon League!"
I believe it.
"Because I'm going to become the Champion, the toughest trainer!"
That's the spirit.
"Master! You better not lose to anyone before me!"
And with that he turns and sprints away.
Well, now that I've beaten Slave once more, it's time to see about this Pokemon League affair. The woman in front of me speaks...
"Let me confirm that you are ready to challenge the Pokemon League. So! Let us examine the Gym Badges you gathered from Sinnoh. Orebugh City's Coal Badge! Eterna City's Forest Badge! Veilstone City's Cobble Badge! Pastoria City's Fen Badge! Hearthome City's Relic Badge! Canalave City's Mine Badge! Snowpoint City's Icicle Badge! And Sunyshore City's Beacon Badge!"
That was suitably dramatic.
"Very well! Trainer, you've indeed collected all the Gym Badges of Sinnoh! Demonstrate the power that brought you here and go for glory!"
Is that it? How does this work?
"You will be facing the Elite Four of the Pokemon League. If you can't beat all four of them in a row, you have to start from the first one again."
Oh. This is different. How to prepare...
I Want to Be the Best...
Out of character: Around the time I was starting to pick this project back up, my keyboard broke. I can still use my computer for most things, but typing without a fully functioning keyboard is tedious. I was looking forward to finishing this and moving on to Pokemon Platinum (Diamond and Pearl are still the latest games I've played, so I have catching up to do), which I own but haven't really played. We'll see what happens...
The wild pokemon in the cave provide some additional experience for my arsenal. The two pokemon that I received in trades are still at that daycare place. Hecate is still only level 12. Everyone else is level 45 (well, Ninhursag is level 46 and Articuno is level 62), which is about the level of the wild pokemon I'm seeing here. Also, my experimentation with the strange stones I've found has produced new "evolutions" for Ninhursag and Khali. So the inventory is as follows...
Ninhursag (level 46 Roserade)
-Petal Dance
-Leech Seed
-Toxic Spikes
-Synthesis
Ninhursag is very useful for battles against opponents with multiple powerful pokemon, especially long battles. Toxic Spikes and Leech Seed decimate most opponents, especially if I have a strong defensive pokemon to complement her.
Hanuman (level 45 Infernape)
-Rock Smash
-Fire Spin
-Flame Wheel
-Close Combat
Hanuman was my first pokemon. Rock Smash is more a tool for going places than an actually useful attack. Hanuman hits hard, but the fire attacks have fallen behind in power. Close Combat can be a risky proposition, but it does way more damage than Rock Smash.
Apsu (level 45 Gyarados)
-Dragon Dance
-Strength
-Ice Fang
-Waterfall
Apsu has been one of my most valuable assets in battles. He strikes with more power than the vast majority of foes and can take more punishment than the vast majority of foes. Strength is a bit lackluster—again, I need the move to get past certain obstacles outside of battle. Dragon Dance is a new acquisition, but looks very good.
Khali (level 45 Mismagius)
-Pain Split
-Perish Song
-Confuse Ray
-Shadow Ball
Now that she has evolved, Khali is probably my most well-rounded pokemon. Shadow Ball is sheer offensive power. Confuse Ray gives me an advantage against even the most powerful opponents. Pain Split lets Khali stay in battle to keep doing damage, which is further bulwarked by the fact that most opponents cannot do much damage to her. If all else fails, I have Perish Song.
Sekhmet (level 45 Luxray)
-Thunder Fang
-Leer
-Swagger
-Crunch
Sekhmet was once one of my most reliable fighters, but some of the others have surpassed her. Her main advantage is that she is an electric type.
Inanna (level 45 Blissey)
-Sing
-Minimize
-Softboiled
-Egg Bomb
Inanna is almost purely defensive. If I need a sturdy pokemon to put a foe to sleep so that one of my more fragile pokemon can attack without being crushed, Inanna is perfect for the job. She synergizes quite nicely with Ninhursag's Leech Seed and Toxic Spikes.
Enki (level 45 Tentacruel)
-Toxic Spikes
-Cut
-Surf
-Poison Jab
Enki rivals Apsu as my best water type. Anything that doesn't resist Surf is in trouble and Enki also has two ways to poison my opponents. Cut isn't great, but of course, I sometimes need it outside of battle.
Cai Shen (level 45 Bronzong)
-Confuse Ray
-Extrasensory
-Gyro Ball
-Safeguard
Cai Shen is primarily defensive, but does manage to pack a punch. Safeguard isn't that useful, but so far nothing better has come along. Extrasensory and Confuse Ray are all I need against most enemies. Cai Shen rivals Inanna for being able to take punishment, but does much, much more damage.
Poseideon (level 45 Gastrodon)
-Body Slam
-Muddy Water
-Mud Bomb
-Rain Dance
Poseidon is sturdy and lacks the electric weakness of my other water types. I haven't tested him in combat so much as I have Enki and Apsu, but so far, I'm impressed. I don't particularly care for Rain Dance. Everything else is great.
Nyx (level 45 Drifblim)
-Gust
-Swallow
-Shadow Ball
-Stockpile
Nyx is a strong defender with more offensive use and better resistances than Inanna, although I suspect Cai Shen is superior overall. I would have tested Nyx's capabilities more, but my other ghost type is the one I've already described as probably my most well-rounded pokemon and my other flying type is Articuno.
Phlogeus (level 45 Rapidash)
-Fire Spin
-Take Down
-Agility
-Fire Blast
For sheer fire damage, Phlogeus beats Hanuman. And that's it. In all other aspects, offensive and defensive, Hanuman is a stronger choice. It's not that I can't use pokemon like Nyx and Phlogeus: they're just outclassed by my other possible choices.
Anubis (level 45 Lucario)
-Force Palm
-Screech
-Close Combat
-Copycat
Anubis is potentially a strong, resilient offensive pokemon, held back by not having any good attacks that aren't fighting type. I don't know why he didn't learn any, but he didn't.
Nanabozho (level 45 Lopunny)
-Charm
-Jump Kick
-Agility
-Dizzy Punch
Nanabozho has always been a bit too fragile and doesn't have enough offensive power to compensate for that. He does absolutely wreck certain foes, but is generally inconsistent. I could still use him on my team if he has the right support to make up for his weaknesses.
Ryujin (level 45 Gabite)
-Dragon Claw
-Dragon Rage
-Rock Climb
-Dig
Ryujin is fast, durable, and does considerable damage. Rock Climb is almost useless, except for getting up and down rocky walls outside of battle. Dragon Rage is terrible. So Ryujin is basically limited to two attacks, and doesn't hit quite as hard as some of my other offensive pokemon. However, I've seen that I'll need Rock Climb in this cave, so I need him on my team.
Articuno (level 62 freaking ice phoenix of doom)
-Aerial Ace
-Ice Beam
-Fly
-Roost
I got Articuno is a myterious trade. So far, nothing has been strong enough to pose a real threat to Articuno. But I am nearing the end of my adventure and will be challenged more than ever before. We'll see if this invincible avian can continue to dominate everything in my path.
Anu (level 47 Palkia)
-Water Pulse
-AncientPower
-Dragon Claw
-Spacial Rend
I haven't tested any of those attacks, but that's what the computer is telling me Anu can do. There are fates worse than never becoming champion of the Pokemon League. I am hesitant to unleash this horror on the world. Anu seems to have some sort of religious significance to the people of Sinnoh and one maniac already tried to harness this monster's power in order to destroy the entire universe. I am convinced that Anu, or perhaps I should say "Palkia," was the being that brought me to this world. I saw it when I first arrived. However, I did capture this being with a poke ball (albeit a special poke ball that was supposed to be able to catch any pokemon) and so far, everything I've caught with a poke ball has shown unwavering obedience to me. Am I being a fool and a coward by refusing to tap into power that I know I have?
I don't know how long "Victory Road" is or what obstacles I'll face there. The pokemon I choose for my team now do not necessarily need to be the ones that I use to become champion. But for now, I need a team of six. I tentatively select Hanuman, Enki, Ryujin, Khali, Inanna, and Articuno.
The wild pokemon in the cave provide some additional experience for my arsenal. The two pokemon that I received in trades are still at that daycare place. Hecate is still only level 12. Everyone else is level 45 (well, Ninhursag is level 46 and Articuno is level 62), which is about the level of the wild pokemon I'm seeing here. Also, my experimentation with the strange stones I've found has produced new "evolutions" for Ninhursag and Khali. So the inventory is as follows...
Ninhursag (level 46 Roserade)
-Petal Dance
-Leech Seed
-Toxic Spikes
-Synthesis
Ninhursag is very useful for battles against opponents with multiple powerful pokemon, especially long battles. Toxic Spikes and Leech Seed decimate most opponents, especially if I have a strong defensive pokemon to complement her.
Hanuman (level 45 Infernape)
-Rock Smash
-Fire Spin
-Flame Wheel
-Close Combat
Hanuman was my first pokemon. Rock Smash is more a tool for going places than an actually useful attack. Hanuman hits hard, but the fire attacks have fallen behind in power. Close Combat can be a risky proposition, but it does way more damage than Rock Smash.
Apsu (level 45 Gyarados)
-Dragon Dance
-Strength
-Ice Fang
-Waterfall
Apsu has been one of my most valuable assets in battles. He strikes with more power than the vast majority of foes and can take more punishment than the vast majority of foes. Strength is a bit lackluster—again, I need the move to get past certain obstacles outside of battle. Dragon Dance is a new acquisition, but looks very good.
Khali (level 45 Mismagius)
-Pain Split
-Perish Song
-Confuse Ray
-Shadow Ball
Now that she has evolved, Khali is probably my most well-rounded pokemon. Shadow Ball is sheer offensive power. Confuse Ray gives me an advantage against even the most powerful opponents. Pain Split lets Khali stay in battle to keep doing damage, which is further bulwarked by the fact that most opponents cannot do much damage to her. If all else fails, I have Perish Song.
Sekhmet (level 45 Luxray)
-Thunder Fang
-Leer
-Swagger
-Crunch
Sekhmet was once one of my most reliable fighters, but some of the others have surpassed her. Her main advantage is that she is an electric type.
Inanna (level 45 Blissey)
-Sing
-Minimize
-Softboiled
-Egg Bomb
Inanna is almost purely defensive. If I need a sturdy pokemon to put a foe to sleep so that one of my more fragile pokemon can attack without being crushed, Inanna is perfect for the job. She synergizes quite nicely with Ninhursag's Leech Seed and Toxic Spikes.
Enki (level 45 Tentacruel)
-Toxic Spikes
-Cut
-Surf
-Poison Jab
Enki rivals Apsu as my best water type. Anything that doesn't resist Surf is in trouble and Enki also has two ways to poison my opponents. Cut isn't great, but of course, I sometimes need it outside of battle.
Cai Shen (level 45 Bronzong)
-Confuse Ray
-Extrasensory
-Gyro Ball
-Safeguard
Cai Shen is primarily defensive, but does manage to pack a punch. Safeguard isn't that useful, but so far nothing better has come along. Extrasensory and Confuse Ray are all I need against most enemies. Cai Shen rivals Inanna for being able to take punishment, but does much, much more damage.
Poseideon (level 45 Gastrodon)
-Body Slam
-Muddy Water
-Mud Bomb
-Rain Dance
Poseidon is sturdy and lacks the electric weakness of my other water types. I haven't tested him in combat so much as I have Enki and Apsu, but so far, I'm impressed. I don't particularly care for Rain Dance. Everything else is great.
Nyx (level 45 Drifblim)
-Gust
-Swallow
-Shadow Ball
-Stockpile
Nyx is a strong defender with more offensive use and better resistances than Inanna, although I suspect Cai Shen is superior overall. I would have tested Nyx's capabilities more, but my other ghost type is the one I've already described as probably my most well-rounded pokemon and my other flying type is Articuno.
Phlogeus (level 45 Rapidash)
-Fire Spin
-Take Down
-Agility
-Fire Blast
For sheer fire damage, Phlogeus beats Hanuman. And that's it. In all other aspects, offensive and defensive, Hanuman is a stronger choice. It's not that I can't use pokemon like Nyx and Phlogeus: they're just outclassed by my other possible choices.
Anubis (level 45 Lucario)
-Force Palm
-Screech
-Close Combat
-Copycat
Anubis is potentially a strong, resilient offensive pokemon, held back by not having any good attacks that aren't fighting type. I don't know why he didn't learn any, but he didn't.
Nanabozho (level 45 Lopunny)
-Charm
-Jump Kick
-Agility
-Dizzy Punch
Nanabozho has always been a bit too fragile and doesn't have enough offensive power to compensate for that. He does absolutely wreck certain foes, but is generally inconsistent. I could still use him on my team if he has the right support to make up for his weaknesses.
Ryujin (level 45 Gabite)
-Dragon Claw
-Dragon Rage
-Rock Climb
-Dig
Ryujin is fast, durable, and does considerable damage. Rock Climb is almost useless, except for getting up and down rocky walls outside of battle. Dragon Rage is terrible. So Ryujin is basically limited to two attacks, and doesn't hit quite as hard as some of my other offensive pokemon. However, I've seen that I'll need Rock Climb in this cave, so I need him on my team.
Articuno (level 62 freaking ice phoenix of doom)
-Aerial Ace
-Ice Beam
-Fly
-Roost
I got Articuno is a myterious trade. So far, nothing has been strong enough to pose a real threat to Articuno. But I am nearing the end of my adventure and will be challenged more than ever before. We'll see if this invincible avian can continue to dominate everything in my path.
Anu (level 47 Palkia)
-Water Pulse
-AncientPower
-Dragon Claw
-Spacial Rend
I haven't tested any of those attacks, but that's what the computer is telling me Anu can do. There are fates worse than never becoming champion of the Pokemon League. I am hesitant to unleash this horror on the world. Anu seems to have some sort of religious significance to the people of Sinnoh and one maniac already tried to harness this monster's power in order to destroy the entire universe. I am convinced that Anu, or perhaps I should say "Palkia," was the being that brought me to this world. I saw it when I first arrived. However, I did capture this being with a poke ball (albeit a special poke ball that was supposed to be able to catch any pokemon) and so far, everything I've caught with a poke ball has shown unwavering obedience to me. Am I being a fool and a coward by refusing to tap into power that I know I have?
I don't know how long "Victory Road" is or what obstacles I'll face there. The pokemon I choose for my team now do not necessarily need to be the ones that I use to become champion. But for now, I need a team of six. I tentatively select Hanuman, Enki, Ryujin, Khali, Inanna, and Articuno.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
