Unless Volcanion is a fully operational stargate, i don't like it
also way to not post the (SPOILER)mega latias/latios pics (they megaevo into the same thing, apparently)
I had/have a pretty strong inkling that there's more pokemon (normal evos of past lines, new pokemon, etc) and mega evos that haven't been revealed yet.
Interestingly enough, those do not appear to be legendaries. I mean, a level 3 found in the forest? Yeah, I'm wondering where we're going with this.
Also, Tasura, why can't you get Articuno? What makes it so rare compared to Zapdos and Moltres?
I think everyone's come to that conclusion by now. The only way the event Pokémon were leaked early before was because the Pokédex was hacked. With the lack of hacking/manipulation on the 3DS, any event only Pokémon are going to stay under wraps.Quote:
I had/have a pretty strong inkling that there's more pokemon (normal evos of past lines, new pokemon, etc) and mega evos that haven't been revealed yet.
I think the only reason these three were "found" early is because they're still in the systems, and people spent way too long trying names on the GTS. Or an insider leaked it.
But I am sure there are new Megas and new Pokémon that we have yet to see on their way.
I'm also wondering if these are indeed being introduced as an update, and whether we are finally going to get actual ad-on content for the games instead of just events.
They're legendaries, alright. The guy hacking them in (a frenchie hosting a site at smea's devblog) apparently only modified the wild pokemon appearance values and not the level, which is why the mega I linked to doesn't have a mega evo icon next to its name (it's level 100 though, so apparently this guy figured that part out along the way).
Gamefreak stated that they wanted to release the game fully functional and wouldn't be releasing any content patches, so its likely that everything is already hard coded into the game and just waiting to be found by this guy, OR we wait until they release a minor patch (not unlike the lumoise city fix recently) to unlock the required areas.
Interesting. I was under the impression that the 3DS's coding was still solid. If they managed to crack it, I wonder how long it will be before an ARDS or something similar is made available. Although software updates for the 3DS will likely patch the vulnerability.Quote:
Originally Posted by WildRaubtier
That is a real shame. I don't mind them wanting to release a full game, but I do think that Pokémon would benefit from using actual DLC rather than the extremely poorly put together event deliveries. The 3DS has DLC capability, I wish they'd use it.
Is the patch for the Lumiose Fix actually out?
Has been for a few days. Just get in the eshop, it'll prompt you to install it, takes 250ish blocks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
The bird you find in game is based on your starter, and Chespin = Articuno. And apparently more people chose Froakie or Fennekin. And people on the GTS want things that aren't even getable in game, like previous gen Legends or starters, or those 3 rumored event Pokemon.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
Don't worry. I'll actually be working on that WT challenge in Y this weekend. Just as long as I can keep the levels down for the next gym or two, I should be fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by TasuraThe bird you find in game is based on your starter, and Chespin = Articuno. And apparently more people chose Froakie or Fennekin. And people on the GTS want things that aren't even getable in game, like previous gen Legends or starters, or those 3 rumored event Pokemon.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
Snagged Mewtwo on the battle's second turn with a Quick Ball. Also because Hux is restarting his game (just because he wants to play a girl :p ) he sent me all sorts of great mons and items. Pretty great.
To my knowledge, on any turn after the first, the Quick Ball is just a regular Pokeball. So you just got incredibly lucky.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pike
Also, share your friend code!
(SPOILER)Attachment 48246
My hype for these guys pretty much ran its course a few days ago. :(
Lv 234. 78M Goomies per second. 13.1 trillion Goomies saved.
You got me!
I have a problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by Quint Eastwood
Attachment 48251
Thoughts on the story and a retrospective on the series.
Diantha is going to turn out to be the Champion isn't she? What a letdown. I don't have anything against her as a character, but she is easily the best Champion the series has had (at least, of the games I played). Every other Champion (except Blue, who doesn't count) actually did something in the story.
Lance helped us hunt Team Rocket, across multiple games. He was, at heart, a Trainer and champion obsessed with justice and the strength and bonds of his team. He loved his dragons and constantly trained with them, but whenever he saw evil in his journeys, he hunted them down and stopped them. He was, perhaps, the most obsessed of all the Champions with stopping evil, believing it was the role of the strong to protect the weak, and his role as Champion to help out wherever he could. His life seemed to revolve around being the Champion: Training to be stronger and beating up bad guys.
Cynthia was a wandering archaeologist/historian who just happens to love her Pokémon and be exceptionally good at training them. She wanders from ancient ruin to ancient ruin studying the myths and legends of the Pokémon world. But, whenever she spots bad guys, she kicks their butt. She's kind of like the Pokémon world's version of Indiana Jones. No wonder she's one of the most well-received characters in the series.
Alder was a wandering trainer who simply tried to teach people to love their Pokémon and to enjoy the wonders they brought to the world. His own Pokémon partner had died to illness years ago, so he never really battled anymore, instead simply teaching and helping others to. Yet, when N and Team Plasma became a threat, he took a stand against them. Broken heart, lost partner, and all.
Iris helps you fight Team Plasma as well. Even before becoming the Champion, she helps protect Bianca and rescue her Munna, before helping to fight off the Seven Sages in N's Castle. You first meet her in Black 2/White 2 when she helps you look for Team Plasma in Castelia City. Again, she's a lover of Pokémon and a student of folk tales and dragons, but she still helps out the world/region wherever she can.
Diantha... Is an actress. Whoop-de-doo. She doesn't do anything in the game's story. She has a brief talk with Lysandre, during which he demonstrates just how psychotic and unbalanced he is, but then doesn't do anything else. Any other Champion would be right alongside us, fighting the bad guys and being a Champion of good. Diantha does nothing. I'm currently at the point where Team Flare has restarted a super weapon to annihilate most life on the planet. And our brave Champion is nowhere to be seen.
I am working from guesswork here, but if Diantha turns out not to be the Champion, the question becomes: What the heck is the point of her character at all, and why is the Champion (whoever it turns out to be) not doing anything?
Being a Champion wasn't just about being the strongest Trainer. It's been a position that Trainers look up to. Someone who is the Champion of justice and good throughout the region. Diantha just falls short there. Did Game Freak really think that they would have some big shocking reveal when she turns out to be the Champion? She serves no point in the game otherwise, so it is not exactly a hard twist to figure out. And was that twist really worth destroying the strength of the position of Champion? After a long line of heroic and helpful Champions, are we to see the role reduced to someone who disagrees with the bad guy in a café, and that's it?
I don't mind her as a character. In fact, I quite like her (though she would have made a lot more since in Unova, where the Player could interact with her at the movies directly). But if she turns out to be the Champion... I will be disappointed.
Anyway, I finally made it to being the top attendant at Hotel Richissme. It takes almost a week of perfect work, but then you start making 50k for each job, and get to meet the manager.
I have defeated the Elite Four and Champion, becoming the new Champion of the Kalos region. The Elite Four were, for the most part, a pushover, in part due to having over leveled my main party though also because the Pokemon they used were too low. I really think they need to start altering the level of the Elite Four/Champion's Pokemon to match your own level, or a level only slightly lower than your own.
Anyway, my party was:
Aegislash - Level 83/84
Blaziken - Level 84
Greninja - Level 83/84
Sylveon - Level 93 (Swift against Horde lol)
Garchomp - Level 62/63
Total Time: 52:16
Pokedex: 332
My last slot was a filler since I haven't bothered to mess around with Leafeon yet, who will be my final Pokemon being that it is my absolute favorite.
I'm going to start messing around with breeding/IV/EV training and the like now, I guess, as well as grinding all of the other stuff in the game and messing around with different parties. Fairy-types are only slightly overpowered.
Overall, I like most of what they did with the changes in the game and I thoroughly enjoyed it as a whole. This will be the first Pokemon game that made me actually want to mess with breeding and IV/EV training, having legitimately never done it before.
This game is great. Most fun I've had in pokemon since Gold/Silver. I just got the third badge and have put in like 30 hours already. My current team:
Gardevoir
Charizard
Greninja
Doublade
Tyrunt
Pikachu - should evolve him to Raichu but he's so damn cute.
I also have that panda bear fighting/dark one for when I need a fighting pokemon.
I agree that the game has been pretty easy so far. With the changes to make exp much easier to come by (Exp Share as a key item, not reducing exp for swapping out pokemon, getting exp from captured pokemon) they should have ramped up the difficulty of the gym leaders and Elite Four. I haven't gotten to the Four yet but I expect them to be pushovers due to me currently being about 10 levels higher than any trainer's pokemon (and I haven't really grinded at all).Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunny
My thoughts exactly! Gen 2 has always been my favorite but this game is really giving it a run for its money.Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
I'm still playing, yep. I beat the game about a week back but now I'm trying to complete as much of the Pokedex as possible :)
If you're finding your team too high of a level, I recommend starting a second. I constantly switch out and flip my team around, adding in new Pokémon to train and new strategies to setup. There are a ton of great Pokémon in this game, most of them easy to find. While I agree that they should have upped the difficulty (it gets worse if you usually Super-Train your team) and left in Challenge Mode, switching up gives you some variety in gameplay, lets you try new strategies, and removes some of the level gap. It's saved me from pathetically easy boss fights a couple of times.
Gotta second Skyblade's suggestion here; having a rotating team of about 10-11 pokemon helped with the level issue and was also pretty neat. In addition, while I agree the pacing was odd in the first half of the game, it got a little better as the game went on. By the end I was about even-level with the Elite Four (I still beat them on the first attempt-- the last fight was quite dicey though.)
The hacker I previously mentioned has been busy. He's found 2 more Vivillon patterns and he stats/typing/abilities of Mega Latios/Latias (for the spoiler free version: they only look the same).
To increase the difficulty I think I won't evolve Pikachu and maybe toss in a few other new ones like you suggest. I have a 7-man rotation and I should probably increase it to 10.
I should try Wonder trade. I played this mostly on vacation when I didn't have an internet connection.
In the first half of the game WT is amazing, and you can get some decent late game stuff early, and given how long the games been out, quite a few people are WTing starters and FSZ only Pokemon, so those are even greater hauls. But the closer you get to the end of the game, the less good things you can get, because most of it you can catch yourself, minus the FSZ stuff anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
WT is quite a bit of fun. It also makes your team rather interesting up until the 4th or 5th gym if you're doing the WT challenge. It can be annoying do to the level caps set by the badges and how quickly you can EXP. So very annoying.Quote:
Originally Posted by TasuraIn the first half of the game WT is amazing, and you can get some decent late game stuff early, and given how long the games been out, quite a few people are WTing starters and FSZ only Pokemon, so those are even greater hauls. But the closer you get to the end of the game, the less good things you can get, because most of it you can catch yourself, minus the FSZ stuff anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
Worth mentioning in my opinion: Wonder Trade is not region-locked, so it is also a fantastic way to pick up French, German, and Japanese Pokédex entries, depending on when you do it.Quote:
Originally Posted by TasuraIn the first half of the game WT is amazing, and you can get some decent late game stuff early, and given how long the games been out, quite a few people are WTing starters and FSZ only Pokemon, so those are even greater hauls. But the closer you get to the end of the game, the less good things you can get, because most of it you can catch yourself, minus the FSZ stuff anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
I don't want no sissy French pokemon!
Really playing the wrong game then. That's kind of, y'know, the entire basis of the Kalos region.Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
AlthoughI guess that does explain why we have a Champion who does absolutely nothing to stop the bad guys.
Currently I'm trying to capture Xerneas. I really hate the way they make you catch the Legendary during the story. Putting the entire plot and progression on hold for the five thousand attempts it takes to get a decent stat role is a real damper on the series. Even with the new IV mechanics for the Unknown Egg Group, this sucks.
20 possible combinations for the 3 perfect IVs to be inherited. If you have a particular setup in mind (for Xerneas, I recommend HP, SpA, and Speed), that's a 1 in 20 chance. Oh, but you also only have a 50% chance of getting the proper Nature with Synchronize (go Modest. With Geomancy almost nothing will outspeed you anyway). So you're looking at 1 in 40 just for the main stats. If you want either Def or SpD to be decent, you'll be looking at additional rerolls.
At least with Mewtwo I could go on with the story, unlock the rest of the game, and do other things until I felt like going back to grind captures for a few hours.
Oh, and don't forget: It's Tuesday, so there's a chance you can find Rotom in the trash bins in the Lost Hotel!
Or you can just catch him and then stash him away with all your other hundreds of hoarded pokemon.
Hah, no wonde rI could never find a Rotom, when I first got to the Lost Hotel there was no info about what day he spawned, just that he was in the trash cans. I eventually got 1 from GTS, and another from WT, so I never went back looking. Same with Banette only spawning on Thursdays, I got a Shuppet from GTS, so never went looking.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
So I totally have Pokérus :plotting:
I got Pokerus at some point. Left my game unplayed for a day or so, and it was gone. Taking advantage of what the game has to offer, me!Quote:
Originally Posted by Pike
Apparently keeping the Pokerus Pokemon in the PC means it doesn't go away. Here's hoping! I'm gonna infect a bunch of random Pokemon and then WT them.
Or you could just have fun with the game and use what you get, because Pokemon is really easy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
Hey now, some people play competitively and stuff like natures matters quite a bit :p
For some of us breeding the best possible Pokemon is what is fun :p
Yeah, I can see that, but aren't legendaries usually banned from competitive battling?
Just shift the local gravity. I mean come on guys.Quote:
Originally Posted by Freya
Usually yes, but there are free-for-all matches too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
I actually don't really do competitive pokemon myself but I do like breeding :)
There are uber tiers to fight in. I am not sure if they have such at the official nintendo tournaments, but a lot of people like to play ubers competively. In addition not all legendaries get ubered. If I recall correctly Mew was not banned to the uber tier last gen. And if you count the Legendary Trios like the birds(Moltres, Articuno, Zapdos), the Beasts(Raikou, Entei, Suicune), or The legendary Golems; very few of them have ever been banned. I don't think Celebi was banned to ubers either. You also have things like the Swords of Justice whom I believe did not end up Uber Tiered.Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
However, the Mascot Legendaries are all, to my knowledge, firmly in Uber territory. Scratch that. I think Suicune was the Mascot for crystal wasn't it? All the other Version Mascots not in the uber tier are not legendary pokemon, I think.
Anyways that does mean that likely Yveltal and Xerneas, I can't believe I spelled them correctly without looking them up first, are likely to be firmly uber.
In this Gen Celebi is banned, along with Keldeo, even though he's part of the Swords of Justice. This is of course, from the list of Pokemon banned in the Battle Maison. Battle Maison - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia This leaves the trios(Birds, Beasts, Golems, Lake Guardians, Forces of Nature), Latias/Latios, Cresselia and the Swords of Justice(minus Keldeo) legal for use in official tournaments.Quote:
Originally Posted by ShunNakamuraThere are uber tiers to fight in. I am not sure if they have such at the official nintendo tournaments, but a lot of people like to play ubers competively. In addition not all legendaries get ubered. If I recall correctly Mew was not banned to the uber tier last gen. And if you count the Legendary Trios like the birds(Moltres, Articuno, Zapdos), the Beasts(Raikou, Entei, Suicune), or The legendary Golems; very few of them have ever been banned. I don't think Celebi was banned to ubers either. You also have things like the Swords of Justice whom I believe did not end up Uber Tiered.Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
However, the Mascot Legendaries are all, to my knowledge, firmly in Uber territory. Scratch that. I think Suicune was the Mascot for crystal wasn't it? All the other Version Mascots not in the uber tier are not legendary pokemon, I think.
Anyways that does mean that likely Yveltal and Xerneas, I can't believe I spelled them correctly without looking them up first, are likely to be firmly uber.
Even if Mewtwo is banned, some people enjoy catching Pokemon with very good IVs/natures the "natural" way rather than hacking them in or whatever. It keeps wi-fi play fun and is a perfectly legitimate way to play the game if that's what you like :D
Xerneas the life-giver is currently the ultimate destroyer in the Uber tier. By giving it a Power Herb, you skip the charge turn for Geomacy. This doubles Xerneas's Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed in a single turn, essentially giving a Legendary-base stat Pokemon a Shell-Smash level sweeping boost, without the defensive drawbacks (and Shell-Smash Cloyster was already competitive in Ubers, even if it wasn't fantastic). Combine that with Fairy Aura, adding 30% to the damage of Fairy moves all the time, on top of STAB, and the fact that the only Pokemon who currently double resists Fairy is Heatran (who isn't even in-game yet), and you have a Pokemon who can destroy most competition with a single move.
But for me, it's not the competition, but the fact that this is the only Xerneas I can get. Any other Pokemon I could breed if I wanted it to be great. Even Yveltal I could just recapture from Y. But unless I want to buy another copy of X, this is my only Xerneas. It will also be the only Xerneas I'm the Original Trainer of, and being the OT is important to me. I like having my Pokémon. It's bad enough I can't be OT of the full legendary trio. Even if I pulled a Xerneas off of GTS, or got one through Wonder Trade, this one is mine, and that's important to me. It probably shouldn't be, but it is.
On the plus side, the fight and the music are epic, and trying to capture a Legendary (even one with as high a capture rate as Xerneas) with a Luxury Ball makes it fun. My current False Swiper is a level 93 Mawile, who resists Fairy and is considerably higher level than the level 50 Legendary. But after three Geomancy uses, even my Leftovers-carrying deception Pokémon is in for one heck of a fight (and usually gets one shotted if Xerneas does indeed have the max-Modest attack stat of 166 at that level, which is then multiplied by four because of Geomancy). One-shotting a resistant Pokémon 43 levels above it. That is Xerneas's power.
I wonder exactly how many Pokes are catchable between the two games out of the 700 and something that exist now. Because I can foresee some terribly pissed-off players if you somehow can't get them all, or at least the vast majority of them, now. Especially since you can't do what you could do in the previous generation, and that is use the old games to transfer Pokemon over. Does this mean that maybe Nintendo/Game Freak will implement DLC, even though they claimed they wouldn't, or will there be a bunch of those asinine "events" to get the remaining ones? Or better yet, a Pokemon Z. But the last option would still mean you'd have to wait a while.
They aren't implementing DLC. They've said as much. They're pretty much sticking with events... even going so far as to make some available only with a special code.Quote:
Originally Posted by Polnareff
Also, there are 454 or so in the Kalos Dex alone. And a decent number opens up in the National Dex thanks to the Friend Safari Zones. Thanks to the Pokemon Bank, you should be able to get nearly all of the pokemon in the series on one game with enough trading, which is significantly easier in this game.
Once the Pokébank is open, the question becomes rather moot, as you can then transfer from past Generations. It's only a matter of losing them permanently, on games 90% of players aren't going to play again anyway. And we're only a month to a month and a half away from that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Polnareff
Also, Game Freak are complete jerks. Just throwing that out there. I just caught a 31/31/31/31/30/31 Xerneas. Nearly frelling perfect. Odds of getting that (or any other exact spread of three random IVs, for that matter) is 1 in 32,768.
But the thing is Quiet. It took a hit to Speed in order to boost its Special Attack. Any other stat would be great. Attack it's not going to use anyway. Special Defense is negligible (and the 1 IV loss won't matter) thanks to the doubling from Geomancy. Defense would hurt it, giving Scizor's Bullet Punch a chance to OHKO it, even if a small chance. But Speed loss hurts, even with the boost, due to the prevalence of things like Choice Scarf and faster Pokémon (Terrakion).
I'm honestly torn. Do I go ahead and restart again? Can I get even close to that kind of excellent IV spread again?
If only they'd fixed the bloody Nature problem. Made a way to change them, or made Synchronize 100% effective. Damn you, GameFreak. Damn you. The best IV Legendary I'm probably ever going to catch, and you had to screw it over in one of the very few ways that it could actually matter.
There are currently 595 of the 718 Pokemon catchable in X/Y, when the bank goes live on December 27th (Unless they delay it, or heaven forbid move it up) people will be able to transfer everything they have in a Gen 5 game to the bank, and then to their X/Y. And if you have access to all Gen 4 and 5 games, you'll be able to get the handful of normal Pokemon you're missing as well as all Legendaries. The only ones you won't be able to get are the Event Pokemon, and getting those could prove difficult, unless you have a friend who has them and is willing to trade them toy ou for Dex entries, the only way is to search the GTS and hope for the best.Quote:
Originally Posted by NicolasThey aren't implementing DLC. They've said as much. They're pretty much sticking with events... even going so far as to make some available only with a special code.Quote:
Originally Posted by Polnareff
Also, there are 454 or so in the Kalos Dex alone. And a decent number opens up in the National Dex thanks to the Friend Safari Zones. Thanks to the Pokemon Bank, you should be able to get nearly all of the pokemon in the series on one game with enough trading, which is significantly easier in this game.
I know you've decided by now but if it was me I'd keep it. Even despite the Nature (which could be worse), you're not gonna see another legendary with those kind of IVs for a looooooooooong time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
No point being a perfectionist if you're just gonna settle for second best. ;)
Celebi is? And yet the Forces of Nature, Terrakion or even the Lats aren't? I almost think Gamefreak just picks names out of hat! *Note - This isn't to say that Celebi is far weaker than the others I mentioned, merely that threat wise Celebi is rather managable, even if not a pushover. I personally would rather deal with Grass/Psychic than a Terrakion or something like Landorous or Thunderous-T.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tasura
That's not a tournament ban list, it's the Battle Maison ban list. Celebi (and all the 600 BST Legendaries: Mew, Jirachi, Victini, Manaphy, and Shaymin) is banned in every incarnation of this. You can't take them to any version of the Battle Frontier. Don't take that as a tournament ban list.Quote:
Originally Posted by ShunNakamuraCelebi is? And yet the Forces of Nature, Terrakion or even the Lats aren't? I almost think Gamefreak just picks names out of hat! *Note - This isn't to say that Celebi is far weaker than the others I mentioned, merely that threat wise Celebi is rather managable, even if not a pushover. I personally would rather deal with Grass/Psychic than a Terrakion or something like Landorous or Thunderous-T.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tasura
Hoenn Battle Frontier Ban List (the original Battle Frontier): Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Celebi, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Jirachi, Deoxys.
Sinnoh and Johto Battle Frontier Ban List (From the DS games): Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Celebi, Kyogre, Groudon,
Rayquaza, Jirachi, Deoxys, Rotom's Forms, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Phione, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus.
Unova Battle Subway Ban List (the Gen V equivalent): Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Celebi, Kyogre, Groudon,
Rayquaza, Jirachi, Deoxys, Rotom's Forms, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Phione, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, Victini, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Keldeo, Meloetta, Genesect.
Spiky Eared Pichu is banned as well, just due to its uniqueness. As are Eggs (including the Manaphy Egg), if anyone were foolish enough to bring one. Soul Dew is also deactivated, to render the Lati@s twins fair (which is the closest to a power ban we get).
Essentially, their ban rules are incredibly easy to follow.
Any one of the main Legendary team is banned. Mewtwo. Ho-oh and Lugia. Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza. Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina. Etcetera. This is what pulls out Kyurem in all of its forms, regardless of its horrible main form.
Secondary Legendary teams are allowed. Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. Entei, Raikou, and Suicune. Azelph, Uxie, and Mesprit. Etcetera. This is what lets Terrakion the beast slip in, as he's a part of the Swords of Justice secondary trio.
Event Legendaries are not allowed. Mew. Celebi. Jirachi and Deoxys. Etcetera. This is what cuts out Darkrai and Keldeo, despite each being a member of a secondary team (the Lunar Duo, where Cresselia is allowed, and the Swords of Justice, where Keldeo is allowed).
Version-unique Pokémon, like Rotom's Forms (introduced in Platinum, but not in Diamond/Pearl), Shiny Eared Pichu (in HG/SS, but not D/P/Pt), and any others that they introduce going forward, are also not allowed. The shift in generations brought us a way to access Rotom's Forms in any of the games in the generation, so he is available again.
Nintendo doesn't use power, how hard it is to check/counter, or anything similar for their various in-game elite battle system ban lists. They have a set, standard system based purely on how they set up the Pokémon and their availability, and they follow it to a "T". It is definitely not just "pulling names out of a hat". You just have to realize that it is also not based on strength or fairness. If it was, Truant Durant with Entrainment would have had to be banned this Generation after how much he wrecked the Battle Subway (because the AI opponents almost never switch Pokémon). But he's not.
I still haven't decided on Xerneas, but I'm leaning towards resetting. I put the game down and went back to Rune Factory on my other system just so I wouldn't have to deal with it. While Rune Factory is awesome, if this Xerneas is eating at me so much, keeping it is probably a bad idea. I just wish I could save/trade it somehow without it eating up my only chance to get a Xerneas. If I'd caught this on Y, or a secondary game of X, I would keep it in a heart beat, though I might reset after trading it away. But on my main game... Bleh.
xerneas is rubbish anyway, just keep the least rubbish thing you have now
YVELTAL 4 LYFE
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, I just got myself a 3DS and Pokemon X.
Started playing like half a second ago, so I'll go back to playing now and add the friend code and stuff later. :greenie:
I really love how every zone has pretty much all new pokemon to catch. None of this pidgey or ratata in every area bull crap.
Friend code: 0662 - 3970 - 8557
Beat first gym, then went and spent like 1 hour experimenting with the 10 second trainer video. :greenie:
I added yah. I'll add you to the list in a few hours.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ultima Shadow
EDIT: The FSZ List has been updated for all the new couple of people. And, like Tas said earlier in the thread, all you have to do to get the third pokemon is to beat the elite four, don't forget to save, and make sure you're online at the same time as the other people. In some cases, that might mean leaving the system on all day. ;p
How do I get my code? I forget.
Check the Friend List in the Home Menu of your 3DS. That's the smiling box icon in the top middle of the touch screen.
Added.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ultima Shadow
4828-5126-8749
Added, and it seems you already added mine, so I won't bother to reiterate.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ultima Shadow
I did wind up resetting Xerneas. The speed is just too much of a loss, as awesome as the IVs are. Stupid GameFreak. I finally found one I'm happy enough with, even if it isn't nearly as perfect.
Currently exploring Route 21 and collecting more Pokémon before I go back to get the final badge.
I also need to decide on my final team. Greninja is going to make it, he stays with me through endgame. But I'm not sure who else. I don't think I'll be taking my other starter. As awesome as they are, I'm holding off on working them up to perfection until I can get them from the Friend Safari (which will let me catch them with Hidden Abilities, better stats, and a Luxury Ball). So I'm having to decide who to take.
I love this game's approach to catching Pokémon. The three-part Pokédex is great, as each one is a full region Pokédex on its own. I only wish they had gone farther. While a National Pokédex to keep track of them all is definitely desired, I wish they added in a few more local sections that each tracked another 150, as I really love that smaller breakdown and filling up the Central/Coastal/Mountain Pokédex.
This is also the first game in the series where I feel that "Catch 'em all" has a point. In every other Generation, most of those poor critters just sit in my PC and collect dust. But with the absolutely absurd leveling rate for the whole team thanks to Exp. Share, I wind up switching up my team more than I ever had. I try new Pokémon and new combinations, I look at new moves, and I play with teams I would normally never bother with.
Sky Battles, oddly enough, also help with this. Having to pull in a Flyer or Levitator that I haven't used a ton makes those some of the toughest Trainer Battles in the game, as my party rarely has a consistent Sky Battler who can just power through everything.
The difficulty may still be too easy, or require to much player management in order to make it challenging (why did they not give us Challenge Mode?!), but the variety and the fun that comes from it makes up for that, in my opinion.
Final Team I'm planning so far:
Greninja
Absol
Noivern
Goodra
Lucario
Xerneas (not going to use it, but I want to enter it into the Hall of Fame)
I'm still debating an Espeon though. I can't get a perfect Espeon until I can get access to a Safari Friend Zone Eevee, but Espeon is still my favorite Pokémon in the game, and I can breed it to near perfect stats thanks to my Lucario. Hmm...
Shortly after beating the second gym, I catch a random Honedge with 2 x 31 stats.
About 4 hours later, I have a Honedge with 31 HP, 29-31 Attack, 30-31 Defense and 31 SpDef. Speed and SpAttack were lacking, but it doesn't need those stats anyway.
...oh, right, and... Adamant nature too. I love how breeding works now. And my luck. :cool:
Currently, I have a Modest Lucario with 31/31/31/31/27/31.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ultima Shadow
I've also currently got a 31/x/31/31/31/31 Modest Chimecho that I'm breeding with my female Ralts in order to pick up the beast that will be my Gardevoir.
The Undiscovered Egg Group Glitch makes breeding far easier than even the Destiny Knot trick alone does. Any Baby Pokémon you catch will have three stats at 31. This means that Riolu, Chingling, Smoochum, Mime Jr., Budew, and Azurill, and Togepi (who is only available from Friend Safari) will already have at least three max stats. These then evolve into Lucario, Chimecho, Jynx, Mr. Mime, Roselia, Marill, and Togetic.
Which is awesome, because their evolved forms are members of different Egg Groups than their baby forms (the Undiscovered Group can't breed). So I'll summarize which Egg Groups and notable Pokémon are available from which baby (I'm leaving out a couple, notably Mr. Mime and Jynx, since they're members of groups that are already fully covered by others).
Egg Group Breeding Coverage for Evolved Baby Pokémon
A male Lucario covers the Field and Human-Like Egg Groups, allowing you to breed across stats for (among many others) Eevee, Cyndaquil, Torchic, Electrike, Houndour, Absol, Tepig, Oshawott, Zorua, Chespin, Fennekin, Abra, Meditite, Chimchar, Mawile, Mareep, Piplup, Snivy, Farfetch'd, and Ekans (and all of their evolutions). All those great Pokémon, starters, or Pokémon with Mega-Evolutions, just from Lucario. Is there any surprise that I bred him up to be awesome first?
Chimecho becomes the Amorphous Egg Group, which lets its stats spread to Pokémon like Gastly, Ralts, Wobuffet, Litwick, and Solosis. Nowhere near as diverse, but still completely worth it for those Gengar, Gardevoirs, and Gallades.
Roselia is a member of the Fairy and Grass Egg Groups, which lets it breed with such Pokémon as Bulbasaur, Paras, Chikorita, Turtwig, Snover, Ferroseed, and Chansey.
Marill is Water 1 and Fairy, giving it breeding compatibility with Froakie, Squirtle, Dratini, Totodile, Mudkip, Corphish, and Inkay.
Togetic covers the Flying Egg Group, and is breedable with Aerodactyl, Fletchling, and Noibat.
Unfortunately, these are the only Egg Groups directly covered by the evolved Babies. However, since most Egg Groups have members who share other Egg Groups, with cross-breeding, you can spread the stats to any of them.
Ferroseed can spread stats to the Mineral Egg Group, in addition to the Grass Group it shares with Roselia, letting you spread stats to Honedge (some other good Pokémon in here, but they are genderless, and require a Ditto).
Bulbasaur can spread stats to the Monster Group in addition to the Grass Group, covering Charmander, Larvitar, Cubone, Gible, Aron, Amaura, and Tyrunt.
Paras covers the Bug Egg Group, allowing you to spread stats to Scyther, Pineco, Heracross, Trapinch, Scolipede, and Larvesta.
Inkay can spread stats from Water 1 to Water 2, though this doesn't really bring in any really good Pokémon, unfortunately.
Corphish spreads from Water 1 to Water 3. Still not many great Pokémon there, though. Shellder, Lileep, and Anorith are probably the best.
Ekans can spread stats from the Field Egg Group to the Dragon Egg Group, giving you access to Goomy, Bagon, and Deino. Charmander can also serve this role if you've bred up a good one from Bulbasaur.
Finally, if you don't have access to Togepi, you can spread stats to the Flying Egg Group by breeding up an awesome male Farfetch'd with your Lucario.
Also, it might be worth noting that the Breeding RNG is now exploitable, and can be used to guarantee which stats will be inherited by the child Pokémon, and from which parents.
The game essentially has a seed list that determines which parent passes on which stat when inheriting 5 stats with the Destiny Knot. This list is saved, regardless of the parents, and can be manipulated for your ease of breeding.
Breeding RNG Guide
Ok, to start with, you'll need two parents which you know the IVs of. Use Psypoke's or Metalkid's IV calculators to figure out the IVs of your parents. Make sure that they have different IVs for each stat (for example, you don't want both parents to have 31 in Attack). In fact, the bigger the differences, the better, but the only critical part is that they're different.
Deposit your chosen parents into the Day Care (with the Destiny Knot). Run about and wait until an Egg is produced. When speaking to the guy who gives you the Egg, say that You Do Not Want It. As soon as you reject the egg, save your game.
Now, generate a new Egg, and this time, pick it up and hatch it. Determine its IVs: Use the same IV calculators, and if you need to level it up some, Exp. Share and the Battle Chateau's Audinos are easy ways to do that (and, so you can track, KOing one Audino gives 2 HP EVs). Once you know that, compare its IVs to those of its parents.
This will tell you which stat the child inherited from which parent. Once you've determined which stat came from which parent, and which of the 6 stats was not inherited, you're set and don't need that baby anymore, so go ahead and reload the game.
The inheritance order will be saved, even if you change the parents. So swap out to two parents who you know have the correct IVs. For example, if the child you checked before got Attack, Defense, and Speed from the father, while getting HP and Special Defense from the mother, then switch out for a male Pokémon with 31 in Attack, Defense, and Speed, and a compatible female Pokémon with 31 in HP and Special Defense. Congratulations, the next Egg they produce will have 31/31/31/x/31/31, perfect stats for any physical attack based Pokémon, whether a sweeper or a wall, and a great Pokémon to set up breeding with any other partner in the Egg Group.
EDIT: I was heading back to the Pokémon Village to get Psychic now that I've picked up Waterfall. While going through the Winding Woods, I was ambushed by a female Zoroark. Without my False Swiper, pretty much any Pokémon, including my HM Slaves, would probably OHKO it. But, since I wasn't going to give up on that lovely little critter, I had to catch it anyway. Fortunately, about two minutes prior, I had maxed my Luxury Ball count up to 999 (catching an uninjured Pokémon rarely takes more than 50). So I settle in for the long hall, and chuck one out.
Wobble wobble wobble...click! Not even a critical capture, but I have a lovely new Zoroark that I can breed with (after the two hours I spent hunting one down yesterday, all for a random one to stumble across me). Zoroark is also a Field Egg Group member that my Lucario can breed with.
Thanks to Nico catching his Articuno (And reminding me that Soutland existed) I am finally done Y until the bank goes live.
My friend code is: 0576-4435-9881. Everyone please add me!
Added you. My codes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
1547-6378-0895
0490-5832-0785
Added you and Del Mordor.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ultima Shadow
I'm offended by the title change of this thread.
Anyone who wants to trade Y version exclusives with those from X or evolutions that require a trade, let me know.
Added you. Code:Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
4527 - 8589 - 9901
For some reason, I am still not seeing that we are friends. I've checked the codes a few times to no success. Not sure what the issues are there.Quote:
Originally Posted by SkybladeAdded you. My codes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
1547-6378-0895
0490-5832-0785
I also added Ultima Shadow.\
Has anyone been able to catch a 4+ IV Ditto in the Friend Safari? I've caught a few 3s and a bunch of 2s. I heard that you can get 4+, but haven't been lucky enough myself.
This is the first game that I've decided to breed "perfect" Pokemon. So far, I've got a Greninja (w/ Protean) and an Eevee that will eventually be turned into a Leafeon (being my favorite Pokemon). Working on another Eevee that will turn into a Sylveon, though I'm not sure if this one will make it into my first party.
Still working on the (currently obtainable) Pokédex by way of trading and leveling. I haven't been on as much due to NaNoWriMo but it is happening, slowly but surely!
(Yes I'm still been playing this on a daily basis)
Just to clarify, do you have X or Y? If you have Y, I'll gladly trade you some Pokémon X exclusives (even though I have Y, I'm a bit too lazy to get them while I'm breeding). The only thing is, I only want females that are caught with Luxury Balls (I'm OCD, sorry). I'll happily trade you over some Luxury Balls if you need some (I have 995 of them right now). I have a bunch of the Pokémon X exclusives, or other useful Pokémon like both sets of starters.Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
Bunny, I missed your code somehow (I blame the Black Font when I use the Old Skool format). Just friended you on my main system, I'll get the other one in a few minutes.
Where do you get luxury balls?
The Poke Ball specialist in Lumiose City sells them, along with most other types of Poke ball.
It also sells Premiere Balls by themselves, which is a first for the series. But there is another way to get Luxury Balls. You can get 5 of them on your first trip into Lumiose City. When you're visiting the Professor to get your second starter, stop on the Second Floor. There's a female scientist who gives you five of them. Since you can't then get them again until your journey takes you back around to Lumiose, I recommend using them carefully, and making sure each gets a catch (resetting if need be). Or just trading with me. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Bunny
That reminds me, I need to remember to go back and catch a female Snorlax with one at some point. I should have thought of it during my first trip, but didn't. :(
Oh, by the way, am I the only one who didn't know about the Destructable Terrain In-Battles to Get Items?! It's a bit obscure, especially with how specific the required moves are, but that explains all the berries I couldn't find.
You are not. I JUST found out about it yesterday or the day before. I think Tasura is in the same situation because he had the same reaction I did when I told him about it. It's a really interesting way to do things!Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
I like the concept, but I hate the implementation. First, there are no indications in game telling you how this works or what the moves to use are. Second, the moves are way, way too specific. I mean, there are as many moves as there are Pokémon, essentially. Expecting people to not only pick up on the system, but to have the right move for it, is kind of ridiculous. Even if you figured that the odd terrain (which I had noticed before, at least twice with the Berry Trees) was able to be affected, how are you supposed to figure out the moves? I mean, I never use Zubat as part of my main team, so I never have Air Cutter. Heck, even if they made it work with Cut, who actually uses Cut in combat (Tackle is just as strong, and more accurate)?Quote:
Originally Posted by NicolasYou are not. I JUST found out about it yesterday or the day before. I think Tasura is in the same situation because he had the same reaction I did when I told him about it. It's a really interesting way to do things!Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
Thank goodness for the internet. Someone stumbling upon this and sharing it is pretty much the only way this would come out. Even then it took my quite a bit of hunting around Serebii to find out where it was, and that was all because I was looking for the rest of the berries. I suppose in the strategy guide might have it. Maybe they finally figured they could get people to buy it with the information on how to get the otherwise-unobtainable items in it?
They really need to upgrade Cut. Personally, I'd give it the stats of Slash. There's just no reason for it to be so bad for so long. I know you get it early and tons of Pokémon can learn it, but make it halfway decent for once, GameFreak.
I don't know what it is, but this game hasn't really grabbed me like I was hoping it would. I haven't really been enthralled with a Pokemon game since Gen 2. I got X shortly after launch, put about 20 hours into it, put it down about two weeks ago, and haven't gone back. I just can't get into the right frame of mind for muh pogeymanz. It's like that with video games in general, lately. It's kind of distressing.
I was mostly enjoying what I played though, although rollerblades seem kind of unnecessary after you get the bike and not being able to walk with the circle pad is kind of annoying. Also, the camera angles in Lumiose are pretty horrid. Still having a lot more fun than the last Pokemon I played though (Diamond).
Pull out the Dowsing Machine and you'll walk with the Circle Pad again.Quote:
Originally Posted by SirPrizes
The camera angles in Lumiose are really bad, and it takes a while to get used to how to adjust them and the way you're facing properly.
Got around to adding everyone in this list.
Likewise, I have everyone added. Now if LocoColt04, Jinx and Ultima could reciprocate >.>
Also Pike, but she hates me I guess.
Quitcher bitchin' I put my friend code in the #pokemon chatroom. Your fault if you missed it :stare:Quote:
Originally Posted by Endless
I don't have much time to play this month due to writing so I'm not on very often right now though.
If you happen to have Puppitar, I'd be interested in one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
And in just a little while, I might want some back and forth switches for evolutions too.:greenie:
In other news, I just beat the elite 4 and champion and stuff. I got overleveled by accident, just like everyone else, and it wasn't really a challenge. =(
I do have pupitar!
Currently working on breeding my Noibat. Had to transfer stats over via Lucario/Farfetch'd combination, which took a while (I wish I had the Oval Charm!). Hopefully though, I'll have some really high IV spinoffs available soon, if anyone wants one. The little guy is awesome. He's essentially a Crobat which specializes in Special Attacks, hitting hard and fast. One of his best features, though, is the awesome move called Boomblast. Normal Type, 140 Power, 10 PP, and sound based. While Soundproof will block it, not a lot else does. Being sound-based, it automatically bypasses Substitutes and Reflect/Light Screen. He can also learn Flamethrower to deal with Steels and Draco Meteor to wreck anything that resists you (Dragon Pulse isn't really worth it since Boomblast is more powerful and has nearly identical coverage). There's also some free coverage, like Air Slash or Focus Blast. He's intended to hit hard, hit fast, and look awesome doing it.
Again, happy to get any female Y-exclusives caught in a Luxury Ball, and happy to provide the Luxury Balls if needed. Spritzee, Electrike, Heracross, Larvitar, and whichever others I'm forgetting.
EDIT: Other Y exclusives: Skrelp/Dragalgae (you can catch either, and with a Super Rod in the correct place, Dragalgae isn't even that rare, or at least Clawitzer wasn't), Shellder, Purrloin, Throh, Spritzee.
For trade I'll have my Noibats and Riolu, but I also have the X exclusives: Staryu, Pinsir, Swirlix, Sawk, Clauncher/Clawitzer, Houndour, Mightyena, and Lairon (which, along with Pinsir, are the ones I currently already have a couple of). I'll also have some high IV Ralts and Farfetch'd, if anyone wants any.
Oh, yay~! More people who are just as obsessed with Pokemon right now as me. xD
If anyone wants to battle or trade, add my friend code~! (:
4656-7116-1845
Added you, Nikki.
Skyblade, I'll see about catching you a luxury Throh, and I could use a high IV (HP/Sp.A/SPD at least) male ralts if you have that around (nature doesn't matter, got the one I want female and everstone).
Edit: caught one (luxury ball ofc ;)).
Here you go:Quote:
Originally Posted by Endless
Ralts - #280 (Modest) Male (♂) Trace: 31 / 21 / 0, 2 / 31 / 31 / 31
Hidden Power: Dragon
Defense sucks (either zero or two, which I know because it has HP Dragon, but I don't know which it is), and Attack is only halfway decent, but the rest is perfect. Are there any TMs you want it to learn? Psyshock, Thunderbolt, Psychic, Shadow Ball, Echoed Voice (for Pixilate if you go Mega-Gardevoir), Charge Beam, Thunder Wave, Grass Knot, and Dazzling Gleam are the only worthwhile ones I can think to put on it, but I have every TM you can get before endgame, so just let me know.
Oh, and it's only level 1.
Also, I added Nikki. Don't forget to add us back, or it won't work! My code: 1547-6378-0895
With a little work (destiny knot and enough tries), I ought to be able to get better def from a ditto (I have one with 22-23 def) while keeping the other five stats. TM-wise, I was thinking I'd give it:
Psychic (possibly replaced by Moonblast at 85), Shadow ball, Reflect, Thunderbolt. Echoed voice takes three turns to outclass moonblast in total damage done, so I'm not sure I'd use it. At max friendship, return's probably even better than moonblast. All of these I already have the TMs for except Shadow Ball which I'll either get tonight or this weekend.
Try to catch me on IRC so we can make the trade, in the #pokemon room ; I'll be around for the next 4 hours and most of the weekend.
A couple slight misunderstandings or unclear bits that I'd like to fix up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Endless
First, if you're passing off the 5 high stats on this Ralts, the Defense stat will be randomized on the baby, so you have extremely high odds of picking up a better (even if not great) Defense stat that way.
Second, Return is, unfortunately, still physical, so nowhere near ideal.
Third, Pixelate doesn't just covert a Normal move to Fairy. It coverts it to Fairy and adds an extra 30% damage, on top of STAB (the game never tells you this, but it has been confirmed through calculations and usage). This is true of all the Abilities that convert Normal to a different type, from Pixelate, to Aerilate (Mega-Pinsir's Ability) to Refrigerate (Amaura's Ability). So, essentially, a Pixelated Echoed Voice has a base power of 52, not 40. And it then receives STAB on top of that.
So at its second use, a Pixelated Echoed Voice has a BP of 104 plus STAB, which is more than Moonblast (though without the Special Attack reduction on the target). And if you can get in any additional uses, its power builds up a ton. Not necessarily the most useful, but still quite potent.
It's also worth pointing out that in Black 2 and White 2, Gardevoir could learn Hyper Voice from a move tutor. Which, after the Pixelate boost, is doing 117 Base Power + STAB, which is also pretty awesome. No real move tutors in this generation, unfortunately, but Pokémon Z will have them if the pattern of releasing them in the second games is consistent going forward.
And, finally, you don't need to wait to get Moonblast. As soon as you evolve to Gardevoir, you can pick it up via a Heart Scale.
The damage boost from the type-converting abilities is what really lets Mega-Pinsir shine, as it makes Quick Attack a 52 BP STAB Flying Priority move, and Return becomes a 132 BP STAB Flying move. Coming from Mega-Pinsir's absolutely enormous attack, that is quite deadly.
Even faster then, it'll be your ralts with destiny knot and mine (with everstone unless both parents having the same nature guarantee that nature's passed down) and breeding enough of them to get high def and trace.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
Ah, forgot to check if it was spe or phy.Quote:
Second, Return is, unfortunately, still physical, so nowhere near ideal.
I know it also boosts it, but in total damage done :Quote:
Third, Pixelate doesn't just covert a Normal move to Fairy. It coverts it to Fairy and adds an extra 30% damage, on top of STAB (the game never tells you this, but it has been confirmed through calculations and usage). This is true of all the Abilities that convert Normal to a different type, from Pixelate, to Aerilate (Mega-Pinsir's Ability) to Refrigerate (Amaura's Ability). So, essentially, a Pixelated Echoed Voice has a base power of 52, not 40. And it then receives STAB on top of that.
So at its second use, a Pixelated Echoed Voice has a BP of 104 plus STAB, which is more than Moonblast (though without the Special Attack reduction on the target). And if you can get in any additional uses, its power builds up a ton. Not necessarily the most useful, but still quite potent.
Turn 1: 54 echoed, 95 moonblast
Turn 2: 162 (108+54) echoed, 190 (95+95) moonblast
Turn 3: 324 echoed, 285 moonblast
So it all depends on whether that mega-gardevoir stays or is switched out or risks dying. I could always get two and make one of each xD
Quote:
It's also worth pointing out that in Black 2 and White 2, Gardevoir could learn Hyper Voice from a move tutor. Which, after the Pixelate boost, is doing 117 Base Power + STAB, which is also pretty awesome. No real move tutors in this generation, unfortunately, but Pokémon Z will have them if the pattern of releasing them in the second games is consistent going forward.
The damage boost from the type-converting abilities is what really lets Mega-Pinsir shine, as it makes Quick Attack a 52 BP STAB Flying Priority move. No Gale Wings Brave Bird, but coming from Mega-Pinsir's absolutely enormous attack, still quite deadly.
I wish I had the time to breed an elite pokemon team. Sounds fun. What are the secrets to a great squad?
Added you, Nikki. If you want, you can add people from this list here. Most of our Friend Codes are in there. ;oQuote:
Originally Posted by Nikki
Oooooh neat~! Thanks, Nicolas. You guys can go ahead and add me to the friend Safari if you want to. xD
I pretty much added everyone, so there you go. xD
EDIT: Also, Proto is really good at battling, and he has a ton of pokemon. :3
Sorry for the late reply, but this is a very, very complicated question, and I did not want to rush an answer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
First, it depends on what you want to get out of it. What do you plan to use it for? Are you looking for a tournament competitive team? A team to take on the Battle Maison? A team to slaughter EoFFers in WiFi duels?
Even within one of those, there are a great deal of questions that you have to ask yourself. If you're going for a ranked team, what system will you use? The official Nintendo Tournaments use Double Battles as their basic battle format. But the most commonly accepted community system is, I believe, the Smogon system.
-General Competition Overview-
At its heart, I still believe that what makes a great team is how well you respond to them. A team is centered around its Trainer. Different Pokémon may have different stats and movesets, but the strength of a team is how well assembled it is, and how well the Trainer can use them.
I also personally loathe most of the competitive systems, due to how insanely min/maxed they have become, and how incredibly hyper-offensive and mathematical it can be (on top of my general hatred for PvP activities). While some people may enjoy calculating out exactly how to balance Xerneas's Speed and Defense EVs to ensure that it can outspeed any threats and have just enough bulk to survive Scizor's Bullet Punch (one of the only threats to Xerneas after Geomancy, as it's a Priority Steel type move that gets a Technician boost), but that is taking things too far for me.
In a casual battling circumstance, you don't usually have to get that obsessive or detailed about it. I recommend watching TamashiiHiroka's Competitive Battling For Beginners video (in fact, she has a number of really fun videos about Pokémon in general, if you want some more esoteric information like her studies of the ROM data). It's a pretty good example of what you're looking for on a basic level. But if you don't want to watch, or want a different viewpoint, I'll go over my own thoughts as well.
Building a team is about team synergy and coordination. In the main game, it's perfectly ok to not have a team. Especially if you're playing with the default "Shift" battle system, enabling you to switch out your Pokémon each time your opponent switches in a new one for a fainted Pokémon, teamwork isn't really a feature. You essentially just have a lineup of strong, powerful Pokémon, each operating its own niche and fighting based on its own strengths.
Competitive battling, by any set of rules that I know of, sticks to the "Set" system. If you make an opponent faint, you do not get to switch out the victor. Your opponent gets to throw out whatever Pokémon they think will do best against the one you have out currently, and if you want to change it, you need to take a turn to do so.
It's also important to remember that you'll be battling on an even playing field with your opponent. You won't be a much higher level than they are (there are some in-game competitive systems that automatically level the Pokémon fighting to level 50, just to ensure fairness), and they will probably have just as much EV training as you do.
Thus, the competitive field truly becomes a game of teamwork. No Pokémon is perfect. Each one has its weaknesses, it's checks and counters (though some, especially the "Ubers", have them few and far between). Knowing how to support your team is important.
Pokémon Battle RolesAs in any RPG, there are several different roles each Pokémon can take. Anyone who's played an MMO knows about the terms "tank", "healer", and "DPS", the trinity of play styles that forms the basis of most systems. Pokémon has all of these and more, and I'm going to go over a few for you.
Sweeper: A Sweeper is an offensive Pokémon designed to "sweep" the opposing team, knocking out Pokémon one after the other. Usually designed to operate with stat boosts, so as to maximize KO potential and reduce opponent opportunities to strike back.
Wall/Tank: A Wall is a Pokémon designed to absorb attacks, through stats, typing, and moves. It comes in varieties, physical, special, or mixed, depending on what it is designed to block. A Tank is essentially a Wall that has the offensive stats to still pose a threat (Walls can pose threats on their own, but they tend to do so through means like Poison or Burns rather than outright attacks).
Annoyer (or Prankster, as I call them): An Annoyer is designed to mess with strategies. They tend to carry moves like Taunt, Encore, Thunder Wave, etcetera. Built to be an annoying hassle to deal with, and break up Pokémon trying to set up to sweep, inflict status ailments, and ruin team strategies, rather than be an outright threat.
Cleric (I call them Healers): A Pokémon designed to help heal or restore your own Pokémon. Moves like Wish, Heal Bell, and Aromatherapy are pretty standard on these guys. They're Pokémon you can usually count on to help keep your party in decent condition.
Hazard Setter: Any Pokémon designed to set up entry hazards. These include Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Sticky Web, and Stealth Rock (which I personally think is massively overpowered and too important to the battle system, and needed its power cut in half).
Phazer: A Phazer is a Pokémon designed to remove opponent's positive status buffs by getting the Pokémon off the field. Moves like Dragon Tail, Whirlwind, and Roar do this. Some minor status ailments, like Leech Seed and Perish Song, can be removed by switching out, and can entice opponents to switch, and lose their buffs. This can also be done to compound damage done by entry hazards.
Weather Setter: A Weather Setter is a Pokémon that is used to set up Weather effects. This can be a Pokémon with an Ability like Drought, or a Pokémon which carries the individual moves, like Rain Dance.
Spinner: A Spinner is a Pokémon who can use moves like Rapid Spin or Defog to remove hazards, clearing the way for the rest of your team to switch freely.
Baton Passer: A Pokémon designed to set up buffs and then use Baton Pass to transfer them to another Pokémon. This lets you set up with behind the safety of moves like Substitute or Spore, without sacrificing the movepool of your other Pokémon.
There are probably tons more, but those are some of the highlight roles. Please note, however, that plenty of Pokémon can serve multiple roles. You can easily have an Annoyer that can set up Hazards, or a Wall that can spin or set up Weather. Nor is it necessary to have every role on your team. What you choose to go with will depend on what play style you choose, and what Pokémon you want to take with you.
-The Core of the Team-
Many teams (though definitely not all of them) are built around a "Core". This is usually a Pokémon, but it can also be a move or strategy. Essentially, it's the focus of your team, and how it is built (TamashiiHiroka chose a Drizzle Politoed, a very common choice in Gen V as a Rain Team Core).
If you have a favorite Pokémon, one you really want to battle with or try, then that's a great Core for a team. Take a moment and look at it. Think about its abilities, typing, stat distribution, and available moves. Consider how you want to use this Pokémon, as well as how it tends to do in its role.
Then, work outwards and decide what Pokémon would best supplement your core. If you chose to focus a team around Mega-Charizard Y, adding in a Pokémon with, say, Dry Skin would not be an ideal move, as you would take damage from the Sun that Drought sets up. You'd be better off choosing Pokémon who can use the sun to their own benefit.
You'll also probably want to cover Charizard's weaknesses, such as a Spinner to remove the deadly Stealth Rocks, or a Ground Type to take out Electric and Rock threats (Charizard's Solarbeam would wreck Water threats fairly well on its own).
This is just a basic overview, but it gets you into the idea of how to set up a team. The important thing to remember is that there really is no right answer. Even in the ultimate precision of the truly competitive systems, no team is invulnerable. Choose what you want, think about how it works together, and practice with it.
If you want any more specific advice, then share your plans and thoughts for where you want to go, what sort of competition or events you are interested in, and what Pokémon you enjoy using. And if you want any more specific advice on breeding or setting up an individual Pokémon, just let us know.
So, I beat the elite 4.
I went to Endless's friend safari to hunt dittos for breeding.
I caught three.
One of them has 4 perfect IVs.
It also has an adamant nature due to synchronise.
Ladies.
Getting final preparation for the Elite 4 done.
My Party:
Greninja, Level 100, Splash Plate (thinking about Amulet Coin)
Gardevoir, Level 91, Mind Plate
Lucario, Level 100, Fist Plate (thinking about Lucarionite)
Noivern, Level 88, Silk Scarf (WHY is there no Normal Plate?! I love Plates. :()
Gengar, Level 55, Lucky Egg (going to switch to Spooky Plate or Gengarite at Level 100)
Xerneas, Level 100, Pixie Plate
Just have to finalize my outfit for the Hall of Fame save, and think about whether it's worth getting my entire party up to 100, just for the sake of consistency (OCD kicking in again). Putting the Battle Chateau right next to the Day Care is great for leveling up while breeding.
Also, thinking about making a post about breeding in general, and how to best train a good team member, what to look for in EV spreads, and how to handle move sets and Egg Moves. If anyone is interested, it might help guide you to getting the most out of your Pokémon, rather than just copy/pasting from Smogon or Serebii, so if you think it's a good idea, let me know.
AHHH SUCH A GOOD PARTY. PLEASE TELL ME WHERE TO FIND THE PIXIE PLATE. I looked everywhere in my guide and I dunno if it's in there. ; ~;Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
The Pixie Plate is in the Pokemon Village.
Yep. You need to go to the far west side, then Surf across the water.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tasura
Got a Charmander through WT last night! I felt bad because I gave them a lousy Stunfisk. I already have a Charmander so I put it up on the GTS to try to get a Bulbasaur.
Lately, I've been breeding Claunchers hoping for a Shiny. So far, I've hatched over 50 eggs and have no shiny. I've been sending away my Claunchers via WT, and I've had some nice trades including a Pikachu with Pokerus!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tasura
Quote:
Originally Posted by SkybladeYep. You need to go to the far west side, then Surf across the water.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tasura
Thank you guys, omg. This is so useful. xD
I beat the Elite Four and did my Game Sync, so you all should be able to see my third Pokémon (hopefully!). Although when I went to the Friend Safari, I didn't seem to be able to visit my own, just all my friends. And, checking my Normal Safari Friends, I have access to Eevee, Ditto, Kecleon, Chansey, Aipom, Audino, Dunsparce, Loudred, Lillipup, Minccinno, and Smeargle, everyone possible from a Normal except Teddiursa, which is supposedly in mine. Do I need to do the one Battle Maison win needed to unlock the postgame story first? And, if so, is that going to keep you guys from seeing my third Pokémon until I do (which will be probably late tonight, due to work schedule)?
Bug and Fire seem to be the rare ones among the Friend Codes I have acquired, and I am hoping I'll have a Larvesta somewhere, but I haven't checked.
Also, found out something awesome in one of the two Bug Safaris I have: If you have a friend with Vivillon in a different region, their Friend Safari Vivillon is of their regional colors. So it is completely possible to be the OT of Vivillons with patterns besides your own, as long as you get enough Friends with Vivillon in their Safari (admittedly, not easy, but still cool)!
I have a ton of Friends, and a lot from my trips to the recent Smogon boards, so as I find out all of what I have access to, I'll be sure to share. Let me know what you all need for catching/breeding.
Actually, we need to be online at the same time as you for that, it appears syncing doesn't help (which is totally dumb).Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
As the name implies, it's a friend zone, not own zone safari ;)Quote:
Although when I went to the Friend Safari, I didn't seem to be able to visit my own, just all my friends. And, checking my Normal Safari Friends, I have access to Eevee, Ditto, Kecleon, Chansey, Aipom, Audino, Dunsparce, Loudred, Lillipup, Minccinno, and Smeargle, everyone possible from a Normal except Teddiursa, which is supposedly in mine.
People can get dittos off of me, and I can't, boohoo.
See above, it's about being online at the same time. The battle mansion is fast if you don't care about getting a lot of wins right off, just get your win then go battle your rival, and now you can get the upgraded bracelet (and stone searching "fun"), then the new quest story in Lumiose, which, by the way, totally overshadows the main story imho.Quote:
Do I need to do the one Battle Maison win needed to unlock the postgame story first? And, if so, is that going to keep you guys from seeing my third Pokémon until I do (which will be probably late tonight, due to work schedule)?
I have a friend or two with fire, but I don't rememebr on top of my head what they have, and I don't have my 3ds with me at the moment.Quote:
Bug and Fire seem to be the rare ones among the Friend Codes I have acquired, and I am hoping I'll have a Larvesta somewhere, but I haven't checked.
If you have a friend who has steel, check and see if he has magnemite/magneton/bronzong/metang and farm them for the item they hold, you'll be able to get good stuff from the gts (or share them with us and we will xD).
Nice about the Vivillons. As I said, farming the 4 steel pokemons I listed is worth it because the item they can hold (5% chance) is used to evolve Scyther into Scizor and short of catching these 4 pokemons, you only get one per game, and a lot of people want to trade their whatever for a Scizor.Quote:
Also, found out something awesome in one of the two Bug Safaris I have: If you have a friend with Vivillon in a different region, their Friend Safari Vivillon is of their regional colors. So it is completely possible to be the OT of Vivillons with patterns besides your own, as long as you get enough Friends with Vivillon in their Safari (admittedly, not easy, but still cool)!
I have a ton of Friends, and a lot from my trips to the recent Smogon boards, so as I find out all of what I have access to, I'll be sure to share. Let me know what you all need for catching/breeding.
I'm not trying to be sassy, but I don't understand why everyone is freaking out about getting a Ditto. Just go to the Pokemon Village. They're everywhere!
Pokemon from the FZS are guaranteed to have several perfect IVs in their stats. This is good for breeders.
So if you have no friends, you can't use FSZ at all? Even the game gives an impression that you can, with two NPCs specifically mentioning their own FSZ Pokemon.
Also, I thought GameSync would update it, as long as you were both online together at some point, so that they showed up in your in-game Friend list. I guess I'm wrong though. :( I will try to be online as much as possible for the next few nights.
Also, does anyone know what happens to the FSZ if you put your game in a different 3DS?
Thee might be a FSZ ersatz for people with no friends, but passerbys get upgraded to acquaintances if you trade with them, and there is a chance when battling/trading with an acquaintance that the game will offer you to add them to your friends.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
FSZ content is based off your friends' 3ds code. You using another 3DS doesn't change your friends' codes, so FSZs will stay unchanged. That's why we have an eoff spreadsheet, the three pokemons people will find in mine won't change, ever, as long as they have the friend code I have now.Quote:
Also, I thought GameSync would update it, as long as you were both online together at some point, so that they showed up in your in-game Friend list. I guess I'm wrong though. :( I will try to be online as much as possible for the next few nights.
Also, does anyone know what happens to the FSZ if you put your game in a different 3DS?
Also, an app recently appeared that lets one peek at stats of pokemons being traded (wt/gts/personal) even in egg form, and also track shiny numbers (both of a pokemon/egg and trainer), which can help breed shinies : if the egg's shiny value is the same as the trainer who hatches it, it's a shiny/special color. The app requires you to have two network connections, one of which must be wireless and unused, and a wifi card that's compatible (and at the moment, win 7/8, and the .net framework). Some of us were thinking of adding a trainer shiny value to the spreadsheet (or you can use the giant reddit one mentioned in the kotaku article), and with a trade, we can help you find yours and check eggs.
To my knowledge, the system is based off of the 3DS Friends List, not the game's own list. My 3DS has everyone on EoFF Friended. If I transfer my game to a different 3DS, that 3DS has a different Friends List. Does my in-game FSZ list change to reflect the new Friends List of the new system?Quote:
FSZ content is based off your friends' 3ds code. You using another 3DS doesn't change your friends' codes, so FSZs will stay unchanged. That's why we have an eoff spreadsheet, the three pokemons people will find in mine won't change, ever, as long as they have the friend code I have now.Quote:
Also, I thought GameSync would update it, as long as you were both online together at some point, so that they showed up in your in-game Friend list. I guess I'm wrong though. :( I will try to be online as much as possible for the next few nights.
Also, does anyone know what happens to the FSZ if you put your game in a different 3DS?
I saw that app as well, it's big on Smogon for similar reasons, but I don't know that I can use it, as my 3DS connects through my wireless router, set up to network our family's machines, rather than through my PC itself (my PC has both a wired and a wireless connection, so I could turn off the wireless, but I don't know that it would help).Quote:
Also, an app recently appeared that lets one peek at stats of pokemons being traded (wt/gts/personal) even in egg form, and also track shiny numbers (both of a pokemon/egg and trainer), which can help breed shinies : if the egg's shiny value is the same as the trainer who hatches it, it's a shiny/special color. The app requires you to have two network connections, one of which must be wireless and unused, and a wifi card that's compatible (and at the moment, win 7/8, and the .net framework). Some of us were thinking of adding a trainer shiny value to the spreadsheet (or you can use the giant reddit one mentioned in the kotaku article), and with a trade, we can help you find yours and check eggs.
I would be willing to trade to get mine, just so that I know, but without a way to figure out what my eggs are, I don't know how much good it does.
Not sure. If you have friends in common between both consoles, those won't change for sure. You'll have to try and find out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
If you can connect wired to your router, then you might be able to use your wifi card for the app (it creates a custom access point, but it needs to be able to allow hosted networks, somewhere in the smogon thread is the way to check for that). On my eeepc t101mt, it seems I can have wifi on to connect to my router *and* have it act as an AP, might work for you aswell.Quote:
I saw that app as well, it's big on Smogon for similar reasons, but I don't know that I can use it, as my 3DS connects through my wireless router, set up to network our family's machines, rather than through my PC itself (my PC has both a wired and a wireless connection, so I could turn off the wireless, but I don't know that it would help).
I would be willing to trade to get mine, just so that I know, but without a way to figure out what my eggs are, I don't know how much good it does.
Egg shiny values you can find by trading with one of us with the app, just trade back and forth all the eggs you want checked then we pm you the list or tell you in the chatroom.
I've just gave this a shot to see if there is any difference. I wasn't sure what to expect but it surprised me a bit. For one, when you insert your game into another 3DS, your game will instantly recognize this and make changes on the PSS accordingly. For one, your list of Friends will change to that over to the Friend List on the 3DS you now use, this is true for the FZS as well. So, to put it bluntly, yes it does. You will see a message that says "The Nintendo 3DS has been changed! Updating Friends status."Quote:
Originally Posted by EndlessNot sure. If you have friends in common between both consoles, those won't change for sure. You'll have to try and find out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
Question Two: When you change back, do you keep any "third Pokémon" unlocks that you've found, or do you have to be online with them again?Quote:
Originally Posted by Agent ProtoI've just gave this a shot to see if there is any difference. I wasn't sure what to expect but it surprised me a bit. For one, when you insert your game into another 3DS, your game will instantly recognize this and make changes on the PSS accordingly. For one, your list of Friends will change to that over to the Friend List on the 3DS you now use, this is true for the FZS as well. So, to put it bluntly, yes it does. You will see a message that says "The Nintendo 3DS has been changed! Updating Friends status."Quote:
Originally Posted by EndlessNot sure. If you have friends in common between both consoles, those won't change for sure. You'll have to try and find out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
You don't lose anything if you change back.
You can never see your own FSZ, and what FSZ you have is tied to your 3DS friend code. Switch 3DS and your code will change, so your FSZ that people see will change, but the ones you see will never change. And the opposite is also true, if you play both X and Y on the same DS your FSZ won't change.
And as far as FSZ Vivillons go, the Vivillon that shows up is based on YOUR region, not their's. I know this because I have a friend from Singapore, and all I see is Polar (Eastern Canada/USA, Norway, Sweden).
For some reason I ALWAYS forget you're not English, Tas. xD
I know playing two on the same machine won't change. But I really don't know about playing one on multiple machines. You're saying that I won't lose any Friend Safaris that I've already acquired, even if I go to a 3DS that doesn't have those Friends? Does this mean that you could theoretically acquire more than the 100 possible Friend Codes by simply changing to another machine and adding more? Or, for that matter, would wiping a Friend delete their Friend Safari information? That seems way too open for manipulation/exploitation, so I think it has to be tied to the 3DS's Friend's List.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tasura
It seems you're right. I thought, since I had only ever seen a Meadow Pattern (from Viola), that Meadow was my Pattern. Turns out that I'm actually a Modern Pattern area guy. Just evolved a Spewpa to be sure.Quote:
And as far as FSZ Vivillons go, the Vivillon that shows up is based on YOUR region, not their's. I know this because I have a friend from Singapore, and all I see is Polar (Eastern Canada/USA, Norway, Sweden).
So Viola uses one you can't catch yourself. That's rather mean.
I'm not even British my heritage xD.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jinx
I meant, as long as you have those same friends on both 3DS' you'd have access to the same FSZ, but if your second or third 3DS didn't have those friends, you'd lose access to them. I think at the point of my reply I was rather tired or had just woken up so I hadn't understood the entirety of what you were asking. And the NPCs in game use the Meadow pattern because it's one of the 2 Japanese patterns.Quote:
Originally Posted by SkybladeI know playing two on the same machine won't change. But I really don't know about playing one on multiple machines. You're saying that I won't lose any Friend Safaris that I've already acquired, even if I go to a 3DS that doesn't have those Friends? Does this mean that you could theoretically acquire more than the 100 possible Friend Codes by simply changing to another machine and adding more? Or, for that matter, would wiping a Friend delete their Friend Safari information? That seems way too open for manipulation/exploitation, so I think it has to be tied to the 3DS's Friend's List.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tasura
It seems you're right. I thought, since I had only ever seen a Meadow Pattern (from Viola), that Meadow was my Pattern. Turns out that I'm actually a Modern Pattern area guy. Just evolved a Spewpa to be sure.Quote:
And as far as FSZ Vivillons go, the Vivillon that shows up is based on YOUR region, not their's. I know this because I have a friend from Singapore, and all I see is Polar (Eastern Canada/USA, Norway, Sweden).
So Viola uses one you can't catch yourself. That's rather mean.
After messing around with breeding and trying to construct my first "perfect" team, I have found myself with a couple leftovers that are near-perfect. If anyone wants one of them, PM me and let me know which one.
(SPOILER)
Note: I don't put much importance in Luxury Balls so none of the listed Pokemon are in them. Sorry!
Gible (with Outrage):
5 IV / Jolly / Sand Veil
- 31/31/31/x/31/31
- 31/31/31/31/x/31
- x/31/31/31/31/31
- 31/31/x/31/31/31
- 31/x/31/31/31/31
- x/31/31/31/31/31
- 31/31/31/31/31/x
5 IV / Docile / Rough Skin (31/31/x/31/31/31)
5 IV / Relaxed / Sand Veil (31/31/x/31/31/31)
5 IV / Impish / Sand Veil (31/31/31/x/31/31)
5 IV / Jolly / Rough Skin (x/31/31/31/31/31)
Eevee:
5 IV / Adamant/ Anticipation
- x/31/31/31/31/31 (2)
- 31/31/31/31/31/x (2)
- 31/31/31/31/x/31
5 IV / Modest / Adaptability (31/31/x/31/31/31)
5 IV / Adamant / Adaptability or Run Away)
- 31/31/x/31/31/31 (Run Away)
- 31/31/31/31/31/x (Adaptability)
- 31/31/31/x/31/31 (Run Away)
- 31/x/31/31/31/31 (Run Away)
- 31/31/31/31/x/31 (Run Away) (2)
Honedge:
5 IV / Brave / No Guard
- x/31/31/31/31/31 (4)
Also several 4 IVs with various natures (most with their respective ideal nature) and HAs.
Not necessary to obtain one of the above, but I'm looking for the following with 4-5 IVs:
Scyther (Jolly w/Technician), Lucario (Adamant w/Inner Focus), Chespin (Impish w/Bulletproof), Fennekin (Timid or Modest w/Magician), Kangaskhan (Jolly w/Scrappy), Charmander (Timid w/ Blaze), Pawniard (Adamant w/ Defiant), Ralts (Female, Timid w/ Trace), Ferroseed (Relaxed), Ghastly (Timid)
Added some friend codes and had some battles during a Touhou meetup last weekend. So I got myself a couple of Y exclusive pokemons, safari only pokemons and made a few back and forth trades for evolutions.
Trevenant is seriously one of my favs of this generation. My Harvest-wall set makes very little use of Trevenant's highest base stat (attack), yet it has proven to work wonders in every battle I've had with it so far. It, along with my Mega Mawile, took out a whole team alone in a wi-fi double battle against some random opponent who even used Xeneras and Mega Mewtwo.
And then, against more experienced players at the meetup, it would almost always bring down two pokemons with it, or take out one and greatly cripple another in every battle. Even in the worst match it had, it at least managed to prevent the rest of the team from getting swept by burning and leech seeding a 2x Dragon Dance Mega Gyarados.
I also love Mega Mawile more than ever now. It's a beast. It destroys things. And it actually survives quite a lot too with its great typing and defenses.
Late reply to this, but I already got myself a Pupitar now, as well as most other pokemons that I might be needing for my final team(s).Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
If not, then I have some for trade now. I do believe they are all in Luxury Balls too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
Dat Honedge. It'll totally replace my Aegislash.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunny
I have a 4 IVs female ralts (outstanding, alert to sounds, HP/SPA/SDEF/SPD) with Trace and Timid. When I trade you, I'll be able to tell its exact stats. Catch me in #pokemon if you want to trade.Quote:
Not necessary to obtain one of the above, but I'm looking for the following with 4-5 IVs:
Scyther (Jolly w/Technician), Lucario (Adamant w/Inner Focus), Chespin (Impish w/Bulletproof), Fennekin (Timid or Modest w/Magician), Kangaskhan (Jolly w/Scrappy), Charmander (Timid w/ Blaze), Pawniard (Adamant w/ Defiant), Ralts (Female, Timid w/ Trace), Ferroseed (Relaxed), Ghastly (Timid)
[/spoiler]
Do IVs make a huge difference or is it just a couple points in stats?
As far as I know, each point in IV is equal to 1 point in the stat. So 31 Atk IV = +31 in the Attack stat.
That is significant. How do you tell which IVs it has?
The guy by the door to the changing room in the Kiloude City pokecenter will tell you the quality of your pokemon (if its IV total is low/medium/high/very high) as well as its best or abysmal stats. An IV of 31 will be announced as its "best" and that it "can't be beaten". For a 0, he'll tell you "how can you do/survive with a stat like ...?".Quote:
Originally Posted by Del Murder
Couple that with a calculator and you can get a good grasp on the IV distribution of your pokemon.
Yeah, each IV translates into a whole stat point at level 100.
When using a calculator (in case you don't feel you have to go full 31 in all the stats for each and want the specific numbers), you should either have your pokemon participate in a battle where their level is automatically set to 50, and check their stats at summary during the battle, or you should take advantage of rare candies to level up, check stats, then reset in order to calculate more specific IVs.
If you level up against lots of pokemons, you will get EVs, which might make it harder to calculate the right IVs.
Interesting thing I've heard on Smogon: If someone unfriends you, you do not lose access to their Friend Zone, they only lose access to yours. This is because Unfriending someone only removes them from your system, it doesn't affect their system, or their system's list.
If this is true (I'm going to test it tomorrow with my second system), it opens up a massive exploit that I intend to take full advantage of.
I am going to speed run through the rest of Pokémon Y, and save when I get to Kiloude city, opening up the Friend Safari.
Then I'm going to pop out my game, and unfriend my 3DS. Then, I'll reformat my 3DS XL, which creates a new Friend Code and Friend Safari.
Then I pop my Pokémon Y back in, and friend my 3DS again. Ta da, new Friend Safari accessible. Rinse and repeat. It will be slow, probably taking a full day, if not longer, to get access to all the Safaris I need to get access to every FSZ Pokémon, but I think I am going to do it. When I do, I'll alert you all ahead of time, and anyone who is interested can also participate. Just let me know if you only want to be alerted to specific Pokémon or zone types, as there are liable to be a lot of duplicates as I go through them all.
Edit: It does seem to work. The only change from being unfriended is that you can no longer see when they are online. You can still access their Friend Safari.
There's a flaw in your plan - the pokemon in the FSZ are taken from a list, and each spot has its own list. Unless you beat the e4 before reformatting, you're not going to have access to everything there is.
I only have to reformat the system, not restart the game. When I put Pokemon Y back in, I would have already beaten the Elite Four, so it should unlock automatically. The save files are tied to the cartridge, I believe.Quote:
Originally Posted by WildRaubtier
Edit: Perhaps it would be different if I had the downloadable version. I don't know that I could copy off the save files, given how much Nintendo hates giving people a second save file on Pokémon games. But with the cartridge, it shouldn't be a problem.
Also, worth pointing out, if you don't unlock all three Pokémon by defeating the Elite Four, you also lose out on Hidden Abilities, as they don't unlock until the third Pokémon unlocks.
Somehow I've spent close to 50 hours on the game, and I've only just beaten the Lumiose City gym. There's a lot more grinding than I expected there'd be. They really make you work to fill up your pokedex.
What is up with people in the GTS? Every time I search for anything like a level 1 male Ralts, most people are asking for a Xerneas or Yvetal or Mewtwo in exchange. Does that ever pan out for them?
The most generous trades I've made were probably my Shedinja or Sylveon for some pretty basic level 1 stuff that I was missing, like a Gastly. But who is going to trade legendary pokemon just to fill out stuff that they could easily catch?
I found that odd too, but I was able to score some good GTS trades from people requesting things more reasonable.
Good find, and let me know when you get a ditto FSZ, since it's the one I can give to everyone but can't use myself >.>
Edit: the reason you see so many absurd GTS requests is because reasonable ones don't stay up long, they get accepted and only the stupid ones stay.
I'm considering resetting my game and starting over. :)
I'm not saying I only see stupid requests. But I'm surprised how many there are. At any given point, they seem to make up at least 75% of total requests.Quote:
Originally Posted by Endless
Well, good ones don't last long at all. With the number of players as high as it is, reasonable requests rarely last more than two minutes.Quote:
Originally Posted by commaI'm not saying I only see stupid requests. But I'm surprised how many there are. At any given point, they seem to make up at least 75% of total requests.Quote:
Originally Posted by Endless
Also, I'm not sure if you can cancel a request once it's up (haven't tried). Otherwise why else would so many people keep up requests for Jirachi and other Pokémon which aren't even in game?
There's also the problem that the GTS isn't particular enough. Let's say that I have a Squirtle with it's Hidden Ability which knows Aura Sphere and Dragon Pulse (two great Egg Moves that work with Mega-Blastoise's Mega Launcher ability). I've also bred it for perfect nature and perfect or near-perfect IVs.
What can I ask for that Squirtle? A Pokémon of a particular gender. I can't make demands about Moves, IVs, Ability, Nationality, or anything else. So I put it up for a female Eevee, and add a note asking for a Japanese one with its Hidden Ability, Anticipation. It's gone in thirty seconds to a random caught one with junk IVs and Run Away. Asking for a Legendary is pretty much the only thing the system allows to ensure you get some value for your trade.
Then too, the person who is picking up the Pokémon can't see nearly the details they need to. They can't check Nature, they can't check IVs (can't even check stats, which would be a start, even if EVs and low level Pokémon would mess it up), they can't check Ability, and, if they're as obsessive as I am, they can't check which ball it was caught in. You have to trust the note the person added and hope that they are telling the truth.
They really need an "Advanced" GTS that give people some more options.
Of course you can cancel a request once it's up, just as long as nobody has accepted.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
And if someone has accepted it, there isn't even a chance to take it off to see that it can't be done, because once accepted the next time you load the GTS the trade automatically happens, or if you're still on the GTS after depositing your Pokemon and it gets accepted (Which has happened to me before, Dittos go like crazy), when you go to check the summary of the deposited Pokemon the trade happens.Quote:
Originally Posted by Agent Proto
I've also thought about this, but I dunno if I can do it without crying. xDQuote:
Originally Posted by Jinx
I think it works fine for what it is. Okay, you can't trade perfectly bred pokemon, but most people aren't into breeding the perfect pokemon, so it's not something that particularly matters. My assumption is that if you've taken the time to breed a perfect pokemon, you can find someone who wants it on your friends list instead of asking for total strangers to trade you something worthwhile.
Nerds, just wait until the Pokebank extension comes out, that way you can at least keep your favourites.
In other news, I finally finished farming all the berries that fall from trees in battle. I am willing to spare anyone else the trouble.
With a question like "What are IVs", I figured it couldn't hurt to go ahead and write up this post.
What makes a Good Pokémon?
Pretty much every species of Pokémon has its utility, and has a niche somewhere that makes it useful, or at least usable, somewhere in the game. However, there are certain features of individual Pokémon which may change how strong or usable they are compared to others of their own species. Understanding these strengths, how to manipulate them, and knowing what to get out of them, is what helps to make a real Trainer.
-Stats-
Perhaps obviously, one of the cores of a Pokémon's strength is their numeric statistics. Every Pokémon has six stats, and these stats determine how well they perform in various circumstances. Each Pokémon, however, has three unique modifiers which determine their stats within the available range for their species.
Before we discuss these modifiers, though, it might help to define a term that will come in handy when discussing the strengths and weaknesses of an individual Pokémon: Base Stats.
-Base Stats-
Base Stats are, put simply, the base statistic that the game uses to determine what a Pokémon's stats are at each level. The actual formula is complicated and relatively unimportant, but it does lead us to a fairly simple, and incredibly useful, way to assess a Pokémon's stats. First, we assume that all other modifiers are inconsequential. This is for a Pokémon with zero for all of its Individual Values, no Effort Values, and a Neutral Nature.
The HP of a Pokémon at level 100 is equal to the Pokémon's Base HP, multiplied by two, plus 110.
The value of any other stat for a Pokémon at level 100 is equal to the Base HP, multiplied by two, plus 5.
Why is this helpful? Because it lets us ignore all the modifiers I told you about a minute ago, and assess a Pokémon at its core, going by just the most basic system the game has. This cuts out the very odd stats you usually wind up with (like 359 in Special Attack after all modifiers), and focus on just what makes the Pokémon tick.
The first statistical modifiers are Individual Values. Individual Values are a system originally introduced to ensure that each individual Pokémon is different, even if slightly. Each stat has its own Individual Value, and these values range from zero, to thirty one. At level 100, a single Individual Value point is worth a single stat point, so a Pokémon with a "perfect" 31 IV in a stat will receive an extra 31 points in that stat, on top of the regular base total of its species.
The statistical modifiers are Effort Values. Effort Values were introduced to the series to help ensure that a Player's Pokémon would be more powerful than a Pokémon in the wild. They represent the Effort that a Trainer puts into training their Pokémon in battle. Unlike IVs, however, Effort Values are not a 1 for 1 trade. Instead, 4 Effort Values will boost a stat by 1 point at level 100. A single Pokémon can have 510 Effort Values distributed among its stats. However, no particular stat can have more than 252 Effort Values in it. These means that a Pokémon has 127 points that can be distributed among its stats (it's actually 127.5, but the 0.5 rounds down, so 2 EVs are wasted), and can add a maximum of 63 points to any particular stat.
The third and final statistical modifier is Nature. Nature can modify every statistic except HP. A Nature will adjust one stat upward by 10%, and adjust another stat downward by 10%. Every combination of the 5 remaining stats (Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed) is represented by a Nature, leading to a total of 25 (or 5 squared) different Natures. Please note that this also includes 5 Natures which boost the same stat which they decrease, making those 5 Natures cancel themselves out and result in a Neutral Nature.
On important detail to note about Natures, is that they are calculated after both EVs and IVs have been added. So if you max EVs in a stat boosted by a beneficial Nature, you will get an extra 69 points added to your total, rather than the 63 it would be otherwise, or the 57 it would be on a detrimental Nature.
Now that you know about the modifiers that affect a Pokémon's stats, let's talk about how to manipulate them.
-Effort Values-
Effort Values are the most easily manipulated, as they are dynamic and change on a single Pokémon. Also, for the first time in the series, Game Freak has allowed us to track them directly through the use of the Super Training interface. Super Training is also a great way to train EVs onto a Pokémon.
Without Super Training, however, a Pokémon will still gain EVs, as EVs can be acquired through battling. Any Pokémon that you defeat, either through making it faint or capturing it, yields particular EVs to all Pokémon which receive Exp. Points from fighting it. The EVs yielded range from 1 to 3, and are usually (but not always) in a single stat. What EVs you acquire depend on what Pokémon you defeated in the battle.
It is also possible to boost your EVs from battle. The Macho Brace item doubles all EVs obtained from battles. The Pokérus “virus” does the same, and is well worth trading for if you can find someone with it (not that hard with the new GTS). These two also work together, so getting both will yield four times the usual EVs.
There are also other items that boost EV acquisition. These items are called the Power Weight, Power Bracer, Power Belt, Power Lens, Power Band, and Power Anklet. They are available as prizes from the Battle Maison, and each gives an additional 4 EVs in HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed, respectively. The EVs that these items give are also doubled by the effect of the Pokérus.
Since these items only affect EVs acquired through battle, they make battles a more efficient system for boosting EVs than Super Training, once you unlock them. By combining the EV boosting Power Items with the Pokérus, you can get an incredibly large amount of EVs in a single battle by participating in Horde Battles. Check the EV yield of the Pokémon in Hordes in the area, and put on a Power Item (even if the Pokémon is in the party and getting experience through the Exp. Share, it will still work). You will get EVs for every Pokémon you defeat, including the additional EVs from the item.
-Individual Values-
Individual Values are somewhat more difficult to manipulate. Unlike Effort Values, which are dynamic on a particular Pokémon, Individual Values are fixed when a Pokémon is generated. As such, in order to manipulate them, you need to change how the Pokémon is generated.
With the code locked up and very little time spent experimenting, hacking and RNG manipulation methods are both currently unavailable. However, the game has left us even more tools for the primary method of manipulating how a Pokémon is generated: Breeding.
Under normal circumstances, when you breed two Pokémon, the baby will inherit the IVs for three of its stats from its parents. It can take any three stats, and the IVs it can inherit can be chosen from either parent. By itself, this isn't too helpful, as it will take a large number of eggs to inherit the best IVs, and there are still three IVs that will be randomly generated. However, there are items that can make this process much easier.
The first are the EV enhancing items that I mentioned in the last section. If one of the parents holds one of the Power items when it breeds, its child is guaranteed to receive the corresponding stat's IV from that parent. This allows you to guarantee the transferal of a particular IV. However, only one of the parents can use these items (if both hold them, even if they are items from different stats, instead of being guaranteed to pass on both IVs, it's a 50/50 chance to pass on either of them), which means that these are not the most efficient item to use.
The best item for IV manipulation is the Destiny Knot. Either parent holding a Destiny Knot during breeding will ensure that the child will inherit the IVs for five stats from either parent. While you still might not inherit a particular one, or you may inherit them from the wrong parent, it nevertheless means you will have far fewer eggs to go through before getting ones with the results that you wanted. Also, please note that one parent holding a Power Item to guarantee it passes a particular stat will deactivate a Destiny Knot being held by the other parent, and will result in only three stats being passed.
Of course, inheriting good IVs through breeding will require having parents with high IVs to begin with. Fortunately, the game has assisted us there as well. The Pokémon caught in the Friend Safari will always have an IV of 31 (the maximum possible) in at least two stats, making it much easier to acquire good IVs to pass on to Pokémon you are breeding. Further, any Pokémon which are among the unbreedable "baby" Pokémon, such as Riolu, Chingling, or Mime Jr., will always have at least three stats with maximum IVs, which will carry over when they evolve into their breedable adult forms.
-Nature-
Nature is also fixed at the point of time the Pokémon is generated. However, it is far easier to manipulate than the IVs of a Pokémon, no matter how you choose to generate it.
If you are hunting Pokémon in the wild, you can help determine which Nature Pokémon that you encounter will be. If your lead Pokémon has "Synchronize" as its Ability, then 50% of the Pokémon that you encounter will have the same Nature as the lead Pokémon. This includes any Legendaries that are encountered.
If you are breeding to acquire new Pokémon, either parent can pass on their Nature to the baby by holding an Everstone (if both parents hold one, the baby will randomly pick either parent's Nature to inherit).
-Moves-
Of course, those stats don't do a lot if your Pokémon doesn't have some good moves to use with them.
As you know, every Pokémon has moves that it can learn while leveling up. Most Pokémon can also learn moves via TM, further increasing their pool of available moves to take into combat.
However, there are a few special moves that can only be learned through slightly irregular means.
The first of these which are moves which are restricted to a pre-evolution. For example, Riolu can learn Nasty Plot by leveling up. Lucario, it's evolution, cannot. However, if a Riolu with Nasty Plot evolves into Lucario, you will have a Lucario which knows Nasty Plot.
The second set of specialty moves are what are called "Egg Moves". These are moves which are available to a Pokémon species by breeding. Normally, parents pass down moves that the baby can learn that the parents know (with some complicated and honestly, rather unimportant restrictions). So if you are breeding a male Lucario with Extremespeed with a female Farfetch'd that knows Tackle, the baby Farfetch'd will only know Tackle, since Farfetch'd cannot learn Extremespeed (unfortunately).
However, let's take this same situation, only this time, we'll breed a male Lucario with Quick Attack with a female Farfetch'd with Tackle. Farfetch'd can learn Quick Attack either, so you'll have another baby Farfetch'd with just Tackle, right? Well, you would, except that Quick Attack is one of Farfetch'd's (man, that's an awkward possessive) Egg Moves. As such, the baby Farfetch'd will know Quick Attack and Tackle.
Now, let's say that you've obtained a Smeargle (used for the example because it can learn any move, though you can do this with any Pokémon that can learn the correct moves) with 4 Egg Moves for Farfetch'd on it. We'll use Revenge, Night Slash, Leaf Blade, and Roost for this example, which are all Egg Moves for Farfetch'd (despite a crappy stat total, Farfetch'd has a pretty large movelist). If you bred this Smeargle with your Farfetch'd that knows Tackle, you'd expect a baby that knows Tackle, and three of the Egg Moves, right? Nope, wrong again. Egg Moves take priority over regular moves that the baby can learn, so that baby (and any others bred from this pairing) would know all four of the Egg Moves.
Now, let's take that new baby, which we'll say turned out female, and breed it with a new Smeargle. This Smeargle knows Covet, Steel Wing, Featherdance, and Trump Card (more Egg Moves for Farfetch'd!). What happens if you breed it with your Farfetch'd that already knows 4 Egg Moves? Well, I haven't tested myself, but some people on Smogon have said that the baby will know four of the moves, but the other four will still be available to the Pokémon. How, you might ask? Well, in this generation, Egg Moves can be restored to a Pokémon via the Move Reminder, in exchange for a Heart Scale. Thus, even if you forget one, you can learn it again (that I have tested), and, supposedly, if you have bred more than four onto a Pokémon through breeding, you can restore the ones which it can't carry due to the move slot limit.
The worst part about Egg Moves is that the lists are unique to each Pokémon, so you have to either look them up, or experiment a ton. And some moves require breeding egg moves across a chain of Pokémon in order to teach the move to a Pokémon that you can breed with your target.
-Ability-
That's right, we can't forget about Abilities, can we?
Every Pokémon has at least one ability. Some don't have any more than that (Flygon, for example, will always have Levitate). But most have at least one alternate. Like IVs, which Ability a Pokémon has will be fixed at the time it is created.
For a Pokémon with two standard Abilities, it has an equal chance to get either of the two when it is generated.
As the use of the word "standard" in my last sentence may have clued you in, some Pokémon have Hidden Abilities. These Abilities are only accessible through unique means. In Pokémon X and Y, they're available rarely in Horde battles, or occasionally from Pokémon who are found in the Friend Safari (as long as your Friend has all three of their FSZ Pokémon unlocked).
How to manipulate Abilities? Well, there aren't as many options for that. Breeding is pretty much the only way. A female Pokémon has a 60% chance to pass on the Ability it is carrying to its offspring. Or a male Pokémon has the same 60% chance when it is breeding with Ditto.
If the current Ability is not passed on, the offspring Pokémon will get the basic Ability of its species. If the species has two basic abilities, it will have an even chance of getting either of them. So, when passing down Abilities, the breakdown goes like this:
Parent's Ability: 60%
Ability 1: 20%
Ability 2: 20%
Note then that if you are passing down a basic Ability, the chance becomes essentially 80%.
So, now that you know what makes up a Pokémon, and how to manipulate those components, it's time to determine what makes a good Pokémon.
This is where things get fun, but things can also get complicated, due to how things play off against each other and how many different features there are. So, I thought I'd take you through how I built the most recent addition to my team, my Mega-Absol. I chose Mega-Absol because I've always been an Absol fan (it looks so cool!), and I like it's Mega-Evolution. That's really all I need to justify using it. It's just up to me to make it good.
Absol
Ok, so the first way I start out is by assessing the Pokémon's Base Stats. It's a great way to get an overview of what the Pokémon is designed to do, and can help get a view in mind for how it will work.
-Stats-
Absol's Base Stats:
HP: 65
Attack: 130
Defense: 60
Special Attack: 75
Special Defense: 60
Speed: 75
From this, we can see that Absol excels in physical attacks... And that's about it. To give you a view of how these stats fare up against other Pokémon, Absol has the highest Base Attack stat of any non-Legendary, single-evolution Pokémon, and put it in the top 45 list, and that list includes Legendaries and Mega Evolutions.
It's other stats are rather lackluster, though. In terms of Speed, there are a ton of commonly used threats that run 90 to 100, including fully evolved starters and a lot of fighting types (which capitalize on Absol's Fighting Weakness), like Lucario, Primeape, Hitmonlee, Sawk, Toxicroak, and Heracross, just to name a few.
One a Pokémon with more bulk, this would be ok. But Absol, unfortunately, lacks such bulk, as 60 Base in each Defense is fairly sad, putting you at the same defense level as a lot of Not Fully Evolved Pokémon like Ivysaur and Axew.
Before we get too far into analyzing these stats, though, we need to remember that this particular Absol is being planned to be turned into a Mega-Absol. So let's take a moment and look over the base stats of Mega-Absol.
Mega-Absol:
HP: 65
Attack: 150
Defense: 65
Special Attack: 115
Special Defense: 65
Speed: 115
Now, let's look at what changed. It's Attack received a great boost, and it now has an Attack stat that's only bested by 13 Pokémon (including 4 Legendaries).
More importantly, perhaps, it received an even bigger boost to its Speed stat, allowing it to outrun all those Base 100s I told you about, and even the Base 110 Speed Tier, which is pretty dang fast.
Its bulk was unfortunately not buffed, but it might be worth noting that it received a fairly massive buff to its Special Attack as well.
Now that I've scoped out its stats, it's time to take a look at its move pool.
-Moves-
This is a little harder to demonstrate, as most Pokémon have really large move pools to choose from. These large move pools can also be distracting or confusing, as they may indicate play styles that aren't really viable on the Pokémon in question.
For example, Absol learns several moves naturally by leveling up that aren't really usable by it, including Perish Song, Taunt, Razor Wind, and Future Sight. Absol just doesn't have the bulk for two turn attacks (especially ones which don't grant near invulnerability the way Dig or Fly do), or to stall out opponents for the duration of Perish Song, let alone surviving a Pokémon Taunted into just attacking.
However, it does have a solid move pool to choose from which it can use well, including:
Swords Dance, Quick Attack, Night Slash, Sucker Punch, Psycho Cut, Pursuit, Thief, Return, Shadow Claw, Payback, Retaliate, Stone Edge, X-Scissor, Rock Slide, Aerial Ace, and Rock Smash.
Oh, but lest I forget, it also had a great boost to Special Attack in Mega Form, which opens up the possibility of using some of its other moves really effectively, such as:
Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Blizzard, Ice Beam, Thunder, and Thunderbolt (he learns Shadow Ball and Dark Pulse too, but they aren't worth it with that massive Attack stat sitting there with great Physical moves for it).
This gives a clear indication that Absol can hit hard, and with the Mega-boost, it can hit fast as well. So, knowing what I want to do with it (build it into a sweeper, designed to tear through entire teams), I then take a look at its Egg Moves.
Yeah, you could look at these along with the standard move pool, but I find it better to wait until you know what you want to do with it, and then look for Egg Moves that augment that style of play. It's a rare Egg Move that shows me an entirely new way to play a Pokémon (though they do exist).
Assessing these separately also makes sense because they're harder to get, and should be judged carefully, lest you waste time breeding for them.
[b]-Egg Moves-
Absol's Egg Moves include:
Assurance, Baton Pass, Curse, Double-Edge, Feint Attack, Hex, Magic Coat, Mean Look, Megahorn, Play Rough, Punishment, and Zen Headbutt.
There's also a few there that Absol already learns through Leveling Up, which I don't bother to include.
Looking at the move list, you see a few that are still falling into the same trap as Perish Song. Absol just doesn't have the bulk to run Magic Coat or a stat decreasing move like Mean Look, and Punishment requires you to get hit to reach full power, and Absol doesn't like getting hit.
Double-Edge only hits slightly stronger than a full power Return. Assurance is mostly for Double Battles, so not really worth getting for my setup (which is designed for Singles). Megahorn is less accurate than X-Scissor (which I already have access to if I want Bug coverage). Zen Headbutt is similarly less accurate than Psycho Cut. Feint Attack never misses, but is inferior in power to both Sucker Punch and Night Slash. Hex requires a status ailment I don't want to waste turns or move slots inflicting, making it less damaging and reliable than Shadow Ball or Shadow Claw. And Curse cuts Absol's speed, as well as being slower to build up than Swords Dance. Even with a Defense boost, Absol just isn't that bulky.
So the usable Egg Moves on Absol appear to be Play Rough and Baton Pass.
Play Rough gives Absol Fairy coverage, which meshes beautifully with its natural Dark STAB. Only two Pokémon resist the combination of Dark and Fairy, and those are the Steel Fairy Pokémon, Klefki and Mawile.
Baton Pass can let Absol pass off its Swords Dance to another Pokémon if something pops up which I know can threaten it. And, since only two Pokémon resist the Dark/Fairy attack combination, I don't exactly need to run a third attack. It's also worth noting that Mega-Absol's ability, Magic Bounce, will let it avoid things like Intimidate or Screech, that might lower its stats, ensuring it gets its full boost to pass off to its target.
Fortunately, both Baton Pass and Play Rough are able to be picked up by breeding with Mawile, who learns both moves naturally.
So now I know that I want to breed Play Rough and Baton Pass onto my Absol. Thus, as I am ready to start breeding, it's time to think about what Nature and Ability I want my Absol to have.
-Nature-
Nature is usually fairly straightforward. For a sweeper like Absol, there are generally only four Natures worth looking at. These are Adamant, Modest, Jolly, and Timid. Both operate on the same principle: Lower the attack stat that your sweeper does not use (in this case, Absol's Special Attack), and boost either your main attack stat, or Speed.
Normally, I'd love an Adamant on my physical attackers (competitive players love Speed, but I don't play competitively, just Battle Maison and friendly duels, where that insane degree of min/maxing doesn't come into play). However, Absol is really powerful as it is, so moving first actually means a lot. He has the power to One-Hit-KO a lot of threats, especially after a Swords Dance, but keeping him alive with his weak defenses means making sure that most things won't move before him, so they can't hit him.
Thus, Jolly seems like the best bet. Unfortunately, it's not. Not quite. This is because, as I said, there are two Pokémon who can wall my Absol. Now, I could pass off to another Pokémon to continue the sweep, but Absol also carries two moves that absolutely destroy Mawile and Klefki: Flamethrower and Fire Blast.
Since Mega-Absol gets such a boost to Special Attack, they may be worth running as tertiary attacks instead of Baton Pass to let Mega-Absol punch through the only things that can resist it. It will also help against Pokémon like Scizor, who just has naturally high Physical Defense.
So I don't want to lower the Special Attack they were so nice to gift me with. This means that, to boost my Speed, I need to consider losing either Defense, or Special Defense. For Absol, this one is actually fairly easy. Despite its great Speed, there are still moves which can hurt it. These are Priority moves like Quick Attack. All but one Priority move is Physical, so investing in Physical defense is the better option. Plus, the only Special Priority attack is Vacuum Wave, which is Fighting type and will probably crush Absol anyway, if anyone ever used it. Which they don't.
So the Nature I am going to go for is Naďve, which boosts Speed, but lowers Special Defense.
So that's the Nature I want. Now to choose an Ability.
-Ability-
Absol's Abilities are:
Super Luck
Pressure
Justified (Hidden Ability)
This one actually doesn't matter that much. By going Mega, Absol will always get Magic Bounce. And there is really no reason to not Mega-Evolve Absol on the first turn it is out (plenty of reasons why it's a bad idea to not Mega-Evolve immediately, in fact). So you wouldn't even really have the Ability of base Absol for even one turn.
Choosing between the two normal ones is really easy. Absol still doesn't have the bulk to run a stalling set, so Pressure is worthless. Super Luck is far better, if you ever had a turn to attack in your base form.
However, there is a slight, very very VERY slight possibility to use one of Absol's Abilities. That Ability is Justified, Absol's Hidden Ability. If you can switch into a weak Dark attack, like a Thief, Feint Attack, or Bite, you will probably survive, since Absol resists it. And that would give you a free Attack boost before you Mega-Evolved. This is, however, dangerous, and relies on you to predict well (granted, much easier in the Battle Maison than against players, since you can lure out a Dark attack by sending out pretty much any Psychic type against an opponent that carries Dark attacks like Sandile). It's usually safer to get Absol in without suffering an attack if you can.
Still, that gives Justified the slight boost, even in a rare situation. And, fortunately, Absol is available in the Friend Safari.
Now we've settled on what we want Absol to have. Sure, there's still the possibility of switching out Baton Pass for Flamethrower/Fire Blast depending on how my team shapes up, and whether I have anyone else who can handle Klefki and Mawile easily, but that's unimportant right now. Instead, we start breeding.
Breeding
We'll start with breeding with Mawile. Mawile can immediately learn Play Rough with a Heart Scale, and learns Baton Pass at level 31 (it also learns Feint Attack at level 26, just if you want to pass an extra Egg Move in case you ever want to recall it with a Heart Scale later). So I take a level 31+ Mawile, and start breeding it with a female Naďve Absol I got from the Friend Safari (use a Synchronizer to help get the Nature you want).
I did not have access to Mawile in the Friend Safari when I did this, so I keep going until I preserve both of Absol's 31 IVs (the Judge in Kiloude City is wonderful for checking the IVs of new Pokémon). Then I breed Absol with other Friend Safari Absols to get more good IVs distributed. This is a long process, since even if each parent has 2 IVs at 31, the baby might not have any due to the evil that is RNG.
But, eventually, I have a Pokémon with 5 IVs at 31. Which stat did I drop? Well, the same one my Nature hurt, Special Defense, as it was the one I decided was least important to me. You could theoretically keep hatching until you got one that was hex-flawless, but I'm not going to bother with that.
With the breeding done, the only step left is Training.
-Training-
The first step is to EV train. Super Training is great for this, especially if you don't have the EV boosting items from the Battle Maison yet.
For my Absol, I'm going to go with 252 in Attack, to ensure it hits as hard as possible, 252 in Speed, to ensure it is as fast as possible, and the last 6 (only 4 of which matter) are going to give me a single extra point of Special Attack, just to boost my Special damage ever so slightly, if I decide to run Flamethrower.
Then it's just a matter of leveling Absol up to 100 (or simply at least 50, if he's doing the Battle Maison), and making sure he knows all the moves I want him to learn. And let's recap those briefly, since I never did come to a full conclusion about any except the Egg Moves.
Play Rough
Baton Pass/Flamethrower/Fire Blast
Swords Dance
Night Slash/Sucker Punch
That last one is the hard one of the set, at least to me. Sucker Punch is great, especially on Mega-Absol, since your opponent's only choice is to attack when status moves don't work (if the opponent is a human and smart enough to realize that, I haven't tested it in the Battle Maison yet). But it has lousy PP, and only 10 more Base Power than Night Slash. On the other hand, it is Priority, so it could hit faster Pokémon... In the end, I chose Night Slash, mostly because I wasn't sure how well the Battle Maison would work around Sucker Punch. But I could always change again with a Heart Scale at the Move Reminder.
So, there you go. How to manipulate the values that make up a Pokémon, and how to look for what you want out of a Pokémon, and how to bring that out. Hopefully this helped anyone who was looking to form their own team (because otherwise, why did I spend a week typing all that?). Even if you don't use or like my choices, maybe you can take the core principles to your own favorites.
Also, I now have a ton of Absol with Play Rough and Baton Pass (no Feint Attack, didn't think of it, sorry) and good IVs to get rid of. Who wants some?
Despite having 7 boxes full of WT Pokemon, I have yet to get one infected with Pokerus. Anyone have one they'd be willing to throw my way?
A Sableye with Prankster is one of the few pokemons that I'm still missing and would really love to have. :greenie:Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
Do you happen to have the anti-fire and/or anti-ground berries? And/or Lum Berries (still haven't found those)?Quote:
Originally Posted by WildRaubtier
I do have a few infected ones saved in one of my boxes, so I could give you one. Just set up a trade whenever you see me online or something. :greenie:Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunny
----------
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c344/AGAFURO/Mio7.pnghttp://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3.../Rider4b-1.png
"Ahhhhh! Finally done with my team!
Heck yeah! Ready to battle at any time"
"Tch. I still got a bit to go.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c344/AGAFURO/Mio4.pnghttp://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...O/Riderb-1.png
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ernkastel6.png
"Hah! You call that a team? You useless poken00b!
Like... do you even breed? Your team has five bloody
pokemons with Sword Dance and four steel types!
Your special defenses are weaker than paper! See,
this is why you always lose. Your barbaric strategies
consist of nothing but misreable attempts at freaking
Sword Dance sweeps. When the opponent puts a stop
to your setup attempts, your only countermeasure is to
pray that the opponent will miss and that you will crit a lot."
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...O/Riderb-1.pnghttp://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ernkastel3.png
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...FURO/mio2y.png
"Oh yeah? You're talking big for someone
who doesn't even HAVE a team yet."
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c344/AGAFURO/Mio4.pnghttp://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...O/Riderb-1.png
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ernkastel2.png
"It's not even possible for me to complete
my team yet. I need Whimsicott, who is
impossible to get until the pokebank opens."
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ernkastel1.png
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...FURO/Mio3b.pnghttp://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...URO/rider2.png
"You actually use Whimsicott?"
"That cute, fluffy, adorable thing?"
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...FURO/Mio3b.pnghttp://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...URO/rider2.png
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ernkastel5.png
"Adorable? You blind fools! Know you not that
Whimsicott is the pokemon equivalent to satan?
Whimsicott is the bringer of endless despair!
The subseed annoyer that will vanquish all
hope and bring you down the spiral of madness!
Just let me finish my Klefki, satan's new son, and
then I'll show you just why the Prankster ability
is a dark cruelty far beyond mortal grasp!"
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c344/AGAFURO/Mio4.pnghttp://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...O/Riderb-1.png
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ernkastel2.png
"No, seriously. Swords Dance all you want.
Those 'adorable' little things are going to
destroy both your team and your sanity."
Thanks a bunch!
I have those berries, yes. At the moment I'm just finishing up breeding for the pinch berries, then it's just the last two for making Amaze Mulch. And Starf/Lansat, but those don't count :I
I hope you like Shroomish.
I'm looking for a Gligar with immunity, female if you have that, and stats don't matter.
Also, if one of you has spare quad dittos from my FSZ, I could really use one (or two to have a good spread of IVs).
Shroomish is badass. Thanks for the berries! :greenie:Quote:
Originally Posted by WildRaubtier
I have a single Gligar with Immunity at the moment, but I plan to breed it soon. So if you haven't gotten any by the time I've started breeding Immunity Gligars, I can trade you one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Endless
As for dittos, I only have ones with 2-3 maxed IVs, since I was mainly looking for dittos with useful natures and I haven't been ditto hunting in your safari more than twice. But yeah... I could trade you a couple of 2-3 IV dittos.:greenie:
Also: holy crap, Imposter Ditto is so awesome. I won a Wi-Fi battle against a pretty good player, where my Ditto took out 5 of his 6 pokemons and left a massive dent in the last one. Imposter Ditto is the one single way to have a Mega evolution holding an actual item. And that can make it so ridiculous sometimes. <3
Just caught a male one in fact. I'll try to breed females from it, then it'll be another period of pain to find the right nature (impish) and breed it in. Then the slow process of IV breeding since I have no IV ditto.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ultima Shadow
A duo of threes should cover all the IVs. At any rate, I'm gonna start messaging other ditto fszers on smogon to see if one wants to trade codes so I can finally access one.Quote:
As for dittos, I only have ones with 2-3 maxed IVs, since I was mainly looking for dittos with useful natures and I haven't been ditto hunting in your safari more than twice. But yeah... I could trade you a couple of 2-3 IV dittos.:greenie
Edit: found someone with a ditto fsz, now I can go and catch them myself >.>
Ah, alrighty. Nice! :greenie:Quote:
Originally Posted by Endless
Also: 4 player battles are awesome.
I started my file over, choosing Chespin/Squirtle this time. And I got an Adamant Squirtle, lovely. (actually not lovely)
I'm using a bunch of different Pokemon that I didn't use in the last playthrough, and actually having Exp. Share on the whole time (I played through most of the game with it off last time). I'm just past Geosenge Town (first visit) and my current team is: Wartortle, Whirlipede, Amaura, Litleo, Golett, Sylveon (my recently-evolved Chesnaught is boxed so the rest can gain experience, since it's several levels higher)
I have a Wartortle Friend Safari (and a Greninja one too). I can pick you up a Modest via Synchronize if you want.Quote:
Originally Posted by Denmark
I have to say, I love the new mechanics in this game. This game has done more to decentralize my Pokémon team than any other game in the series (and it did so in a way that was far more fun than Black and White's "lol, no more Exp. for you"). The availability of so many Pokémon, the Exp. Share boosting team building, and the much easier breeding have made this game a blast to play through, and my teams have wound up spanning multiple boxes, just on a single play through the game.
That said, the endgame is extremely disappointing. I love the new breeding mechanics, and I'm actually enjoying breeding up Egg Moves and good IVs on tons of Pokémon, for one of the first times in the series. That said, there is nothing to use them on.
The ease with which you can breed, EV train, and level to 100 has really imposed on the games a necessity for level 100 content. The Battle Maison is nice, I guess, but mindless duels only take things so far. Platinum had the best endgame I can recall, and I'd like to use it to help define what I'd like to see in Pokémon Z (or whatever games we get going forward, I need a variable for the name, and X is taken):
-1- Gym Leader rematches. The Gym Leader bar was my single favorite location in all of Sinnoh. Having a place where you could not only rematch the Gym Leaders, but see them with real parties, was fantastic. Unfortunately, the Battle Chateau utterly fails at delivering this experience. For one thing, the Gym Leaders are few and far between, and we're mostly fighting random scrubs (who still talk to me like I'm a newbie even though I'm a Grand Duke). What's worse, the Gym Leaders only have two party members, the Elite Four only have three, and even the Champion only has four! That kind of ruins the entire purpose!
They need some way to filter out the lower level trainers as you increase in rank, as well as a way to get some truly high level opponents in there. Even with the Black Writ, you're only looking at 20 extra levels. While that may be okay for the Elite Four and Champion (if you're lucky enough to see them), it's pitiful on the Gym Leaders. I want a Writ that restricts entry to just the special opponents, and boosts their levels to 80 or 100. I'd also like to be able to face Serena/Calem, Tierno, Shauna, and Trevor there, again with full and buffed teams. While we're at it, throw in the Professors: Oak, Rowan, Juniper, Sycamore, Elm, Birch, Krane, and Burnet (we finally got to face Sycamore in this game, why only twice?). And the past Champions.
The atmosphere of the Platinum Leader Lounge was great. It felt like a hangout for the Elite, a place for them to unwind and take a break from their duties, and I'd love to see that expanded upon (and, with Lumiose City's café fixation, it should not have been hard).
-2- Post Game Story Spoiler More missions with Looker. The Looker missions are easily the best part of the story. They're better written, and more engaging, than anything we got in the pathetic main plot. They're also criminally short, and not nearly hard enough. I would love to see our characters, now with the codename and a friend with the International Police, to actually become a wandering crime-fighter, akin to how most of the Champions we've seen in the games actually behave (Lance and Cynthia being the first to who jump to mind).
For one thing, although it might be a bit repetitive after X/Y, let us hunt down the Team Flare scientists. I mean, did they ever get caught? No clue, apart from Xerosic. Let's also explore Malva's connection to Team Flare a bit more. I get the feeling that they deliberately left this stuff open for Pokémon Z, but that won't solve the problem of interesting post-game.
-3- More interesting battle types. I actually like Sky Battles, because they force me to run Pokémon types and quantities that I usually avoid (yeah, Tropius isn't the best Sky Battler with Fly, Rock Smash, Sweet Scent, and Flash). I'd love to see more of those. I'd also like to see a LOT more Inversion Battles. They're a brilliant mechanic, and I'd love to see them being much more common.
-4- New Game+. With Challenge Mode. B2/W2 gave us Challenge Mode to boost the game difficulty. But only after you beat the game, rendering it worthless. I would love to see Challenge Mode return, but tied together with New Game+. The longer the series goes on, the more the reasons to not have this feature fall apart. Pokémon, even event Pokémon and Legendaries, are extremely readily available via the GTS or even just regular play (and you can catch all but one of the Pseudo-Legendaries in tall grass in X/Y). You also have easy access to multiple starters through FSZ and GTS. So restricting us from getting multiples of certain Pokémon just doesn't really make sense. And giving us New Game+ would be brilliant for difficulty. You could make it adjustable, so we could face opponents of varying levels. But it would encourage us to run other teams, and make the game more interesting if you had a serious Challenge Mode run that could pose a threat to teams filled with level 100 Pokémon.
Also, I managed to get two Larvitar off Wonder Trade. One had Stealth Rock, Pursuit, Outrage, and Dragon Dance (pretty much the four best Egg Moves that Larvitar can get), and the other had Iron Head and Iron Tail. So I was able to do some testing with Egg Moves. Unfortunately, you still can't get more than four on a single Pokémon, the extras are just lost, and can't be recovered via Heart Scale. But I do now have several Larvitar with Stealth Rock, Pursuit, Outrage, and Dragon Dance, if anyone wants one. I'm breeding them up with the Pupitars I've gotten from the FSZ, so I have quite a few spitbacks in Luxury Balls.
I also have some Farfetch'd (Modest, unfortunately), Gastly, Riolu, and Absol (Absol has Play Rough and Baton Pass), if you want any of them.
RE: ABOVE
I foresee Essentia having a lot more depth in Z, yes.
The move relearner considers egg moves to be whatever 4 moves that pokemon had when it hatched - including moves it'd have anyway. I assume the father's moves take preference, but try tinkering with various combinations to see if there's any particular pattern that emerges.
------------
I'm actually after Zigzagoon that have the pickup ability, right now. I want 6 of them. From anyone here except Locky. :D
Yeah, I have to kind of agree with this. Prankster is really annoying. And, just to spoil you're fun, I'm going to reveal one of the more annoying (and easy to use) Klefki sets out there (in my opinion):Quote:
Originally Posted by Ultima Shadow
Item = Leftovers
Thunder Wave
Swagger
Foul Play
Spikes
This set is based around the first three moves. Thunder Wave paralyzes your foe, and Prankster makes it a Priority move. You then Swagger, sharply boosting your opponent's Attack, and confusing it. Oh, and it is also priority, which really helps ensure that Klefki gets the debilitating moves in before getting hit.
Once your opponent is hit by Paralysis and Confusion, you have some free time. The main strategy is to set up one level of Spikes (again, Spikes is priority), then use Foul Play. Foul Play works off the Attack stat (and Attack modifiers) of your opponent, so you'll be doing a lot higher damage thanks to the Swagger boost. You should wipe out the opponent before they're freed from Confusion (if not, Swagger again. That probably means you're facing a low-attack wall, so survival shouldn't be a problem). When the next opponent is switched in, repeat. Spikes can be set up to three times, and once maxed, it deals 25% damage to all non-flying, non-Levitating Pokémon who switch in.
You can also try to set up three layers first, and just be ready to re-Swagger if confusion breaks (a little bit more effective of a strategy, but riskier). This ensures that Klefki gets its long-term effects in early, as there are few Pokémon that can stop Klefki while under the effects of Para-Fusion. It's just a risk if they do carry an effective stopping tool (or are Electric, and therefore immune to Paralysis).
If you're facing a Physical Electric type, especially one who can carry Fire-based moves, Klefki is going to be pretty vulnerable, so consider switching early, and go back to it later. Otherwise, enjoy the Spikes damage and watching a keyring tear your opponents up with their own Attack stat.
Nope, not mine. It's just the one I've been considering adding to my team. It would get me a secondary hazard setter (currently leading with Tyranitar and Stealth Rocks), and I've seen just how effective it can be. But I'm usually more straightforward than that. However, I could follow Tyranitar with Klefki, since the keyring won't take Sandstorm damage. Between Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Sandstorm, that would be a great passive damage set.Quote:
Originally Posted by WildRaubtier
EDIT: Finally realized what you were asking. No, not at all. Personally, I loathe random chance strategies. Mostly because the RNG hates me. A lot. As in, I've seen Air Cutter miss thrice in a row. A 95% accuracy move. I hate running moves with unreliable accuracy (read = anything below 100%), or anything else that is left up to chance, because it means that the RNG will delight in tormenting me. This is actually the cause of one of my biggest disagreements with the competitive community (who would essentially never run Flamethrower if Fire Blast is available). Random chance hates me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ernkastel6.png
"That is, in fact, pretty much the same
set I'm using. Except I use Substitute
instead of spikes. Entry hazards can
be a pain, but having Klefki hidden
behind a Substitute whenever the
opponent actually manages to get
through the ParaFusion will make
them want to snap their 3DS in half."
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...FURO/mio2y.pnghttp://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ernkastel2.png
"Do you even have fun playing like that?
Don't you ever feel bad for what you put
other people through? What's the point?"
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ernkastel1.pnghttp://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...FURO/mio2y.png
"You do realize that I've done far worse things
than pissing people off in pokemon, right?"
"...lies! There can be no greater
crime than ruining my pokefun."
Pokemon Y will be on sale tomorrow at Toys R Us for $20. Go to their website, click weekly ad, then on the next page click the button for Friday- Saturday. If you print out the 4th page of that ad, both Walmart and Target will honor the price.
http://weeklyad.toysrus.com/ToysRUs/...tionViewMode=2
Edit: You have to enter a store location before the special ad will show up.
And, while doing my own searches, I noticed that Wal-Mart is apparently offering an exclusive unlock code with the purchase of either game. Pokémon X gets you Garchomp, Pokémon Y gets you Scizor. They are codes which unlock the Pokémon in-game, and can be redeemed over WiFi. So Pokémon has finally jumped on the vendor-exclusivity bandwagon. Pity.
i am etremely dissapointed with the Safari :l
i actually looked forward to it, only to find out that its just a freaking square with grass
and i got through the whole story/gymes/pokeleague with 2 fingers in my nose.. really.. becaus of that Exp.share it ruined the challenge since with other pokemon i catch only the 6 pokemon that i want.
unlike here i switched pokemon several times and still i went to the league with ± lvl 77 pokemon :l without extra training
I want Moon Stones. Lots and lots of Moon Stones. I want to evolve all my Pokies that need them. But I do not feel like farming that one Super Secret Special Training or whatever it's called.
Guess I just have to keep at it, though... :|
I have a few I'd be willing to trade you. I don't mind the Special Secret Super Training.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pike
I also have several 4 IV Adamant Technician Scythers sitting in my PC, and a few Metal Coats (been farming Metangs from the Friend Safari for them). If anyone wants a Scizor... Granted, if you want a 5 IV, you'd have to breed them a bit more, but HP, Atk, Spe, and either Defensive stat is still pretty good if you just want one quick. Egg Moves known: Baton Pass, Silver Wind, and Bug Buzz (Scizor usually doesn't actually use any Egg Moves, especially not Special Attack based ones, but I wanted Baton Pass as an option, and Ledyba/Ledian learns all three).
I also still have some high IV Larvitar, Gastly, Ralts, Farfetch'd, and Absol running around, and I'm getting to the point where I'm going to want to start clearing my PC boxes. So, if you want one, let me know, and we'll find a time to trade them over.
I'm still looking for Pokémon Y exclusives (especially Skrelp), but I am working Y up some, so I'll get those before too long. I'll also take a Timid, Adamant, or Jolly Synchronizer, a fully evolved Pokémon with Compound Eyes (I've been using Nincada for my item farming, but it loses Compound Eyes for Speed Boost when it evolves), or a female Snorlax in a Luxury Ball (not likely, I know).
Or anything you can spare. I'm getting rid of these guys anyway, so you don't exactly need to offer me a ton.
I don't mind the secret training, but the chances of getting a Moon Stone out of that one aren't as high as I'd like so it's all a big grind. Oh well. I'll nab 'em eventually.
You can also get moonstones with the Pickup ability at a medium to high level. The higher your level, the better your chance. Try breeding your starter and asking for a zigzagoon on the GTS for the 1.7x exp multiplier (+ 1.5x from a lucky egg, +1.2 from high affection in Amie, +?x from not evolving it as soon as you can.... et al).
---
I'm currently being incredibly ambitious and am going to try filling the entirety of my pokedex with each language's entries. I'm not trying too hard at the moment, not until Pokebank comes out and I buy a copy of X, but I'm still putting various mons aside and would appreciate if anyone gets any goodies off the WT for me!
My rules for what pokemon I want are pretty simple:
-Unevolved mons (Oddish, Quilfish, etc.);
-Mons that evolve via trading (Machamp, Scizor, Escavalier, etc.)
-Mons that evolve via stone, other than Leaf, Water and Fire (Raichu, Delcatty, etc.)
A list of what I have so far:
FREZigzagoon, Shelmet, Corphish, Conkeldurr, Geodude, Flabebe, Farfetch'd, Cloyster, Magikarp, Skrelp, Fletchling, Solrock
GERFoongus, Squirtle, Weedle, Poochyena, Quilfish, Dedenne, Aron, Gible
ITAEevee, Ralts, Litleo, Duskull, Riolu
JPNEevee (5/9), magnemite, ditto, oddish, shellder, staryu, sandshrew, bulbasaur, gastly, caterpie, cubine, magikarp, machop, lickitung, scyther, kabuto, venonat, slowpoke, alakazam, golem, abra, charmander, farfetch'd, houndour, mareep, smeargle, larvitar, sunkern, slugma, gligar, swinub, dunsparce, sneasel, huntail, relicanth, mawile, plusle, torkoal, torchic, anorith, lileep, wingull, shroomish, zigzagoon, electrike, ralts, meditite, kecleon, lotad, aron, volbeat, skorupi, cranidos, snowver, carnivine, gible, starly, mantyke, pachirisu, roggenrola, ferroseed, cryogonal, axew, golett, escavalier, emolga, accelgor, inkay, litleo, bergmite, dedenne, fletchling, pancham, gourgeist, noibat, chespin, froakie, tyrunt, goomy, amaura, honedge, skrelp, espurr, bunnelby
KORBudew, Charmander, Eevee, Machamp, Chatot
SPALillipup, Skitty, Weedle, Axew, Ducklett, Clauncher, Eevee, Durant, Zigzagoon, Onix
There is no bonus for not evolving it when you can. The only benefit to doing so is that you keep the learnset of the unevolved form.Quote:
Originally Posted by WildRaubtier
I don't even think there are any evolutions that change the Exp Curve of the Pokémon (since doing so could potentially shift the Pokémon's level upon leveling up).
There is a bonus for using a traded Pokémon, though. And it's quite possible that there is an additional bonus for using a Foreign one.
That is ambitious, but you'll have to get in line. :) I can supply you with a Metal Coat for your Onix, if you want.Quote:
I'm currently being incredibly ambitious and am going to try filling the entirety of my pokedex with each language's entries. I'm not trying too hard at the moment, not until Pokebank comes out and I buy a copy of X, but I'm still putting various mons aside and would appreciate if anyone gets any goodies off the WT for me!
My rules for what pokemon I want are pretty simple:
-Unevolved mons (Oddish, Quilfish, etc.);
-Mons that evolve via trading (Machamp, Scizor, Escavalier, etc.)
-Mons that evolve via stone, other than Leaf, Water and Fire (Raichu, Delcatty, etc.)
A list of what I have so far:
FREZigzagoon, Shelmet, Corphish, Conkeldurr, Geodude, Flabebe, Farfetch'd, Cloyster, Magikarp, Skrelp, Fletchling, Solrock
GERFoongus, Squirtle, Weedle, Poochyena, Quilfish, Dedenne, Aron, Gible
ITAEevee, Ralts, Litleo, Duskull, Riolu
JPNEevee (5/9), magnemite, ditto, oddish, shellder, staryu, sandshrew, bulbasaur, gastly, caterpie, cubine, magikarp, machop, lickitung, scyther, kabuto, venonat, slowpoke, alakazam, golem, abra, charmander, farfetch'd, houndour, mareep, smeargle, larvitar, sunkern, slugma, gligar, swinub, dunsparce, sneasel, huntail, relicanth, mawile, plusle, torkoal, torchic, anorith, lileep, wingull, shroomish, zigzagoon, electrike, ralts, meditite, kecleon, lotad, aron, volbeat, skorupi, cranidos, snowver, carnivine, gible, starly, mantyke, pachirisu, roggenrola, ferroseed, cryogonal, axew, golett, escavalier, emolga, accelgor, inkay, litleo, bergmite, dedenne, fletchling, pancham, gourgeist, noibat, chespin, froakie, tyrunt, goomy, amaura, honedge, skrelp, espurr, bunnelby
KORBudew, Charmander, Eevee, Machamp, Chatot
SPALillipup, Skitty, Weedle, Axew, Ducklett, Clauncher, Eevee, Durant, Zigzagoon, Onix
No one wants my spitbacks. :( I have so many lovely Pokémon I'll just have to release. Scizor is awesome, why would you guys not want a Scyther?
I already got Ralts and Larvitar (and full IV+EV Gardevoir and Tyranitar) and won't be needing Farfetch'd for any of the pokemons I plan to breed. But I could take an Absol.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
Also got perfect Scizor already. :greenie:
I'd take a Larvitar and Gastly but don't have much in the way of trade.Quote:
No one wants my spitbacks. :( I have so many lovely Pokémon I'll just have to release. Scizor is awesome, why would you guys not want a Scyther?
I took advantage of the Pokemon Y sale from Toys R Us and pricematched it at Target. Decided to use it to do a Wonder Run. My party is:
Rotom
Deino (Was Minun but it was level 29 so I decided to let it go)
Fletchinder (Was Lombre but was 39, same as above)
Gastly
Eevee (was Sigilyph but it was 19, let it go)
Froakie
The first gym leader was a walk in the park thanks to Rotom's Thunder Bolt.
You might be interested in this second section.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
I'm interested in a male larvitar, got a triple female with the nature I want already, so now it's all about getting a penta breeding mate, really.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
I can trade you spitback quad gligars with their hidden ability (but not in luxury balls >.>)
so far ive been finding it pretty boring after the pokeleague..
ive caught all the legendary pokemon (that do not wander around).
now my objective is to challenge the pokeleague with an eeveelution team and an Mega evolution team..
problably wont do either :l i need a story to play
There's a few things to do after the E4, upgrade your Mega Ring, collect Mega Stones, and do the Looker missions. If you haven't done that yet, that's at least an hour or two of work to do.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaibana
Honestly, I agree with you. The lackluster post-story is the worst thing about this game. While the Looker missions are good, and somewhat more difficult than the core, they're too easy, and far, far too short.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaibana
Even the main story, as dull and poorly written as it was (even for Pokémon), gave you enough engagement to get through it.
Getting my Pokémon into the Hall of Fame is pretty much the only goal left. Well, that and the Battle Maison, but that one is less compelling. You have to be at it way too long to get all the TMs and battle items. Plus, as you said, it lacks a story.
Honestly, if we get a Pokémon Z, I want GameFreak to do something truly unheard of, and just make us a new region to explore and work through a story with, using our current team. We will have Pokébank to transfer all the Pokémon from one game to another swiftly, and I really, really want a story that would be engaging and challenging for a team that has passed X and Y's endgame.
I know that they won't. But at least they could make it an option. Standard gameplay. Challenge Mode (with increased difficulty and more opposing Trainer Pokémon, á la Pokémon Black 2/White 2). Elite Mode, designed for a team that has already beaten the Elite Four. Pokémon Trainers carry Pokémon around level 60 to 70 to start with (my Rattata, it's in the top percentage of Rattatas!), and provide a challenge, that is roughly equivalent to the endgame challenges in X and Y. Heck, ideally, they'd even make some story changes there, as they discuss the new adventure that the Kalos Champion is going on. Nothing big would change, but some of the major characters (like Gym Leaders) would show up again and recognize you.
Currently I should be online the majority of Monday, and in the evenings on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
Gotcha. There's the thing. I was testing with Pokémon who don't level up via level. Scyther evolves based on trading, Riolu evolves based on friendship level, and Eevee evolves based on every mechanic they could think of.Quote:
Originally Posted by WildRaubtierYou might be interested in this second section.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
The only penta-perfect male I have to give you would have this breakdown: 31/31/31/31/31/0. So, yeah, Speed sucks. On the one hand, that can make it easy to see if the male is passing down Speed (and if you can find a way to get that Speed onto a Honedge, that's great for Aegislash, but that would be a long breeding chain, probably easier to catch one with 0 Speed).Quote:
Originally Posted by Endless
However, I also have a few quad-perfects, though. These include breakdowns of 31/x/31/31/31/x, 31/x/31/31/31/x, 31/x/31/x/31/31, 31/31/x/x/31/31, and x/31/31/31/31/x. Let me know which one interests you (the rest are female) and I'll set it aside. Also, let me know in advance what you'll be trading me, just so that I can make sure that I don't accidently trade the one you wanted to someone else. Or you could take an unhatched egg, if you really want, I have a couple of those.
Also, I seem to only have tri-perfects of Absol left, though you're still welcome to them (Attack and Speed are the most important stats for Absol, and I can give you an Atk/Def/Spe perfect Absol).
Finally, when I looked through my Gastly, I found that my best females were ones which I had used for breeding myself. So they are around level 29 (just from Daycare no EVs). I also have a couple of quad-perfect males, though. So just let me know what you want.
Again, I should be on most of tomorrow, and the latter half of Tuesday and Wednesday, so if you want one of these, find me online then!
I found the looker story more interesting thatn the main story, personally, I'm way more attached to the girl than to Sycamore or any of the other main story characters.Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyblade
Bah, I'm dumb, my right nature pupitar is only a double, not a triple. Anyway, what I'm looking for a is a careful or better, a sassy one, and at the moment I have a careful with two IVs, and two wrong nature males with triple ; low speed isn't an issue.Quote:
The only penta-perfect male I have to give you would have this breakdown: 31/31/31/31/31/0. So, yeah, Speed sucks. On the one hand, that can make it easy to see if the male is passing down Speed (and if you can find a way to get that Speed onto a Honedge, that's great for Aegislash, but that would be a long breeding chain, probably easier to catch one with 0 Speed).
However, I also have a few quad-perfects, though. These include breakdowns of 31/x/31/31/31/x, 31/x/31/31/31/x, 31/x/31/x/31/31, 31/31/x/x/31/31, and x/31/31/31/31/x. Let me know which one interests you (the rest are female) and I'll set it aside. Also, let me know in advance what you'll be trading me, just so that I can make sure that I don't accidently trade the one you wanted to someone else. Or you could take an unhatched egg, if you really want, I have a couple of those.
I won't be available most of monday, might have more chance tuesday or wednesday (in my evenings).Quote:
Again, I should be on most of tomorrow, and the latter half of Tuesday and Wednesday, so if you want one of these, find me online then!
so.. where can i find this Looker story?
edit: can some1 help me? for eevee to evolve in Sylveon (fairy) it required 2 hearts and an fairy move..
but the problem is that i cant teach eevee any fairy moves.. how do i do this?
Eevee learns Baby-Doll Eyes at level 9 and Charm at level 29, both of which are Fairy-type.
Eevee learns Baby-Doll Eyes at level 9, and if your Eevee i above 9, just got o the move relearner and relearn it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaibana
And as for the Looker Missions, you first need to upgrade your Mega Ring, you do this by going to Kiloude and winning 1 fight int he Maison, then going up the hill behind it and beating your rival, then doing what she/he tells you do, which if I remember, is going to talk to Sycamore near the giant sundial, after this is done your Meg aring will be upgraded, which lets you find the other non-story Mega Stones on the ground in certain locations at a certain time of day, and the next time you go to the main city you'll get a holocast from Looker which starts the missions.
I don't know why they decided to tie starting all the postgame content to a win in the Battle Maison. Especially with nothing in the game indicating the need to do that, nor with any indication after the win that anything has changed or that there is further content to explore.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tasura
Ok, thanks everyone ^^
i did notice i had 1 eevee with baby doll eyes, but i evolve it already into a Flareon.
i do want to get an Jolteon, but i dont have any stones anymore.. and when i search on the web i only find very difficult ways to get one
if anyone has a spare Thunderstone ur willing to give away, i would be forever gratefull (a)
to lvl 29 it is ^^
You can buy them in Lumiose City from the Stone Emporium. Just go up to the counter. I mean, sure, you can also find them in Secret Super Training, or a couple other ways, but I think the Stone Emporium is easier.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaibana
But if you can't find them there, just let me know and I'll trade you one.
It's only Water, Leaf and Fire that can be bought in the Stone Emporium, Thunder can't. However there are 2 Thunder Stones on the ground (one on Route 10, one on Route 11[Hidden]) and its possible to get one from your daily fight with Psychic Inver on Route 18.Quote:
Originally Posted by SkybladeYou can buy them in Lumiose City from the Stone Emporium. Just go up to the counter. I mean, sure, you can also find them in Secret Super Training, or a couple other ways, but I think the Stone Emporium is easier.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaibana
But if you can't find them there, just let me know and I'll trade you one.
ill first check those stones on the routes, i believe i have found 1 already, so there has to be another one.
ty skyblade :D ill let you know if i found one
the psychic inver is a bit of a long shot since the change of getting the exact stone that i need is 1/40? something like that
edit: ive found a thunderstone and now have a Jolteon ^^
i finaly have my dream team :P Flareon, jolteon, vaporeon, glaceon, sylveon and leafeon.. too bad you cant have 8
Whoops. I knew it was only three, and I thought they were Fire, Water, and Thunder (the Eevee stones). My bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tasura
I usually just get them from Secret Super Training anyway.
Also, Vivillon is the best butterfly in the game. Decent stats, an awesome move pool, and Compound Eyes. Sleep Powder (learnable with a Heart Scale as soon as it evolves to Vivillon) becomes 98% accurate. Hurricane (learned at level 50) becomes 91% accurate, even when it's not in the rain. And Vivillon learns Quiver Dance (level 45). Vivillon is one of the fastest reliable Sleep Inducers in the game, faster than every Spore user (the next fastest is Smeargle, which is slower by 14 base Speed points). Run a Timid Nature to help outspeed things, and hit opponents with Sleep Powder on the first turn. Then Quiver Dance up, and start spamming STAB Hurricane. Fill in with a coverage move of your choice (or Substitute, if you'd like a little safety for building up multiple Quiver Dances, since nothing is immune to Flying). Oh, and if you're playing in the Battle Maison, remember that the opponents almost never switch out before a KO, and there is nothing to keep you from spamming Quiver Dance over and over, or each time you KO an opponent by simply inducing Sleep again.
ooh man, i google-image'd Eeveelution and find so many fanmade other types, like steel, dragon, ghost etc.. <3
Why is Mawlie so hard to catch? Stop evading my poke balls damn you!
how in the hell does he remember that song? :D genius
i actually watched it all the wy to the end
Beheeyem needs more love. I can't even use on until Pokébank comes out.
My guess is that the piano has a lyric display, a line at a time, where sheet music usually sits. I've seen several with electronic displays like that. If so, then it is merely a matter of practicing enough to get the connections and be able to pull it from a quick reference, which isn't too hard.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaibana
Attachment 49090
Bite the pillow, I'm going in dry!
Holy balls do I like pokemon Y. Haven't got X because when I was looking at the line-ups I really, really wanted Skrelp. So far the game has been kind to me, rewarding me with a great team and allowing me to use super-training to sculpt the team I wanted. I never mess around with IVs 'cuz I'm not that guy.. but being able to custom-set EVs is an absolute godsend!
I like a lot of the new pokes introduced and a lot of the new moves, and I recall my friends and I all becoming hilariously uncomfortable whenever the move 'trick or treat' was used. "you just gave that pokemon ghost type... by taking it out for a night of spooky fun?" "Did you just kill it so you can make shadowball super effective?" "gourgiest 2spoopy4me" Originally I was apprehensive of a lot of new features like the exp. all 2.0 and the lollerskates, but both grew on me real fast. I'm one of those monsters who's team is a whole box you keep rotating in and out of use based on area, gym, feels, and position of the moon during the day, so having the option to power everyone up to such a huge degree really helped.
Also I went Chespin because ofthe pornmy love for grass types, and Chesnaught hasn't disappointed me yet.
On Thanksgiving I got the chance to play this. Played my lil cousin's profile and he was at the end so I just beat the Elite 4 and the champion. Even though I only played like the last hour of that game it didn't feel like it's worthy of a purchase. The combat didn't really feel any different from Emerald and the only new thing I noticed was the mega transformations.
hi..
my pokemon game wont connect to the internet.
it keeps talking about an update in the E-shop.
but when i go there i cant find anything, and when i update in the settings of the console it says its up to date...
does anyone know?
Seach E-Shop for "Pokémon X" (or Y). Under the list of things that pop up should be the full downloadable games, a ton of trailers, and the 1.2 updates. Select the 1.2 update, purchase it (for free), then download it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaibana
Something I stumbled across while browsing webcomics:
Dorkly has been collecting fan art of Pokémon fustions. More. Still more.
While some are definitely better than others, I'm really enjoying a lot of these pieces of artwork.
Attachment 49371
Crobat + Scizor. Because regular Scizor just isn't awesome enough, apparently.
Plus, Dorkly has been kind enough to include the sources, and on a couple of those, you can find pages and pages of the artist's other fusion works. What Pokémon fusion would you create?
that so cool, i love it when they draw out those fusion! <3
Who here is getting Pokémon Bank?
I wasn't really thinking of it before since it's not like I have any Pokies to transfer over (seeing as X&Y was my first since 3rd gen) but now I'm being tempted by the Celebi.
I know I'm going to be one of those people. The main reason is to finally have all the pokemon. So I'm going through all of the 4th and 5th Gen games to catch what isn't already in X/Y. Celebi is a great touch too. So is the fact that it's only $5 a year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pike
I know a few people who will, I'm one of them.
Take advantage of the free trial period: free Celebi and free bank in january ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Pike
The one huge downside of the bank is that items cannot be stored in it, which blocks all the exclusive megastones (and all the BP earned stuff too) from easily being transfered ; you'll have to rely on a friend for that.
This.Quote:
Originally Posted by NicolasI know I'm going to be one of those people. The main reason is to finally have all the pokemon. So I'm going through all of the 4th and 5th Gen games to catch what isn't already in X/Y. Celebi is a great touch too. So is the fact that it's only $5 a year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pike
I'm working on completing my Pokedex but since I haven't played D/P/P or B/W and have nothing to transfer I'm going through the trading route. I've been breeding Arons as currency and those things trade like hotcakes. :D
Arons probably have nothing on Shroomish. I was putting those up for quite literally anything other than legendaries a while ago and they'd still be gone 5 minutes later.
How about that PokeBank delay, huh.
I traded a nearly perfect Larvitar for a Feebas, then started breeding Feebas and traded Feebas for Cottenee, Misdreavus and Mudkip. Currently trying to figure out what other pokemons I feel I need.