That filler anime episode where they all go to the beach

My battle with the supreme guardian of the oceans was quite underwhelming, so I was ready to be on my way towards newer and greater adventures. Captain Lana congratulated me for defeating all those poor Wishiwashi (who were just trying to get a little good 'ole fashioned revenge) and gave me gifts for my ruthlessness.  I was given Waterium-Z, which I handed directly to Pako Pako.

Lana told me to continue my challenge with Kiawe's Trial at the Wela Volcano Park.   I wonder if it's going to be a fire trial...

I was also given a fishing rod and dive balls, so you know what that means...

FISHING TRIP!!

The amount of fucking around that I do in this game is absurd.  Not since my Skyrim playthrough have I gone so out of my way to avoid progression.  I caught Magikarp, Goldeen, Feebas (yessss), and the bug/water pokemon Dewpider.  If my playthrough was adapted into an anime (I'm willing to talk, Funimation), then this would be one of those filler episodes where the main characters decide to have a sleepover (or, as the title states, go to the beach) for no reason other than to avoid doing anything of consequence.

Fishing has been changed in this game--first of all, there is only one rod, rather than separated "Old", "Good", and "Super" rods.  This is good news in terms of simplifying the gameplay.  Actually, this is good news in terms of everything.  I suppose the only ones that would be disappointed by such a change would be the players who for some reason really really like to catch level 5 Magikarp.

But fuck those weirdos, amiright?

The other change is that you can only fish in specific spots where there are piles of rocks in the water.  This is something I'm less comfortable with.  I'm not sure if I hate the change because it's bad or if I'm just reacting as a curmudgeonly old man would (because let's face it, I'm definitely a curmudgeonly old man).

My desire to avoid the quest sufficiently sated, I made my way south.  The route had been blocked by Sudowoodo previously.  Snorlax may be the ultimate in "blocked-route plot devices", but Sudowoodo is a worthy heir to this throne.  It's a tradition that goes all the way back to the first game: Snorlax blocking the bike path, Sudowoodo blocking the entrance to Ecruteak City.  Two pokemon that may have never met, and yet share a connection.  It really is quite a beautiful relationship and I'm totally shipping it and I think I've been doing quite enough rambling now.

I was also introduced to the new battle mode introduced in this generation.  Nintendo/Gamefreak, every once in a while, likes to change things up just a little and add a new mode of battle.  Typically this mode will be horrible and pointless and make you want to quit playing.  This time around is the Battle Royale.  This is a Four player free-for-all style battle that ends when any one player loses all of their pokemon.  The player with the most total KO's wins.

I love the concept!

I lost my first attempt...

Current Squad:

Brionne/Pako Pako/lvl 17
Crabrawler/Ppunches/lvl 18
Trumbeak/Pip Pip/lvl 18
Oricorio/Ori-Chan/lvl 20
Steenee/Bouncee/lvl19
Sylveon/Sly/lvl 18

On Rotation:
Grimer/Sludj/lvl 17
Misdreavus/Missy/lvl 18
Bagon/Twumby/lvl 18

Pokedex: 65 caught

Vs. Wishiwashi

I think that Wishiwashi and Magikarp are pokemon that are diametrically opposed.  Magikarp is a weak pokemon that, through trial and struggle, eventually achieves something great.  The pokemon is based on the Chinese legend of the koi that swims up the waterfall and leaps through the dragon gate to achieve enlightenment and become a dragon itself.  Magikarp is an individual out to prove itself to the world.

Wishiwashi is a fish that is weak and timid and small.  In these ways, it has a lot in common with Magikarp.  However, Magikarp achieves strength for itself through tenacity; Wishiwashi achieves strength by working together with others of its species.

One thing I didn't know about the pokemon is that they have an ability called "Schooling".  This allows the pokemon to call upon others to work with it.  The pokemon then becomes one giant, powerful school of fish--capable of attacking with much greater power than any single one of them could.  See that wishiwashi pic up there? That's the little sardine in its "school form".

Vs. Wishiwashi: Experimental Uncertainty

Wishiwashi-School Form in the rain is probably the sort of match that I wouldn't want to be caught up in for long.  I wasn't exactly sure of what kinds of moves the pokemon would have, but anything with "Water" in the title would end up scoring an extra 50% damage in the weather...and 50% more for matching Wihiwashi's water typing.

This match was going to hurt.

I had decided to lead with Sludj because I wanted to start the match out with Poison.  Really every match should be started with poison.  That's a philosophy of mine.

After Wishiwashi called for help, I made sure to spread the pestilence to the second pokemon in the same way.  All totem pokemon boost their defenses in battle, so I wanted to stay off the offensive for as much of the match as possible.  I decided to stick to stall.  I traded protect's for a few moves to ensure that the poison could weaken the two opponents.  Ultimately, though, Water Gun in the rain was too much for Grimer and the totem Wishiwashi KO'ed Sudj.

Wishiwashi is a pokemon that works well as a team.  The two Wishiwashi on the field--one in its solo form and one in its school form--were in perfect synchronicity.  With all those Helping Hand moves being thrown about, I needed to remove the supporting fish from the field.  Helping Hand + Rain + School form + STAB Water Gun could easily remove every pokemon in my team.  I sent in Ori-chan.  I needed a quick win and Air Cutter is a spread move.  Air Cutter would damage both opponents.

And Ori-chan is fast.  Really fast.

With its support quickly removed, the totem Wishiwashi was unable to KO Oricorio as handily.  It was the precision strike that ended the match at that critical moment in battle.  My victory came three turns later.