Rematch with Salazzle

After rushing my battered pokemon and my battered pride to the pokemon center for some nursing, I regrouped and thought about what I had learned.  I figured out that the problem was that the match was somewhat out of my control; my team was put together to battle fire pokemon.  I couldn't have anticipated that my trial would be a fire and poison trial.

Let's take stock.  I had one pokemon that was suited for the match: Brionne resisted Flame Burst and hit hard with its Hydro Vortex move.  Had I weakened the Salazzle with any other move, I could have knocked it out with Pako Pako's Z-move.  However, of all my other pokemon, only Ori-chan was any use and it was unfortunately outside and outclassed by Toxic + Venoshock.  My other Pokemon, Grimer and Crabrawler, were each at a severe disadvantage in battling a poison type.  It was a mismatch from the start.

Now who could I use? Probably not Sylveon (Sidetone: I have recently renamed Sylveon Sailor "Star Fighter" because "duh") because he would take extreme damage from that Venoshock.  I could use Trumbeak, but it's a bit too slow and frail to survive more than one turn.  Misdreavus has Thunderwave as an option, but this would require it to survive a venoshock...

...unless I had it out before Salandit is summoned.

I was on to something.  With Salazzle (and maybe also Salandit) paralyzed, my pokemon would have a chance to cause some damage before the inevitable 120 base power venoshock nukes are launched. I just had to choose my fastest and strongest pokemon to support.

Vs. Salazzle Rematch: Speedy Thunder

My plan was weirdly simple: paralyze the opponents and take them out.  I was pleasantly surprised when I was successful in successfully using thunder wave on both salazzle and her summoned salandit.  With luck on my side and the wind in my sails, I was able to slowly whittle the pokemon down.  The major change was that now Venoshock was no longer a one-turn-one-hit KO move.  I was able to move before the speedier foes.

Soon enough, only Pako-Pako remained.  My ace.  It was tight, but I knew I had won.

Hydro Vortex.

VICTORY!

Vs. Salazzle

I wanted a challenge, so I had decided to take only four pokemon with me on my run up the mountain (Editor's note: Foreboding is an adjective that means 'uninvited dread', but in this case, take it to mean 'the anticipation of disaster').  The squad that I had come up with was made up of my most reliable pokemon that have followed me around all the way from the first island.

Vs. Salazzle: The Melemele Firefighters

During the initial phases of the trial back when I was playing "is there a hiker in this photo", I had been subjected to a few surprise battles.  The first was against that fire-dancing Marowak.  The second was against the Hiker himself.  These matches, while not difficult, had taken their toll on my lead Grimer.  Indeed, Sludj was forced to enter battle with the totem Salazzle with only 13 HP remaining.

"You Toxic bitch, you"

Because I own a Salandit, I already knew how fast the totem pokemon was, so I knew that Grimer wouldn't last very long.  One Flame Burst later and it was now a 3-on-1 match: 3-on-2 once Salazzle summoned Salandit as its partner.

This did not bode well.

I reassessed and found that, while Crabrawler was a good choice against a fire type, the dual Poison/Fire Salazzle/Salandit combo meant that the crustacean would be at a disadvantage.  Fighting moves are weak against the poison type.  I sent it in and attempted to whittle down the supporting Salandit with Bubblebeam.

It was then that the enemy duo revealed their master strategy.  Venoshock is a niche move amongst Poison Pokemon Trainers.  It has a base power of 60 damage under normal circumstances, but a base power of 120 if the opponent is afflicted by poison.  Salazzle knew Toxic.  Salandit knew Venoshock.  Because both opponents were faster than any of my underleveled pokemon, I lost my next two without even scoring a hit.  Salazzle would use Toxic, Sanandit would use Venoshock, and my pokemon would be knocked-off in one hit.

The only pokemon that even had a chance was Pako Pako, who miraculously survived Venoshock.  My partner retaliated with its Hydro Vortex Z-move!!

Salazzle surprised me with its strength.  It clung on and survived (barely) the ultimate water move.

And thus it was that foreboding became foreshadowing.  I was given my first loss.

The Wela Volcano Park Trial

After my requisite amount of side-questing to fill in my pokedex, I made my way to the base of the Wela Volcano.  Ash hung in the air--the taste of carbon and sulfur on my cracked lips.  Nothing could live in this hot, poisoned place, I thought to myself.  Nothing but...

Salandit...

I think that Hawlucnha and Greninja may have been my favorite new pokemon from the 6th generation.  I mean, I did like Dragalge--but I never really had much of an opportunity to appreciate it since it was on my team for such a short time.  Salandit might be the one from this generation that really sticks with me.  I've been fond of them all so far--but something about this Poison/Fire lizard is really getting me excited.

The addition of my newly captured Salandit (named Sassy Sally) completes my Water, Grass, Fire core, so my ragtag pokemon team might finally be considered to be well-rounded.  I'm not going to be using Bagon much for probably the next island or two.  I'll take him out whenever I go on a pokemon-catching spree, but for now, I'm considering him to be simply "in training, non-active"--a lot like Ash's Charizard who was off training in the Charicific Valley until Ash needed him in the Unova finals.  Until Bagon learns Dragon Claw, he's more-or-less just filler--and my team does  not  need filler.

I picked up a Pink Nectar item along my route.  The pokemon Oricorio is a pokemon whose form and type changes based on what nectar it is allowed to sip.  Since I'm currently vacationing on Akala Island, I decided to allow Ori-Chan to take the form of the locals.  I have Yellow Nectar with me to switch her back if necessary, but "when in Rome"--amiright?

At the very top of the mountain, I met Captain Kiawe.  He said that his trial would be unlike any of the others that I had yet experienced.  I would need to rely on my powers of observation.  Ooh, so cryptic!  What he meant by this was that I had to play the easiest and silliest three-round memory game of my life. The first round was a "spot the difference between the fire-dancing Marowaks" sort of thing.  When I chose the Marowak that was different, it attacked.

The second round featured a ridiculous photo-bombing hiker.  Let's see if you can spot the difference...

"Or a coconut!" - Hiker, probably

It all culminated in a sneak attack made by the totem of the mountain, Salazzle...

Look out!  It's right behind you!!!

Current Squad:

Brionne/Pako Pako/lvl 20
Crabrawler/Ppunches/lvl 19
Salandit/Sassy Sally/lvl 20
Oricorio/Ori-Chan/lvl 20
Steenee/Bouncee/lvl19
Sylveon/Sly/lvl 20

On Rotation:
Grimer/Sludj/lvl 20
Misdreavus/Missy/lvl 19
Trumbeak/Pip Pip/lvl 19

Pokedex: 78 caught

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.

The Brooklet Hill Trial

I had been warned well in advance that my next trial would be a water trial, so I made sure to choose pokemon that would work well given the circumstance.  The squad that I came up with looks good on paper.  The problem is that I have never actually used three of these pokemon (Bagon, Bounsweet, and Sylveon) in battle...Hence the name:

Battle Squad 3: "Experimental Uncertainty"

Brooklet Hill was home to a wide variety of pokemon including Paras, Fomantis, and Poliwag.  I was able to catch one of each for my pokedex.  I also encountered Psyduck and eventually added it, as well, to my collection after 20 minutes of it prolonging the battle by calling for reinforcements.  It took so many extra turns, as a matter of fact, that Bounsweet grew three levels during the battle and evolved into the adorably spunky pokemon Steenee.

A Captain named Lana intercepted me early along the route and gave me a Lapras poke-ride pager to allow me to surf out onto the waters of the route.  Brooklet Kill is a downward-sloping series of pools and waterfalls which eventually feeds into the ocean and something was disturbing the waters.  Lana asked me to investigate the splashing...

In a stunningly boring turn of events, it was not the red Gyarados that I had expected it to be, but the pokemon Wishiwashi.  Wishiwashi is a new Alolan Pokemon that resembes a sad little sardine.  The only move it used in battle against me was Aqua Ring.  Obviously, I caught it in the end.

Lana directed me to a second splashing spot, musing aloud about wanting the opportunity to save a spry young swimmer.  I made my way to the second suspicious splashing area deeper into the craggy falls.  It was another Wishiwashi.

Once again, I defeated it and once again, Lana directed me to a splashing noise deeper into the glade.  This time she expressed real disappointment about the severe lack of beautiful male swimmers that she hasn't been able to save thus far.

The rain began to fall and the thunder had started to roll as I continued my Wishiwashi-slaughtering tour of Brooklet Hill.  Lana said that Kyogre was here.  Whether she meant in spirit or in true physical presence, I could not be sure, but the dark skies and the increasingly-treacherous rain seemed to speak of the presence of something deep and old.

As I passed through the trial gate, Lana formally introduced herself as the Captain of Brooklet Hills.  She said I would have to defeat the very personification of the seas as my opponent in her trial.  She directed me towards the final pool--and the final splashing spot contained within.

To be continued...

Gladion's Entrance

Editor's Note: Due to a clerical error, this draft was recalled and then resubmitted.  I apologize for the error.

Much of the past four o so hours that I have devoted to this game has been devoted to me running around in a very specific patch of grass on Route 3 back on Melemele Island like an idiot.  Only in pokemon could such behavior not be classified as absolute madness.  It changed from night to day in my game over the course of this timeframe.  The cause of this insanity?  Bagon.
______________
Continuing on my journey, I made my way through route 4.  One thing of note is that routes seem a lot shorter in this game so far.  I suppose my most recent play through was Omega Ruby, the game which is home to some of the longest and most treacherous routes in the series, so my ability to compare may be unfair, but this has been my perception so far.  I caught Eevee, who I immediately evolved into Sylveon, and Lilipup, which I would eventually trade for a new grass pokemon called Bounsweet.  I also caught a cute mule-like pokemon called Mudsdale.

One of the trainers I fought on the way had Bagon, the Gen 3 dragon-of-choice.  Having never actually used Salamence before, I immediately checked my pokedex and found that he was available back on Melemele Island.  My decision now was whether or not I go back to catch him (I think it evolves at level 30 and 55 like Dratini does, so he would be an investment to be sure).

We both know how that would eventually transpire.

So now it's time to make some big decisions about my pokemon squad.  I'm carrying way too many for me to become reasonably attached to at the time and I need to make cuts.  I started by removing Rattata because Yungoos and Grimer made the pokemon redundant by type.  As I searched for Bagon, Yungoos had evolved into Gumshoos.  I liked it better as a cute little mongoose, so I took him out of my lineup as well.  Growlithe and Pikachu (Raichu) are pokemon that I have used recently in my Pokemon Red playthrough, so I decided to take out simply because I wanted to do something different (plus I'm planning on using Arcanine in my upcoming bid at VGC '17, so I don't want to get sick of him just yet).  My Meowth, whom I had been using as a "pickup slave" up until now, evolved into Persian.  Persian's "Fur Coat" ability, while useful, will not be getting me nearly as many free items, so this opened up another free slot on my roster.  Slowpoke was removed for the water-type redundancy I've developed.

As it stands, I have Popplio, Trumbeak, Oricorio, Crabrawler, Misdreavus, Grimer, Sylveon, and Bounsweet.  Bagon is in training until it evolves.

What a bunch of changes!
______________
I made my way past Mallow at a Pokemon ranch to towards my first Akala Island trial.  Along the way, I fought my rival again (he was easy) and eventually ran into a chap who had obviously watched too much anime.  He introduced himself only as Gladion before telling me he works jobs for Team Skull sometimes and that he battles to help his pokemon "Null" get stronger.

It seems that he is associated with, but not a true member of, the gang.  As a matter of fact, they look down on him.  One Team Skull Grunt blamed his homelessness for making him weak and scrappy.  The other said that he would never be part of their organization and that they all hate him.

Wow.

I had never thought that Pokemon 7 would be the installment in the series where they address classism and homelessness.  Gladdion is a kid about the age of the player character (maybe a bit older) with a chip on his shoulder and a life devoted to getting stronger and helping his pokemon reach new heights.  In battle, he used a strong Zubat and a pokemon that I had never seen before referred to only as Type: Null.  Yes, the colon is part of the name.

Gladdion was not an easy battle.  Zubat fell quickly enough, but I wasn't exactly sure of how to target that Type: Null.  Apparently is susceptible to poisoning and that it takes neutral damage from many types of moves including psychic, poison, and water.  Quite possibly, as the name would suggest, it is a pokemon that is without typing altogether--that it is literally type: null.

I walked away from the battle with an actual desire to meet the character again. Yes, Gladdion was something of a dick, but he had dimension.  I'm curious about how his character develops.  I'm curious about whether or not he gains the approval of Team Skull.  I'm curious about if he even actually wants it.

What was it I said about one-note characters last time I posted?

In the end, I snuck away with the win thanks to Pako Pako, who then evolved into the pokemon Brionne.

Current Squad:
Brionne/Pako Pako/lvl 17
Crabrawler/Ppunches/lvl 16
Trumbeak/Pip Pip/lvl 17
Oricorio/Ori-Chan/lvl 17
Misdreavus/Missy/lvl 16
Sylveon/Sly/lvl 17

On Rotation:
Grimer/Sludj/lvl 14
Bounsweet/Bouncee/lvl16
Bagon/Twumby/lvl 16

Pokedex: 54 caught