Now this isn't my best team by any means, but to add some credibility to my claims, how about some credentials? I've taken some variation of these guys through the battle subway and beat each division of regular train (except I haven't bothered with WiFi). I've yet to conquer the super trains, but you'll probably see a few glaring weaknesses that a solid STAB attack of a certain type can exploit. Plus, they've still got their HMs. I'll probably fix that before Hardcore, so don't expect those.
| Adorable and menacing! |
The Mischievous Scorpion Pokemon
Ground / Flying Type
Moves: Ariel Ace / Swords Dance / U-turn / Bulldoze
Ability: Hyper Cutter
Item: Persim Berry
I like to start off with Renton, who has a pretty decent move pool for unforeseen circumstances. His moves don't have a ton of raw power, but Ariel Ace always hits and Bulldoze not only hits all Pokemon (including any teammates, so I have to be careful), but it also lowers their speed. That part is important, because it can actually help me out depending on which Pokemon I have on the field. Gliscor's typing makes it immune to Ground, which is always a benefit, and if I can get off a Swords Dance or two, Renton's attack skyrockets. U-turn is also a good Get Out of Jail Free card, doing some damage before trading in a Pokemon better for the situation. Hyper Cutter prevents Renton's attack from ever being lowered, which means that if I can increase his attack, the only way to curb his power is to drop him or force a switch. Finally, his greatest weakness (aside from a quick ice attack) is confusion, and specifically moves like Swagger. The Persim Berry does a great job keeping him from getting caught up in traps like that, and often saves him a use of Swords Dance.
| Carracosta is ready for battle! |
The Ancient Turtle Pokemon
Water / Rock Type
Moves: Waterfall / Surf / Curse / Rock Slide
Ability: Solid Rock
Item: Shell Bell
Mizukami has a major problem right off the bat, which is its double water attacks. It's a holdover from using him to travel throughout the game, but at least has the versatility of choosing whether or not to attack the whole field. Curse increases his already high defense and his attack, which is his primary offensive stat, and Rock Slide is another decent STAB that hits multiple foes. Shell Bell lets Mizukami recover some health based on attacks, and Solid Rock helps to eliminate weaknesses, though the 4x Grass type weakness usually is enough to power through his defenses. Overall, he makes a decent tank with some clearing power, especially since grass is a less used typed in Black and White than it was in previous games.
| I'm pretty sure it harasses Japanese school girls. |
The Unassailable Shrine Pokemon
Grass / Steel Type
Moves: Curse / Power Whip / Ingrain / Gyro Ball
Ability: Iron Barbs
Item: Rocky Helmet
Named after Benkei, man-servant to Lord Yoshitsune and a fixture in Japanese folklore, my Ferrothorn serves the same purpose. Benkei died protecting Yoshitsune's castle. He stood in the gate alone and, like crashing waves, slew after slew of enemies fell against his spear. Even after Benkei was felled by a legion of archers, his huge body blocked the entrance to the castle, and the frightened warriors refused to step over him. Yoshitsune killed his family and himself in the intervening time, which is apparently honorable, but I swear our battle won't end the same way.
The focus of Benekisama's strategy is to get hit with a touch move. Tackle, (Type) Fang moves, Bite, (Adjective) Punch, etc, etc. Pretty much anything counts if you imagine your Pokemon has to physically land a blow instead of shoot some kind of projectile / psychic attack / whatever at your enemy. Iron Barbs deals 1/8th of the attacker's health in damage if they hit you with a touch move. The Rocky Helmet - well, it does the same damn thing. Moves like Fury Swipe which hit multiple times trigger both effects multiple times, usually outright killing the attacker. Combine it with the defensive Steel type and Ferrothorn's obnoxiously high defense, and most touch attacks result in the attacker taking more damage than Benkeisama does. That's where his other moves come in. Ingrain will heal him over time, just a little each turn, but eventually that will outweigh the damage. Curse increases his defense and attack stats in exchange for lowering his speed which is already ridiculously low. At level 65, Benkeisama's speed is barely in the double digits. Power Whip, though relatively inaccurate, is a high power STAB, but Gyro Ball is the true attack move. Not only does Gyro Ball always hit (unless accuracy lowering effects are used), but it gets a bonus to its power based on how much slower Benkeisama is than his enemy. So using Curse has a three-fold effect: defense up, attack up, and attack up again.
| And this makes Pikachu irrelevant. |
The Lightning Spider Pokemon
Electric / Bug Type
Moves: Electroweb / Bug Buzz / Agility / Electro Ball
Ability: Compound Eyes
Item: Magnet
If Benkeisama is about being slow and unmovable, Kurono, named for the Gantz character, is about speed and a signature rocketing attack: Electro Ball. A special attacker, Galvantula is about moving faster than the other Pokemon, and his moves help that. Electroweb hits multiple foes, slowing them in addition. Agility increases Galvantula's speed significantly. And Electro Ball deals enhanced damage based on the difference in speed between the attacker and defender, the exact opposite of Benkeisama's Gyro Ball. This makes them difficult to pair together, but Bug Buzz adds some type coverage to take care of pesky Psychic types and gives Kurono some options. Compound Eyes and the Magnet aren't too essential; the first ups Kurono's accuracy, but Electro Ball already hits every time unless the enemy uses a buff or debuff, and Magnet just ups the damage of Electric type attacks. Hmmm, that could be more effective... I guess you never know when I may go out of my way to get an Air Balloon, though...
| Pokemon don't believe in belts. |
The Thug Life Pokemon
Dark / Fighting Type
Moves: Strength / Crunch / Brick Break / Hi Jump Kick
Ability: Shed Skin
Item: Expert Belt
I'm not going to say that Scrafty is a black guy, so let's just say that Scrafty's idle animation includes it holding up some weird piece of hip flesh that is definitely not pants, then letting go and watching the not-pants slide below its hips. So, yeah... Anyway, Jasmine is a hardcore bitch. The Dark type eliminates Fighting type's greatest weakness, Psychic attacks. Shed Skin is vaguely useful, as it can randomly cure ailments, but for the most part, Jasmine's job is to do some damage and then do some more, but she's resilient enough to take a hit or two. The Expert Belt helps by increasing any supereffective damage done. Strength is decent damage, but it's really just there because she was with me most of the game. Crunch and Hi Jump Kick are two somewhat powerful STABs, but if I can't risk Hi Jump Kick's miss-and-crash-like-a-foo' chance, which deals Jasmine significant damage, Brick Break is a solid substitute. It also has the added benefit of destroying Barrier and Reflect shields that they might put up. Sure, it's a bit redundant, so maybe I'll make a choice between those before the party. After all, I've got to keep you guys on your toes!
| That's 5 ft and 1,000 lbs of pure badass. |
The Psychic Tank Pokemon
Psychic / Steel Type
Moves: Agility / Meteor Mash / Zen Headbutt / Hyper Beam
Ability: Clear Body
Item: Leftovers
Using a Metagross is like playing in easy mode. It's an over-used tier Pokemon, which is a general indication that its stats are high. The Psychic / Steel typing gives it a nice defensive advantage. Fighting types can't just chew through it the way they would other Steel types, giving it a chance to retaliate with its hefty attack stat and, likely, a supereffective move.
Bowser's Clear Body is a solid ability, preventing his stats from being lowered, which eliminates debuff Pokemon and lets him ride out Renton's Bulldoze if necessary without taking the hit to his speed. Leftovers will keep his health up by recovering a bit each turn, so he's hard to put down. Agility is a bit of a wild card, because he usually shouldn't care if he moves last, but just one Agility can change the turn order, and the Clear Body ensures his speed won't go back down. Then his moveset is all about damage. Meteor Mash and Zen Headbutt are Steel and Psychic type STABs, respectively, giving him some power, and in a worse case scenario, Hyper Beam's massive power is worth the recharge time he suffers after. Overall, he's a powerhouse.
You've got a lot to worry about, but if you want to challenge me, go ahead. I'll put you in your place, even with most of my secrets posted here! I may change a thing or two, though, so don't be surprised if I show up with another BAMF Pokemon to kick your ass!
PARTY NEWS!
Okay, this one is obvious. Hardcore @Vlada: It's My Birthday and You'll Play What I Want You To is this Wednesday! Featured games are Skylanders Spyro's Adventure on the big screen and Champions Return to Arms and Super Smash Bros. Brawl in the VIP Lounge. If anybody has any super secret mods that include certain Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword themed levels... well, feel free to bring it on a Wii SD card and we'll try it out. We're also featuring a $6 drink special -- The Quintessential Gaymer -- designed by yours truly! It'll taste like Cherry Coke but be significantly more alcoholic. But if you don't like Cherry Coke, all infused vodka drinks are available for just $6, so you can order any of our previous drinks if you do it by ingredient. I'm still feeling the Falcon Punch! -- OJ, grenadine, and Vlada's house blend of pepper vodka. It's like getting punched in the throat!
u play doubles or singles?
ReplyDeleteI'll play either but I have to admit I prefer doubles and consider doubles strategies while training. Not only is the official tournament held in doubles but I just find doubles support strategies more intriguing.
Deletemost people play singles online tho
DeleteI do enjoy both, and I'll never turn down a singles battle. I just find something about doubles more entertaining, personally. If you've got a team for either, though, let me know, and we'll go at it!
ReplyDelete