Preparations
Apparently I use the word "ugh" too much in these entries when I'm frustrated.
As a result, it is now a Drinking Game. Take a drink every time I say "ugh."
Incidentally, your shot count is now at two.
Okay, so when we last left off, I just beat the second gym. The third one is an Electric-type gym. Frankly, as long as I can keep Taillow out of the action, I should be okay. What concerns me is the Electric/Steel combo for Magnemite and Magneton. Since Steel resists Normal.
Now, I could do the Sand-Attack method, except against Wattson. He uses Shock Wave, which doesn't do an accuracy/evasion check.
And this is Gen III, so X Sp. Def doesn't exist yet. But there is something I can do: train up my Zigzagoon (hopefully Linoone by then) so that it learns Mud Sport. This would weaken Shock Wave's base power down to 30.
Speed is also a moot point in this battle, since I will inevitably be paralyzed in this fight, which lowers Speed. What is concerning is that Magnemite/Magneton can use Supersonic to confuse me. It's only 55% Accurate though, and since Zigzagoon has picked up several Full Heals already (they seem to be its favorite item to pick up), I can deal with it. Especially since that would get rid of Paralysis too. And Zigzagoon also picked up a couple Full Restores, so I can use those to get an HP Healing as well, if I need it.
Well, that's all good for Defense, but what about Offense? Well, Magnemite and Magneton are weak to Fire, Fighting, and Ground. And they resist everything else apart from Water. So I'm basically locked into one of these moves.
How convenient that the Fighting-type Rock Smash move happens to be in the town that the gym is in. And I can combine that with the King's Rock, in theory, to cause flinching and potentially stop Shock Waves if I am faster (which won't be the case after a Thunder Wave). Though I may rather have a Cheri Berry than the King's Rock, honestly.
And as for the non-Steel types in that gym, I'm not worried at all. Voltorb is nothing but Speed, Electrike is pointless, because it learns a bunch of physical-based status moves (Howl, Leer, etc.) and then uses moves like Spark (Special-based in Gen III). And I don't think Plusle and Minun are in the gym, but if they are, they're not really a threat unless they are used together.
But if they ARE used together, then I'm screwed. Plus and Minus are abilities that I don't want to risk triggering.
So yeah. That's my game plan. The alternative is to evolve Slakoth into a Vigoroth, which can learn Fighting-type moves. But it doesn't get a damaging Fighting-type attack until Level 55. For a slow experience group Pokémon, that'll take a lifetime for me. Plus, at that high of a level, Wattson is a joke regardless of what I'm using. So I think the best bet would be to use Zigzagoon/Linoone.
One commenter also mentioned (yes, I do read the comments!) that I could win a Flamethrower TM at the Game Corner and use it on Whismur. And I'm not opposed to that idea (I did that very thing in a Nuzlocke once), but I think that Mud Sport is a reasonably good strategy, so it will probably not be necessary.
I will admit that I am hesitant about teaching Zigzagoon/Linoone Rock Smash, since Rock Smash cannot be forgotten, and the Move Deleter is all the way in Lilycove, which is a long way's away.
But Rock Smash is required.
By the way, fun fact: Until you reach Lilycove, the only mandatory HM Moves are Rock Smash and Surf, and you only have to use them once each. (I found this out when I was doing a "Contest Run" of Sapphire (which is that I beat the game when I have five Master Rank Ribbons of every category, and gym battles are ignored entirely for the purposes of progress through the game).)
Anyways, enough stalling. On with the adventure!
I'M ON A BOAT!
Route 109
And it just docked in Route 109's beach.
Invisible Items: 2 Heart Scales, an Ether, a Revive, and a Great Ball. Incidentally, these are the last invisible items that I have their locations memorized, so from here on out, I have to just use the Itemfinder. Or get lucky.
I also get the Soft Sand from the girl here. This will be helpful once I get the TM moves for Dig or Earthquake or something.
Anyways, let's battle against the trainers!
- Zigzagoon: +2 HP, +2 ATK, +3 SPE
- Slakoth: +5 HP, +4 ATK, +1 SPD, +4 SPE
- Taillow: +3 ATK
- Whismur: +3 HP, +1 SPD, +1 SPE
Slakoth learned Slack Off, which is actually a really good healing move. And I delete Scratch for it, since Scratch is totally redundant with Cut.
And yeah, I know that Slakoth is getting an absurd amount of EVs compared to the others, but the Exp. Share kinda does that to its holder. Sorry. And I need the Exp. Share to train that thing, since Truant makes it a pain to use on its own.
And as a reward for beating those trainers, I get six free Soda Pop, and the ability to buy as many as I want for $300 each.
Now, raise your hand if you see the exploitation here.
Because Zigzagoon can pick up Super Potions, and I've been finding plenty on my own, I can sell a Super Potion, make $350 off of it, and then buy a Soda Pop, earning $50 in the process AND increasing the amount of HP healed from 50 to 60.
Dear Nintendo, why the heck do you make my job too easy? And don't give me any crap about "Oh, they aren't purchasable in mass quantities." That's bull. Cause there's no time limit on the game, so I can just buy them one at a time as much as I want.
I gladly swap in my four Super Potions for four Soda Pops and an extra $200.
Slateport City
Now, the problem with this is that it will drain my wallet to spend more than I can.
I have $15254 right now. I can spend $9800 on vitamins now, and I think that I want to get a Zinc. That'll raise Special Defense, which could save me against Wattson. Though I don't know whether to use it on Zigzagoon or Whismur. It depends on whether I go for the Mud Sport strategy or the Flamethrower strategy.
I could also use my Old Rod to EV Train against Tentacool for Special Defense, but Tentacool only appears 30% of the time, and I'd get sick of seeing Magikarp the other 70% of the time.
Now, I'm not going to buy that Zinc just yet. Because if I go for the Flamethrower strategy, I may want Calcium instead, for the Special Attack.
In fact, thinking about it, Zinc might not be necessary at all. When Mud Sport is active, the Shock Wave will be less powerful than a freaking Thundershock. I don't really need to invest much into Special Defense with that.
But the Flamethrower strategy may very well require a Zinc. I'll come back to it later. In fact, that's probably the best option, since I can use Cycling Road to get back. The trainers on Cycling Road, with one exception, use only Electric-type Pokémon, so it will be a good warm-up.
I do take the time to buy a Harbor Mail, for the trade later on with the Coin Case. This will be mandatory if I want to use the Flamethrower strategy.
And I buy 15 Parlyz Heals.
Now I know what you're thinking. Isn't 15 a little overkill?
NO. IT IS NOT.
Between Thunder Wave, Stun Spore, the Static ability, and probably some other stuff that I forgot about, Route 110 is filled to the brim with things that paralyze you. You do need a lot.
I also pick up the Soothe Bell while I'm here. Now, this will help raise happiness. The problem is that the only Pokémon obtainable in Ruby by any means other than breeding that evolves by happiness is Zubat. So the happiness of my Pokémon is mostly irrelevant.
Until I get access to the move Return, which is the god of all Normal-type moves. With maximum happiness, Return has a base power of 102. Which is 153 with STAB! Which is further increased to 168.3 if I have the Silk Scarf!
Seriously, Return is the best damaging Normal-type move ever, outdone only by Hyper Beam, Giga Impact (which doesn't exist in Gen III), Selfdestruct (which is suicide), and Explosion (see previous remark). Yeah, can't wait until I get that.
For now, I keep the Soothe Bell off of my Pokémon until I find a good candidate for it. Plus, by the time I get Return, chances are my Pokémon's happiness levels will be much higher. And they all have better held items anyways (except Zigzagoon, who is best with no item for Pickup purposes).
I stop by the Contest Hall for a PokéBlock case (y'know, for that Feebas that I'll never get) and TM 41, Torment.
This opens up a ton of doors.
Torment will shut down any spamming of moves that Wattson may try.
Sadly, none of my Pokémon can learn it. Dammit!
Anyways, I go battle Team Magma, picking up TM 46 (Thief) in the process.
Little-known fact: You have to pay $50 to get in to the museum. But if you can't afford that, you get in free! Needless to say, I was incredibly pissed off when I found that out. Why should I pay my money when I don't have to? (Warped Aesop: Never donate anything to anyone.) So yeah, I could go spend all of my money before going in and then I won't waste $50, but it's just not worth it.
I could give Thief to either Zigzagoon or Taillow. Since Magnemite/Magneton has lower Special Defense than Defense, I could take advantage of this, while stealing any healing berries that he's using. (Edit: Turns out the berries are Emerald-only. He doesn't have them in Ruby. Also, it's a freaking SITRUS berry. With its Gen III effect (heals 30 HP, not 30% of your max HP like it does in later gens), that's ludicrously OP for this point in the game.)
In the end, Taillow shouldn't be used in an Electric gym, and Zigzagoon would be better off with Rock Smash for super-effective damage.
I use Whismur against Team Magma, because their Numel provide Special Attack EVs, thus helping the Flamethrower strategy should I choose to use it.
...
...
...
What the hell?
Okay, here's the FIRST TURN of the battle.
- Team Magma Grunt would like to battle!
- Team Magma Grunt sent out Numel!
- Go, Whismur!
- Foe Numel used Ember!
- (Whismur loses HP)
- A critical hit!
- Whismur fainted!
WTF!?
- Zigzagoon: +1 SPA
- Slakoth: +2 SPA, +1 SPE
- Taillow: +1 SPA, +1 SPE
Anyways, I'll come back to playing this game later. I'm starting to get a headache, so I'll put it down for now. I should be able to continue playing later tonight though.
Edit: Actually, I'm getting tired, so I'm not going to continue tonight. I'll pick this up again tomorrow.
Aaaaand... good morning, Trainers!
I've had a hard decision to make, and I slept on it, and I think Flamethrower is the better option, simply due to the huge difference in base power. Rock Smash, even super-effective, would be 40 Power, while Flamethrower would be 190. I just can't ignore 150 power like that. Now, this means that it will not be possible to use Mud Sport, so I could get hit with powerful Electric-type attacks. I also cannot use the King's Rock with Flamethrower, so Wattson will always be able to attack.
But actually, thinking about it, Headbutt would be a better option than Rock Smash, even though it only has 35 power instead of 40, because it will flinch him 30% of time, while Rock Smash would only flinch 10% of the time, and only if the King's Rock is equipped. So yeah, Flamethrower method wins. But I can always use the Mud Sport method as a backup plan.
Now, the only issue is: Whismur's Special Defense is shit right now. So I'm going to EV Train it in Special Defense. But not yet.
There are a lot of trainers on Route 110, so I'm hoping that they could provide a lot of money and I could buy some extra Zinc before I started. In the meantime, I can use Zigzagoon to fight them, so that maybe I'll learn Mud Sport for a backup option.
This will mean spending a lot of time at the Game Corner. Ugh.
Route 110, Part 1
- Zigzagoon: +2 SPE
- Slakoth: +2 SPE
Number of times that I was paralyzed: 2
Route 103
- Zigzagoon: +1 SPA, +1 SPD, +5 SPE
- Slakoth: +1 SPA, +1 SPD, +5 SPE
Number of times that I was paralyzed: 1
Trick House
I figure I might as well just do this.
By the way, the sign in front that says to walk three steps east and two steps north to reach the Trick House, uh, that only works if you look at the sign from the front.
- "You're being watched..."
Of course I am. Why would I be doing a liveblog if no one was following it?
- Zigzagoon: +3 HP, +1 SPA, +3 SPE
- Slakoth: +3 HP, +1 SPA, +3 SPE
One point about the Trick House is that you cannot return to a previously-completed challenge if you missed an item or something. As such, the only items are mail. And that's pathetic. Still, each one can be sold for $25 since I'm not gonna be trading with friends.
Technically, Mail does have a purpose. It will stop Trick, Switcheroo, Fling, Bestow, Thief, or Covet from working. It's not worth holding just in case an opponent uses one of those moves though.
Zigzagoon levels up enough to learn Odor Sleuth. I don't bother with it though. If I ever need to hurt a Ghost, I have Whismur's Astonish.
And completion of this Trick House challenge gets me a Rare Candy.
Training:
- Taillow: +1 SPA
- Slakoth: +1 SPA, +1 SPE
This causes them each to gain a level. Taillow is now at 18, while Slakoth is now at 17.
Oh, and I got paralyzed once during that.
This means Slakoth is one level away from becoming useful, so it's Rare Candy time!
Before evolution:
- HP: 52
- ATK: 28
- DEF: 27
- SPA: 21
- SPD: 18
- SPE: 18
After evolution:
- HP: 59
- ATK: 35
- DEF: 34
- SPA: 29
- SPD: 25
- SPE: 42
Wow. Dat speed increase. Also, just for the record, this thing has the highest stat of any of my other Pokémon in EVERYTHING.
It also loses its Truant ability in exchange for Vital Spirit.
Anyways, I give it the Silk Scarf that Whismur was holding, and then I give Whismur the Quick Claw.
Route 110, Part 2
- Zigzagoon: +1 HP, +1 ATK, +1 SPA, +5 SPD, +1 SPE
- Taillow: +2 ATK, +1 DEF
- Vigoroth: +1 HP, +1 SPA, +2 SPE
- Whismur: +1 SPD
Number of times Paralyzed: 1
Getting the Itemfinder from May lets me search around for...
Invisible Items Found: Full Heal, Great Ball, Revive, Poké Ball
Vigoroth learns Fury Swipes, but I pass it up. I think I'd rather keep my other moves.
Mauville City
All right, here's my game plan:
- Get the Coin Case.
- Get the Bicycle.
- Win the Flamethrower TM.
- Teach it to Whismur.
- Special Defense EV Train Whismur by fighting Roselia on Route 117.
- With the Exp. Share so Zigzagoon can also level up to get Mud Sport.
- Pick up the Rock Smash HM and give it to Zigzagoon.
- Use the Cycling Road to return to Slateport, getting practice for the gym with all of the Electric-types.
- Magnemite also gives me Special Attack EVs.
- Get two Zinc, two Calcium, or one of each, depending on what Whismur's stats at the time are.
- Use them on Whismur.
- Special Defense EV train off of Tentacool if I need to.
- Hopefully evolve Whismur and Zigzagoon.
- Fight Wally to get into Mauville Gym.
- Ralts gives a Special Defense EV!
- Challenge the gym.
- Get the Dynamo Badge.
Let's do this thing!
All right, so I've been thinking. Whismur is pretty underlevel, so I'm going to just give it the Exp. Share as I blaze through Route 117 and 118. And speaking of Route 117, the day care is there. Yeah. Not sure how I feel about that, honestly. The rules prohibit me from capturing multiple copies of a species, but the rules didn't say anything about breeding them, though I did intend to have "capture" mean "obtain." I guess it's up to interpretation. Regardless, I won't be breeding for the purposes of this challenge.
I pick up my Coin Case, my bike, and my copy of Rock Smash. (I chose the Mach Bike, fyi.)
Anyways, time to get the boring part out of the way: gambling. You know, my favorite Game Corner was the HeartGold/SoulSilver one. I know it's a very YMMV thing, but Voltorb Flip was honestly so fun for me that I spent about a week just playing that and forgetting about my actual adventure. Seriously, I think I have a chemical addiction to it.
But it's a Picross/Minesweeper hybrid! How could you not?
Anyways, I have to buy coins either in sets of 50 or 500. 500 would deplete my wallet too much. I'll just go for 50, and then play the slot machines with Save Scumming to aid me. Also, just fyi, this game isn't very colorblind-friendly. (Note: I'm not colorblind, but it's just something that I noticed.)
Okay, I must have gotten insanely lucky during my Nuzlocke, cause I got that Flamethrower TM in about 40 minutes. Now, I've spent twice that amount of time and I'm only at 307 coins, out of 4000.
Still, gotta keep at it.
And another hour later, I still don't have any more progress at all.
UGH.
Fuck this.
I'm just gonna use a cheat code. Yeah, I know that's the against the rules of my challenge, but really, I'm only doing it to save time. I'm not using any luck manipulation (no more than I would be just by Save Scumming), and I'm not using it to obtain anything that I couldn't already get.
So if all I'm doing is saving time, then do you guys really care? I mean, the faster that I get through this, the more quickly I can update this liveblog, so I might as well just do it. You come out ahead in the end.
And I don't want to waste my entire day (or god forbid, more than a day) doing this.
Yeah, I'm just using a GameShark. Sue me.
- Go, Cheat Code!
GRAAAH! Every. Single. Cheat. That I tried. Failed to work.
>_<
What the hell, GameShark?
I literally spent 90 minutes trying to get the damn thing to work. I'm hopeless.
Anyways, my GameShark model is the GSSP, so if anyone can help me, please do so. And talk to me as if I'm a child, because I can't even work out the control scheme for the GameShark's menus. Yes, I'm that bad.
Nor can I figure out how to input a damn cheat when the game is in the database. I have to delete Ruby from the database, and then enter the cheat with it as a "new game" every time. And also I can't get the cheat to actually do its job when I did get it right.
I do also have an Action Replay GBA, but I'm 99% sure that it is broken beyond repair, so yeah.
Back to the stupid method of casinos.
All right! Got it!
I managed to find a "turn one item into another" code, and used it to change some Mail I found in the Trick House into a copy of TM 35.
OMGZ! u use gamEsshArk you HAX0RRRRR!!!
Don't even try to say this, you just look like an idiot. I did this purely for time-saving. If this offends you, please get the hell away from my liveblog. Thank you.
Anyways, I teach Flamethrower to my Whismur, and now it's time for some training!
Route 118
Now, I perform the glitch with Aroma Lady Rose to allow her to walk UP A LEDGE.
- Zigzagoon: +2 HP, +1 ATK, +1 SPA
- Whismur: +2 HP, +1 ATK, +3 SPA
Invisible Item: Heart Scale
Whismur learns Howl. Though I don't see any immediate use for it, I delete Pound for it, since Uproar is just better. I don't like how it locks you in though. Ugh. Tough choice. Maybe I'll keep Pound and get rid of Howl?
God dammit, why can't I have all of these moves?
Well, I'm gonna get rid of Pound. If I find that I'm missing it, well, that's what Heart Scales are for. Although...
hmm...
Uproar only has 10 PP. You know what? Yeah, I'll just skip learning Howl.
Route 117
- Zigzagoon: +2 HP, +2 ATK, +1 DEF, +3 SPA, +4 SPE
- Taillow: +2 HP, +1 DEF, +1 SPA, +3 SPD, +1 SPE
- Whismur: +5 HP, +4 ATK, +2 DEF, +4 SPA, +3 SPD, +4 SPE
Invisible Items Found: Repel
Taillow reaches Level 19 and learns Double Team. Hooray for not playing with evasion clause! I get rid of Growl for it.
And as for why I was using Taillow, one trainer had an unexpected Makuhita that OHKO'd Whismur.
Zigzagoon reached Level 20 and evolved... but I did an evolution cancel with the B Button. That way, I'll get Mud Sport at Level 21 instead of Level 23.
Verdanturf Town
I get TM 45 (Attract) from an NPC, which is a move that can be learned by any Pokémon capable of learning TMs if it has a gender (except Nincada, since that can evolve into a genderless Pokémon).
Vigoroth is my only male, the others are female.
Most likely, I won't use this TM, but I may change my mind later.
Rusturf Tunnel
I go to the secret area of Route 116 and get the invisible Blackglasses that everyone knows about.
Hmm... this could come in handy if I use it in tandem with Thief. With the Blackglasses, it's 44 power, and it will likely do more damage than Headbutt or Rock Smash, since Magneton's Special Defense is lower than its Defense.
I might want to give that to Zigzagoon should my Whismur plan fail.
Anyways, more training on Cycling Road now!
Cycling Road
All the trainers here use Electric-types, so let's put my strategy to the test. Now Whismur leads, while Zigzagoon holds the Exp. Share (until it levels up once evolves, then I want to remove it so Pickup becomes active again).
Whismur is given the Quick Claw to hold because it is so goddamn slow.
First, that hidden trainer underneath the Cycling Road that almost everyone forgets about.
- Whismur: +1 SPA
- Zigzagoon: +1 SPA
Whismur evolved into Loudred!
Dang, Loudred's Special Attack is really high right now. I like this. Speed is a bit unfortunate, but hey, that's to be expected from a Quiet Nature.
LOL, Quiet Loudred. PARADOX!
- Loudred: +1 SPA
- Zigzagoon: +1 SPA
Zigzagoon reaches Level 21, deletes Growl for Mud Sport, and then evolves into a Linoone. I remove the Exp. Share.
- Loudred: +5 SPA, +3 SPE
- Number of collisions: 13 times!Total time: 1 minute+!My word... Your cycling skills border on terrifying. Most certainly, you need much more practice riding.
What the hell? Seriously, what gives you the right to judge me based on the fact that I wanted to take the extra time to train my Loudred? You suck.
Just for that, I'm riding back up the path and back down just to prove that I can.
- Collisions: 6 / Time: 12.83 sec
Hmm... better.
- Collisions: 3 / Time: 11.50 sec
Getting there...
- Collisions: 2 / Time: 16.13 sec
Eh, I can't beat 11.50. I'll just leave it at that. It's not that it matters. This minigame is so pointless, makes me wonder why it's even in here to begin with.
Side note: Anyone know what the world record on this thing is? That's always intrigued me.
Slateport City, Revisited
Now, I can buy vitamins. I can afford to buy two of them. I was thinking that Calcium is probably better than Zinc. My Loudred was faster than the Magnemite on Cycling Road, which leads me to believe that Magnemite is just too slow. This being the case, Defenses don't really matter much, since I could just get a OHKO on it.
So I buy two Calcium and use them on Loudred, giving it an additional 20 Special Attack EVs.
Incidentally, I also have an HP Up that I found in that hidden Route 116 area.
I sell it and get another Calcium, Loudred now has 10 more EVs in Special Attack.
It still needs to Level Up before those stats go into effect. If only there was a good spot to explore.
Oh, I know!
There's that one area in the Granite Cave that I couldn't access before since I didn't have the Mach Bike. I'll go there.
Goddamned Bats. I really miss the days of Black 2/White 2 with the whole "Your Repel has worn off. Do you want to use another?" messages.
Anyways, one thing that I found in there was a Rare Candy, so I use it on Loudred to get it those EVs.
(I also found a (now-used) Repel, and another invisible Everstone.)
Yeah. What's the point in having two of these things in one game? Actually, thinking about it, every game has an infinite number of them, except for FireRed/LeafGreen, due to them being wild hold items on Geodude and Roggenrola. Huh.
Anyways, Rare Candy time!
- Loudred wants to learn the move Supersonic.
HOLY-!
Okay, well, this is helpful. I could just get Wattson's Magneton to take itself out so I don't have to.
Uproar is stronger than Pound, but it only has 10 PP, so I'm going to delete it. I don't like being locked into it anyways.
Mauville Gym
Okay, decision time with my items. Possible considerations:
- Cheri Berry to remove paralysis.
- Quick Claw to potentially get around the paralysis speed drop.
- Silk Scarf to help my STAB attacks.
- Blackglasses+Thief combo.
- King's Rock for Wing Attack/Quick Attack/Cut/Pound
- Exp. Share to start training up my next thing.
I think Loudred is getting the Quick Claw, Vigoroth is getting the Silk Scarf, Linoone is getting the King's Rock, and Taillow is getting the Cheri Berry. That seems to make the most sense. (Edit: No it doesn't. Linoone can't do shit with a King's Rock. Yeah, when I made this list, I mistakenly thought that Headbutt and Rock Smash were affected by King's Rock, but in Gen III, they aren't.)
Also, I totally derped. I meant to get more Soda Pop back in Slateport. Ah well. I got 10 of em, so I should be okay.
First, we have to beat Wally to get into the gym.
I have Taillow fight just because it won't get any experience in this gym, so it could use some here.
- Taillow: +1 SPD
Now, as for the gym trainers, I really hate to use Loudred, because it is already overleveled, but it's also my only real way of hurting Magnemites, so I'm gonna.
Actually, you know what? I should teach Linoone Rock Smash. Yeah.
Headbutt would be more effective, but I need Rock Smash later on anyways, so I may as well just teach it now.
Don't know whether to get rid of Tail Whip or Sand-Attack. Rock Smash has a 50% chance of lowering Defense anyways, so Tail Whip is pointless 50% of the time. Sand-Attack? Eh, it was good against Roxanne, but I can't realistically see myself using it again.
I really want a damaging move other than Headbutt. Headbutt doesn't have enough PP to be my only offensive move.
I guess I'll delete Tail Whip.
OH! I'm an idiot!
I shouldn't have the King's Rock on Linoone when it can't freaking use it. Yeah, okay. I'll put the King's Rock on Vigoroth and give Linoone the Silk Scarf.
Hmm...
Actually, come to think of it, Taillow could probably use the King's Rock more effectively. Yeah, okay. Taillow gets the King's Rock. Vigoroth gets a Cheri Berry.
All right, gym trainer time. With Linoone battling.
EVs:
- Linoone: +6 SPE
- Loudred: +1 SPA
I have come to the conclusion that Linoone simply cannot take down a Magnemite that's three levels below it.
Loudred is gonna have to solo this one.
Oh, and I learned my lesson last time with Brawly. Saving the game now, and recording a play-by-play. Cause it very well might be exciting.
- Leader Wattson would like to battle!
- Leader Wattson sent out Magnemite!
- Go, Loudred!
- Loudred used Flamethrower!
- (Magnemite loses HP)
- It's super effective!
- Foe Magnemite fainted!
- Leader Wattson sent out Voltorb!
- Foe Voltorb used Sonicboom!
- Foe Voltorb's attack missed!
- Loudred used Flamethrower!
- (Voltorb loses HP)
- Loudred used Flamethrower!
- (Voltorb loses HP)
- Foe Voltorb fainted!
- Leader Wattson sent out Magneton!
- Magneton used Thunder Wave!
- Loudred was paralyzed!
- Loudred is fully paralyzed!
- Loudred used Flamethrower!
- (Magneton loses HP)
- It's super effective!
- Magneton used Sonicboom!
- (Loudred loses HP)
Thank you, Quick Claw.
Anyways, Wattson is likely to use a Super Potion/Hyper Potion/Full Restore here, so...
- (Used Parlyz Heal)
- (Loudred is cured of paralysis)
- Foe Magneton used Sonicboom!
- (Loudred loses HP)
- Foe Magneton used Shock Wave!
- (Loudred loses HP)
- Loudred fainted!
Crap.
Okay, gonna make a sacrifice here.
- Go, Taillow!
- (Used Revive)
- (Loudred recovered HP)
- Foe Magneton used Shock Wave!
- (Taillow loses HP)
- It's super effective!
- Taillow fainted!
- Go, Loudred!
- Foe Magneton used Shock Wave!
- (Loudred loses HP)
- Loudred fainted!
Damn. Quick Claw didn't activate, and it can be taken out from half health. Hmm...
- Go, Vigoroth!
- (Used Revive)
- (Loudred regained HP)
- Magneton used Thunder Wave!
- Vigoroth was paralyzed!
- Vigoroth recovered from paralysis using its Cheri Berry!
- (Used Soda Pop)
- (Loudred regained HP)
- Magneton used Thunder Wave!
- Vigoroth was paralyzed!
Ugh. I want it to kill Vigoroth so that Loudred can switch in for free. Well, I guess there is always the alternative method.
- Foe Magneton used Supersonic!
- Foe Magneton's attack missed!
- Vigoroth used Yawn!
- Foe Magneton became drowsy!
Yep. Sleep for a turn on my switch in.
- Foe Magneton used Shock Wave!
- (Vigoroth loses HP)
- Vigoroth is fully paralyzed!
- Foe Magneton fell asleep!
- Vigoroth, come back!
- Go, Loudred!
- Foe Magneton is fast asleep!
- Foe Magneton woke up!
- Foe Magneton used Sonicboom!
- (Loudred loses HP)
- Loudred used Flamethrower!
- (Magneton loses HP)
- It's super effective!
- Foe Magneton fainted!
And there you have it.
- Loudred: +2 SPA, +1 SPE
- Vigoroth: +1 SPA
Anyways, I get the Dynamo Badge and TM 34, Shock Wave. Interestingly, all of my Pokémon except Taillow can learn it. Huh.
Oh, and I do know that I can get a Marill on Route 117. Not planning to. Even if I got the Sea Incense for Azurill (and I already have the breedable Mudkip in the PC for it), it's just not worth it. Azurill can't evolve in this run, and out of all 649 Pokémon, Azurill's stats are the second-worst EVER. (The only thing lower is Sunkern.) So, yeah. Not worth it.
Anyways, I give the Silk Scarf back to Vigoroth, from Linoone, and then head for the Rusturf Tunnel to put Rock Smash to use and get another new HM Move.
First, though, a bit of training so that everyone levels up:
- Linoone: +2 HP, +2 DEF
- Taillow: +2 HP, +1 ATK, +1 SPA, +1 SPE
- V Igoroth: +4 HP, +3 DEF, +2 SPA
I get HM 04, Strength, and I get the Repeat Ball from the Devon Corporation guy. Repeat Balls are the same as normal Poké Balls in this challenge, right?
...
See the exploitation? I can sell a Repeat Ball and buy TWO Poké Balls with it! And make $100 as well.
Anyways, I teach Vigoroth Strength over Encore. Strength is actually a reasonably good Normal-type move for a Pokémon with high Attack. I just wish that I could delete Cut. :(
Been a while since I showed my stats, so here they are:
- Linoone Lv23 (Bold)
- HP: 70 (IV is 1-5)
- 18 Effort Values
- ATK: 39 (IV is 24-27)
- 24 Effort Values
- DEF: 37 (IV is 3-6)
- 10 Effort Values
- SPA: 32 (IV is 16-19)
- 10 Effort Values
- SPD: 38 (IV is 21-24)
- 6 Effort Values
- SPE: 55 (IV is 6-9)
- 51 Effort Values
- HP: 70 (IV is 1-5)
- Taillow Lv21 (Quirky)
- HP: 53 (IV is 19-23)
- 27 Effort Values
- ATK: 30 (IV is 8-11)
- 11 Effort Values
- DEF: 24 (IV is 29-31)
- 10 Effort Values
- SPA: 22 (IV is 20-24)
- 4 Effort Values
- SPD: 19 (IV is 6-10)
- 7 Effort Values
- SPE: 45 (IV is 19-23)
- 9 Effort Values
- HP: 53 (IV is 19-23)
- Vigoroth Lv20 (Naive)
- HP: 65 (IV is 10-14)
- 21 Effort Values
- ATK: 39 (IV is 8-12)
- 8 Effort Values
- DEF: 38 (IV is 3-7)
- 8 Effort Values
- SPA: 32 (IV is 23-27)
- Effort Values: 9
- SPD: 27 (IV is 14-23)
- Effort Values: 4
- SPE: 47 (IV is 3-7)
- Effort Values: 31
- HP: 65 (IV is 10-14)
- Loudred Lv24 (Quiet)
- HP: 75 (IV is 0-3)
- 15 Effort Values
- ATK: 43 (IV is 16-19)
- 5 Effort Values
- DEF: 26 (IV is 2-5)
- 2 Effort Values
- SPA: 51 (IV is 22-26)
- 47 Effort Values
- SPD: 30 (IV is 18-21)
- 7 Effort Values
- SPE: 27 (IV is 6-13)
- 13 Effort Values
- HP: 75 (IV is 0-3)
Route 111
I am seriously considering teaching that Shock Wave TM. Linoone, Loudred, and Vigoroth can all learn it, and I would love to have an Electric-type move, as well as a never-miss move. Shock Wave is both of those.
The problem is that Loudred is the only one that has enough Special Attack to put it to good use. And it has Flamethrower. I don't want to rely on it to do everything. I may want to teach Shock Wave to one of my other Pokémon.
And then the other issue is the stuff that I can get later. First, the elusive Skitty that I can always go back for. Plus: Spinda, Zangoose, Kecleon, Castform, and Girafarig. Those ones can all learn it too.
Girafarig is the most noteworthy for actually having a good base Special Attack, but I don't know what nature it will be when I get it. It may be Adamant and another Pokémon may be Modest. That would greatly change my opinion.
After thinking about it, I decide to teach it to Linoone over Mud Sport. Mud Sport was just for the gym, and I don't see myself ever using it again.
Although...
Hmm...
Argh, this decision is hard.
Shock Wave is the only Electric-type move that Loudred can learn in Gen III (excluding Thunder Punch as an Emerald Move Tutor), while Linoone can always get the TMs for Thunderbolt and Thunder. (The same applies to Vigoroth.)
Yeah, Loudred gets Shock Wave. And as for getting rid of Mud Sport, I'm just gonna teach Linoone Thief.
I delete Loudred's Pound. Astonish may actually be helpful if I ever have to face a Psychic. And the only type that resists both Flamethrower and Shock Wave is the incredibly rare Dragon-type, and I hope by the time I get that far, I'll have a better Normal-type move than Pound.
And I delete Mud Sport for Thief.
This gives me good type coverage.
- Linoone
- Headbutt (Normal) (Tough)
- Thief (Dark) (Tough)
- Rock Smash (Fighting) (Tough)
- Sand-Attack (Ground) (Cute)
- Taillow
- Wing Attack (Flying) (Cool)
- Double Team (Normal) (Cool)
- Steel Wing (Steel) (Cool)
- Quick Attack (Normal) (Cool)
- Vigoroth
- Strength (Normal) (Tough)
- Yawn (Normal) (Cute)
- Cut (Normal) (Cool)
- Slack Off (Normal) (Cute)
- Loudred
- Shock Wave (Electric) (Cool)
- Supersonic (Normal) (Smart)
- Astonish (Ghost) (Smart)
- Flamethrower (Fire) (Beauty)
Anyways, now I actually go onto this route.
Hmm... I can fight the Winstrates...
Oh, sure. Why not?
I have Taillow be my lead, because it needs the experience the most right now, being only Level 21. (Vigoroth is only Level 20, but it gains experience so slowly that it's just not worth training.)
* * *
Several hours later...
And then I just wasted the whole day instead of actually making progress on this. Ugh.
I don't know if I'll be updating this tomorrow, since it's Mother's Day and I may want to just spend the day with my mom. But I'll update it by the end of the day on Monday, and hopefully have another gym badge on my Trainer Card.
And, for what it's worth, want to know what I was doing today?
I actually began my career in the field of competitive Pokémon battling. Yeah, I know. For all my talk of IVs, EVs, Natures, and the like, I never actually got into it, just out of laziness to build a team. Now I have. I played a match, not really knowing what to expect.
And I caught it on video. I'm exporting it now, and it should be up on YouTube soon enough. I'll be sure to link you when it's there! (Edit: Here it is!
)
Okay, so, last time I was a naughty person, and didn't actually do anything. Now, I actually will do something.
Winstrate House go!
- Taillow: +3 HP, +2 SPA, +3 SPE
Taillow evolved into Swellow!
- HP: 55 -> 64
- ATK: 32 -> 45
- DEF: 25 -> 38
- SPA: 23 -> 32
- SPD: 19 -> 28
- SPE: 47 -> 64 (Note: This is before obtaining the final Speed EV from the Winstrates.)
After winning, I get the Macho Brace, which I could equip to double my EV gain. But since equipping it would mean that my Speed gets cut in half for as long as I hold it, it's hardly worth it for in-game purposes. This one's going in the PC.
Thinking about it, I deposit the Soothe Bell too.
I also ought to go pick up some more Soda Pop.
- Collisions: 2 / Time: 14.73 sec
Screw you, Cycling Road Stopwatch Guy.
By the way, to the Soda Pop salesman, I have to say that Game Freak did a really good job at using him to teach lessons to the little kids who are playing this: always talk to strangers, cause they might give you free stuff. And Soda is definitely healthier than Water. Good job, guys!
I return to Route 111 and fight the other trainers, declining an interview with Gabby and Ty, because I hate interviews.
- Swellow: +1 DEF
- Linoone: +3 HP
- Loudred: +1 HP, +1 SPA
- Vigoroth: +1 HP, +1 SPA
Route 112
- Linoone: +2 ATK, +2 SPD, +2 SPE
- Swellow: +4 DEF, +1 SPA
Fiery Path
Route 112, Part 2
Yes, Fiery Path was so uneventful that I'm leaving it blank.
Having said that, I do have a revelation now.
I'm gonna quit using Vigoroth. Its only benefit is insanely high stats (tied with Groudon and Kyogre) as a Slaking. But that will happen only after it has amassed a total of 58320 Experience. I don't care enough to invest that much into it. Especially since doing so would bring back Truant. It's being an experience hog, taking more than anyone else to reach the same levels. So unless I'm in an emergency that makes me want to bring it back, consider Vigoroth retired from this point on.
On another note, Linoone hasn't picked up an item in what seems like forever. Ugh.
Nor have I been finding any invisible items, even though I have my Itemfinder registered and am constantly pressing Select.
Nothing noteworthy happened in-game here.
Route 111, Part 2
And now for something difficult. You know that one bike slope on Route 209 in Diamond/Pearl that has an item on it? And you're required to use the fast bike to get up the slope, but there's a rock in the way and you can't shift gears, so you need to do insane maneuvering at high speeds on your bike to get to? Well, this is SLIGHTLY easier. Try going up the southern slope of Route 111 before getting the Go-Goggles. You need to do a precise turn with a Mach Bike. Bloody difficult.
Oh yeah, and speaking of bikes, Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald were terrible with bikes. The fact that you had to go back to Mauville every time to switch between Mach and Acro. The fourth gen had a good bike though. Simply press B at any time while riding the bike to switch gears between the two. Much better.
And of course, FireRed/LeafGreen had it the worst, when the bike was literally the SAME SPEED as the Running Shoes. If not for the fact that you need the bike to access Cycling Road, I probably would have skipped it.
Ah well. Back to Hoenn.
- Swellow: +1 HP, +1 ATK, +1 SPE
- Linoone: +1 SPE
- Loudred: +1 HP
I also get a copy of TM 43, Secret Power, here. And this isn't too great, except for one thing. By having this TM in my inventory, I can buy TM 10, Hidden Power, at Slateport. And by figuring out its type, this would let me know my IVs with near perfect accuracy.
Plus, Hidden Power actually has the potential to be a good move (it's a gamble). Secret Power might actually be worthwhile on Normal-types.
There's also another "random berry every day" person here, who gives me a Razz Berry.
Now that that's taken care of, back to Slateport for some Hidden Power IV Testing. (I'm saving my game and resetting first, so none of my Pokémon will permanently learn Hidden Power.)
Along the way, the Rock Smash rock gives me a Geodude.
- Swellow: +1 DEF
This lets Swellow level up, where its stats are: 71 / 51 / 43 / 36 / 31 / 73. This will help me in IV Calculation. Everyone else is just gonna use the stats that they had when I last showed off my IVs, cause I'm too lazy to level them all up. Swellow is special because it went through a very significant event (evolution) since then. I know that doesn't really affect IVs, but still. It just seems to make sense to me.
*shrug*
- Collisions: 3 / Time: 12.80 sec
I HATE YOU! CYCLING ROAD STOPWATCH GUY! I WILL KILL YOU WHEN YOU SLEEP!
Anyways, Hidden Power testing for now. I'll post my results when I'm done.
Done.
In addition to what we knew about my IVs before, we also know this:
- Linoone (Hidden Power: Poison)
- SPA IV is even.
- SPD IV is even.
- SPE IV is odd.
- Swellow (Hidden Power: Bug)
- Note that most of this info actually comes from being a higher level, rather than Hidden Power testing.
- HP IV is 19 or 20.
- ATK IV is 11.
- DEF IV is 31.
- SPA IV is 23.
- SPD IV is 6.
- SPE IV is 20.
- Vigoroth (Hidden Power: Rock)
- SPA IV is odd.
- SPD IV is even.
- SPE IV is even.
- Loudred (Hidden Power: Poison)
- SPA IV is even.
- SPD IV is even.
- SPE IV is odd.
Back to the adventure, Pickup made it so Linoone got my PP Up.
If you're wondering why I phrased it that way, read the sentence out loud.
PP Ups are nice, but kinda pointless when I'm most likely gonna replace the move with a better one later. They really should be saved until the endgame, so I deposit it in the PC for now. While looking through my inventory, I notice that I never sold that Repeat Ball. I do so now.
And I also buy a copy of TM 10 (Hidden Power). This way, whenever I catch something new, I can do Hidden Power Testing on it.
Speaking of catching something new...
Route 113
...I can get Spinda here!
Also, there was apparently one trainer on Route 112 that I missed the first time:
- Loudred: +2 SPA, +1 SPE
Spinda is not a good Pokémon. I have no reason to catch it.
On the other hand, I have no reason NOT to catch it, so I try to catch it.
Aaaaaaaaaand I get a critical hit and accidentally knock it out.
- Loudred: +1 SPA
- Vigoroth: +1 SPA
So I catch a second one. But it looks different. Yep. In case you didn't know, there are 4294967296 different forms of Spinda (that's 2 raised to the 32nd power). The one I got actually looks kinda cool. Two of its spots overlap to form a big one in the upper-right corner, and the others are barely visible, making it look kinda cool.
Screenshot time.
Spinda says hello to you.
◊ (What? Doesn't everyone play video games in a blank white void like I do?)
Yeah, not the best quality in the world, but it'll have to do.
Spinda is at Level 14, is Lax Nature, and because it's Gen III, it has Own Tempo as an ability.
Stats are:
- HP: 43
- ATK: 25
- DEF: 26
- SPA: 25
- SPD: 22
- SPE: 25
- Hidden Power is Dragon.
- HP IV is 16-22.
- ATK IV is 23-29.
- DEF IV is 16-22.
- SPA IV is 23-29 and is odd.
- SPD IV is 23-29 and is odd.
- SPE IV is 23-29 and is odd.
HOLY CRAP THOSE ARE GOOD STATS. And a pretty good Nature too.
Remember when I said Spinda was useless? Forget I said that.
This thing has ABOVE AVERAGE stats in every category, and is at or above the 75th percentile in a majority of them. Dang. This thing is STRONG.
Dragon-type Hidden Power is nothing to sneeze at either. Damn.
Welcome to the team, Spinda! You're awesome!
One hour later...
I seriously am still not over this. I have a near-perfect Spinda. This would have taken me, like, three days of breeding to do in Gen III. Without Power Items, breeding for IVs is a pain. But here I got this thing off of a random encounter.
This Spinda is strong!
Now, as for movesets, well, Spinda has a pretty good TM pool, but its best moveset would include Shock Wave, which I already gave to Loudred. Yeah, I know that I could have given it to Spinda, and I looked at that option from the start, but I just didn't think that I'd get a Spinda that's this freaking amazing.
Spinda, you truly are the best of your breed. I'm guessing that without Shock Wave, I'll end up with something like:
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball / Hidden Power (Dragon).
- Faint Attack / Shadow Ball / Water Pulse
- Hypnosis / Calm Mind
And the move Psychic is already available to me via the Game Corner, so time for more gambling! AKA Cheating!
Nah, just kidding. I'm not gonna cheat unless I'm really desperate for the move. Like I was with Flamethrower. And I think I'm okay with Psybeam instead of Psychic, which it learns by Level Up. At least for now.
And you know how frequently Spinda appears here? A lot. You know what kinds of EVs you get for defeating them? Special Attack. Yep. Gonna slap an Exp. Share onto Spinda now. And I lead with Loudred, who can also benefit from Special Attack EVs. With the ashes on this route, that'll also help me collect flutes.
- Loudred: +2 HP, +1 ATK, +9 DEF, +29 SPA, +4 SPE
- Spinda: +2 HP, +1 ATK, +9 DEF, +29 SPA, +4 SPE
Invisible Items Found: Ether, TM 32 (Double Team)
Wow. I am so glad that I use my itemfinder basically every 5 steps. :P
Blue Flute obtained!
Man, I miss the Flutes that have effects. Gen III and Gen IV were awesome with them. Stupid Gen V turning them into just "high sell price" items. >:(
Fallarbor Town
Invisible Items Found: Nugget
Not much to talk about here. I sell the Nugget.
The Move Relearner is also in this town. Gotta get my Heart Scales out of the PC real quick.
- Oh, hello.
Uh, hi.
- You are?
Me? You're the one being weird... whoever you are.
- Okay, your name's <player>. I can see that you're a trainer.
How in the hell did you know that?
- So that means you use the Pokémon Storage System I developed.
Uh, no. I don't. I put a Mudkip in there ONCE, and I never intend to go back for it.
- How I arrived at that conclusion is a simple deductive process.
Huh? What?
- You spoke to me because you wanted to access something on this PC.
Uh, yeah. ITEM storage. Bottomless bags don't exist in Hoenn. You're a generation too early if you think that the PC is only for Pokémon. And how does that explain how you knew my name!?
- Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Lanette.
Great. I hate you.
- Honestly, I'm glad to meet you - it's great you're using the Storage System.
But I'm not. How arrogant are you that you think that your PC program is the only one that people use!? You egotistical bitch.
- If you could, please visit me at home. My house is on Route 114.
Note to self: Avoid Route 114.
And how the hell did she know my name? Unless she uses hacking skills to spy on people who use the computer. Kinda like a single-person version of Google or Facebook.
I'm doing a virus scan.
LOL.
Well, what do you know? Something actually did come up.
When I hacked my game to get TM 35, apparently it gave me 65535 copies of it. Yeah, they're just chilling in the PC there.
Oh christ. I'm tossing them now. Which you can only do 99 at a time. Oh boy this will take a while. (Edit: Actually, that's only if you toss them from the bag. Tossing from the PC directly has no upper limit.)
Anyways, now for what I actually came here to do. I'm withdrawing my five Heart Scales and taking them to the Move Relearner.
Only to discover that none of my Pokémon have any Move Relearner moves that I didn't deliberately tell them to forget. Bummer.
(For those unaware, some Pokémon, usually evolutions, have a move or two that they learn at an earlier level than they can legally be obtained. You need to use the Move Relearner for things like that.)
But in looking at the Move Relearner's services, it forces me to check the Pokémon menu, where I discover that Linoone picked up an item...
Super Potion.
Linoone, didn't you get the memo in my Soda Pop rant? Super Potions are WORTHLESS! Pick up a better item, why don't ya!?
UGH! This town stinks. First there was that creepy stalker girl, then there was the Move Relearner being a total drag, and now my Linoone is taunting me with Super Potions.
I HATE THIS!
On a more serious note, I'm done playing for now. :P
All right, let's try to take down Flannery in this update!
Before that, though, I'm gonna train Spinda up just a little bit, so that I can level up and recalculate its IVs with better accuracy.
Loudred is vastly overleveled right now, so I'm just gonna have Linoone train while Spinda uses the Exp. Share.
- Linoone: +10 SPA
- Spinda: +10 SPA
Level 22 now.
IVs:
- HP is 17 to 20.
- ATK is 26 to 29.
- DEF is 19 to 22.
- SPA is 27 or 29.
- SPD is 23 or 25.
- SPE is 23.
Level 22 is actually a competent level right now too. For comparison, Linoone is 24, Swellow is 25, and Loudred is 28. Vigoroth is 20, but I've stopped using him.
Anyways, I pick up some Super Repels to avoid dealing with random encounters and then run around, grinding for ash, so that I can get a Yellow Flute.
Turns out I overdid the grinding, and ended up with enough for both a Yellow Flute and a Red Flute! Yay!
Oh, and I do not care at all about the Black Flute and the White Flute, so I'm not gonna bother with this anymore.
Route 114
I pick up the TMs for Dig and Roar from NPCs. Dig can be learned by either Linoone or Spinda, and that's a valid option for Flannery. Spinda can also learn Rock Tomb. I'll have to keep it in mind. In the meantime, there are two new Pokémon that I can get here, so I'll have to see how they will do. Before you can reach the tall grass on this route, though, you have to go through some trainers. Let's do this!
- Swellow: +2 HP, +3 ATK, +3 DEF, +1 SPA
- Spinda: +4 HP, +5 ATK, +2 SPD
- Linoone: +2 DEF, +1 SPA
Invisible Items Found: Revive
An NPC gives me a Bluk Berry. Not sure if this is a random berry per day person or not, but I think it is. As always, it's the only berry that I get.
Then I can go into the tall grass... and:
Zangoose Level 15 (Rash)
- HP: 50
- ATK: 42
- DEF: 24
- SPA: 27
- SPD: 21
- SPE: 32
Swablu Level 15 (Careful)
- HP: 38
- ATK: 18
- DEF: 25
- SPA: 15
- SPD: 30
- SPE: 23
Due to the fact that I now have seven Pokémon, I put Vigoroth in the PC. Zangoose gets his Silk Scarf. Swablu gets the Exp. Share from Spinda, and Spinda gets the Blackglasses to help its Faint Attack. Incidentally, Spinda also learned Hypnosis, so I deleted Tackle for it.
I also withdraw the Soft Sand from my PC, in case I want to give Dig a try.
And though I don't know for sure, Swablu's stats look really bad, so I may end up bringing back Vigoroth instead, especially since Swablu evolves into a Dragon/Flying, so I won't be able to keep it.
I'll do some Hidden Power testing and IV Calculation later. Right now I'm getting sleepy, so I'm gonna take a quick power nap. I should be awake and ready to update this in an hour or two though, so hang tight.
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