Locations of interest:
Isle of Armor - Heard of a Zorua, Snivy, Venipede, Salazzle, and Rockruff were here.
Crown Tundra - Heard Gible and Froslass were here.
Alola - Heard Zubat, Kabuto, and Banette were here. Will also look into Z-Crystals.
Paldea - Heard Wattrel, Varoom, and Glimmet were here. Will also look into Terastalization.
Goals:
Evolve Magikarp(?)
- It has proven futile that this Magikarp’s potential is anything more than garbage, and it doesn’t hold a promising hope that it will be a good Gyarados. I might have to release it soon if it doesn’t prove as formidable as Totodile at some point.
Evolve Grookey, Totodile, Rookidee soon
- These three have proven to be great battlers, and it’s showing. They’re getting closer and closer to evolution, I can feel and see it. They are starting to take incorporations of their next evolution into their base form until the ultimate point of evolution. Hopefully, they evolve soon.
Find potential in Stufful, Pancham, and Trubbish.
- These three I caught before the Galarian Meowth, yet the newest addition in the cat has been showing far more promise far more quickly than these three. I got these two Fighting-Types to combat Nessa’s Gigantamax Drednaw. Will need a replacement soon if these two don’t work. Trubbish seems too timid to handle the training regimen. Will need to replace it soon.
Moves:
Totodile -> Croconaw -> Feraligatr
All three are Water-Types, so they are all weak to Grass- and Electric-Type moves, as well as Freeze-Dry. After studying the versatility of these Pokémon, I am surprised at the amount of coverage they have. It can cover all but one, and that is other Water-Types. Iron Tail isn’t exactly suitable. I prefer Iron Head, but it’s the best coverage against Fairy- and Ice-Types and it does give better defensive options since it’s the tail and not the head. Aerial Ace is thankfully a Flying-Type attack I prefer. At least the Fighting-Type attacks are far more reliable, with Brick Break being my biggest priority, Superpower being for high damage, high punishment. I do want to try out Focus Punch in a double battle, and Low Kick when I can’t afford to buy the other Fighting-Type attacks and for heavier opponents minus Dynamaxed. Due to Sheer Force, the secondary effects of some of these moves won’t function. This means Iron Tail doesn’t decrease the target’s Defense.
It knows many of the physically grueling field moves, as well as all of the water traversal moves. These include Surf, Waterfall, Whirlpool, Dive, Rock Climb, Strength, Cut, Rock Smash, Dig, and Headbutt. I’ll need to save up money for these or get a Pokémon who can teach these.
I need to replace these moves as soon as possible, preferably these special moves for physical ones. Aqua Tail and Liquidation, maybe I can chain together Iron Tail and Aqua Tail. Replace Mud-Slap for Dig and then Earthquake. Replace Bite for Crunch. Replace Ice Punch for Ice Fang. Replace Dragon Dance for Screech, until I can buy Hone Claws and Swords Dance. Unless Dragon Dance is better, then I’ll train her to use it again.
Synergy with this Pokémon requires a setup Pokémon, and a Grass- or Electric-Typed Pokémon to handle other Water-Types that are either too bulky or special attackers, preferably another Grass-Type. Grookey is doing fairly well, and I hope he doesn’t disappoint me. Otherwise, I will just have to replace him with another Grass-Type.
Only a few Pokémon can learn Freeze-Dry and they are thankfully all Ice-Types. These include: Galarian Mr. Mime and Mr. Rime, Glalie, Glaceon, Vanilluxe, Cryogonal, Amaura and Aurorus, Eiscue, Arctozolt, Arctovish, Alolan Vulpix and Alolan Ninetales, Lapras, Swinub and Piloswine and Mamoswine, Delibird, Galarian Darumaka and Galarian Darmanitan, and Frigibax and Arctibax and Baxcalibur. Thankfully, all of them can be beaten with a Fighting- and/or Steel-Typed attack from Totodile’s evolution.
Magikarp -> Gyarados
While Magikarp is a pure Water-Type like the Totodile line, Gyarados is a Water/Flying-Type, double weak to Electric, and gaining a Rock weakness. At least it will resist Fighting and Bug, and Grass becomes neutral, but those aren’t really something I’m worried about. While Gyarados is a powerhouse, Feraligatr would already fill that niche. I’ve seen Magikarp far better than this one, so this leads me to believe that this Magikarp has very low potential to be anything. If she doesn’t get any better, I’ll have to abandon her. I do find it vastly amusing that her Rattled ability activates when I even just look at her. How cute.
Grookey -> Thwackey -> Rillaboom
All three are Grass-Types, all weak to Flying, Ice, Bug, Poison, and Fire. Before I get into the prospects of this Pokémon’s battling experience, I’ve noticed this Grookey seems more optimistic than the other Pokémon, and has stayed with me the longest despite me putting it through more rigorous training. If anything, my dumbass of a father somehow gave me a strong contender, but I hope this optimism doesn’t disappear when he starts evolving. I would have preferred it if he got me one with Grassy Surge instead of Overgrow, but beggars can’t be choosers.
Covering his weaknesses, the Grookey line has access to… Enough coverage. Fighting for Ice, Flying for Bug, and Ground for Poison and Fire. It doesn’t have an answer for Flying, and its other types it gains access to are pitiful at best. Dark and Bug are the other two, aside from Grass. The only ones that are covered are Ghost, Psychic, Grass, Dark, Poison, Rock, Steel, Fire, Electric, Fighting, Bug, Normal, and Ice. 13, which is still a good number, but when a few moves from the types you have consist of U-Turn, Acrobatics, Fling, Snarl, Thief, and Knock Off… Ugh.
Either way, depending on how long this Pokémon is staying, might as well make the most of it, make it a bulky bruiser. Moves I’m thinking of would consist of Grassy Terrain, Leech Seed, Drum Beating (for G-max purposes), Bulk Up, Knock Off, Brick Break, Acrobatics, and Earthquake.
Synergy with this Pokémon would be a bit difficult. He works better as a physical wall that hits hard, so he’ll need some protection from special attacks, and anything that could cause him to lose that bulkiness or get bypassed completely, like Toxic.
Rookidee -> Corvisquire -> Corviknight
The first two being Flying-types while the last evolution being a Flying/Steel-Type, I hope this one stays. After tireless searching, I finally found one with Big Pecks (as it will become Mirror Armor as a Corviknight) and the appropriate personality, despite the agility loss. I don’t know why I did what I did then. I was just so angry. But she’s so carefree. I hope she doesn’t get smart and leave.
Covering weaknesses at first, Rookidee and Corvisquire only have a few to worry about, them being Electric, Rock, and Ice. Very few birds are able to learn Ground-Type moves that isn’t Sand Attack, so I figured Electric wouldn’t be covered, which is fine. My Totodile can handle it when she gets there. But Fighting is good against Rock and Ice, which she thankfully has Rock Smash now. I want to try out Power Trip one of these times, but it would likely be easier with a Baton Pass setter. As for Corviknight, their weaknesses include Fire and Electric. Again, no Ground, and neither do we have Water or Rock, but my Totodile can handle that.
I’m thinking of making her a bulky Pokémon, pure and simple. Maybe play with Power Trip some more. Power Trip, Hone Claws, Pluck, Steel Wing, Iron Defense, Tailwind, Agility, and Roost.
Synergy requires making sure this Pokémon doesn’t get hit by any super-effective moves at first and then outliving her opponent by setting up enough.
Stufful -> Bewear
Both are Normal/Fighting-Types with surprising health that, when backed by Fluffy and covered by Water-Types, becomes rather formidable. I wanted this Stufful to become a physical tank. However, I realize that she’s pretty useless. Despite her attitude, which I can respect at some points, she doesn’t really take training seriously. If she can’t pull her weight, I’ll have to ditch her. It’s a pity, considering I was going to get her help against Nessa. She also acts high and mighty, like she’s done nothing wrong. It irks me. It just reminds me of all those fucking snowflakes back in that dusty waste they call a farmland.
Pancham -> Pangoro
A Fighting-Type now, a Fighting/Dark-Type later after training with a Dark-Type, I grabbed her because I thought I could use her Scrappy ability to fight part Ghost-Types who were weak to Fighting-Type attacks, like Spiritomb and Goldengho. However, her clingy attitude is frankly annoying. Her intelligence and tenacity are all she has. She doesn’t have the physical prowess a Fighting-Type like her should have, and it disgusts me. I might as well get rid of her along the way to the second gym.
Trubbish -> Garbodor
Both Poison-Types, I was going to use him as a setter. Throw Toxic Spikes into the field, reset the opponent’s raised stats, poison them, and then when he faints, explode with Aftermath - given there are no Pokémon with Damp. He didn’t reach my expectations. He’s too worried about his own life, and his own indecisiveness is making me wonder if he’s thinking about running. If that’s the case, I don’t mind giving him a better excuse to do so.
Galarian Meowth -> Perrserker
Both Steel-Types, weak to Fire, Ground, and Fighting. Steely Spirit would be great if I had more Perrserker with Steely Spirit, but I do not. Still, it is something I can take advantage of in a double battle. Even without the possibility of Tough Claws or Battle Armor, this Pokémon is very capable. Intelligent, quick, durable, this Pokémon might as well be close enough to a dream come true in a catch.
This Pokémon is surprisingly versatile. Aside from a handful of Steel and Dark moves, it also has access to some interesting special moves, like Thunderbolt and Shadow Ball. To cover for weaknesses, there’s Grass and Water for Ground, Ground and Water for Fire, and Fairy and Flying for Fighting. It also has access to Bug, Electric, Fighting, Ghost, Poison, Dark, and Steel. Overall coverage includes Ground, Rock, Water, Fire, Poison, Steel, Electric, Fighting, Dragon, Bug, Grass, Psychic, Dark, Ghost, Flying, Normal, Ice, and Fairy. All 18 types. That feels great.
Moves will include Iron Head, X-Scissor, Throat Chop, Thunderbolt, Play Rough, Brick Break, Seed Bomb, and Dig. Extra moves being Aerial Ace, Shadow Claw, Gunk Shot, Chilling Water, Night Slash, and Fake Out.
Synergy? This Pokémon doesn’t need to, just make sure he’s alive long enough to get rid of any other threats that may be posed to others on the team.
TMs/TRs to Buy:
TR002 - Acrobatics ($12,500)
TR003 - Aerial Ace ($5,000) x2
TR004 - Agility ($15,000)
TR025 - Brick Break ($10,000) x3
TR030 - Bulk Up ($15,000)
TR037 - Chilling Water ($7,500)
TR044 - Crunch ($10,000)
TR046 - Cut ($5,000)
TR053 - Dig ($7,500) x2
TR055 - Dive ($7,500)
TR071 - Earthquake ($12,500) x2
TR101 - Focus Punch ($20,000)
TR114 - Gunk Shot ($20,000)
TR117 - Headbutt ($5,000)
TR125 - Hone Claws ($15,000)
TR133 - Ice Fang ($7,500)
TR141 - Iron Defense ($15,000)
TR143 - Iron Tail ($12,500)
TR148 - Liquidation ($10,000)
TR149 - Low Kick ($)
TR176 - Play Rough (10,000)
TR209 - Rock Climb ($)
TR212 - Rock Smash ($5,000)
TR215 - Roost ($9,500)
TR222 - Screech ($11,500)
TR224 - Seed Bomb ($10,000)
TR228 - Shadow Claw ($8,500)
TR255 - Strength ($7,500)
TR260 - Superpower ($20,000)
TR261 - Surf ($12,500)
TR265 - Swords Dance ($15,000)
TR267 - Tailwind ($)
TR274 - Throat Chop ($8,500)
TR279 - Thunderbolt ($10,000)
TR295 - Waterfall ($10,500)
TR297 - Whirlpool ($5,500)
TR303 - X-Scissor ($10,000)
Get Grass Badge
- I have been studying Milo. He uses a wide variety of Grass-Type Pokémon found across Galar, Isle of Armor, and Crown Tundra, but uses a few as his main Pokémon, abilities and moves randomly chosen based on the level of challenge requested.
Here is a list of Pokémon he may mostly use in fights: Oddish, Gloom, Bellossom, Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Seedot, Nuzleaf, Shiftry, Cherubi, Cherrim, Bounsweet, Steenee, Tsareena, Gossifleur, Eldegoss, Applin, Flapple (G-Max), Appletun (G-Max).
Here is a list of Pokémon he rarely uses: Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur (G-Max), Vileplume, Grookey, Thwackey, Rillaboom (G-Max)
