Pokémon General Discussion

[Flipz]

OK, Right now I'm level Grinding at the Restaurant near Valor Lakefront, trying to get Pachirisu to Level 41 or higher, and Rotom, Drifloon, and Roselia to Level 33 or higher.  Pachirisu's coming along great (mainly because I have my EXP share on him...anyone know how I can get another one?), and so are Rotom and Roselia.  Roselia in particular is quite vicious; at level 22, she has Stun Spore, Mega Drain, Leech Seed, and Magical Leaf.  In addition, if she switches out, she not only cures all of her status ailments, she also transfers the effects of Leech seed to the Pokemon she was switched for, so it continues to gain health every turn!!  So far the only thing that has given her pause is the Gyarados of the fisherman on Route 213...which is why Rotom is so useful.  Unless the Gyarados has Bite (which, sadly, both said Gyarados and Crasher Wake's Gyarados have), Rotom is virtually untouchable.  Awesome.  Plus, he has Confuse Ray, which is one of the most devastating attacks in the game, IMO, even though it doesn't directly damage the opponent.

My only problem right now is that I don't really know how to use Drifloon properly, so I'm afraid to level him up too much for fear of giving him the wrong moves.  Right now he is level 25, and he has Stockpile, Astonish, Gust, and Payback.

Anyhow, once I have them leveled-up, I'm going to boost my Torterra a level or two (he is an excellent partner for Rotom) and work on finding the last Pokemon for my team to challenge Crasher Wake.  I've already ruled out Togetic (I had to turn off the power because he OHKO'd him with gyarados and he was already my last Pokemon)...perhaps one of my Tropius?  (BTW, if I ever get wi-fi, I can breed them for you, instead of you having to get them in the Great Marsh...ugh.)  Or would Tangela be better?  Both my male and female Tropius are already Level 30, and my Tangela is at Level 28...any advice?

[Ddude The Insane]

Wow...I woulda given Flipz advice,but that is a lot better than anything i have to say.

At the moment,I'm EV training my Staravia. I'm trying to decide how i should balance it,but Sp. Defense is gonna get some EPs to deal with that Electric-type problem.

Also,a quick question on EVs-how do they work with exp Share? When i was leveling up my Feebas with exp. share,i battled 4 zubats and 1 Golbat. Would it have gotten 5 EPs or 6 EPs from that?

Also,i need some advice on training a Gallade. I really don't know where to start.....Also i'm deciding what Fire-type to get,Infernape is out because i prefer to never overlap types.

And one last thing-why did you put a Gliscor in your Plat team? I mean,nothing against it,but it isn't the greatet Pokemon.....HM slave?

[Flipz]

It's very obvious that you're very new to the biz of Pokemon.   Here's a few tidbits of commentary: 

1.)  I'm a little baffled as to why you're doubling up types on your team.  You've got two Electric-types, two Ghost-types, two Grass-types, etc.  It's getting a little redundant, and that's very unnecessary.  You should never have serious type overlapping.  Usually, there should only be one type overlap, maybe two on very rare situations, but not like this.  Having two Grass-types is already more than enough.  Three is overkill.  I wouldn't use Tropius or Tangela, or even Roselia, for that matter.  Torterra is really the only one you should stick with.  What is the moveset of your Torterra? 

2.)  I'm not really sure why you're using a Pachirisu.  Rotom and even Luxray are better than him, although Rotom isn't acting to its full potential unless it's using an appliance, which severely ups its stats.  It just baffles me a little, that's all. 

3.)  On your Roselia, you have two damaging attacks of the same type - Mega Drain and Magical Leaf.  The rule of thumb in Pokemon is that only in extremely rare situations should you ever have two similar attacks like these on the same moveset, and this doesn't come close to one of those situations.  I understand you probably don't have a lot to work with, but it shouldn't be done.  Also, Roselia is usually preferred on teams that didn't pick Turtwig.  Chimchar was picked more often, due to the sheer lack of Fire-types this generation, and Roselia would have gone along better with that. 

4.)  I personally don't feel like Confuse Ray is that devestating, but that's just my opinion.  It's certainly capable of mixing things up in your favor, but I think moves like Toxic, Choice Specs Draco Meteor, etc. are more devestating.  I think it has a lot to do with your outlook of Pokemon depending on the amount of experience you have, but I can understand what you mean. 

5.)  Drifloon, and subsequently, Drifblim, is a very difficult Pokemon to raise with seemingly small gain.  I remember trying to raise a Drifblim when I was starting out in Diamond Version (back when I was still a n00b at Pokemon ), and it just never really seemed to take off well.  The only thing it had going for it was its substantial HP and its above average Special Attack and Speed, but that was it.  It seemed to crumble very easily. 

If you would care, I can give advice for a team in Platinum.  I'll give you some basic advice. 

1.)  As I said before, never have overlapping types, and that also includes having Pokemon that are weak to similar types.  For example, if I was to use Tropius, Salamence, Garchomp, and Torterra, this is a bad team setup, for two reasons.  One, there are overlapping types, and two, all four of them have a X4 weakness to Ice-type moves, which is a big no-no in Pokemon.  Especially with Ice-type moves, due to their high commonness, but that's for another lesson. 

2.)  Keep good balance.  Some Pokemon should be used as bulkier Pokemon that can take several hits and offer team support, while others will act as "Physical/Special Sweepers", which means that if a Pokemon is defined as a Sweeper, that Pokemon is defined as one that's meant to hit very hard, very quickly.  Here's the team of Pokemon I used on my team in Diamond Version (I also picked Torterra in both Diamond Version and Platinum Version): 

Torterra
Staraptor
Luxray
Floatzel
Rapidash
Garchomp

The team has nice balance, and although three of them are weak to Ice-type moves (two of which get X4), they both offer Ground-type support, which can help get around that.  Now, one has to note that there was a lot less to work with in Diamond Version than there was in Platinum Version.  I would say that Torterra, Staraptor, and Garchomp formed the core of this team, but let's look at my Platinum team: 

Torterra
Staraptor
Luxray
Floatzel
Infernape
Gliscor

While very little seems to have changed, a lot changed with this team.  Having become quite fluent in competitive battle in the two years between Diamond and Platinum, I was able to learn from my mistakes and see what I should and shouldn't do.  Also, Platinum was considerably easier to work with, as there were 59 more Pokemon added to the Sinnoh Pokedex, Gliscor being one of them.  But the point is that you just need to try out different things and see what works well for you.  Different Pokemon work better for different people.  And it's just a classic example that Pokemon is simple trial and error, and that you keep having to learn from your mistakes in order to get better. 

In essence, just try to keep variety going in your team.  You've got Flareon, Ponyta/Rapidash, Magmar/Magmortar, and (a fourth fire-type that's slipping my mind at the moment ) to work with.  Start by raising one of them.

Ah.  Firstly, let me explain something.  The overlap...it's temporary.  I'm the kind of Trainer who switches out pokemon in my team often (hence, why I'm level-grinding-these Pokemon [well, not Torterra] have been sitting in my PC waiting for a chance to use them.  I've stocked up on Electric- and Grass-types so I can kill Crasher Wake with minimal resistance.  As for Pachirisu...I really want to get a Shiny Stone so I can evolve togetic into tokekiss so I can teach him Aura Sphere.  Plus, it'll pick up other evolutionary stones as time goes on, meaning I can evolve whatever I want whenever I want to.

Another problem is that I don't have wifi, and for some reason I can't access the Underground; thus, it's rather difficult to get Heart Scales to use at the Move Relearner.  There is the guy in Solaceon Town, but he has this annoying habit of asking for Pokemon that I haven't caught yet...

As far as Roselia goes-that's what she had when I caught her, and she has done exceptionally well, smashing through Level 30 enemies--Psychic-type enemies, mind you--with little to no resistance.  Also, I knew absolutely nothing about Pokemon when I first started playing, other than what I could learn from Super Smash bros Brawl; thus, I picked the Pokemon that I thought was cutest-which was Turtlewig.  Still, I'm always open to advice--what would be her ideal moveset?

Confuse Ray-Yeah, I just have really good luck with it.  Over 85% of the time, the enemy hurts itself instead of attacking (at least for me), so it's a really effective way to take enemies down over long battles.  My ideal Pokemon would have Leech Seed, Confuse Ray, Razor Leaf (or some more type-effective attack that has a good critical-hit ratio and hits both opponents in a Double Battle), and Aura Sphere.  Sadly, I don't think such a Pokemon exists...

Drifloon-Ah, OK.  In that case, I'll shelve Drifloon, evolve him at a later date to give Drifblim more complete Pokedex stats, and then shelve him again.

Team tips:
1) OK...I do have a fairly large number of types...I'll check what I have and get back to you.
2) I see...Well, I was planning to bring Kedabra and Gyarados back onto my main team as soon as I'm past Crasher Wake...and I'm planning to evolve Togetic...

My biggest problem is that I'm still heavily reliant on HM moves to get around (once I've gotten all of the HM moves and unlocked all of the goodies, I can rely solely on Fly and Surf and/or Waterfall to get around); and since I never thought to learn about Bibarel being a good HM slave (actually, I never even thought about the concep of HM slaves, period), I'm stuck with a couple of really good Pokemon saddled with HM moves.  Namely, my Torterra is stuck with Cut, and Togekiss is stuck with Rock Smash (don't ask).  Any tips on how to remedy the problem?

As far as Fire-types: What (in Platinum) are they really good for?  I'm not a huge fan of Fire-types, so I don't really know...
Anyhow, I do have that one Ponyta...I'll work on it once I'm done with Wake.

BTW, I realize that I can only get the one Evee in this game...so what should I evolve it into?  Or should I keep it as an Evee forever?  I know I don't want it to become Flareon (like I said, not a fan of Fire-types), but what are the others and their types?  And which one is most effective all-around?

BTW, as soon as I get a chance, can I PM you a list of the Pokemon I have caught so far, along with a list of the TMs/HMs I currently have?  That way you can explain to me what I should be doing.

[Solo Rogue]

Sooooo.... It appears everything from Friday but the Latios/Latias/Mewtwo stuff was real. >___< I really wanted that to be real too, just to have more stuff to do(Cerulean Cave anyone?). It does make sense to not have Mewtwo in this, because of Fr/Lg, but now other than Pal Parking it....

Also, PokeGear's back, but it seems that it's not like the Poketch after all, and retains a place in the menu according to Serebii. And it also has the Itemfinder built in(Hopefully you won't have to pause and unpause to find stuff though... >_>) Oh yes, apparently you can also register two Key Items for use on the touch screen.

And some NEP news... When you get it from the event, you can't evolve it or trade it apparently. =| Meh. Someone'll figure out a moveset for it. =P

Also... Anyone have a Pikachu Coloured Pichu from the event? =) Or at least one I can borrow when I get SS? =P

[Ddude The Insane]

1.I can't get return,i sold all my TMs,so unless there is a way that I'm missing.......Maybe a different Flying type would be better.
2.Besides Alakazam,who would you say is the best Psychic type for a competitve team?
3.Ok.
4.Alright. I had just never trained Gligar/Scor before,so i didn't really know.

[Solo Rogue]

Oooh, new PokeGear looks pretty cool, along with the new map design. Same with the new menu and how the key items thing looks, but... Is that... The running shoes as an icon on the touch screen I see...?

[Ddude The Insane]

1.I assumed i wouldn't need them.
2.Is he banned from competitive play or the Battle Frontier?
3.Ok.

[Solo Rogue]

You know what?

I. Hate. Munchlax.

Why? When I fought it in the Battle Factory last night, all it kept doing was healing somehow. >_______< *Uses berry* *Stockpiles* *Recycles* *Uses Swallow* *Rinses and repeats* ... >_<

/EDIT: HAH. Tyrogue's playing Football. xD

[Solo Rogue]

New format is pretty cool. I wonder if you can access your menu on the fly now? Like, since it's on the bottom screen, navigate it(Until you enter something of course) while walking. And new map is epic, and it actually tells you what runner is where ^^ Gyara's new sprite is cool too ^^

[Ddude The Insane]

I'm looking forward to the new,more touch -screen based features. they're making it more than just battling.

[.]

im thinking of training a dugtrio.  i found a move set that may work
item: focus slash
Moves:
Rest
Sleep talk
Fissure
Double team, night slash or nothing.

i would like help deciding what is best, and were to put my EVs

also, what is the best deoxys form and what should the move set be and were should EVs go?

[Flipz]

*sigh* I really need an HM slave that can use Fly...any suggestions?

[B~T]

After my vacation, I played on my Platinum version.

Team:
~ Torterra
~ Staraptor
~ Floatzel
~ Medicham
~ Magnezone
~ Drapion

I went through well on my Platinum. Beating Cyrus in the Distorted World was a bit of a problem. Without my Medicham, things really fell apart. I beat Houndoom with a Close Combat from my Staraptor, so Cyrus sent in Weavile. I was confident that I can OHKO and outspeed it with Close Combat, so I let Staraptor stay in, but Weavile OHKO'd it with Ice Punch. The rest of my team got killed but my Torterra and one other Pokemon. Eventually, I sent out Magnezone, and I eventually Discharged it (I did not send it out since I dread Brick Break. Gyarados Earthquaked my Magnezone, so I revived one other Pokemon and eventually killed it off. Honchkrow killed off my yet-revived again Magnezone (GAHHH HEAT WAVE) and Drill Pecked Staraptor until it fainted. Of course, I eventually killed it off. From there, things went better (Crobat was the last Pokemon).

Anyways, I trained my team to level 60 each. I have yet to take on the E4.

@flipz - Basically any non-Bug type Pokemon with wings can fly.
@period -

Fissure - W-w-w-hy would you use that...? It's banned in competitive play, and Earthquake is a better option, since you can at least OHKO some Pokemon... 
Rest-Talk - Dugtrio was built for revenge killing, not for walling, considering his paper thin defenses.
Double Team is also banned in competitive play.

A good Dugtrio moveset would be:

-Earthquake
-Stone Edge/Night Slash/Pursuit
-Aerial Ace
-Sucker Punch/Stone Edge

This set only works if it has the Arena Trap ability.

[.]

fissure has 100 acuracy if it is used from sleep talk. i thought.

...

[B~T]

But OHKO Moves are still banned.

Today's Pokemon is...

SALAMENCE!!!

Type: DRAGON/FLYING
Ability: Intimidate - Lowers the opponent's attack by one stage when it comes into battle. Will not take effect if the opposing Pokemon switches out to another Pokemon and the Pokemon with Intimidate stays.
Stats:

HP	95
Atck	135
Def	80
Sp. Atck	110
Sp. Def	80
Speed	100

Author's Opinion: This Pokemon is one of the most deadliest sweepers in the game. He is completely superior to almost every non-legendary Dragon, even Dragonite. An exception is Garchomp, who is now banned. It can be a Physical, Special, or even Mixed Sweeper. His moveset is rather unpredictable, which adds onto the threat. He's a great Pokemon overall, even though he has some weaknesses, which will be discussed in the bottom. 

BTW, HR means Highly recommended, which I will place if the set is capable of mixing Physical and Special attacks. Also, if the Pokemon has one ability, there won't be an Ability corner.
Recommended Movesets:
Nature: Adamant/Jolly (If using Stone Edge)
           Naughty/Naive (HR if using Fire Blast)
Item: Life Orb/Leftovers/Lum Berry/Yache Berry
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atck/252 Speed (Standard)
       232 Atck/ 24 Sp. Atck/252 Speed (HR if using Fire Blast)*^{credit to Smogon for EVs}
~ Dragon Dance
~ Outrage
~ Earthquake
~ Stone Edge/Fire Blast

This is one heck of a deadly set. Dragon Dance up, and sweep. Stone Edge is for Gyarados and Zapdos and is a viable option. Fire Blast rips through defensive Steel Types, (Skarmory will be so happydevastated to see this) such as Scizor and Forretress.

Nature: Timid/Modest
Item: Choice Specs
EVs: 4 HP/252 Sp. Atck/252 Speed
~ Draco Meteor
~ Dragon Pulse
~ Flamethrower
~ Hydro Pump

Draco Meteor for a big boost in power. Flamethrower for you-know-who. Hydro Pump kills off defensive Rock types as well as Heatran.
Now, many of you complain about having two Dragon moves in one set. Notice that this is a Choice set. Draco Meteor is devastating, but you must switch out to "recharge" the move, and yu would want to switch out anyways due to Choice Specs. Dragon Pulse is for long-term battles. This set is very rarely used, but it is still a powerful set.

Nature: Rash/Mild
Item: Life Orb
EVs: 84 Atck/216 Sp. Atck/208 Speed
~ Draco Meteor
~ Fire Blast
~ Brick Break/Earthquake
~ Roost/Outrage/Crunch

The MixMence is a total Wall-Breaker as well as a devastator. Armed in both types of attacks, your wall will be ripped apart before you can say "What just happened!?!?!?!" Draco Meteor for a boost of power, and why should I bother explaining Fire Blast? Earthquake deals with Steel Type Pokemon. Brick Break can deal with defensive Pokemon like Blissey, Heatran, and land an OHKO on Tyranitar. Outrage is a physical option for Salamence for further use in Wall-Breaking, and Roost can not only lengthen its longevity, it reduces his weaknesses to Ice and Rock. Flamethrower is also an option for better accuracy and PP, but less power. Crunch can help deal with Cresselia.

Countering Salamence:

Salamence's diverse moveset options makes it difficult for counters. Gyro Ball Bronzong helps, but it must be Sassy, 0 IVs in Speed, Maximum Attack for Gyro Ball to deal the most damage. Cresselia works too, and Porygon2 can help with Physical variants by Tracing Intimidate and torture it with Ice Beam. 

Dragon Dance (DD) Salamence are very hard to counter. The best bet is to lock it into Outrage, and then send in a Defensive pokemon such as Skarmory.

Choice Specs variants can be countered by Blissey. Other Special Walls like Milotic and Suicune can shrug off hits and hit back with Ice Beam.




@All - You can do reviews of your own if you would like... But if you want to have it like mines is, you will have to follow a certain format...

[Flipz]

I know, but I need Fly and as many other HM moves as I can get.  So far I'm looking at Zubat, since it can also use Defog, but...

If only I could breed Togetic.  Then I could use one as an HM slave for Rock Punch, Cut, and Fly, and evolve the other into Togekiss and train it for combat. ..

[Dudebot5000]

Double Team is also banned in competitive play.

Seriously? SWEET. I hate that move. >_<

[Ddude The Insane]

Well, i got a few TMs from my friend for a feebas. I'm working on breeding a Chimchar to get even more TMs.

[.]

Double Team is also banned in competitive play.

Seriously? SWEET. I hate that move. >_<

NUU!! i luv that muv!!!

I m going to train a wobafet instead
EVs: idk where 2 put them
Nature: ...
Moveset:
Counter
Mirror Coat
Destiny Bond
Encore

[Ddude The Insane]

*facepalm*

You realise that woubbafet is bannedfrom competitive play,right?