Urgh… what time is it? It feels like I napped for days. The good news is that I found a nice place to sleep.
"It's an island down south of this island, Floria! I hear it's home to many tropical Pokémon!"
…Is it a coincidence that I gave up my last run at that place? More due to stuff that happened before it, but even so…
Home sweet home! The binoculars don't do sh*t, but it's empty and comes with sofas. Plus, it adds some shelter from the constant hammering of the rain. It beats real life sd;fhdsjkf at least in-game, a landlord was not snatching half my salary…
So back to Oceana Pier I go, to do what I should have done before I battled the Bug and Flying Trainer. Let's catch something else!
It may seem weird to catch a Fletchling, with the Nidoran in the same area. But Quick Guard – a move that blocks priority – is essential for a fight I am thinking of far, far in the future. Besides, Nidoran didn't notice me last time.
"Shoot! It was so close, too!"
Goddammit, that's 200$ down the drain.
"Gotcha! Fletchling was caught!"
Unlike the text on that image, I see sldkkfhsdk
…I name her the only thing I could. In honour of the one who brought me here.
From that horrible accident.
...Mom, I...
A-Anyway. We have good and bad news. Tesla, your Nature's helpful and your Defence IV is great. But lord, that Attack IV…
At least I've heard that Talonflame can do more than sweeping. Will-o-Wisp, Roost, priority Tailwind…
And hey, a partner is a partner. Let's explore all sorts together, like the place the cruise was meant to be.
"New scenery, new people, new opportunities!"
If "Clair's Kingdra crit my Starter" counts as "new people" then you're welcome to her ad;kjfjhsdjk not that I speak from experience or anything…
"But unfortunately, I think it's time to return home. Sad days."
Can't say it rings a bell, it may have been later than I got to last time.
"That thing was so damn useless! Couldn't even beat a simple Bug Catcher."
Wait, that one's yours?! What the hell?
Yeah, and I'll take his! I need the teammate!
"If they can't battle, then what's the point?"
GIRL: "Whatever you say…"
…At least box them if they can't… hhhh, for the love of god.
Oh! Do you want to –
Oh.
Okay...
Okay, I wonder where the Buizel is. Let's try going to the left –
- Goddammit.
Lime gains a level, and I am done with fighting already kdsjfhs
Still so little money…
MAN: "Whaaaaat? That liner that's supposed to connect Unova and Aevium? Wasn't that supposed to come in hours ago?"
Just hours ago…?
MAN: "Team Xen? That worthless group of people? Yeah, sure."
WOMAN: "No, it's true! Team Xen may have been docile, but it seems like they're starting to become more and more active."
…
"terrorists running around!"
…I-I guess he has a point…
…Sadly, I don't have the luxury to leave. I must scavenge the region, checking everywhere for items and information. Yes, I'm using a walkthrough to help find things. No, I can't screenshot to save my life ;p
This is a good place to start. Let's train Tesla by beating up her friends!
Yay…?
At least she gains EXP quickly. Perhaps she doesn't mind beating up her own species kgfghfkgh
Back in Gearen City, I take a right at the crossroads. At this point, I'm just walking by to send death glares to this guy again.
Yesss, all the Berries xD
It's nice to see another newcomer. Sadly, she follows the NPC tradition of saying hi through fighting.
Go gettem! Tesla's tearing through all comers xD
"Not a very nice welcome!"
Hey come on!
Ma'am, you're the one who challenged me…
I can't believe you can buy regions now k;akShcfdks is this the future Elon Musk wants? Or maybe those Seasteaders, building water-based habitats like we're in Bioshock or something ;p
Then again, who am I to complain? Someone could've dropped that seed. They're valuable for things like Terrains, which will hit me in full force later. But I'm grabbing it anyway - I need every advantage I can. If I could, would I buy myself a region?
"You can pick up an AP membership card there and check all the AP you've collected. Additionally, you can pick up items in exchange for AP. And I'm talkin' cool stuff, dude! Like an EXP-ALL, or EV Cards for the Gearen Laboratory!"
Speaking of value, this is an excellent resource. We'll be checking it out once we're done.
"I guess he's getting way too old to manage the city by himself?"
And at the centre of this are the self-inserts from before – because Jan running the League is not important enough for him I guess ;ppp
When I scavenge, the smallest things make me smile. These are Gems, one-time consumables that power up a move of that type.
It's great to see them implemented, even if it means my opponents will also access them.
"He won't understand that it's far too dangerous to travel there."
Like potential opponents in that forest… For your own benefit, kid, listen to your mom on this one.
Then I hope for your sake the Growlithe eats it…
"Staryu evolves from a Water Stone! Porygon evolves from an Upgrade and a Link Heart!"
A Link what now?
What are these schools teaching kids? Not about switching 'mons in a fight...
See, even I do that. I play on SET Mode – as always – I just don't screenshot the turns where I take one 'mon out for another.
You know what I also know? Who I need to use non-damaging moves on because they know Bide ;p I would like to thank random Internet scrolling for this one.
This is the one time I'm glad I'm not grabbing tons of money. I don't want to take everything from a kid ;p
Well, at least I get what a Link Heart is. Like the Link Capsule in Reborn, you use it on a Pokémon who would otherwise evolve by trade. Don't know why this trivia prompted a fight though ;p
Why does everyone want to fight kfdfhksjdfh
Mistress? What kind of Trainer title is that dskkfhsdf anyway - so Tesla takes the Wurmple, but Mr Mime could prove deadly. We switch in Lime who takes a hit and should be able to OHKO this poor, frail baby -
- Oh no.
You can't do that -
- Whoa...
"I should start heading back soon."
Lime… you're okay…
Wait! No no no no no -
- thank you…
That. That was close.
Now my 'mons are healed, I can sigh in relief and plan. I need more teammates to take the pressure off them.
Wha...how? I was blocking her path!
"Will you be the one to make this statement false?"
Hey, don't rub salt into the wound!
"White second."
Hmmm… more stuff I don't think I've seen before.
There you are sadjhfdsfjk wait, how did you get past the toll guy?!
But due to my reluctance to battle, I have no choice to go elsewhere.
Though not before scraping the bins at every turn…
"We are happily founded by the Blakeroy Corporation and their sponsors!"
Oh hey, this looks interesting! And wow…the Blakeroys run everything, huh?
- Oh my god?!
Of 300$~"
…Oh.
...
I can't read anything here...
…You know what? I don't get why this isn't free. Aren't the Blakeroys wealthy enough? People need public services to – in my case – find out more about this strange world they're dumped in. Why is this all commodified? Why can't I earn any money? This… hoarding for the sake of yet more profit only highlights the constant desire for the acquisition of capital and growth, and the inevitability of the -
- klasjdhskj don't roast me, kid. I just wanna use my degree subject somewhere…
…I slink off to the next building, which at least has some nice volunteering prospects.
So kfdhsfkjdfhs I finally get this reference. Apparently (I've never had a Tumblr account so idk everything) some Tumblr peeps tried to organise a convention which ended catastrophically, of note was this tiny ball pit which was nowhere near the size and scale imagined. The "privilege" of spending more time in there was something promised to disgruntled fans. As you can imagine, it didn't take.
God, after the library? It's so nice to see a place where help is encouraged. Far from the grubby pursuit of wealth and -
- rewards?
Oh my god I remember them now lkjsdhfsk gimme xD
Pokémon, battling, scary sh*t…
Missing… the m-missing mother… haha…
Anyway, let's take this one!
I love that Gorebyss and Luvdisc print! And Eric, you're a bolder soul than I.
And yes, I'm aware that puts me below this guy who can't even pass a note by himself. At least he's trying to say something to someone!
She tells me that the client is waiting by Oceana Pier Gate. Thankfully, that's not that far from here, so south we go.
And here is the AP system. We get achievements based on – well – things like walking, catching Pokémon. Like the Medal systems from BW2, but useful. I think I got the first "Tired Feet" AP point on the cruise, but I forgot to screenshot it.
South of the city, we arrive back here.
Yeah, and - hey, why are you in my new home?
"W-What am I saying? You answered my help request, which means you're here to help. I have a love letter that I want to send to someone I like, but I don't really have the strength to do it myself."
Imagine having ever felt that way and massively relating here…. Could never be me, definitely not.
Oh dear... well, let's hope it doesn't.
Hey Eric, how come you can use those binoculars and not me?
"Let me just adjust it a little bit, and…"
Oooh, a new part of the city!
"That's the person I want you to deliver the letter to!"
Oh! Hey!
It looks like it. Hmm...
ERIC: "I think I have an idea! It seems like Cameron left that place empty-handed, right? What if I brought something from the medicine store in addition to this letter? If I recall correctly, I heard he was battling a Trainer that used a lot of Fire types. Perhaps he was looking for something to deal with that?"
Awww… that's a sweet idea. But by "I", he means "let Sky buy it", right?
ERIC: "Make sure to buy him the appropriate item too, please!"
*sighs* So yep, the payer is me.
I just hope I can afford it... and also that my team can make more money from Trainers here. Look at these two lil beans!
"It's a place that's better than Gearen in every and any way possible. But I will say that ever since those two arrived, the city has been in better shape."
Grand Dream City was where Amanda got that hat, right? Sounds like a valuable place for me to go xD if I ever win the Pokelottery, I'm going on a shopping spree.
Speaking of which xD I could sell that!
Why do NPCs always start battles with these weird statements -
Ponyta hits like a truck this early in the game. I hope Tesla doesn't prove too fragile…
Even with a Flame Body burn, we win!
Why were you expecting…oh, forget it.
Urgh, a Supersonic Zubat. I switch Lime out for Tesla, but the burn limits her attack.
So I switch Lime in, and he bravely breaks through confusion to win xD
They're somewhere that's not in this flat, coastal city ksdkfhsdk
That Ponyta confirmed it: burns are a constant pain when handling Fire types. But with 225$ left, I need to budget the rest carefully.
"If you don't, I'll be out of a house soon enough…"
Oh god – sure! I'll try to –
O-Oh…
I'm sorry...
"A love letter? That's kind of… archaic, but the intent is there, I guess. He included this Burn Heal with it?! How did he know I needed this?"
He didn't. I brought it, and just realised I can't help someone in need as a result D:<
"I've seen him around these parts a few times and thought he was kinda cute, too."
Awwww! Also I am here for the representation xD
"Thanks for delivering this for me!"
That's so cool! I'm happy we did one good thing!
"They say that if you're having a rough time, you should visit Luck's Tent. Apparently he has some method to make your life easier. Whatever that means? I dunno, but if you're interested you should go visit him now. He's planning on leaving the city soon."
So it's time limited? Also, I love the detailed Staryu poster.
"Woah, looks like there's someone here. Heh, knew if I waited I would get somewhere."
Er…hi! Can you help me out?
Oh dear, is my player character really a child in this game? Anyways, I'm Sky.
"Well you're in luck, Sky. Literally. My name's Luck, and I don't give a…"
A…?
"I bet you're wondering what I'm doin' here? Well let me explain."
Oooh, do you live in here? Can you pull out a cool bed from the desk?
Oh god... Shall I count the ways?
"…Or maybe your life is painfully average."
Hey, I'd love for life to be average. In-game, I'm broke at the bottom of the barrel with no Badges to my name.
"You strike a deal with me and I can change your life for the better…or the worse – if that's how you like it. I guess you could say my services could be game-changing… again, literally."
0____0
Well…
"You look absolutely lost. Well fine, how about this. I'll let you try out my service once for free. Though, you better make sure you know what you're doing. I won't revert things for free, and my services aren't exactly cheap. If you're interested, speak to me again. If not just walk on out of here. The choice is yours, Sky."
I'm tempted. Honestly.
But - maybe not…
For context, this guy changes the difficulty mode of the game. But it's not so easily reversible if it comes for a fee. But if I need to switch to Easy Mode, I'll bear his words in mind.
Speaking of difficulty, this is the first Gym! You all have three guesses on its type. The first two don't count ;p
At least the walkthrough item guides are here to make things easier 🥺
"That's what I really want to do in life, but my family said otherwise."
That's… rough, honestly. If there's some sidequest later encouraging you to follow your dreams, I'll try to help with it.
Hey, I have good news!
"W-Wow, this is amazing! I didn't think that love letter would actually work out so well!"
Awwww… good on you!
"B-But I guess I need to learn how to be stronger…Otherwise I'll just be relying on others for everything and that's just…"
I understand, fren. I do. I hope this helps, at least.
"Go to the Help Plaza and pick up your reward, okay? Thanks again!"
No worries!
And now...I'm alone again.
I don't think there's any pubs or bars in this city, otherwise I'd head down there ;pp this has all been...kinda overwhelming.
Actually, I guess I'm not alone. I have my teammates with me now!
I love you beans so much :3
Gimme my prize please!
"Here is your reward!"
Finally xD
Good, a replacement for the Burn Hea-
- Oh my god?
Eric. My man, you have just saved my run. Thank you so much!
LADY: "We appreciate your help!"
Wait. W-What the f*ck…is that?
I need to run, haha... I do not want that thing watching me.
I initially want to buy things with the money I have. But then I remember I need to sell the Nugget first jadshfk
We may never have money problems again. One kind sidequest, and I'm happy.
I also don't plan on using Battle Items, at least not in the early-game.
"Thank you for your business!"
At least I can afford this now. Three more Poke Balls and 1200$ later, and some new dialogue comes up.
"Wait… this isn't a-?!"
Oh! Hey!
…Yeah, I knew this would be here so I can't say my motivations were purely altruistic. What's your name, little one?
Yesss xD
Trust me, I'll be happy to!
Signal Beam is an amazing coverage move for this stage in the game. Sonicboom dealing 20 Base HP damage and Eerie Impulse sharply lowering Special Attack should also prove amazing.
"Guess I'm not movin' from this spot any time soon."
Further right from the shops, I meet another guy having a tough time.
Wow, you're polite sdjlkfh
At least mine isn't basic ~
Urgh, the Azurill even Water Sports in my face. Time to see what the new friend can do, I guess?
Hey, nice work! Blink, brace yourself for this weak Woobat's Confusion -
Oh... that was a lot...
I-I'm glad my near suicidal stunt won your respect, I guess.
Blink, I'm so glad you're okay.
Oh?
Hi there, you're from the pier. Are you alright?
Wait a minute… You're the sh*tty owner? I thought you'd hopped on the boat?
"move tutor. Come back with me, Buizel, and I'll give you a second chance!"
Hey, here's a second chance. Why don't you back away while you can?
GUY: "Aw c'mon! Don't be useless! That's the whole reason I ditched you in the first place!"
Right, you can f*ck off now. Or do you wanna fight?
This exactly. You stay behind me, little one.
"You're really starting to piss me off, ya know? So you know what? I think I'm gonna beat your face in!"
Fine, let's see who gets smashed into the pavement.
…W-What's that… boss music?
So I can't find it, but this game is absolutely playing miniboss music now. It's three against three, though Blink's battered in the back. And the levels look higher than usual.
Tesla's low Attack IV is showing, but she's still doing well!
Excellent work as always, but it's time for her to swap out.
Lime...?
The next Horn Attack high-rolls, and scares me for a moment. But Tesla gains a level as a result of the Rhyhorn dying. So we can switch her back in here.
…Oh, f*ck this. I dislike healing, but it's not against the rules and I'm not risking a crit.
How tanky is this thing? Keep going, Tesla!
We made it! You two make an excellent team! Lime gains a level from this, and learns Razor Leaf.
Just leave, mate. I'm done with you.
Wait - did you say that? Almost like you're… giving this 'mon to me?
So Buizel might count under the Gift Clause?
So I can take you, little one, and get another 'mon in the city?
Yeah yeah, let's leave this guy to his rambling. This would be… the most dubious use of the Gift Clause I've ever seen.
But this game is gonna get rough, so…should I count this as a gift or not?
Later, losers!"
You know what. I'm doing it. We need all the encounters we can get here.
Either way, he's gone…that guy who couldn't even make his battle sprite match the overworld one ;p
"Buizel seems to want to go with you!"
And besides, Buizel. Even if you're not the best catch for the city…
…You deserve the best anyway.
A fitting name, considering your line save peeps from drowning. Guess it's my turn to save one of you, huh?
Dear god, the parade of low IVs will never end. These are the worst I've seen yet DDDD: as said before, IVs are RNG-based. To be perfect, they must all be 31. But we got 1, 20, 0, 9, 5 and 7 out of 31 respectively sdjkfdsjkf that's noooot gonna help your stats, my friend.
it's not even Swift swim LOL
that's the only reason you ever use buizel... i... 😭👍
Commentary from my friend antingaround on this poor bean ^ sjkdfhdsjh (I could use an Ability Capsule if needed someday?)
But hey, silver linings! You have an awesome move. Like Blink, Sonicboom should prove amazing at this point in the game. You've absolutely got this, and I believe in you <3
And besides, you're still a Pokémon. One of the many I need on my team. And for my next catch, I need to decide something.
All the buildings like this are the same named area ("Gearen Apartments"). In them are two encounters. As I never play using Pinwheel Forest Clause, I can catch one out of the two.
"There are three floors to this building. The third floor is currently vacant…I think. …Don't mind me! My mind is just getting to me, I suppose."
Shuppet, who gets Will-o-Wisp and Knock Off from day one, lurks here. It evolves late, and all Banette's stats bar Attack are lacking. The line also doesn't get a Ghost physical STAB that's more powerful than Shadow Sneak until like… a TM in Gym 4?
"I've heard weird noises coming from the third floor at night. I don't suppose you're going to head up there, are you? I seriously don't recommend it. Bad idea. Negatory."
It does get a Mega in Prankster and the Ghost type is cool defensively; resisting and being immune to the type specialties in the first, second and third Gyms. But Shuppet evolving so late means we're stuck with that frailer first stage for a while. Against behemoths in our future, this could cause a problem.
Besides, there'll be others vying for that Mega slot down the line. Assuming they're in the game so far.
"All floors are filled except for the second one. Though I do hear rumours about the second floor…Er, don't mind me. It's not my place to talk about strange things."
In here lies Pachirisu, an Electric type with Spark, Charm and Nuzzle learnt very early. For this point in the game, its stats are great – and its Speed is especially high. It can also come with Pickup, and learns Covet for stealing 'mons' items. Charm gains points for being a more accurate Will-o-Wisp, as it lowers Attack though it leaves no burn.
But without an evolution or Mega, its strength will plummet past the early game. We already have an Electric type, and they'd both take neutral damage from the early Gym STABs.
Pachirisu also requires that GourmetTreat, a typically expensive item that I found using the magic of walkthroughs. Shuppet does not, so if I caught Pachirisu and so if another 'mon required it I would need to spend 1500$ on it. This in a game where I've been scrabbling and grinding for every PokeDollar. But in my last run, Shuppet became our first death and all…
So I head "home" to think of what to do. Not all our opponents will carry weak first stage 'mons, even in Gym 1. I need the strongest 'mons I can for now.
…In fact, I think that's it. I've made a decision.
What do all of you think it will be?
These Shinies are lovely yet understated, with the black and yellow coming together for the epic Mega Evolution xD and yes, this must mean that Megas are in the game. I'm sure I'll have fun facing them D:
