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Post by Dashe on Jul 5, 2017 10:58:32 GMT -5
... You are secretly a Sadistic person, aren't you? Full disclosure: That's never been a secret.
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Fatman X. Jones
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Post by Fatman X. Jones on Jul 5, 2017 13:28:28 GMT -5
Inside the bungalow--which is much cleaner and nicer than the outside implies--Kukui asks to see our Pokedex. Wait, Rotom is in our Pokedex? Is this an explanation for why the Pokedex entries sound so dire this generation? You know, you could have just hired Team Rocket for this. I'm sure a legit form of business would let Meowth pursue his dreams of owning a noodle shop. Watch out for the static electricity. He'll fry any motherboard you just bought off Newegg. Rotom, sit. Rotom, stay. Rotom, roll over. Rotom, electrocute Team Galactic Admin Charon. We got a fairy companion! And he's only marginally less annoying than Navi! Mainly because, thank god, HE DOESN'T TALK TO YOU AS OFTEN. Anyway, Rotom not only acts as a reminder of what we should be doing, if we tap the icon of us on him--taking up the bottom screen--he also acts as the Town Map. Handy. Here comes the noise again. Anyway, Kukui explains some information about the Island Challenge, their local tradition. The trials are the Gyms of the region. Okay. Well, Kukui, it's only because I've done this Stoutland-and-Ponyta show before. Several generations, even. I hearken back to Good Ol' Hoenn, back when Team Magma and Aqua were operating. Anyway, we get some more bling. It even shows up on our character model. And now Kukui wants us to do more tutorial stuff. When do we get to the fun part? Yes, let's. For once I agree with the Navi analogue in this situation.
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Fatman X. Jones
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Post by Fatman X. Jones on Jul 5, 2017 13:44:07 GMT -5
Anyway, outside we get Lillie to show us the way to the School, but before that, we hit up the Pokemon Center. You know the basics: Talk to Joy to restore our team's health and stuff, use the PC to manage our Pokemon. PokeMarts are once again located inside Pokemon Centers, and have different items depending on your progress through the game. And now there are also cafes where we can sit and enjoy coffee, hot cocoa, or delicious milk to wind down. We will be visiting all of these along the way. There's also one more thing in this game. See that guy in the yellow shirt by Nurse Joy? That's the Mystery Gift delivery man. Remember that I mentioned we have a Mystery Gift to pick up? Well, really, it's more like we have twenty gifts. A bonanza of bonuses. Wowzers. But that's not all! Call now and we'll give you a Pokemon, absolutely free, just for being a customer! Yay, a Munchlax! Just what I always wanted! And he comes with our very first Z-Crystal, the event-exclusive Snorlium Z! Snorlium Z is used to activate Snorlax's exclusive Z-Move. You'll see that in action later.
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Post by MegaTuga on Jul 5, 2017 17:09:49 GMT -5
oookay. the Mystery Gift system sounds broken now. All I own is Pokemon Y and even then, the mystery gifts I got weren't that special... then again when they were available I already beat the game so... what is the chance of getting absurd strong pokémon just as you start the game?
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Fatman X. Jones
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Post by Fatman X. Jones on Jul 5, 2017 17:45:53 GMT -5
Well, to be fair, when Pokemon X & Y were first released, they had a Torchic with its hidden ability Speed Boost and a Blazikenite that you could get for Mystery Gift. Last year for the 20th anniversary they gave out every Mythical Pokemon as part of online Mystery Gift giveaways. You could get a completely-loyal set of Johto starters, fully evolved, with their hidden abilities that were tied to your ID and Original Trainer for maintaining a yearly subscription to Pokemon Bank for Generation VI, as well as a Celebi with your ID and OT, AND Hidden Ability versions of the Regi Trio in Gen VI games for the same reason.
It's not just exclusive to Generation VI, either. Generation V's Black 2 and White 2 had the Pokemon Dream Radar app you could download to your 3DS for a small price. With it, you could get the Therian formes of the Kami Trio for a little patience and upkeep in Dream Radar that you could port over to B2W2, with their Hidden Abilities, and their ID and OT set to your trainer's upon transfer. You could also get Riolu, Spiritomb, or even hard-to-catch ones like Beldum over and have them right at the start of the game. Hell, you could even unlock Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Ho-Oh, or Lugia by inserting a copy of a Gen IV game after catching Landorus in Dream Radar. Not to mention that Gen IV had the Dream World, where they gave away Pokemon like Mewtwo or Arceus that were tied to your OT and ID as well.
If you want the game to be a cakewalk and have uber-powerful 'mons right as you start, all it takes is a bit of due diligence.
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Fatman X. Jones
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Post by Fatman X. Jones on Jul 7, 2017 15:35:02 GMT -5
Back outside, we join Lillie outside the gate to the Trainers' School and see her startled by something. That something being a Tauros being a bull in a china shop in the middle of the road. I'm sure my Pokemon never smiled having to spend detention in solitary confinement. Kukui and Lillie are talking with the cutest woman ever. Yeah, I think you've got a Vortex Manipulator, that or a TARDIS are the only reliable instant transportation in the universe. Are you secretly a Time Agent? Are you Jack Harkness' less swole brother? This habit again. Apparently this will be a good experience. And by 'good experience' I mean 'forced tutorial bullshit'. Kukui has a gift to make it worthwhile, though. This thing. If you've played Pokemon games before, you know that the EXP Share was once an item you'd equip to a single Pokemon in your party and it would gain EXP without having to join the battle. However, Gen VI changed it dramatically, and it's no less swole here. Now, EVERY Pokemon in your party gains an equal share of EXP from the battle. To undercut how much a game-breaker this was in Gen VI, which had O-Powers you could abuse and Blissey Farms you could go to in Secret Bases for the fastest level up mechanism EVER, they switched the EXP-gain system from battles in Gen VII to the same system from Gen V, which means you'll gain much, much less EXP from weaker opponents. This will be a very apparently bad problem much later, but to mitigate that, we've got a unique method to evening out EXP gain somewhat that I'll go over later. Teacher explains some stuff. And Kukui lets slip this fun tidbit of game mechanic change from Gen VI: In Gen VII games, once you've fought a species of Pokemon, it shows what moves will be Super Effective or Not Very Effective the next time you face its species in battle. Say I fought a Yungoos, one of the local invasive species here. After fighting one, I'd be able to see that, in the next fight with one, Fighting-type moves are super-effective against it. I'm sure it will. But our team is swole enough anyway. Oh, and Lillie's the acting field medic for this training drill. Well, time to go to work!
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Fatman X. Jones
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Post by Fatman X. Jones on Jul 8, 2017 17:43:56 GMT -5
Our first opponent is this girl up here by the school incinerator. Translation: "Fight me so I can tell you shit you already know." This is a Pikipek. It is a woodpecker Pokemon, and the first stage of the obligatory regional bird. This is Jibble. He is a Snorlax. I did some grinding offscreen and evolved him into a Snorlax. Just accept that Jibble ate the Pikipek and we'll be fine. Our next opponent is the young man behind this gate in the tall grass. And while he has the right name for a Youngster... He has the wrong Pokemon. Well, if you had a Pokemon that was actually TOP PERCENTAGE, you would have beaten me. Why don't you try catching, say, a Rattata? It would suit you better. There's an interesting change to the Poison status effect that came from Gen V. Ever since Unova, Poison doesn't drain HP after a battle, but you still need medicine to deal with it. Or you can use a new method of healing that I'll show later. Then there's this asshole. Fortunately, our last opponent is right in here, and it's almost criminal because it's a little girl. Jibble, just sit on it. You'll be fine. This lady here is one of the teachers, and gives us a handy item. Claws-itively delightful. Oh god I sound like Bubsy. Somebody kill me. Absolutely purr-fect OH GOD I CAN'T STOP Anyway, smug douchebag wants to fight us now. He's actually pretty tough if you're not prepared for him. Mainly because of this lovable pile of tar and oil. This isn't just a Grimer. This is an Alolan Grimer. You see, Alola's climate gave rise to what are called 'Regional Variants', but I'll just make it easier to digest and refer to them under a more sensible blanket name, 'Delta Species', because fuck if they're not what a Delta Species was in the TCG. You're pretty, alright. Pretty much a waste of my time. Get outta here with your forced tutorial bullshit. Kneel down. Momma wants to whisper the safe word. No that's not what I mean. Thank god this is how TMs work now. I DIDN'T DO IT. LILLIE DID. Whatever it is that I'm supposed to have done, anyway.
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Fatman X. Jones
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Post by Fatman X. Jones on Jul 8, 2017 17:57:29 GMT -5
Anyway, up on 2F, the teacher wants to congratulate us for our diligence and fight us herself. This is pretty much the final exam. For starters, we've got a Magnemite. This is a tricky bugger. Because of this fucking ability. Since Gen V, Sturdy acts as an automatic Focus Sash for Pokemon that have it, meaning they can take a killing blow and survive with 1 HP. After he's dealt with, we send out our pinch hitter to deal with the Teacher's next Pokemon. Meet Lucille. She's a Mawile from Hoenn that I bred up and transferred via Pokemon Bank, and will be a mainstay on our team. Teach sends out another Delta Species. Meet Alolan Meowth. It's now a Dark-type. Lucille is a Fairy-type. Do the math. It's algebra, not calculus. I don't know shit about calculus. My first class will be "How Not To Suck At Pokemon: Always Pick Mudkip". Teacher gives us a prize for victory. You know how Great Balls work, so do I. And here's Kukui with someone new. Who's this bishie dreamboat This is Ilima. He studied abroad in Kalos. Funny, I never ran into him there. Anyway, he's the guide for the first Island Challenge trial. It's up on Route 2, in Verdant Cavern. Maybe I will. But I think I'll pass, I think Farooq, Jibble, and Lucille will do just fine for now. Oh, yeah, about that. I forgot he's the roadblock. Aaand we're done with the forced tutorial beginner bullshit, so we can get a move on and explore. That's a great idea. I'm getting hungry. Yeah, about that. Seems Hala's here to take him home. Anyway, Hala asks us if we want to give the guy a friendly chin rub to acquaint ourselves with him. I'm not ENTIRELY against it, mind you. But at least we get to break and save first.
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Post by MegaTuga on Jul 8, 2017 19:08:16 GMT -5
I love Mawhile. They are my second favourite Pokémon (my first is Quilava for being adorable). I don't know why I like them so much. Maybe it has to do with the myth they are based in I guess. Anyway, Are we done with tutorials yet? I don't think they have ever been this long.
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Post by Mikéy on Jul 9, 2017 13:49:53 GMT -5
Trainer school was introduced in gen II but was never obligatory until I think like gen V...
Wallowing in the mud in gen I trying to figure stuff out was the best.
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Fatman X. Jones
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Post by Fatman X. Jones on Jul 9, 2017 20:01:20 GMT -5
I respectfully disagree, Mikey, though only because my first Pokemon game wasn't the original RBY or GSC, but Sapphire on the GBA, and therefore I have a lot sterner view about the limitations imposed on the original Game Boy games. The GB and GBC games may have been a product of their generation, but countless romhacks since have shown that all their faults could have been mitigated if circumstances like time had allowed them to be, and we could have very well had features from the future games codified, if not originated, in that if things had been allowed. And one thing I disagree with fundamentally is both the mentality that things should be balls-hard and unflinchingly unintuitive and that things should be easy like Sunday Morning and have your hand held through and through. Striking the key balance between these two wildly different senses of expectations is difficult, but ultimately doable.
We give the Tauros a nice fine pat on the head so we can get this show on the road, after having stood there for so long that it turned daylight. I just gave him a good neck rub, I'm sure that's the reason why he loves me, not because I'm good with Pokemon or something. I mean, I AM good with Pokemon, but there's a difference. That's a Dr. Seuss book. And I preferred books like How The Grinch Stole Christmas, personally. Fuck you, Hau, I wanna ride one. I WILL NOT JUST DO THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS, I WILL BE THE BULL Look, as long as we can get to a department store or something I'm fine. This hat is itching. No she's not. ...Actually, I am kind of hungry now. Thanks, Hau. And he runs off like a derp. Yeah, we should. But I'm just gonna wait until nightfall first. I do my best thinking at night. So let's go do a thing at the cafe. Like I mentioned before, Cafes are in every Pokemon Center. Depending on which city you're in, they'll sell different drinks. Of course, a discerning type will only drink three drinks available from the overall spread: Moomoo Milk, Tapu Cocoa, and Komala Coffee. This one here on Route 1, for example, sells just the drink we need for a long night. Joke's on you, pal, my mother was a hamster and my father smells of elderberries. Oh, and depending on what day it is, you'll get one of the different regional snacks or a chocolate as a recovery item you can use. This one gives us a Lava Cookie, because I took the screenshot on Saturday. See? We also get a nice treat for our team. Poke Beans are nice little treats that we can feed our Pokemon in a feature called Pokemon Refresh. I'll explain that in a bit. So we go back outside and, look, it's nighttime. Almost like I planned this.
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Fatman X. Jones
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Post by Fatman X. Jones on Jul 12, 2017 20:12:21 GMT -5
So here we are, a night at the beach. Look at this Swimmer. That Slowpoke just won't stop pestering her. Hau, you're such a dork, how are you going to swim at night when the Sharpedo are active? And this friendly lady points us out as we walk up. No, actually the greeting for Alola is to say 'Alola' like Spongebob Squarepants says 'Imagination', with the goofy hand waving and everything. I'm sure friendship has more tangible means to acquisition than some goofy hand-waving. Like giving money. Or coffee. Or chocolate. Oh and this old lady gives us a potion for our use during the trials. I'm trying to, ma'am, I'm trying to. Oh-oh, friendzone'd. Sorry, Slowpoke. See you next New Years. Aww, now we've made him sad. Eh, he'll get over it. By the other entrance to the beach we find a Poke Ball. Nice. Always could use those.
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Fatman X. Jones
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Post by Fatman X. Jones on Jul 13, 2017 11:56:00 GMT -5
I'm gonna skip ahead a bit because the only thing that happened next was introducing a feature we will never use. So here's Lillie up ahead. Let's talk to her. No, not really, but that's going to change in a few minutes. I don't. You're about the only one that does. That's endearing... If a bit concerned. Ooh, a gift! Oh. Well, I guess this is nice. I can do up my look a bit, I guess. Can I buy a less lame hat in here? Oh hey, something we can actually use. I love scarves. Well this is going on Jibble right away. Anyway, inside the apparel shop we have a lot of display clothes... And we can change our look a bit after buying some clothes. First things first, though. FREEDOM We also accessorize with the right look. Then we stop by the hair salon next door for some gossip. And you can see we've changed our outfit. Adorable. Now we're set. See? Even the locals agree we're stylin'. Inside the Pokemon Center up the road, we meet a fine lady wanting a favor. Seems she's afraid of becoming Christmas Cake and wants a cute Pokemon to study from so she doesn't age too ungracefully. Unfortunately, she picks a rather ungainly Pokemon to study from. Well, let's stop at the cafe while we're here. The barista hands us our milk. And a chocolate to go with it. It's not exactly biscotti, but it'll do, I guess. This guy hands us a rather useless Poke Ball type. And as we proceed, we overhear this conversation. Hey, fuck you, man, I'm sure they're not that bad. Yeah, let's head to the Marina.
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Fatman X. Jones
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Post by Fatman X. Jones on Jul 13, 2017 12:07:39 GMT -5
As we head to the marina, we make a pit stop over by City Hall to see if the local government will remedy the Skull situation. A lady gives us a treat for our Pokemon. And it seems there's trouble up from the berry farms, too. We'll investigate that later. Back outside, we find the native dork exiting his den, sublimating himself from his natural environment. Yeah, Malasada are basically quick ways to increase your Pokemon's affection, in case you don't want to spend too much time in Pokemon Refresh playing with them. Of course, that will be obsoleted by the time we hit the second island. But you can always go inside and buy a Big Malasada, which is the Alola Region's equivalent of a Lava Cookie. Sure you will, Hau. And I'll become Pokemon League champion. Oh, wait, there's no league in Alola. Oh hey, a reason to actually pet our Pokemon! We will use this a lot. But we'll buy a Big Malasada just in case, because I'm a stickler for carrying the essentials. A malasada is a fried bread treat made in Alola (and in real life, in Hawaii). It's sweet and encrusted with powdered sugar, and often filled like a jelly donut. No, not a rice ball, an actual jelly donut. I know, it's confusing. Here's a news article about them.Foreshadowing for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, maybe? The officers around here don't say much, but they do have advice for the youngsters. Well, aside from the onset of Team Skull incidents, things do seem pretty kosher around here. So let's see if Team Skull is loitering around here as we've been told.
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Fatman X. Jones
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Post by Fatman X. Jones on Jul 19, 2017 10:01:36 GMT -5
We enter the Marina around daytime only to find this dreamboat waiting for us. Unfortunately, before we can converse with him, we are accosted. By a pair of gorilla wanksters, no less. Say hello to Team Skull. These guys think they're hot shit. Ilima seems a bit perturbed by this. We battle the grunt's Zubat in his stead. Yeah, homie, get dunked on. "This isn't Undertale, Undertale is on Sony systems!" Okay yeah sure goodbye I'm thinking you did this just to lure them out for me to battle.
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