4th Raid: [Video/Action for Dark Cave/Route 31]

[forcefateshand]

[There's a thunderous roar as soon as the gear turns on, but Illidan seems unperturbed. He just turns to the side calmly.]

Calm yourself, Vashj. You do not wish to frighten the most recent addition to the group, do you?

[He tosses a pokeball in the air and catches it.] This Dunsparce was as difficult to find as I was told. I'd rather not render it useless due to fear of its own partners after expending so much effort.

[The response is a growl from the Gyarados as she slides along next to him.]

You will be grateful for its assistance eventually.

[She scoffs and turns her head away, but he merely chuckles, amused, before returning his attention to the gear.]

A question. If one has the advantage of type in a fight, how many levels of power below an enemy can you be and still win? Assume for this that the enemy has not taught their Pokemon moves that would be useful against types they are vulnerable to.

Comments

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[islandshore]

Depends on the Pokémon.

[Riku shrugs, stepping aside so his Hydreigon can come into view.]

Some have tough enough stats that they can overpower Pokémon at higher levels. Others, like Dunsparce or first-stage Pokémon... I wouldn't count on it.

Moves don't have to be super effective to take enemies out, but if you're at a type disadvantage, you'd better hope you've got something that at least hits for neutral damage. That, or decent enough offenses to get a quick victory.

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[forcefateshand]

Reasonable. Those who still have evolutionary stages before them have growing to do, and some Pokemon are better at things aside from direct combat.

[Strange. He hears three distinct growling, hissing voices behind Riku, but they all seem to be coming from one being. Times like these he really wishes he could see.]

Then in the circumstance of a level disadvantage, the best defense is a good offense. The enemy must be brought down quickly, or they will more than likely wear down even an opponent who is strong against them.

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[islandshore]

The thing about battles is that every trainer has their own approach. I've put Pokémon up against weaknesses before, but usually they had a few tricks that worked in their favor, like speed, status moves, or effective attacks.

[There's another grunt-- this one a bit lower. His Charizard also happens to be close by and one of Riku's most frequent Pokémon to face his own weaknesses.]

Anyway, defensive Pokémon can get the job done, but they're usually a lot slower, so you have to expect at least a few hits before they make the first move. Something like Scizor has plenty of resistances, but put one up against a fire type, and good luck winning that match.

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[forcefateshand]

Or simply an opponent with a fire move. No one ever said a Pokemon's moveset has to match their type.

[He smirks. Oh yeah, he figured that little trick out way early on. Granted, he hasn't had a chance to use that knowledge yet since he's still stuck back in Violet with a low-level team, but he knows about it.]

But yes, thinking of ways around type weaknesses is where things truly start to get interesting. This is no mere game of rock, paper, scissors. Still, in lower levels there seem to be less options for that.

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[islandshore]

With lower leveled Pokémon, you have to take a few shortcuts. TMs, move tutors. They get the job done.

[He laughs.]

I know Flare's got all of his weaknesses covered, thanks to ThunderPunch and Solarbeam.

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[forcefateshand]

Where does one find those? I could most definitely use some.

A fire-type with electric and grass moves... clever. [He grins approvingly.]

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[islandshore]

Move tutors travel from place to place, so your best bet's to check all the routes. As for TMs, you can pick them up from Goldenrod's department store.

[And, heh. The approval is always good.]

Wouldn't be able to cover weaknesses without them. Not just for Flare, but my other Pokémon, too.

[Video]

[tinymoonkid]

Probably depends, dude.

But you've totally got a cool one!

[Video]

[forcefateshand]

That doesn't qualify as an answer. But perhaps I did not give enough information...

Are you familiar with the species called Rhyhorn?

[Video]

[tinymoonkid]

Heard a few things.

Like, they're those four-legged rock types, right?

[Video]

[forcefateshand]

Correct. Four legs, horns, gray coloration, and many slabs of shieldlike spiked rock covering their bodies. It is possible, but difficult, to ride one.

[Video]

[tinymoonkid]

Never seen one myself, but I've read some things at the Centers. They've got high defense, so like, if you've got the type advantage with one of them, you can probably be a few levels lower as long as you're up against physical moves, easy.

[Video]

[forcefateshand]

Which is almost certainly what I will be facing. Superb. That means I'll be able to depart Violet earlier.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

Depends on the Pokemon.

Every one is different.

[Video]

[forcefateshand]

As I am learning. Perhaps a more specific example then.

A rock-type, Rhyhorn, against the team wielded by the Violet gym leader.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

Uh... yeah, I'd say so. Probably. I mean, birds against ROCK...

Might have a hard time hitting them though. They're pretty big and slow, aren't they?

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[forcefateshand]

True, but there are moves to adapt to that particular vulnerability. Rock Blast, for example.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

Rock Blast? I haven't heard of that one...

_{[She doesn't have any Rock Pokemon, herself.]}

[Video]

[forcefateshand]

It's a powerful technique where a Rock Pokemon strikes its enemies with hurled rocks. Several of them in succession.

[video]

[when_turks_fly]

I'm sure someone's already told you by now, but it depends on the Pokémon. I'd need more details to give you an accurate response.

[ And she inclines her head slightly forward, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. ] Congratulations on your capture.

[video]

[forcefateshand]

Thank you. It was a difficult find, but I'm quite certain it will prove worth the effort.

[His smile is smug, but he keeps the boasting to himself.]

As for the combat, I was referring in this case to a battle against the Violet City gym leader, using a Rhyhorn.

[video]

[when_turks_fly]

You're welcome. You certainly earned it. [ And she pauses, considering. ]

A Rhyhorn, huh? Personally, I wouldn't go below five levels in that case. Falkner's Pokémon aren't pushovers, especially his Pidgeot, but if he's only throwing physical moves your way, your Rhyhorn should be able to endure thanks to its high defense. The faster you can take the Pidgeot out, though, the better.

[video]

[forcefateshand]

I suppose that is the advantage of having a fully evolved team. If Azzinoth were at the pinnacle of his strength... but no matter, I have barely begun my journey. I can be patient a while longer.

You have already faced him, then?

[video]

[when_turks_fly]

Patience is rewarded in this world. That much hasn't changed.

I faced Falkner during my first time in Johto and won. Unfortunately, my badges weren't returned to me on my second or current trip to Johto. [ And neither was her team. ]

[video]

[forcefateshand]

I was unaware you'd been here before. You recall your previous visits, then, but you did not keep anything from either arrival?