Pokémon Thread XXIX: Sword, Shield, and Spoilers

[Bartmanhomer]

Don't think I like the new smokestack Weezing being Fairy-type and spouting clean air.

Also, come on, why did Obstagoon need to be yet another quadruped-evolves-into-biped Stage 2?

Obstagoon looks like Knuckles in Sonic The Hedgehog series. Does anybody else notice that?

[OracleofWuffing]

Bede looks like the kind of character I could really grow to hate, but I mean that in a good sense 'cause it looks like Bede's supposed to be a heel. And as long as it's not Furret getting the regional variant, someone has relatively less work to do.

Vuvuzelas? In 2019? Oh well, why not.

Question Mark ability for Galarian Wheezing. Must rename all of its attacks to ??? and randomize their order during battle. First thing that comes to mind is something that turns poison damage to healing, but we already have that in an ability. Also, Galarian Wheezing but no Galarian Koffing- not confirmed in video, but implied, kind of like how there's no Alolan Cubone.

The Japanese version of the trailer shows a little bit more, a "Poke Jobs" thing that Serebii says is kind of a successor to PokePelago. Something about Larvitar and Jangmo-o going on there at the end, as well.

COME ON, Gamefreak! Where's at LEAST the tea?

Careful what you wish for. They might give us an unskippable type matching tutorial that forces you to receive a pansear/pansage/panpour at the end...

Edit: Whelp, I knew I should have expected it, but that took no time at all.

[Razade]

I actually really like the new Weezing and I'm going to make sure to include in my team. I really like this whole trailer overall. The hamster pokemon is adorable and I like the rival team a lot.

[MCerberus]

I'm going to name my Zigzagoon Stardust and my wrath with be endless to all who harm him

[Razade]

I'm really glad the Regional Forms are back. It's a neat concept, they should have done it a long time ago and I'm eager to see if we can't get a wider number than the last game frankly. There seems a focus on Dark and Fairy with Alt Forms, I'd like to see some other strange ones like the Ice/Steel we got in Sun and Moon.

[Lvl 2 Expert]

I heard that one of the Galar Pokemon is a bong and fans are going crazy. LOL!

Well, yeah, I guess that's another way to look at the smokestack/top hat combination. Amsterdam region confirmed?

[Bartmanhomer]

Well, yeah, I guess that's another way to look at the smokestack/top hat combination. Amsterdam region confirmed?

I don't know. Do you think that Game Freak will run out of ideas to create new Pokemon even most Pokemon are unoriginal?

[Lvl 2 Expert]

By the way, anyone hyped for Pokémon Masters? It kind of sounded like a main series game for phones for a while, but the newer information released tempers those expectations quite a bit. It looks like your battle party will consist of three trainers, each bringing one Pokémon they bonded with. And since the main character is bonded with Pikachu you can't even ditch the annoying little mouse. They also announced a rework of the weaknesses system so now every Pokémon just has two weaknesses and a resistance or something. And there's a bunch of grinding to do on your account before any Pokémon can go higher than certain level caps.

As cool as the idea is to have one game where pretty much all previous gym leaders, rivals etc come together, at this point I'm not sure if the gameplay will be amusing enough.

[Razade]

By the way, anyone hyped for Pokémon Masters? It kind of sounded like a main series game for phones for a while, but the newer information released tempers those expectations quite a bit. It looks like your battle party will consist of three trainers, each bringing one Pokémon they bonded with. And since the main character is bonded with Pikachu you can't even ditch the annoying little mouse. They also announced a rework of the weaknesses system so now every Pokémon just has two weaknesses and a resistance or something. And there's a bunch of grinding to do on your account before any Pokémon can go higher than certain level caps.

As cool as the idea is to have one game where pretty much all previous gym leaders, rivals etc come together, at this point I'm not sure if the gameplay will be amusing enough.

I am but I've not really been keeping up with the promotional stuff. As far as I heard though the main will get to switch out his pokemon? No idea though. It's due out by the end of the month so I guess we'll see then.

[unseenmage]

Wat.

When did the trainer battles in PoGo start using legendaries and actually employing their shields.

They must've been off training with Team GO Rocket grunts or something.

[Lvl 2 Expert]

Wat.

When did the trainer battles in PoGo start using legendaries and actually employing their shields.

They must've been off training with Team GO Rocket grunts or something.

The leaders already had a legendary bird each. But an NPC using shields is definitely new.

[unseenmage]

The leaders already had a legendary bird each. But an NPC using shields is definitely new.

Dude started the fight with an Entei? I think?
Def new lineups. Though IIRC the legendary bird still capped the fight.

[tgva8889]

From what I know everyone will have the option to switch out their main Pokemon when they're at Master level or something. I know they mentioned that every trainer has a second Pokemon they can unlock at some point.

Also, yay more gatchapon games! Not that I won't try this one out but I've found I don't have space in my life for that many gatchapon games.

[enderlord99]

Raziere, what would you think of a pokemon game that had the first 617 pokemon (in National Dex order) and the last 191 (by which I mean, Mienfoo through Melmetal) but not Stunfisk?

[Lvl 2 Expert]

Raziere, what would you think of a pokemon game that had the first 617 pokemon (in National Dex order) and the last 191 (by which I mean, Mienfoo through Melmetal) but not Stunfisk?

Stunfisk is a good source of the Soft Sand held item. Literally unplayable.

[Lord Raziere]

Raziere, what would you think of a pokemon game that had the first 617 pokemon (in National Dex order) and the last 191 (by which I mean, Mienfoo through Melmetal) but not Stunfisk?

my fanfic stunfisk joke was written BEFORE the national dex controversy so....considering we all don't want to restart that whole can of worms here again I'll give you the fan fic answer:

Narration: well it would be more accurate is it not? after all it should be classified as a pokemon-like wild rug or a mat. obviously while all existing mats or rugs are tamed stunfisks, this does not change that a stunfisk can have an oddly pokemon-like relationship to humanity despite being not exactly the same thing as one. the difference can be very confusing to the causal observer but it is indeed more accurate to say that stunfisk is not a pokemon despite the vast similarities. scientists are still trying to figure out why it can be captured in a pokeball or why the pokedex even registers them. truly, stunfisk is one of the great mysteries of the world.

[Spore]

I really like the idea for new evolutions for old 2 stage pokemon (or even 1 stage pokes) but somehow Obstagoon has BOTH a stupid name and an odd design. It makes more sense when you look at the Sugimori art but it is still weird.

At least the German name is punny enough to be fully enjoyed: Barrikadax. Barrikade being "Barrikade" aka barricades (auf die Barrikaden gehen = rioting) with Dachs = Dax just being badger. Obstagoon has the goon part but obstacle to me always sounds very athletic-focussed - like in 100m hurdles.

I hoped for a sturdy special attacker since its movepool is very decent with special TMs but its abilities both boost attack.

[enderlord99]

my fanfic stunfisk joke

I didn't realize it was a joke. Didn't you insist it wasn't, at the time?

[Lord Raziere]

I didn't realize it was a joke. Didn't you insist it wasn't, at the time?

I insisted it wasn't a ONE TIME joke, that I was bringing it back after what felt like to me a long time. perhaps it was foolish of me.

or did I say something about it elsewhere? I forget. but my stance is that its a joke, given that its one of the non-serious things about the fan-fic in question, and other people seem to consider the fan-fic a parody in general.

[enderlord99]

I insisted it wasn't a ONE TIME joke, that I was bringing it back after what felt like to me a long time. perhaps it was foolish of me.

or did I say something about it elsewhere? I forget. but my stance is that its a joke, given that its one of the non-serious things about the fan-fic in question, and other people seem to consider the fan-fic a parody in general.

I haven't read any of your (or much of anyone else's) fanfiction, TBH. I just remember you being really adamant about stunfisk being awful in a prior version of this thread.

[Lord Raziere]

I haven't read any of your (or much of anyone else's) fanfiction, TBH. I just remember you being really adamant about stunfisk being awful in a prior version of this thread.

oh in that case, I no longer hold that view. Stunfisk is a perfectly fine pokemon, when done for silly comedic purposes. some pokemon are cooler and more serious, some are faster or stronger, some are more silly, and so on. the national dex controversy changed a lot of my opinions, and my adamant dislike of Stunfisk is one that I've moved away from, in other ways I've changed, I've stopped caring about trying to see every single episode of pokemon in order (if Gamefreak doesn't care, why should I?) and instead now focus on specific episodes I want to see and movies exclusively. (I'm still on DP but I think I want to focus on the episodes where Paul gets his comeuppance, Ash losing to Tobias and maybe the Team Galactic big event with legendaries) I've suddenly started caring a lot more about pokemon fan games and such, and now I'm thinking of being much more discerning about what official games I buy when previously I bought one version each generation since Pokemon Gold.

and if its a previous thread, its likely that its so long ago that I might've grew out of the opinion anyways. such online stubbornness is not something worth clinging to.

[DeTess]

and if its a previous thread, its likely that its so long ago that I might've grew out of the opinion anyways. such online stubbornness is not something worth clinging to.

Wait-wait-wait. Stop right there! Changing opinions? Refusal to cling to opinions stubbornly despite the passage of time? What do you think this is, some kind of Socialist analog pen-and-paper message board? No madam, this here is the internet, where only the most extreme opinions and harshest of vitriol count!

More on topic, I like the new regional variants, and I personally think its a trend they should continue, especially focusing on lesser known or less popular Pokemon like zigzagoon (cue 20 people telling me that zigzagoon is an incredibly potent competitive Pokemon that everyone that knows their stuff uses).

[Lvl 2 Expert]

(cue 20 people telling me that zigzagoon is an incredibly potent competitive Pokemon that everyone that knows their stuff uses).

Nah, not this time. The regional rodents pretty much all suck. Bibarel got a different typing and some super OP abilities (or well, very good ones, on any other mon), but even she never made a dent. Their stats are just too low. Some of them are useful in-game for various reasons (HM-moves, Pickup ability) but that's about it.

The regional birds are a little better, with Talonflame and Mega-Pidgeot working the ladders, but they usually have that extra evolution that the rodents lack. (And even then there's basically just one example that works without a mega form.)

[Saambell]

Nah, not this time. The regional rodents pretty much all suck. Bibarel got a different typing and some super OP abilities (or well, very good ones, on any other mon), but even she never made a dent. Their stats are just too low. Some of them are useful in-game for various reasons (HM-moves, Pickup ability) but that's about it.

The regional birds are a little better, with Talonflame and Mega-Pidgeot working the ladders, but they usually have that extra evolution that the rodents lack. (And even then there's basically just one example that works without a mega form.)

Bibarel has one gimmick which is Swords Dance Aqua Jet with Simple as its ability, but it lacks the bulk to stand up to more main line Pokémon. The best a Regional Rodent has done is Diggersby which like Bibarel has a second type, and with its immense attack stat due to Huge Power it sits in a generally high tier, though still not top. But if you are playing in game and not on showdown and thus using Level 50 mons, Diggersby with a Choice Scarf can outspeed some surprising things which it cant when using Level 100 mons. Linnoone has a single gimmick, being Belly Drum Extreme Speed. Its still nowhere near high end, but it does rank a little better then the likes of Furret and Raticate.

For regional birds, generally only 3 have made it anywhere, being Staraptor, Talonflame, and Mega Pidgeot. Talonflame the top dog of them, being a massively used Pokémon in Generation 6, having a large part of the metagame focused around it. But Generation 7 crippled Talonflame and its nowhere near good anymore. It has a few small uses, but its days of ruling the online meta game are well and truly gone. Mega Pidgeot has a gimmick of being the one Special Attacker Regional Bird if you dont count the weird swellow sets, but its lacking some key coverage that would very much help it. And being a super easy target for Stone Edge is a rough thing. Staraptor has been mostly unchanged since Gen 4, though Gen 5 switched what ability it likes. Powercreep however slowly lowered how useful Staraptor is, and given its very much a single move set only changing item, it is super predictable. Every Staraptor runs the exact same set, due to that set being just that good compared to its other options.

[Karnitis]

I love Normal-types, and have made it a point to try to make a competitive of each finalized line. What he said above is true - Diggersby is easily the best. I've used Staraptor for great success in Smogon UU. I tried to make a Swellow build (as a tradeoff for speed/bulk), as he makes a decent Flame Orb/Guts/Brave Bird build, but he is way too frail for priority moves.

Fun fact though, of all the rodents of all the gems, the actual bottom is Furrett. There is overlap in a lot of them (Raticate, Furrett, Linoone) being one-evolution mono-types. Narrowing further is BST/best stats. A 70-all vs a 30 Atk/120 SpAtk, you can guess which one is better. Past that, there are applicable battle abilities. Furrett is truly the worst of all the rodents. As for worst of all Normals though...

[Alabenson]

I love Normal-types, and have made it a point to try to make a competitive of each finalized line. What he said above is true - Diggersby is easily the best. I've used Staraptor for great success in Smogon UU. I tried to make a Swellow build (as a tradeoff for speed/bulk), as he makes a decent Flame Orb/Guts/Brave Bird build, but he is way too frail for priority moves.

Fun fact though, of all the rodents of all the gems, the actual bottom is Furrett. There is overlap in a lot of them (Raticate, Furrett, Linoone) being one-evolution mono-types. Narrowing further is BST/best stats. A 70-all vs a 30 Atk/120 SpAtk, you can guess which one is better. Past that, there are applicable battle abilities. Furrett is truly the worst of all the rodents. As for worst of all Normals though...

Spinda. Spinda is the worst Normal-type Pokemon. Its gimmick is pointless, and the one useful thing it gets (Contrary as a HA) it's completely unable to do anything with.

[deuterio12]

So some more Sword&Shield news:

Top Hat Galar Weezing's special ability is negating everybody else's special abilities. Now that sounds like it will be a meta shaker. Also new holdable items including an ejection pack that makes the pokémon automatically switch out if they get inflicted with stat reducers.

Visiting a Galar town. Really appreciate the ways the NPCs notice the player approaching and smile at them.

[Spore]

I don't think Weezing will shake up the meta too much to be perfectly honest. For many pokemon, their ability is just the cherry on top. But it is a niche hard counter to stuff like No-Guard Machamp as a prominent example (in addition to its 2x resistance).

With the British islands having loads of opportunities for Fairy pokemon (but also dragons, and steel stuff), I feel like my first and second favorite types (fighting and dragon) will struggle even more. While I recognize Fairy as necessary to dampen the power of dragons somewhat, it is still unfathomably stupid how a levitating keychain or a small pixie superglued to a flower plainly avoids attacks from mythical beasts...

[Emmerlaus]

I don't think Weezing will shake up the meta too much to be perfectly honest. For many pokemon, their ability is just the cherry on top. But it is a niche hard counter to stuff like No-Guard Machamp as a prominent example (in addition to its 2x resistance).

Indeed! But I wonder if it announce from the start that other abilities are nullified.. or if we can play with expectations?

Galarian Wheezing has become a new favorite of mine, no matter if I can sue Nullifying Gazes or not. Levitate is still awesome for him.

Rumors said that Thew new Eevee evolutions are going to be Steel and Flying? If he does look like the flying one I saw on that deleted tweet, it will become hard for me to choose between Toucannon and that little guy for my favorite Flying type Pokemon

I like the Rocket Pack item however... I always loved the Rocketeer movie. I know its not directly the same but its still a good item that force you a switch with Overheat, Close Combat and other similar move. I LOVE it because of it.

[Lvl 2 Expert]

I don't think Weezing will shake up the meta too much to be perfectly honest. For many pokemon, their ability is just the cherry on top. But it is a niche hard counter to stuff like No-Guard Machamp as a prominent example (in addition to its 2x resistance).

As a ground type fan I love Mold Breaker, even if only to hit levitators. This new ability is as good or better in every way, and it works for both partners in a double battle.

But it's still on a Weezing, which helps it stay manageable. That said, the biggest impact it can have is probably on Pokémon with hindering abilities. Slaking has a TBS of 670, 70 points higher than any other non-legendary. As a normal type it also has only one weakness and a good selection of strong STAB moves (for a monotyped mon). Slaking is currently seen as least concern in the competitive scene, it's now going to be a beast in doubles. Regigigas is in the same boat, with the same TBS (though that's not as weird with it being a major legendary), the same typing, and a similar debilitating ability.

So for a few combinations, Weezing is going to be pretty strong. Sure, just kill the weak Weezing and the bad abilities are back up (assumedly). But that obvious approach possibly only makes things worse. Waste your first turn doubling down on a Weezing that used Protect and Slaking will destroy you.