Pokémon Thread XXIX: Sword, Shield, and Spoilers

[Lvl 2 Expert]

I see a Rhydon and a Quagsire. Hoping they're not exclusive to different versions.

Yes, my priorities are schewed.

[Maryring]

I being looping that video in loop for way longer that I wanna admit...

Im excited like a little kid! Like the Kaiju Battle mode, neat looking new Pokemon, AN OPEN WORLD!

I just need to buy a Nintendo Switch now sigh... And I might not even have the room for it in my next small appartement. Might have to wait to play the game until 1 or 2 years

Not a problem. By then we'll have Pokemon Mace and Spear too, so you can get them instead.

[Bartmanhomer]

Ok silly question, have anyone ever lost to a defensive Pokemon or team before?

[NatureKing]

Easiest way to lose to stall (defensive) is to actually play the game with them. No point being bored playing a game against someone intent on not playing a game.

Just save your time and don't bother playing them.

[Bartmanhomer]

Easiest way to lose to stall (defensive) is to actually play the game with them. No point being bored playing a game against someone intent on not playing a game.

Just save your time and don't bother playing them.

Well defensive Pokemon or team doesn't really bother me that much. I kind of actually find it intrigued.

[NatureKing]

Well defensive Pokemon or team doesn't really bother me that much. I kind of actually find it intrigued.

True. Rather play 3 or 4 20 turn games than spend half an hour playing a hundred or more turn stall game.

Just unfun, after all these years.

[Bartmanhomer]

True. Rather play 3 or 4 20 turn games than spend half an hour playing a hundred or more turn stall game.

Just unfun, after all these years.

I understand what you're saying and I can see where your coming from but if being defensive is the only strategy then I'm all for it. I don't mind long battles. And you can counter defensive Pokemon with offensive Pokemon by boosting their attacks and special attacks.

[Lvl 2 Expert]

Ok silly question, have anyone ever lost to a defensive Pokemon or team before?

Only all the time. Stalling/walling is if anything slightly too powerful for my taste. For a good team it's almost mandatory to have at least one staller. The worst part is if both of you run out of counters and it just becomes wall v wall PP stalling. It looks a bit like this:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen71v1-897164012

[Bartmanhomer]

Only all the time. Stalling/walling is if anything slightly too powerful for my taste. For a good team, it's almost mandatory to have at least one smaller. The worst part is if both of you run out of counters and it just becomes wall v wall PP stalling. It looks a bit like this:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen71v1-897164012

Wow, that's got to be the longest battle in Pokemon history.

[deuterio12]

Since it seems like every gym leader will be using Dynamax seems like we get to unlock it pretty soon in the game.

But then what's stopping you from unleashing it in 90% of the regular trainers out there? Or does every random bugcatcher can make their Weedle dynamax too?

I predict Dynamax will only be useable in certain areas, fluffwise you'll need to have enough open space to make your pokemon grow like those giant stadiums and raid areas.

[Qwertystop]

Since it seems like every gym leader will be using Dynamax seems like we get to unlock it pretty soon in the game.

But then what's stopping you from unleashing it in 90% of the regular trainers out there? Or does every random bugcatcher can make their Weedle dynamax too?

I predict Dynamax will only be useable in certain areas, fluffwise you'll need to have enough open space to make your pokemon grow like those giant stadiums and raid areas.

You can use a Z-Move or Mega (or both!) on random wilds and trainers, too. I don't think those fights are supposed to be difficult.

I don't really like how the raid scene is set up to look like it shrinks the trainers, instead of being against a Dynamax mon.

All in all, Dynamax seems like mostly a way to get something similar to Z-Moves and Mega Evolutions but with much much less development/visual-effects/modelling/design work. Which is reasonable! But it's not adding much that's new.

[deuterio12]

You can use a Z-Move or Mega (or both!) on random wilds and trainers, too. I don't think those fights are supposed to be difficult.

I don't really like how the raid scene is set up to look like it shrinks the trainers, instead of being against a Dynamax mon.

All in all, Dynamax seems like mostly a way to get something similar to Z-Moves and Mega Evolutions but with much much less development/visual-effects/modelling/design work. Which is reasonable! But it's not adding much that's new.

But thing is z-moves and mega evolutions could be acquired only relatively late game, while Dynamax seems like it will be made available before you even beat your first gym leader.

So instead of needing to grind a lot of levels and do a large chunk of the main storyline before you can use it, Dyanamax should be available for most of the game.

Although agreed in being somewhat lazier design work since they just really need to change model scale.

Still it's prettynice that it works with any pokemon instead of a select few so you can lay down the hurt with anybody.

[Bartmanhomer]

I thought Dynamax was a new mythical Pokemon.

[NatureKing]

I understand what you're saying and I can see where your coming from but if being defensive is the only strategy then I'm all for it. I don't mind long battles. And you can counter defensive Pokemon with offensive Pokemon by boosting their attacks and special attacks.

It really isn't. Stall is pure cancer. Being defensive is not the only strategy, and it requires skill, but it is unfun. The people who like Stall, are the ones who benefit from it. People want to play defensive, and take Bulky Offense, sure. But having a team of Alomomola, Toxapex, Skarmory, Tangrowth, etc.

You've said yourself how bad a move Roost is, and. Ow you have a team that takes advantage of, and a half dozen other similar mechanics.

Hyper Offense, Balanced and Bulky Offense, sure. I'll game you, win or lose, it doesn't matter. Playing Stall, sure, then just take the win, as that is what you care about most in it. I'll just drop.

On Gen 8, yet another round of 'Red version mascots are Best', at least design wise, IMHO. Purely personal preference of course, but the designs of Red have purely outstripped those of Blue versions.

Charizard
Hooh
Groudon
Pearl
Reshiram (loosely, it has Red colours)
Yveltal
Solgaleo
Zamazenta

Regarding Dynamax, and discrepancy BETWEEN zMoves and Mega, that may be intentional in how early you get it. I think you are under playing how hard it was to get ZMoves. They were available from after the first totem.

And Mega Evolution was a mismanagement IMHO in the sense of normal pokemon storyline play, as good as it was for the competitive scene. It could only have been available mid-late game as it effects fully evolved mon. Either a load should have been created for early game evolutions and made available right then, or Mega Evolution should have allowed the base mon to evolve to its FE evolution.

There is nothing to stop you Evolving in Trainer Battles or Wild Encounters. I just hope that the animation does not take as long. Half the time, the reason I didn't Mega or Z Move was how long it took.

Still no Corgi Pokémon, but damn, Wooloo, you're like fiiiinneee. Corviknight, hopefully not the start of another Bird Spam, and hopefully not a Skarmory Mk2. Not a major fan of the grass types scattered about. Look reasonably defensive, and with Regenerator, just looks like a boring pivot playstyle that has to go up against Tangrowth for effectiveness.

Dreadnaw looks fantastic. Hopefully, hopefully, it's good enough to warrant some offensive grass coverage, but then that means more Bulu/Kartana spam. Have a feeling he'll be the turtonator.

Rock/Water isn't very good, unless it's got Aqua Jet/Accelerock. Strong Jaw suggests that there might be a water or rock biting move. If water, then Sharpedo/Gyarados might get it, which could be pretty dangerous.

Give me Stage 2 and Fully Evolved starters now please!

[Razade]

Sword/Shield looks good from what little I've seen of the news. I ordered Sword because man...both legendary Pokemon look kinda meh. The raid battles sound pretty neat, looks like they're taking a page out of GO's book. Might finally give me a reason to get their online service.

[Bartmanhomer]

Why does one of the new legendary have a sword in his mouth?

[Razade]

Why does one of the new legendary have a sword in his mouth?

Because that's the theme. That's all that needs to be said. I'm sure there's an excuse in game.

[Bartmanhomer]

I have a feeling that the two legendaries will fused together into the ultimate Pokemon Knight.

[Manticoran]

I have a feeling that the two legendaries will fused together into the ultimate Pokemon Knight.

...With one of the dogs riding the other one? Isn't this supposed to be appropriate for kids?

[Bartmanhomer]

...With one of the dogs riding the other one? Isn't this supposed to be appropriate for kids?

No one is riding the other. It's not appropriate for kids. I don't know where on earth you get that idea. Anyway, the fused Legendaries will be a biped Pokemon with a sword and sword and armor just like a knight.

[Manticoran]

No one is riding the other. It's not appropriate for kids. I don't know where on earth you get that idea. Anyway, the fused Legendaries will be a biped Pokemon with a sword and sword and armor just like a knight.

I mean, I was thinking one of them was like...



More like this than that. With them standing on top of each other like giant goofy puppies.

[Bartmanhomer]

I mean, I was thinking one of them was like...



More like this than that. With them standing on top of each other like giant goofy puppies.

Oh ok. I don't think so. It more like a fusion version of a human.

[Lord Raziere]

Because that's the theme. That's all that needs to be said. I'm sure there's an excuse in game.

Or they're making a reference to Repede from Tales of Vesperia. or that one Dark Souls wolf boss. guess wolves wielding swords in mouths is cool.

[Kantaki]

I have a feeling that the two legendaries will fused together into the ultimate Pokemon Knight.

Well, the doggies kinda look like they will combine into Optimus Prime.
Stealth Crossover maybe?

[Bartmanhomer]

Well, the doggies kinda look like they will combine into Optimus Prime.
Stealth Crossover maybe?

Pokeformers, Pokemon in disguise.

[enderlord99]

I don't know if anyone cares about these anymore, but...

[NatureKing]

And Sword/Shield will not have a National Dex, apparently. Might skip this gen, given I have to get a console to play it.

[Requizen]

And Sword/Shield will not have a National Dex, apparently. Might skip this gen, given I have to get a console to play it.

What's wrong with having a game that is consolidated within itself without having the option to bring in outside Pokemon? I rarely transfer in anything, even perennial favorites.

[Lord Raziere]

What's wrong with having a game that is consolidated within itself without having the option to bring in outside Pokemon? I rarely transfer in anything, even perennial favorites.

no national dex? oh. mmmmm. that doesn't bode well for me. I spent a lot of catching all these pokemon and was looking forward to transferring them to the newest generation, this might mean I can't do that. that......nooooooooooooooo.

I'm a collector, now I'm fearing that I can't have all my pokemon in the same game.

[Requizen]

no national dex? oh. mmmmm. that doesn't bode well for me. I spent a lot of catching all these pokemon and was looking forward to transferring them to the newest generation, this might mean I can't do that. that......nooooooooooooooo.

I'm a collector, now I'm fearing that I can't have all my pokemon in the same game.

You can have them all in your Bank, however, and then not need to transfer each and every one of them to the next game when it comes out.