teablossom | second shot ❀ video/action ❀ viridian city

Good morning! I have a couple questions, and this seems the best place to ask. Though first, I should probably announce- The last of the eggs from the Breeders' Convention hatched.

[And that should be easy to see. A little Swablu is curled up on her shoulder, trying to huddle under one of Mami's ponytails, while behind the girl on the grass is a dozing Petilil, and a tiny Eevee batting her paw playfully in the water. The group's relaxing at the edge of a waterfront, and everytime the Eevee starts a ripple, a baby Feebas surfaces to jump the raised line.]

Trista there was my last to hatch. And we're lucky it was here, since Viridian has this pond for her to swim in.

But I was wondering if anyone would know- Is there a point when it's too soon to evolve a Pokemon? I know Trista and Fulvia - my Eevee, that is - learn varying moves very early on, based on if I evolve them now or not. But I don't want to chance harming them by rushing it.

Also, there's another thing... [Mami glances back at the little ones, only to frown when she spots a tiny Litwick coming up behind Fulvia. The little thing looks ready to pounce and surprise them... and instead uses Toxic, bubbling the attack with a loud noise than sends Fulvia bolting for Mami's lap. But Trista? She splashes around in the uncontaminated part of the water, and shoots a Toxic right back at the dancing Litwick- who just uses Double Team to make it miss.

Mami, meanwhile, is trying to give them a calm cut-it-out talk... Which is ignored, so she sighs and speaks to the feed again.] I'm discovering the downside of powerful moves in young hands- They're getting a bit better about using them, but in the meantime there's a lot of trouble risked. Is there any good way to- [Suddenly, she and the whole group gets a face full of water when Trista looses her temper and uses Surf. Cue one near-fainted Litwick bowled over, a growling pair of Eevee and Swablu, and highly confused Petilil, and one drenched trainer.

Also one jumpy Feebas, giving sheepish, worried noises as Mami's blinks fleck the screen with water... A few seconds before it goes out. Anyone's guess if it's from water damage or not.

Either way, if you're running around Viridian you might spot Mami, walking back to the center soaking wet and a whining baby swablu on her shoulder.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Excuse the relieved sigh and smile.]

-that's good to hear. My friend and I had some concerns about putting them in storage... I haven't been able to find much information on what it did with the Pokemon put aside.

I had some concerns about it to begin with, but I haven't really found any reason not to use it. Given how much society revolves around Pokemon, it doesn't really make sense to me that they would allow something that would cause serious harm to them.

No- I guess they wouldn't.

And even if they did, a handful of Pokemon can speak, or communicate, can't they? They would have likely said something if it were a problem.

[And now she feels silly for not thinking of that earlier.]

Exactly. I'm really rather baffled as to why so many people seem to take issue with the idea when there's plenty of evidence that there are no real problems with it whatsoever.

Oh, it always seemed unlikely- But with no foreknowledge on this world and a duty to look after our party, a little wariness isn't harmful.

Oh, no, of course. I've simply seen people doing it when they seem to have been here long enough that they should understand this place a bit better, that's all.

Then I'll consider new additions to my team without worrying too much.

I was wondering what I would do, if none of them were truly comfortable with the PC.

It probably wouldn't have been that much of a problem-I've known people who have managed fairly well without catching many Pokemon at all. Still, it's more enjoyable to train a wide variety of Pokemon than simply sticking to a few.

Yes- I can see both points. On one hand, having a few means I can keep them with me and never worry about neglecting others, or having to stay in the cities...

But on the other, I've counted hundreds of types, types I would never help myself, and if I'm meant to help Pokemon grow stronger... Isn't it better to help more over a few?

Whatever works for you, I suppose. If you're aiming to challenge the gyms, you can use whatever you like. I'm told that they eventually get more difficult, but as long as you have a decent strategy and move coverage, you'll generally be fine.

Yes...

It's lucky each gym has a set type assigned to it. I know that I shouldn't assume everything from it, but I at least know something of what to expect, and can form a fitting team...

And know which one's to keep out of the battle, more importantly. I wouldn't want to see them hurt because I didn't think,

Precisely. Of course, it's also very rewarding to get creative with strategy and move arrangements-when Pokemon use a move that matches their type, it's stronger than if the move had been a different type... but if a leader has a counter to types that would pose a threat, having a Pokemon with a move that doesn't match its type is potentially more beneficial than simply sending out the Pokemon with the seemingly obvious advantage.

Yes- I have actually wondered about what causes that. I know some normal-type Pokemon, for example, are very effective with normal-type moves, but then another would be stronger with a thunder or fire attack.... The same thing could be true of one handling a fighting attack better than the other.

But whatever the cause or such, it should definitely pay to help the Pokemon cover its weak points with unexpected moves.

Well, I presume that the types would have to factor into something aside from simple strengths and weaknesses. It also seems to depend on whether the attack is physical or... elemental, for lack of a better term. Generally a Pokemon that is good at one kind is fairly bad at the other, and this also applies to how well they defend against these individual kinds of attacks.

-I suppose that's something like the fighting games you sometimes find, where characters are usually better at "magic" or "attacking"?

I hadn't thought to separate my Pokemon's strengths in that manner.

...Something like that, yes.

[...you kids and your video games... though those sound kind of like servant stats, so it's not like it's too difficult for him to parse.]

It take some time to notice, but it's more important than you would expect and can mean the difference between using a move effectively and having it do barely anything because it's not a move the Pokemon is suited to.