I’ve finally gotten around to fleshing out my pokédex. Currently I stand at 265 caught and 340 seen. I remember playing Pokémon: Blue so many years ago and being all about catching all 150. But I guess with so many in this game, I haven’t felt like it was an attainable goal. Though my commitment to the game is greater now, and with so many cool trainers to trade with in our chat rooms daily, I finally want to pursue this goal.

I started working on the easy ones first. Unevolved versions of pokémon I already have evolved versions of. I don’t want to overdo it since this could be tedious and make me quit, so I limit myself to one batch (5) of eggs a day. In my first attempt I got Phione from my Manaphy, but was shocked to find that Tropius doesn’t have a devolved form. So my word of advice to anyone trying this: Check what babies each pokémon make. And be sure to have the right incense if it’s required

I think I’ve finally settled on a permanent setup for my first century, Team Twilight. So with each blog I post for the next few weeks, I want to share with you the complete data of my team so you can compare and learn from my mistakes and successes. Keep in mind this team was built as a theme team, and not to be the most optimal team possible. So some things might not work to be most effective but still makes the team fun.

And without further ado…

Team Twilight Member #1

Name: Bith
Species: Dusknoir (#477)
Nature: Adamant
Moves: Earthquake / Ice Punch / Thunder Punch / Shadow Sneak
Item: Shell Bell or Expert Belt

Stats: * – Indicates EV points put into that stat

HP: 211
Attack: 324 (*255)
Defense: 363 (140)
Sp. Attack: 135
Sp. Defense: 277 (*115)
Speed: 116

Description: My stalwart soldier, the indomitable Bith is my standard first pokémon out because of his versatile nature. His defense and sp. defense are spread out so he can take a few hits from any kind of attack while attack is maxed.

His attacks allow him to make super effective strikes against nearly any foe. That in mind, the Expert Belt suits him when I feel like he needs some extra damage, and the Shell Bell allows him modest regeneration if defense is my fancy.

Bith is slow, but can survive most attacks with at least a sliver of HP. That gives him time to get one powerful attack and a Shadow Sneak to finish off most foes. Only an enemy specialized in defense can give Bith a hard time, and even then he can get lucky with a freeze or paralysis from his ice or thunder punch.

I also like Shadow Sneak because it lets him get a super hit on any ghost types before they do the same to him, and he has a better chance to survive such an attack than his opponents do.

He’s not specialized, but I never have to switch him out in the first round. He usually sees his first foe go down with enough HP left to do some damage to the second. I make it a point never to retreat Bith as long as he can deal some damage. He always goes down swinging.

By KC

We knew Burmy was a pokémon with variable fashion, but we had no idea that they were so into the modern fashion scene. This Burmy was seen on America’s Next Top Model. Looking closely, this specimen seems to be severely emaciated. Though it still lives up to it’s reputation of grabbing any garbage around to make its protective sheath.

[Burmy Dress on America’s Next Top Model]

Special thanks to Joe C. for the tip!

Sorry for the delay in my blog this week, trainers. I was set back by a busy new job. But you don’t want to hear about that, you want to hear what I’ve been up to in training this week. So…

After a week’s delay, I finally dueled my rival in the scout troop. However, what I didn’t realize when I made the challenge was that every other trainer within the troop who heard of the duel also would bring their pokémon to get the best of me. Some even did a little research on the site to see what team I used. Though there was one substitution: Apeiron (Lucario). Designed to shut down any and all dark types that come my way, It worked. Apeiron single handedly took out half of one team that composed entirely of dark types.

Predictably, I came in contact with a couple of people leading with Darkrai. I don’t recommend anyone leading with their legend. It’s too risky. You don’t know what’s coming at you, and that could spell the end for any pokémon.

By leading with a Darkrai, I know two things about a trainer: 1) They hack; 2) They probably haven’t trained their team very well and rely on the legendary’s raw power to overcome enemies. This proved true twice. The first time, I switched my pokémon each time it was put to sleep until he stopped trying. Eventually I took him down when my Froslass switched in and used Destiny Bond. Still, I was left with three sleeping and one injured pokémon as a result. Only after this did I realize that Aromatherapy could cure all status ailments on all pokémon. As a result of this battle, I plan on having one pokémon with the move in any future team.

Finally, the kid I actually came to fight in the first place took me on. I was unsettled when we both led with Dusknoir. I was downright surprised to find his chosen legend was also a Giratina. I thought he was copying my team, but people told me he’s been using the same team against them for weeks.

If there is a lesson to be reminded of by this battle, it’s to never give up. His Giratina was taken out third in the battle, and after that he seemed to lose all faith in himself. Obvious chances to take me out were replaced by moves that had little or no effect. I’m sure it would have been a closer match had he not given up inside. Still, in typical fashion of a true trainer, he was gracious in defeat and vowed to make his team stronger. I look forward to it.