Scouts Honor
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.
