[Nintendo] Pokémon Franchise

[Flare]

I'm kind of seeing a harpy, a weretiger, and mermaid in the final starters....

[Oersted]

So, to comment on the starters. I'm a bit sad that the designs were leaked a long while ago, but seeing their 3D model made me like them a bit more, and I'm VERY glad that the fire starter is not another freaking fire/fighting one, and even if I don't really like that it goes from a cat to bodybuilder disguised as a cat I can't really hate something that can do lariats.

And on the subject of lariats...

considering that its "trademark move" is a blatant rip off of Zangief's Spinning Lariat

Can't really call it a rip off when lariats aren't something that are unique to Zangief.

And on another note, I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on the full game, turns out they'll be out not too long before my birthday, too.

[Kaijin]

Can't really call it a rip off when lariats aren't something that are unique to Zangief.

Lariats sure aren't unique to Gief (if they were Capcom would be the richest company in the whole planet by this point in time), Spinning Lariats? They aren't...partially as good ol' Gief stole it from Mike Haggar (who was the very first (at least in videogame industry) that thought to himself "hey if I spin around instead of just run forward I might cause some major damage with my lariats").

But in the end what matters is that we have a mon with a relatively decent type... and a goddamn awful design.

.P.S.:

I'm kind of seeing a harpy, a weretiger, and mermaid in the final starters....

I do fail at seeing a harpy there... The closest monsterlike thing it resembles is...Olcadan.


From swords to bows... You're quite the Edge Master, Ollie

[Perentie]

My issue with Incineroar is that its just too humanoid, especially in the chest and arms. I've just never been able to really be a big fan of pokemon that get more humanoid than the likes of Blaziken or Infernape. I don't despise those that are more humanoid than that, but they'll never be favorites. I prefer my pokemon as awesome animals, but clearly humanoid is what they wanted for Incineroar. Its typing does make sense too given it is literally called the "Heel" pokemon, namely a wrestler that uses dirty fighting techniques (which is what the Dark type is associated with).

The other two are definitely nice though, I love the little touches like Decidueye's retractable mask (for sleeping, showing embarrassment, and for use like a sniper's sight), and how the bubbles holding Primarina's hair together scatter when it uses certain attacks.

Decidueye's typing certainly came as a surprise, and its been fascinating reading the various reasons they may have chosen it. Theories include:

1. Its based partly on extinct, long-legged ground dwelling owls (extinct = Ghost type, this is a stretch given Ghost types are typically actually dead pokemon).
2. Owls in general are associated with a lot of supernatural beliefs in various cultures.
3. Barn owls are also called "ghost owls."

Its lore is admittedly lacking in Ghost type associations though, beyond it having the power to hide its presence.

For it to be good in competitive though it need not worry that much about being frail so long as it is fast and strong as the strengths of its type combination lie more in offense than defense (though having two immunities is always nice), as Ghost is great offensively. Its hidden ability may well decide things of course. Yes it has weaknesses to some common priority, but it really seems like they are trying to nerf priority now.

[Jinouga87]

I like that Terrains are getting more love this gen.

[Zadocfish]

I like Popplio's final evo way more now... it looks better in motion than in stills, which is a nice surprise. I'll probably pick Popplio, in the end.

Also, adorable little star-thing that is apparently related to the legendaries in some fashion? That's badass. The Tapu Z-Move was also super-impressive!

And Green... eh, he doesn't have much claim to fame as a champion, but his career as a gym leader should earn him quite some credit (having a multi-type team in a gym, for one, and being the strongest gym leader between both Kanto and Johto). More importantly, we get to fight Red again, yay!

Altogether, lots to look forward to this time.

[Feathers]

Oh wow, that ORLY owl had me rollin'. HAHA!

[Kaijin]

With due respect... I don't see Junaiper (definitely gonna stick with the Japanese name, easier to pronounce for a non native) as a viable mon for competitive... and I can sum up why in just two words: KNOCK OFF

With the buff it experienced in Gen VI (it went from 20 BP to 65BP), it became one of the most common moves to see in competitive and not only on Dark types: Normal types can learn it, Fighting types can learn it, Ghost types can learn it... Even some Water, Ground and Rock types can learn it. Mon that should become a cinch for Junaiper to deal with suddenly become a threat.
Also it might have two inmunities and all... But what purpose do they have when a mon that is not supposed to even graze you still can manage to knock the lights out of your owl with a super effective knock off to the face?

I prefer my competitive ghosts able to take a hit to make regret their foes the mistake they did by hitting them (like Dusknoir or even a properly trained Golurk) or being able to nerf the opponents before they even attack you (like a Prankster Sableye).

Besides it's not worthy to endure 35? or so levels of torture with an ultra crippled and frail type combination like Grass/Flying... just to have a SLIGHTLY less frail retyping...weak to one of the most common type/move in competitive... and in main game (Alolan ecosystem is choke full of Dark types).

[Zadocfish]

With due respect... I don't see Junaiper (definitely gonna stick with the Japanese name, easier to pronounce for a non native) as a viable mon for competitive... and I can sum up why in just two words: KNOCK OFF

Well, Pokemon like Starmie and Espeon see a lot of use in OU and UU, respectively, even though they're weak to Knock Off. This goes especially for Latios, which is weak to both Dark and Fairy! Weakness to one type alone doesn't make or break a Pokemon; its stats and movepool are major factors, as well.

[Perentie]

Well, Pokemon like Starmie and Espeon see a lot of use in OU and UU, respectively, even though they're weak to Knock Off. This goes especially for Latios, which is weak to both Dark and Fairy! Weakness to one type alone doesn't make or break a Pokemon; its stats and movepool are major factors, as well.

Another great example is another Ghost type itself, Gengar, the thing can't take a super effective hit (especially a physical one like Knock Off with a mere 60 Defense) from most anything but has been popular in competitive to this day (even ignoring its Mega form) thanks to its great speed, special attack, movepool and immunities.

We'll just have to see how Decidueye's stats, movepool and hidden ability stack up.

[Kaijin]

Weakness to one type alone doesn't make or break a Pokemon; its stats and movepool are major factors, as well.

Stats have always been my first major concern. What worries me is not that Junaiper is weak to Knock Off, but that he'll end up being way too frail to take one of those and survive. That's why I prefer my Ghost types bulkier like Dusclops, Aegislash or potentially mons like Golurk (with the proper EV training it can become one hell of a bulky physical attacker).
I already tend to have a frail mon to physical blows in my special sweeper (mons like Alakazam, Starmie, Protean Greninja...), the last thing I need are more glass cannons.

---

I don't think Gengar's case applies that well here as its role is vastly different, Gengar's main role usually is as a counter to Fairies (since they don't take too well a Sludge Bomb/Wave to the face) and a special oriented sweeper, which looks something that Junaiper won't be able to perform (so far so good... it looks physical).

Time will tell about Olcadan's illegitimate pokéson, I'll keep an eye on Bulbapedia, the other on Serebii and my hands busy breeding Sheer Force Totodiles...since I think I'll end up needing one (As it most likely end up having paper thin defenses and non existant HP at the cost of either an almost Crobat-esque speed or a relatively high Attack (if we're lucky both)).

.P.S.: Come on... Game Freak... prove me wrong, give the owl Justified as a hidden ability. I dare you.

[Oersted]

Honestly, I think you're all worrying a bit too much at this point in time. The games won't be out 'till the middle of next month and we really have know idea of what changes could happen. I mean, you never know, they might nerf Knock Off, or something. (If they were to nerf ONE move though, I'd love for it to be Scald, that move is ridiculously good for no reason.)

But yeah, my opinion on stuff like that is the same it always is, wait and see.

[Kaijin]

Wel... if Tackle can be nerfed down, any move can be nerfed (yeah, it's official... the almighty Tackle is gonna be hit by the nerfing hammer in Gen VII).
But even if Knock Off gets the nerf hammer... There are still moves like Crunch, Night Slash and Sucker Punch that are really common in competitive sets as well and pretty accessible to non Dark type mons.

But in the end is a matter of waiting (I mean, I know it's gonna suck... what I don't know is how much is gonna suck).

[Flare]

While we're waiting, have something that I thought was just adorable.

[Feathers]

Makes me like them a little more eheh.

[Zadocfish]

Leaks are out for the stats of the new Pokemon! I put my opinions on them below!

Spoiler: show

There are TWO non-legendary, fully-evolved pokemon in the new roster with speed higher than 100. Almost everything that evolves loses speed on evolution, and gains a bit of bulk. As a player who enjoys the lower tiers, I'm stoked. RU-NU-PU play is gonna be AWESOME this generation!

More importantly, in my opinion, the IN-GAME balance seems like it will be really, really fun. I'm looking forward to it!

[Kaijin]

Welp, I decided on world of FF over this.

First of all... lucky you.
I've seen quite some coverage of said game and looks really promising, I wish I could lay my hands on it (although my main reasons for getting a PS4 are Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 and Disgaea 5).

Second... I can actually relate.

Last week I had the chance of trying Dragon Ball Fusions as Nintendo brought four New 3DS displays with localized AND fully translated to Spanish copies in the game (despite the game being released in February...Was really necessary making us wait that long when the game is ready to be distributed at this point of time?) for my city's manga convention (biggest in my country and one of the biggest in Europe), and I'm hyped for that game, the plot is kind of silly... but the game is really funny, the OST is excellent, it has a strong immersive feeling on it and the battle system is quite addictive once you get used to it (it's a bit tricky to get used to... But once you do, you can even find grinding funny... I kid you not).

[youtube]Qpl2DsFLkO4[/youtube]
This tune enlivens the normal battles

At first I had plenty of hype for Gen VII and I was eagerly looking forward a set of games that would make my socks rock off, but the more I've seen of it the less hype I'm having... with the final nail in (the hype) coffin being the special demo that I found disappointing for reasons I already mentioned a few posts back.
I'll still give this game(s) a try, I pretty much owe that much to Game Freak as they entertained me for two decades, but I don't expect it to be the perfect pokémon game I've always wished to play... but rather something to keep me busy until February (if it ends up being something way better than what I have in mind right now... well... yay).

[Zadocfish]

The guys who've got it already say it's at least better than XY. Not a huge endorsement, but it's better than nothing.

[Kaijin]

I liked X/Y... despite being based on France (why France gets a whole region based after it and Spain gets a feathery, xenophobic and dowright offensive stereotype is beyond me though).

Anyway... back to topic for now.

One new pokémon an two new ultra beasts (1 for each version) have been revealed... Also it's been confirmed that the starters' final evos will have exclusive Z-moves (shame I won't try them though... oh welll there's always YouTube for that).

More info HERE

[Jinouga87]

I liked X/Y... despite being based on France (why France gets a whole region based after it and Spain gets a feathery, xenophobic and dowright offensive stereotype is beyond me though).

Anyway... back to topic for now.

One new pokémon an two new ultra beasts (1 for each version) have been revealed... Also it's been confirmed that the starters' final evos will have exclusive Z-moves (shame I won't try them though... oh welll there's always YouTube for that).

More info HERE

Seen them via leaks already. All I'll say about them is they're interesting to say the least.