Video

[a_sin_for_him]

I've a question for those of you who battle seriously, and take on the Gym challenges.

[Lust is relaxing in a quaint little cafe in Pewter, an Ekans partially draped over her shoulders.]

How do you determine your team compositions? Which types do you put together, what do you consider the most 'well rounded' sort of teams? Which specific Pokemon do you consider essential to any serious trainer starting their tour of the Gyms?

And if you've a theme to your own teams...how did you choose it?

Comments

[video]

[toxicodendron_isley]

I have a preference for Grass types. But it's not been a hindrance in my Gym battles.

My teams are built with a focus on secondary typing and diverse move sets, including a inclination towards set up moves.

[video]

[a_sin_for_him]

Oh? I have a Bayleef I caught as a Chikorita, in Viridian Forest. I'm quite fond of him, though he tends to forget the point of battling is to win and not make friends.

Secondary types, really? May I ask why?

[video]

[toxicodendron_isley]

Yes, the Pokemon's preference is something to take into account also when putting together a team. My Ivysaur does not care much for battling, so I won't be using her against a Gym again, but her son has a taste for it, so I may try to incorporate him.

It can offer some strategy when facing off certain opponents. Like something as simple as using a Phantump during a battle against a Ghost type for the type advantage. Or when I used a Shiftry even though it didn't know any attacking Dark moves, just having that typing meant any Ghost type attacks where now taken into account.

Having that secondary type can help cover the weakness brought about by the first type or just give you an advantage against whatever you're facing.

[kscience]

[Newt, meanwhile, has an Eelektrik curled on his own shoulders. She's kind of heavy for him, but he's learned to grin and bear it.]

I gotta be honest, I haven't even started thinking about Gyms and stuff. A little over my head for right now. My team isn't all the balanced, yet, either.

I probably should work on that, whenever I get the chance to settle down. For now I really just chose Pokemon based on what looks cool. I guess that's sort of my theme- dragons and Pokemon that kinda look like dragons or deep sea creatures.

But then there's two cats and two birds. So it's not really... a cohesive theme, you know?

[a_sin_for_him]

There's certainly no rush - I'm only going for my second badge, and I've been here half of a decade.

But it has my mind turned to the idea of strategies for the more difficult gyms. They only get harder as one goes.

Mmm, I haven't any theme myself. Just...what I've stumbled into, inherited, hatched...

[kscience]

Damn- alright, point taken. ... I wonder if I'll get to stay here for so long. Like, no one knows when they might wake up back in their home world, right? Also, like, half my roster is eggs that I bought on impulse, so I feel you. Still managed to make a pretty decent round-up, though, if I do say myself.

video;

[shiro2hero]

Lust, hey.

[He'd been worried when he hadn't seen the woman around that much. But this is a relief. And the grin on his face shows it.]

I've got a battle team usually ready to go. There's a couple I swap out for the big fights though, based on type and moves.

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[a_sin_for_him]

Hello, Shiro. I hope you've been well.

Hmm. An interesting approach - I imaging less time consuming than crafting specific teams for different circumstances.

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[shiro2hero]

Doing all right. You?

It works for me. There's probably better ways, but we've got a lot covered with these guys.

[video]

[fuelthefire]

If we can't burn it we bulldoze it!

[What more needs to be said?]

[video]

[a_sin_for_him]

Color me entirely un-surprised.

[video]

[fuelthefire]

Mnuhuhuhu...What gave me away?

video

[pikapikajankenpo]

I've got only 6 pokemon, so I rely on training, diverse moves and preparing different strategies for tackling the gyms. I go encounter by encounter, and change up my routine depending on the challenge ahead.

I've got a primarily electric-focused team, with secondary typings into ghost, rock, psychic, and I have a fire type as well, and a mega-evolution capable Pokemon as well.

video

[a_sin_for_him]

Only six? Forgive me if I'm wrong, but haven't you been here for some time?

Do you find a type heavy team to be a disadvantage with Gyms?

Re: video

[pikapikajankenpo]

Yeah I've been here for about two years now. I really find enjoyment in training a small, focused team instead of catching a bunch of Pokemon. Raising a small tight knit group to their fullest potential instead of spreading it across two or three dozen.

Sometimes, but that's a challenge I'm willing to take on. I've got an affinity to electricity, having specialized it back home. When I first arrived people scoffed at me, and now I'm tackling the gyms at the elite level and winning.

[brokencode]

I don't think it's the best strategy, or a strategy at all, really, but... I tend to look at my Pokemon and figure out who is most interested in the fight. 'Dora doesn't like to fight all the time, but Skagbait likes to test her strength a lot.

It... doesn't do much for typing, unfortunately but at least my Pokemon come away feeling happy, even if we do lose!

[a_sin_for_him]

Oh yes, I imagine it goes without saying that those not interested in battling aren't sent into battle. Or I would it would anyhow.

I'm sure that's all that matters, it doesn't sound as though you're aiming specifically to beat Gym challenges.

[brokencode]

Oh, no, I would never send a Pokemon in that didn't want to fight. But some seem more eager than others to be out there.

Honestly, I had no intention of partaking in any battles but... some of my Pokemon got a little over-exuberant back when Krieg started and, well...

Here we are.

[Video]

[rimeblaze]

[This is something that he's been thinking about a lot as a means of keeping his mind off everything else.

Like the fact that he's stuck here. Alone.]

I think it's a matter of personal preference in the end. Some people may prefer to have more well rounded teams, a little of each Pokemon type with a diverse moveset throughout the entire team. I've found myself drawn towards Fire and Ice types since I arrived based on my own abilities from home.

[Video]

[a_sin_for_him]

That seems common, trainers seeking Pokemon they have some connection to like that. My own collection is...eclectic. I've never given much thought to types before.

[Video]

[rimeblaze]

That could be beneficial considering the diversity of the gyms. If you've collected yourself a wide variety you'll be more prepared for whatever you face.

Having multiple teams prepared for gyms isn't a bad idea honestly. Then you can rotate through them as needed and be ready no matter what.

[It's something Izuku would do and makes perfect sense. Shoto was going to have to give it some serious thought.]

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[plasticasshole]

[Connor has a Pikachu on his own shoulders, and a Magneton floating behind him. It might already be obvious, but he says it anyway.]

I quite like electric type pokemon. I'd like more of them. I don't think I've been here long enough to be able to say which are the best kinds of pokemon for battling with, though. I still haven't challenged a gym leader.

video

[a_sin_for_him]

Electric certainly seem popular. I've...not many of those at all. I seem to have in majority...fairy and psychic types, I think. Unintentionally.

I've only battled one myself. Gym Leader that is.

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[schachmeister]

[Did someone say strategy?]

I'm not sure if there is really a single most rounded sort of team. A lot of it depends on what sort of opponents you are taking on and what kind of style of battling you prefer yourself.

That said, I feel no trainer can go wrong with a pokemon that can inflict a lot of different status effects. Being able to poison or put your opponent to sleep are good ways to slowly wear down your opponent without needing a lot of heavy-hitting attacks. I think it can be very valuable to be on the look-out for pokemon who can inflict such status effects through their abilities, so you will be able to inflict a status even while using your turn to attack or defend. For example, my Vileplume's ability is Effect Spore, meaning that each time another Pokemon makes contact with her in battle, she can either poison them, put them to sleep or paralyze them. It has really helped us out a lot.

There are Pokemon that can inflict a lot of status effects in just about every type out there, so there should always be one available that fits your team.

Admittedly, most of my pokemon are Water types. I know that from a strategic point of view, focussing on one type isn't the best course of action, but I just love ocean pokemon. Luckily there is a lot of variation in secondary types, plus I try to keep a few other pokemon on my team too to help out.

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[a_sin_for_him]

[That is a great deal of information.]

I have found myself gravitating status effects, things that weaken and drain. I plan on utilizing a handful of such moves in my next Gym battle.

I ought to look more into them...