francia | [Post 041] Text/Action for Goldenrod City

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[Post 041] Text/Action for Goldenrod City

[Prose]

[Two years. Two years in this place, and France has nothing to show for it.]

[At least that's how it feels, sitting in the Goldenrod Hotel, overlooking the same, stagnant city (and what a sad example of a metropolitan city it is) with the same, tasteless locals who say the same, inane things. He no longer notices the background music unless he thinks about it, kind of like how he used to tune out the rush of people on Parisian streets or the distant sound of voices between thin-walled apartments. France is adaptable, yes, but that doesn't mean he likes any of this anymore than he did when he first can here.]

[He cannot control this place or its people or any of the strange happenings that occur with disturbing regularity. For all the stagnation of its fixtures, Johto and Kanto seem mutable in a way his world (and, yes, he's been forced to accept the concepts of worlds and universes and that his is only one existence) is simply not. The contradiction of this world's condition is all at once endlessly disturbing and oddly conductive of a dangerous sort of growing apathy.]

[It leaves him in an oppressive state of ennui. He is not entirely indifferent, of course, to the happenings in this world. He does, as he always has, care far too much about what happens around him and to those he's chosen to care about and for. It's the interpersonal relationships--with Envy, with Cooper, with Romano, with so many others come and gone and here again--that keep the acedia from seeping in and turning him into a shadow of him former self like, he's begun to suspect, what the locals themselves once where. It's a sobering thought, one that keeps him up at night and keeps him acutely aware of the danger of his ennui.]

[All of these thoughts, this reflection, it all draws him to the same conclusion. He needs to do something to keep himself active, needs to fill the downtime between the disturbing events of this world with some sort of purpose with what tools he has. France has always been a creature of creativity, of vision, of action, and it's fine time that he find something to do with himself other than despair.]

[Text]

I'm thinking of taking on some of the gyms to give my pokémon a challenge and the opportunity to grace Johto and Kanto with the beauty that is the Republic of France! What is the best advice you can offer to conquer the gyms?

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

The best advice I can give you is to pick out a balanced team, especially if you plan on taking the Elite gym challenge later.

If you're just starting with the basic gym battles, it's a bit easier. Each leader has their own type, so you could always grab something that's effective against them... or you could mix and match. Whatever suits your battling style.

Just watch out for Whitney's Attract, Morty's love of Curse, and Clair's dragons. You'll definitely want something with ice or dragon moves for her.

Could you explain to me how exactly Curse works? I'm familiar with attract and the power of dragons, but I don't have much practical experience with ghosts.

[In other words, France usually just runs from them.]

I wouldn't underestimate any of them. but if a battle winds up not being a challenge, there's a lot of ways to keep it from being boring.

are you in Goldenrod?

What would you suggest to keep it from being boring? ;)

Yes! I just checked into the hotel. Are you here or nearby?

Edited 2012-10-19 05:12 (UTC)

Using non damaging moves can keep things interesting. And there's always using whatever you have that's not as high a level as who you're fighting or doesn't have the full advantage. Then you can have fun with strategizing and winning anyway.

Still on the train, but it shouldn't be much longer.

The sense of power associated with a victory... I have missed such things.

I'll inform the front desk that I'll be moving to a room with a king-sized bed, then. I'll come greet you at the station. ;)

Well, if there's one thing this place can provide, it's the opportunity for victory.

[And this all sounds like an excellent plan.]

See you there, I'm looking forward to it.

[France? That name kinda seems familiar... Though Hope cant put his finger on it.]

Each leader has their own specialization, but while it seems like a good idea to fill your party with Pokémon that have the type advantage, it's always best to have balance, as there's always a chance that the leader will surprise you with a move that exploits your own Pokémon's weakness. However, you can also do the same thing to them, especially with moves that have been learned from TMs and/or HMs.

It's also a good idea to be very prepared with your supplies, because given the chance, they will use healing or supportive items, especially in the last parts of the battle.

Lastly, you may want to create a strategy for dealing with them. After all, no two gym leaders are alike, and you'll want to learn as much as you can about them and their team before issuing your challenge.

Hah. Personally, I love abusing Curse, so I'm happy to help.

Basically, when a ghost uses it, they cut half of their health to lay a curse on your Pokémon which eats away at them. If a ghost nails you with mean look beforehand, you can't even switch out, and if they put your Pokémon to sleep... well, they can make things even worse by giving your Pokémon nightmares and eating their dreams.

Look up the Gym's type first, bring a few potions, and be ready for crying clingy leaders.

[That last part is the important one.]

[Well, that...]

[That's...]

[Well, France definitely knows one gym he'll be skipping now.]

This place never ceases to amaze me.

Is it only ghost pokemon that can learn that move? How common is it? Can it affect those who aren't pokemon?

And this France has never been one to pass up a challenge no matter what the balance is!

Please do text me when you're pulling in!

[[OOC: Do you want to continue to action here wherein they meet at the station?]]

Thank you for you detailed advice! My pokémon are well-trained, but, as I've mostly acted as a Breeder during my time here, I realize that their movesets are not the most varied. What TMs/HMs would be most useful in battle?

I'm been informed that Whitney and Morty are dependent on status affecting moves, and Claire is particularly difficult due to her dragons. Which gym leaders would you consider the most difficult?

I think I know who you're referring to by "crying clingy leaders," unless this is a common feature? Who hires these people?

Whitney is the only one that cries, thankfully. At least two of them inherited their titles from their fathers, so I suspect nepotism.

More offensive TMs would not hurt, of course, though it your Pokémon have more offensive mores, teaching them some moves with status effects and defense is always a good idea. Some Pokémon are also capable of learning moves that are unusual for their type. For example, a Blastoise, which is a water type, is capable of learning a few ground moves such as Earthquake. Having even one move like this can help in the element of surprise. It's just all up to you how you want to customize your team's movesets.

Whitney is fond of using Attract which can debilitate the opposite sex, though if you use female Pokémon against her, it should be no problem at all. As for Morty, I haven't faced him myself but knowing how ghost types work? I can anticipate that he may either confuse, poison or even put my team to sleep, and prepare items for that battle.

This place is sort of like how the Dark Ages would have been if there were less wars but more technology.

Who inherited their titles?

Others can learn it, but when they use Curse, it just ups their attack at the cost of their speed. Don't know if it can affect humans, but just about every ghost can pick it up, so don't be surprised if all of Morty's ghosts try and nail your team.

Falkner, the Flying-type leader in Violet, and Janine, the Poison-type leader in Fuschia. Falkner is technically the easiest of them all.

Bring your stongest pokemon. Keep away from Goldenrod gym.

I've done pretty well just making sure my pokemon are all really high leveled

also if you have one with that Flash Fire ability and you're facing one that can make your own moves rebound on you, you can pump up your mon's strength by having them engulf themselves in their own fire attacks!

it's pretty sweet not gonna lie

Is there a way to tell which TMs a pokémon can learn, or is it mostly trial and error?

Half of my team is female, so Whitney's Attract should not be a problem. If it is, I have a male Luvdisc that can turn it back against her. As for Morty, I'm probably going to skip him.

[France does not like ghosts and even less now that Riku has told him how Curse works. ~~Fuck that noise~~]

Of course!

Is Whitney really that bad? I'm well-versed in dealing with emotions.

[Of others, France, you're kind of balls at dealing with your own.

If it's a matter of levels, I'm in pretty good shape! I've been here long enough to see some action.

My Marianne has Flash Fire! I hadn't thought of using her own attacks to the benefit of that ability. Thank you very much for the great idea!

[A second text follows nearly immediately after the first.]

It won't hurt her, will it?

[France nods, contemplative.]

I'll keep that in mind. Do you happen to know if they had a good relationship with their predecessor?

[All information about one's opponents is potentially useful.]

Maybe it would be best to save him for last.

[Or not at all.]

Does acquiring Morty's badge do anything in particular?

They certainly looked up to them, but I've no idea if that came with a good personal relationship. It'd have been rude to pry.

[[OOC: Sure!]]

I will.

[And later, when the train is getting close, another text:] we're almost here, I think I can see the city.

[As cool as the high speed train is compared to the trains Envy's more used to, he's definitely glad when it pulls into the station and he can actually get outside and walk properly. He looks around the station to see if he can spot France anywhere.]

Gives you the HM for Strength and the Shadow Ball TM. Plus, you kind of need it to use Surf outside of battles.

Yes, that bad. Sorest loser! Stitch had to punch her.

haha NOPE see that's the cool thing about that ability!

it doesn't hurt 'em just makes 'em stronger

Edited 2012-10-26 05:07 (UTC)

...

I'll aim for one-hit KOs!!

[France had headed over to the train station after running by the Department Store, a box of chocolate truffles and a bouquet of roses tucked under his arm while he waited on a bench. At Envy's most recent text, he stands up, texting back on the 'Gear with one hand.]

I'm here! :D

That is true...

[But France does like to pry a bit much.]

Do you know anything about their successors? Did the current gym leaders inherit pokemon as well as positions?

You didn't have to punch her! She's immature, but she is just a child!

That's amazing! I have no idea how that works what with her fur, but there are far too many things here that don't make any scientific or even logical sense.

Are there any other abilities that are similar to Flash Fire?

[It's not long before Envy spots him, and raises an arm to wave as he walks over. And when he reaches France, he moves to lean against him. He is careful not to knock the flowers or the box loose, because he definitely noticed them.]

Hey.

[He looks up, grinning widely.] Good to see you.

[France returns that lean with a strong one-armed hug, pressing kisses to each of Envy's cheeks.]

Hey to you, too. Obviously, I got you something.

[He pulls back enough to give Envy a wide grin that's a combination of cocky and deeply pleased.]

Moi.

I doubt it. Gym leaders rarely win, but they do defeat enough Pokémon for their teams to gain levels. A Pokémon that belonged to the previous leader would be much stronger than what they have.

But she wasn't giving Stitch badge!

Hey, if you're time's at a high enough level and knows some dark type moves, knock yourself out. Shouldn't be too hard if you strike first.

[Envy laughs, and leans up briefly to kiss the side of France's chin.]

I don't know what better present I could get.

[He's very happy to be seeing France in person again.] How'd your trip go, anyway?

uh

haha I don't know actually but probably??

I mean it makes sense for some fire pokemon to have that so maybe there's water pokemon that are immune/boosted by water attacks too

and others.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[Post 041] Text/Action for Goldenrod City

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[video] asdfjkl; I just realized this has been video the whole time! I'm sorry *A*

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[video] IT's okay, Cecil wouldn't mind a written response~

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[video] asdfjkl; I just realized this has been video the whole time! I'm sorry A