Poké Prep for Gen 7

By HappyHorsea and skylight. Art by RitterCat. Official art by Ken Sugimori.
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Sun and Moon: The Preppers Kit

Introduction

It's been two years since Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire were released. Your 3DS is probably dusty and gross and you've probably been exposed to way too much Vitamin D than you normally are. That's okay though. Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon are coming out really soon and that means you've got to be prepared. You probably don't remember how you prepared for Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. Actually, you probably didn't prepare. Don't worry, though; this time around you've got help. The Sun and Moon Preppers Kit will detail everything you need to know to effectively play the games (and avoid doing anything else).


How to get "fit"

These games are expected to take a lot longer than previous Pokémon titles to complete. That's great and all, but RSI is a thing. Your fingers are going to be putting in overtime, and you don't want them to give up right when you're about to discover the real purpose behind Ultra Beasts. You have a few days. Use them wisely. If you have a girlfriend, the best way to prepare for the games is to make her happy in a way only you can... by proposing to her, of course. What better way to prepare your fingers for a tough few months than trying on engagement rings? It also will make her hate you less when you dedicate two months to a Pokémon game instead of her. On the off chance you don't have a girlfriend—you can always do the next best thing: learn piano (if you're Asian, it's probably already in your DNA—trust me, that's a good thing). You'll suddenly appeal to every single girl (so the problem of not having a girlfriend is also alleviated), and your fingers will suddenly be able to mash "B" much more than before. Your starter will thank you for it.


How to temporarily quit having a social life

Most of us gave up on any sort of social life for Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. You've probably only just convinced your friends you're not a flake... and you've probably convinced most of them that you had never heard of Pokémon before Pokémon Go came out. While Pokémon Go was THE cool thing two months ago, you're not going to win any points for playing it alone now. So where does that leave Sun and Moon? How do you explain THAT? Simple answer is you don't. What you can do, though, is create a cover. You can go about this two ways. You suddenly gambled all your money away, so there's no way you could possibly leave the house. You're really too poor to breathe at this point. Or, if you haven't moved out from home yet, your parents are suddenly hypochondriacs and can't have you leaving the house. Ever. Well, for two months. They'll get over it. You'll surely die if you leave the house, at least according to them, and you really don't want to tempt fate. You can even intertwine them; you gambled all your money away to prove to your parents you were responsible, and as a result of not eating well, you developed hypochondria, and therefore you cannot possibly leave the house because the literal air they breathe is full of germs. Be creative.


How to get healthy

You're going to have a rough few months, that's no secret. We've discussed the toll the games will take on your fingers and your social life, but not on your actual health. You're going to be consuming a shit ton of snacks. You're going to barely get out of your computer chair and you're probably only going to sleep during the day (especially if you start with Pokémon Moon). You're going to look like one of those freaks from World War Z by the time you catch Solgaleo or Lunala, depending on your version. But hey, guess what? I have the answers. Your health won't suffer too badly.

So you're going to be consuming way too many snacks? No problem. Go stock up on carrots. They're usually cheap and last forever. Slice them up and put them in the fridge or whatever. Put anything unhealthy at the bottom of the fridge and the carrots just below eye level. If you're going to give a Pokémon game full attention, you would generally be grabbing the first thing you see. Carrots are orange and will stand out when you go to the fridge. The worst thing that can happen is discolored skin, but hey that's what post-Pokémon tans are for.

The next thing you'll need to do is buy a new chair. Your ass is going to need support, and your current chair probably won't cut it. If you're poor, there's not much I can do except wish your ass the best of luck for the next few months.

If you're planning on barely sleeping the absolute best thing to do is to sleep right now. Not even kidding. You only have a couple of days, stop reading this and get the hell to sleep and get hyped for Sun and Moon!


Conclusion

I hope you're now well and truly prepped for the games. If everybody you know starts to hate you or if you somehow happen to die from a carrot overdose... at least you died doing something you loved?*

*Disclaimer: If you follow any of the advice I have given then please be aware that I take no liability for whatever bad thing happens to you at any point. You've been warned!


Now for the REAL prep guide with some super useful tips to properly prepare for the games. Follow the link below.

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Introduction

Since their copyright files were dug up back in January of this year, Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon have absolutely exploded in popularity within the Pokémon fandom. With their collective releases quickly approaching worldwide, more and more information is being made public. You, as a sell-soul devoted member of this community, must wield this knowledge and sharpen old skills to the best of your ability. Before playing through this generation at all, there are many things you can do to enhance your experience in handling these new releases tenfold. There is much work to do—let's get started!


Pick your starter!

Mostly any avid player of this franchise would know that choosing your starter Pokémon is easily the most important part of any adventure through the world of Pokémon. This generation has come forth with many fresh, amazing concepts that cater to the wants of all groups of fans.

Here are your choices:

Rowlet, Dartrix, and Decidueye

Rowlet Dartrix Decidueye

First (according to the Pokédex, anyways), we have our Grass starter line: Rowlet, the first-stage Grass / Flying type; Dartrix, the second-stage Grass / Flying type; and Decidueye, the final-stage Grass / Ghost Pokémon. I think this could be a potentially very annoying Pokémon from a competitive standpoint. This capability can be brought forth by Decidueye's signature move, Spirit Shackle, which keeps a foe from switching out. While we don't have all the details on exactly how this happens, possibilities like an upgraded version of Pursuit are terrifying. I also feel as if this line is the generation's fan favorite, based on how the other two starter lines have been received compared to this one.


Popplio, Brionne, and Primarina

Popplio Brionne Primarina

Here, we have our line of Water-type starters! There is Popplio, the first-stage Water-type; Brionne, the second-stage Water-type; and Primarina, the final-stage Water / Fairy type. I, personally, am in love with these starters, not only for their typing, but for the mermaid-like concept. Primarina's signature move, Sparkling Aria, might come across as confusing to some, in that it heals the burn of any target it hits. From what status-removing moves we've seen in the past like Wake-Up Slap and Smelling Salts, we can conclude that perhaps this move does more damage when hitting a burned Pokémon. It can also be used to torture Pokémon that thrive on the use of a Flame Orb, most notably any Guts 'mon.


Litten, Torracat, and Incineroar

Litten Torracat Incineroar

The final line of this Generation is the line of Fire starters, which consists of Litten, the first-stage Fire-type; Torracat, the second-stage Fire-type; and Incineroar, the final-stage Fire / Dark type. It is our utmost honor to be able to announce that this Pokémon that looks like a wrestler isn't part Fighting-type. This addition of a Fire / Dark type could bring a very big player to the competitive table. Incineroar's signature move, Darkest Lariat, could be a hell-hole for anyone facing one that is holding a Choice Band or Life Orb. This beast looks like a physical attacking brute with a mix of bulk and speed that is sure to tear up the tiers.


Play the special demo version!

This version of the Generation 7 games, while very short-lived, is a very informational experience for all who do run through it. The demo is available as a free download on the 3DS eShop. In playing through this demo, players can get a very good feel for how all of the new features work. Things that are exercised over the course of this shortened game are Z-Moves, a short island trial where the player must take photographs of Pokémon in the overworld, the PokéRide feature, where the player can ride on Tauros, and a Totem battle. There is also a special level 36 Greninja available only through this demo, with the ability Battle Bond, which causes Greninja to undergo a forme change much like that of Mega Evolution after it causes a target to faint. This Greninja can be transferred to any copy of Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon for use in the full version.


START YOUR DITTOS!

Everybody knows that, to be an avid breeder, you need one essential Pokémon, Ditto. Not just any Ditto, though—one with as many perfect IVs as you can get. Having a Ditto like this will allow faster access to new, innovative sets for these new Generation 7 Pokémon, and even for older 'mons, in the case that new moves, abilities, or items are introduced. A fast, easy way to obtain an ideal Ditto is through a Normal-type Friend Safari in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, as every Pokémon found is guaranteed to have at least two perfect IVs, and have much higher chance for hidden abilities. For natures, a fast trick to obtaining the nature you want for whatever Pokémon you're trying to breed is to breed a base 'mon, one that doesn't have the nature, ability, or IVs you want, and breed it with the Ditto. Continuing to do this will eventually leave you with the nature you want. Not only this, but giving your Ditto a Destiny Knot will leave you with a very high chance of having more IVs on your mother Pokémon, making the process of getting better IVs much faster and easier. Once you have the mother Pokémon you desire, give the mother (who will supposedly have the desired nature) an Everstone. This will guarantee that every offspring has the same nature as the parent holding it. Having the Ditto keep the Destiny Knot guarantees that each offspring doesn't have random IVs and instead inherits five random IVs from each of its parents, making many eggs you obtain hatch a competitive-ready baby.


Pre-order

Pre-ordering the games; is it really worth it? Personally, I would think not, as I obtained my copy of Pokémon X the day after release directly from a GameStop Store. However, some insane people are willing to pay the extra ten dollars for day-of access, and to them I leave only my strongest prayers to Arceus. The best place to pre-order would indeed be GameStop, where you can get the game with day-of delivery for a little over $50, as it has arguably better deals with its different variety of combo packs that include things like both copies, free Poké Balls, and the Sun & Moon Handbook.


Conclusion

Being prepared to take on these games full force is completely essential to becoming a master player. I do hope that the information helped and that your journey through Alola is a fulfilling one.

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