Carbon's Pokemon Emerald Nuzlocke Run: Update 4 (Brendan and Wattson)
Well, despite what I worked myself up saying that his Combusken might tear through my team, Brendan was about as dangerous as a puppy. Queen Zeal and her newly acquired Spark tore through Wingull, and got a lucky Paralyze and Crit on Lombre. She managed to Thunder Wave Combusken and take the next Double Kick like a champ. The poor bird was taken down by Dustox, who I knew could survive at least two Embers/Pecks and could easily respond with Confusion and Gust.
I trained a lot for Wattson, and it was surely needed. On Route 110 I caught a Seedot, which I later found only had a 1% spawn chance. This means I'll probably lose him later, like I did Ralts. ._. I trained him a bit too, so he's a prepared backup in case one of my team bit the dust going through Wattson. His name is Starky.
Along the way, a few important moves were learnt: I taught Rock Smash to J Fly the Grovyle, Queen Zeal learned Encore [very important!], and Suicoon the Dustox learned Psybeam. After getting all of my team to level 23, I figured I was semi-prepared to face Wattson. I also picked up the Revive on Route 110, which I
will be using as a mulligan if needed.
Against Wattson I first sent out Skates the Aron, because he was the only member on my team I was certain could survive the potential Selfdestruct from Wattson's Voltorb, and he did just that. It did a laughable six damage. :)
He sent out Electrike next, so I responded with Suicoon. A lot of people seem to think Dustox is weak, but he's probably as good of a wall, besides Aron, as you can get early in the game. He has fantastic early-game typing and resistances, along with moves that are helpfully SE against a lot of common trainer pokemon and wild ones too in Gust and Confusion/Psybeam. Electrike went down pretty easily thanks to some confusion from Psybeam.
I was going to send Skates back out against Magneton, but then remembered that Magneton have Magnet Pull even in Gen III (for a while I thought it was a Gen IV introduced ability) and that Skates wouldn't be able to handle multiple Shock Waves. So I sent in J Fly, who could deal SE damage with Rock Smash and resists Shock Wave. I got three Defense downs on Magneton, allowing me to strike through Wattson's Super Potion (though I did have to use one myself; stupid Sonicboom being OP in the early game) and eventually KO Magneton.
His last pokemon was Manetric, and it was the one I feared most. But I had a plan, and Queen Zeal was the key player. Knowing that I was faster (I did some stat calculation to find out what his Manetric's max speed could be, and Minun was faster than that) I used Thunder Wave, only to be Thunder Wave'd back in return. This was perfect. I then used Encore, crippling Manetric. I chipped away at Manetric's health (and the health it recovered with the Sitrus Berry) with Quick Attack and Spark, and then when the encore would end I would just send an Encore back and he'd be stuck Thunder Waving me pointlessly again. Finally, the beast went down with no damage to Queen Zeal. My plan had worked; I had beat Wattson with no deaths.
Right now I'm still in Mauville, will continue to Fallarbor tomorrow.
The Team:
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Nofirth the Skitty, level 23.
His attacking stats are falling behind as the levels pick up, but still has use thanks to Cute Charm and the great move in Sing. Assist has also been very helpful considering every move on my team except Gyarados' Splash is either an attacking move or something that neuters the opponent like Thunder Wave. Current LVP, but probably not going to be replaced with Starky due to Flannery's fire types coming up.
Skates the Aron, level 23.
An excellent wall - takes the popular Normal type moves like a champ and has excellent attacking power with Headbutt and Metal Claw, with Mud-Slap and Rock Tomb for coverage. Considering replacing him if I get a Numel up on Route 111, if only because Numel learns a stronger Ground-type move and I need that for Flannery. Will definitely remain as a steady backup if I do replace him though.
J Fly the Grovyle, level 24.
My starter, and most trusted companion. His usefulness has been nulled a little bit because I've, unfortunately, screwed around with his movepool. He carries Absorb/Quick Attack/Pursuit/Rock Smash, the two that I use most stemming off of his (albeit only slightly) lower Attack stat. Great type coverage though, and beats out Starky for Grass-type position in my team any day.
SwdRvlnLht the Gyarados, level 23.
The training I put into getting this Gyarados has yet to fully pay off, though I've managed to keep him alive so far and I'm hoping to see the benefits start coming when I get Surf. Lack of a water move is hurting him, and me, right now. Probably tied for Current LVP due to Tackle being his only really good move, since Bite is Dark-type and feeds off of his low Special Attack. Tackle is useful, though, and I taught it Torment from the TM back in Slateport so he can have some uses for right now. Not replaceable, though.
Suicoon the Dustox, level 23.
The pokemon I'm most glad to have caught instead of KO'ing. Dustox saved my ass back in Dewford when Ralts was offed and has continued to be a wonderful teammate. Running Gust and Psybeam alongside Protect and Moonlight allows me to wall most pokemon without flying-type moves. He has great typing for early in the game and doesn't take shit from anybody. Tied for current MVP.
Queen Zeal the Minun, level 24.
Minun has been, undoubtedly, a force to be reckoned with. Although shunned by most players as a run-of-the-mill electric type with no great moves, Minun's excellent use of Spark and Quick Attack gives her all the attacking moves she needs, while Thunder Wave and Encore completely deny her opponents a chance to attack her. Tied for MVP with Dustox because she is the reason I could beat Manetric, and also has helped me out of tight spaces by being the fastest member of my team.
The Box:
The Graveyard:
Sorry about the somewhat late (and long!) update, I had some make-up work to take care of because I've been out of school ill for a few days.
EDIT3: Long Term Predictions?
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Flannery: If I get a Numel, Flannery will be a piece of cake. Otherwise, will probably result to statusing with Queen Zeal and taking the strong fire hits with SwdRvlnLht.
Norman: Another tough fight for me. Best choice is making sure I have Grovyle up to a level where it can stand to take some hits while firing back with Rock Smash. Will need smart play.
Winona: Queen Zeal. That's pretty much the end. Aron/Numel can take her too, if I lose the Queen.
Tate & Liza: Gyarados and Surf will probably save my butt here. Sceptile will do well too.
Juan: Queen Zeal, again. Also Sceptile.
Sydney: Hopefully I have something with a good fighting type move by now, don't want to be relying on Rock Smash. If a I get a Numel I can neuter Shiftry easily, though.
Phoebe: A Shiftry of my own is looking good here, as STAB Dark moves would be great.
Glacia: Numel, again. I really need one.
Drake: Hmm. Anything I can get Ice Beam on, really. Maybe Gyarados? Aggron's Steel typing would serve me well.
Wallace: Queen Zeal and J Fly.
Most Likely Elite Four Team (from my current members and ones I hope to get soon):
J Fly the Sceptile
Queen Zeal the Minun
____ the Numel
Starky the Shiftry
SwdRlvnLht the Gyarados
Skates the Aggron
Looks pretty good. Hoping to get Dustox on there somehow, I really like him. It'll depend on what happens along the road. I can probably expect to lose someone to Flannery if I don't get a Numel, and probably to Norman too. I think I have the rest of the leaders covered though, type-wise. Key players I need around are Queen Zeal and J Fly, along with SwdRlvnLht. May end up trading Nofirth the Skitty for the Numel if I catch one instead of leaving behind Skates. The only two I can say that I'd feel comfortable to lose right now, although it would hurt my feelings it wouldn't break my chances of success, are Nofirth and Starky.
Anyone have any thoughts on the above? All comments appreciated. :) Also; any suggestions for a name for a Numel? Maybe if I give one a name right now it'll help my chances. They have a 75% chance of showing up in the patch of grass outside the Fiery Path, but I really need one and relying on that 75% chance is like relying on Sleep Powder to put your opponent's biggest sweeper to sleep. =/