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Old May 31st, 2012, 5:16:14 PM   #6
Superimp
 
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Default Arceus Overview Comments & Arceus-Ice Overview

To begin my comment on the Arceus overviews, I have the words of user Theorymon from this thread http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102272:

Quote:
Might want to make the Overview more in line with the other Arceus analyses. I know why you object to it, but its possible to make it sound epic while still being factual!
I agree with this sentiment. While content about the Uber metagame is very important, this is Arceus we are talking about. It is entirely possible to make an overview that provides good competitive information and as user Fireburn puts it:

Quote:
Overview needs moar epic.
Take for example Arceus-Ice. Here is the overview before and after a competitive/flavor update:

Before:
...


After:
...


As clearly seen in the "after" overview, the first and last sentences are flavorful befitting the God of Pokémon. However, the sentences in between are mostly of competitive information intermixed with some flavour. It is to be noted that this is an example, more (or less) competitive information/flavor can be placed in the overview as necessary and at the discretion of Quality Control.

For example, perhaps Steel types being one of the biggest threats to Arceus-Ice could be mentioned more explicitly instead of it just being at the last "flavorful" sentence. Perhaps the body of the overview could have much less mention of "guise, frosty, etc." and instead refer Arceus as "Arceus-Ice, Him, etc." Of course, there could be some factual errors that need correction such as Arceus-Ice arguably not benefiting much from hail (Main benefit is passive hail damage on opponents, Blizzard's PP is quite small).

As another example, take a look at the Arceus-Water overview (Pre-upgrade):
...


As clearly seen, the first few (and last) sentences are flavorful. However, the rest is quite competitive (Ignoring the fact that this overview has to be updated as indicated in the posts of users Furai and Trickroom as well as nitpicks). This is in my opinion what an ideal Arceus overview form should look like.

Looking at some contrasting Arceus overviews:

Arceus-Psychic:
...


As previously mentioned, way too much flavor, too little competitive information. It’s also in my opinion not even good “flavor.”

Now take a look at these “pure competitive” Arceus overviews:

Arceus-Fighting:
...


Arceus-Ground:
...


These overviews are pretty much all competitive information with virtually no flavor. It is currently out of line with the other flavorful Arceus overviews as well as having very cliché ending sentences. Take a look at “Making a Good Analysis Great” in The Smog: Issue 17 by user Ray Jay:
Quote:
"Underestimate Pokemon x at your own risk" - Stale and typically unnecessary.
Quote:
"Protip! bojangles says to stay away from: "Underestimate this [type of pokemon (ex: bagworm, land shark)] at your own peril."
Yeah… On another note, I have seen “every team should prepare for,” “do not underestimate,” their variations, etc. in many other Uber overviews besides “pure competitive” Arceus overviews such as Deoxys-A, Excadrill, Thundurus, etc. So much in fact that these now seem “stale” to me. This problem is just as bad in my opinion, if not worse than many of the too flavorful (and all competitive) Arceus overviews.

In conclusion, my suggestion is that overviews at least consider making the first/last sentences of the usual “epic” flavor while the rest can be of pure competitive content. This can help make the Arceus overviews feel more distinct while still retaining the quality Smogon analyses are known for. Remember, mostly competitive information, some flavor!

After all, this is the God of Pokémon!

NOTE: Comments are welcome on the Arceus-Ice overview. Like it? Needs less flavor? More competitive information? Just right? Quality Control? Sound off your opinion!

SECOND NOTE: I would like to if possible reserve Arceus-Ghost and Arceus-Dragon.
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Last edited by Superimp; Jun 1st, 2012 at 3:59:31 PM. Reason: Structure Tweaking
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