You are a type specialist in a hostile region. How do you best represent your chosen element?

[QuentinQuonce]

Voting over and - congratulations to Magnus0 on your first win!

Will DM you shortly.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

Okay, so - we have our new concept.

Last round's winner wanted to do something a little different, and so chose a location we've never ventured to before - the vibrant Oblivia region. So after some research, that's what we're doing!

You are a Bug-type specialist on Renbow Island. How do you best represent your chosen type?​

A reminder to please read the guidelines in the OP (and the ones below) before commenting, especially if you're new to the thread. However, given the unusual nature of this round, please also read the guidelines below. You have until July 30th, 9PM GMT to make your case!

Rather than using the Oblivia Browser's list, I've gone with a list of Pokemon only found on Renbow Island. These are as follows:

Renbow Island native species

Pichu
Mareep
Sunkern
Bulbasaur
Krabby
Wingull
Pachirisu
Hoppip
Kricketot
Hoothoot
Stantler
Spinarak
Buizel
Croagunk
Poochyena
Zubat
Geodude
Koffing
Cranidos
Dunsparce
Stunky
Murkrow
Lapras
Luvdisc
Chinchou
Mantyke
Clamperl
Corsola
Horsea
Carvanha
Igglybuff
Munchlax
Jolteon
Piplup
Shellos
Aipom
Totodile
Ledyba
Bonsly
Tyrogue
Wobbuffet
Electrike
Gligar
Shuckle
Magnemite
Voltorb
Elekid
Porygon2
Aron
Shinx
Oddish
Cherubi
Ralts
Bidoof
Turtwig
Primeape
Beldum
Staraptor
Chimecho
Absol

Note that any Pokemon capable of evolving can have its whole line used (i.e. Pichu=Pikachu and Raichu) but there are some species which only appear in their evolved form, thus other members of their line cannot be used (i.e. Jolteon means no Eevee, Vaporeon, Flareon et al).

Teams so far

igiveuponaname: Shuckle, Ariados, Kingler, Gliscor, Graveler, Metagross
Eeveeto: Shuckle, Ariados, Gliscor, Kingler, Metagross, Porygon-Z
CTNC: Spinarak, Ledyba, Kricketot, Koffing, Aron, Turtwig
Ironmage: Shuckle, Ariados, Magnezone, Gallade, Clamperl, Porygon2
WarriorGallade: Spinarak, Krabby, Jolteon, Zubat, Sunkern, Igglybuff
Pikachu315111: Shuckle, Spinarak, Ledyba, Kricketot, Dunsparce, Gligar
DrPumpkinz: Ledian, Kricketune, Wigglytuff, Absol, Vileplume, Chimecho
Hugin: Shuckle, Ledian, Ariados, Kricketune, Porygon-Z, Kingler

 

[igiveuponaname]

Last round's winner wanted to do something a little different, and so chose a location we've never ventured to before - the vibrant Oblivia region.

The fucking Xenoblade X continent?

This is my first time hearing of this region what game is this from?

Ah good to know

 

[igiveuponaname]

anyways here's a team, I'll add details when I have the time

WIP

Shuckle @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Gluttony
- Stealth Rock
- Encore
- Bug Bite
- Wrap


Metagross @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Fury Cutter
- Zen Headbutt


Graveler @ Custap Berry
Ability: Rock Head
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Double-Edge
- Curse


Gliscor @ Bright Powder
Ability: Hyper Cutter
- Substitute
- Baton Pass
- Earthquake
- Wing Attack


Ariados @ Black Sludge
Ability: Swarm
- Bug Bite
- Dig
- Agility
- Baton Pass


Kingler @ Lum Berry
Ability: Hyper Cutter
- Swords Dance
- Crabhammer
- X-Scissor
- Return

 

[Eeveeto]

So, unconventional game, unconventional region, but looks to be Gen 4...

Bugs are scary for many people. Not just because they are ugly, dangerous or invassive, also because they are unknown. There also happen to be a lot of unknown insects and other invertebrates that haven,t been discovered yet. So, considering that we are in Gen 4, the theme of this team is unknown scary Bug strategies from the future:

Item: Custap Berry. Ability: Gluttony. Moves: Sticky Web, Stealth Rock, Skitter Smack, Rock Tomb. An actual bug. Sturdy in Gen 4 doesn,t prevent fainting (except vs OHKO moves), so we have to use Gluttony. However, this Shuckle has some technology from future generation, Sticky Web and Skitter Smack. It puts Hazards and nerfs the opponent with the 2 offensive moves.
Item: Metagrossite. Moves: Hone Claws, Fury Cutter, Meteor Mash, Zen Headbutt. Metagross resembles an aracnid and in fact many fan-arts and fan-games often make it Bug type. Example: https://wiki.p-insurgence.com/Delta_Metagross_(Spider)_(Pokémon) Despite being a metalic computer, Metagross has claws, just like bugs (though other animals too) have. Our Metagross uses the unknown (in Gen 4) strategy of Megaevolution, becoming one of the most broken (outside legendaries) Pokemon that ever existed. It somehow isn,t our ace despite that, so the moveset is a little humble, yet very dangerous. It uses another future move in Hone Claws to boost Attack and Accuracy, then throws powerful STABs and a bug move in Fury Cutter, which if it uses enough times, becomes very strong.
Item: Black Sludge. Ability: Swarm. Moves: Toxic Thread, Megahorn, Poison Jab, Fell Stinger. Second and last actual bug. Spiders are very scary and this one uses Toxic Thread to lower Speed and Fell Stinger to KO weak targets and give itself a big boost. It also has Megahown, which Ariados did not learn in Gen 4.
Item: Buginium Z. Ability: Adaptability. Moves: Signal Beam, Conversion, Tri-Attack, Shadow Ball. Porygon Z is a computer program that went wrong, literally the definition of a Bug. To prove that further, this one can become a Bug using Conversion. And then it uses STAB Z-Move as another unknown tech from the future.
Item: Toxic Orb. Ability: Poison Heal. Moves: Protect, Lunge, Earthquake, Guillotine. Tera type: Bug. Gliscor has scorpion feauters and learns many Bug moves, so its another Mon that fits on the team. In Gen 4 it doesn,t have Poison Heal ability, so that is the first surprise. Second surprise is it becoming Bug type with Tera. It has a STAB move from future too, Lunge. Finally, last and scariest surprise comes for the present, being evil Guillotine.
Item: Life Orb. Ability: Hyper Cutter. Moves: Crabhammer, Brick Break, X-Scissor, Giga Impact. Gigamax factor: Activated. Kingler is a crustacean from Gen 1. It could very well have been a Bug type, since its invertebrate and learns some Bug moves. Unlike the rest of the team, the moves of this Kingler are totally normal for Gen 4, however our opponent is going to be in for a massive surprise when Kingler becomes extremely big and starts throwing massive nukes for 3 turns (the STAB ones will also drop Speed). Its the ace of the team and its meant to win the battle by being a 19 metres monster.

 

[Pikachu315111]

So, considering that we are in Gen 4

Metagrossite

Buginium Z

... So since these are side games which don't have battling, what are the rules for setting up a team if there are any? (Though, I think I may go a different direction this round...)

 

[Cobalt Empoleon]

... So since these are side games which don't have battling, what are the rules for setting up a team if there are any? (Though, I think I may go a different direction this round...)

I think Eeveeto was saying "since we are in Gen 4 (and these items/features don't exist yet) my justification for them being on my team is that they came from the future, in-universe"

But yes, I agree that some ground rules would be appreciated.

 

[CTNC]

1 Point last round... Ouch. Maybe I should have complained less about DP...

Anyway, let's start by missing the point of that lesson and complain about the Ranger Dex! I'm not trying to be negative, I'm just saying it affects team building! Ranger 1 had a ton of Evolution chains with only one Pokemon in. The sequels got better about not excluding parts of the Evolution Chain, but this Dex has Igglybuff and Munchlax without their Evolutions. Happiny and Blissey are in but they're far apart and Chansey isn't in. I'm going to stick to Pokemon found on the island even if their Evolutions are in the Dex.

... So since these are side games which don't have battling, what are the rules for setting up a team if there are any? (Though, I think I may go a different direction this round...)

I think the rules were made assuming we'd do everything we've been doing because every region has been a main game region. This isn't a main game region, so...

I put my team explanation in a tab in case anyone wants to be creative with loopholes/bending rules without being influenced by anyone else's ideas because I defintly did something that would only work for Ranger.

Team Explination

The rules say I have to make a Team of 6, but do they need moves?
*checks rules*
Technically, I don't think so. I'm pretty sure it was assumed everyone would give movesets, but since Ranger Games only have Field Abilities instead of Moves, I'm just going to list Field Abilities. (For anyone who hasn't played, Field Abilities are used to deal with obstacles. Different obstacles need different types and tougher obstacles need higher levels of the Field Move.)

Kricketot
Slam 1

Spinark
Slam 1

Lediba
Slam 1

Since this isn't a normal Team, Team order doesn't matter and I'm just going to put these three Pokemon at the same time. Their evolutions would provide a useful variety of Field Moves (Slash 2, Slam 2, and Break 3 respectively) but the first two's evolutions are only found on later islands. I was going to have the theme be differrent Field Abilities because more Field Abilities means you can clear more types of obsticals, but double checking the Ranger Dex on Serebii killed that idea because of the weird Dex stuff I talked about earlier. On the bright side, that gave me a worse idea!

This Team is Mono Slam Field Move!

If you're thinking there's 4 Bug types, no. There isn't. Suckle is Rock and has a Rock Assist in this game.

Aron
Slam 1

Bugs have big creepy eyes, exoskeletons, and Slam. When using a Shiny Level 1 Aron an opponent once told me that eye was creeping them out, the armor doesn't look too different than the kind of armor ants have to me, (Biologists, please have mercy!) and the Field Ability is Slam. Good enough for me!

Koffing
Slam 2

Some bugs, like mosquitos, fly and appear to exist just to spread sickness. Koffing has much more reason to exist than mosquitos, but they both fly and spread sickness.

Wait... isn't Koffing the mascot of this website? Crap... I just slandered the mascot because I didn't have a less insulting comparason... Let me know how long I'm banned for.

Turtwig
Slam 1

Between how limiting this theme is and the ban I'll be getting for insulting our mascot, I think this team was a bad idea. Turtwig has a shell, is covored in dirt, (because its shell is dirt) and the stick on its head lets itself camoflauge itself in the same way a stick bug does. It feels not completly wrong for a Bug team and it's better for a Bug team than my next best pick, Sentret.

Is this a good Bug team? Nope.
Is this a useful team in Ranger? Nope.
Do I feel better about doing poorly this round? Yep!

Also, in case I need to say it, I'm joking about getting banned for insulting Koffing. Why would I be worried about getting banned when having Slam 2 instead of Slam 1 makes it the best member of the team? :P

 

[Ironmage]

For some reason, I always thought of Guardian Signs as being in gen 5. Apparently it was just super late in gen 4. Speaking of gen 5 spinoffs, one of my earlier tangents would like to inform you all that Conquest only has four non-legendary Dragon lines. Anyway,

Bug is often the type used to introduce pokemon evolution since insects frequently undergo highly visible metamorphosis. But, ironically enough, pokemon evolution usually doesn't concern itself with one of the main advantages of that life cycle: offspring not competing for the same niche as their parents. In several species, the larva is just as, if not more, powerful in combat than the adult.

The Bug types on offer here are pretty slow, with few to no good stats. But, anchored by some of the few times multiple members of the same line can hold different niches, that slowness can be used as an advantage. Making the backwards-seeming time of having the child on top a bit more literal, if you will. This is the game that prominently places Pichu above the normal series mascot, after all.

This is intended as a doubles team.


Gallade @ Expert Belt
Ability: Steadfast
- Trick Room
- Shadow Sneak
- X-Scissor
- Close Combat
The odd one out of its evolutionary line by leaning physical rather than special. Priority access is both pretty useful if the main speed control fails and, compared to setting field effects and regular attacks, is something Gardevoir has a harder time matching.


Porygon2 @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Trace
- Trick Room
- Recover
- Signal Beam
- Tri Attack
The best performing NFE mon this side of Chansey. Its evolution being buggy for the pun is nice, but it's a bit too fast for this team's ideal conditions.


Ariados @ Life Orb
Ability: Insomnia
- Poison Jab
- Sucker Punch
- Protect
- Disable
With Agility, greater association with Bug's speed-reducing silk moves, and multiple priority moves (First Impression would be nice as well, GF). Ariados comes of as willing to try anything to get around its 40 base Speed holding it back. So here's another one for the pile.


Shuckle @ Focus Sash
Ability: Sturdy
- Power Trick
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Protect
Rampardos? Why would I stoop low enough to associate with a mere 160 Attack Rock type?


Magnezone @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Sturdy
- Signal Beam
- Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt
- Explosion
Another line that's had its NFE maintain some success, even though they.are pretty similar. Magneton still has a niche because its notably faster than Zone, but of course here we want the opposite.


Clamperl @ Deep Sea Tooth
Ability: Shell Armor
- Blizzard
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Muddy Water
The centerpiece of the team. A mon that for whatever reason has a pretty striking metamorphosis, and by holding onto its evolution item rather than using it, forgoes the mobility of Swift Swim for massive firepower. And hey, Molluscs have been Bug type elsewhere.

Side note: Bellossom doesn't have much to distinguish itself from Vileplume in gen 4. Same Ability, nearly the same stats, and it would only get notable moves on its own much later.

 

[WarriorGallade]

Huh, have to say this week's concept is particularly intriguing. I wasn't able to come up with ideas for the last two weeks, but think this time I can settle on a fun team for the concept relatively quickly. (yay, more guardian signs rep!)

So, what's to do on Renbow Island? The Wireless Tower comes to mind, and then there's the somewhat large forested area to the west. There's also Rasp Cavern, which doesn't have much outside it (except for being the site of a certain minor event in the wireless missions...), and of course, it's an island, which means plenty of water.
To "bug" someone can refer to many things - annoyance, trying to listen in on them, or very literally, using an actual bug. There's some material to work with here. Our hypothetical bug specialist will be someone hired to perform casual espionage over in Renbow Island, to inform Rangers of any suspicious activity if they're on a different island. As a result, their team isn't necessarily the best suited to direct battle, but it can annoy the foe just enough to throw them off their groove and find an escape opportunity.

While I definitely agree with CTNC's idea of field moves dictating a Pokemon's role given the context of Ranger, I want to expand on that a bit further, by including moves that align with the specific field move (to some degree). All such moves have been italicized.



First up, Sunkern. Field move: Cut x1
Ability: Chlorophyll
- Cut
- Razor Leaf
- Grasswhistle
- Ingrain

At a small height of 0.3m, Sunkern's very easy to miss. Heck, you need a field move to even engage its evolution in battle on another of Oblivia's islands, so it's reasonable to assume Sunkern could just plant itself in the soil and listen in on any conversations as a sprouting bud.
With Grasswhistle, it can put targets to sleep, and ingrain itself as a form of camouflage. But if all else fails, it can cut surprisingly sharp with its Razor Leaves for a quick getaway.



Second up, Spinarak. Field move: Slam x1
Ability: Insomnia
- Body Slam
- Spider Web
- Toxic Spikes
- Bug Bite

Spinarak may be a bit taller, but its green color, ability to spin webs and hide among trees is particularly invaluable given how much greenery is found on Renbow Island.
Sure, 8.5 kg isn't much of a body to slam with, but Spinarak doesn't learn any other relevant moves to slam with. Spider Web acts as the quintessential web to trap others with, while Toxic Spikes is more helpful for ambushing a particular target that arrives later. Lastly, Bug Bite prevents foes from staying alert by munching on their berries before they can.



Third up, Zubat. Field move: Cut x1
Ability: Inner Focus
- Air Cutter
- Supersonic
- Leech Life
- Hypnosis

Given Rasp Cavern being as large as it is, it only makes sense to have someone perfectly suited to navigating it. Who better to blend in with the hordes of Zubat commonly found in caves and bug unsuspecting passerby?
Air Cutter lets Zubat chip rock formations, which sculpt the perfect area to bounce sound off via Supersonic. With Leech Life, Zubat gets to stay healthy (as healthy as 20 power gets...), and given its association with the move for so long, feels like a more flavorful pick. While Confuse Ray (and Giga Drain) would technically be better choices than Supersonic and Leech Life, this Zubat aims to blend in as far as possible - those special moves might alert targets. Lastly, Hypnosis lets try putting a pursuer to sleep before escaping.



Fourth up, Igglybuff. Field move: Crush x1
Ability: Cute Charm
- Bounce
- Mega Punch
- Icy Wind
- Perish Song

Wait, how is this here? Well, Oblivia's events don't take place entirely on the ground, the biggest offender being that one tiny Sky Fortress that blew up Dolce Island. While Staraptor might seem like a much better aerial observer, it's also the Pokemon of choice for rangers - so any evil teams seeing a Staraptor would know to fight or flee. However, a small pink puffball like Igglybuff could easily camouflage itself among the clouds by filling up with air and floating high enough!
With Bounce, Igglybuff can float into the air and slowly unleash cold wind to slow down targets. If it needs to fight, a solid Mega Punch gets the job done, but if it's got to bug something instead, it settles for the ultimate move in its arsenal - Perish Song, that will no doubt cause mass confusion and annoyance, bugging all those that hear it.



Fifth up, Krabby. Field move: Cut: x1
Ability: Shell Armor
- Bubblebeam
- Fury Cutter
- Mud Shot
- Dive

Given that we're on an island, it helps to have someone who can bug the beaches and/or shallows, to see who comes aboard. Since Krabby tend to blow bubbles on the beach (courtesy of PMD Explorers), a casual observer might not see another one lurking nearby. As such, this is why it's not evolved into Kingler.
Krabby uses Bubblebeam as its camouflage, while Mud Shot lets it launch an attack that blends in with the beach's sand, slowing down targets to the point Fury Cutter builds up power. And as always, Dive lets it explore the ocean nearby, to see if any Wailord, ancient stone slabs that summon Ho-oh, or cargo ships happen to be stuck.



Last up, Jolteon. Field move: Electrify x3
Ability: Volt Absorb
- Pin Missile
- Detect
- Last Resort
- Shock Wave

After the events at the Wireless Tower, it makes sense to have an Electric type that could stand up to Raikou, at least somewhat. Meet Jolteon, who presents as the ace of this team, and has had access to a Bug type move since the first Generation, somehow.
It can detect to avoid detection, and launch pin missiles to bug foes further. Shock Wave lets it always strike a particularly evasive target, and when all else fails, it has its last resort, Last Resort to launch as a powerful physical blow.

 

[Pikachu315111]

Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs, boy it's been a a while since I played any of the Pokemon Ranger games. From what I can remember I enjoyed the series as it shows us a different side of the Pokemon world. Instead of being a Trainer collecting Pokemon to train & battle to become a Champion (and just so happen to stop a villain team's nefarious plot), you're a titular Pokemon Ranger whose job is to protect people & Pokemon from criminals (including villain teams & their nefarious plots). And instead of collecting & battling Pokemon you use a Capture Styler to temporarily "capture" a Pokemon whom can either use an overworld skill to clear an obstacle or use their power to assist in capturing another Pokemon; after which the Pokemon is set free. They were a more plot-focused games and, while not as replayable as the core series, I appreciated the characters they introduced, lore added to the Pokemon world, and generally showing Pokemon is more than just a monster battling franchise. Sadly the games did have one fault that put an expiration date on them: they were HEAVILY reliant on the DS's dual screens & bottom touch screen (and tend to have the unfortunate issue of scratching up the touch screen...). Once they moved onto the 3DS that was the end of the series, but they were still able to squeeze out 3 titles in the DS's lifetime which isn't a bad legacy.

But now to the point of why I went on this tangent: since Pokemon Ranger games aren't a battling series, I'm just going to focus on aesthetic this round. And yes, I know CTNC and WarriorGallade beat me to the punch, but I did have the thought before they posted their teams. So onto my team:

Rainbow Ceremony Festival Planner
For those who haven't played Guardian Signs, Oblivia an archipelago and Renbow Island is the island you start on (technically you start on a small island nearby Renbow Island called Dolce Island where you first meet the Pichu that eventually becomes your main partner, but that's mainly setup while Renbow Island is where the adventure truly begins). There's one main but small settlement on Renbow Island called Cocona Village, and every year the village holds a festival called the Rainbow Ceremony, a celebration honoring the Hero of Oblivia who used the Rainbow Grail to summon Ho-Oh to save them from a great disaster. A tradition of the festival is villagers would go to Rasp Cavern and undertake a "Trial" to claim the Rainbow Grail, the winner then holding it into the air on the "Rainbow Dias" like the Hero did in the past. Of course, the Rainbow Grail used for the festival is a fake one made of paper-mache (and the village's Rainbow Dias is just a wooden platform painted to resemble the actual one).
While not sounding like a complex festival, I'm sure there's at least one person who's generally in charge of making sure things are ready for it. This villager just so happens to also be a bug enthusiast, and they use their Bug-team to help with the preparations:


Kricketot prepares instruments as well as joins in the festival's musical performances.
Spinarak uses its web threads to hang up string and can provide a sticky webbing incase the fake Rainbow Grail needs mending.
Ledyba uses its flight to help decorate, carrying supplies, delivering messages, and wherever else it can give a hand.
While Shuckle ferments Berries into juice all year-round, a month or so before the festival it goes into overtime doing so with specially selected Berries saved for the festival.
Dunsparce helps with maintenance of the Rainbow Dias platform, using its drill tail to dig & fortify the holes for the platform's legs as well as drilling holes into new wood planks.
Gligar uses its sharp pincers to help wherever cutting is needed: cutting down branches for firewood, cutting wood into planks, and even cutting the paper-mache material for repairs on the fake Rainbow Grail.

 

[DrPumpkinz]

Finally a round where I can find some good inspiration. And with my favorite type, too.

 

[Hugin]

When we work together, when we're at our weakest, when we're underestimated, that's when we're at the strongest.

So, we have 4 bugs, Kingler(crabs are bugs), and a computer bug. The character is a group of kids who all fight you as a unit, each of them training one mon even though it's a traditional 6v6 battle in implementation.

Spoiler

Shuckle @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Sandstorm
- Toxic
- Knock Off

Ledian @ Bright Powder
Ability: Early Bird
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Agility
- Swords Dance
- Rest
- Baton Pass

Kingler @ Life Orb
Ability: Hyper Cutter
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- X-Scissor
- Rock Slide
- Crabhammer
- Return

Ariados @ Custap Berry
Ability: Insomnia
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Agility
- Baton Pass
- Substitute
- Disable

Kricketune @ Focus Sash
Ability: Swarm
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- X-Scissor
- Night Slash
- Brick Break

Porygon-Z @ Salac Berry
Ability: Download
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Tri Attack
- Dark Pulse
- Natural Gift
- Thunderbolt

Lead Shuckle, two baton pass users, and three sweepers. Not complicated, but should be effective. (I do not know Ranger mechanics and will not learn).

Alternate ideas: You could absolutely make a whole team of invertebrate water-types without any difficulty. Stupid water type.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

Good evening! Feels like forever since I last posted here. New poll is up.

https://strawpoll.com/wAg3Qa6RMy8​

You have until August 1st, 9PM GMT to cast your vote!

Nuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuumbers.

Numbers

Shuckle: 5

Ariados: 4

Ledian: 2

Kricketune: 2

Spinarak: 3

Kricketot: 2
Ledyba: 2

Kingler: 3

Porygon-Z: 2
Metagross: 2

Wigglytuff: 1
Aron: 1
Turtwig: 1
Jolteon: 1
Zubat: 1
Sunkern: 1
Igglybuff: 1
Dunsparce: 1
Absol: 1
Gligar: 1
Chimecho: 1
Magnezone: 1
Gallade: 1
Clamperl: 1
Koffing: 1
Krabby: 1
Graveler: 1
Porygon2: 1
Vileplume: 1


NFEs abound here. I guess that's pretty symptomatic of the Ranger games. But is this the first time we've had a Pokemon outpicked by its own pre-evolution?! Poor Kricketune.

Great disparity in actual Bug picks, but less so in the wildcards. Kingler was the most common wildcard, fittingly for biological reasons. Metagross and Porygon-Z both make sense in their own ways.

Stuff I expected to see more (or at all):

Dunsparce. Not really a Bug per se, but very much Bug-adjacent due to being somewhat of a pest in many places it's encountered and a Pokemon redolent with annoying moves and disruptive techniques.

Koffing/Weezing. Same, really (I always associate them with Infestation for some reason, though that's obviously in the future in this context)

 

[DrPumpkinz]

Good evening! Feels like forever since I last posted here. New poll is up.

https://strawpoll.com/wAg3Qa6RMy8​

You have until August 1st, 9PM GMT to cast your vote!

Nuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuumbers.

Numbers

Shuckle: 5

Ariados: 4

Ledian: 2

Kricketune: 1

Spinarak: 3
Kricketot: 3

Ledyba: 2

Kingler: 3

Porygon-Z: 2
Metagross: 2

Wigglytuff: 1
Aron: 1
Turtwig: 1
Jolteon: 1
Zubat: 1
Sunkern: 1
Igglybuff: 1
Dunsparce: 1
Absol: 1
Gligar: 1
Chimecho: 1
Magnezone: 1
Gallade: 1
Clamperl: 1
Koffing: 1
Krabby: 1
Graveler: 1
Porygon2: 1
Vileplume: 1


NFEs abound here. I guess that's pretty symptomatic of the Ranger games. But is this the first time we've had a Pokemon outpicked by its own pre-evolution?! Poor Kricketune.

Great disparity in actual Bug picks, but less so in the wildcards. Kingler was the most common wildcard, fittingly for biological reasons. Metagross and Porygon-Z both make sense in their own ways.

Stuff I expected to see more (or at all):

Dunsparce. Not really a Bug per se, but very much Bug-adjacent due to being somewhat of a pest in many places it's encountered and a Pokemon redolent with annoying moves and disruptive techniques.

Koffing/Weezing. Same, really (I always associate them with Infestation for some reason, though that's obviously in the future in this context)

You miscounted my Kricketune for a Kricketot, so they actually have the same number of appearences. Still not a great look.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

You miscounted my Kricketune for a Kricketot, so they actually have the same number of appearences. Still not a great look.

Oops. Fixed.

 

[Pikachu315111]

NFEs abound here. I guess that's pretty symptomatic of the Ranger games. But is this the first time we've had a Pokemon outpicked by its own pre-evolution?! Poor Kricketune.

You miscounted my Kricketune for a Kricketot, so they actually have the same number of appearences. Still not a great look.

"Symptomatic"? Is having NFEs abound really considered an issue? If anything, with this round being based in the Ranger games, thus our NPCs being a non-battler, it finally gives a big chance to all NFEs as we're more making a group of Pokemon friends going off aesthetics/vibes. Nothing wrong if you did make a battling team of course, using the concept to either make a visitor to the island or a trainer native to Oblivia/Renbow Island who travelled/wants to travel to a region where battling is a more common sport.

So in that regard I don't think it shines negatively on Kriketune. If we were making a battling team I think some of us would have chosen Kricketune over Kricketot, and for those who didn't that's because they would pass over that family entirely (cause early Bug-type). I would say it more gives Kricketot a single chance to be on peoples "team", even if it's not battling on them. While Kricketune is a musical maestro, Kricketot is a funny little musical guy who goes well with all the funny little guys if you so chose to make a team like that.

Besides, we all know Kricketune's claim to fame isn't its battling prowess. While starting at a meme, Legends: Arceus finally gave Kricketune it's 15 minutes seconds of fame in one of the funnier jokes in the game.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

"Symptomatic"? Is having NFEs abound really considered an issue? If anything, with this round being based in the Ranger games, thus our NPCs being a non-battler, it finally gives a big chance to all NFEs as we're more making a group of Pokemon friends going off aesthetics/vibes. Nothing wrong if you did make a battling team of course, using the concept to either make a visitor to the island or a trainer native to Oblivia/Renbow Island who travelled/wants to travel to a region where battling is a more common sport.

So in that regard I don't think it shines negatively on Kriketune. If we were making a battling team I think some of us would have chosen Kricketune over Kricketot, and for those who didn't that's because they would pass over that family entirely (cause early Bug-type). I would say it more gives Kricketot a single chance to be on peoples "team", even if it's not battling on them. While Kricketune is a musical maestro, Kricketot is a funny little musical guy who goes well with all the funny little guys if you so chose to make a team like that.

Besides, we all know Kricketune's claim to fame isn't its battling prowess. While starting at a meme, Legends: Arceus finally gave Kricketune it's 15 minutes seconds of fame in one of the funnier jokes in the game.

Not an issue in the least, I simply meant that those games have a different setup to the main series. Symptomatic isn't necessarily negative, and NFEs tend to be utilised more in spinoffs.

 

[QuentinQuonce]

At the Edinburgh Fringe currently and ended up staying out late last night so unfortunately I missed this. Congratulations to Eeveeto on winning this round!